Today LaCie announced the next evolution of its 2big professional 2-bay RAID storage solution. Now with Thunderbolt 3 technology, the LaCie 2big Dock delivers fast speeds and up to 20TB of storage, making it a powerhouse tool for photographers and videographers. More than storage, the LaCie 2big Dock is a powerful docking station that helps photographers and videographers simplify their workflows. Front-facing SD and CF Card slots allow the pro to directly ingest files off memory cards from a drone, DSLR, GoPro and other devices into Adobe Lightroom or Premiere Pro. The USB 3.0 hub charges a phone or connects a shuttle drive or digital camera to offload footage or files. Via DisplayPort, professionals can connect the LaCie 2big Dock to high-resolution 720-1080p or even 4K displays. Dual Thunderbolt 3 ports can also power a compatible laptop while simultaneously daisy-chaining up to five additional Thunderbolt or one USB-C drive. Plus, the USB 3.1 port enables universal compatibility with USB-C and USB 3.0 computers via the included adapter cable. The new LaCie 2big Dock will be available in 12TB, 16TB or 20TB capacities through LaCie Resellers this summer. It will be showcased for the first time at the NAB Show in Las Vegas next week.

Alpine Labs have launched the compact and adaptable Spark camera remote. Currently available at a pre-­sale discount on Kickstarter, Spark has three distinct shooting modes. It can be used as a quick infrared trigger from 30’ away, as a wired trigger via a camera’s trigger port, or as a more powerful app based camera controller (iOS & Android). “Spark adapts to whatever situation you are shooting in and the three control modes are what make that possible. Its kind of like the swiss army knife of triggers,” commented Greg Horváth, Alpine Labs CEO. With the ability to control a wide variety of DSLRs and compact system cameras, Spark opens the world of wireless camera control for users of Sony, Fujifilm, Hasselblad, Pentax, Olympus, Canon, Nikon etc. bodies. The manufacturer's suggested retail price is $59, but backers on Kickstarter can receive a Spark unit for $44.

DJI has introduced a new addition to the Phantom family of drones. The new Phantom 4 Advanced model improves on the original Phantom 4, giving photographers a 1"-type, 20-megapixel sensor and a mechanical shutter. The drone’s upgraded camera is capable of shooting 4K video at 60 frames per second. The more powerful video processing now supports H.264 4K videos at 60fps or H.265 4K at 30fps, both with a 100Mbps bitrate. The Phantom 4 Advanced+ version offers a 5.5-inch 1080p screen integrated into the controller. In addition, creators can now do more with the Phantom 4 Advanced’s increased storage capacity using a 128GB microSD card and a flight time extended up to 30 minutes. The retail price of the Phantom 4 Advanced and Phantom 4 Advanced+ is 1,469 GBP (1,549 EUR) and 1,699 GBP (1,849), respectively. Availability is slated for 30th April.

Polaroid today announced the expansion of their photo studio kit and accessory line-up. The Polaroid digital flash umbrella mount kit features two 6’ air-cushioned heavy-duty light stands made from molded aluminum. Each stand holds up to 15lbs with non-slip legs to prevent movement. To help soften, broaden or diminish light output, the kit’s two attachable umbrellas ship with white satin interiors and include a removable black cover. The two-shoe mount umbrella adapters fit most standard light stands. The corresponding cold shoe mounts hold most shoe mount flashes and provides smooth swivel capabilities that allow photographers to precisely aim lighting. Weighing in at 8.6lbs in total, each kit item collapses down to fit neatly into the deluxe case for light and easy transport. Photographers can purchase the Polaroid digital flash umbrella mount kit from Amazon for $69.99.

Western Digital today announced the expansion of its G-Technology brand G-Drive storage portfolio with the G-Drive USB-C device. Available in capacities up to 10TB, the G-Drive USB-C device is built to provide expansive capacity for storage of HD videos, photos, music, backups and more in a stylish extruded aluminium enclosure. The drive features the USB 3.1 Gen 1 interface with USB-C connector, and also ships with a USB-C to USB-A cable for compatibility with traditional systems with a USB-A port. The produc will be available to purchase in the US this quarter, in 10TB, 8TB and 4TB capacities, with a Manufacturers Suggested Retail Price of $449.95, $349.95, and $199.95, respectively.

Fantasea Line is now taking orders for the FA6500, a rugged and stylish underwater housing for the Sony A6500 and A6300 mirrorless cameras. Featuring an ergonomic design with access to all essential camera functions, the Fantasea FA6500 is depth rated to 60 metres / 200 feet, and offers double O-ring protection for a perfect watertight seal. The housing ships with a Moisture Detector and Alarm, a Hand Strap and a Body Cap. The estimated retail price of the Fantasea FA6500 housing is $980.

