Apart from updating their Alpha line up, Sony also announced the HVL-F20AM flash unit. Foldable, the HVL-F20AM pivots upwards for bounce flash shooting. The Sony HVL-F20AM Flash Unit will retail for $130.
The Canon Speedlite 270EX has been designed keeping in mind the needs of EOS and PowerShot users. Replacing the Speedlite 220EX, the Speedlite 270EX has a zoom head, a quick-lock mechanism and a metal mounting foot. The external flash unit is available from early May 2009 priced at £149.99 / €169.99 RRP inc. VAT.
Key Features include:
* High power flash with a maximum guide number 27 m
* Fast, silent recycle times
* Manual flash output (settable via camera menus)
* Speedlite controllable with compatible camera’s menu
* Zoom head
* Bounce flash head
Apart from the SUPER-ELMAR-M 18 mm f/3.8 lens , Leica also introduced a new flash unit. The LEICA SF 58 flash unit has a maximum guide number of 58 (ISO 100/21°) and features a system-controlled secondary reflector. The LEICA SF 58 is suitable for use with all Leica rangefinder and SLR cameras and can also be used with the new Leica S-system. The LEICA SF 58 will be available at authorized Leica dealers in March 2009.
Firmware Update 5.02 is available for the Nikon SB-900 Speedlight flashgun. The following improvements have been made in version 5.02
- With uninterrupted shooting with the SB-900 set to i-TTL mode, images captured just before the flash ceased firing were sometimes overexposed.
This issue has been resolved. By resolving this issue, metering precision has been further increased and the number of times the flash fires has also been increased.
- When the SB-900, set to TTL auto flash mode, is used with a camera supporting the Nikon Creative Lighting System (CLS), flash mode automatically changes to A mode according to camera communication status. That flash mode was previously maintained, but it has been modified so that TTL auto flash mode is restored once the SB-900 again recognizes the camera as a CLS-compatible camera.
Rob Galbraith is reporting that the Hensel Porty Lithium power packs will start shipping from November 2008 in Europe, the U.S. and other select regions. In the U.S., one online photo retailer has posted the following prices
* Porty 6 (600ws) with charger and SoftbagP: US$2898.95
* Porty 12 (1200ws) with charger and SoftbagP: US$3328.95
* Additional charger: US$398.95
* Additional battery: US$524.95
The newly announced PENTAX AF160FC dedicated auto macro flash has been designed for Pentax DSLR cameras. The flash utilizes the automatic exposure-control system of PENTAX digital SLR cameras and is ideal for advanced close-up shots.
Main Features
(1) Uniform lighting on the subject to minimise unwanted shadows, making it ideal for close-up shots;
(2) P-TTL auto flash system to consistently ensure correct exposure levels, by measuring the flash’s pre-discharge with the camera’s image sensors and assessing the subject’s lighting condition with the camera’s multi-pattern metering system;
(3) Maximum guide number of 16 (at ISO 100/m);
(4) User-friendly operation with a single control dial on the back panel to simplify flash-mode changes and discharge-level adjustments;
(5) Advanced flash applications, including contrast-control auto flash and independent switching between two flash bulbs.
The Hensel Porty 6 and Porty 12 are battery-powered packs that have a maximum output of 600ws and 1200ws. Both can power up the following Hensel flash units; EH Pro Mini 1200 P , EH Pro Mini 1200 P, EH Pro Mini and EH Pro Mini Speed Shorter flash. No word on pricing or availability but more information is expected to be revealed during the Photokina 2008 trade show.
The Kingston 32GB Elite Pro SDHC Flash memory card is now shipping for $308.00. Ideal for pro photographers and high resolution recording devices, the card has the largest capacity in Kingston's Elite Pro line of SDHC cards.According to Kingston, the card is capable of storing more than 6,000 still images (with a 10MP camera) and over eight hours of video (for 6Mbps HD Extended recording).
For more detailed information visit the Kingston Web site at: www.kingston.com.
Features and Specifications:
Compliant: with the SD Card Association specification version 2.00
Secure: built-in write-protect switch prevents accidental data loss
Compatible: with SDHC host devices; not compatible with standard SD-enabled devices/readers
File Format: FAT 32
Reliable: lifetime warranty**
Simple: as easy as plug-and-play
Capacities***: 4GB, 8GB, 16GB, 32GB
Dimensions: 0.94" x 1.25" x 0.08" (24mm x 32 mm x 2.1mm)
Speed Class 4: 4MB/sec. guaranteed minimum data transfer rate
Operating Temperature: -13° F to 185° F (-25° C to 85° C)
Storage Temperature: -40° F to 185° F (-40° C to 85° C)
A review of the Nikon SB-900 Speedlight has been posted on the blog Strobist. While the flash was found to be larger than expected, the reviewer does admit that it has been ergonomically designed. The SB-900 has an impressive refractor/reflector system and according to the reviewer the ICLS interface is a winner.
The newly announced Nikon SB-900 Speedlight will ship in August for $499.95. Available in three light patterns i.e. center-weighted, standard and even, the SB-900 seeks to replace the SB-800.
The Nikon SB-900 Speedlight has a light output of 47ft./157.5m. at ISO 200 and has an auto focus mode which covers a distance of 20-105mm. Designed exclusively keeping in mind D3, D700 and D300 users, the Nikon SB-900 comes bundled with a table stand, bounce adapter, color filter holder, intelligent color filter kit , diffuser dome and soft case.
