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Lowel Rifa ExChange Lights

Lowel's Rifa hot lights have been a favorite among news-gathering videographers because their unique design, which incorporates a built-on softbox, allows users to go from carrying case to full operation in under a minute. In recent months the system has become even more versatile -- and more attractive to still photographers -- with its conversion to the Rifa ExChange system. Based on a bayonet adapter compatible with all four Rifa head/softbox sizes, the new system lets you switch between high-power tungsten-halogen hot lights to cool-operating, low-power daylight-balanced fluorescents (DBFs) within seconds.

The advantages of switching to DBFs include reduced likelihood of blown fuses and the ability to draw power from portable DC sources. When you need more power or must have a 3200K white balance, though, the system's quartz-halogen bulbs range in power from 25 watts to a very bright 1,000 watts. From $300 to $2000, depending on number of heads, accessories, and output options.

Dyna-Lite 3080 Ring Flash

At 3200 watt-seconds, this studio ring light is among the industry's brightest. It produces the nearly shadowless frontal light for which ring lights are prized, but is particularly suited to handheld fashion photography because of its 2.5-pound overall weight (probably the lightest available), convenient integrated handle, and ample 16-foot pack-to-head power cord. Of course, the unit is also useful for portraiture and technical photography, not to mention tabletop and macro applications.
   
At four inches, the 3080's inner diameter is wide enough to accommodate big lenses, whether for medium-format SLRs or fast optics for 35mm and digital formats. It's also deep enough so that the matte-black interior serves as a lens shade. The 3080 is among the only ring lights with its own line of accessories. These include a beauty dish that accepts both white and chrome reflectors, which soften light by almost doubling the area of the source.
 
The 3080 incorporates ten 20-watt modeling lights, allowing photographers to preview its effect surprisingly well. Cooled by two fans, these powerful lights offer full and proportional output. The 3080 ring light is available in two versions, one compatible with Dyna-Lite's M-series power packs, the other with Comet CX-type heads. About $1,800.

Speedotron Explorer 1500 Portable Power Pack

Compatible with Speedotron's Black Line system of strobe heads and light modifiers, this portable power pack offers several significant advantages over its competitors. It can power two heads simultaneously; produce up to 225 very bright 1500 watt-second pops per charge; power a modeling light for intervals of up to 10 seconds; and provide additional power via interchangeable "juice boxes," battery modules that can be precharged and swapped in and out of the power pack as needed.
 
The 1500 can be recharged from outlets almost anywhere in the world, no voltage adapter needed (and car cigarette lighter outlets included). It helps you conserve power by offering an unusually wide range of output options, including a minus-five-stop pop of just 15.6 watt-seconds. When two heads are used, the unit provides a very wide seven stop power range. The removable juice boxes (which have built-in chargers) reach 80 percent of capacity within two hours of charging. When plugged into an AC outlet, the 1500 Explorer operates normally while simultaneously charging its internal juice box. The ten second duration on the 150-watt quart-halogen modeling lights (most portable batteries can't power continuous tungsten light sources at all) conserves battery power and eliminates the need for a cooling fan. About $1,750.

Best Buy: Interfit EX 150 Mark II Home Studio Flash Kit

Amateur lighting gear is dropping in price yet improving in quality and features due to better engineering and the replacement of flimsy metal housings with low-cost, high-impact plastic. An excellent example of this trend, Interfit's EX 150 Mark II Home Studio Flash Kit sells for as low as $300 for a two light kit. Each kit includes light stands, translucent umbrellas, softboxes, cables, and lamps. A three-head kit comes with an attractive blue-gray mottled background cloth and hanging system ($600). The two light kit is transported in a cardboard carrying case (with handle) and the three-light outfit comes in a canvas carrying case.

With output that's continuously adjustable down to one-eighth power, each head has a 150 watt-second, user-interchangeable flash tube, a 100 watt modeling light, and a built-in optical slave for wireless triggering. EX 150 features rare in sub-$300 lighting kits include a built-in infrared sensor for remote operation (which does require an accessory trigger) and compatibility with the line's accessories, including Interfit/Paterson/Bowens barn doors, gel sets, a grid, snoot, and more. An included DVD explains the basics of both studio lighting in general and the Interfit system in particular.

California SunBounce Flash Bracket

Few photographic reflectors are as well designed and ruggedly constructed as the California SunBounce Mini and Micro Mini. Using a system of interchangeable reflecting surfaces fitted over frames of aluminum tubing, the SunBounce reflectors are equally well suited to handheld and lightstand use (the latter requiring an adapter).

Actually a German company, California SunBounce has recently made its reflector system even more flexible with the introduction of the SunBounce Flash Bracket. A 24-inch extendible aluminum arm, it attaches to the SunBounce's frame and holds a shoemount flash so that it's aimed back at the reflector's silver, gold, or white surface, which bounces the light back onto your subject in much softer, more flattering form.

Users of latter-day wireless, TTL-controlled shoe mount flash units will get the most from the SunBounce bracket: fully dedicated operation in which the flash will automatically compensate for the light loss caused by bouncing. But whether automatic or manual, the new bracket lets you create soft, studio-like lighting on location, affordably and with little extra cost or weight. Under $100.

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