FJ Westcott Omega 360 Reflector
Editor’s Choice

There are multi-purpose reflectors and then there’s Westcott’s new Omega 360. The 360, which was introduced at WPPI, integrates a ring flash into a traditional reflector to produce a main light and a backlight with a single light source. It features a one-stop diffusion panel with interchangeable white, silver, sunlight and black covers. It also has a removable, 13-inch center disk so you can shoot through the center of the reflector. The center disk attaches via Velcro so it’s easy to pop on or off. You’ll get a suction cup hook for mounting the Omega 360 on glass surfaces, plus a travel case.
Price: $130
fjwestcott.com

Profoto B1X

The successor to the battery-powered B1, the B1X offers more flashes per charge (325 full-power pops) in a physically identical battery. The modeling light performance has also been improved to deliver 80 percent more light output. Power is adjustable over a nine-stop range with TTL metering available through the company’s Air remote.
Price: $2,095
profoto.com

K5600 Joker-Zoom 800

Thanks to its energy-efficient design, the Joker-Zoom can deliver the same output as a 4,000W quartz fixture but only draws a meager 10.5 amps. It has a faceted open-face style reflector and is focusable from 15 to 55 degrees. It delivers 800W of daylight-balanced light. The beamer kit includes the zoom beamer optical accessory, a scrim bag, a pair of double scrims and full single scrims, plus a four-leaf barn door.
Price: $1,750
k5600.com

Phottix Premio Parabolic Umbrella

This umbrella boasts a new locking mechanism that Phottix says is simpler and stronger than the prior model’s. The spokes are now made of fiberglass for cleaner catch lights and greater durability. The reflective models can be outfitted with optional diffusers so they can be transformed into softboxes. The Reflective umbrellas are available in 33- and 47-inch sizes.
Price: $45+
phottix.com

Fotodiox PopSpot

The PopSpot—so named because of the diminutive, soda can-like dimensions of the light—has removable barn doors and a beam that’s adjustable from 55 to 25 degrees. The 5600K light runs off of AC power and also works with an optional battery pack. It is dimmable from 10 to 100 percent and features a slot for a slide-in tungsten filter. With a Color Rendering Index score of >95, the light delivers 5,400 lux at 25 degrees and 2,258 when focused at 55 degrees.
Price: $275+
fotodiox.com

Broncolor Scoro 1600 E

The Scoro E pack is packed with a surprise: a built-in Wi-Fi module, allowing you to control the unit from your desktop (Mac or Windows). You can store four customized light settings on your computer for easy recall. As you may have guessed, the 1600 E delivers 1600W/s of power output through two independently adjustable lamps. It employs Broncolor’s ECTC technology to stabilize color temperature over the flash power range. You can adjust power over a seven-stop span in either 1/10- or full-stop increments. The flash recycles in a speedy .06-1.0 sec. depending on power settings with flash durations as short as 1/10,000 sec. (measured at t.01).
Price: $7,183
hasselbladbron.com

RotoLight AEOS

This bi-color LED outputs 5,750 lux at 3 feet with a Color Rendering Index of 96+. Thanks to its integrated aluminum handles, you can freely position the light as needed. A ball head is also included so you can mount the AEOS to a lightstand and rotate it a full 360 degrees and tilt it up to 200 degrees. The LED features True Aperture Dimming that displays the appropriate f-stop based on the distance of the light from the subject. Like other RotoLight models, you’ll have a number of creative effects too, such as lightning and fire.
Price: $999
rotolight.com

LitepanelsAstra 3X

This update to the 1 x 1-foot LED panel is three times brighter than the original. It’s dimmable from 0 to 100 percent with no color shift, and it has two ¼-20 mounting points. It features a CRI of 95 with a daylight color temperature. It can be controlled via an optional DMX or Bluetooth remote.
Price: $855
litepanels.com

Zylight/Chimera Active Diffusion

The Active Diffusion panel is like no other light modifier you’ve seen. It’s an LCD screen that can be placed over fluorescents, LEDs and other cool light sources with an adjustable opacity—allowing you to dial up or down your desired diffusion without ever having to physically replace the modifier. The diffuser can be operated via remote control, is DMX-compatible and is rated for over 1 million on/off switches.
Price: TBD
chimeralighting.com

Elinchrom ELB 1200

Elinchrom’s newest portable battery pack delivers 1200W/s of flash output via two asymmetric outlets. It offers 1.7 sec. recycle times in Fast mode or 3 sec. in default mode. You’ll get 215 full-powered flashes on a charge, but if you spring for the slightly heavier HD battery, you’ll nearly double the output to 400 flashes. Like the ELB 400, the weather-resistant ELB 1200 battery pack works with three heads: Action, Pro or Hi-Sync. The ELB 1200 power pack weighs 4.3 pounds with the battery installed.
Price: $3,499
elinchrom.com

Savage Universal Edge Lit Pro LED Light

Savage’s Pro LED Light uses LED bulbs that shine inward from the outer edges of the light and are then redirected through a soft white panel to deliver a softbox-like feel. The light is adjustable from daylight to tungsten with a CRI of 95. Using the DMX ports on the back, you can use the Edge Lit to control other connected lights. It includes a remote control and runs off a pair of Sony NP-F750 batteries or AC power.
Price: $312
savageuniversal.com

Flashpoint R2 eVOLV 200

The eVOLV 200 is a 200W/s flash with TTL and a battery capable of delivering 500-plus full-power flashes. It has interchangeable flash heads, allowing you to adjust light modifiers as needed. You can also pair the eVOLV with a second unit for a 400W/s flash. It uses a 2.4Ghz wireless radio and has a recycling time of under 2 seconds at full power. It’s compatible with other R2-enabled lights in the Adorama Flashpoint family.
Price: $330
adorama.com

Interfit Honey Badger

This road-trip-friendly 320W/s flash head weighs just 3 pounds and is 5 inches wide and 6 inches deep. Power is adjustable over a 7-stop range in 1/10th-stop increments. At full power, the flash recycles in 1 second and has a flash duration of 1/900 (t.1). There’s a 60W daylight LED modeling light that can be set to adjust itself proportionally to the flash’s power setting or be set to full power and used as a continuous light. The Honey Badger can be triggered with Interfit’s S1 TTL and S1 Manual triggers. It has a Bowens S mount for modifiers and includes a 24-inch pop-up softbox.
Price: $300
interfitphotographic.com

Profoto A1

Profoto’s new 76W/s flash features HSS and recycling times between 0.05 and 1.2 seconds. Power is adjustable over a 9-stop range and the lithium-ion battery is good for 350 full-powered flashes. The battery is interchangeable so you can pack a spare and shoot for hours on end. It has a magnetic mount so you can add modifiers—even stack them—to shape its output. The A1 has Profoto’s AirTTL built in so you can control other Profoto lights. It’s available for Canon and Nikon cameras, and a Sony model will be hitting the market soon.
Price: $995
profoto.com