Servo Mode Now Available For 58AF-1 & 48AF-1
Metz has just released a new firmware update for the 58AF-1 and 48AF-1 that now allows these flashes to be used in Servo mode.
Servo mode allows the flash to be used off camera without the need for a wireless TTL commander flash. In Servo mode, the flash disregards the pre-flash and syncs with the main flash from either a built in flash or another off camera flash. It’s important to note that the flash exposure is manual when in Servo mode, but the output of the flash can be adjusted from the flash itself.
The new firmware can be downloaded from the Metz Website
Make sure to visit Metzflash.ca for information on new Metz products.
PhotoNews At The Henry’s Imaging Show
Come by the PhotoNews stage at the Henry’s Imaging show this weekend for some free informative seminars. We’ll be covering a wide variety of topics and have a blast doing it.
Sensor Cleaning Clinic:
Have you ever wanted to know how to clean your DSLR sensor? It’s not hard with the right tools and know how. Come by and let us show you how easy it is.
Sat: 11:00 & 5:00
Sun: 1:00
Pushing The Limits of ShoeMount Flashes:
Do you want to know how to create your own mobile lighting setup using only ShoeMount flashes? We’ll show you how to set up your own mobile studio complete with light modifiers that you can take anywhere.
Sat: 1:00
Sun: 3:00
Manfrotto Introduces ‘LINO’ Collection
Following the introduction of the STILE Bag Collection, Manfrotto’s line of quality products is expanding to include another collection of bags and apparel, LINO. Designed in Italy with a focus on premium quality and support, LINO apparel is the first line of Photographic apparel that is fashionable and functional and geared towards both male and female photographers.
LINO, named after Founder Lino Manfrotto, is one of two lines of bag collections being introduced by Manfrotto in early Spring 2011. The collection includes professional backpacks, messenger bags and a pro roller.
See the entire LINO collection here .
Manfrotto is now on Facebook and Twitter
KATA wins 2011 Red Dot Award
The Red Dot, awarded by the Design Zentrum Nordrhein Westfalen in Essen, Germany, is one of the most coveted design awards. The award honors outstanding design quality and trendsetters for over 50 years. Winning products are presented in the red dot design museum on the premises of the Zollverein World Cultural Heritage site in Essen.
KATA has won this prestigious design award for second straight year. This year’s winner is the KATA Source-261 Pro Light. This is KATA’s first bag dedicated to the HDSLR user and was designed specifically for the needs of professional videographers.
The Source-261 Pro Light also fits additional lenses and video accessories in side pockets and most 17” laptops. The bag also features many of our signature technologies, such as the Spine Guard, ripstop fabrics, Spider Webbing straps, Gecko Harness and a double sided elements cover.
See the testimonial video for KATA HDSLR bags by Jonnie Behiri, a BBC freelance cameraman/editor operating from Vienna, Austria.
Upcoming shows using 100% Hahnemuhle materials!

Arctic Kaleidoscope – Michelle Valberg, Ottawa.
An impressive showing of 85 large format canvas images. Only on until May 29th at the Canadian Museum of Nature.
- Canadian Museum of Nature
- Project North
- Exhibition Opening for Arctic Kaleidoscope March 11 to May 29, 2011 (video)
All images are printed on Hahnemuhle Monet canvas and many are Gallery Wrapped using Stick & Stretch.
The Canadian Gallery – Mike Grandmaison, Winnipeg.
Some stunning landscape images by Mike set off in a brand new gallery that is part of Photo Central, one of our dealers in Winnipeg. This will be a more permanent exhibition with a rotation of images over time.Starts March 21st, 2011.
All images are printed on one of four Hahnemuhle papers: German Etching, Photo Rag, William Turner or Photo Rag Pearl.
Manfrotto introduces a new Bag Collection- STILE -
Manfrotto’s line of quality products is expanding to include a collection of bags for everyday use and media support. STILE, Italian for style, is one of two lines of bags being introduced by Manfrotto in early spring 2011. Designed in Italy with a focus on tripod and bag solutions – STILE was created to fit the everyday digital lifestyle. The STILE bag collection currently includes: backpacks, slings, messenger bags, holsters and pouches – all are available in three colours (black, star white and bungee cord) and cover most available camera styles.
“The Manfrotto STILE Bag Collection started with a great story, the story of the incredible 21st century digital revolution. Today it seems natural for all of us to own mobile phones, laptops, digital cameras, etc., but only 10 years ago most of us couldn’t have imagined the existence of half of these products. And none of us could have predicted our reliance on such products to support our daily lifestyles and guide our social activities and interactions” says Mr. Fabio Prada, Manfrotto Bags Line Manager. This collection was designed with the consumer in mind. The stylish Italian design and extra space for your camera and accessories, makes this the perfect multi-purpose bag.
