coalface momentary: Nikon launches $550 Speedlight SB-910 flash: light-up controls and thermal cut-out protection

You know what $549.95 gets you in the camera world? About 90 percent of a T3i. Or, you know, a flash. Nikon has just outed the proper successor to the Speedlight SB-900, and at over half a grand, it best be packin' more than just bright lights. The Speedlight SB-910 touts an enhanced operating system and graphic user interface, and comes equipped with a wide zoom range as well as FX / DX-format identification that optimizes zoom settings based on the camera body. The company's also promising better battery life and a bolstered thermal cut-out function -- which offers protection against damage to the flash panel and body from overheating during continuous flash use -- not to mention an improved LCD and the ability to be used as an on-camera flash, wireless commander or remote. You'll get a trio of illumination patterns (standard, center-weighted and even), and it'll be shipping here in the US in just over a fortnight. Here's hoping it's not too late to add a last-minute crush to your wish list.

Gallery: Nikon Speedlight SB-910 camera flash