Gitzo has announced two new promotions in the UK. Photographers who purchase a Gitzo 2 Series Systematic tripod will receive a free Gitzo Series 2 Aluminium Monopod, while those buying a Gitzo Explorer tripod will get a Series 2 Mag Off Centre Head free of charge. The promotions will be running in Gitzo’s Five Star Dealers until 31 March 2013.

The rugged Optrix XD5 wide-angle camera case designed for use with the Apple iPhone 5 is now available for purchase in the US. Optrix’s XD5 camera case is made with a thinner, lighter and stronger body when compared to the Optrix XD Sports Case, but boasts a higher waterproof rating of up to 15 feet. In addition, the XD5 incorporates a second door to access charging connectors and headphone jack, has an interchangeable conversion lens system and can be removed from the mounting system. The phone’s 1080p HD video is captured through our three layer, all glass, wide-angle lens. The kit includes the ultra-rugged main housing, iPhone 5 sled, 2 mounts (curved and flat) and the quick release rail system to securely mount the XD5 “just about anywhere.” The XD5 is available for $129.95.

Luxi is a small diffusion dome that fits securely over your iPhone’s front-facing camera allowing it to be used as an incident light meter on those occasions when you want to take perfectly exposed photos with your more serious camera(s). Although light meter apps featuring an incident mode are readily available on iTunes, the fact that the iPhone wasn’t designed to function as a hand-held exposure meter means there are hardware limitations to their usability. “Luxi is designed to work just like a professional incident light meter which can capture light from a 180° angle,” the inventor says. Funded through Kickstarter, Luxi has already exceeded its $10,000 goal by a very wide margin. The ingenious adapter will retail for $24.95 but you can still get one for as little as $19 by backing the project. The product comes in two versions, one for the Apple iPhone 4/4S and one for the iPhone 5.

Rambus has unveiled a new “binary pixel technology” that promises to “dramatically improve” the quality of photos taken with mobile devices, in terms of dynamic range and signal-to-noise ratio. “Today’s compact mainstream sensors are only able to capture a fraction of what the human eye can see,” said Dr. Martin Scott, chief technology officer at Rambus. “Our breakthrough binary pixel technology enables a tremendous performance improvement for compact imagers capable of ultra high-quality photos and videos from mobile devices.” You can read more about the technology at the website below.

Announced in October 2012, Cokin’s new Pure Harmonie range of filters are now available for purchase in the United Kingdom. Billed as the lightest and thinnest photo filters in the world, Cokin Pure Harmonie filters are multi-coated with EVERCLEAR 5 Coating Technology boasting Water Repellent, Anti-Oil, Anti-Dust, Anti-Soil and Scratch Resistant characteristics. With a thickness of 3.3mm for the Multi-Coated Anti-UV (UV MC), 4.5mm for the Circular Polarizer (C PL) and 9.5mm for the Variable Density Neutral Grey (ND X), Cokin Pure Harmonie filters are super-lightweight and cause no vignetting. Pricing starts at £39.99 for the UV filters, £79.99 for the circular polarisers and £154.99 for the variable-density neutral grey filters.

Ikelite has revealed a TTL-enabled underwater housing for the Nikon D5200 digital SLR camera. Depth rated to 60m, the housing features controls for all critical camera functions and offers a clear view of the camera and o-ring seals to facilitate easy assembly and operation. Lens ports can be removed and replaced quickly with a simple positive locking system which provides visible assurance when the housing is assembled properly. Ikelite proprietary circuitry allows direct communication between the camera and current Ikelite DS Substrobes for accurate through-the-lens metering control of a n off-camera flash. The Ikelite housing for the Nikon D5200 is currently in production for early-March release through Cameras Underwater. The recommended retail price is £1279.99.

Bowens has announced the spring launch of two new easy-to-use Limelite Mosaic lighting products – Tungsten and Bicolour LED panels. The rugged new panels are set to be showcased alongside a new HD Field Monitor, a range of DSLR camera rigs and a new Studiolite DMX fluorescent lighting range at four upcoming UK and international shows, including BVE (Broadcast Video Expo) at London’s Excel Convention Centre and Focus at the NEC, Birmingham.

