X-Rite has announced a $150 cash back promotion for X-Rite customers who want to upgrade their i1Match, ProfileMaker or MonacoPROFILER software to i1Publish. Fully supporting the new Mac OS X 10.7 Lion operating system, the latest version of i1Publish is an ICC profiling solution that includes i1Profiler software, ColorChecker Camera Calibration software, PANTONE Color Manager software and two ColorChecker targets – ColorChecker Classic and ColorChecker Proof. For more information about the i1Publish upgrade and rebate, visit the website below.

Delkin has announced the launch of a new range of ruggedised CompactFlash (CF) memory cards, which are claimed to offer the fastest read and write speeds in the world. Available in capacities ranging from 8GB up to 64GB, the Delkin Compact Flash 685x memory cards are capable of transferring photos, movies and other files at speeds up to 103 megabytes per second. “Unlike a traditional CF memory card, the CombatFlash PCB is protected with a Tekta infusion process that enables the card to achieve phenomenal reliability and performance in environments where a normal CF card would typically fail,” explains Delkin’s Marketing Manager, Anna Lopez.  “The card is protected from underwater submersion, solid impact, corrosion, rust and more.” Pricing for the new Delkin CF cards ranges from $149.99 to $899.99, depending on capacity.

Announced in the US in May, the new Lowepro Photo Sport AW Series camera bags are now available in the United Kingdom too. Designed for outdoor adventurers that like to bring photo gear along when skiing, biking or snowboarding., the Lowepro Photo Sport AW Series comprises a dual-compartment sling bag and a photo backpack. To ensure quick access to camera equipment, the lower compartment of each pack includes Lowepro’s Ultra-Cinch Camera Chamber that snugs gear in a secured compartment to prevent bouncing while in motion. A zippered, side-access pocket allows the wearer to quickly rotate the pack to the front, unzip, un-cinch and access the camera compartment which can accommodate a DSLR with attached lens and a flash unit. The top-loading upper compartment provides flexible storage space — 13.9 litres in the 200 AW backpack and 9 litres in the Sling 100 AW — for other essential photo gear. In the UK, Lowepro products are distributed exclusively by DayMen International.

Fantasea Line has announced its plans to launch an underwater (UW) housing for the new Nikon Coolpix P7100. The company says it is working closely with Nikon to deliver a housing that “will be desgined to meet the same high standards as featured by the successful FP7000 Housing and will be compatible with the complete FP7000 dedicated accessory line”. As of writing, there is no firm release date set for the underwater housing. The Nikon P7100 will be available from mid-September.

Update: Availability for the Fantasea Line FP7100 underwater housing is slated for the beginning of 2012.

The Sony FDA-EV1S is an external EVF for the Sony NEX-5N compact system camera. Featuring a resolution of 2,395,000 dots, this OLED viewfinder provides a similar user experience as the built-in EVF of the Sony NEX-7, except that it’s tiltable and detachable. Available from September, the Sony FDA-EV1S is sold separately for £300.

The Sony LA-EA2 mount adapter allows Sony NEX users to use A-mount lenses with high-speed phase-detection auto focus on their cameras. We believe this adapter should be especially interesting for owners of the Sony NEX-FS100, NEX-VG10 and NEX-VG20 interchangeable-lens camcorders as well as dual DSLR-NEX users - and generally, anyone who finds their NEX camera’s auto focus too slow or the current E-mount lens line-up too limited. Priced at £340, the Sony LA-EA2 mount adapter will be available from September.

ZUMA is the latest series of bags from Tamrac. The Zuma 2 Day Bag is a superslim, vertical-style day bag, the Zuma 4 is a compact, fast-access shoulder bag, and the Zuma 7 is a highly mobile, fast-access backpack. The Zuma 2 costs £57.99, the Zuma 4 £131.99, and the Zuma 7 £164.99.

The Nissin Di622 Mark 11 Speedlight flashgun is now available with a Sony fit. The Mark 11 model features a number of improvements over the original Mark I, including wireless TTL, and MY TTL. The Nissin Di622 also comes with an external X Sync Socket. Sony, Canon and Nikon models of the Nissin Di622 Mark 11 are available now, priced at £224.95.

The Lastolite Brolly Grip is a new light modifier for the photographer who needs to be mobile.  The Brolly Grip is a unique, hand held bracket which supports the flashgun in a horizontal position along the shaft of an umbrella. The Brolly Grip Handle and the Brolly Grip Kit with Translucent Umbrella are available now at SRP £20 and £30 inc respectively.

The Lowepro Optics Series is a new series of purpose-built bags for wildlife watchers. The Field Station, Scope Travel 200AW, Scope PhotoTravel 350AW and Scope Porter 200AW have been designed to provide wildlife watchers with long-wearing comfort, hands-free support and the freedom to move with ease while out in the field. The Lowepro Optics Series products include a beltpack; a smaller-scaled backpack; a larger-scaled photo backpack with a dedicated laptop compartment; and a unique spotting scope-tripod backpack.

