Lowepro has announced some new colour-ways to the range of camera bags available as well as a new version of one of its most popular sling bags. The new Lowepro Passport Sling II (£50, pictured) is available in two new colour combinations – Black & Red and Mica & Green.  The Passport Sling II is an updated design, based on the popular Passport Sling bag – and now features 30% more storage space using a flexible camera storage box inside – which can be adjusted to fit your kit. And just in time for Christmas, there’s a new ‘little black number’ in the Lowepro range: the Lowepro Event Messenger series (priced from £37) is now available in black as well as the original Mica design.

LPA Design today released a new update to its ControlTL firmware for Canon versions of the MiniTT1 and FlexTT5 PocketWizard radios.  Available now, firmware version 6.200 for Canon adds compatibility with the Canon 5D Mark III digital SLR camera.  Any current owner of the ControlTL system can install this version via USB connection and update for free using the PocketWizard Utility (version 1.54 or later). For more information on how to update PocketWizard products via USB connection, visit the website below.

Manfrotto Lighting has announced the release of the new Lastolite 10m Off Camera Cord.. Available in Canon or Nikon versions, the 10m Off camera Cord has a single shoe mount and retains all TTL metering. Allowing the photographer to extend to distance between camera position and his light source, the Lastolite 10m Off Camera Cord is available now at a suggested retail price of £63.

Delkin has announced its plans to build a consumer CFast card optimised for professional video applications. “CFast combines the mechanical robustness and portability of the industry standard CompactFlash card with the performance benefits of the SATA interface,” explains VP of Sales and Business Development, James Grassman. “In the Industrial space the transition from PATA to SATA ports in single board computer designs created the demand for CFast over a year ago. With the transition from 1080p capable DSLRs, camcorders, projectors and televisions to emerging 4k video capabilities, we’re excited to take our experience and knowledge of CFast and apply it to build a version optimised for these new devices.” Specifics about the new card haven’t been released yet.

Samsung has revealed a new range of accessories for its Galaxy Camera and many other models in the SMART range of connected cameras. The sleek Galaxy Pouch (£32.99) comes in black, white, orange and red so photography enthusiasts can match their camera case to suit their personal tastes. The leather Premium EX Case (£54.99, pictured) for the Samsung EX2F comes in black and tan, while the also-new Premium Case (£16.99) is designed to protect some of the SMART range’s high-end models including the Samsung WB150F and Samsung WB850F. For more information visit the manufacturer’s website via the link below.

Tiffen today gave a sneak peek at its new product lineup for the upcoming 2013 International CES exhibition. Innovative products going on display at the show include the Steadicam Smoothee for iPhone 5, Next Generation Domke camera bags, and the Lowel GL-1 Power LED Light. The company is inviting attendees to stop by at the Tiffen booth (31133) for a look at Tiffen technology gear and products. Tiffen ImageMakers are scheduled to appear, along with other professional photographers, giving hands-on product demonstrations and presentations.

Manfrotto has just announced a number of offers across its range of Italian photographic accessories. The Pocket, a versatile, compact tripod with legs that fold down neatly for easy storage, is available for £29.95. The Mini-24 Continuous LED light, a smartphone/compact-camera accessory for shooting stills and video (pictured), can be had for £69.95, while the Agile VII Sling Camera Bag is currently priced at £89.95. The 294 Carbon-Fibre Kit, comprising a tripod and a three-way head, is now available for £249.95. Additional holiday offers include free shipping on everything above £20 from the Manfrotto website using the promo code FREESHIP at checkout, a £30 discount on the Manfrotto MK293A4-A3RC1 290 Series Aluminium Kit, and a free ML120 LED Light on all Manfrotto UK orders £100 and above, starting tomorrow.

