Editor’s Choice! Canon 470EX-AI

The 470EX-AI does something other flashes can’t: automatically determine the distance of the camera to the subject (and to walls and ceiling) to optimize the flash for bouncing. A brief double tap of the shutter will fire the flash and then the flash head will automatically swivel into position for an optimal bounce-flash exposure. You can also disable this function and use the 470EX-AI as a typical flash. It has a Max Guide No. of approximately 154 ft./47m at ISO 100 and 105mm flash coverage. There are ten custom buttons and nine personal functions.

Price: $400
usa.canon.com

MagnetMod MagBox

MagMod’s newest modifier consists of three parts: the MagShoe cold-shoe mount, the MagRing (which attaches to hot-shoe flashes) and the MagBox softbox (which uses magnets to attach to the MagRing). The MagRing can accommodate two speed lights and is compatible with existing MagMod modifiers. At the heart of the new system is the 24-inch MagBox, which MagMod says distributes light evenly without a hotspot. It pops open quickly and snaps onto the MagRing. The MagBox is compatible with a new FocusDiffuser that delivers the soft light of a softbox with the precision of a gridded beauty dish (without the loss of light you’d expect from a gridded softbox).

Price: TBD
magnetmod.com

Interfit Studio Essentials 100W LED Monolight

Delivering the equivalent of a 500W light, the daylight-balanced 100W LED Monolight has a CRI of 95. It has a Bowens mount for adding modifiers and includes a 24-inch pop-up softbox. It features stepless dimming from 0 to 100 percent and is flicker-free so you can shoot at higher frame rates with confidence.

Price: $200
interfitphotographic.com

K 5600 Joker2

K 5600 has revamped its popular Joker models to give them wireless DMX control, a three-way axis yoke and a redesigned lens holder. The Joker 400W Kit includes an 400 Watt Joker head with a 25-foot cable, wireless DMX control, Beamer optical accessory, multiple lenses, a 5600K lamp, single and double scrims, four-leaf barn door, and a carrying case among other accessories.

Price: $5,339
k5600.com

Lastolite Ezybox Pro Strip

The Ezybox Pro Strip is designed to work with a wide range of flashes, from speed lights to studio strobes. The strip measures in at 9.8 x 59 inches and includes an inner and outer diffuser that, when combined, reduce light by two stops. It can be positioned vertically or horizontally and ships with a fabric grid.

Price: $370
manfrotto.us/lastolite

Chimera Lighting Pop Bank

Chimera’s newest Lightbanks are built for square and rectangular LED fixtures and don’t require a speed ring for mounting on lights. Chimera offers Pop Bank modifiers for a range of light brands including Arri,
Cineo, LitePanels, Rotolight and more. When not in use, the Pop Banks can be folded down for easy transport.

Price: $245 (universal mount for 1 x 1-foot panel)
chimeralighting.com

Savage Universal RGB300 Video Light

This budget-friendly LED can display up to 300 different colors, no gels required. You’ll enjoy a CRI of 97 and the daylight-balanced LEDs can pump out 1,525 lumens at 1m (when set to daylight). You can steplessly dim the light from 20 to 100 percent. The panel measures 5.5 x 4.5 inches and accepts the Sony-compatible NP-750 battery. In daylight mode, the light can run for 2.5 hours or up to 4 hours at full power in color mode. It ships with a tiltable shoe mount with a ¼-20 female thread for mounting to cameras or light stands.

Price: $120
savageuniversal.com

Elinchrom ELB 500 TTL

The ELB 500 TTL offers 500 W/s of power output via a pair of asymmetric outlets. You’ll enjoy 400 full-power flashes on a fully charged battery, HSS and hit recycle times of 2 seconds at max power down to .05 at the lowest setting. Power is controllable over a seven-stop range and flash durations clock in as fast as 1/20,000 sec. in action mode or 1/3400 sec. in normal mode. The ELB features a Manual Lock function that lets you set exposure in TTL and then switch to manual.

Price: $1,900 (to-go kit)
elinchrom.com

Sony HVL-F60RM

The radio-controlled F60RM offers a guide number of 60 (200mm at ISO 100) with an illumination angle of 20-200mm. Recycle times clock in at 1.7 seconds but you’ll achieve even faster times using the optional $250 external battery adapter (FA-EBA1). The F60RM uses Sony’s Quick Shift Bounce to move from a horizontal to a vertical orientation, 90 degrees right or left, upward by up to 150 degrees and downward by 8 degrees. The flash is dust- and moisture-resistant, and it supports TTL.

Price: $600
sony.com

Cactus Lighting RQ250

A compact 250 W/s battery-powered monolight, the RQ250’s specialized flash works with a reflector to keep hotspots to a minimum. It delivers 520 full-power flashes on a single charge, boasting an LED modeling light/AF assist lamp and Cactus mount for light modifiers (a Bowens adapter is sold separately). The flash supports TTL and HSS for a number of camera brands.

Price: $700
cactus-image.com

Westcott Rapid Box Switch

The Rapid Box Switch series gets its name from its ability to work on a wide variety of lights thanks to the optional Switch Insert, which adapts the modifier to one of 13 different lighting brands’ products. The Rapid Box modifiers ditch the conventional speed ring mount and feature an umbrella-like construction that makes them easier to set up and break down. The modifiers feature a quick-release thumb-lock so they stay mounted to the light while still allowing users to quickly switch mounting inserts without additional tools.

Price: $199+
fjwestcott.com

Adorama Orlit Rover

This system delivers 300 W/s of light output and is compatible with Canon RT radio controlled flashes and transmitters. It can also be triggered using Adorama TR and RT radio-enabled flashes. The Rover RT flashhead can be mounted on a camera bracket or lightstand and offers recycle times of 1.3 seconds at full power down to .3 seconds at lowest power, support for HSS (up to 1/8,000 sec.) and has a 20 fps continuous mode at lower power. Power is controllable over a nine-stop range in 1/3- or 1/10-stop increments.

Price: $449
adorama.com

Paul C. Buff Cyber Sense

If you own a Paul C. Buff light, the Cyber Sense remote is capable of controlling up to four of them, including their modeling lights. With a range of over 300 feet, the Cyber Sense can control power at 1/10th stop increments and has a battery life of up to 8.5 hours.

Price: $80
paulcbuff.com

Related: Three Ways to Remix the Usual Portrait Lighting Setup

12 Impressive New Pieces of Photo Gear That Just Hit the Market

Lighting Living Legends