Sony has updated its medium-format sensor roadmap. The company is planning to launch a 44x33mm, 100-megapixel back-illuminated sensor (IMX461), as well as a 55x41mm (645 format), 150-megapixel back-illuminated imager in both full-colour and monochromatic editions (IMX411) in 2018. THe roadmap also reveals that a monochromatic version of the existing front-illuminated, 100-megapixel IMX211 sensor - which lies at the heart of the Phase One XF 100 camera system - will be released later this year.

Via Image Sensors World

Western Digital today introduced its fastest WD branded portable drive yet, the My Passport SSD. Featuring speeds of up to 515 MB/s and award-winning design, the new My Passport SSD compliments the company’s leading portfolio of My Passport palm-sized storage devices. The new drive is designed for the latest generation of computers with a USB Type-C port  and is USB 3.1 Gen 2 (10Gb/s) ready with a USB Type-C to Type-C cable and an adapter to use with the more traditional USB Type-A ports found on many computers. Built for PC and compatible with Mac, My Passport SSD offers peace-of-mind with 256-bit AES hardware encryption and password protection, and is also 6.5-foot drop tested for shock-resistance to withstand 1500G of force, to help keep precious data safe. The new drive is available in 1TB, 512GB and 256GB capacities priced at $399.99, $199.99 and $99.99, respectively.

Elinchrom’s collection of newly updated Deep Umbrellas replaces the venerated Varistar Umbrellas and combines innovative design with carefully selected, high-quality materials. Available in White, Silver and Translucent versions and two sizes (41” or 49”), Elinchrom Deep Umbrellas feature a unique shape that provides an even quality of light and offers total control over its spread; utilise 16 fibreglass rods to maintain a consistent circular shape, and include a portable umbrella sleeve. Pricing starts at $96.95 for the 41" Translucent model. In addition to these new umbrellas, Elinchrom has also introduced compatible diffusers and reflectors that add a second level of functionality for a fraction of the cost.

Sekonic today announced that their new L-858D-U Speedmaster Light Meter is now available for purchase. The Sekonic L-858D-U Speedmaster is the first fully featured light meter to offer flash duration measurement from 1/40 to 1/55,500 sec at t0.1 through t0.9, which can be changed in 0.1 steps. Plus, with an additional 3-stops of light sensitivity for incident light, 2-stops of light sensitivity for reflected light, and an ability to capture a reading down to 0.1 lx of illuminance, accurately metering candle-lit scenes or getting the right measurement for long-exposure night photography is now a possibility. In addition, Sekonic have created a couple of hot-swappable radio control modules for the L-858D-U Speedmaster. With the PocketWizard module, photographers can easily trigger any PocketWizard wirelessly and control the power of their lights with any Control TL compatible unit. With the combined Elinchrom & Phottix module, Phottix users have Strato II and Ares II triggering capabilities, while Elinchrom users have access to wireless triggering and Skyport’s full range of power-control capabilities. The Sekonic L-858D-U Speedmaster is available for $599; whilst the RT-EL/PX Elinchrom & Phottix Transmitter Module and the RT-20PW PocketWizard Transmitter Module retail for $159.95 each.

Nikon today announced its range of commemorative models and goods to celebrate its 100th Anniversary on July 25, 2017. The Anniversary range, which features the 100th Anniversary logo and special finishes and details, includes Nikon’s two flagship digital SLR cameras - the D5 100th Anniversary Edition and the D500 100th Anniversary Edition -, a telephoto zoom lens - the Nikkor70-200E 100th Anniversary Edition -, a special set of three Nikkor lenses, and finally, commemorative editions of three binoculars. A special collection of commemorative goods will also be available, including the Nikon 100th Anniversary Crystal Creation Nikon Model I - a beautiful crystal reproduction of the first Nikon 35mm camera from 1948 -, the Nikon 100th Anniversary Pin Collection, the Nikon 100th Anniversary Miniature Nikon F Camera - a 1/2-scale model of Nikon's first flagship model - and the Nikon 100th Anniversary Premium Camera Strap. In addition to launching these products, Nikon has also set up a100th Anniversary website.

Fotodiox Pro have announced the FACTOR series of high-output, bi-colour LED light panels. Designed for spot illumination, studio-style shoots and area lighting, the series contains nine models in various sizes and shapes that are built to use an assortment of creative, series-specific modifiers for shaping and directing the FACTOR lights’ soft beams. “At the core of the new FACTOR series is our Factorsoft technology,” says Bohus Blahut, marketing director for Fotodiox Pro. “Factorsoft refers to our unique use of LED chips, which are set deep in the body of each FACTOR light and produce a soft, beautiful beam with no hot spots and a single, clean shadow. We’ve also built the lights to have fully adjustable color temperature – anywhere from 5600 Daylight to 3200 Tungsten – without sacrificing their fantastic output.”