Visit Manfrotto.ca to see the entire STILE collection
Thinking about photographing wakeboarders?
If you are thinking about photographing wakeboarders, you may want to check this out. Photo shooting wakeboarders on the water would be challenging itself but photographer Patrick Hall decided to take it to the next level by bringing a commercial photography element that he loves to the shooting . This video shows his unique ideas how to shoot wakeboarders in the studio.
To see the lighting set up and other details, click here >>
New Product Review; Photoflex PX300 StarFire Flash
Photoflex has recently introduced an in expensive, powerful, and portable flash without the bells and whistles or cost of a TTL flash. The StarFire flash is comparable in power to a Canon 580EXII or a Nikon SB900, the StarFire is the perfect solution for photographers that want to use a flash with radio triggers like the new FlashFire.
With most radio trigger systems, a TTL flash needs to be operated manually. The StarFire flash provides photographers an inexpensive way to build a multi-light setup to compliment exsiting studio strobes or create an entire portable studio setup. The Star Fire features two optical slave modes, one that syncs with the first flash(like on a studio strobe) and one that syncs after a TTL pre-flash. This allows the StarFire to be used with a wireless TTL setup albeit manually as a “kicker light” or with studio strobes; in both cases, syncing with optical slaves.
Specifications-StarFire Flash
- Guide Number 80 (@35mm, 100 ISO)
- 3 Flash Modes (Manual, Slave 1, Slave 2)
- 7 Power output settings
- Power Source: 4 AA Batteries
- Battery Life Up To: 1500 flashes
- Recycle Time: Approximately 4 seconds
- Colour temperature 5600K
- Flash Duration 1/800s to 1/20,000s
- Weight: 250g
The Star Fire flash can also be paired with compact and innovative Photoflex 16 channel FlashFire radio trigger.
Specifications-FlashFire:
- 50m range (164ft)
- 2.4 GHz 16 Channel
- Flash Sync Speed: 1/200s
- Power Source Trigger: 1 X CR2(20,000 flashes/ battery)
- Power Source receiver: 2X AAA(up to 45 hours standby)
- Includes 1/4″ and 3.5mm jacks for attachment to studio strobes.
Visit CA.PHOTOFLEXLIGHTINGSCHOOL.COM to learn how to shoot great images !
PHOTONews Challenge Spring 2011
Thank you for your participation in the Winter 2010 PHOTONews Challenge. Congratulations to the winners of the winter contest! Find the winner’s photographs on the PhotoNews Spring 2011 issue.
The theme of the next PhotoNews Challenge is “Walk on the Wild Side” . Look for subjects that depict the Canadian wilderness-you may focus on flora, fauna, or family fun in the great outdoors. The theme lends itself to a wide variety of interpretations, so let your imagination “run wild” and take lots of pictures.
To participate in the PHOTONews Challenge, please visit our flicker group at www.flickr.com/groups/photonewsgallery/and click on the discussion thread titled “PHOTO News Spring Challenge”. Post a 600 pixel wide version of your entry in this thread- please include your name, location, a description of how you took the photograph, and why you feel it is a special image. Full instructions on how to join the flickr group , and how to post photos, can be found at the flickr site.
See our PhotoNews Challenge Gallery here.
The new Photoflex® PX823 Constellation Large SilverDome Kit is the perfect solution for lighting a video set. It provides up to 3000 Watts (Tungsten) or 900 Watts(Daylight) with three individual sockets with power control over each bulb. The included SilverDome has heat vents to keep operating temperatures low.
Kit includes:
- Constellation 3 light head
- Large SilverDome softbox(36″ X 48″)
- 3 CoolStar 150 CFLs
- 3 Starlite 1000W lamps
- LiteStand 2320Y (12 feet)
- Tilt Swivel
- 2 power cords
- TransPac Dual Kit Case
These head and lamps are included in this Kit.
PX007 Constellation Head
The Constellation® will accept 3 StarLite tungsten bulbs (1000W or 500W) or 3 150W CoolStar bulbs. Each bulb can be controlled individually allowing 3 power settings. The Constellation® is an incredibly efficient light source as the bulbs are housed inside the modifier.
PX002 – StarLite Bulb (1000 Watt)
The StarLite bulb which can be used with a StarLite or Constellation® head emits an omnidirectional light and is designed to work in softboxes.
PX278 – CoolStar Bulb (150 Watt)
The CoolStar bulb is a daylight balanced compact florescent solution with 150 Watts of power which equates to 450-500 Watts in a Tungsten bulb. The CoolStar although very bright, generates very little heat.
Still example with one CoolStar bulb: 5 Feet – 200 ISO, 1/30sec, 2.8
For more information, visit photoflex.ca .













