Gloucestershire: British photographic retailer CotswoldPhoto has announced a new range of monolights, the Hobo Lighting Merlin, to arrive in March this year. The Merlin will come in M300, M400, M500 and M600 models, each one fully remote controllable from up to 30 metres away with an optional Merlin RM1 handset.
Looking for a ‘professional’ studio flash, but don’t know which one to choose?
Budget studio strobes usually compromise on component quality and key performance factors like consistent colour temperature throughout the power range. The Merlin has microprocessor control, high quality flash tubes and capacitors, to bring professional features and performance to affordable strobes.
Some newer strobes have even started to feature IGBT control, but it isn’t really necessary unless you want really short flash duration times.
Introducing the Merlin Studio Strobe, with optional remote control.
Merlin features
- Settings shown on large liquid crystal display
- Bowens S-type bayonet
- User-replaceable Perkin Elmer flash tube
- Adjustment from full to 1/32 power in 1/10 stops
- CMOS chip control technology
- Optical slave with pre-flash detection
- Proportional modelling lamp control
- Aluminium case with rubber coating
- Overheat, overvoltage and abnormal operation warnings
- Internal body temperature is displayed on screen
- 2.4GHz transceiver for wireless control via optional Merlin RM1 remote
- 6.35mm sync port
Merlin specifications
| Model | M300 | M600 | M500 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Energy | 300J | 600J | 500J |
| Guide number | 56 | 82 | 72 |
| Recycle time | 0.2 - 1.0 seconds | ||
| Flash duration | 1/800 - 1/1200 second | ||
| Modelling lamp | 150W | 250W | |
| Colour temperature | 5600 ±100K | ||
| Power adjustment | Full to 1/32 power in 1/10 stop increments | ||
| Voltage | AC 220 - 240 Volts (50Hz) | ||
| UK price (inc. VAT) | £169.99 | £239.99 | £219.99 |
| EU price (inc. VAT) | €219.99 | €304.99 | €279.99 |
RM1 remote features
- Large LCD screen which synchronises with flash settings
- Control the flash power, modelling lamp, ready beep on up to 9 Merlin flash heads
- Switch Merlins into standby mode
- Test button, useful for flash metering
- 2.4 GHz frequency with range up to 30 metres
- Takes 2 * AA batteries and lasts up to 77 hours
Further reading
Please consult the following literature for more details, prices and shipping information.
Where to buy
The Hobo Lighting Merlin will be available exclusively from CotswoldPhoto, shipping within the United Kingdom and European Union. Prices start at £169.99 (€219.99 outside the UK) for the M300. The RM1 remote will cost £39.99 (€49.99).  Hobo Lighting studio kits including 2-3 Merlin heads, an RM1, parabolic umbrellas and air cushioned light stands are also planned.