LIGHTING & STUDIO
On-camera flash Points to consider
If you want maximum power, off- camera control from the camera, weatherproofing, and such useful extras as a humble PC socket, and your pocket is deep enough, choose the Canon or Nikon flagship model. However, their more modestly-priced ‘2nd string’ guns now have many key features coupled with extra ease of use – more suited to the needs of the average enthusiast perhaps. You will still pay a premium for the name, so a check of the Nissin and Metz ranges will show similar power and features at prices under £150. Compact system camera owners can get a useful flash boost from either of the two small Metz guns here.
Metz 24AF-1 £59.95
Pocket flash ideal for MFT/CSC or compact DLSR cameras. 90º swivelling bounce reflector Auto fill-in flash
Canon, Nikon, Fuji, Olympus, Panasonic, Pentax, Sony versions Search code: MZ24AF
Metz 36AF-5 £79.95
Compact zoom head gun available for most popular manufatcurers. 28–85mm bounce head LED display of settings
Canon, Nikon, Fuji, Olympus/ Panasonic, Pentax, Sony versions Search code: MZ36AF5
Nissin Di622 £139.95
Well-specified medium power (guide number 36) gun for DSLR use. 24–105mm auto power zoom 16mm wide-angle diffuser Canon and Nikon versions Search code: NF622
Canon 430EX II £225
Many of the 580EX features in a more compact body. 6-position 24–105mm zoom head Ambient light balancing flash Metal foot 9 custom functions Search code: CA430EX2
Canon 580EX II £399
Powerful, weatherproof and very versatile professional gun. Fast and silent recycling PC cable socket 6 flash modes inc strobe mode Head auto adjusts to format Search code: CA580EX2
LED continuous lights
The sensitivity of camera sensors continues to improve steadily, but high ISO numbers are still achieved by increasing gain, which has by- products of poorer colour, extra image noise and other undesirable artefacts.
Continuous lighting has an obvious benefit when shooting a video – it’s a fact of life for all pro videographers – but just a small level of extra direct light on the subject can really help to reduce the nasties mentioned above, and is an alternative to having to use flash, which can be disruptive to the subject and ambience. Manfrotto’s new venture into LED lighting has resulted in very small lights which are ideal for use with any compact digital camera, at hith- erto unheard of prices too. There will be more powerful models arriving in 2012. There are different grades of LEDs just like most things, so the soft and flattering quality of fill-in illumination produced by Litepanels’ lights is a result of their proprietary technology used in many broadcast applications, plus using only top grade LEDs. They also have continuous dimming, filter trays, robust ball and socket mounts and optional mains adaptors.
Manfrotto ML120 Pocket £35 Search code: MAML120
Litepanels Micro £172.95
Search code: LTMK
Nikon SB-700 £249.95
Mid-power, highly specificied but easy to use gun for FX or DX DSLRs. 24–120mm auto zoom head
Functions as Master or Slave gun in Nikon wireless system
i-TTL, D-TTL and manual modes Search code: NKSB700
Nikon SB-900 £339.50
Nikon’s professional gun acts as 4- channel wireless commander. 17–200 auto zoom (FX format) Rotary function selector dial High speed sync to 1/4000th sec Flash tube overheat protection Search code: NKSB900
Manfrotto ML240 Mini £70 Search code: MAML240
Litepanels Micro Pro £259.95
Search code: LTMPK
speedgraphic.co.uk / 01420 560066 23
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