The HANNSapple Digital Photo Frame, which was exclusively available from Hannspree’s London concept store, is now available to buy online. Featuring a shiny red exterior and classic apple detailing, the HANSapple has a 7 inch LCD screen with a resolution of 800x480 pixels and contrast ratio of 500:1, dual SD-MemoryStick memory card slots and USB port. In the UK, the HANNSapple digital frame is available from Misco for £34.99. In Ireland, you can buy the frame from Xtravision.

Gitzo has announced the refined and improved Systematic range of modular, professional tripods. New construction and bonding techniques have almost doubled maximum payloads by distributing weight more efficiently to the 6X carbon fibre legs, which also feature the G-Lock system for greater power and ease of leg section locking. In addition, design details on the distinctive new triangular top casting make changing centre components even faster and safer. Each Systematic Series has 3-section, standard 4-section and long 4-section tripods, with Series 3 and 5 also offering an extra-long 4-section model and Series 5 featuring the “iconic” giant 6-section tripod alongside an ultra-compact 6 section model. For more information, visit the website below.

Lensbaby has launched a new set of macro photography accessories for its lens bodies and optics. The Lensbaby Macro Converters are available as a kit containing one 8mm converter and one 16mm converter, which can also be stacked together to make a 24mm converter. The existing Lensbaby Macro Kit (which features a +4 and +10 macro filter) can also be used in conjunction with the Macro Converters with the Double Glass, Single Glass, Plastic and Soft Focus Optics for an even closer capture. The new Lensbaby Macro Converters are available now for $50 from the website below.

Mod, a manufacturer of stylish camera straps and accessories, has announced several new product lines for compact and SLR cameras. The new product ranges include ECO straps, compact camera straps and bags, drop-in pouches for SLR cameras, strap wraps, neck pads and quick release adaptors. Made from recycled billboard vinyl, the environmentally friendly ECO straps are available for $19.95-$47.50 depending on model. The compact camera pouch and strap is $22.50, the drop-in pouch sells for $26.50,  the strap wrap - which keeps your extra batteries, memory cards etc. on hand - costs $19.95, the neck pad - which provides extra padding for your basic camera strap - can be yours for $9.95, while the quick release adaptor retails for $12.95.

Hama has introduced two newly designed metal camera cases for digital compact cameras. The eye-catching “Hama Metal Style” hard cases are available in black or grey and provide sturdy protection for all cameras up to 65x105x30mm in size. The cases retail for €12.99 apiece.

Switronix have announced their new Recon Wireless Transmission system that allows users to transmit uncompressed, HD video over a distance of 150 feet. Designed from the ground up for the wireless transmission of HD footage from any camera to field monitors, the Recon system can be powered by way of a V-type or 3-stud battery or by DC input via XLR-4p connector. Available through the Switronix Authorised Dealer network, the Recon Wireless retails for around $3,000.

Grenoble-based MicroOLED has announced the world’s highest pixel density OLED microdisplay, developed for use in digital cameras, camcorders, night-vision systems and other applications. The 0.61” display features 5.4 million gapless pixels, putting all currently available electronic viewfinders to shame. The company claims the display is “most suitable for defence, medical and professional camera applications that demand sharp images with very smooth transitional tones”. MicroOLED’s new microdisplay comes in full colour SXGA or monochrome formats (2,560 by 2,048 pixels).

The new X-Circle kit by LockCircle allows Nikon F-mount manual-focus lenses to be used for cine-style work on any Canon HDSLR camera. Expensive cinematography lenses have one important feature that still photography lenses cannot offer: markings on an angled surface of the lens barrel, making it easy to read focus and aperture settings from the side or behind the camera. Using X-Circle, any Nikon F-mount manual-focus lens can be mounted on any Canon HDSLR camera with a 90° rotation. This allows camera assistants / focus pullers to see the aperture and focus markings better for improved performance. X-Circle is based on a high-precision collimation ring and a stainless steel bayonet, available in kits supplied with all the necessary screws for easy assembly. The kits will start shipping in February for $159.

TetherPro Cables, a division of Tether Tools, have introduced a range of high-quality cables that eliminate two of the greatest challenges photographers face when shooting connected: equipment security and port compatibility. The orange coloured high-visibility USB Male-A to Mini-B and Active Extension tethering cables (pictured) and high-visibility Cat6 network cables help ensure cables can be seen throughout the studio or during on-location shoots. Additionally, TetherPro’s new low-profile casing for FireWire 800 9-pin to 9-pin cables ensures photographers shooting with digital backs from Phase One, Hasselblad or Mamiya will have properly sized tethering cables that fit their equipment.

Dallas-based Tripad LLC has recently launched two new products, the Tripad and Tripad Traveller. Made from recycled glass and plastics, the Tripad turnsany tripod into a sturdy, portable workspace for photographers, video and creative professionals by safely connecting a laptop to a camera. Plus, the Tripad allows for instant uploads of video and photographs to enable editing on the fly. The Tripad Traveller attaches to any standard-sized suitcase and stows away easily in a laptop bag. The Tripad costs $99.95, while the Tripad Traveller is available for $59.95 plus shipping and handling through the website below.

