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Category Archives: Other brands
MeiKe Speedlite MK-930 Review (Manual Flash)
Chinese photo accessories manufacturer MeiKe have recently released their version of a manual flash, the Meike 930.
It’s intended to compete with the Yongnuo YN560 and therefore looks similar from the specs, e.g. regarding the official guide number (which is 58 at the 105mm reflector setting / unspecified for 35mm) and it also features professional attributes such as a PC sync port and a power pack connector.
To get a first idea how the 2 models compare on paper, go to the YN560 vs MK-930 specs page.
Posted in Other brands, Reviews
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Canon Speedlite 320EX Preview
Canon announced 2 new speedlites: the 270EX II, and the new and very interesting photo-video hybrid flash 320EX, which is the topic here.
For camcorders, there have been video lights with additional flash tube before – see the photo of Canon’s own VFL-2 further below. But for still cameras, the Canon Speedlite 320EX is the first flash with additional video light on the market (Nikon’s SB80DX had a similar looking light on the front, but that was an anti red-eye lamp).
Canon 270EX II Speedlite Announced
Together with 2 new camera bodies – the T3 = EOS 1100D in Europe and the T3i = EOS 600D, Canon announced two new speedlites, the 320EX and the 270EX II.
The 270EX II is announced at $170 in the US (pre-order from amazon) and replaces the current entry-level flash 270EX, sold at around $145 currently. There are 2 new features justifying a price increase:
- there is now a wireless slave mode
- the flash unit can be used as a remote for an EOS camera
Yongnuo YN468 vs 430EX II Canon Speedlite
Yongnuo 468 versus Canon’s 430EX II – how does the $100 flash (e.g. from eBay) hold up against the mid-range speedlite from Canon costing about > 2.5x?
Finally, a Canon speedlite 430EX II has joined the collection (I plan on doing much more Canon testing in 2011!), and a direct comparison of YN468 vs 430 EX II is the topic of this article. Both speedlites were tested with a Canon Rebel T1i (Canon 500D in Europe).
Metz 48 AF-1 Review (Flash for Canon / Nikon)
The Metz ‘mecablitz’ brand has a long history of flash manufacturing and their speedlites are high tech products: feature packed, deeply integrated into the camera makers’ digital TTL systems and with the reputation of a manufacturer who has been at the forefront of innovation for decades.
The Metz 48 AF-1 represents the last generation of mid-range flashes from Metz, and was replaced in late 2010 by its successor Metz 50 AF-1 that features some detail improvements (e.g. a metal flash foot).
Metz 58 AF-2 Preview
The 58 AF-2 is the latest model in the professional series of flash units from German manufacturer Metz. It was announced together with its smaller brother 50 AF-1 in August 2010 and replaces the ’58 AF-1 digital’ introduced back in 2006. It’s clearly evolution rather than revolution as can be seen from the product shots already. Hint: The new AF-2 is in the first picture.
Improvements over 58 AF-1
The Metz press release claims these as the main improvements over the precursor (specs of the 58 AF-1 in parenthesis):
New Metz mecablitz 58 AF-2 Coming?
The 58 AF-2 has been officially announced now; go here for a 58 AF-2 preview article including comparison with SB-900 and 580EX II.
On German photography board www.dslr-forum.de, some clue showed up today about a successor of the 58 AF-1 digital in form of a Metz 58 AF-2 digital flashgun. Interestingly it can even be found on the Metz website http://www.metz.de/en/photo-electronics/accessories.html, it is listed in the pulldown menu under the accessories section:
Yongnuo YN-560 vs Canon 580EX II
With the 56x line Yongnuo has just announced a new line of flash units, positioned above the existing 46x line. It is rumored that the 46x flash units will remain in production, and I hope and believe this holds true (this is confirmed as of early 2011).
Update from November 16, 2011: expected for December release is a new, upgraded YN560-II model with LCD display and other upgrades that will be replacing the current YN-560. Learn more.
Canon 580EX II Strobist Review
The Canon 580EX mk II is Canon’s flag ship flash unit, and as such it offers next to all the bells and whistles also a powerful manual mode. This is exactly the focus of the following review: how does it behave in a strobist setup? How easy is it to set the manual mode? Does it work with Cactus or Yongnuo radio triggers? The answers can be found here.
Strobist Must-Haves
- manual mode
- has manual mode: yes
- minimum manual power: 1/128
Vivitar 285HV Strobist Review
The Vivitar 285HV is one of the real classics of flash photography, and it’s been the weapon of choice for thousands of strobists over the years.
With its manual mode, the PC connector, and even a manual zoom head you get everything you need to start strobing. Well, let’s say you get the absolute minimum for making good shots and absolutely nothing on top.
