Hahnemühle have rolled out a new baryta paper that is claimed to provide "exceptional results" with a wide gamut and intensely deep blacks. The FineArt Baryta Satin is a 300gsm, alpha-cellulose paper with a barium-sulfate coated warm-tone white satin surface, available in 8.5"x11", 11"x17", 13" x 19" and 17"x22" sheets, and 17", 24", 36" & 44" wide rolls.

Expanding its range of SD and micro SD memory cards, Verbatim has just launched the new Pro+ line. A read speed up to 90MB/s provides ultra fast access to 4K full HD video recordings while a write speed of up to 80MB/s ensures the data is captured and stored swiftly. "This is particularly beneficial to DSLR camera owners selecting continuous frame shooting (burst mode) when using the larger raw image format," the company says. Verbatim’s Pro+ is currently available in 32GB and 64GB capacities.

Manfrotto have just launched their new Xpro ballhead, designed for advanced hobbyist photographers and experienced professionals. Completing the Xpro Heads range that is dedicated to the new 190 and 055 tripods; the new Manfrotto Xpro ballhead features the manufacturer's Triple Locking System, which consists of 3 wedges that apply pressure to the sphere to lock it in position, as the ball lock lever is rotated. The head weighs a mere 0.5 kg, but can support up to 10kg of payload. The Xpro ballhead is available in two versions that are distinguishable by the coloured finish on their magnesium body: the black version (£114.95/$149.88) comes with the Manfrotto 200PL plate, while the grey version (£159.95/$199.88) comes with the safe and rapid Top Lock System featuring the Manfrotto MSQ6PL Arca-Swiss compatible plate.

X-Rite is giving away a free copy of Macphun Intensify Pro, worth £45/€55, with special bundles of ColorMunki Display. “Making sure you’ve got a colour accurate screen to be working on in the first place is absolutely essential,” commented Geoffrey Clements, Managing Director, X-Rite Photo Europe. “The ColorMunki Display gives you the control; Macphun Intensify Pro gives you creative freedom. It’s the perfect combination.” Available across Europe, the offer is available until stocks last.

Transcend has rolled out a new range of CFast 2.0 memory cards targeted at professional videographers. Featuring the fastest transfer speeds available on the current market, Transcend's CFX650 memory cards support high-end cameras and recorders such as Blackmagic URSA and Atomos Ninja Star, and are best suited to shooting high-resolution 4K and Full HD videos. Supporting the next generation CFast 2.0 specification with a SATA III interface, CFX650 memory cards boast read and write speeds of up to 510MB/s and 370MB/s, respectively. Transcend's CFast 2.0 CFX650 memory cards are available in 128GB and 256GB capacities and include a free download of Transcend's exclusive RecoveRx file recovery software.

The Tekniq camera bag is the first modular bag for photographers, allowing them adjust the size of their bag to match the equipment and gear they need. When you purchase a Tekniq, you are not just buying one camera bag but three for the price of one. With the ability to go from a large to small-sized camera bag, the Tekniq’s modularity and unique strap system allow the bag to be a backpack, sling bag, messenger bag, or shoulder bag. The Tekniq camera bag also offers additional features, including a lens cap clip, tripod holder, rain jacket, and tablet pocket. Now available on Kickstarter, the Tekniq bag can be yours for $179 with an early-bird discount.

MeFOTO has launched a new BYOT (Build Your Own Tripod) service for its RoadTrip Travel Tripod. Now, photo enthusiasts can choose from an array of 12 colours to design a unique tripod that reflects their individual style. The MeFOTO Build Your Own Tripod lets you design a unique, creative tool in the colour of your choice. The BYOT service is available now and starts at $249 (which includes free shipping) in the US only.

Think Tank Photo’s new Trifecta backpacks are specifically designed for the working pro’s three workhorse lenses: their ultra-wide, mid-range, and telephoto zooms. The Trifecta 8 Mirrorless Backpack accommodates a medium to large compact system camera with lens attached, 2–5 additional lenses, up to an 8” tablet, plus personal gear. The Trifecta 10 DSLR Backpack fits a standard size SLR body with lens attached, 2–4 additional lenses, up to a 10” tablet, plus personal gear. Both backpacks sling for side access from both the left and right. The rear panel opening offers complete access to gear. The additional top compartment fits lunch or other essentials, while the included tripod attachment strap secures a tripod to the front panel. BOth models include a seam-sealed rain cover.

