Sony Electronics Inc., San Diego, Calif., is expanding its Alpha system of accessories to include the new HVL-F58AM flash unit with features for versatile and flexible external lighting control. This flash features a new and innovative Quick Shift Bounce system, says the company.

  The flash head can pivot 90 degrees left and right on a horizontal axis in addition to the conventional up and down vertical adjustment. With this system, the camera and flash unit can keep the same orientation regardless of portrait or landscape shooting. This gives a higher degree of flexibility when arranging the direction of light.

  The HVL-F58AM flash unit features a maximum guide number of 58 at 105mm and ISO 100. It recycles (or recharges) in as little as 5 seconds, approximately 55 percent faster than the predecessor HVL-F56AM model, so you are ready to capture the next shot, says the company. It also has a large, easy-to-read LCD screen and an intuitive control layout.

  The new flash has wireless auto flash control so users can remove the flash unit from the camera and easily light subjects from different angles. Photographers can create soft shadows to add depth to their images and avoid the strong shadows and hot spots that can occur with front lighting. The HVL-F58AM flash unit can also control the ratio of lighting from several off-camera flash units.

  One of the flash's most advanced features is its sophisticated zoom control that automatically optimizes illumination angles that are suitable for either APS-C size or 35mm full frame sensors, says the company. This control reduces light "fall-off" at the periphery of images.

  It also has an advanced white balance compensation system that gathers color temperature information, complimenting the white balance information reading of the camera. This achieves more accurate results when the main unit is in auto white balance mode.

  Other features include: high-speed synchronization at shutter speeds of up to 1/4000 of a second, ADI flash metering, manual flash and zoom (six levels), multiple-flash, and a supplied mini-stand for greater wireless freedom. The HVL-F58AM flash unit will ship in September for about $500 at www.sonystyle.com, Sony Style retail stores, military base exchanges, and authorized dealers nationwide. Pre-orders begin online today.

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