Sabio Products have released the Sabio DM2PT – an extremely small-footprint, two-drive, RAID enabled external storage solution with data transfer rates of over 115MBps. The DM2-PT is compatible with any Apple, Windows or Linux-based computer or workstation and features built in eSATA, Firewire 800 and USB 2.0 connectivity. Biled as “an ideal travelling companion for the most demanding photography, video or content capture project”, the Sabio DM2-PT offers up to 2TB capacity, and is distributed exclusively by WYNIT in the US.

Kenro has announced that the Nissin Di466 Professional Speedlite is now available for Four Thirds in the UK. The Di466 comes with ‘MY TTL’, a feature exclusive to Nissin that enables the user to customise their own TTL exposure level settings.The unit has a guide number of 33 (in metres at ISO 100) at the 53mm setting and is firmware upgradable. The Nissin Di466 comes in either black (£156.47) or white (£178.72, pictured).

Fantasea Line released a new and universal tray, specifically designed for compact camera housings, plus a range of universal lighting systems. Made from anodised aluminium, the Blue Ray Tray allows integrating different components in an underwater photo system, including the camera housing, arms, strobes, lights, lens holders and more. The tray is available in different sizes, including one- or two-arm connectors. The new Nano Ray Lighting Sets include a single or double Blue Ray Tray, a Nano Flash, a Nano Optic Cable kit, a Fantasea Pro Bag and one or two Flex Arms.

LPA design, the company behind the PocketWizard brand, has released firmware version 2.100 for the new Nikon FlexTT5 transceiver and MiniTT1 transmitter. According to Rob Galbraith, the new firmware update adds full support for the Nikon D7000 camera and preliminary support for the SB-700 flash unit, changes the default zoom head setting on remote Speedlights from 26mm to 24mm, and fixes bugs. You can update your firmware from within PocketWizard Utility 1.35.

Via Rob Galbraith DPI

Kata has announced a Bag Trial story / photo competition. The company recently organised a Desert Trial in Jordan to test its bags for durability, capability and capacity - and is now asking users to put their own bags to the test. Two lucky winners who post their Bag Trial story or photo to Kata’s Facebook page will win a new bag. The contest ends on 31 January 2011.

The Sekonic DigiCineMate L-308DC digital exposure meter, which was announced in December, is now available. The meter can be used to measure ambient and flash light, and is capable of both reflected and incident light metering. Additionally, there are three different sets of data available. Users can pick the mode that displays only the specific information they need (e.g videographers ususally work with a fixed frame rate and shutter speed so they only need to know what f-stop to set on the lens, which the Sekonic DigiCineMate L-308DC displays with one-tenth of a stop accuracy). Lux and cande readout enables quick set up of lights for cinematographers. Photographers get all important information including EV. The suggested retail price of £239.99.

Kingston has announced its first SDHC memory cards that meet the SD Association standards for the UHS-I speed class. Featuring read speeds of up to 60MB/s and write speeds of up to 35MB/s, the Kingston UltimateXX memory cards are significantly faster than the more widespread Class 10 cards. The UltimateXX product line will offer capacities of 8GB (£81), 16GB (£163) and 32GB (£327).

SanDisk has launched its first SDHC memory card that conforms to the UHS-I specifications. The SanDisk Extreme Pro SDHC UHS-I card features Ultra High Speed technology and achieves up to 45MB/s read and write performance, based on SadDisk’s internal testing. The card is shipping to major retailers worldwide and is available immediately at SanDisk.com. The card comes in 8GB to 32GB capacities carrying suggested retail prices ranging from $109.99 to $349.99 in the US (£49.99 to £189.99 in the UK).

Epson’s fine art papers, previously only available in cut sheet sizes, are now also available in roll form. The range of papers - linen and acid-free, and made of 100% cotton – are available in warm white and bright white, with either a smooth or textured finishes. The papers are fully compatible with Epson’s recently-launched large format fine-art printers, the 24inch Epson Stylus Pro 7890 and 44inch Epson Stylus Pro 9890 (pictured). The 50-foot rolls are priced from £88.15 to £258.52 + VAT depending on width.

Axtremex Technology has launched a high-performance 128GB 600x CompactFlash card. Available now, the Axtremex UDMA 128GB memory card supports up to 90 megabytes per second read speed and up to 60 megabytes per second write speed. A 64GB variant is also available, and both cards are built using premium memory chips. Initially these cards are available from nanoFlash.net for $499.99 apiece.

Cameras Underwater has launched the SeaLife SL980 LED photo light in the UK. The new, powerful, 500 lumen SeaLife SL980 can be easily and quickly connected to your camera with its universal base and it has a flexible arm allowing for effortless aiming. Depth rated to 100m, the SeaLife SL980 is available now for £299.99.

