ProMaster has introduced a USB 3.0 SuperSpeed compliant memory card reader. The compact ProMaster MultiReader 3.0 accepts almost every flash card available in the market today. Supported card types include CF Type I, CF Type II, MicroDrive, MagicStore, Micro SD (with adapter), SD, MiniSD, MMC, RS MMC, MMC Micro (with adapter), MS, MS PRO, Magic Gate, MS DUO, MS DUO PRO, M (with adapter) and xD-Picture Cards. The ProMaster MultiReader 3.0 will be available this spring from specialty photo stores across the U.S. and Canada for a retail price of $49.95.

ProMaster has unveiled its latest TTL flash unit for Canon, Nikon, Olympus/Panasonic, Pentax and Sony digital cameras. With a guide number of 30 (in metres at ISO 100/21°), the ProMaster FL100 TTL is quite a powerful flash for its size. Featuring a manual zoom head but no other controls, this is a fully automatic unit powered by four AA batteries. Recycle time is specified at “3-10 seconds”. Available from spring 2012, the ProMaster FL100 TTL is expected to retail for $99.95.

Gitzo has announced the launch of its 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. Additionally, the range has been extended to cover Gitzo Series 2 in order to offer the advantages of mechanical strength and build quality at a more portable size and weight. For more information, visit the website below.

LensCapTrap has just announced the new LensCapTrap Micro. “The LensCapTrap Micro brings the lens-cap-saving simplicity of the LensCapTrap to the smaller lens caps found on rangefinder, Micro Four-Thirds and other compact interchangeable lens cameras,” the company says. The LensCapTrap is now available in Europe through EnjoyYourCamera and in the rest of the world from LensCapTrap directly

Multiblitz USA has added Florida fashion photographer Anthony Neste to the Multiblitz Professional Team. At this year?s WPPI 2012, Anthony Neste will be joining the Multiblitz team for daily photo shoots and product demonstration of the newly introduced Multiblitz GLAMKIT and the rest of the Multilbitz product line. “We are honored to have Anthony Neste on our Multiblitz Professional team. It is the next logical step to increase brand awareness in North America.” said Veit Wulms, president of Multiblitz USA. “Anthony?s style, experience, stunning images and his exceptional character perfectly fit the company?s brand and image. He is the perfect addition to the Multiblitz Team.” The daily photo shoots will be held at Multiblitz USA?s booth #1426 at the MGM Grand, Marquee Ballroom.

Vanguard has introduced its first Abeo series tripods. With maximum loading capacities of 13.2 lbs to 22.0 lbs, the Vanguard Abeo tripods maintain a lighter overall weight (5.73-6.73 lbs) than many competitive tripods, the company claims. Available with a pan head or ball head, Abeo supports cameras with large zoom lenses and camcorders with attached gear. The tripods’ panning handles can easily be positioned on the left or right side for convenient, comfortable use by both left and right-handed people. Abeo is available in five models at street prices of $189-269.

Colour Confidence today announced the launch and availability of the new SpyderPRINT (£299.99) and SpyderSTUDIO (£449.99). The first product is a printer calibration solution that allows owners of advanced inkjet printers to create gallery quality prints in colour and black and white. SpyderSTUDIO is a product package that includes SpyderPRINT, Spyder4Elite and the SpyderCube.

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.