JP Distribution has announced the UK launch of its new Eco-Flo ink bottle system the Epson R3000 printer. The PermaJet Eco-Flo has been specially designed with moulded cartridges that simply slot into your printer in the usual way and stay in situ permanently. Refilling is then carried out simply by topping up the external reservoir bottles therefore avoiding unnecessary wear and tear on the cartridges and microchips. The company claims that using the PermaJet Eco-Flo ink system enables users to save up to 80% off their ink costs on the Epson R3000 printer.

Switronix has unveiled the Powerbase PB70-BMCC, a power solution for the Black Magic Cinema Camera. Furnished with two p-tap ports to power additional on-board devices, the Switronix PB70-BMCC will nearly quadruple the runtime of the camera’s internal battery while allowing users to power multiple essential devices such as an on-camera light, monitor and other production accessories.  A 4-LED power gauge allows users to easily monitor their charge with the tap of a button. The Switronix PB70-BMCC is available for $329.

The LensBling range from BlackRapid comprises a series of rear lens caps that allow photographers to quickly and easily differentiate between lenses they own. Made to fit either Nikon or Canon lenses of numerous sizes, the LensBling rear caps feature bright, bold and raised labelling that allows easier visibility. Marketed by JP Distribution, the BlackRapid LensBling will retail at £8.50 each.

OmegaBrandess has partnered with DeluxGear to introduce a new line of protective covers for camera lenses. The new patent-pending Lens Bumper absorbs impact and prevents scrapes, scratches, dents and cracks to the lenses, for a fraction of the cost of the lens itself. The Lens Bumper is encased in a tough 0.08” santoprene outer cover, and its cushiony, water-resistant inner core is made of 0.25” thick closed cell neoprene. This combination was first introduced with DeluxGear’s Lens Guard product - but unlike the Lens Guard, the Lens Bumper gives you the added convenience of keeping this protection on your lens while shooting, and of keeping your lens hood on your lens, too. Lens Bumpers come in 7 sizes, with suggested list prices ranging from $24.99 for the Small and Medium, to $74.99 for the “Giant.”

Manfrotto Distribution has unveiled the latest models in the Kata D-Light Camera Bag line. Among the new models are new versions of the classic Kata DR Digital Rucksacks and new creations with the D-Light Lite Shoulder Bags, D-Light Gearpack Backpacks and the D-Light HandsFree Waistpacks. “These new products add key styles to popular categories of our already successful D-Light line of camera bags” said Doug Feldner, Category Manager, Kata & National Geographic Brands. “As with all D-Light products, these additions make Kata’s Lightweight Protection Technology available at price points that are perfect for beginning or advanced photography enthusiasts.” Click through / read on for the details.

Lowepro, which has received dozens of requests for advice on what you can and can’t take in to the London Summer Games, has provided some guidelines on what’s allowed. Emphasising the importance of checking the rules for the specific event you are going to, Lowepro advises that photographers take one soft-sided bag (max 25 litre capacity) which must fit within the maximum dimensions of 30cm x 20cm x 20cm. They also mention that according to the Restricted Items list from the officials for the Olympics, no ‘large photographic or broadcast equipment over 30cm in length’ is allowed. The reason given by organisers is that long lenses, tripods and umbrellas could all interfere with others’ viewing experiences. DSLRs and compact cameras are permitted but do note that tripods and monopods must also fit within the size restrictions.

JP Distribution has announced two new straps from BlackRapid. Designed specifically for left-handed photographers, the BlackRapid RS-Sport L and RS-Sport 2 L each feature an integrated underarm stabiliser that holds the shoulder pad in position on the right shoulder. Priced at £75, the R-Strap is worn diagonally across the torso from right shoulder to left hip, and adjusts to fit most photographers.

iStabilizer has released a camera dolly for smartphones. Equipped with a built-in iStabilizer Mount, Dolly works with most mobile devices or digital cameras measuring up to 2.75” wide. The adjustable arm measures 11” high and secures the phone in numerous angles and positions. Dolly is also outfitted with four large wheels that generate smooth, fluid movements over most shooting surfaces. The apparatus is available now for $59.95 via the website below.

JP Distribution has announced the UK availability of the new ProtectR security sleeve from BlackRapid. Featuring a strong 1.5mm gauge cable that wraps around BlackRapid camera straps to prevent them from being cut from behind, the BlackRapid ProtectR also adds a level of deterrence by featuring two small cut-aways in the thermoset polymer fabric (TPF) to reveal the steel cable inside. The security sleeve comes in two sizes, regular (£27) and long (£30).

Wacom has unveiled two Cintiq pen displays, the Cintiq 24HD touch and Cintiq 22HD. The Cintiq 24HD touch closely replicates the experience of working with two hands when using traditional materials such as paints, markers and clay and provides a natural input experience for all related activities including concept sketching, illustration and especially 3D activities. The Cintiq 22HD, on the other hand, offers a pen-on-screen experience that delivers the natural feel, response and results derived from working with traditional brushes, pencils and pens. Both the Cintiq 24HD touch and Cintiq 22HD support Wacom’s Art Pen and Airbrush accessory pens to deliver natural brush effects within Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator (CS3 and above) as well as Corel Painter (10 and above). The Cintiq 22HD ($1999) will be available in the latter part of July and the Cintiq 24HD touch ($3699) is expected to ship in August.

