How best to put this?
The Godox TT600 is, objectively, a screaming bargain. It is a full-sized manual-only speedlight with power comparable to OEM speedlights that cost over eight(!) times as much.
It features a reliable, built-in transceiver, a suite of different remote triggers and is part of a ridiculously comprehensive lineup of lighting gear.
I honestly don't know how they can possibly sell them for under $ 70 and still make a profit. Read more »
Strobist
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Chinese flash manufacturer Godox has launched a new adapter that allows users to attach the company’s round magnetic accessories to regular speedlight-style flash units. The S-R1 adapter uses a clamping mechanism to secure itself around the rectangular head of the flash unit, and then accepts the circular accessories from the AK-R1 range.
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Godox round magnetic accessories include diffusers, a snoot, honeycomb grid as well as barndoors and a collection of coloured gels. These were originally designed for the Godox AD200 and H200R flash units, but with this S-R1 adapter they can now also be used on the V860ll, V850ll, TT685 and TT600 hotshoe-style flash guns as well.
Although Godox has specified which of its own flash units this adapter will work with, there is no reason it won’t work with flash guns from other manufacturers that share similar dimensions.
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Godox says that the S-R1 is available to buy now, but there is no sign of it in the usual dealers yet and no price has been announced. For more information see the Godox website.
Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)
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Before the days of LCD displays, the only way you could keep track of what speed film you had in your camera was to remember it, select a dial on the camera, or cut out a piece of the film box and place it in a designated area on the back of the camera.
However, not all cameras have ISO dials or places to put a note; and even if they do, some have a limited range of ISO labels to choose from. To remedy this problem, photographer Guy Sie customized a set of 3D-printed hotshoe covers with common ISO ratings on the top so you can easily check what speed film you have inside your camera.
“On my fully manual ’50s Leica M3 rangefinder camera, the ISO film speed indicator dial on the back only goes up to 200 – the fastest speed available at the time. With film speeds going up to ISO 3200 now the dial is basically useless so I don’t bother with it, but then I have to remember what film I loaded last time I used the camera – which might be weeks ago,” says Sie in the project summary. “After screwing this up a few times too many, I modified gcardinal’s hotshoe covers by adding ISO speed numbers to the top. Load your camera, swap out the cover for the right ISO, and never forget what film is loaded again!”
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The set consists of covers for ISO 100, 125, 160, 200, 320, 400, 800, 1600, and 3200 film stocks. As is, the numbers on the covers are raised, but if you really want to make them pop, you can give them a little coat of paint or black them out with a permanent marker, as Sie has done with the set he made for his Leica M3.
The files for Sie’s hotshoe covers are free to download through Thingaverse. You can print out at home if you have a 3D printer on hand or pay a few dollars to have some made through online print shops like Shapeways or Sculpteo.
Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)
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Phottix has launched a new operating system for its portable flash systems that it says automatically switches between different manufacturer’s TTL systems as it detects their presence from an on-camera flash unit or on-camera transmitter. The Odin Z operating system also offers an auto metering feature that suggests a manual power setting for the photographer to dial in, and now shows power settings in real time on the slave flash display as it is changed via the commander unit.
Along with the new OS the company has launched two new hotshoe flash units and a Lite version of its Odin transmitter.
We got some time with Phottix CEO Steve Peer who showed us around the new kit. Prices of all the released items have yet to be set. For more information see the Phottix website.
The first new flash (above) is called Juno TTL and seems pretty close to the Mitros + unit the company currently offers. It has a guide number of 60m at the 200mm zoom setting, while the Mitros + has a GN of 58m and a maximum zoom of 105mm. It is just as nicely made as the Mitros + and it about the same size.
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The new Juno TTL is compatible with the Elincrom Skyport system, as well as the collection of other Phottix communication protocols for older or less sophisticated units. The flash can command or be commanded, by the Odin studio flashes, and triggered by non-TTL Ares products by radio. Optical systems can also be controlled or used to control the Juno TTL.
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The Odin Z system, and the Juno TTL flash, will offer TTL control for Canon, Nikon, Pentax and Sony camera systems. Peer tells us he is ‘thinking about’ Panasonic/Olympus and Fujifilm systems, but that demand is much lower for users of those brands. The Odin Z system still works for the other camera brands, just not in TTL mode.