LensPen will officially launch its new smartphone screen cleaner, SmartKlear, at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in January 2013. SmartKlear features the same grease-cutting carbon compound that’s found in the original LensPen and the SideKick tablet screen cleaner. “SideKick is designed for the large touchscreens on iPads and tablets; really too big for iPhones and smartphones,” Keating said. “SmartKlear has a smaller cleaning pad that works great on a phone.” This might also be an interesting product to serious photographers - not only because they tend to have smartphones but also because of the rapid expansion of touchscreen-based technologies in advanced cameras. Replacement cleaning pads for SmartKlear are also available, Keating said.

Kata has launched a new range of sling camera bags for amateur photographers. The Kata 3N1-20DL Sling Backpack fits a pro SLR camera with battery pack and a mid-range zoom attached, plus three to four other lenses and a flash. The Kata The Kata 3N1-22DL can store a similar kit plus a 11.6-inch laptop or tablet. The Kata 3N1-33DL (pictured) accommodates a pro SLR camera with battery grip and a long-range zoom lens attached, plus five to six lenses and a flash. Finally, the Kata 3N1-10DL fits a pro SLR camera with a mid-range zoom attached, plus a couple of additional lenses and a flash or a compact camcorder with accessories.

84.5mm has announced a new Professional line of photographic filters. The range includes seven rectangular filters (150x84.5mm in size) that are fully compatible with “P” type filter holders designed for square filters with a width of 84-85mm. The filters in the Professional line are available for €32-€39 each.

Fotodiox today launched its WonderBurst NEX Radio Flash Trigger and WonderBurst HSS8000 4-in-1 Radio Slave Trigger.  The WonderBurst NEX ($39.95) enables Sony NEX-3 and NEX-5 cameras to remotely trigger any flash with a standard hot-shoe, giving shooters more options beyond the proprietary Sony hot-shoe. The WonderBurst NEX is capable of flash sync speeds up to 1/160 seconds and features 16 selectable channels. Along with the WonderBurst NEX, Fotodiox is also launching the WonderBurst HSS8000 4-in-1 Radio Slave Trigger ($69.95), a 1/8000 high-speed sync wireless remote flash trigger compatible with any camera flash or strobe. The transmitter plugs into the camera to learn the camera’s specific delay time, allowing it to get ahead of the second curtain sync, or the sync delay that most cameras have. The WonderBurst HSS8000 removes flash sync limitations and will also work as a camera remote for AF remote triggering, continuous shooting and bulb mode.

Transcend today announced the addition of Industrial use microSDHC Class 10 and CF170 CompactFlash memory cards to its industrial memory card product line. Manufactured using brand-name MLC NAND Flash chips, Transcend’s Industrial use microSDHC cards guarantee superior performance and long-term stability over their consumer-grade TLC counterparts, the company says. These Class 10 microSDHC memory cards provide read/write speeds of up to 20MB/16MB per second, and come in capacities of up to 32GB. Compliant with the CompactFlash 6.0 specification, Transcend’s new industrial CF170 CompactFlash cards boast high-speed transfer rates of up to 90MB/s and up to an extra large 64GB capacity. They are claimed to deliver peak performance under harsh environmental conditions, operating effectively between -25°C and 85°C.

ExpoImaging is expanding its collection of Rogue Flash Gels with a new Color Correction Filter Kit for small flash enthusiasts. “Colour correction gels are vital to professional event photographers,” said Erik Sowder, CEO of ExpoImaging. “Using colour correction gels with flash vastly improves colour balance and consistency, particularly when shooting indoors under incandescent and fluorescent lights.” The new Rogue Flash Gels Colour Correction Filter Kit contains 3 of each colour gel and 3 attachment bands for photographers using multiple flashes. The kit includes the most commonly used correction and diffusion gels: 1/4 CTO, 1/2 CTO, Full CTO, Plus Green, 1/2 CTB, and 1 f/stop diffusion. Rogue Flash Gel Kits are available now for $29.95.

Announced two months ago, Cokin’s new Pure Harmonie range of filters are now available for purchase. 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 Gray (ND X), Cokin Pure Harmonie filters are super-lightweight and cause no vignetting. The new line-up is now available in stores.