The SoloCam is a new tool that promises to "change the concept of selfie sticks as we know them." According to inventor Benny Goldstein, the SoloCam strives to upgrade the features of the old selfie stick, allowing everyday users to make quality videos using a high-definition microphone, a joystick controlling the stick's functions and a designated app featuring a teleprompter, karaoke, special effects and additional features that'll be revealed only on the day of the launch itself - 22nd June. The SoloCam is priced at $49.

Eyefi announced today that its Mobi Pro photography solution now integrates both GoPro and Olympus Wi-Fi cameras. With Eyefi, photos from these cameras are instantly transferred and automatically organised alongside the ones from their smartphones. “No one uses just one device for taking pictures anymore,” said Matt DiMaria, Eyefi CEO. “We understand that photographers want to choose any camera... and still have instant access to all their photos all together in a single collection without having to go home, upload them into a computer and manually merge each one. We’re giving photographers the flexibility and convenience to share images from all their cameras and the insight to discover more about their photos.” Eyefi apps and cloud service automatically organise these images and make it easier than ever to find and discover more about them. Eyefi’s Wi-Fi camera solution is available to all Eyefi Cloud members as part of their £3.49/$4.99/monthly subscription service. Non-Eyefi Cloud customers can purchase it through the Eyefi Mobi app on their phone or tablet for £3.49/$4.99. This feature is currently available for Android devices and is planned for iOS devices later this year. Eyefi’s Wi-Fi camera connectivity is available for use with GoPro Hero+ LCD, Hero 3, GoPro Hero 4 and Olympus Stylus 1, Olympus PEN E-P5, Olympus Stylus TG- 860, and Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark II cameras.

Canon have posted a firmware upgrade for their GP-E2 external GPS receiver. Version 2.0.0 adds support for the Canon EOS 5DS, EOS 5DS R, EOS 760D and EOS 750D cameras, and fixes bugs related to signal acquisition and the saving of log files. You can download the firmware update from the website below.

Website: Canon U.S.A.
 

Lomography are now stocking Pixelstick, a 1.8m long light-painting tool featuring 200 full-colour LEDs inside a lightweight aluminium housing. The mounted controller reads images from an SD card and displays them, one vertical line at a time, on the LEDs. "With Pixelstick, you can seamlessly insert any image into your long exposures," the company says. "Pixelstick can even increment through a series of images over multiple exposures, opening up light-painting to the world of timelapse, and allowing for animations of a scope and quality never before seen." Pixelstick is available for £299 on the Lomography Online Store.

The Metabones Speed Booster XL 0.64x is a new Micro Four Thirds Speed Booster adapter with a magnification of 0.64x. Reducing the MFT 'crop factor' from 2x to 1.28x, the Metabones Speed Booster XL 0.64x adapter uses an advanced 6-element optical design to achieve "extraordinary optical performance" at apertures up to f/0.8, a new record for the Micro Four Thirds format. The Speed Booster XL 0.64x is similar to the Blackmagic-specific 0.64x BMCC Speed Booster, but the working distance has increased by 1mm to permit use on the Panasonic GH4 and a number of other Micro Four Thirds cameras without touching the flexible outer cover of the camera’s shutter mechanism. Also, when the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH4 is used in Cinema 4K video mode the horizontal full frame crop factor is reduced from 2.34x to 1.50x, thus effectively transforming the GH4 into a Super-35 format 4K cine camera. Planned lens mounts for the Speed Booster XL 0.64x include an active Canon-EF version and a Nikon F version with what Metabones call "the most advanced Nikon G aperture adjustment mechanism in the industry." The Speed Booster XL 0.64x will be available for $649. (Canon EF mount) and $479 (Nikon F/G mount).

The Cineasy Touch is a small accessory which makes capturing video with the Sony A6000 and A7S compact system cameras more comfortable. "The video record button [on these cameras] is too small, awkwardly placed and slightly recessed," the company says. "This is why we created the Cineasy Touch Button Enhancement. This Patent Pending device, for the Sony Alpha line of mirrorless cameras will help your camera to capture pristine video just as easily as it does still images." The Cineasy Touch attaches to the camera via one of the neck strap eyelets. The A6000 and A7S versions are now available and a third model, designed for the Sony A7II, is coming soon.

The Miggo AGUA all-weather quick-draw camera bag is now available on Kickstarter. The IPX3-standard storm-resistant case enables you to comfortably carry your camera close to your body in any weather - and draw it quickly and with ease at the right moment to capture a perfect shot. The camera is attached to the bag with quick-release buckles, including a failsafe connection. This solution eliminates the need for the original camera strap because the AGUA's strap is used to carry the camera itself. Interested readers are encouraged to check out the campaign's Kickstarter page.