Lexar has announced its support for the new XQD memory card format. This is a major change versus the company’s original stance on the matter - you may recall that in January, Lexar said that they had “no plans to release XQD memory cards in the near future.”  The company now views the XQD standard as “one of the most logical ways to increase interface speed beyond that of existing CompactFlash technology.” Expected to be available in the third quarter of 2012, Lexar XQD cards will offer high-speed performance in a range of capacities. At present, the only camera that can actually make use of an XQD card is the Nikon D4 but Lexar expects more “XQD-based camera models” to hit the market in the coming months.

Nauticam has announced a new underwater housing for the Olympus OM-D E-M5 compact system camera. Weighing in at 1.1kg (2.4lbs), the Nauticam NA-EM5 housing boasts a 100m depth rating, and features Nauticam’s patented port latching system, a threaded bulkhead port, a new rear mounted housing o-ring as well as a rugged machined aluminium case. To make the most of the E-M5’s high-resolution EVF, Nauticam has crafted an optional rear acrylic display window that encompasses a mount for installation of Nauticam’s 45º and 180º magnified viewfinders. In the USA, the Nauticam NA-EM5 housing is available for $1350-

The new Samsung Series 9 SB970, Samsung’s first premium monitor designed with photographers and other imaging professionals in mind, has just been launched to the US market. The 27-inch-wide monitors have been individually colour calibrated and come equipped with an advanced PLS panel with a wide viewing angle of 178 degrees and a resolution of 2560x1440 pixels. In the United States, the Samsung Series 9 SB970 monitor can be purchased from TigerDirect, Microcenter and Best Buy.

The indie is a new camera housing for the iPhone 4/4S. The indie is perfect for hand held news shots, fast moving action or self-recording while video blogging.Pre-order of the indie with the handle is available now for $219.95.

The Tiffen Company today unveiled its redesigned Davis & Sanford Magnum XG13 Tripod and FX13 Head. Billed as “the digital imaging industry’s first advanced DSLR/video tripod developed with a switchable counterbalance to prevent the common problem of camera dumping,” the XG13 tripod is manufactured with a powder-coated and anodised finish to resist abrasion under heavy use. Shipped with the Magnum XG13, the FX13 Head is manufactured with the new Davis & Sanford advanced, built-in fluid system. The fluid system is ideal for DSLR shoots in video mode as well as shooting stills of fast-moving subjects like birds. The head has a maximum load capacity of 13lbs and has three spirit levels to ensure perfect levelling. The three-way head has 360-degree pan, 90-degree down, and 60-degree upward tilt plus landscape and portrait tilt mode. The Davis & Sanford Magnum XG13 Tripod and FX13 Head are available today through Tiffen resellers for a street price of $189.

ChromaLuxe has announced the availability of 18 new configurations for its ChromaLuxe Connection line.  With these new layouts, ChromaLuxe now offers close to 50 configurations with which to arrange its HD Metal Photo Panels to create individualised wall décor in any home or business setting. Metal photo panels from ChromaLuxe present an archival-quality, highly scratch-resistant surface that is waterproof and resistant to UV rays and other damaging elements that would easily destroy standard paper prints. For more information, visit the website below.

The Nimbus Cloud Dome is a new accessory designed to help photographers take professional-looking pictures of jewellery and other small products. As a smaller version of the original Cloud Dome, the new Nimbus is a portable and durable mini-studio that eliminates harsh shadows and strong specular highlights, helping to create evenly lit product shots of shiny objects - even with a smartphone camera. “I insisted that it be usable for any cell phone with a close focus camera, which includes most newer smartphones,” says co-inventor Dave Burchett. “The Nimbus Dome holds the phone steady and takes clear, non-glare, diffused photographs.”

Lastolite has unveiled its new Low Level Posing Tubs. The set consists of three tubs in a variety of sizes which can be used on their own or in conjunction with Lastolite’s existing set of posing tubs. Each unit is capable of supporting up to a 20-stone adult and comes with its own carry case & shoulder strap. The new Low Level Posing Tubs are available at £130.

ExpoImaging has released three new Rogue Lighting Kits for “strobists,” or small flash enthusiasts. The Rogue Starter Lighting Kit ($99.95, pictured) is an entry-level bundle consisting of light modifiers designed to improve the quality and variety of lighting choices available to photographers using speedlights on- or off-camera. The Rogue Portrait Lighting Kit ($149.95) is a larger collection of light modifiers providing greater light control for portrait and event photographers shooting with multiple speedlights. Finally, the Rogue Master Lighting Kit ($199.95) is for the most advanced speedlight photographers looking to create multiple lighting set-ups using combinations of the kit’s soft box, bounce flash reflectors, flags, honeycomb grids and coloured gel kits

Sony has announced that it plans to invest approximately 80 billion yen in Sony Semiconductor Corporation’s Nagasaki Technology Center to increase the production capacity for stacked CMOS image sensors. These imagers “layer the pixel section containing back-illuminated structure pixels onto chips containing the circuit for signal processing, in contrast to the supporting substrates used in conventional back-illuminated CMOS image sensors,” the company says. “These products enable Sony to mount large-scale circuits while decreasing the chip size of image sensors, thereby enhancing image quality and functionality and allowing for a more compact size for digital cameras and mobile devices.” These stacked CMOS sensors are going to be used primarily in camera phones and tablets.