June 19, 2008 - Sony today announced a new flagship flash unit, the HVL-F58AM, compatible with all Sony DSLRs past, present, and future. Replacing the earlier HVL-F56AM, it features a "Quick Shift Bounce System" that allows the flash to pivot 90 degrees to the left and right for more flexibility when shooting. The HVL-F58AM will retail for about $500 when it ships in September.
The Quick Shift Bounce allows the camera and flash to have the same orientation, regardless of whether portrait or landscape images are being shot, enhancing creative lighting flexibility.
The HVL-F58M reportedly recharges in as little as 5 seconds, which is 53 percent faster than the earlier model. In addition, a quieter recycle time means less distraction from the annnoying whine of the flash recharging. A larger LCD screen displays flash functions and control settings.
The flash can be removed from the camera and wirelessly controlled with up to two other flash units, making it simple to set up multiple lights coming from different angles (it comes with a mini-stand for use when using the unit wirelessly), In addition, an automatic zoom control reduces light "fall-off" at the edges of images by optimizing illumination angles based on the size of the camera sensor (APS-C or 35mm full-frame). It also features a white balance compensation system that reads color temperature information within the flash itself, providing greater accuracy when shooting in auto white balance mode.
ExpoImaging Inc has announced the immediate availability of the in the U.S. This portable and light-weight adapter has been designed for a hot-shoe flash unit. The Ray Flash will be available through photo dealers nationwide as well as at http://www.expoimaging.net.
The Ray Flash thanks to its unique circular form factor creates an unique lighting effect, producing a virtually shadow less look on the front of the subject. The Ray Flash relies on the hot-shoe flash to generate its light and weighs only 16 oz.Current models of the Ray Flash are designed to fit the Canon 580EX (MKI & MKII) and Nikon SB800 flash units and retail for $299.
For its popular DSLR, the E-510, Olympus unveiled a series of camera kits each targeted at a professional field. Hence photojournalists or travel photographers can make use of the E-510 Reportage Pro Kit and E-510 Traveling Pro Kit respectively.
The E-510 Traveling Pro Kit consists of the E-510 body, ZUIKO DIGITAL 11-22mm 1:2.8-3.5 and ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 18-180mm 1:3.5-6.3 lenses, FL-36 external flash, plus the SBC-1 E‑System Bag Compact. The two lenses cover a focal range of 11-180mm and the kit is retailing for £1529.
Where as the Reportage Pro Kit includes the E-510 body, Zuiko Digital 14-54mm 1:2.8-3.5, FL-50 external flash and SBC-1 E-System Bag Compact.
The Metz mecablitz 48 AF-1 digital Flashgun was recently unveiled and as in the case of the Metz 58 AF-1, one can update the firmware directly via the Internet. Compatible with almost all popular brands (Canon, Nikon, Olympus, Panasonic, Pentax, Samsung, Sony), the 48 AF-1 has a 105 mm focal length and can be purchased with an optional “Bounce diffuser 54-23”.
The 48 AF-1 digital is equipped for Canon E-TTL and E-TTL II flash mode – for Nikon iTTL and D-TTL – for Pentax/Samsung P-TTL and for Olympus/Panasonic TTL-flash mode and also includes an USB interface.
Underwater Photography is a phenomena, which is catching up and not restricted to professionals anymore. SeaLife, one of the major players in this niche market announced the SeaLife Digital Pro Flash.
The SeaLife Digital Pro Flash is an universal flash that supports almost all cameras under the sun (or water in this case) and the flash has an underwater distance range up to about 8 feet (2.5m).
Depth tested up to 200 feet (60m), it comes bundled with a universal mount, a optical cable connection that attaches to any camera as well as a deluxe carrying case. The Digital PRO Flash is available at a suggested list price of $399.95.
Apart from updating their Alpha line up, Sony also announced the HVL-F20AM flash unit. Foldable, the HVL-F20AM pivots upwards for bounce flash shooting. The Sony HVL-F20AM Flash Unit will retail for $130..png)
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Firmware Update 5.02 is available for the Nikon SB-900 Speedlight flashgun. The following improvements have been made in version 5.02
Rob Galbraith
The newly announced 
The Hensel Porty 6 and Porty 12 are battery-powered packs that have a maximum output of 600ws and 1200ws. Both can power up the following Hensel flash units; EH Pro Mini 1200 P , EH Pro Mini 1200 P, EH Pro Mini and EH Pro Mini Speed Shorter flash. No word on pricing or availability but more information is expected to be revealed during the Photokina 2008 trade show.
The 
A review of the Nikon SB-900 Speedlight has been posted on the blog 
June 19, 2008 - Sony today announced a new flagship flash unit, the HVL-F58AM, compatible with all Sony DSLRs past, present, and future. Replacing the earlier HVL-F56AM, it features a "Quick Shift Bounce System" that allows the flash to pivot 90 degrees to the left and right for more flexibility when shooting. The HVL-F58AM will retail for about $500 when it ships in September.
in the U.S. This portable and light-weight adapter has been designed for a hot-shoe flash unit. The Ray Flash will be available through photo dealers nationwide as well as at 
For its popular DSLR, the E-510, 
Underwater Photography is a phenomena, which is catching up and not restricted to professionals anymore. SeaLife, one of the major players in this niche market announced the
