X-Rite’s redesigned i1Pro 2 spectrophotometer has received the 2013 iF Product Design Award. This device can be found in X-Rite’s i1Basic Pro 2, i1Photo Pro 2, and i1Publish Pro 2 products. “X-Rite is honored to be selected for this coveted iF product design award for our thoughtfully redesigned i1Pro 2 spectrophotometer,” said Frank Maeder, X-Rite Product Manager, i1 Solutions. “Recognized for its high quality design, the i1Pro 2 device helps deliver to color professionals around the world the workflow tools they need that incorporate ever important emerging color standards. Our highly talented product designers Guido Franzke and Detlef Fischer from formmodul have truly proven that they delivered world class industrial design with the i1Pro 2.”

Giotto’s has launched a brand new range of tripods featuring a totally unique, patented design. The Giotto’s Silk Road YTL Series replaces the entire range of Giotto’s MTL tripods and comes with a new Y-shaped centre column (see cross-section above) allowing legs to be stowed in a much more compact fashion. The new Y-Tube column allows a 30% space saving versus the MTL range – while maintaining full strength, stability and weight capacity, the company claims. The Silk Road Series includes a range of tripods, which support up to 5kg, 8kg and 10kg of camera equipment. The new range also features graduated leg markings and new, patented Quick Easy Leg Lock adjustments for fast, accurate adjustment without taking your eye off the subject. On the models with 2 way centre column, there’s also a bubble spirit level built in and all models feature a swappable tripod thread. The aluminium models start at £100, while the carbon fibre versions are available from £220.

Think Tank Photo announced that in February it will release a new range of premium-quality camera shoulder bags, called Sub Urban Disguise. The Sub Urban Disguise Series will be available in four sizes:  the Sub Urban Disguise 5, Sub Urban Disguise 10, Sub Urban Disguise 20, and Sub Urban Disguise 30.  Their features include a flip-top lid that folds away from the body to provide quick and unencumbered access to gear. Click through / read on for the detailed specifications.

In February, Think Tank Photo will release a completely updated version of its Change-Up multi-function camera bag. This bag, a chameleon of sorts, can change from belt pack to shoulder bag to chest pack via the harness system.  In addition, many Think Tank Modular and Skin Components can attach to the waist belt straps. “While many camera bags convert from one thing to another, they generally are not great at any one thing,” said Doug Murdoch, Think Tank’s lead designer and president.  “The Change-Up V2.0 camera bag is an exception to the rule; it converts from one great storage solution to another.”  Version 2.0 has updated sizing and new features including increased height to fir a 70-200mm f/2.8 lens, increased depth of top of bag to fit standard-size bodies, added compression straps, increased padding of back panel for added comfort, and more.

Lexar has announced the Lexar High-Performance microSDHC UHS-I card with transfer speeds up to 600x (90MB per second). Bundled with an ultra-compact USB 3.0 reader, the new Lexar microSDHC UHS-I memory card is available in 16GB and 32GB capacities. Available for purchase from leading e-tail outlets worldwide, the Lexar High-Performance microSDHC UHS-I cards have MSRPs of £29.99 (16GB) and £52.99 (32GB).

At the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), Manfrotto Distribution has announced the new 290 Foldable Three-Way Head. Lightweight and durable, this new head allows for precise framing, and packs easily thanks to the addition of foldable handles, leaving space for more equipment in your gear-bag. The Manfrotto 290 Series Foldable Three-Way Head can be purchased on its own or bundled with one of three Manfrotto 290 Series tripods - the 290 aluminium tripod, the 293 carbon-fibre tripod or the 293 aluminium tripod. “We are thrilled to debut innovative photography solutions that deliver on our brand’s reputation for excellent quality and versatility,” said Jodi Palm, category manager, photo supports. “Our new 290 foldable three-way head is durable and light-weight, while delivering easy and precise framing capability. Additionally, we’re excited to showcase the full 290 series carbon fiber lineup.”

Ambarella today introduced the A9 camera System on Chip (SoC) with support for the new 4K Ultra HD video standard. In addition to 4K at 30fps, the A9 supports high frame-rate video for capturing fast-action sports with 1080p video at 120fps or 720p video at 240fps. The A9 includes dual core ARMR CortexT-A9 CPUs providing the performance required for advanced applications including wireless connectivity to smartphones for video streaming or image sharing. “The A9 unleashes 4K Ultra HD video into the consumer camera marketplace,” said Fermi Wang, president & CEO of Ambarella.  “Using A9, our customers can create camera products with a unique combination of advanced fast-action video features, exceptional still image quality, and full wireless connectivity.” Multi-exposure HDR imaging support, electronic image stabilisation with rolling shutter correction and fast continuous shooting are all supported by the new Ambarella SoC, making it an attractive option for manufacturers of next-generation digital cameras.

