November 2007
Author: Company Press Release.
Bowens have launched a unique, affordable ringflash photography solution that is set to take the market by storm.
The pioneering, lightweight Ringlite Converter, developed over the past nine months, is a ‘world-first’ product for the UK-based lighting group.
Robert Cook, Bowens marketing manager said: “We’ve been looking at developing a wider range of reflectors and this cost-efficient ringflash alternative is the first new product in this strategic review. The Bowens technical team has fulfilled the brief with a world-class solution.
At a fraction of the cost of a ringflash and generator, this innovative converter offers photographers a robust, portable and cost-effective addition to their capture equipment portfolio.
This product makes ringflash-style photography affordable and opens up the option for the first time ever to a whole new raft of photographers who operate on tight budgets.”
Bowens kept the Ringlite Converter a closely-guarded secret as they developed and patented the product this summer.
Mark Aherne, Bowens technical director explained: “Traditional ringflash generally comprises flash tubes, cable and a powerpack, so the full kit required is quite unwieldy and expensive.”
“We built the converter and followed up with associated bracketry to ensure the unit would be suitable for most cameras on the market. We have created an attachment which allows photographers to convert their standard Bowens strobe lights to produce ringflash-style light. Using this new converter photographers can simply put the camera lens through the centre of the light source. This creates a softer, wholesome surrounding light around the lens which reduces shadows. It can also create shadowing around the outline of the subject so users can work with a specific photographic effect.”
He added: “The additional benefit of the converter is its ‘backwards capability’.
Photographers can take a standard Bowens product going back many years and use it - as long as it has an S-Type adaptor. This will bring additional cost benefits to our customers.”
Bowens say applications for the Ringlite Converter include portraits, product shots and technical photography.
Top fashion photographer Jon Gray trialled the new converter earlier this month.
He said: “This is an excellent product - particularly for a small portrait studio business.
I tested it on a portrait shoot and it’s a seriously impressive piece of kit.
Ringflash has been around for years but this new converter has all the attributes required for a different style of photography. Photographers won’t have to worry about buying other units; they can simply use their existing equipment.”
He added: “One of the problems with ringflash is it produces quite a hard punchy light…and it’s expensive.
This new Bowens converter is the reverse of that. It is easy to use, affordable and provides a soft light even light. I’d say it is set to be a world-beater.”
RingLite Converter dimensions:
Height: 13¾"
Width: 8¾"
Depth: 4½" (Inc S-Type adaptor, not including bracket)
Weight: 3.2lbs (including bracket)
February 2007
Author: Company Press Release.
With the Esprit Gemini now recognised as the industry standard in battery/mains powered monolights and portable accessories, Bowens have augmented the range to include two digital versions, the GM Digital 250 and the GM Digital 500.
Just like their analogue counterparts, these high performance units are solid metal, durable, economic lights that combine mains powered studio operation with the “Gemini” ability to go portable with the Bowens Travelpak when needed.
Built to take the demands of today’s busy professional, the new range is smaller, lighter (but still just as tough!) and offers the benefit of true digital 1/10 stop light adjustment (better than 1%) via an easy to use rotary control on the side.
Weighing in at just 7.5lbs and measuring just (L)14" (W)5.5" (H)5", the GM Digital range come packed with extra features, such as auto flash dump, soft modelling control for extended lamp life and red eye reduction flash sync.
Light output is controlled via a single rotary control over a five stop range (6 stop points) from full down to 1⁄32 in exact 1/10 stop increments - the large, clear digital display shows the power level in terms of either digital F stops or as watt/seconds and can be inverted, to allow right or left handed viewing from a central shooting point. As with all Gemini units, the new range feature a digital camera friendly sync-voltage of just 5V and the now industry standard, “Gemini” Go anywhere battery socket.
Advanced Features:
Red Reduction Photocell Sync
The smart photocell on GM Digital units allows photographers to set the cell to ignore pre-exposure flashes from their on camera flash. The system can “learn” the pre-exposure sequence to ensure perfect flash synchronisation.
Advanced Modelling
As well as Full, Proportional or user defined levels of modelling power, the GM Digital units incorporate soft start lamp control for extended life. In addition, modelling can also be set to either extinguish while recycling or pulse when the flash is ready to go again.
Digital Display & Audio
The large clear digital display can be seen easily from a distance while shooting and can be set in f/stops or watt/seconds. A display invert feature permits clarity of display from either side of the camera or when suspended upside down from a ceiling track system. Audio feedback for READY/CHARGE and button recognition is easily configured.