The Velbon V4 Boom Arm is a new mechanism combining a geared/slide elevator with a 180 degree tilt arm and a 360 degree horizontal pan. Manufactured from aluminium, the Velbon V4 Boom Arm fits almost any tripod, thanks to the included choice of 1/4” or 3/8” mounting threads. Uses include macro work, copying and any application where fine adjustment of the camera position is an advantage. The product carries a suggested retail price of £79.99.

Writer and videographer Wiley Davis has launched a Kickstarter project to raise funds for the commercialisation of his invention, the 50-dollar follow focus. “Just because you can’t drop a grand or more on a high-end follow focus, doesn’t mean you don’t need precise control,” says Davis, who has produced the prototypes in his own garage, using a home-made CNC mill that he calls The Robot. “Instead of using lens gears, we use an off-the-shelf industrial belt that will fit around most lenses (though we also have an adapter kit for larger lenses if necessary)... The money we raise [on Kickstarter] will help us purchase some production tooling and will allow us to buy material in the quantities needed to hit our $50 price point.” For more information, visit the website below.

Website: 50-Dollar Follow Focus by Wiley Davis

HannsG is launching a new series of affordable LED monitors.The HL9 series will initially include widescreen models between 18.5” and 24”. Each HL9 monitor boasts a high quality minimalist look with a slim profile that is complimented by a glossy black finish. The design incorporates built in speakers as standard, and includes DVI with HDCP support on all models excluding the HL190APB, along with the more traditional VGA port.  Prices range from £69 for the HL190APB to £119 for the HL249DPB model. The entire range will be available from February.

Ilford has announced that it is rebranding its popular ILFORD GALERIE range as ILFORD GALERIE Prestige (5*). “The evolution to GALERIE Prestige (5*) paves the way for a series of new product additions to be introduced in 2012 that combines state-of-the-art inkjet technology with in-demand artistic styles,” the company says. “The additions will complement the already robust line of best-in-class media developed for professional photographers and creative professionals. In addition, the GALERIE range is now categorised in a star rating system, enabling professionals and consumers to quickly recognise the media that best suits their printing needs.”

The Lomokino Smartphone Holder allows users to attach their smartphone to the LomoKinoScope to digitise their LomoMovies. “Simply attach the Lomokino Smartphone Holder to your LomoKinoScope, connect it with your smartphone and start recording while you are turning the crank,” Lomography says. “This way you can share your LomoMovies super easily and also carry them with you on your phone wherever you go.” The Lomokino Smartphone Holder is available in the Lomography Store for €19.90.

Conurus and Metabones have released a so-called Smart Adapter that allows Canon EF mount lenses to be mounted on Sony NEX camera bodies. Described as the first fruit of a strategic partnership between the two companies, the new Canon EF-to-NEX adapter allows electronic aperture control via the camera body - but no AF. This adapter is marketed under the Metabones brand name and may be ordered directly from conurus.com or from a Metabones distributor in Japan, the United Kingdom, Hong Kong or China for US$399.

The new Micro Vault MACH is the first family of flash memory drives from Sony with SuperSpeed USB 3.0 technology.. Available in capacities from 8GB up to 64GB, Micro Vault MACH offers data speeds up to 120 MB/s (read) and 90 MB/s (write). Backward-compatible with USB 2.0, the Sony Micro Vault MACH series of USB 3.0 SuperSpeed flash memory drives is available now.

Rollei has unveiled two new digital picture frames. The Rollei Designline 5130 comes with a remote control and features a 13.3” LED panel with a resolution of 1280x800 pixels and offers additional functions such as a clock and a calendar. The Designline 5160 has a 15.6” display with 1366x768 pixels and offers an automatic slideshow function with background music and ten different transition effects. Both frames can be wall-mounted in either landscape or portrait orientation, and both are capable of playing back HD videos. The Rollei Designline has an RRP or €149.90, while the Rollei Designline 5160 carries a price tag of €199.90. Availability is slated for March.

Sony is expanding its range of SD cards with a new flagship UHS-I series. The Sony UHS-I cards offer significantly higher transfer speeds up to 94MB/s (read) and 45MB/s and maintain Class 10 speed when used with non-UHS-I supported hardware. Available in capacities of 32GB (SF-32UX), 16GB (SF-16UX) and 8GB (SF-8UX), the Sony UHS-I SD cards will be available in March, starting at $44.99.

A virtual tour of the PMA @ CES hall.

Usually held in March each year, for 2012 PMA has moved to join CES, occupying its own hall in the Venetian hotel. With most of the larger imaging companies moving to the main CES site, Pentax Ricoh are the biggest manufacturer in a rather small area Other interesting brands include Lensbaby, Think Tank Photo, Gigapan, Tamrac, Novoflex, Datacolor and Blackrapid.

Take a closer look at the PMA @ CES hall in our extensive photo gallery.