Gura Gear has introduced its new Bataflae 18L photo backpack. “The Bataflae 18L is unique in its ability to easily tote multiple full-size professional and medium format camera bodies, a 300mm lens, or up to a 70-200mm attached to a body while maintaining the small compact style is what makes this bag the ultimate camera backpack for any level of photographer,” the company says. “Its full 6.5” interior depth allows for larger lenses, bodies, and other equipment that does not fit in traditional small backpacks.” Featuring a padded compartment for laptops up to 13” in size, the Btaflae 18L backpack is claimed to “fit worldwide carry-on requirements.” The bag is available for pre-order in black, grey, and limited production of tan.

MindShift Gear, the new outdoor backpack company co-founded by Think Tank Photo and conservation photographer Daniel Beltrá, has launched a Kickstarter campaign to help fund its rotation180° professional backpack. “The rotation180° professional backpack brings camera access to a new level,” the company says.  “Its rotating waist pack allows nature and adventure photographers to maintain creative momentum by offering immediate access to primary photo equipment in even the most precarious situations without having to take off the pack, sling it over one shoulder, or even stop hiking.” Featuring two customizable gear carrying compartments, a lower rotating belt pack and upper pack which is accessed from either the top or back panels; the rotation 180° professional backpack has a volume of 37.5 litres and weighs in at 2.5kg. For more information, visit the product’s Kickstarter page via the link below.

Sigma UK has introduced a short-term special offer that enables anyone who purchases Sigma’s 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 DC Macro OS HSM lens to claim a free Sigma 62mm UV DG filter worth over £40. Benefiting from a special multi-layer lens coating, developed to counteract the highly reflective characteristic of image sensors, the Sigma 62mm UV DG filter protects your lens’ vulnerable front element from damage and eliminates the harmful effect of ultraviolet light. For more information on this offer, contact your local photographic retailer.

Ten One Design has announced the global availability of the Pogo Connect with support for the newly updated Adobe Photoshop Touch. Pogo Connect expands on the benefits of Bluetooth 4.0, pairing directly and effortlessly with the iPad to offer full pressure sensitivity, palm rejection capabilities and more. Pogo Connect sports a new patent-pending technology, a Crescendo Sensor, making the stylus tip highly responsive to pressure and recognizing even the slightest touch. With zero grams of activation force, Crescendo Sensor works at all angles and requires absolutely no calibration, providing hundreds of levels of pressure.

Datacolor has announced 25 days of giveaways during the month of December. The company will be awarding daily prizes through its website, including products from the Datacolor Spyder line such as Spyder4PRO and SpyderCAPTURE PRO, as well as products from partnering brands like Wacom, DxO, SLR Lounge, Joby, Lowepro, B&H, Zenfolio and more. Prior to the start of its December celebration, Datacolor will present a webinar focusing on gift ideas for photographers. One lucky webinar guest will win a free Spyder4PRO.

Vanguard UK has announced a cashback offer on its Alta Pro tripods, Up-Rise backpacks and Endeavour ED and Spirit ED binoculars. Those buying a Vanguard Alta Pro Carbon tripod will receive a £30 mail-in rebate, while those purchasig a Vanguard Alta Pro Aluminium tripod are entitled to a £15 rebate. Customers who buy a Vanguard Up-Rise 45, UP-Rise 46 or UP-Rise 48 backpack will receive a £10 cashback. Other offers include £15 mail-in rebate with the purchase of a Vanguard BBH ball head (BBH-100, BBH-200, BBH-300) or a GH ball head (GH-100, GH-200), a £10 cashback with the purchase of a Vanguard Nivelo 244BK or Nivelo 245BK and a £40 mail-in rebate with the purchase of a Vanguard Endeavor ED or Spirit ED. All of these promotions will run until 15 January 2013.

Website: Vanguard