Cameras Underwater has launched the new Aqua LED 800 video and focus light in the UK. The compact yet sturdy underwater light has four different power settings; 20, 180, 360 and 800 lumens offering the ideal light for many different shooting situations. Powered by two easily replaceable and rechargeable Lithium-Ion batteries; the Aqua LED 800 will run for two continuous days on its low power setting. Depth rated to 90m, the Aqua LED 800 is equipped with a soft flood type reflector that provides 90 degrees of beam coverage through its 12 Watts LED light source.

The Sony CLM-V55 portable video monitor, first shown at CES 2011, has just been officially announced. Featuring a high-resolution WVGA (800 x 480) (5”) LCD panel, the Sony CLM-V55 attaches to a wide range of interchangeable-lens digital cameras from Sony and other manufacturers that support HD video shooting. Signal connection from camera to monitor is via the supplied HDMI cable, while power can be supplied using a battery pack or AC adapter (both optional). The clip-on screen tilts and swivels to any angle for comfortable framing in any position. A magnified view is available for accurate manual focussing, and is complemented by a colour peaking function that highlights the edges of accurately focussed areas of the video image. The Sony CLM-V55 will be available from March.

LPA Design, the manufacturer of PocketWizards, has filed a complaint for patent infringement in the United States District Court for the District of Vermont against Phottix and Eternal Fortune. The Vermont-based company says that the Phottix Atlas wireless flash trigger produced in China infringes upon two of its patents. These patents were issued for Microprocessor Programmable Digital Remote Radio Photographic Control and Wireless Camera Flash Synchroniser System and Method. “LPA was an early and ground-breaking contributor to the technology and market for professional quality wireless flash triggers,” said Tim Neiley, CEO and President of LPA. “LPA has worked hard to bring its patented technologies to market through constant innovation and improvement always with a view to the needs of the professional photographer. This lawsuit is necessary to protect our investment in innovation.”

Sony demoed a 5-inch external monitor for its latest Alpha DSLRs and SLTs at CES. The CLM-V55 display, which connects to the camera via the HDMI port and sits in the flash hot shoe, provides a better LiveView experience than the onboard rear screen. A forthcoming firmware update will enable the Sony Alpha A33, A55, A560 and A580 camera models to output the live view feed through their HDMI ports in order for full compatibility with this display (and any HDTV). The Sony CLM-V55 external monitor also has a headphone jack for monitoring audio while recording a movie clip. The display will be available in March for $399.

Via Amateur Photographer, Pocket-Lint and Photography Bay

The SanDisk 128Gb Extreme Pro is the world’s fastest high-capacity CompactFlash card. The new card features 128 gigabytes of storage and up to 100 megabyte per second write speeds. The 128GB SanDisk Extreme Pro CompactFlash card is ideally suited for imaging applications requiring Full HD 1920x1080 resolution, up to 50Mbps bit rate and 4:2:2 color sampling, or to capture more frames when shooting in continuous burst mode. The 128GB SanDisk Extreme Pro CompactFlash card is available now for preorder for $1,499.99 / £1,229.

The SD Association has introduced a new bus-interface specification called UHS-II. The new specification transfer speeds up to 312 megabytes per second, which is up to three times higher than last year’s UHS-I. “Tripled bus-interface speeds give manufacturers more flexible design options, including low voltage and low power consumption, for large and small SD devices without compromising data transfer rates,” the association said in a statement. This new speed option will be available in full-size SDHC and SDXC memory cards and microSDHC and microSDXC form factors and does not change the physical size or shape of the cards.

PocektWizard is introducing its MiniTT1 Transmitter and FlexTT5 Transceiver for the Nikon DSLR camera system. These new i-TTL capable radio slaves make taking off-camera flash as effortless as slide-in, turn-on and shoot.  Sales of the Nikon versions in the U.S. are expected to begin January 2011. Canon-compatible versions are available now.

Tenba has expanded it range of Roadie II photo and laptop cases. Roadie rolling cases allow photographers to take their equipment off their neck, shoulders and back, and put it all on wheels. The Roadie II airline carry-on compatible cases are available in three sizes and are built to withstand serious professional use. The new Roadie II Photo/Laptop Cases are available now at suggested retail prices ranging from $279.95 to $319.95.

The new Kingston SDHC UHS-I UltimateXX memory cards offer the highest speed class available today. Shipping later this month, Kingston’s UltimateXX memory cards are ideal for the serious photographer or videographer. Kingston’s UltimateXX line meets the SD Association standards for the UHS-I speed class with speeds up to 60MB/sec. read and 35MB/sec. write. The 8GB UltimateXX cards costs $69.99, the 16GB $179.99, and the 32GB $349.99.