Nikon has issued a firmware update for the new Nikon D3S digital SLR camera, which we recently reviewed. Version 1.01 incorporates the following changes:

• Movie recording specifications have been modified as follows and an issue that, in some rare cases, caused movie playback to appear to have stopped has been resolved.
• When exposure preview is enabled in live view tripod mode, information + histogram display is possible, but the histogram is no longer displayed while movies are recorded.
• When the live view button is pressed with the Audio Video Cable EG-D2 connected, the image is displayed in both the television and camera monitor, but the camera monitor now turns off during movie recording. The camera monitor turns on again when the Audio Video Cable EG-D2 is disconnected from the camera.
• Some simplified Chinese menus and help displays have been revised.
• When some memory cards were inserted in the camera, “CHA” was displayed in the top control panel and images could not be captured. This issue has been resolved.

Website: Nikon D3S Firmware Update 1.01 - Macintosh
Website: Nikon D3S Firmware Update 1.01 - Windows

Apple Aperture 3 includes over 200 new features including Faces, Places and Brushes. Aperture 3 makes it even easier and faster to organise large photo libraries. Aperture 3 introduces new tools to refine your photos including Brushes for painting image adjustments onto parts of your photo, and Adjustment Presets for applying professional photo effects with just one click. Stunning new slideshows let you share your work by weaving together photos, audio, text and HD video. Aperture 3 is available for a suggested retail price of £169 / $199.

Akvis Software has updated Akvis Coloriage, a program for colouring black-and-white photos. Using Coloriage requires no manipulation with layers and no manual painting whatsoever. Coloriage analyses the original shades of grey on the black-and-white picture to produce a shiny new picture with genuine colours and natural tones, the developer says. Version 7.0 introduces a new mode for the Pencil tool, Multicolor mode, as well as other enhncements including an improved interface design, improved compatibility with Windows 7, Snow Leopard, Adobe Photoshop CS4 64 bit and Adobe Photoshop Elements 8. AKVIS Coloriage is available for Windows and Mac as a Photoshop plug-in and a stand-alone edition. The product costs from $97 to $246 depending on the licence type. Registered users can upgrade to Version 7.0 for free.

Yesterday Canon announced the exciting new EOS 550D / Rebel T2i DSLR camera with 18 megapixels and Full HD video. We attended last night’s UK press launch at the British Academy of Film and Arts in London to bring you a comprehensive gallery of hands-on photos.

Yesterday Canon announced four new Digital IXUS cameras, including the SX210 IS with 14x zoom, touch-screen Digital IXUS 210, and the IXUS 130 and 105 models. We attended last night’s UK press launch at the British Academy of Film and Arts in London to bring you a comprehensive gallery of hands-on photos.

The AF-S Nikkor 16-35mm f/4G ED VR is Nikon’s first ultrawide-to-wide zoom lens featuring Vibration Reduction (VR), and generally, the world’s first full-frame ultrawide lens with any form of in-lens stabilisation. Intended to be a more affordable alternative to the venerable AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8D IF-ED, the new AF-S Nikkor 16-35mm f/4G ED VR features Nikon’s proprietary Nano Crystal coating and incorporates 2 extra-low dispersion (ED) glass elements as well as three aspherical lens elements for superior optical performance. The Silent Wave Motor and the VR II anti-shake mechanism ensure quiet operation, while the 9 rounded diaphragm blades make for excellent bokeh. On FX and film bodies, the AF-S Nikkor 16-35mm f/4G ED VR has an angle-of-view range of 107°-63°, whilst on a DX format DSLR camera, its angle of view is 83°-44°. Featuring a filter thread size of 77mm, the AF-S Nikkor 16-35mm f/4G ED VR ships with a soft pouch and an HB-23 lens hood. Available from late February at an estimated retail price of $1259.95/£1049.99/€1249.00.