PNY Technologies will showcase its latest products using Flash technology on its stand at the upcoming ‘Focus on Imaging’ trade show. Among these products is the Pro-Elite Plus High-Speed Class 10 Series. These cards boast read speeds of 95 MB/s, write speeds of 90 MB/s and are designed for the most demanding photographers. Ideal for sports and action photography, the cards’ speed and flexibility takes full advantage of a camera’s burst mode. Certified Class 10 and UHS-1 (Ultra High Speed), they are also ideal for full-HD video. PNY’s Flash expertise will also be on display through the company’s internal and external SSDs. The XLR8 Pro SSD offers functionality and capacities designed for amateurs and enthusiasts that rely on intensive applications, such as photo and video editing software, and work with high-resolution and full HD images and video.

An Austrian research team has developed an entirely new way of capturing images based on a flat, flexible, transparent, and potentially disposable polymer sheet. The new imager, which resembles a flexible plastic film, uses fluorescent particles to capture incoming light and channel a portion of it to an array of sensors framing the sheet. “To our knowledge, we are the first to present an image sensor that is fully transparent – no integrated microstructures, such as circuits – and is flexible and scalable at the same time,” says Oliver Bimber of the Johannes Kepler University Linz in Austria, “Our system works in the same way [as a computer tomograph], but where CT uses X-rays, our technique uses visible light.” The researchers are now considering attaching their new imager in front of a regular, high-resolution CCD sensor. This would allow recording of two images at the same time at two different exposures. Combining both would yield a high-resolution image with less overexposed or underexposed regions if capturing a high-contrast range.

Fotodiox has released the Aputure V-Control for Canon DSLR cameras, a handheld USB host device offering comprehensive image and follow-focus control. “Perfect for dramatic rack focus shots, and for correcting focus when the camera is out of reach on a dolly or a crane, V-Control is the only device of its kind that enables photographers to easily switch between still and video modes, offering full hands-on remote control of the camera’s aperture, shutter speed, ISO and exposure compensation,” the company claims. Currently supported camera models include the Canon EOS 1D Mark IV, 5D Mark III, 5D Mark II, 7D, 60D, 600D/T3i/Kiss X5, 550D/T2i/Kiss X4, 500D/T1i/Kiss X3 and the 1100D/T3/Kiss X50. The V-Controller is priced at $179.95 and is available for order now at fotodioxpro.com and other online retailers including Amazon.

Courtenay Studio today launched the Priolite professional studio lighting range into the UK market. Priolite is a range of highly portable, battery-powered monolights (monoblocs) and power packs designed and manufactured in Germany. “The Priolite lighting range gives the perfect combination of real innovation and performance that professional photographers need,” aaid Terry Caws, Courtenay Studio Sales & Marketing Manager. ‘This cutting-edge technology has taken us to the place where all our competitors would like to be”. The range currently includes 3 monolights, a continuous video light, 2 mobile flash power packs, a bi-directional radio remote control, reflectors, softboxes, umbrellas and a range of accessories. Pricing for Priolite products starts at £380.

Kenro is planning to use this year’s Focus on Imaging trade show to launch a wide variety of new products into the UK market. These include the Nissin PS 8 Power Pack (pictured), a new line of KEnro frames and albums, an extended range of Signature Series Professional DVD/CD folios, Benro’s Hummer backpack and Pioneer trolley case, and the Nission Di700 flash unit. “Focus on Imaging is always an exciting time of the year and gives us a great opportunity to showcase a variety of new products to the public,” said Paul Kench, managing director at Kenro. We are very-much looking forward to exhibiting.”

LPA Design, manufacturers of PocketWizard Photo Products, today announced that it is co-sponsoring The Tutu Project NYC Gallery Event Benefiting The Carey Foundation to celebrate the Tutu Project’s first anniversary. The event includes a print exhibition, auctions, book signing and lecture by photographer Bob Carey.The event will officially launch bidding for a limited edition of the popular PocketWizard Plus III radio trigger made specifically for Bob Carey and the Tutu Project. These fully-functional Plus III radios feature “Tutu Pink” plastic and even have a pink backlight. Limited to only 20 radios, these will be signed and numbered by Bob Carey, and auctioned off to help the Carey Foundation raise funds for women battling breast cancer.

