Just Out 10/04

Lotta Flash, Little Cash

If you think a Canon or Nikon flash unit is too expensive, but you really like the idea of through-the-lens flash metering, Quantaray has a solution for you. The new QDC800 digital SLR flash system has two modules-one Canon, one Nikon-that attach to the bottom of the strobe so it can mount in the hot-shoe of your Canon or Nikon SLR. The head zooms manually in three steps from wide to tele and swivels vertically from -7 to 90 degrees. Fans of side-bounce flash should note that it doesn't swivel horizontally. The price? Just $70 (street) apiece for the strobe unit and each module. They're only at Ritz Camera centers. (Quantaray; www.ritzcamera.com; 877-690-0099)

Pull and Play Tripod

Tripod legs require twisting, locking, or other physical labor, right? Not anymore, says Manfrotto. With the Neotec 458B Pro Photo tripod ($300 street), just pull the legs to the length you want-they automatically lock in place, holding up to 17.6 pounds. Press the silver-colored button at the top of the legs, and they slide back up. Specially designed and precision-sealed pneumatic devices on the aluminum legs make this "no-twist/no-lock" approach possible. Speaking of legs, these can lock in at four angles for unusual terrain, or ultralow-angle work. The two-piece center post also mounts horizontally for macro shooting. The detachable handle helps you tote this 5.3-pounder, which is 25.2 inches when closed and 61.4 inches fully extended. It doesn't come with a head, so you'll have to pick one from Manfrotto's line to go with it. (Bogen Photo Corp.; www.manfrotto.com; 201-818-9500)

Slim Polarizer

Who needs a thinner polarizing filter? You do, if you're concerned with vignetting on wide-angle shots. Hoya trimmed the thickness of its top circular polarizer-now the Super-HMC PRO 1 Circular Polarizer-to a mere 5mm, from the usual 7.5mm. How? With a new thinner, hardened optical glass. At the same time, Hoya upped the multicoating to seven layers to combat lens flare and ghosting. As thin as this filter is, it still has normal threads on the front, so your clip-on lenscap will still work. The Super-HMC PRO 1 comes in sizes from 49-82mm with prices from $69-$220 (street). (THK Photo Products, Inc.; www.thkphoto.com; 800-421-1141)