Vanguard has unveiled a number of new products at CES, including the GH-300T pistol grip ball head with built-in shutter release trigger, the Abeo Pro tripod, Abeo Plus 323AV tripod with PH-123V fluid video pan head and new Vojo photo-video bags. Featuring a unique, remote shutter release built into the grip handle, the GH-300T pistol grip ball head enables users to trip their camera’s shutter without pulling their hand from the grip. The GH-300T also features two panning axes: a 72-click-point panning base just below the camera mounting plate for precise panoramic images, and a second 360-degree panning base at the tripod mounting base for following subjects in motion. The Abeo Pro tripod’s Multi-Angle Central Column system allows users to move the central column from 0 to 180-degree angles in variable vertical and horizontal positions; its Instant Swivel Stop-n-Lock (ISSL) System securely repositions the central column in one simple movement, in just a few seconds, while maintaining the tripod’s stability. The 3-in-1 All-Terrain feet provide the perfect solution for any surface: angled rubber, spikes, and a set of snow/sand shoes. The new Vanguard Vojo Series shoulder bags (models 22, 25 and 28) offer space for a camera, personal items, and a padded compartment for a tablet or compact laptop.

Our second award is for Accessory of the Year 2012, which goes to Spyder4Elite.

“For those that want more control, the Spyder4Elite is an excellent option that will give you everything you need to the best possible color fidelity. It’s hard to find fault with the Spyder4Elite. The advanced features take a bit of exploring to fully understand, but if you’re willing to read through the online help, which is excellent, you can learn enough to impress any of your photography friends.”

Read the Full Review

Congratulations to Datacolor and Spyder4Elite!

Lexar has unveiled its first Class 10 256GB SDXC UHS-I memory card with a 600x speed rating. Following in the footsteps of the Lexar Professional 400x SDXC UHS-I card announced just before Photokina 2012, the Lexar Professional 256GB 600x SDXC memory card offers a 90MB per second minimum guaranteed read transfer speed to give photographers and videographers the ability to capture extended lengths of Full HD and 3D video and high-quality images. “Small capacity cards are not efficient for shooting a lot of HD and 3D video. Constantly having to change cards eats away at time spent behind the camera, and also means I’ll have to spend more time transferring the content from each card to my computer,” said Lexar Elite Photographer David Honl. “Lexar cards help improve my workflow by giving me the mix of capacity and performance that allows me to shoot longer and spend less time transferring my videos and images.” The 256GB Lexar Professional 600x SDXC UHS-I card will be available later this month with an MSRP of £743.99 from leading retail and e-tail outlets worldwide.

Lexar today today introduced the Lexar Professional 1100x XQD card and XQD USB 3.0 Reader for professional photographers and videographers. Available in capacities of 32GB and 64GB, the Lexar Professional 1100x XQD carddelivers a minimum guaranteed read transfer speed of 168MB per second. By pairing the Professional 1100x XQD card with the XQD USB 3.0 Reader that leverages SuperSpeed USB 3.0 technology to provide high-speed file transfers from an XQD card to computer, professionals will experience a “dramatically accelerated workflow” that will cut down post-production time, the company says. The Lexar Professional 1100x XQD card and XQD USB 3.0 Reader will be available for purchase later this month from leading e-tail outlets worldwide. The Lexar Professional 1100x XQD card will have MSRPs of £227.99 (32GB) and £431.99 (64GB), and the XQD USB 3.0 Reader will have an MSRP of £33.99.

Rogue has launched a brand new Small Soft Box Kit. The £45 bundle contains two of Rogue’s most popular lighting accessories, the FlashBender Positionable Reflector and the Small Diffusion Panel. The FlashBender element of this kit can be used on its own, as a positionable reflector. Photographers can also attach the Small Diffusion Panel to the Reflector using a simple and fast Velcro system to create a mini softbox. Also new is the Rogue Flash Gels - Colour Correction Filter Kit (£30) with a tabbed filter design to enable attachment to all standard speedlight flash units. Included in the set are 18 selected colour correction filters, a Rogue Gel-Band attachment and a storage pouch with quick reference dividers for easy organisation of the filters.

