Scarab Darkroom from Scarab Labs is a new, fast, free and easy-to-use raw converter for Windows. “The beta version of the program has been downloaded over 50.000 times, and is proving to be especially popular among Olympus and Sony users,” says developer Kornél Lehőcz. That is not to say Scarab Darkroom is in any way limited to those two brands - in fact it supports raw file formats from over 100 different cameras. A Mac edition and a paid version with an extended feature set are also in the works. The free Scarab Darkroom 1.0 program is available to download from the website below.

PhotoShelter has partnered with Agency Access to release their 2012 Survey: What Buyers Want from Photographers. The survey has insights from over 1,000 photo buyers worldwide with tips on how to market photography, websites that work, as well as the business and personal skills they look for in photographers to hire. Additionally, it includes first-hand interviews with photo buyers from JWT, GSD&M, Billboard.com, Men’s Health, and Random House. The 35-page guide is available free of charge in electronic format from the website below.

Website: PhotoShelter

Samsung has announced the pricing and U.S. retail availability of the world’s first Wi-Fi enabled compact system cameras. The Samsung NX20 and N210 are available now from authorized Samsung retailers for MSRPs of $1,099.99 and $899.99, respectively. The sleek and compact NX1000 will be available in June in white, black and pink at an MSRP of $699.99.

Hasselblad has announced plans to cut the prices of a number of models - including nearly 23% off the entry-point H4D-31 (with 35-90mm lens) and more than 20% off the 60 megapixel H4D-60 camera (pictured). Under the revised pricing structure the H4D-31 kit will be available for €11,995. The H4D-60 cost is down €6,200 to €23,900. Additionally, customers who buy a new Hasselblad camera and lens before the end of July will be eligible to purchase a second lens at just 50% of the manufacturer’s recommended sales price.

Canon has announced the upcoming release of a firmware upgrade for the Canon EOS C300 and the Canon EOS C300 PL interchangeable-lens digital video camera .Version 1.0.5.1.00 will add Genlock synchronisation for 24.00P, 24.00PsF, 23.98P and 23.98PsF signal inputs. Availability for the firmware update is slated for late May.

To celebrate the London Festival of Architecture, Roca London Gallery and International Art Consultants (IAC) have united for an exclusive photography exhibition ‘Architect’s Eye’ in Chelsea, London. The exhibition is split into two categories: Architecture and Place (focusing on the aesthetics of the architecture and the places it creates), and Architecture and People (celebrating the interaction of people with the environments created by architecture).  The ‘Architect’s Eye’ exhibition will run from 23rd June until 8th July. The Rica London Gallery is located at Station Court,
Townmead Road,
London, SW6 2PY.

JP Distribution has announced the new V Bridge insert from M Billingham & Co. Manufactured from a sculpted piece of closed cell foam, the V Bridge helps users easily store their camera with lens attached inside their Billingham bag. There are two sizes available, depending on the camera bag they are to fit inside. Each version is available for £12.

O’Reilly has released a new book entitled, “Photoshop CS6 - The Missing Manual” by Lesa Snider. “This edition features all new screen shots, new and updated practical techniques, as well as a new chapter on video editing,” notes Snider. “It’s simply the most comprehensive yet conversational, Photoshop book on the market and I’m incredibly proud to have it available upon ship date of the software.” The 888-page volume is available for $49.99 in printed format. An e-book edition is also available, priced at $39.99.

Sigma has annoucned that the Sigma Macro 105mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM is now available in Sony fit. The successor to the Sigma Macro 105mm F2.8 EX DG, introduced to market in June 2004, this large aperture medium telephoto 1:1 macro lens features a HyperSonic Motor as well as Special Low Dispersion (SLD) and one high refractive index SLD element. A floating focusing system moves two different lens groups in the optical path to different positions. The Sigma Macro 105mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM features a splash resistant design for use in harsh conditions and a rounded 9 blade diaphragm for a pleasing rendering of the out-of-focus areas. The lens is available at a suggested retail price of £649.99.

Here are 27 sample JPEG photos and 27 raw images taken with a pre-production version of the new Leica X2 compact camera, including the full ISO range.

Priced at £1,575, earlier this week we had a brief opportunity to shoot with the Leica X2 at an exclusive Leica UK press event in central London.

