Photography Bay

Digital Camera News, Reviews and Tips

Pentax’s New Speedlight in Development

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Pentax Speedlight at CES 2013

Even though we are now in April, I am still digging through things I saw while at CES 2013 back in January. One of the interesting things for Pentax shooters was a new speedlight mockup on display in the Pentax booth.

The only official thing I can reveal about it is that Pentax was “showing a reference model of new flashes.” Boring, eh?

Well, you can see in the images below what Pentax might have going on with its new flash unit(s) at some point in the probably reasonably near future. Feel free to speculate away. And, if you spot something that jumps out at you, please let us know in the comments. [Read more…]

 

PocketWizard ControlTL Firmware Update

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New ControlTL firmware is now available for Nikon and Canon versions of the PocketWizard MiniTT1 and FlexTT5 radio TTL triggers.  The firmware update adds new features that include HyperSync Automation, SpeedCycler and Off Camera Power Control.

The updates are available to all owners of ControlTL systems via the PocketWizard Utility.

More details in the press release below. [Read more…]

Sigma EF-610 DG Super and EF-610 DG ST Flashes

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At Photokina 2010 this week, Sigma announced a pair of new hotshoe flashes, the EF-610 DG Super and EF-610 DG ST.

Both new flashes feature a Guide Number of 61, manual flash mode and a TTL auto flash exposure with all popular DLSR systems.

The EF-610 DG ST gives you manual power control down to 1/16 power, while the EF-610 DG Super covers an 8-stop range that (assuming my finger counting is correct) gets you down to 1/128 power in manual mode.  Additionally, the EF-610 DG Super features a modeling flash function, multi-pulse flash, TTL wireless flash, high speed sync and rear curtain sync.

For those reading between the lines, the EF-610 DG Super competes with the likes of the Canon 580EX II and Nikon SB-900, while the EF-610 DG ST matches up more with the Canon 430EX II and Nikon SB-600.

No word yet on price or availability for this new pair of flashes, but considering where they fit in the market, you can probably expect them to be priced a little below the first-party products noted above.

More details in the press releases below. [Read more…]

Fuji HS10 Recommended External Flashes

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One of the frequently recurring questions that I receive is “What flash should I get for the Fuji HS10?”

The Fuji HS10 features a hot shoe for an external flash; however, Fuji does not make a dedicated flash for the camera.  Perhaps Fuji should think hard about making a flash for the next version of this camera.

I have inquired directly with Fuji regarding recommended external flashes, only to receive rather vague responses as to which flash models are appropriate for the HS10.  As a result of testing, obtaining recommendations from manufacturers and corresponding with HS10 users, I’ve compiled a short list of recommended external flashes for the Fuji HS10. [Read more…]