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As you might expect, the head swivels about 180 degrees in each direction and can tilt upwards by 90 degrees, and the zoom head can be controlled manually or automatically over a range of 20mm to 200mm. As you can see, the Juno TTL runs on four AA cells.
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The Odin Lite transmitter is designed to control a network of flash units and studio heads in manual mode, and doesn’t support TTL flash exposure. Steve Peers says that 70% of Phottix customers want to shoot with their flashes in manual mode the majority of the time, so this unit is for those for who TTL is inappropriate.
As it isn’t TTL it will work with any camera system – the central pin on the foot has been positioned so that it will still connect with the camera’s hotshoe system even when the trigger connector isn’t absolutely in the middle of the hotshoe. The Odin Lite offers 4 groups and 32 channels. Channels 5-32 use the Phottix Digital ID system for an extra secure connection.
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The Juno Li60 is another new flash unit that is almost the same as the standard Juno, but it only operates in manual mode and is powered by a lithium battery instead of AAs. It has the same 60m guide number as the Juno, and as it doesn’t operation with TTL it can be used with any camera system. This is a very pre-production unit that doesn’t have the name printed on it yet.
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The Juno Li60 takes a massive lithium ion battery instead of the usual AA batteries of the Mitros + models. The pack is rated 3200mAh, which compares well to the 2000mAh of the VB18 in the Godox V860 II that I used to shoot the pictures. Peer couldn’t say how many full power bursts we should expect per charge, but it I’d expect that sort of battery to last well.
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The rear of the Juno Li60 looks just the same as that of the regular Juno and the TTL version, but the display is simpler as it only shows manual flash settings. It doesn’t have the new flash exposure meter mode.
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Also on the stand were the company’s new Nuada LED panels. The R (left and right) and R3 (centre). The three have a heavily diffused surface and produce really very soft and attractive light. The R3 measures 428mm across, and is only 33mm thick/thin.
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The R3 runs on V-lock batteries, but comes with an adapter for NP batteries. And of course, it can be powered from the mains via the included AC adapter. The light puts out 1100Lux at 1m and allows its temperature to be varied between 3200 and 5600K.
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A new panel is the Nuada S3 from the square/rectangle series which outputs 850 Lux at 1m. The panel measures 2376x266x25mm and again produces a really soft light – as modeled here by CEO Steve Peer.
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The panel is also powered by NP batteries or via the AC adapter, but doesn’t take V-Lock batteries. As with the R3, the S3 has a variable temperature of between 3200-5600K, and a CRI of >95.
Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)
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Hahnel industries has launched its first flash unit in the shape of the radio-controlled Modus 600RT. The new hotshoe flash is powered by a block lithium ion battery, in the style of the Godox V860ll, instead of the usual AA cells and has a guide number of 60m @ ISO 100. Each flash unit can operate as both slave or master in a wireless set-up, using optical or 2.4GHz radio signals to communicate with other guns or with a Viper flash trigger in the hotshoe.
Hahnel says the Modus units will be compatible with some other third party speedlights via its optical system and the Viper TTL radio transmitter, but stops short of saying which ones. The Modus 600RT’s radio system has a range of 100m and can control up to three groups of flash units, with manual and TTL output modes. High speed sync is also supported, with shutter speeds of up to 1/8000sec possible, and the lithium ion battery is said to provide up to 550 full power bursts per charge.
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The Hahnel Modus 600RT is available for Canon, Nikon and Sony flash systems and retails at £219.99 for the flash on its own, £269.99 for the flash and a Viper transceiver, or £429.99 for a kit with two flash units and a Viper. US prices have yet to be announced.
For more information see the hahnel website.
Manufacturer’s information
{PressRelease}
You may recognise the hähnel brand for their long-standing reputation for manufacturing high quality Li-Ion batteries & DSLR accessories, so their new speedlight range may well come as a surprise to you. You must remember though, that hähnel have a long-standing reputation for their wireless flash trigger range which includes the popular Tuff TTL & Viper flash triggers.
The MODUS 600RT is powered by one of their best-sellingLi-ion batteries –the staggeringly powerful hähnel Extreme Li-Ion battery which beats the speed of AA-powered speedlight’s hands down.
