The Kata Owl-272 DL is a versatile photo backpack which can also be converted into a useful daypack for general outdoor use, and even a rolling bag for easy transportation. Featuring super-light yet durable RipStop fabrics and Kata’s unique weight-saving Aeriform foam, the Kata Owl-272 has a 3D moulded foam back enabling good ventilation and Spider Webbing straps. The new backpack is a suitable size for carry on for most airlines and can also be turned into a rolling bag with the addition of a Kata Insertrolley (optional). The Kata Owl-272 will be available from the end of September priced at £159.95.

Wacom will demonstrate the potential of digital imaging tools at Photokina 2010, with special focus on the Intuos4 and Cintiq ranges and the Bamboo Fun (read review). Experienced imaging specialists will be present on the stand to share valuable tips and techniques around digital image processing with visitors. You will find Wacom in Hall 4.1 at Stand I-019 as well as in the CHI-Area on Stand A-030.

The LaCie Rikiki Go is billed as the smallest one-terabyte metal hard drive. Outfitted with an embedded USB 2.0 cable, Rikiki Go connects instantly with your PC or Mac. “We are thrilled to introduce 1TB capacity in this ultra-small, durable form factor,” said Quitterie Lescarret, Consumer Product Manager, LaCie. “Today’s on-the-go consumers need to access vital media quickly and dependably. With its industry-leading capacity, Rikiki Go provides users with the ultimate data storage and mobility, at a competitive price.” The LaCie Rikiki Go is available in 500GB and 1TB capacities through the LaCie Online Store, LaCie Corner, and LaCie Reseller+ starting at £89.90 including VAT.

Website: LaCie

Canon today unveiled two lens extenders designed for its L-series telephoto lenses. Intended for photojournalists, nature and sports photographers who need to get close to distant and challenging subjects, the Extender EF 1.4x III and Extender EF 2x III increase the focal length of a lens by a factor of 1.4x and 2x, respectively. The Extender EF 1.4x III features seven lens elements in three groups, and the Extender EF 2x III features nine lens elements in five groups. All optical elements use Canon’s Super Spectra coating, reducing ghosting and flare. For convenient transport, the 225g Extender EF 1.4x III and 325g Extender EF 2x III are supplied with a soft case (LP811) and Extender Cap EII. Both teleconverters will become available in December, and both will be priced at £549.99 / €659.99.

Gitzo has launched a promotion for UK residents to receive a free tripod bag with every Gitzo Series 1 and Gitzo Series 2 Traveler. When you buy a Gitzo Series 1 Traveler you will and get a GC1201T or a GC2240T. Those that purchase a Gitzo Series 2 Traveler will get a GC3320 and a GC5210 free of charge. Running until the end of September, the promotional offer is available from all authorised UK Gitzo 5 Star dealers.

Website: Gitzo

Color Confidence has confirmed the availability of the new NEC SpectraView Reference 241W and 271W monitors. The new screens feature a 3D Look Up Table (LUT) for precise colour space emulation and excellent colour mixture, 14-bit LUT for each RGB channel, Digital Uniformity Control for consistent colour across the entire screen, built-in SpectraView profiler software and more. NEC MultiSync versions of both of these models are also available in the form of the PA241 and PA271, which also offer superb levels of colour accuracy and many of the functions and features of the SpectraView models, the company says.

Website: Color Confidence Monitor Showroom

Gary Fong has introduced its new tripod adapter for the iPhone 3GS and the iPhone 4. The new Gary Fong iPhone adapter affixes to most tripods as well as the Gary Fong Flip-Cage lineup of camera stands, enabling shooters to steady their iPhones. The adapter features a 1/4-20 female tripod socket, and is constructed of rugged industrial strength plastic to safely stow inside a backpack or pocket. The Gary fong tripod adapter for the iPhone is available for $19.95.

