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Photography News | Issue 34 | absolutephoto.com
News
Pentax adds lens Rogue go soft and silvery
If you want to make more of your flashgun there are plenty of light modifiers on the market to help. The Rogue FlashBender 2 XL Pro Super Soft Silver version, inspired by photographer Frank Doorhof, joins the Natural White option in the range. The Super Soft Silver fabric gives more light and contrast when compared with the white version, yet it won’t give you the hotspots that you might experience with shiny silver finishes.
It costs £52.99 and is designed to securely fit most speedlights with a belt and buckle system. Its rib design means you can flex the reflector to direct light where you want it. It is designed for use off camera primarily, but we have tried it and there is potential to use it on camera too. See this issue’s First Tests for an in-depth look at the Rogue.
Pentax has added a new lens to its range that will suit its latest DSLR, the all-weather K-70, as well as other K-fit cameras. This is the HD Pentax-DA 55- 300mm f/4.5-6.3 ED PLM WR RE, a £399.99 telephoto zoom for APS-C cameras. The initials in the lens’s name tell us it has a multilayer coating, HD; ED reveals there is an extra low dispersion element; PLM stands for pulse motor for faster, quieter operation; WR is weather resistance; and RE means this is a retractable lens. This compact telezoom in 35mm terms gives a focal length range of 84.5 to 460mm so it’s well suited to subjects such as action, wildlife, travel, landscape and people. It weighs 442g and measures 89mm at its minimum so it is very portable. Availability of this lens is to be confirmed.
xpdistribution.com expoimaging.com
ricoh-imaging.co.uk
The Elinchrom El Skyport Plus HS transmitter was one of the big innovations of 2015 – it won Best Innovation in the PN awards. Canon and Nikon users have been enjoying the ability to use the Hi- Sync feature (with compatible heads) for high-speed flash sync up to 1/8000sec with useful amounts of power for a while, and now Sony users can join the fun. The recently released Sony version costs £199. Elinchrom Hi-Sync for Sony
Samsung has introduced its SmartCam PT, an easy to set up wireless camera for home surveillance. It offers full HD 1080p recording and automatic object tracking with its pan and tilt head. It works in low light too, recording up to five metres away using its Night Vision mode. It’s ideal for security but also great for peace of mind. With its two-way talk capability you can use your smartphone to have a conversation with your family at home. It suits use for elderly relative care or reassuring the kids. Images are recorded onto a micro SD card, but you can record to a smartphone with Samsung get Smart
News in brief
40years and going strong Canon UK recently celebrated its 40th anniversary. Back in 1976 Canon Business Machines was established and the company’s focus was on products such as photocopiers and calculators. In 1982 it merged with a separate camera sales operation to formCanon UK. Happy 40th from all at Photography News . canon.co.uk
elinchrom.com
Nikon ambassadors Nikon has expanded its
the SmartCam app (available for iOS and Android). Using the smartphone or computer you can adjust the camera’s view for privacy too. Guide price of the SmartCam PT is £139.
ambassador programme with nature photographer Richard Peters and film and TV stills photographer Helen Sloan joining its line-up. nikoninframe.co.uk/ ambassadors
samsungsmartcam.com
Well-known printing lab WhiteWall has added a premium photo book service to its product line-up. There is a wide choice of cover style, paper types and sizes with softcover books starting from £9.90 – this is for a 24- page small landscape book with glossy paper. For something like a Large square hardcover book with prints on premium silk matte paper and 60 pages, the cost is around £73. You can create a book from a PDF or upload pictures (or import them from your Facebook, Flickr or Picasa account) and do it online with the bespoke software. If you need help the website’s Photo Assistant is on hand. To get really creative with your book design for something truly special, WhiteWall’s Photo Book Editor Software is also available. Delivery time in the UK, from picture upload to the book arriving, is approximately six days. WhiteWall adds books
uk.whitewall.com
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