Lighting

Canon recently announced their new ST-E3-RT radio trigger and therefore also announced their entry into the radio transmission game in the strobist world. Now, PocketWizard Flex and Minis have been the darlings of many strobists: and rightfully so. They’re consistent, provide TTL metering and are super reliable. However, I’ve been a user of the Phottix Odins for many months now. And to be honest, I can’t imagine myself with anything else.

But when Canon announced the ST-E3-RT (or ste3rt), I was a bit confused about the differences in the triggers. Here’s an explanation for you all.

[click to continue…]

{ 11 comments }

Review: RoundFlash Ring Flash Light Attachment

by Chris Gampat on February 19, 2012

As far as Speedlite Ring Flash lighting modifiers go, my favorite for a while has been the ExpoImaging Ray Flash (overtaking the Orbis, DIY, and the GoPro.) However, when the RoundFlash, was announced, I immediately needed to try it out for myself. Promising to turn your hot shoe flash into a larger (and therefore softer) lightsource that is also collapsible, what’s not to like, right?

Marketing is one thing: actual trials and real life use is another.

Editor’s note: Product photos are from the company’s Flickr page.

[click to continue…]

{ 3 comments }

Review: OCF Gear TTL Cords (Canon and Nikon)

by Chris Gampat on February 18, 2012

In today’s high technology photo world, I often state on this site that we sometimes need to return to basics. After reviewing the very excellent Phottix Odin TTL triggers and Vello’s Freewave Fusion wireless triggers, I contacted Syl Arena about his very own OCF Gear TTL cords that he developed by himself.

Syl was kind enough to send them to me in both Canon and Nikon and over the past couple of months, I’ve had the pleasure of testing them out during other different reviews. So can they really outdo today’s complicated wireless radio triggers?

[click to continue…]

{ 9 comments }

Review: Elinchrom 500/500 BXRi To Go Light Kit

by Travis Lawton on February 1, 2012

Product Shot Example 1

Product Shot Example 1

A few months ago I reviewed photographer Scott Kelby’s newest book, Light It, Shoot It, Retouch It. Mr. Kelby loves to use Elinchrom lighting gear which is evident by watching any of his videos or viewing his behind-the-scenes images. He’s even gone as far as to create special Light It, Shoot It, Retouch It Lighting kits that consist of Elinchrom BX 500 Ri monolights and light modifiers. In this post, we review the Elinchrom 500/500 BXRi To Go Kit that consists of everything you need to get started in studio lighting photography.

 

[click to continue…]

{ 5 comments }

The Rokinon D900AFZ-OP is a TTL flash designed for budget level users that don’t want the hassle of having to figure out calculations in terms of flash output, exposure, etc. The one I tested was designed for Four Thirds cameras, but the TTL algorithms translate right over the Micro Four Thirds language (and therefore, both Panasonic and Olympus.)

Read one to see why this flash was recently chosen in our best budget flash post.

[click to continue…]

{ 7 comments }

Review: Sekonic L-358 Light Meter

by Travis Lawton on January 22, 2012

Sekonic L-357

Sekonic L-358

Light meters are one of those things that can start a comment war online. Some photographers swear by them and others say there is no way you need one because of how accurate camera metering systems can be nowadays. While it is true that today’s cameras do have very sophisticated metering systems, a light meter will give you much more accurate results ultimately giving you a better idea of how the image will look before taking the picture. One of the more popular light meters out there today is the Sekonic L-358 Flash Master Light Meter and I was able to get my hands on it. Click through to see how it does.

[click to continue…]

{ 0 comments }