Lexar has announced new Lexar Professional 400x CompactFlash card capacities, including the industry’s first 256GB memory card. Also available in 64GB and 128GB capacities, the new Lexar Professional CF cards are speed rated at 400x and provide a minimum guaranteed transfer speed of 60MB per second. The new 64GB and 128GB capacities of the Lexar Professional 400x CF memory card will be available in January, with MSRPs of £269.99, and £479.99 respectively, and include the latest version of award-winning Image Rescue software to help recover lost or deleted photos and videos. The 256GB Lexar Professional 400x CF card is expected to be released for consumer purchase in the first half of 2012.

Sony has announced its new range of XQD memory cards, which support the recently adopted XQD specification for high-speed, high-performance digital image capture. Using the new cards, Nikon D4 camera users can capture up to approximately 100 frames in raw format in continuous shooting mode. Sony is also introducing a USB 2.0/3.0 compatible XQD card reader and an XQD ExpressCard Adapter. The new family of XQD Memory Cards by Sony is available from end of January.

Datacolor has unveiled Spyder4, a line of advanced colorimeters able to calibrate monitors, laptops, projectors, TVs, iPads and even iPhones. A range of Spyder 4 devices are available, enabling users to choose the model that best matches their colour management needs. Spyder4 Express is a cost-effective colorimeter that quickly calibrates a single display computer or laptop right out of the box, Spyder4 Pro is ideal for those that want more control over light and colour management, while Spyder4 Elite offers the highest level of customisation. All models feature a simple install wizard, and deliver an average of 26% more accuracy and improved low-luminance performance over previous Spyder3 technology. The Spyder4Express is priced at $119, Spyder4Pro is $169, and Spyder4Elite is $249.

Fantasea Line has announced the FP7100 underwater housing for the Nikon Coolpix P7100 high-end compact camera. Ergonomically designed and fully functional, the shock-resistant FP7100 housing features easy-to-use and clearly labelled controls and is depth rated to 60m. The housing is compatible with the complete FP7000 dedicated accessory line, including wide angle and macro lenses. Additional accessories include a variety of colour correction filters and lighting sets, which enable photographers to further enhance the quality of their images and videos.

Lexar today announced the industry’s first 1000x CompactFlash memory card. The UDMA-7 compliant Lexar Professional 1000x CompactFlash card will be available in 16GB, 32GB, 64GB, and 128GB capacities, and supports the VPG-20 specification, meaning the card has been tested and guaranteed for professional video capture streams at up to 20MB per second.

The Sinar eShutter, which was announced in September 2010, is now available to view camera users worldwide. This electronically controlled precision shutter is completely integrated into the Sinar System and can also be used with any other view camera system. Coinciding with the product launch, Sinar announced a promotion aimed at customers who have decided to purchase Sinar eShutter lenses and those who wish to upgrade their existing lenses with the new Sinar eShutters. To find out more about this promotion, visit the website below.

Spider Holster has started shipping its Spider Holster Black Widow Kit, which offers a comfortable and secure carrying solution for entry-level DSLRs and other small cameras. The kit costs $65.99 and includes the heavy-duty resin and stainless-steel Black Widow Holster unit and all the basic accessories, such as the Black Widow Belt and just updated Black Widow Pad. Offering a comfortable and secure carrying solution that ensures quick-draw access for entry-level DSLRs, camcorders and compact cameras; the Black Widow Camera Holster secures the camera firmly to the photographer’s hip and eliminates the neck, shoulder and back strain caused by cameras dangling from traditional neck straps or shoulder bags.

The Walter RX Leica M rangefinder astigmatism rotating eyepiece incorporates a special dioptre correction lens, and allows people suffering from astigmatism to use Leica rangefinder cameras more easily and effectively. Priced at $479, the Walter RX Leica M astigmatism eyepiece allows users to put their eye up close to the eyepiece and see the full frame including all frame lines in the viewfinder, For more information, visit the website below.

Website: Walter RX Leica M Rangefinder Astigmatism Rotating Eyepiece

Kenro has announced the UK launch of a new Nissin ring flash, the MF18 Macro Flash. The Nissin MF18 boasts an impressively high (for a macro flash, that is) guide number of 16 in metres at ISO 100/21°, and an ability to adjust its output down to 1/1024 power in Fine Macro mode. Available with either a Canon or Nikon fit, the Nissin MF18 also provides a Wireless TTL function enabling the addition of slave flashes. Firmware updates are available directly from the Nissin website via the unit’s USB connection. The recommended retail price is £359.99.

