The new Niko is Chrome’s first professional camera bag. 15.5” wide x 9” high x 6.25” deep, the Chrome Niko has a single strap with the signature Chrome seatbelt buckle release that doubles as a bottle opener, a cross-chest load stabiliser and a top grab handle. The customisable main compartment holds an SLR camera with lenses, flash and other accessories, while your tripod can be carried safely courtesy of Velcro straps on the outside. Featuring a weatherproof Cordura outer shell, the Chrome Niko sells for $95. Coinciding with this product launch, Chrome has also announced the This is My City photography competition, which challenges photographers to submit a photo of their favourite coffee spot, park, hidden gem, dive bar etc. in their home town to chromebags.com for a chance to win a Chrome Niko bag and a Nikon D3000 digital SLR camera. The deadline for entries is 12pm PST on 25th July. For more information, head to the website below.

USRobotics today introduced the USR8420 All-in-One USB 3.0 Card Reader/Writer, which features dual SD card slots plus one Compact Flash, one Memory Stick and one for SmartMedia. The reader/writer supports all new card formats including SDHC with UHS, CF with UDMA, SDXC, and MSXC cards — including the separate SD slots making it convenient for families with more than one camera or professionals with multiple cards.  The plug-and-play device is also hot swappable and its USB cable can be removed for easy storage or portability. The new USRobotics USR8420 All-in-One USB 3.0 Card Reader/Writer is currently available at retail prices starting at $39.99.

Hama has introduced a new addition to its DCC System: the IR Light Sensor Remote. This light /motion sensor is now the fourth type of remote release in the DCC system, joining cable, radio and timer remote shutter releases. Its main areas of use include sports and wildlife photography. The product consists of a transmitter and a receiver, the latter of which connects to the camera via an adapter cable that matches the brand of your camera. The transmitter has to be set up opposite - and at the same height as - the receiver. Both can be mounted on a tripod courtesy of integrated tripod sockets. The remote is priced at €99.00, with extension cables available for €14.99 each.

Sony has introduced its first-ever range of external hard drives. The Sony HD-PG5 series of 500GB portable drives feature USB 3.0 connectivity, and even if you’re connected via USB 2.0, the pre-loaded Data Transfer Accelerator software promises to double effective transfer rates. The supplied USB adapter cable also allows easy ‘PC-free’ transfers of video footage from compatible Handycam camcorders with Direct Copy function, including the new DCR-SX21E and DCR-SR21. PlayStation 3 users can connect the hard drive via USB and view stored AVCHD videos and photos via the ‘Filmy’ application – again with no PC needed.One of the models, the Sony HD-PG5U, can even be hooked up to a compatible Sony Bravia HDTV set. The drives are available from mid July 2011 in United Kingdom, France and Germany only.

HandlePod is a hand-supported camera stabiliser featuring a 3-axis rotating camera mount attached to a comfortable handle backed by 4 rubber-tipped feet. The simplest way to use it is to hold the HandlePod against any solid surface, aim the camera and shoot. “Light hand pressure and the four high-friction rubber feet assure a stable, non-slip camera platform that eliminates motion blur just like a tripod,” says inventor Mike Kolito. “HandlePod also helps in situations where a support object isin’t available. Its handle provides a firm grip and improved leverage for hand-held photos in low light. The handle extends to the side of the camera for more steadying power and a solid, two-handed grip.” HandlePod is available for $39.95 plus S&H from the website below.

byMac Inventions have announced a range of remote releases designed for time-lapse photography. The company offers infra-red remotes for Canon, Nikon, Olympus, Pentax and Sony cameras with IR support at $69 + S&H each, and a mechanical intervalometer that is claimed to work with practically every camera, available at an introductory price of $149 + shipping. For more information, visit the website below.