The AF-S Nikkor 24mm f/1.4G ED is a new ultra-wideangle prime for FX format DSLR camera bodies. Designed for professional photojournalists and landscapists, the AF-S Nikkor 24mm f/1.4G ED has 12 elements in 10 groups. Among these are two ED - extra-low dispersion - glass elements and two aspherical lens elements. The lens also features Nano Crystal coating to reduce reflections, and has 9 rounded aperture blades for nicely rendered out-of-focus highlights. The Silent Wave Motor ensures quiet and fast focusing and manual focus override even when the focus mode switch is in the M/A position. Boasting an angle of view of 84° on FX and film bodies (61° on DX), the AF-S Nikkor 24mm f/1.4G ED will ship from late March with a soft pouch and an HB-51 lens hood, priced at $2199.95/£1949.99/€2319.00.

Seattle-based artist Aaron Gustafson has become the first person to take large-format photographs while skydiving. Gustafson designed a helmet-mounted 4x5-inch film camera, and during the period of several months he made one photograph per jump while skydiving at speeds greater than 130 miles per hour. The camera is a cube-shaped acrylic and aluminum box that contains a wide-angle lens and houses a single sheet of 4x5-inch film at a time. “Photography is in a strange place now where everyone is taking camera-phone snapshots and posting them online,” Gustafson said. “But photography can still be grand and larger-than-life. This project came out of a desire for that. It’s a hybrid of new and old, calm and chaos.”

Photographer Nick Hannes has travelled the length and breadth of the fifteen former Soviet republics to document the life of their inhabitants. Awarded with the Nikon Press Photo Award in 2009, his photo series, “Red Journey”, will go on display in Antwerp’s FotoMuseum on 12 February. The exhibition runs until 12 March. The opening ceremony takes place from 5pm to 7pm on 12 February.

Olympus has announced an underwater housing for the Olympus E-PL1 digital camera. The Olympus PT-EP01 underwater case is claimed to be the world’s first waterproof housing for a Micro Four Thirds system camera; significantly lighter and more compact than conventional SLR camera waterproof housings. Usable down to a depth of 40m and featuring a fixed lens port, the Olympus PT-EP01 can accommodate an Olympus PEN E-PL1 camera fitted with an M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 14–42mm f/3.5–5.6L or M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 9–18mm f/4–5.6 lens. Shots can be composed on the LCD monitor with the same ease as with a waterproof compact camera, but the protector can also accommodate the optional VF-2 Live Viewfinder. In addition, the Olympus PT-EP01 supports the Olympus Wireless Remote Control Flash System using the UFL-2 dedicated underwater flash unit. Available from 5 March, priced at 71,000 yen.

Pentax has announced an instant rebate programme in the US, effective until 15 February 2010 on 3 Pentax K-x kit configurations. The amount of the rebate is $50 and is valid on the single-lens kit consisting of the Pentax K-x digital SLR camera and the 18-55mm lens, as well as two double-lens kits including the body and afore-mentioned lens plus either the 50-200mm or the 55-300mm telezoom.

Lowepro has announced the Passport Sling, an inventive bag that includes protected space for a DSLR and a flexible compartment that unzips to reveal approximately 30% more space for extra accessories and personal items. The Passport Sling is designed to conform to the body and easily move with the wearer. It may be worn across the chest, high and close or low and loose, depending on the activity. The shoulder strap features a cam lock buckle that easily adjusts for an ideal fit, plus a removable, sliding shoulder pad with a non-slip patch that offers cushioned comfort when needed. The Passport Sling is available in Black, Sky Blue and Mica.

Kodak has announced the discontinuance of Kodak Professional Tri-X 320 for medium format. The American company cites “significantly decreased sales volumes” as the main reason for taking this decision. Based on current sales, these products are expected to be available in the market through March 2010. Importantly, Kodak Professional Tri-X 320 film remains available in sheet format (4x5”, 5x7” and 8x10”). Kodak Professional Tri-X 400 film is not affected by the decision in any way.

The Canon PIXMA iP2702 is a new stylish and easy-to-use home printer. The Canon iP2702 includes Canon’s FINE technology which offers grain-free printing at resolutions of up to 4800X1200dpi with a 2pl droplet size. The Canon PIXMA iP2702 is available from March 2010 priced at £45.00 / €49.00 RRP inc. VAT.

