Now let’s have a look at the LEICA SF 58, a powerful and versatile flash unit that is perfectly adapted to the Leica M, R and S systems. The flash helps to carefully lighten up a subject, to diversify the lighting and capture movement, or to turn the dead of night into living day. Besides, thanks to its integrated USB port, the firmware always remains up to date.

LEICA SF 58 has a creative light with vast potential - enabling you to achieve anything from subtle fill-in and indirect flash light using the tilt reflector to decoupled flash operation in slave mode.

While the main reflector is responsible for the indirect flash, the secondary reflector can be used to lighten up the darks and generate brilliant results. The extra light can be adjusted in three steps and adapted to the subject.

LEICA SF 58 boasts a tilt reflector that enables you to bounce the flash off a roof or wall and avoid harsh shadows and reflections. This form of indirect lighting is good news for portrait photographers, as the reflector will tilt up to 7 degrees vertically, facilitating fantastic close-up shots.

A diffuser is available for this flash unit. It can create an exceptionally soft lighting effect, covering focal lengths down to 16 mm - great for portrait photography

LEICA SF 58 is very easy to operate. It will automatically register the focal length, aperture and ISO and display the information on its screen, simultaneously calculating the maximum range at maximum flash power.
LEICA SF 58 – Specifications:

• Guide number: Max. 58 (ISO 100 / 21°)
• Flash modes: TTL, automatic, manual, strobe
• Remote flash operation: Slave
• Further functions: Test flash function, AF assist light, automatic fill-in flash, manual flash exposure correction, flash exposure bracketing, second shutter curtain synchronisation, HSS high shutter speed synchronisation
• Automatic sensor format adjustment
• Swivelling reflector: Vertical (-7° / +90°); Horizontal (-180° /+120°)
• Colour temperature: 5600K
• Sensor measuring angle (Automatic mode): 25°
• Automatic / manual zoom reflector: 24 mm, 28 mm, 35 mm, 50 mm, 75 mm, 90 mm, 105 mm (35-mm format)
• Power supply: 4x AA
• Weight (without power sources): 12.5 oz /355 g
• Dimensions (L x H x D):2.8 x 5.8 x 3.9/71 x 148 x 99 mm

More about this flash unit at en.leica-camera.com.

Forget dealing with cumbersome cables when wanting to get perfect lighting for your photographic subjects. Thanks to the new Olympus remote control (RC) wireless external flash units like FL-50R cordless lighting set-up becomes s a convenient reality.

The flash is designed for Olympus E DSLR-s. It is ideal for use with the Olympus E-3 professional DSLR which enables the control of up to three different flash groups directly from the camera.

The FL-50R flash unit features the standard bounce and swivel capability, power zoom and a full range of TTL Automatic, Automatic and Manual flash modes; and flash coverage is automatically adjusted in several steps to correspond to the image area when zooming. It also offers the Super FP Mode enabling flash sync at speeds up to 1/4000th second so fill-flash can be used in the brightest of situations. This is achieved by the flash’s ability to fire before the shutter opens and stay illuminated until after the shutter closes.

The FL-50 provides GN28 at a 12mm focal length (equivalent to 24mm on a 35mm camera; ISO 100) and GN50 at 42mm focal length (equivalent to 85mm on a 35mm camera; ISO 100).

Wireless flash transmission channel settings enable selection of flash/no flash for groups of multiple flash units. Four remote control communication channels can be set by the user to avoid interference with other peripherals in the vicinity. Photographers also have the option to control wireless transmission distance by choosing between three signal strengths - for a range of up to 33 feet.

The Olympus FL-50R – Specifications:

• Wireless remote control in three groups
• Control settings directly from the camera LCD
• Choice of four channels to avoid intereference
• Expendable transmission distance
• Compact design and lightweight
• Energy-saving circuity
• Bounce and swivel head
• Flash intensity setting in 1/8 steps
• Usual synchronisation speed: 1/180 sec
• Super FP Mode: up to 1/8000s
• Flash Modes: TTL AUTO, AUTO, MANUAL, FP TTL AUTO, FP MANUAL, RC, SL AUTO, SL
• Guide number: automatically switching 50 at 42mm up to 28 at 12mm Bounce angles: Up to 90 deg down 7 deg., right 0 to 90 deg., left 0 to 180 deg.
• Weight: 385 g

See it at Olympus.co.uk.

Nikon Speedlight SB-900 is a brand-new flash unit that offers exceptional high-speed, high-power operation combined with an extended zoom range. Launched along with the Nikon D700 DSLR, the SB-900 is a flash unit designed to compliment the new FX and DX formats. It automatically selects the appropriate light distribution pattern according to the sensor format of the camera.

It incorporates a moving diffuser and light source that can zoom from 17mm to 200mm in just 1.2 seconds while maintaining an even light distribution. The Nikon SB900 flash unit also automatically detects the fitting of fluorescent or incandescent colour filters, instructing the camera to switch to the appropriate white balance setting.

The SB-900 handles repeated firing at high power with an improved booster circuit for high-speed recycling and includes a built-in thermal sensing system that protects the unit against overheating. It is fully compatible with the other Speedlights and accessories of the acclaimed Nikon Creative Lighting System and can be easily incorporated into multiple-flash lighting set-ups.