Website: Tempus

Kenko-Tokina has acquired the famous French filter manufacturer Cokin SAS. Renowned for its square filter system, Cokin SAS will be renamed Cokin France S.A.S.U. but will remain an independent company keeping its own manufacturing, marketing and worldwide distribution network. Marc Heintz, Cokin’s Director of Sales, said: “Kenko brings to us a strong backing of finance and supply of raw materials, which will allow us to expand and bring new innovative products to the market once again.”

Photojojo has announced what must be the craziest iPhone accessory yet: an adapter and case that allow you to attach a Canon or Nikon lens to the device. Turning your valued SLR optics into an add-on accessory for a smartphone does not sound like the greatest of ideas, especially given that you obviously lose auto focus (and aperture control too, at least with Canon lenses and most modern Nikkors), not to mention that if you’re willing to lug around a bulky SLR lens you might as well use it on a real camera - but we’re sure it’s crazy enough to ignite the imagination of many iPhone aficionados looking for some telephoto reach and shallow depth of field. If you’re one of them, Photojojo will be happy to sell you the case-adapter combo at $190 (for the iPhone 3) or $249 (for the iPhone 4).

Website: Photojojo’s iPhone SLR Mount

Developed for compact, mirrorless and rangefinder cameras, the mini L-Bracket from Arca-Swiss is the newest addition to the manufacturer’s monoball Fix system, and is also compatible with the monoball Classic range. Even smaller digital SLR cameras like the Olympus E-450, Pentax K-r or Canon EOS 1100D could be outfitted with the new Arca-Swiss mini L-Bracket, which matches their small dimensions better than larger brackets. Pricing to be confirmed.

Western Digital (WD) has announced its newest generation of My Book Studio external hard drives designed for use with Mac computers and Apple Time Machine. Now available with a 3TB storage capacity, the new design features a brushed aluminium casing to match the appearance of a Mac computer, and also serves to keep the drive cool while in use. The drives also feature FireWire 800/400 and USB 2.0 interfaces, user-controlled automatic backup software and drive management, password protection and hardware encryption. The 3TB version is available now for an MSRP of $249.99, with 2TB and 1TB variants also on sale for $199.99 and $149.99, respectively.

The Fat Gecko Quick Release Kit is the newest accessory to Delkin’s Fat Gecko Camera Mount product line, which allows users to swap cameras and camcorders on and off any mount in seconds.  The two-part anodized aluminum Quick Release features two built in liquid levels to ensure precise vertical and horizontal angle set-up as well as flanged edges and a push button key to prevent slippage once a camera is locked into place. A universal ¼-20 female adapter on the base plate enables secure attachment to any of Delkin’s Fat Gecko Camera Mounts as well as any standard tripod or monopod with a ¼-20 or 3/8-20 mounting head- The Quick Release is rated to reliably hold devices weighing up to 6.6 pounds. The kit, which includes a base plate, top plate and user guide, begins shipping to photography and videography stores worldwide on 11th July at a price of $39.99.

Seconic has announced limited edition L-308S Flashmate meters in three different metallic colours, including red (pictured), green and blue. Sekonic celebrates its sixtieth anniversary this year, and as the company’s product marketing manager Phil Braden notes, “It has been a tradition of the company to release a limited edition light meter in honor of an important anniversary and in the past those limited editions have become collector’s items.” The pocket-sized Sekonic L-308S Flashmate is designed to read ambient or flash exposures in either reflected or incident modes, and displays accurate exposure readings in full, half, or third-stop increments. Seconic also announced a 60th Anniversary Contest, inviting photographers to write a story about when they “fell in love with light”. To enter, contestants need to write a story between 250 and 500 words telling Sekonic about the moment they fell in love with light. Submissions will be accepted until the end of this month, and a Limited Colour Edition Sekonic L-308S Flashmate will be awarded for each of the top three stories.