The Canon PIXMA MX870, MX350 and MX340 are three new all-in-one printers with Wi-Fi connectivity. The devices also feature improved print and copy speeds, a fully integrated Auto Document Feeder, as well as Canon’s FINE printing technology. The PIXMA MX870 is available from March 2010 priced at £199.00 / €219.00 RRP inc. VAT. The PIXMA MX350 is available from March 2010 priced at £149.00 / €169.00 RRP inc. VAT. The PIXMA MX340 is available from March 2010 priced at £99.00 / €109.00 RRP inc. VAT.

Canon has announced three new imagePROGRAF large-format inkjet printers in Japan. The imagePROGRAF iPF8300 is a 44-inch wide printer, capable of producing prints of up to B0 size, whereas the iPF6350 and iPF6300 are for prints up to 24-inch wide. Claimed to deliver improved ink ejection accuracy, these new imagePROGRAF printers from Canon offer a wider color gamut with over 90% coverage of Pantone colours.

Via Norhtlight Images

The WB5000 / HZ25W is Samsung's first entry into the big boy world of all-in-one super-zoom cameras. Offering a 24x zoom lens with 26mm wide-angle setting, the WB5000 literally has most photographic subjects covered, for both 12 megapixel stills and 720p movies. Throw in a range of hand-holding smart modes for beginners and RAW format and Manual mode for advanced users, and Samsung could be onto a winner at their very first attempt. Read our expert Samsung WB5000 / HZ25W review to find out if Panasonic, Olympus et al have anything to fear...

Canon has just unveiled the Canon EOS 550D (called the Canon EOS Rebel T2i in North America); a consumer-grade 18-megapixel digital SLR camera that can shoot 1080p high-definition videos. Canon’s advanced DIGIC 4 image processor and 18MP sensor support standard ISO settings of 100 – 6400 (expandable to 12800), while enhanced in-camera noise reduction technology boosts performance in low light conditions. The system’s 14-bit image processing produces smooth tonal gradation and natural looking colours for high quality prints and on-screen display. The EOS 550D / Rebel T2i also supports high-speed, continuous shooting at 3.7 frames per second. A 7.7cm / 3” Clear View LCD screen with 1,040k dot resolution and anti-reflective coating makes it possible to view the scene and your captured your images in bright conditions and from a variety of angles. The EOS 550D body only is available from 24th February 2010 priced at £799.99 / €899. In the USA, the Canon EOS Rebel T2i is expected to hit the shelves in early March priced at $799.99.

Canon have added four new PowerShot cameras to their lineup - the SX210 IS, SD3500 IS, SD1400 IS and SD1300 IS models. The Canon PowerShot SX210 IS ($349.99) features a 28mm wide-angle lens with 14x optical zoom, image stabilization and 3.0-inch wide LCD screen. The Canon PowerShot SD3500 IS ($329.99) is a 14 megapixel compact with a 3.5-inch wide LCD touch screen and 24mm ultra-wide angle, 5x zoom lens. The Canon PowerShot SD1400 IS ($249.99) features a 28mm wide-angle lens with 4x optical zoom lens and 14 megapixels. The Canon PowerShot SD1300 IS ($199.99) is a 12 megapixel camera with 4x zoom and 2.7-inch screen. The Canon PowerShot SX210 IS will be available in late March, and the other 3 models in late February.

The 12.1-megapixel Canon Digital IXUS 105 - called the Canon PowerShot SD1300 IS in North America - boasts classic IXUS styling, combining a slim and chic body with a 28-112mm equivalent, optically stabilised zoom lens. The IXUS 105 features a Smart Auto mode with Smart Flash Exposure and Scene Detection Technology plus Face Detection, FaceSelf-Timer and Auto Red-Eye Correction. A 2.7” rear screen and VGA movie recording at 30 frames per second round off the features list. The Canon IXUS 105 will be available from March 2010 priced at £189 / €219.