Here are 18 sample JPEG photos and 18 raw images taken with a pre-production version of the new Leica M Monochrom rangefinder camera, including the full ISO range.

Priced at £6,120, the Leica M Monochrom is a black-and-white only, full-frame digital rangefinder camera. Yesterday we had a brief opportunity to shoot with the Leica M Monochrom at an exclusive Leica UK press event in central London.

Want to see exactly what the new Leica M9-P Edition Hermès limited edition rangefinder camera looks like in the flesh?

With only 300 available worldwide, the Leica M9-P Edition Hermès carries a UK suggested retail price of a mere £18,000, with Hermès contributing the Veau Swift calfskin leather finish in ochre colour.

Check out our hands-on gallery of photos of the Leica M9-P Edition Hermès limited edition rangefinder camera.

Want to see exactly what the new Leica V-Lux 40 digital compact camera looks like in the flesh?

Check out our hands-on gallery of photos of the Leica V-Lux 40 digital compact camera.

Want to see exactly what the new Leica X2 digital camera looks like in the flesh?

We spent some time shooting with the new Leica X2 yesterday at an exclusive press event in London.

Check out our hands-on gallery of photos of the Leica X2 digital camera.

Want to see exactly what the new Leica M Monochrom rangefinder camera looks like in the flesh?

We spent some time shooting with the new black and white only Leica M Monochrom yesterday at an exclusive press event in London.

Check out our hands-on gallery of photos of the Leica M Monochrom rangefinder camera.

The Sony A37 isa new entry-level SLT camera. The A37 has a 16.1 megapixel Exmor APS HD CMOS sensor, high-speed shooting up to 7fps with Full-time Continuous AF, 3-cross 15-point phase detection autofocus system, and an ISO range of 100-16000. The new 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 telephoto zoom kit lens offers a generous 8x zoom range in a compact, go-anywhere lens. The Sony A37 will be available from the end of May 2012 for around £530 / $600.

The Sony NEX-F3 is a new entry-level compact system camera. The NEX F3 has a 16.1 megapixel APS-C size image sensor, 180° tiltable LCD for easy self-portraits, full HD AVCHD (50i/25p) video, and a built-in flash. The new Sony 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 OSS LE lens offers a powerful 11x zoom range and superb resolution in an easy-to-carry lens. The Sony NEX-F3 will be available from June 2012 for around £530 / $600.

Phase One is launching a series of free online events entitled “Phase One Live: Your Inspiration Stream.” Hosted by Phase One and some of the world’s leading photographers, each event will showcase a specific photography project, tracking each step in that project’s workflow from conception through completion. The première event on May 23 at 9 am CET features award winning British landscape photographer Joe Cornish. To register, visit the website below.

Leica today announced the opening of its extended retail premises encompassing three buildings in Mayfair, providing Leica customers with a range of premium services. At 27 Bruton Place, located just off Berkeley Square in Mayfair, Leica’s Client Care team offers expert advice tailored to photographers’ specific needs, as well as light repairs for camera and optics customers, and sensor-cleaning for Leica M- and S-System owners. Alongside this facility is Café Optik, providing a relaxed and friendly atmosphere to visitors. Additionally, a new rental service is also available on the ground floor: Rental-S. This service incorporates rental of Leica’s high performance S-System, as well as hire of Studio-S, a fully equipped studio that includes changing and make-up areas, hospitality and digital operator facilities.

Kodak has revealed two all-in-one printers and its new Pic Flick HD iPad app. The Kodak ESP 3.2 all-in-one printer (£79) is the latest addition to the company’s inkjet printer portfolio. “With a refreshed and modern design, it is targeted to photo-centric consumers and families who want great value, quality and simplicity,” Kodak says. “It offers Kodak’s signature easy Wi-Fi set-up and a 6.1cm colour touchscreen for effortless navigation and a better ‘walk up and print’ experience.” The ESP 1.2 all-in-one printer (£69, pictured) provides consumers with an easy way to print and save. It too offers effortless Wi-Fi set up and a 3.8cm intuitive touchframe interface for quick navigation making it simple to print, copy and scan. Coming in June, the free Kodak Pic Flick HD App for iPad lets consumers create personalised photo cards, collages and prints, with the ability to add captions and speech bubbles. For photo prints, Kodak Technology identifies the colours in the photo and automatically generates matching borders for prints and collages.