Strong points:
* Excellent build quality
* Loads of features should cope with every scenario
* 180 degree turning circle both ways
* Extended range of up to 200mm

Weak points:
* Expensive
* Entry to menu not very clear

Nikon Speedlight SB-900: Specifications:

• Guide number: (20°C/68°F) 34 (ISO100), 48m (ISO 200)
• Illumination patterns: 3 (standard, even and centre-weighted)
• Range: 0.6m-20m
• Flash modes: TTL, Auto Aperture flash, Non-TTL auto flash, Distance-priority manual flash, Manual flash, Repeating flash
• Multiple flash operation: Advanced Wireless Lighting, SU-4 type wireless multiple flash
• Compatible cameras: Nikon DX & FX and others with reduced functionality
• Flash exposure control: Set on the camera
• Sync modes: Works with cameras sync modes Slow-sync, Red-eye reduction in slow-sync, Rear-curtain sync, Rear-curtain slow-sync
• Shooting functions: Auto FP High-Speed sync, FV Lock flash
• Tilt: Down to -7°, up to 90° increments of -7°, 0°, 45°, 60°, 75°, 90°
• Pan: Horizontally 180° to the left and right in increments of 0°, 30°, 60°, 90°, 120°,
• 150°, 180°
• Power: 4x AA batteries
• Flash duration: Approx. 1/880 sec. at full output
• Mounting foot: Lockable type
• Size: 78.0×146.0×118.5mm
• Weight: 415g

Other reviews on the Internet are available at letsgodigital.org, ephotozine.com.

Stroboframe, a division of The Tiffen Company, a Hauppauge, New York camera accessory company, announced the introduction of the U-Pro, the universal professional flash bracket for Digital SLR and 35mm cameras,  say imaging-resource.com The U-Pro offers new Stroboframe design features with the same quality and engineering as its predecessors.

The Stroboframe U-Pro professional flash bracket is a fully-functioning bracket right out of the box. No need for additional accessories. The U-Pro has been specifically engineered to fit almost every digital SLR camera on the market today and in the future.

The ultra-smooth camera rotating system, featuring a stainless steel roller bearing design, locks firmly into place while providing a smooth and virtually silent 90 degree rotation. The exclusive TiltTrigger™ lets you adjust the flash up or down with click-stop precision.

The flash arm is reversible and can be mounted on either side of the rotation device to accommodate “left” and “right” handed users. Sliding vertical support provides rapid control of flash height. Oversized control knobs provide a sure grip.

The Universal Camera Mounting Plate comes with a customized scale, and can adjust to fit any DSLR. The removable support arm for setting the bracket on a table or floor offers extra stability. The U-Pro offers significantly improved access over any professional bracket on the market. It can be mounted directly to a tripod, or attach the QR plate and mount to the Stroboframe QR Receiver (300-BASE).

About Stroboframe®
Since 1976 Stroboframe flash brackets have evolved into a comprehensive system known for innovative features and outstanding quality. Stroboframe brackets provide perfectly centered, overhead flash, eliminating side shadows and “red eye.” Stroboframe brackets are backed by a 5-year warranty for quality assurance.

For more information visit www.tiffen.com.

One can’t but acknowledge that film cameras are getting less page time as digital cameras grow in popularity. Many magazines, such as PHOTOgraphic and Outside Magazine, have stopped featuring them in their annual buyer’s guides. But despite the growing popularity of digital photography, film cameras are still preferred by many.
Reviews say that 35mm flash slr cameras are still attractive as there are many reasons one might prefer a film camera over a digital one. So, let’s have a look which advantages do they have over digital cameras. (You moght be interested in article about bying a digital camera.)
First of all, it’s essential to say, that while digital cameras can be obsolete within a few months of purchase, replaced by newer models, film cameras can hold much of their value for decades. They’re less delicate than digitals; some professional models are built to withstand harsh environments and all kinds of weather. There’s no memory card storage limit, and film is available worldwide. Most 35mm flash slr cameras are vastly less expensive than even basic digital slr cameras; these models start in the $800 price range, while film slr cameras cost as little as $150. What is more, while digital cameras entail a learning curve to figure out how to use menus, record images and tweak settings, most everyone can manage a film camera. One can also point out that 35mm flash slr cameras are a great choice for beginning photography enthusiasts, for kids or teens just learning about photography. Film cameras are also a good backup for situations where you might not want to carry around an expensive digital camera.
No one will deny the fact, that 35mm flash slr camera is also the most versatile camera type available today. You can find a high-quality lens for almost any purpose, from room interiors to close-ups of birds in distant trees, not to mention slides for jury submissions, beautiful portraits with blurred backgrounds and action shots of sports and children at play. You can shoot in bright sunlight or in absolute darkness. Best of all, there are 35mm flash slr cameras suitable for professionals—portrait and wedding photographers, wildlife journalists, news journalists, and more, but also for family and student use—at a very broad price range.
Nevertheless, while selecting a camera you should keep in mind your budget, needs and plans for future photography.

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