Website: Gary Fong

Mamiya, Phase One and Profoto have just today announced the Phase One/Mamiya V-Grip Air, the first vertical grip with a built-in wireless flash trigger. The wireless flash triggering system is an out-of-the-box solution that works with all current and most modern Profoto flash systems. It is also possible to leverage the wireless flash triggering with other flash brands by using an optional receiver unit from Profoto. Additionally, the new V-Grip offers owners of Phase One and Mamiya 645DF cameras more shooting styles, and delivers longer camera battery life through power integration and easy firmware upgrades. The Phase One/Mamiya V-Grip Air for Phase One and Mamiya 645DF camera systems is priced at $1290/€990. An L-bracket/handstrap standalone package is available for $299/€229, while the Profoto transceiver costs $199/ €149.

Kodak today unveiled a 10-inch version of its Wi-Fi enabled, touch-sensitive digital photo frame, Kodak Pulse. With all the features of Kodak’s current 7-inch Pulse digital frame, including Wi-Fi connectivity and a customisable email address, the 10-inch Pulse frame allows pictures to be e-mailed to it from mobile phones, computers and any device with e-mail capability.It also connects to Facebook and Kodak Gallery photo albums, offers easy set-up with no software to install, and has an intuitive touchscreen interface. Available this autumn, 10-inch Kodak Pulse digital frame will retail for £169.99.

Redrock Nano is a new range of accessories and rigs for video DSLR cameras. Designed for low-cost entry level, photojournalism/documentary, and discreet shooting applications, Redrock Nano are manufactured to precision professional standards, and can be easily upgraded to more advanced rigs as needed. The Redrock Nano line of products consists of 7 new rigs and 5 new accessories, with prices generally under $495.

The Metz mecablitz 58 AF-2 Digital is a replacement for the mecablitz 58 AF-1, upgraded with a new stable metal base, an optimised lock system, a revised motor zoom mode and an improved high-performance flash tube. Additionally, the Metz mecablitz 58 AF-2 digital offers servo flash release functionality via the integrated camera flash which is also compatible with cameras without master function. The slave/servo sensor has been integrated into the front of the flash unit to increase the transmission quality of wireless flashes. The wide-angle diffuser has also been adapted for illumination of wide-angle focal widths from 12mm (in 135 format). The flash has an integrated flip-out reflector card and a USB interface for installing firmware upgrades. The suggested retail price of the Metz 58 AF-2 Digital is €399.00 / £369.99.

Successor to the Metz mecablitz 48 AF-1, the mecablitz 50 AF-1 Digital flash incorporates numerous enhancements. The guide number has been increased to 50 (in metres) at ISO 100/21° and 105mm focal length. Performance and reliability have been further optimised through improvements to the flash tube. Moreover, the Metz mecablitz 50 AF-1 Digital has been equipped with a servo flash release via the camera’s internal flash which also works independently of the camera’s master function. Finally, the wide-angle diffuser has been adapted and is now even suitable for illumination of wide-angle focal lengths from 12mm (in 135 format). There are different versions of the Metz mecablitz 50 AF-1 flash available for Canon, FourThirds, Nikon, Pentax and Sony cameras. The suggested retail price is €249.00 / £229.99.

Delux Gear announced the Lens Cradle, an accessory that features secure, horizontal lens support providing comfort to the photographer and protection to the gear. Offering a variety of mounting options, the Lens Cradle is fitted with a universal, dual mounting platform for use with any camera and lens with a tripod collar.  Made of a durable, polycarbonate and autograde ABS blend, it supports the heaviest lens, yet remains lightweight and easy-to-use. Retail price for the Lens Cradle is $39.99. A Combo Pack of the Lens Cradle and 4-point Expedition neoprene camera strap is $54.99.

