Photography News Issue 43

39 Accessories test

Photography News | Issue 43 | absolutephoto.com

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Lastolite Tilthead Shoe Lock (£25)

Panzer Centurion 17.9 hard case (£88)

10 Hähnel Captur remote and trigger for wireless shooting (£70) Getting a wireless trigger allows you to place flashes at a greater distance from the camera, and in more creative positions than cabled or optical methods. As a wireless remote, it has a great range of up to 100m away, and the system is available for Canon, Nikon, Olympus, Panasonic and Sony models. You can pick up additional receivers for around £40 a go, letting you trigger multiple flashes, and the system runs on two AA batteries per unit. The Captur remote and trigger doubles as a remote shutter release, too, and it’s compatible with other Captur gear, such as the Module Pro and Module IR for high-speed, time lapse, and motion triggered effects. hahnel.ie

Tetenal 5-in-1 rectangular reflector (£29)

12 Phottix Honeycomb Grid and Gel set for speedlights (£25) Using modifiers that channel and focus the light can be just as creative as using diffusers. Restricting light lets you create hard shadows, subtle highlights and pools of light on the background. To do it from your speedlight flash you’ll need a modifier like the Phottix Honeycomb Grid and Gel set. Suitable for almost any flashgun, you get the holder, a honeycomb grid, nine gels for coloured lighting effects, and a frosted diffuser. The holder attaches securely using a simple strap, so it’s quick to apply, and so light you can leave it in place for easier setup next time. The nine gels include two shades of blue, two shades of green, two shades of red, aquamarine, orange and purple. phottix.com

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Lighting designed mainly for monolights, which – unlike speedlights – have their own tilt mechanism. Therefore, if you’re going to mount a speedlight, you need an adapter to help angle it, otherwise you’ll only be able to fire it horizontally or tilted up. Try Lastolite’s Tilthead Shoe Lock, which uses an adjustable locking mount into which you can slide your flashgun. This lock gives an extra level of security as well as your speedlight’s own lock, and its design fits any unit. Angled via an ergonomic knob on the side, the Tilthead Shoe Lock also has a socket to accept lighting umbrella shafts, just like the mount of a monolight would; shafts of 7-10mm can be used. manfrotto.co.uk/lastolite stands are

Once you’ve built up your collection of flashguns, triggers and other small accessories, it’s a good idea to store and protect them properly. Sure, a regular bag will do the job, but a well organised hard-case will do it even better. Made of impact Resistant ABS resin, the Panzer Centurion 17.9 will protect your fragile gear like nothing else, thanks to its modular foam interior. The 17.9 litre volume equates to internal dimensions of 380x271x178.5mm, so there’s plenty of room for even an extensive lighting kit. Closing with double-throw latches, and a rubber O-Ring around the grooved opening, the case is waterproof and dust-tight, crushproof, and will even float up to a fully loaded weight of 15kg. panzercases.co.uk

Even when you’re using multiple flashguns, a reflector can improve results; but when using just one ’gun, it’s indispensable. The large, rectangular 91x122cm version from Tetenal has a larger surface area than the more common circular designs, so it’s easier to bounce more light onto the subject, and its five-in-one design means it’s highly versatile. The middle of the reflector is a diffuser, which can soften the flash (or sun) for you, and over that is stretched a reversible zippered cover. The gold and white surfaces give warm or soft, neutral light, while the silver and black add more strength to the reflection or subtract light for more shadow. It all folds into an included carry bag for easy storage and transportation. tetenaluk.com

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