This new speedlight has a GN of 60 and each unit will handle over 550 shots at full power. Rather than waiting the normal 4-6 seconds which normal Speedlight’s would require at full power, the MODUS 600RT has fast re-cycling in abundance at just 1.5 seconds. The built-in wireless receiver/transmitter offer TTL, manual and multi-modes and high speed sync supports up to 1/8000 of a sec.
The unique wireless connectivity really steps into a league of its own though when the MODUS 600RT is paired with the Viper TTL Wireless Flash Trigger. Use them together and control up to 3 separate groups of flash guns in either TTL, manual or Multi (Stroboscopic) mode.
DCM channel matching and over 100m range makes the Viper TTL the perfect partner for this new speedlight.
Available for Canon, Nikon & Sony.
For more info take a look at www.hahnel.ie.
{/PressRelease}
Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)
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Camera store Adorama has announced that it is to introduce a new line of monoblock studio heads that are designed to work directly with Canon’s RT radio TTL flash system. The company claims that the Orlit Rovelight RT 610 TTL Wireless Monolight, with its RT system built-in, is the first of its kind. The head can also be used with all Canon and Nikon DSLRs using the Orlit TR-611C and TR-612N TTL Transceivers that have been launched alongside the head. These transceivers allow TTL control of the head even with Nikon cameras.
The Orilt Rovelight RT 610 TTL is a 600Ws head with a guide number of 201ft/61m @ ISO 100 that features modes for Canon’s ETTL and Nikon’s iTTL metering systems. It is powered by a rechargeable 6000mAh lithium ion battery pack that Adorama claims is good for 450 full-power flashes per charge. The longest recycle time will be 2.5 seconds at full power, but the head offers output settings down to 1/256th in 1/3EV steps across the nine-stop range. There is said to be a variance of only 150 K across the output range from the standard color temperature of 5500 K, and a high speed sync mode allows for shutter speeds of up to 1/8000sec. The modeling bulb is a 20W LED that has a 3200 K tungsten color balance and three brightness levels.
The head accepts Bowens S-type modifiers and has an integrated umbrella shaft slot. The flash control system can be divided into five groups, while 16 channels are provided to avoid interference with other systems in the vicinity.
The new studio head can also be controlled by or work alongside the company’s Orlit RT-600C TTL Speedlite. This new flash unit can sit in the camera’s hotshoe to act as a master or it can join a group of other RT flashes as a slave. The unit has a guide number of 160ft/48m @ ISO 100.
The new studio head, flash unit and transceivers will ship later this month but can be ordered now on the Adorama website.
Press release
Adorama, one of the world’s largest photography, video, audio, imaging and electronics retailers, has announced Orlit, the brand new line of TTL flash solutions for photographers. Available exclusively at Adorama, the line consists of the Orlit Rovelight RT 610 TTL Wireless Monolight, the first monolight to ship with the Canon RT radio system built in; the Orlit RT-600C TTL Speedlight for Canon, ideal for Canon users who want to use the unique Canon 600EX-RT wireless radio system; and the Orlit TR-611C and TR-612N TTL Transceivers, which enable shooters to achieve a more extensive and powerful lighting solution with wireless control for Orlit Canon and Nikon systems.
Optimized for exceptional, true TTL performance, the all-new Orlit flash lighting line is now available for pre-order, exclusively from Adorama, and will begin shipping in February 2017. The Orlit product line-up includes:
Orlit Rovelight RT 610 TTL Wireless Monolight: The only 600ws wireless TTL monolight that breaks the Canon RT radio barrier and also works with Nikon wireless systems. The Orlit RT610 TTL brings additional professional radio-based and infrared remote flash options to loyal Canon RT users, who can now use the Canon 600EX-RT as a master and the Orlit RT610 as the slave.
With an outstanding Guide Number of 201 (ft. at ISO 100), and manual levels from full to 1/256 power with fine 0.1 stop graduations, this monolight from Orlit boasts a bright 20 watt LED modeling lamp with a tungsten 3200K color temperature. The HSS Mode allows sync shutter speeds up to 1/8000, while Freeze Mode achieves an additional reach of 1/19000 to capture split second moments.
The Orlit Rovelight RT 610 user interface features a large, full-color LCD display, simplified menu system, and a generous power and function control dial. Future technologies and camera sync are firmware updated through the USB port.
The Orlit Rovelight RT 610 TTL Wireless Monolight is now available for preorder and retails for $ 699.95 USD.