Gary Fong has released two new Gearguard Security bundles of photography equipment security products. The GearGuard Basic Kit ($49.95) includes the GearGuard Camera Body Lock, the Large GearGuard Camera Bag Lock (set of two) and the GearGuard 36” Cable & TSA-Approved Combination Lock. The GearGuard Pro Kit ($89.95) starts with the Basic Kit and adds an additional 36” Cable &TSA-Approved Combo Lock as well as the GearGuard Lens Lock. The Pro Kit comes in configurations for either Canon or Nikon users.

The Kingston Wi-Drive is a a wireless portable storage device for the Apple iPad, iPhone and iPod touch. The Wi-Drive allows users to play videos, access music or share files with other Apple device owners. Kingston offers the Wi-Drive in both 16GB and 32GB sizes priced at £89 and £119 respectively.

The Lowepro Compact Courier and Streamline 100 are new shoulder bags for compact system cameras. The Compact Courier 80 offers 2-bags-in-1, while the Compact Courier 70 has been designed to fit a selection of CSCs with an 18-55mm lens attached. The StreamLine 100 fits CSC models with an 18-55mm attached lens, an extra lens and a few small personal items. The Compact Courier 80 and 70 are available in Black with Red piping and Grey with Arctic Blue piping priced at £34.95 and £29.95 respectively. The StreamLine 100 is available in Black/Grey and Red/Black priced at £29.99.

Benro has introduced a new video tripod kit for digital video cameras, HDSLRs and still cameras. This unique combination of the Benro Dual Stage AD71F tripod, Fluid Motion K5 head and Heavy Duty tripod bag with strap provide exceptional value. The suggested retail price for the new Benro AD71FK5 Video Tripod Kit is $195.

Induro’s new BHS-Series Ballheads provide quick and precise camera positioning and dual locking security. They offer a lightweight, well-balanced adjustable support for a wide range of cameras and lenses and are compatible with most compact and professional tripods. The Induro BHS Ballheads are available in three sizes from retailers throughout the United States at prices ranging from $52 - $76.

The Lastolite Strobo Beauty Box is a new beauty box and softbox combination designed for off camera flash. This collapsible and fully portably Beauty Box is quick to set up and take down and is perfect for studio and location photography. The Strobo Beauty Box is available now at £100.00.

Brooklyn-based Caseable is now offering iPad and Kindle book jackets that you can customise with your own photos. The newly introduced iPad Book Jacket can be fully customised on the front and
back covers, as well as the spine. You can lay your photos and graphics out over the entire case, or even write your name on the spine. “With the refined sublimation print technology, the Book Jackets are not only great for self-expression or gifts, they are also ideal for photographers and artists looking to promote their work,” Caseable says. Products start at $29.90 and ship in one day with local production in Brooklyn, NY.

Black Rapid has rolled out a revised version of its RS-4 camera strap. To match the other BlackRapid R-Straps, the RS-4 Ballistic camera will now be manufactured from ballistic nylon rather than the ripstop nylon of the previous version. Apart from the change in material, the RS-4 is exactly the same as the original and will maintain its current SRP of £60.

OmniVision has recently launched the super-tiny 8-megapixel OV8850 CMOS image sensor featuring a 1.1-micron OmniBSI-2 pixel architecture. The chip, which is 20% smaller than the 1/3.2” imagers used in camera phones, is claimed to offer “a 20 percent improvement in peak quantum efficiency in all colour channels, a 35 percent improvement in low-light sensitivity and a 45 percent increase in full-well capacity in an extremely compact and power-efficient package,” said Per Rosdahl, senior product manager at OmniVision. Besides its advanced pixel design, the OV8850 also features advanced imaging functions, such as an on-chip temperature sensor, two phase lock loops, context switching, and alternate row exposure for high-dynamic-range (HDR) video and still image capture. The OV8850 fits in an 8.5 x 8.5mm autofocus camera module with a build height of 4.7 mm. Sampling will begin in August, with mass production expected in the first calendar quarter of 2012.

Genius has just launched an upgraded version of its G-Pen F610 graphic tablet. The ultra-slim, 6"x10” wireless graphic-design tablet works with any screen size and comes with a pen that boasts two buttons and 1024-level pressure sensitivity, allowing graphic artists - including photographers performing post-processing tasks - the subtlety of more pressure levels. Since the pen battery can last up to one year, the odds of a “power outage” during important work projects are highly unlikely. The pen also comes with a holder that protects the device and its tip, and keeps it handy for use. The Genius G-Pen F610 carries a suggested retail price of $99.90.