The new Manfrotto Digital Director is billed as the only Apple Certified interface to help users intuitively manage their photo and video workflow. Consisting of hardware, software and firmware – all of which have gone through the Mfi (Made for iPad) certification, this novel product is designed to make shooting photos and videos much smarter. By simply plugging the USB cable into the camera and turning on the app, photographers and videographers can be sure of a reliable, high performance connection between their Canon or Nikon DSLR and their iPad Air. The dedicated CPU embedded into the Digital Director provides an interface between the two devices allowing the camera protocols to be fully understood and controlled by the iPad Air, and the use of Digital Director enables the user to place the camera in the most awkward or difficult to reach positions by controlling it remotely. The dynamic histogram and audio level display allows greater control, whilst focus control is guaranteed thanks to the Interactive Focus, which can be used to select the focus point anywhere on the screen. Additionally, Digital Director allows users to immediately share their images via FTP, by email on social networks. Digital Director is available to pre order now for £399.95, and will be available from 15th June.

SLR Magic have announced two new additions to their range of cine products, the 50mm T0.95 HyperPrime CINE Lens (pictured) and the Rangefinder CINE Adapter. The 50mm T0.95 HyperPrime CINE lens is designed exclusively for Micro Four Thirds cameras and features integrated aperture and focus gearing plus a silent, “clickless” aperture ring, making it ideal for videography. The SLR Magic Rangefinder CINE Adapter is an optical device with integrated follow-focus gearing. When attached to a compatible taking lens, it allows users to override the focus control of the lens and provides calibrated focus markings from 3’6 feet too infinity. Both the SLR Magic 50mm T0.95 HyperPrime CINE lens and the Rangefinder CINE Adapter will be available from resellers at the end of Q3 2015 with SRPs of £849 / €1189 and £529 / €739 respectively.

Phase One today unveiled the XF Camera System featuring robust, aerial-grade mechanics, advanced electronics, a new autofocus platform, new modularity options and customisable touch controls. The new Honeybee Autofocus Platform (HAP-1) is a patent-pending and fully controlled in-house AF system, while the OneTouch UI is a seamless and highly customisable combination of dials, keys and touch screens, allowing photographers to personalise camera controls for their specific shooting requirements. Using a new modern Phase One Camera OS, the OneTouch UI is user upgradeable and will evolve in accordance with customer needs and feedback. The XF Camera System also introduces a new 90° Prism viewfinder and a new waist-level finder. The full frame solid glass prism viewfinder is the brightest of its kind, and comes standard on all XF cameras. The new waist-level viewfinder can measure exposure thanks to the HAP-1 autofocus platform ability to perform light metering. The XF system also features a new 80-megapixel IQ3 digital back capable of very long exposures, and two new Phase One Schneider Kreuznach Leaf Shutter lenses - a 120mm and a 35mm -, both of which are designed to resolve beyond 100 megapixels.

At Computex 2015, SanDisk unveiled a family of high-performance drives, including the SanDisk Extreme 900, the world’s fastest line of Type C-based portable SSDs; and the SanDisk Extreme 500, the company’s new pocket-sized, rugged drives. Available in up to 1.92TB, the SanDisk Extreme 900 features transfer speeds of up to 850MB/s giving users a significant advantage when they are working with 4K video or detailed high-res photos. These new drives come with both USB Type-C and Type-A cables. The SanDisk Extreme 500 Portable SSD is less than half the size of your smartphone and allows users to transfer videos and photo libraries at up to 415MB/s. Available in up to 480GB capacity, the SanDisk Extreme 500 Portable SSDs feature a sleek black finish with unique rubber bumpers, and a metal ring that easily clips into a bag. The SanDisk Extreme 900 SSDs will be available in capacities of 480GB, 960GB and 1.92TB at MSRPs of $399.99, $599.99 and $999.99, respectively. The SanDisk Extreme 500 will be available in capacities of 120GB, 240GB and 480GB, at MSRPs of $99.99, $149.99 and $239.99.

SanDisk today launched two new USB 3.0 flash drives – the ultra-small 128GB SanDisk Ultra Fit USB 3.0 (pictured); and the 256GB SanDisk Ultra USB 3.0 Flash Drive, SanDisk’s highest capacity USB flash drive to date. Featuring a low-profile, plug-and-stay design, the new 128GB SanDisk Ultra Fit USB 3.0 stick (£61.99) provides read speeds of up to 130MB/s. This speed allows users to move content up to 10 times faster than with standard USB 2.0 drives1, such as transferring a full-length movie in less 40 seconds. The 256GB SanDisk Ultra USB 3.0 pendrive offers transfer speeds of up to 100MB/s and costs £115.99.