New BogenImaging equipment arriving at FLAAR evaluation facility at Bowling Green State University.

FLAAR works hard at evaluating which brand and model of digital photography equipment is optimal to satisfy the requirements of photographers.

How do you figure out which kind of tripod to use: Berlebach, Bogen, FOBA, Gitzo, Manfrotto, Ries as well as all the Taiwan, Korean, and now Chinese knock-offs.

The choice for strobes is bewildering: Balcar, Bron, Elinca, Hensel, Multiblitz, Speedotron, Excalibur, White Lightening and others all make flash for studio photography. Question is, which have evolved to have the quality and consistency for today's advanced digital backs for medium format (remember, a tri-linear large format scanning back can't work with strobes; requires constant lighting such as HMI, HQI, tungsten, or fluorescent).

Since about 20,000 photographers and photo students read this FLAAR web site every month, that means almost a quarter of a million readers a year. So its a large responsibility to provide as much information as feasible under the circumstances (the circumstances being FLAAR is non-profit and we do not receive any cash payments, not even sales commissions). Now you know how we differ from all the commercial sites which offer reviews.

Bogen Photo recognized the usefulness of having an outside independent facility testing, evaluating, and reviewing studio digital camera equipment. We are starting off with Elinchrom strobe lighting for both portrait and table-top product photography, Manfrotto tripod heads, Gitzo tripods, Gossen light meters, Bogen light stands, and Bogen background supports.

These FLAAR evaluation facilities are at Bowling Green State University. FLAAR has another photo studio for testing equipment at Francisco Marroquin University in Guatemala, due to the two museums of Mayan culture on the same campus.

Additional information on Gitzo tripods, Manfrotto tripod heads, Elinchrome strobes, Metz flash equipment, and Bogen light stands is readily available from the distributor (Bogen Photo is now known as Bogen Imaging) at: info@bogenimaging.com or telephone (201) 818-9500.

Last updated Oct 26, after Photokina 2002 (Sept).