The UK’s Home Secretary, Jacqui Smith, has given the go-ahead for photography to be restricted in the UK. In a very worrying sign of the times, Smith wrote in a letter to the National Union of Journalists that “Decisions may be made locally to restrict or monitor photography in reasonable circumstances. That is an operational decision for the officers involved based on the individual circumstances of each situation.” No clarification was given of what might constitute “reasonable circumstances”. The Home Secretary went on to say “‘It is for the local Chief Constable, in the case of your letter the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Force, to decide how his or her Officers and employees should best balance the rights to freedom of the press, freedom of expression and the need for public protection.” Considering that the Metropolitan Police force have already targeted photographers in a prominent poster campaign earlier this year, this isn’t particularly good news…

Website: BJP - Home Secretary green lights restrictions on photography

7 in 10 women have stopped their photo being taken because they didn’t have time to pose properly - with three in ten men doing likewise. The survey of UK adults by Samsung also revealed that Kylie Minogue was thought to look consistently good in photos even when caught off-guard, whilst Londoners are the most image-conscious, with 42% striking a pose for the camera.

Camera thieves have been apprehended after an Eye-Fi card uploaded pictures of them. Owner Alison DeLauzon looged onto her Eye-Fi account after her camera had disappeared while on vacation, only to find her holiday snaps uploaded along with photos of the two men who had stolen her camera kit. The wireless Eye-Fi SD card inside her Canon compact had automatically logged onto an available unsecured network and uploaded the images without the thieves even realising!

Website: Reuters - Lost cameras “phone home” to catch thieves

Novatron, best known for its professional photographic lighting equipment, has been acquired by OmegaSatter. Also in the professional photographic lighting accessory segment with its GaryFong Inc., FlashFrame, Wein, and Polaris products, OmegaSatter commented: “Novatron has perfect synergy with OmegaSatter. We are a manufacturer and we market and sell our products to the same customers as Novatron. OmegaSatter has coveted a strong, high quality brand and presence in the professional photographic lighting market and Novatron is the perfect fit.” Novatron products are available to order from OmegaSatter immediately. The company expects to be in full production in July.

Canon has launched the first of two new television commercials to support the Canon EOS Rebel and Canon PowerShot digital camera lines. “Journey,” uses a unique technology that blends individual digital still photographs shot with the Canon EOS-1D Mark III into a “picture-trail” motion commercial. “In this spot, the journey is the destination. Edited together, the shots made for a compelling story. But each single Canon photograph is also a piece of art in itself. You can freeze this ad at any given moment and find a photo that you’d probably like to blow up, frame and put on your wall.” said Grey New York’s chief creative officer Tor Myhren. The latest PowerShot commercial, set to air in early June, will continue to feature Maria Sharapova and her charismatic puppy, “Dolce.”

Olympus is sponsoring Sir Ranulph Fiennes’ second attempt to climb Mt Everest, which aims to raise £3 million for Marie Curie Cancer Care. In April, Sir Ranulph Fiennes started the journey along with his team, and they aim to return home in early June. Olympus are supplying the flagship camera of the Four Thirds standard, the Olympus E-3, plus the ultra compact E410 and the Mju Tough cameras.

Microsoft and Hoya Pentax have signed a patent cross-licensing agreement to further the development of each company’s current and future product lines. The agreement covers digital cameras made by Pentax and a broad range of other consumer products from each company. “We believe that this contract will further solidify the alliance between the two companies,” said Ko Torigoe, general manager of HOYA CORPORATION PENTAX Imaging Systems Division. “We also expect that it will bring considerable benefits to consumers in the near future, as we should be able to shorten the time required for product development because of technological advancement by both companies, and therefore deliver higher-quality products to the market.”

Canon will sponsor the Getty Images Gallery in London, UK from 2008 to 2010. Getty Images Gallery is London’s largest independent photographic gallery and was founded in 1996. Louise Garczewska, Director, Getty Images Gallery, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Canon as the headline sponsor of the Gallery. Canon’s professionalism, commitment and dedication to imagery makes them an ideal partner and we look forward to working with them to continue showcasing further iconic exhibitions.”

Sony’s new ‘Foam City’ advert for its digital cameras tramsforms the downtown area of Miami, Florida into a foam-filled wonderland. The world’s largest foam machine was built especially for the ad, with over two million litres of foam being produced every minute. The foam theme is being used across all of Sony’s digital imaging advertising activity - the DSLR advert focuses on the challenge of capturing the perfect bubble. To view the advert online, visit http://www.sony.co.uk/images

Nikon is sponsoring the 9th FINA World Swimming Championships, with Nikon D3 DSLR cameras recording the event. During the five-day competition, over 750 of the world’s best swimmers will be competing, with Kaiwai Tang and David Ashdown in attendance pool-side as Nikon’s official photographers. “Nikon UK is very pleased to be associated with such a prestigious event. Its global credentials and exciting action will attract a lot of interest from some of the world’s best photographers – so it’s only right that we’ll be there, championing the world’s best camera equipment.” commented Simon Coleman, General Manager Imaging Division, Nikon UK.