Cameras Underwater has announced the availability of the new Ewa-Marine D-B underwater housing for compact system cameras. Waterproof down to a depth of 30m, thee D-B housing is manufactured from double laminate PVC and has an integrated, optically neutral flat glass port. Selling for £199.99, the Ewa-Marine D-B is available now through the website below.

Manfrotto has introduced a new range of LED lights. With six different models divided into continuous and hybrid LED lights, each one offers unique characteristics to adapt to the different needs of both enthusiast and professional photographers, the company says. Manfrotto’s new LED lights are available now, priced from £39.95.

Jessops has launched a new range of camera bags.  The Tecno range consists of seven products: two Tecno Shoulder Bags; two Tecno Rucksacks; a Tecno Holster Case; a Tecno Compact Case and a Tecno Gadget Bag. The bags range in price from £15.95 for the small Tecno Compact Case to £49.95 for the Tecno Gadget Bag (pictured). “Featuring a combination of instant accessibility, lightweight materials and modern design, this range of Tecno bags has been designed to meet the needs of today’s photographer and includes a bag for every type of camera and every environment,” said Lisa Pool, Head of Accessories, Jessops UK.

Panasonic, Samsung, SanDisk, Sony and Toshiba today announced that they have reached an agreement in principle to collaborate on a new content protection technology for flash memory cards such as SD cards and various other storage devices. This content protection solution, tentatively named “Next Generation Secure Memory Initiative”, will be robust enough to protect HD content, the companies claim. For the details, visit the website below.

The new Addonics 2.5 inch Flash Drive family allows common flash memory cards to be used like 2.5-inch SSDs (or 3.5-inch ones with the optional Addonics Snap-In 25 adapter). There are three models in the range, one for Compact Flash, one for CFast and one for mSATA-SSD media. The drive frame and the connector mimic the exact size and connector location of a 2.5 inch SATA hard drive. The price for the 2.5 inch flash drive is $24.95-$26.95 depending on which model you choose. The Snap-In 25 adapter is $15.99. For more information, visit the website below.

Verbatim has announced its new USB 3.0/USB 2.0 Universal Card Readers ($14.99 / $24.99) and USB 2.0 Pocket Card Reader ($9.99). Both Universal Card Readers feature a sleek, modern design. The USB 3.0 device, which is claimed to deliver transfer speeds of up to 5GB/second, boasts a silver finish while the USB 2.0 version comes in classic piano black finish. Memory cards supported by both the USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 Universal Card Reader include: CF Type I & Type II, SD, SDHC, miniSD, microSD, Memory Stick, Memory Stick PRO, Memory Stick Duo, Memory Stick PRO Duo, Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo, M2, MMC and xD-Picture Card. The Pocket Card Reader is a pocket-sized multi-functional reader that supports a wide variety of formats.

The new Sony FDA-EV1S high-resolution electronic viewfinder for the Sony NEX-5N compact system camera is now available for purchase. Featuring a resolution of 2,359,000 dots, this OLED viewfinder provides a similar user experience as the built-in EVF of the Sony NEX-7, except that it’s tiltable and detachable. The Sony FDA-EV1S sells for $349.99.

With special thanks to Mr Ron Mertens of OLED-info.com

Sigma has just announced the release of the PG-31 power grip for the Sigma SD1 digital SLR camera. Measuring 156mmx72mmx77mm, the Sigma PG-31 vertical grip can accommodate up to two BP-21 lithium-ion batteries for extended battery life, and features a shutter release for easier shooting in portrait orientation. Availability is slated for January, SRP to be announced.

At CES 2012, Parkside is introducing a new line of LensPen cleaning products featuring a brand new, stylish design. The new LensPens use the same special carbon compound, cleaning tip and natural goat hair brush that’s found in the old ones, but sport a completely new look and state-of-the-art packaging. For more information on LensPen products, visit the website below.

The new USB-IF Audio/Video Device Class Specification supports the transfer of A/V data over USB to a wide variety of A/V devices, including cell phones, cameras, pico projectors, webcams, large HD displays and TVs. “The USB-IF is thrilled to have added the USB Audio/Visual Device Class Definition to its robust set of specifications,” said Jeff Ravencraft, USB-IF President & COO. “This addition further establishes USB as an all-inclusive, comprehensive solution for manufacturers and consumers, while maintaining the affordability and ease-of-use that have made USB so successful.”

The CompactFlash Association (CFA) has released the specifications for a new high-performance memory card format called XQA. Smaller than CompactFlash, XQA memory cards promise durability, robustness and actual write speeds of at least 125 megabytes per second. XQD cards will be shown at the CompactFlash Association booth at CP+ 2012, February 9-12 in Yokohama, Japan.