Four months after the launch of the Vitruvian range, Giotto’s introduced two new larger Vitruvian tripods with an increased weight capacity of 9kg. Inspired by Leonardo da Vinci’s Vitruvian Man, the new Giotto’s Vitruvian VGR tripods are designed to offer photographers not only a truly lightweight and compact tripod, but a fully functioning monopod and ball head too. The Vitruvian tripods have been designed with “reverse technology” legs so that when collapsed they fold through 180 degrees to “surround” the tripod centre column and head. The newest additions have an operating height of 147cm, and with the centre column extended reach a maximum 171cm while still folding down to a remarkably compact 40cm for transport and storage.

The Olympus FL-300R a new flash for Four Thirds and Micro Four Thirds cameras. With a guide number of 20 (in metres at ISO 100), the Olympus FL-300R flashgun features an approximately 75° angle of coverage (equivalent to the diagonal angle of view of a 14mm lens on FT/MFT or a 28mm lens on a 35mm camera). A built-in wide panel allows the flash to be used with ultra-wide lenses such as the M.Zuiko Digital 9-18mm f/4-5.6 (read review), although it does reduce the range by some 40%. This extremely compact unit measures only 56.4mmx89.2mmx26.9mm (WxHxD), weighs just 97 grams, and runs on two AAA sized batteries. The flash, which can also be used as a master or slave in wireless mode, comes with its own stand and soft case, and is available for approximately £140.

Delkin Devices have started shipping the fastest SDXC UHS-I memory card in the world. The new Elite 64GB 633X rated card is designed for streaming HD and 3D video applications where speed and capacity are imperative. The Delkin Elite 64GB 633X card is available worldwide for a retail price of $539.99.

Delkin has announced new upgrades as well as a cleared patent on their award winning SensorScope DSLR Sensor Inspection Device and Cleaning System. Two new components have been added to the line-up of cleaning tools that are designed to tackle various types of sensor debris.  A recent partnership with LensPen resulted in a custom designed polishing and edging tool inspired by DSLR camera technicians. The SensorPen by LensPen features a non-carbon triangular tip for cleaning the edges of the sensor and polishing the sensor surface, as well as a slide out soft DSLR body brush that safely removes dust and debris from the camera body. A dual sided lint free cleaning cloth has also been added to the system, with a white microfibre side designed for sensitive exterior optics and a grey terry side for the removal of fingerprints and oils from the SensorScope and camera body.

Acme Made has launched three new camera bags. The Union Photo Messenger (pictured) is an understated messenger bag for DSLR cameras with a durable, waterproof cover; hidden exterior lens cap pocket and accessory pockets. The smaller Union Kit Messenger “offers the long-wearing comfort of a big messenger bag without the bulk”, the company says. Finally, the Union Ultra-Zoom is a compact camera bag for ultra-zooms and compact system cameras.

X-Rite has announced a new trade-in programme available to customers in the US and Canada who purchase a new X-Rite ColorMunki Display or i1Display Pro. Running until 30 September 2011, the promotion enables photographers and other imaging professionals to receive up to $40 cash back when they trade in their old monitor calibration system, be it an X-Rite, PANTONE, competitor or private label colorimeter. Those who send in a colorimeter and buy a ColorMunki Display receive $25 cash back, while the $40 offer is valid on purchases of the i1Display Pro.

Verbatim has announced a new range of Class 10 SDHC memory cards. Offered in capacities of 4GB to 32 GB both in standard and micro size, the new Verbatim cards are available in the shops now and cost £6.99 (4GB), £12.00 (8GB), £24.00 (16 GB), £40.00 (32 GB).

JP Distribution has announced availability and pricing for two new Black Rapid products, the RS-Sport 2 strap and the SnapR 35 strap-bag combo. Available now, the Black Rapid SnapR 35 (£50, pictured) is a combination camera bag and sling strap designed to fit compact system cameras and small camcorders. It allows the camera to slide out of the bag and up the strap to eye level. The RS-Sport 2 (£75), available next month, is a slimmer version of the existing RS-Sport strap, which combines the extra stability of a built-in underarm strap with a lower-profile pad.