B+W Filters have launched a range of new ND Square Filters and XS Pro Screw-in Filters. Guaranteeing excellent image quality due to the finely ground, polished special glass that is used as the base, the new ND filters do not have any adverse effects on a correspondingly high-quality lens, the company says. Resistant to scratches, they will last significantly longer than plastic filters. The new B+W Square Filters are priced at £129.95. B+W have also announced the launch of the XS Pro screw-in ND filters, entry-level Exacta filters and GoPro Filter Holder Sets.

AOC have announced the availability of the U3277PWQU Ultra HD monitor. Featuring a 31.5” VA panel with 3840x2160 pixels, the AOC U3277PWQU comes equipped with VGA, DisplayPort, DVI, HDMI-MHL and four USB ports, and offers both PiP (Picture-in-Picture) and a PbP (Picture-by-Picture) functionality. The display also comes with a 60 Hz refresh rate and a short response time. The AOC 32-inch 4K UHD Display has an MSRP of $699 and is now available on Amazon and B&H Photo Video for a special promotional price of $499.

ExoLens today announced the retail availability of the ExoLens Case, which allows photographers to use their ExoLens PRO with Optics by ZEISS mobile photography lenses while protecting their devices from drops and scratches. “Many of our customers use our mobile accessories to shoot beautiful images in adventurous locations, where drops and scratches are common. The availability of our new ExoLens Case means they can enjoy professional-grade mobile lenses, without the risk of damaging their phone,” says John Fellowes, Chief Executive Officer of Fellowes Brands. “We believe that protecting our customer’s phones while they shoot will give them the freedom to capture even more exciting imagery.”  The ExoLens Case is available for $49.95 at Exolens.com and select camera specialty stores globally.

LockCircle have released a new camera cage for the Panasonic Lumix GH5 compact system camera. Dubbed the "Robot Skin GH5," this new camera cage a natural extension of the original camera design. Available from the middle of May, the new Robot Skin GH5 is CNC machined from aircraft grade aluminium and offers innovative SFA Straight Function Action with DTV Dials Total View design concept, Top Grip handle and Boombooster compatible accessories, MultiPort HDMI/USB/Audio port savers with connector locking, an adjustable Meta-Block mount for Metabones monolithic mounting, and much more.

Atomos have launched the new Ninja Inferno 4Kp60 10-bit ProRes recording and HDR monitor. Just as the original Atomos Ninja broke open DSLR filmmaking by giving the Canon 5DMKIII professional Apple ProRes recording and the original Atomos Shogun pioneered 4K with the Sony a7s and Panasonic GH4, the Ninja Inferno now arms the Panasonic GH5, with HDR Apple Pro-Res 10-bit 4:2:2 4Kp60 over HDMI 2.0 – a feat not possible internally on the camera itself. Apart from being an obvious companion for the new GH5, the Ninja Inferno is the world’s first HDMI monitor-recorder to accept 4K DCI signals from cameras like the Panasonic GH4 / DVX200 / HCX1000 / UX180 / HCX1, Sony FS7 / Z100 and the JVC LS300. Support for the 4096 DCI standard unlocks cinema recording from these 4K video & mirrorless DSLRs. The Ninja Inferno is shipping now for $995.

Lexar today announced the Lexar JupDrive Tough, a high-performance USB 3.1 flash drive created to withstand life’s challenges. This stylish, lightweight drive is impact/pressure (up to 750 PSI), weather (-13°F to 300°F), and water (up to 98 feet) resistant. The drive comes equipped with EncryptStick Lite software, an advanced security solution with 256-bit AES encryption that helps to securely protect files against corruption, loss and deletion. This tough USB 3.1 flash drive allows users to securely transfer photos, videos, and files with speeds up to 150MB/s read and 60MB/s write. The new Lexar JumpDrive Tough is available now at MSRPs of £21.99 (32GB), £36.99 (64GB), and £61.99 (128GB).

Apple today updated its 9.7-inch iPad, boasting a brighter Retina display and improved performance. Featuring an Apple A9 chip with 64‑bit desktop-class architecture and a large screen with over 3.1 million pixels, the new iPad is somewhat thicker (7.5mm) and marginally heavier (469g) than the iPad Air 2 model it replaces. According to the company, the front- and back-facing cameras offer "exceptional low-light performance." The new iPad comes in silver, gold and space grey and starts at £339 for the 32GB with Wi-Fi model and £469 for the 32GB Wi-Fi + Cellular version.

Canon are showing their new clothing collection at The Photography Show in Birmingham, UK. Available to buy now from the Canon UK store, the collection includes t-shirts, sweatshirts, a photographer-friendly rain jacket, with designs drawing inspiration from the original company name, Kwanon, which began in 1934. There are even some cute bibs for the little ones in your life...