Dell today announced the availability of three flagship monitors with PremierColor technology. The 30-inch Dell UltraSharp 3014 ($1499) boasts the company’s largest screen size to date, with 2560x1600-pixel resolution and multiple connectivity options. The Dell UltraSharp U2713H ($999, pictured) 27-inch and U2413 (£499/$599) 24-inch monitors each come with a 14-bit Look-Up Table (LUT) and a 12-bit processor. Calibrated at the factory to support 99% AdobeRGB and 100% sRGB coverage with a deltaE of less than 2; each monitor arrives with a certified report to indicate its exact colour calibration. The U2713H has a native resolution of 2560x1440 pixels, whereas the U2413 comes with a 1920x1200-pixel panel. The Dell UltraSharp 3014 is “coming soon,” while both the U2713H and the U2413 are available now.

Square Jellyfish has added a new pocket-sized Micro Ball Head to its line of accessories. The Micro Ball Head works with standard tripods as well as small tripods without a ball joint. “The micro nature of this product allows photographers to have tremendous flexibility in the pictures they can take,” said Judie Kuhn, Square Jellyfish product manager. “This new product can enable a photographer to take photos from many different angles anytime, anywhere, yet it’s small enough to tuck in to a pocket, purse or bag.” Designed for use with lightweight cameras and phones up to 9oz, the 1 ½” x 11/16” Micro Ball Head can be swivelled 360 degrees, and weighs only 0.3oz. Available now exclusively from Amazon.com, each Square Jellyfish Micro Ball Head is $5.95. The Micro Ball Head is available alone or in a combination pack that includes the Square Jellyfish Pocket Tripod for $10.95.

BrideBox has released the new and unique “Petite” Album - a small and aesthetically pleasing photo album claimed to last a lifetime. Made with genuine black leather cover, thick sturdy lay-flat pages; the Picture Album is printed on professional photographic paper and allows one photo per page. Each image is manually colour corrected and each every album is reviewed after being created for quality assurance. The “Petite” album is available in 4.5 x 6.5 and 5.5 x 7.5 sizes. During the first month of its launch, BrideBox will offer the album at an introductory special price with discounts of 30-40% off the regular price.

The Raspberry Pi Foundation has announced the upcoming release of a basic camera module priced at $25. Featuring a tiny back-illuminated CMOS sensor with 5 million photosites and a pixel pitch of 1.4µm, the camera module is capable of capturing five-megapixel stills as well as Full HD movies through the integrated fixed-focus lens. The exact availability of the Raspberry Pi imaging module has yet to be confirmed, but the company says the launch is “at least a month away.”

Source: Raspberry Pi Blog via 1001 Noisy Cameras

The new Sirui P-324X and P-424X photo/video monopods have three fold-down support feet for combining the stability of a tripod with the convenience of a monopod. When not needed, the support feet fold flush and lock in place against the monopod leg, allowing it to be used as a conventional monopod. The large, slip-free rubber foot lets you work on any surface, the company says. The Sirui P-324X monopod ($274.95) weighs 2.6lbs and offers a load capacity of 22lbs. The Sirui P-424X ($299.95) weighs a bit more - 2.9lbs - but holds up to 33lbs. Sirui products are distributed in the USexclusively by Argraph, and are available from photo retailers nationwide.

The new Strobo Starter Kits from Lastolite are designed to introduce photographers to the Lastolite Strobo system of light modifying products. These starter kits are stripped-down versions of the original Strobo Ezybox Hotshoe and Strobo Direct to Flash bundles. In addition to these kits, the company has now made the components which make up the Strobo system available to purchase individually, allowing the photographer to customise their own kits and modify their own existing equipment for use with Strobo. Click through / scroll down for the recommended retail prices.

LockCircle has announced the new Prime Circle XT-F prime lens series in Nikon fit. Built around the world-class optics of the Carl Zeiss ZF.2 lenses, the Prime Circle XT-F lineup spans focal lengths ranging from 15mm to 135mm. Prime Circle XT-F lenses are custom mounted ZF.2 lenses offering “in-house” assembling by professional and passionate technicians. Each Prime Circle XT-F lens boasts an ultra-lightweight Ergo-Focus gear for follow-focus, a Front Mount 95mm standard ring-mount for matte-boxes and cine-style accessories plus an aluminium cap with clear graphics displaying the lens’s focal length and maximum aperture. The X-Circle F-Mount stainless steel heavy-duty bayonet features “Side Index View” for focus and aperture scales on the side for comfortable focus-puller work. The lenses can be ordered now, with worldwide delivery within 3 to 4 weeks.