LFI International have a very interesting interview with Dr Andreas Kaufmann, the new CEO of Leica, who abruptly replaced Steven K.‭ ‬Lee in rather mysterious circumstances. The entire interview is available to download as a PDF.

“LFI: Do you regret having made StevenLee CEO?
Kaufmann: I never judge my decision in that way. We always make mistakes when we make decisions, but sometimes there’s no way around them. If it appears to be running off in the wrong direction you simply have to correct it. And, of course, you will have learned something new. There’s been a lot of movement within the company, and a lot of it is thanks to Steven Lee. As to whether we made the right choice in replacing him… I have no idea, but a choice had to be made. I hope it was the right one.”

Website: LFI International - Leica’s Revised Plans

Canon has raised £27,205 for the British Red Cross from sales of the red Canon PowerShot A460 digital camera in selected Tesco stores. Selling over 5000 units, Canon donated £5 from the sale of each camera. The money raised will be spent on essential British Red Cross services in local communities in the UK.

Pentax have launched a Student Photography Program which offers significant savings to photography students and educators. Discounts on camera bodies, lenses and flashes are offered exclusively to full-time students at accredited institutions and full-time photography educators. This program is only valid to students and educators in the United States for purchases made in the United States. 

Canon UK is offering cash back across 19 products in its popular EOS range, including £150/€200 off the Canon EOS 5D. Running from 1st March 2008 until 30th June 2008, other savings include £100/€150 off the EOS 40D and £45/€60 off the EOS 400D. EOS accessories and Canon’s Photo Kits are also included in the promotion. To claim their Cash Back, customers need to log on to http://www.canon-europe.com/2008promotions and follow the step-by-step guide.

Kodak and Wal-Mart have announced a program to recycle used materials from in-store picture kiosks. 4,100 Wal-Mart stores and Sam’s Clubs in the U.S. that operate KODAK Picture Kiosks will annually recycle 2 million pounds of thermal printer ribbon, spools and cartridges. “Kodak has a long record of responsible behavior related to environmental issues, and this initiative is a world’s first in the photo kiosk business. Together, Wal-Mart and Kodak are helping to make the planet a better place for our children.” said Nicki Zongrone, General Manager Retail Systems Solutions and Vice President of Eastman Kodak Company.

In a shock move, Leica has sacked its CEO, Steven Lee, following comments that he recently made about a full-frame Leica M-system rangefinder camera. UK magazine Amateur Photographer, who initially broke the full-frame news back in January, are reporting that Leica’s owner, Andreas Kaufman, has now replaced Lee with immediate effect.

“This change of management allows Leica Camera AG to immediately review strategies and make changes where required.’ Leica UK’s MD David Bell tells AP. ‘One of the first tasks for Dr Kaufmann will be to positively review all options for the M system’s future. There will be more details in the following weeks.”

Amateur Photographer - Leica Camera sacks CEO Steven K Lee

The new Pentax Professional Services program supports professional photographers with several services and benefits. Membership is complimentary and limited to working professional photographers. Benefits include a 72 hour rush turnaround on most PENTAX digital SLR repairs, short-term equipment loans and direct access to dedicated customer service representatives. Membership may be obtained by completing a Pentax Professional Service program application.

Kodak are planning to release 50% more digital products than in 2007, as digital camera and printer sales rise by up to 10%. In a report by Bloomberg, Kodak are targeting a rise in revenue of 2% for 2008, compared to a 22% drop in 2007. New digital products will include more inkjet printers, commercial printing and digital cameras that produce clearer pictures in low light.

“The company expects 70 percent of revenue and 60 percent of profit to come from digital products. We have a proven ability to create digital products. We are No. 1 or No. 3 in market share in all of our businesses.’’ commented Chief Executive Officer Antonio Perez

Website: Bloomberg - Kodak Says Sales May Rise 2% on Digital-Camera Demand

Tessera Technologies, a provider of miniaturization technologies for the electronics industry, is paying $29 million to purchase FotoNation, a provider of embedded imaging solutions for digital still cameras. Tessera will pay $29 million in net cash with up to $10 million of additional consideration, contingent upon certain milestones over one year. The transaction is expected to close in February 2008. “There is significant, untapped potential for sophisticated imaging solutions in the growing camera phone market, and Tessera’s close ties to this market will enable us to accelerate the commercialization of FotoNation’s rich portfolio of technology and products,” said Eran Steinberg, chief executive officer, FotoNation. FotoNation’s technology is embedded in more than two out of three digital still cameras sold today.

Canon UK held a glitzy event for their new Spring collection of products this morning at the Science Museum in Central London. Against a somewhat ironic backdrop of Euro 2008 (well, at least for us England supporters), which Canon are sponsoring, no less than 36 new products were shown off to over 200 members of the press and trade. In a somewhat low-key line-up from the camera side of things, the new Canon EOS 450D / Digital Rebel XSi stood out as the main draw - unless you can afford several thousand pounds for the new 800mm and 200mm lenses, that is. We managed to make our way through the throng and literally grab a couple of minutes with the Canon 450D, plus get hands-on with the new Digital IXUS 80 IS and A-series Powershot compacts. Click the link below to view a selection of “live” product shots…