Micro Studio Lighting devised a system that connects four of these flashlights
to a variable-output power pack. Four focusable flashlights, along with power
module and acetate filters for modifying the color effects, are included in
the package. The color temperature of the flashlights is 3550K. Interestingly,
for $799 (MSRP), you'd expect the kit to come in a protective case with
support brackets, but you'll have to supply these on your own.
The Desk Top Light Studio, from OSN, is not an entirely new concept in tabletop
photography aimed at the eBay market, but at $599 (MSRP) it is more economically
priced than some others I've seen, and with perhaps greater functionality.
Inside this self-contained 17.4x12.8x10.5" aluminum box are eight light
bulbs of varying wattage, each lasting 8000 hours (running off household AC).
The box will hold objects up to 13x8.6".
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OSN
Desk Top Light Studio |
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Sharpics revealed the enhanced, next-generation D-Flector portable background.
The D-Flector is available in two sizes: 20x32" ($69) and 30x40"
($119). The enhanced version contains three seamless backgrounds in reflective
silver, matte white, and black, to provide more options for photographing a
variety of small products. The reflective background material included with
the D-Flector activates when photographed with flash or strobe lighting as the
main light source. This allows the background of the object being photographed
to become a pure white surround. For highly reflective items like jewelry and
glassware, the matte white and black backgrounds work best. The D-Flector can
also be positioned flat for photographing items like books and stamps. Also
newly introduced are the Tabletop Studio Light Kit ($129), which comes with
two daylight-balanced fluorescent lights, and the Clamp-on Overhead Light Kit
($89), adding an extra dimension to your tabletop lighting. There is also the
PolyBounce Reflective Background with Stand ($149), similar to the D-Flector
in its basic concept but designed for much larger subjects, among them portraits.
SP Studio Systems division of Brandess-Kalt-Aetna Group (BKA) announced new
1- and 4-channel Wireless Flash Triggers. These wireless flash triggers will
fire any photographic flash unit from any camera that has a hot shoe or PC terminal.
There are two AC versions, a 1-Channel Infrared and a 4-Channel Infrared, and
four DC versions, a 1-Channel Infrared, a 4-Channel Infrared, a 1-Channel Infrared
with hot shoe, and a 4-Channel Infrared with hot shoe. Shutter speeds to 1/1000
sec are supported. The transmitter has a hot shoe and an outlet for sync cords,
whereas the receiver has a PC terminal and a mono sync jack for studio flash
units.
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Studio
Systems Wireless Flash Triggers |
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Sunpak division of ToCAD America announced the new eBox Portable Photo Studio.
Designed for easy set up and break down in seconds by using hook and loop tabs
for attaching the translucent panels, it comes with a reversible blue/gray backdrop
and two 50w lamps with retractable legs for easy set up. The three-section tripod
comes with a three-way pan head. The eBox folds down to a compact 20x20x3"
package, with pouches for the two lights and tripod and an extra pouch for additional
accessories of choice. Street price is $129.
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Sunpak
eBox Portable Photo Studio |
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Stroboframe POPS division of The Tiffen Company added a new 5 `N 1 Multi-POPS
system to its line of Stroboframe POPS reflectors, which pop open with the flick
of the wrist. The 5 `N 1 Multi-POPS reflectors come in combinations of
silver/white, gold/zebra (gold and silver), and translucent surfaces. To use,
simply unzip the two-sided fabric, turn it inside out, and zip it back. Or,
it can be used without the reflective surfaces as a translucent reflector. The
5 `N 1 system is available in 32" (medium) and 42" (large)
sizes. Stroboframe Multi-POPS reflectors can be handheld or attached to light
stands, using common studio clamps. The steel frame and wear-resistant fabric
are designed to stand up to frequent use. Suggested retail price for the small
size is $68 and $77 for the larger size.
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Stroboframe
Multi-POPS Reflector |
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Westcott showed the Bruce Dorn Select Strip Bank ($399), which is an asymmetrical
18x42" strip light. It comes with three removable front diffusion panels
to tailor the light to the subject's needs. When the internal baffle is
removed, even more variations are possible. The asymmetrical design lets you
feather the light as needed for a world of possibilities. Also new is the Bruce
Dorn Select Muslin, a collapsible 42" Illuminator reflector that consists
of unbleached muslin backed with a soft silver material for a subtle touch of
added warmth without any unusual color cast ($89, MSRP).
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Westcott
Bruce Dorn Select Strip Bank |
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New Meters With Digital Displays
THK Photo Products has introduced three new handheld digital exposure meters
under the Kenko brand name. You may recognize them. They were once known to
us as Minolta (Konica Minolta) meters, so that immediately tells you Kenko is
serious in bringing these highly reliable exposure tools back on the market.
They include two flash/ambi meters and one three-color meter--all driven
by microprocessor-governed silicon cell technology.
The top-of-the-line KFM-2100 is a truly professional meter that, in its previous
incarnation, was once the industry standard in exposure meters and the one every
pro had to own. It features an integrated optical 1Þ spot meter along
with incident metering via a rotating dome, memory (stores up to nine measurements),
the ability to average readings at the touch of a button, and an analyze function
to distinguish the amount of fill flash apart from the ambient exposure. Aside
from ambient-light readings it will read flash with and without sync cord connection.
The KFM-1100 is smaller and a bit more basic, providing incident-light readings
via a rotating dome--for ambient light as well as cord/cordless flash readings,
with memory, averaging, and analyze functions.
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The three-color meter KCM-3100 is also a welcome sight, even in this day and
age of digital photography. While it may not find its way into every camera
bag, those of you shooting film will appreciate its ability to provide filter
recommendations under virtually any type of light. There is also a dedicated
flash Analyzer mode where it reads the color temperature from flash lighting,
which, as you well know, is often on the cool side. These Kenko meters are a
welcome addition to the world of exposure control.
Manufacturers/Distributors' addresses can be found by visiting the Instant
Links section of our website at:
www.shutterbug.com/currentissuelinks/.
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