Tamrac has announced its new Evolution Series – featuring two fast access backpacks and a messenger bag (pictured) that converts from a camera bag to a briefcase. The roomy inside of the Tamrac Evolution 4 messenger bag accommodates a DSLR with a lens attached, a flash and 2 to 3 additional lenses, all protected inside a foam-padded compartment called the “shuttle”, which features adjustable, foam-padded dividers. To convert the camera bag into a briefcase, simply remove the shuttle from the bag using the handles. The Tamrac Evolution 6 and 8 backpacks sport a unique harness system which allows them to be carried as a backpack, a sling pack over the right shoulder or a sling pack over the left shoulder.

“From Prep to Page” is a new microdocumentary showing adventure photographer Graeme Murray shooting on location with the Orbis ring flash. Orbis inventor James Madelin shadowed Graeme on a six-hour photo shoot for mountain-bike magazine SPOKE into the heart of the New Zealand rain forest. The film “from Prep to Page” gives unique behind-the-scenes insights for photographers interested in outdoor location photography and seeing how published work gets made.

Website: from Prep to Page

Transcend has introduced CF200I, an advanced version of the company’s high-end industrial grade CompactFlash cards. The advanced new CF200I Industrial Grade CF cards transfer data using Ultra DMA (UDMA) 4 as default transfer mode, while they can also support up to UDMA 5 under customizing request. The cards boast average read/write speeds of up to 40MB/35MB per second while maintaining the highest level of stability. Now available in 128MB, 256MB, 512MB, 1GB, 2GB, 4GB, 8GB and 16GB capacities, Transcend’s CF200I CF cards come with the new Flash Life Guard software. Once enabled, this endurance-monitoring tool automatically monitors the flash cells in the card and reports when the safety threshold for write/erase cycles is reached. With this information, users can manage stored data more efficiently, and avoid the possible risk of unrecoverable data loss.

Website: Transcend USA

PocketWizard has released firmware updates for the FlexTT5 transceiver and the MiniTT1 transmiter for Canon. ControlTL firmware version 5.1 now offers compatibility with the AC3 ZoneController. This new firmware also adds compatibility with the Canon EOS Rebel T2i, extends compatibility with the EOS 7D and EOS 1D Mark IV, and fixes bugs. In order to update your ControlTL firmware, you first need to download the PocketWizard Utility from the PocketWizard website.

Tether Tools has launched the Tether Table Aero series, a new product line designed to help professional photographers meet their tethered photography needs. The Tether Table Aero, available in various sizes and finish options,  is a unique laptop podium support system designed for photographers who shoot tethered or need a stable work surface available during a photo shoot. The lightweight, versatile table attaches to any studio light stand or tripod. The Tether Table Aero is available for purchase online at TetherTools.com and in select retail locations.

Datacolor has announced a price reduction on select products from its Spyder line of calibration solutions. The company will now offer the SpyderCube colour balancing solution for $49, down from $59; the Spyder3Elite display calibration solution for $229, down from $249; and the Spyder3Studio SR complete colour management system (pictured) for $539, down from $599. In addition to the reduced prices, throughout the month of August Datacolor will be offering a limited time $50.00 mail-in rebate with a purchase of a Spyder3Studio SR made at any participating reseller or online.

The LizardQ panoramic camera rig allows you to take 360°x180° HDR panoramic images quickly and effortlessly. Comprising a robotic camera mount, a precision aligned fish-eye lens, an on-board GPS receiver and an optional Canon EOS 5D Mark II digital SLR camera, the LizardQ device can capture highly detailed panoramas in less than a minute. Processing of the source images - including stitching, exposure blending and tone mapping - is automatic using the included Windows/Mac compatible software, supplied on an USB stick. At the capture stage, the camera takes enough pictures at different exposure settings to produce an output image with a claimed 30 stops of dynamic range, when so desired. The “bare-bone” version of LizardQ - which does not include the Canon EOS 5D Mark II camera - costs €22,100; while the complete system - which comes complete with the camera, memory card, tripod, AC adapter, battery and an Apple iPod Touch for remote controlling the device - will set you back €25,440. If these prices are too steep for you, you can also hire the device, with or without an expert operator.

Website: LizardQ