Orlit RT-600C TTL Speedlite for Canon:
This versatile Canon RT/ETTL wireless radio-compatible speedlight, which transmits both the Canon RT radio and optical systems, can act as a master to up to five independent groups or slave unit for remote power control. A Guide Number of 160 (ft. @ ISO 100, at 200mm zoom) in combination with the compact and lightweight design of the flash makes the Orlit Speedlite a top choice for professional Canon shooters.
Using the Orlit Speedlite for Canon is a breeze, with a flash head that rotates 180 degrees in any direction and tilts over 90 degrees for any type of bounce or modifier use. The head zooms automatically or manually from 20-200mm, ensuring the necessary coverage without light spill. The Orlit RT-600C also has a holder to place color balancing gels before the flash head. Like the Orlit Rovelight, the Orlit RT 600C user interface features a clear LCD display with a simplified but extensive menu system, with future technologies incorporated via firmware updates.
The Orlit RT-600C TTL Speedlite for Canon is now available for preorder and retails for $ 169.95 USD.
Orlit TR-611C TTL Transceiver & Orlit TR-612N TTL Transceivers:
Designed for Canon and Nikon cameras, respectively, adding 980ft/300m of remote lighting freedom. Using an Orlit transceiver on the camera’s hot shoe, Canon and Nikon photographers can easily adjust the exposure for the Orlit Rovelight RT610 TTL Monolight, while the Canon TR-611C adds control to the Orlit RT600C Speedlite.
This TTL wireless flash transmitter from Orlit can trigger one or more receivers for studio flash and speedlights. Featuring direct group access, multi-group triggering, stable signal transmission, and sensitive reaction, photographers can achieve wide flexibility and control over their strobist setups. And with the Orlit TTL Transceivers, high speed synchronization is available for most Orlit camera flashes, with a max speed up to 1/8000s.
The Orlit TR-611C & TR-612N TTL Transceivers are now available for preorder and will each retail for $ 69.95 USD.
Designed with Users in Mind
The Orlit TR-611C and TR-612N Transceivers feature an efficiently designed user interface with a clear LCD display, simplified but extensive menu system, and are graced by soft menu touch control buttons for all options. Future technologies are firmware updated through the USB port.
The Future of TTL Flash is Now
Coming soon, the Orlit smartphone app seamlessly integrates the latest in wireless command into studio life. A rich array of screens give touch control to the myriad of Orlit features without going near the set, from the convenience of a smartphone.
Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)
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Swiss studio flash manufacturer Elinchrom has launched the next generation of its Skyport wireless triggering system that allows photographers to include hotshoe flash units in their lighting set-ups. The EL-Skyport Plus system includes a newly designed transmitter that has a swivelling head that the company says helps to optimize reception, while the new receiver features a hotshoe mount for triggering ‘almost any’ brand of hotshoe flash.
The units work via 2.4Ghz radio communications, have a range of 656ft/200m and offer 16 channels with four groups.
The EL-Skyport Transmitter Plus costs $ 89.99 and the kit that includes the transmitter and the hotshoe receiver costs $ 139.99.
For more information visit the Elinchrom website.
Press release:
Introducing the New EL-Skyport Plus System
The next generation Skyport is here and allows you to take full control of your flashes from the palm of your hands.
The EL-Skyport Plus follows the successful launch of the EL-Skyport Transmitter Plus HS for Canon® and Nikon®, for those shooters requiring Hi-Sync. The new EL-Skyport Plus system is compact and robust, using readily available AA batteries. The Skyport Plus offers an extended range of up to 656 feet (200 m) and controls the power of all Skyport enabled Elinchrom flash units. With eight individual frequencies and the choice of standard and speed protocols, there are 16 frequency options, each with four groups. The EL-Skyport Transmitter Plus is compatible with almost every camera. The transmitter head folds down for reduced profile and easier subject viewing while shooting.
Compatible with Most Flash Systems
The EL-Skyport Receiver Plus will trigger almost every flash system and features a built-in hot shoe to trigger speedlights, while enabling them to also be conveniently mounted onto a lighting stand.
When used in conjunction with a Skyport HS Plus Transmitter, most speedlights set at full power can also be incorporated into Hi-Sync applications (using high shutter sync speeds to freeze motion and control ambient light).
