Digital Foci has launched a Custom Framer Program for its Image Moments 8 digital photo frame. Available immediately, all PPFA (Professional Picture Framers Association) members will receive a free Adapter Ring Kit ($10 value). Digital Foci’s Custom Framer Program will help framers create unique options for their customers. Image Moments 8 ships with a standard black frame with 3 interchangeable mats (cream, gray, and black) and is priced at $199.

Ilford is re-introducing its Galerie pre-mounted boards in Smooth Pearl and Gloss surfaces. Images up to 20” x 24” (50cm x 61cm) can be produced, printing directly onto a rigid substrate in one easy operation. With pre-mounted boards, images can be created off the printer and placed straight into a frame. “The market for pre-mounted boards is growing and ILFORD is one of the few companies in the photographic market to offer such a product line,“ said Andrew Stewart, Sales and Marketing Director, ILFORD Imaging Switzerland GmbH.

Lastolite have added two new HiLites to its family. The new 8’ x 7’ version which provides extra height or width to shoot larger groups or for more animated poses will also have an optional vinyl train available that simply Velcro’s to either edge. The smaller 4’6” x 3’6” version offers an extremely portable solution for quick head and shoulder shots when combined with the 1109 or 1116 support system. They can also be used as a softbox and true to the Lastolite tradition, they collapse into a blue bag.

The Sigma AML-1 is a new close-up lens for the Sigma DP1 compact digital camera. The AML-1 fits to the optional Hood Adapter HA-11 and enables focusing between 20cm and 33cm. The lens construction of 2 elements in 1 group provides correction for colour aberration and distortion and delivers a high level of optical performance. The Sigma AML-1 costs £44.99 and will be available in June.

The Fantasea Line FS-600 is a new underwater housing for the Nikon Coolpix S600 digital camera. The FS-600 housing is depth rated to 60 meters/200 feet and features a double O-ring seal on all controls, anti-glare hood over LCD screen, removable flash diffuser and a 46mm threaded lens port. In the event of accidental water leakage, the Nikon Coolpix S600 inside is insured.

The Sony MicroVault Click is a new range of USB sticks incorporating a neat ‘click’ design to uncover and retract the USB connector. MicroVault Click Excellence is designed with business professionals in mind, offering up to 31MB/s read and 11MB/s write speeds. The colourful mid-range MicroVault Click line-up offers Hi-Speed USB 2.0 data transfer and storage capacity from 2GB up to 16GB. The MicroVault Click and Click Excellence ranges are available from May 2008 and come with 5 years European warranty.

The BODA lens bag is now available in the US retail market, as of Spring 2008. BODA DRY is a fully weather proof line of bags, which is sure to further revolutionize the way active photographers approach their assignments. BODA are also offering a a 10% Discount through June 30th 2008 - just visit their website and use the Promo Code: PR0521

LowePro have launched the next generation models of their popular Nova AW series of shoulder bags. Improvements include a patented 360° All Weather Cover, large central compartment with movable dividers and memory card pockets on the inside front lid. “The Nova AW series has consistently been a popular choice for photographers at all experience levels, and we’re confident that the new models will keep photographers shooting even when faced with challenging weather conditions.” said Nicole Mummenhoff, Senior Vice President of Worldwide Marketing, Lowepro. The Nova AW series is available in four colours, Black, Bordeaux Red, Chestnut Brown and Ultramarine Blue.

Lowepro’s new Inverse Beltpack provides photographers with two carrying alternatives in one stylish bag. The Inverse AW Beltpack can be worn around the waist by snapping on the contoured mesh lumbar belt or carried as a shoulder bag with the detachable 360° swivel padded shoulder harness. “Every photographer has been in a situation where they have missed the perfect shot because they couldn’t reach their camera or their accessories fast enough. We have created the new Inverse AW beltpack to provide a platform that keeps all of that equipment comfortably at arms reach and easily accessible to the photographer,” said Nicole Mummenhoff, senior vice president of global branding at Lowepro. The Lowepro Inverse 100 and 200 AW are available in black, arctic blue, and leaf green, in-store or online from early August, priced at £59 and £69 respectively.

PCMag have reviewed the ATP Photo Finder, a portable device that geotags photos taken by any digital camera.

“What I like best about the ATP Photo Finder is that it automatically geotags photos without your having to use a computer. But although this device is a decent first effort, and it needs a bigger and better screen—plus the ability to track satellites more reliably—before it earns a coveted spot in my camera bag.”