Kenro, the official UK and Ireland distributor for the Benro range of tripods, has introduced two new camera bag series. The Benro Hummer series of backpacks - available in two sizes, priced from £107.94-£119.29 - feature an ergonomic harness system that is designed for maximum ventilation to achieve the highest level of comfort and reduce uneven, heavy loading. The Benro Professional Pioneer trolley case - also available in two sizes, priced from £269.94-£299.94 - has been specially designed with commercial photographers in mind, whose schedule relies heavily on travelling with a full kit. For maximum versatility, the Pioneer trolley case can also turn into a backpack when needed by simply utilising the hidden shoulder straps found on the back compartment of the trolley.

The Nissin MG8000 Extreme flash is now available in the United Kingdom. Offered in both Canon and Nikon fit, the Nissin MG8000 Extreme sparked mass interest amongst the industry when shown for the first time at Focus-on-Imaging in March 2012 due to its unique quartz-based flash tube which ensures the unit remains cool, even in extreme-use conditions. When tested, the Nissin MG8000 can produce over 1000 full flashes without any fear of overheating, the company claims. The Nissin MG8000 Extreme boasts a recycle time of just 3 seconds for the first 200 shots, and then 5 to 7 seconds for subsequent frames, maintaining its guide number throughout the burst. Other highlights include an included external diffuser, tilt-swivel head, guide number of 60 (in metres at ISO 100/21° with the head zoomed to the 105mm position), full support for Canon’s and Nikon’s wireless TTL flash control systems, high-speed synchronisation and a stroboscopic flash mode. Weighing in at 400g, the Nissin MG8000 Extreme has a guide price of £545.40.

The Thule Perspektiv Daypack has won the prestigious iF Product Design Award. The camera bag has been recognised for it’s design, finish, material and innovation level, as well as functionality, ergonomics and safety. The Thule Perspektiv series has six camera bags in various sizes for different needs. This spring, the Thule Perspektiv Backpack, Thule Perspektiv Daypack, Thule Perspektiv Messenger Bag, Thule Perspektiv Medium and Large Top Loaders and Thule Perspektiv Action Camera Case will be launched at select retailers, both in Europe and North America.

Trygger has launched a Kickstarter campaign to introduce a new product: the Camera Clip. This new, detachable iPhone 5 accessory has an integrated polarising filter to reduce glare and cut out unwanted reflections off non-metallic surfaces, while delivering richer colours and superior contrast. “It’s going to make the world through your phone look more like the world you see through your eyes so you can capture all of life’s moments the way you remember them,” the company says. “We designed it to fit snugly on the iPhone 5 so no extraneous light could leak into your photos.” The planned retail price of the Trygger 5 Camera Clip is $39.95.

Website: iPhone 5 Trygger Camera Clip on Kickstarter

Tiffen has released a special Steadicam bundle configuration – the Steadicam Merlin Arm & Vest. The new kit includes the Steadicam Merlin 2 camera stabilising systems as well as the Merlin’s Arm Pin Kit and Vest, sold as one complete package. The new configuration offers a special discount over purchasing systems and components individually.

OmegaBrandess and Flipbac have announced a set of new add-on grips for digital compact cameras. Flipbac Camera Grips can be easily applied to the front of your camera to prevent slipping and create a solid hold. Made of 100% silicone, the Flipbac Camera Grips flex to the shape of your camera body for a perfect fit.

Dane-Elec has announced a range of UHS-I Class 10 SDHC and SDXC memory cards. “Dane-Elec’s UHS-1 memory cards are a game-changer for professional photographers and serious digital photography enthusiasts,” stated Sherry Chapman, Dane-Elec director of marketing. “Built for capture, storage and rapid transfer of high quality photos, these cards have only one mission: Picture-perfect performance at lightning-fast speeds. Photographers will never again miss a shot because of their equipment.” Dane-Elec SDHC Class 10 cards are available in 8, 16 and 32GB capacities. They deliver read speeds up to 95MB/s and write speeds up to 90MB/s. The Class 10 cards are available in 64GB and promise read speeds up to 95MB/s and write speeds up to 60MB/s. Dane-Elec products will be on display at 2013 CES, in Hospitality Suite 7-121 of the Las Vegas Hotel & Casino.

Custom SLR has announced the general availability of its latest product, the Custom SLR ProDot.  A textured, press-on dot, the ProDot easily adheres to a range of surfaces to provide more finite control and vibration dampening. “While initially designed to be placed on top of a camera shutter button to offer photographers a more seamless shutter-release, free of residual vibrations, the ProDot is a remarkably-simple and convenient accessory for virtually any push-button experience,” the company says. “The emphatic response from the Kickstarter community, has not only enabled us to bring the product to market, but has proven that there is a demand for such a dynamic little accessory.” Available in low-profile black, high-visibility red, and clear colorface the ProDot is sold in packages of two for $9.95.