“Elinchrom has long prided itself on providing as much control as possible to its photographers. The new Skyport Plus continues that tradition by allowing shooters to take and maintain complete control no matter what they are shooting. When it comes to Living Light, no company does it better than Elinchrom.” said Jan Lederman, MAC Group President.
The Elinchrom Skyport Plus system is retro compatible with the existing Skyport Speed system, and forward compatible to the additional frequencies offered by the latest Elinchrom ELB and ELC units.
EL-Skyport Plus To Go Contents
* EL-Skyport Transmitter Plus contains:
* EL-Skyport Transmitter Plus
* 2.5 mm to PC sync cord
* Wrist strap
* 2-year warranty
EL-Skyport Universal Plus set contains:
* EL-Skyport Transmitter Plus
* EL-Skyport Receiver Plus
* 2.5 mm to PC sync cord
* 3.5 mm to 3.5 mm sync cord
* 3.5 mm to 6.35 mm adapter
* Wrist strap
* 2-year warranty
Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)
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Flash manufacturer Phottix has launched a new adapter that is designed to allow hotshoe flash units to be used with standard studio accessories, such as softboxes, umbrellas and snoots. The Cerberus consists of a universal grip that holds the flash directly in the middle of an adapter ring that can be used to attach existing studio flash accessories in the Bowens S, Elinchrom and the Phottix Transfolder softbox range. The idea is that if users already have studio light modifiers they can use them with their hotshoe guns instead of having to buy accessories dedicated to smaller units.
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The clamp used is the Phottix Griffin, which has a pair of spring-loaded jaws that close around the head of the flash unit, leaving the hotshoe free for remote triggers. The clamp is attached to a mounting bracket that can be fitted with the adapter ring to suit the mount of the modifiers you want to use. The unit is called Cerberus after the three-headed hound of Hades from Greek mythology because its interchangeable mount can accept modifiers in three different fittings.
The kit comes with a Phottix Varos Pro BG jointed Umbrella Adapter that is used to mount the whole kit on to a lighting stand or tripod. The Phottix Cerberus multi-mount kit, which includes the Bowens and Elinchrom rings, costs $ 92.50. For more information visit the Phottix website.
Manufacturer’s dramatic product video:
Press release:
There’s a new mounting system in town – the Phottix Cerberus Multi Mount.
The Phottix Cerberus Multi Mount is your all-in-one mounting solution for hot shoe flashes. Use your hot shoe flashes with Bowens-compatible accessories, Elinchrom-compatible accessories, and the Phottix Transfolder Softbox range.
The Cerberus system comes with:
Like the mythical Cerberus, the Phottix Cerberus Multi Mount has three heads. The standard round mount works with the range of Phottix Transfolder Softboxes. Add the Bowen-compatible mount – and traditional S-Mount compatible accessories can be used with your hot shoe flash. Swap that out for the Elinchrom-compatible mount and use Elinchrom’s vast array of accessories with your hot shoe flash.
The durable and patented Phottix Griffin Universal Flash Mount holds many popular hot shoe flash models secure in a synthetic-lined spring-loaded clamp. The system was designed to be both durable and easy to use. A Phottix Varos Pro BG Umbrella Adapter is included to mount the Phottix Cerberus Multi Mount to a light stand or boom. The Phottiax Griffin is available on its own as well as being included with the Cerberus Multi Mount set.
Several configurations of the Phottix Cerberus are avaialble. Talk to you local Phottix dealer or buy from the Phottix Online Store.
* Note: The Phottix Griffin Mount with this set is affixed to the Phottix Cerberus Softbox Mount and cannot be removed. Varos Pro BG does not come with metal Coldshoe and male 3/8” and ¼ “ screw.
Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)
PocketWizard has introduced a new version of its Plus series transceiver that features a top-mounted hotshoe. The new hotshoe allows a flash unit to be fitted while the PocketWizard Plus IV is attached to the camera, as well as when the flash is positioned remotely and being controlled wirelessly. Read more
Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)
Phottix, a lighting equipment maker, is reporting an issue where its Odin TTL triggers may not work properly with the Nikon D750. According to a recent blog post the company claims that the D750’s hot shoe design differs slightly from that of other Nikon DSLRs, which causes the pins of the Odin trigger to line up incorrectly. Read more
Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)