PCMag - ATP Photo Finder Review

Kodak Gallery members can now buy a Kodak digital picture frame preloaded with up to 100 of their favorite photos. Kodak will load the pictures on the frame and ship the package directly to you or your friends and family members. “KODAK Digital Pictures Frames are very popular and we’re thrilled to build on that popularity by offering an easy way for people to share pictures with the people they love, and the best part is that we do the work for you,” said Madhav Mehra, General Manager of KODAK Gallery.

The PT-E05 is an underwater case for the new Olympus E-520 DSLR camera. Waterproof up to a water pressure equivalent to a depth of 40 metres, flash connectors allow optional use of up to two UFL-2 underwater flash units. Five interchangeable lens ports allow the optional use of the 14-42mm, 14-45mm, 11-22mm, 14-54mm, 7-14mm, 8mm Fisheye, 35mm and 50mm Macro lenses.

Gitzo Center Ball Heads are a completely new and innovative range of center ball heads. The Center Ball Heads offer smoothness, light weight, low gravity center, greater tilt angles, ergonomics, and minimized drift angle. The quick release plate features a new lever operated locking for increased safety and compactness. Gitzo Center Ball Heads are available now, pricing starts from $210.53.

Ridata has introduced a 32GB model to its 233x Lightning Series of CompactFlash cards. “Mobile digital products continue to get more and more sophisticated,” commented Harvey Liu, president of Advanced Media, Inc. “To that end, they require more data storage and faster read times. Our new 32GB 233x Lightning Series CompactFlash card delivers both. In today’s digital flash media world, size matters. And Ridata has it.” The Ridata 32GB 233x Lightning Series CompactFlash card is available now for $199.

Eye-Fi are introducing three new wireless SD memory cards - the Eye-Fi Explore, Share and Home. Eye-Fi Explore ($129) automatically adds geographic location tags to each photo, and allows users to upload from Wi-Fi hotspots. Eye-Fi Share ($99) is the new name for the original Eye-Fi card. Eye-Fi Home ($79) is aimed at users who want to simply and wirelessly upload photos to their home computer. “We understand that each photographer has his or her own way of sharing memories,” said Jef Holove, chief executive officer of Eye-Fi. “Some users are thrilled to easily upload photos from camera to computer, while others want a much richer photo sharing experience, even when away from home. By offering three different Eye-Fi Cards and new features, our goal is to give consumers exactly what delights them.”

The Eye-Fi Explore is a new wireless SD memory card that automatically tags photos with information about where the image was captured. It also allows you to automatically upload photos from more than 10,000 wi-fi hotspots. “The Eye-Fi Explore delivers the two enhancements most requested by our users,” said Jef Holove, CEO for Eye-Fi. “Our geotagging service automates what is today a compelling, though time-consuming and manual, experience. And, our hotspot access will allow travelers, bloggers, and anyone on the go to upload, share and save their pictures before they even get home.” The 2GB Eye-Fi Explore includes unlimited Web uploads, unlimited geotagging and one year of hotspot access at Wayport locations. The Eye-Fi Explore ($129.00) will be available beginning June 6th 2008.

The new Transcend Extreme Speed 300x CompactFlash cards can achieve read/write speeds of up to 45MB per second. Operating in dual-channel Ultra DMA mode 5, the fastest speed available for CF cards, Transcend’s 300X CompactFlash uses only brand name, top-tier SLC NAND Flash chips and premium quality components and has a Lifetime Warranty.

Fantasea’s FS-51 underwater housing is compatible with the new Nikon Coolpix S52 and S52c digital cameras. The FS-51 Housing is depth rated to 60 meters/200 feet, has a double O-ring seal on all controls, anti-glare hood over LCD screen, built-in flash diffuser and a 41mm lens port. As with all other Fantasea Camera Housings, in the event of accidental water leakage, the Coolpix camera inside is insured. The Fantasea FS-51 housing costs $245.

The DSLRClean sensor cleaning kit from Intemos now costs just £9.95 in the UK. The DSLRClean kit contains 10 DSLRClean swabs as well as a 10ml bottle of the travel safe IOptic liquid. “We have re-developed our popular DSLRClean system enabling us to reduce the costs significantly. Now you can purchase a complete kit for just £9.95.” commented INTEMOS managing director Andrew Stagg.

Lowepro are offering up to £20 off their extensive range of camera bags. Running from 1st May to 31st July, the promotion offers £10 cashback on any bag between £50 and £100, and £20 cashback on any bag more than £100. This applies to shoulder bags, sling-bags and backpacks – anything in the Lowepro range with a purchase price of £50 or more.