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Photography News | Issue 57 | photographynews.co.uk
News
More goodies fromManfrotto
The Lastolite by Manfrotto Ezybox Pro Strip 25x150cmwill appeal to all on-location flash photographers. Its unique, patent pendingdesignallows you to set it up for use in very quick time and with minimal effort. The softbox fabric stays attached to the RapidExoframe and this just slides out and is clipped into position at both ends. No straining and bending of supporting rods needed, and the collapsed form is compact so ideal for travelling around. The stripbox itself offers a 6:1 ratio so ideal for edge lighting and it can be used vertically or horizontally and will fit most flashheads and flashguns via a speedring mount. Two internal diffusers and a fabric grid are supplied as standard too. The Ezybox Pro Strip 25x150cm’s guide price is £329.95 and stock will be available soon.
Manfrotto has added the Noreg bag system to its range. Two bags are available, the Camera Backpack-30 and the Camera Messenger-30, priced at £159.95 and £129.95 respectively and each designed to carry a mirrorless camera and two lenses. Modular is the keywordwith both products. Each bag is made up of two parts and each of these can be used separately. So, for example, with the Backpack-30, when you don’t need your camera kit, the internal insert can be removed and the bag becomes a roomy daypack. Made from premium materials and boasting contemporary good looks theNoreg range isworth a look. Finally, from Manfrotto this montharethreeadditionstoitsBefree tripod range, the Befree Advanced Carbon (£319.95), Befree Live Carbon (£349.95 ) and the Befree GT (£399.95
for the carbon version and £239.95 for the aluminium version). The Advanced Carbon features the Advanced 494 Centre ball head and the combination weighs just 1.25kg so ideal for those long walks. The Live Carbon is designed for video use and includes the Befree Live Fluid head and this support weighs 1.39kg. Both versions of the new Befree GT come with the 496 aluminium ball head and have a maximum payload of 10kg. The legs feature quick to use, secure twist M-locks, have the Easy Link facility to fix various accessories, and have three independent leg angles. TheAdvancedCarbon is reviewed in the First Test section of this issue, so check that out.
manfrotto.co.uk
Pentax’s fast standard
Pentax has added a fast aperture standard lens to its range. The HD 50mm f/1.4 SDM AW is a dust proof, weather resistant lens that boasts state of the art technology including Pentax’s Aero Bright Coating II, a lens coating technology that coupled with HD Coating effectively reduces flare and image ghosting to a minimum. It is available from July onwards and costs £1199.
ricoh-imaging.co.uk
Sony’s long ’un
Samyang goes fast AF
Samyang’s the autofocus lens market continues with its AF 85mm f/1.4 EF. This weather-proofed lens is full-frame compatible. Weighing 485g and measuring 72mm long, it should make a fine companion to full- frame and APS-C format DSLRs. The 85mm focal length is popular among portrait photographers march on
and with a minimum focus of just 90cm you should enjoy some lovely bokeh effects. Its optical build comprises nine elements in seven groups and features Samyang’s Hybrid aspherical glass to maximize fine detail resolution and deliver corner to corner sharpness. Flare is kept under tight control thanks
to the lens’s Ultra Multi Coating. However, top of its features set is its autofocus skills. The lens uses Samyang’s dual LSM motor for fast, accurate and very quiet autofocus. The lens is priced at £599.99 and available from July onwards.
Sony the availability of its FE 400mm f/2.8 GM OSS Master lens for its E-mount camera system. Key features include its fast precise AF using two high- speed XD (extreme dynamic) linear motors to drive the len’s has announced
focusing group of elements and its optical design. The FE 400mm f/2.8 GM OSS is built to order and is available from this September. Approximate cost is £10,500.
sony.co.uk
Intro2020.co.uk
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