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Maybe you’re looking to enhance your existing lighting lineup with a new monolight, reflector, or exposure meter. Or you’ve decided you’re ready to cut the cord and go wireless. SP&D illuminates some of the hottest new high-voltage offerings from major lighting manufacturers, all designed to give you ultimate control so you can focus on getting the shot.
Adorama www.adorama.com
Shed light on your subjects, and shed extra weight in the process: Adorama’s Flashpoint II is a family of compact, lightweight monolights available in three models, providing output in 300, 600, and 900 watt/seconds. Each light has a proportional halogen modeling lamp, audible flash-ready signals, and a built-in switchable slave. Both flash tube and modeling lamp are easily replaceable, and the unit will sound an audible (but not annoying) beep after recycling, indicating that the unit is ready to fire again. One of the Flashpoint II’s most useful features is continuously variable flash power settings down to 1/8th power, which enable you to tweak exposure by adjusting the flash instead of the camera’s aperture to control depth-of-field.
Brandess-Kalt-Aetna www.bkaphoto.com
Need to shoot outdoors or where there’s no AC power available? Check out the most recent addition to the Lancerlight Series of AC/DC flashes by SP Studio Systems: The SPLL3200K light kit features two SPC3200 AC/DC monolight flashes (with 320 watt/seconds of power), two 40-inch white umbrellas, two 8-foot air-cushioned aluminum lightstands, and one padded equipment carry case made of ballistic nylon. The kit’s compact design adds versatility to any shooting situation.
Broncolor www.sinarbron.com
Known for its specialty light series, Broncolor has come up with an industry exclusive: the Ringflash P and Ringflash C, two new lamps that each boast a modeling light. Designed for the Para B series, the Ringflash P can be moved within the umbrella for a variety of lighting angles and effects, while the on-camera Ringflash C casts half-shadow contours that are ideal for fashion, food, and macro photography. Both lamps feature 3,200 watt/seconds of power, are compatible with all Broncolor power packs, and have two cooling fans.
California Sunbounce www.sunbounce.com
California Sunbounce’s Sun-Bounce and Sun-Swatter are large light shapers, softeners, and modifiers that are quick to set up and easy to transport. Available in a variety of shapes and sizes—from hand-held to stand-mounted—the Sun-Bounce Pro and Mini are two of the most popular models. The Sunbounce Sun-Swatter gets its name from the way it’s used to diffuse or swat light. Super strong, stiff, and stable, the Sun-Swatters can be held overhead or attached to a light stand. Both lines also work perfectly in the studio, by softening harsh lighting.
Calumet www.calumetphoto.com
If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it—just make it easier to use. Calumet Photographic’s latest generation of self-contained Travelites offer the same convenient features as their popular predecessors, along with the option of being able to use them anywhere, thanks to the new accessory Travel-Pak rechargeable battery. The Travelites (a vailable in 750 w/s and 375 w/s models, weighing 7.5 pounds and 6.75 pounds, respectively) feature a combined power variator that controls flash power levels from full to 1/32, as well as fast recycle times, short flash durations, internal stabilization for consistent output, and a built-in photocell. Each Travelite comes with a carrying case that keeps it safe, while in transit, in water up to three feet deep.
Canon www.canon.com
It’s full speed ahead in the studio with Canon’s new Speedlite 430EX flash unit, succeeding the Speedlite 420EX model as one of the most functional and powerful flashes in its class. In addition to an increased maximum guide number of 43/141 (ISO 100, in meters/feet), the 430EX is even more versatile with a built-in wide panel, which increases the minimum focal-length coverage from the previous 24mm to 14mm. The Speedlite 430EX flash is compatible with Canon’s E-TTL II (Evaluative Through The Lens) auto exposure technology.
Elinchrom www.bogenimaging.com
Cutting-edge multi-voltage technology is at the heart of Elinchrom’s EL 400BX Kit, a compact portable-flash-unit kit that comes with all the accessories so you can plug it in anywhere. The digitally stabilized Style BX400 Multivoltage Head features automatic voltage detection from 90 V to 260 V, as well as a recycle time of 1 second in a lightweight monobloc weighing only 4.3 pounds. Each kit comes with two Style BX400 heads, a 16cm umbrella reflector, 83cm silver and translucent umbrellas, two Manfrotto lightstands, and a poly carrying case.
F.J. Westcott www.fjwestcott.com
Tungsten halogen or fluorescent? The Spiderlite TD5 accommodates five of either type of lamp. With one light head, you can light for daylight with lower-amperage, cooler-temperature fluorescent lamps, or use higher-output tungsten halogen lamps to achieve a total of 750 watts. Three control switches means you can quickly change the lighting ratio without changing color temperature. The unit is constructed of solid metal and rod points are built directly into the light head for attachment of a softbox, eliminating the need for an adapter ring.
Gossen www.bogenimaging.com
The DigiPro F high-precision exposure meter comes slim, sturdy, and ready to swivel, making measuring and reading easier for professional photographers. The lightweight meter is small enough to sit comfortably in a shirt pocket, while the user-friendly interface can be operated with one hand, since photographers rarely have two hands free at the same time. The Digipro F features incident and reflected light modes, along with flash and ambient light. The unit’s LCD screen allows digital read-out in 1/10 steps, and analog indication of contrast in 1/2-step increments.
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