Manfrotto has announced a new range of photo monopods. The new XPro range includes six models - 4 in aluminium and 2 in Carbon Fibre - that come in different sizes and with ¼” or 3/8” mounting threads. The PRIME Monopods provide the highest payload in the range and are able to support up to 10kg of weight. The OVER Monopods have increased the maximum height by 16% versus their predecessors. Extending the range further, the LAND Monopod is a 5 section monopod ideal for travelling. It folds down to 41.5 cm (32.6 in) for easy transportation and can be packed into a backpack or messenger bag. Prices start at £54.95.

XP Distribution have announced that they will be debuting the new X-Rite ColorChecker Video Targets in the UK at this month’s BVE show at the ExCel London (23rd – 25th February). X-Rite’s ColorChecker Video Targets are available in two versions. The pocket-sized X-Rite ColorChecker Passport Video (£126) comes in a rugged hard case, and includes four different targets - a colour reference card, a white balance tool, a three-step greyscale target and a focus calibratio tool. The X-Rite ColorChecker Video (£110) offers a larger form factor and includes 2 series of greyscale patches, a range of skin tone patches, a series of saturated and desaturated chromatic colours, and a full-size white balance target on the reverse side.

Techart has unveiled the World's first autofocus(!) adapter for Leica M lenses that allow them to be used on Sony E-mount cameras. The Techart PRO adapter is able to driving the manual Leica M lenses using z-shift technology making the Leica M bayonet capable of extending and retracting in order to acquire focus. The mechanism is similar to the Contax AX system where the flange distance is changed for autofocusing. The Techart PRO has electronic contacts to communicate with the Sony A7II and Sony A7RII and uses its PDAF system to measure focus. The built-in motor will then drive the bayonet forward or backward as needed. The Techart PRO supports both AF-S and AF-C modes and it can also serve as a close focusing adapter capable of reducing the minimal focusing distance of the lenses. The recommended retail price is $349.

Redrock Micro today announced the new retroFlex-S, a unique retro-inspired handheld video rig for Sony Alpha A-5x000 cameras. The precision machined aluminium camera cage wraps the camera with protection while adding convenient attachment points for on-camera accessories including microphones, LED light panels, and recorders. The magnetically attached loupe features high-grade optics, while the handgrip’s integrated camera start/stop easily connects to the camera for convenient shooting. Pricing for the complete rig is $545 and is available immediately from the Redrock Micro store.

Photography Blog has teamed up with X-Rite to offer 3 entrants the chance to win a new i1Display Pro – professional calibrator (worth £207 incl. VAT) and Colour Management Pro eBook (worth £18 incl. VAT) by Ashley Karyl.

The 3 lucky winners are Mary O'Reilly, Dimitris Alexopoulos and Panos Str. Congratulations!

The X-Rite i1Display Pro is the ultimate solution for creative perfectionists that demand speed, options and flexibility to achieve colour accuracy.

Colour perfectionists know that a calibrated and profiled display is a critical element in an efficient digital workflow. Nobody wants to spend hours at their screen perfecting images or video only to find that their display wasn’t accurately representing their digital files. What you see on your monitor, mobile device or projector has to match your digital file or you will never be happy with the result, no matter how much time you devote to perfecting it.

The 600+ page Colour Management Pro eBook gives a great insight into just how easy colour management can be and covers a wide range of topics with useful tutorials, demo videos and expert insight that will also help you save time and money.

Ashley Karyl is a professional photographer who has worked internationally with some of the world’s most renowned brands such as Microsoft, Adidas, Colgate, and Marie Claire to name but a few.

How to enter the competition

To be in with a chance of winning one of the three X-Rite i1Display Pro’s with eBook, all you have to do is sign up to the Photography Blog newsletter by Monday 8th February 2016 using the form below.  

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Case Logic will unveil the brand new Case Logic Compact DSLR Backpack as well as the latest additions to the Reflexion Collection at The Photography Show 2016. Designed with unique fold-out camera storage and protective flap, the Case Logic Compact DSLR Backpack allows quick access to camera gear as well as a separate upper compartment for personal items. Also on show will be two new shoulder bags from the Case Logic Reflexion collection, designed with an innovative wide mouth opening design that allows easy accessibility and visibility. Thule and Case Logic will be exhibiting their full camera bag ranges at the Swains stand (G61).

The Dual Shot (DS1) is a camera mount that houses both a GoPro and practically any DSLR camera. Currently seeking funding on IndieGoGo, the DS1 features a detachable three-axis stabilizer with a rechargeable battery that can be mounted to bike helmets or any other mount, a DSLR camera style mounting bracket which is adjustable to move forward and backwards, and a tilt control button for GoPro. The GoPro stabilizer charges the camera while attached. “Editing and shooting action sports in particular becomes a lot easier when combining cuts from a close up to a wide shot in the middle of action” explains Anthony Panayotaros, Dual Shot creator. “Filming weddings, sports, personal home videos becomes cinematic when combining wide shots and close ups as it’s actually happening... Creating your own movies is so much easier and fun to edit with the DS1.” Interested readers are encouraged to visit the project's IndieGoGo page.

The Phottix Odin II TTL flash trigger is now available for purchase. Introduced at Photokina 2014, the Odin II features 32 channels and supports up to five groups. The Odin II UI and control system has been overhauled making it faster and easier to use. An AF Assist light has been added for improved focusing when used in low-light conditions. Additionally, the, the Odin II offers photographers a way to personalise their Odins and prevent triggering from other units. By entering a 4 digit ID number, a photographer's Odin II receivers will only trigger by transmitters using the same ID. The Odin II for Canon is available now in the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, France and United Arab Emirates. The Odin II for Nikon will be available a few weeks later. The Sony version will be introduced in late spring.

Sony have launched a new USB Type-C standard pen drive. The USB 3.1 Gen1 CA1-series utilises dual connectors, including Type-C and A, combining up to 130MB/s transfer speed with durability and design. Ideal for storing photos, music, videos and other data on-the-go, thenew USB CA1 will be available from February 2016 in 16/32/64GB capacities.

Manfrotto UK have announced the extension of the 190go! range with a new lightweight and compact carbon fibre tripod. Now available in carbon fibre, the 190Go! Carbon is 18% lighter than the current 190 range. When the tripod is closed it measures only 45cm (17.70") and weighs just 1.67kg. The 90° column and the leg angle selectors enable photographers to get low down to the ground, reaching a minimum height of 7cm (2.5"). The 190Go! also includes an Easy Link attachment in the top casting which enables instant connection between the tripod and a variety of accessories, including LED lights, reflectors and other pieces of gear. 

Hahnemühle have added two panoramic formats to their FineArt Photo Rag papers. The matte-coated Photo Rag 308 and the high-gloss Photo Rag Baryta are now available in 21x59,4cm (8.27"x23.386") size. The moderate 21cm width of these papers ensures that most LTR size fine art printers will accommodate this format.

Sigma have announced availability and pricing information for the Sigma Water Repellent Ceramic Protector filter. With many applications in aerospace and other industries, glass ceramic is an extremely tough type of crystallised glass that serves as the foundation for Clear Glass Ceramic. While featuring the high transmittance required of optical devices, this advanced new material combines greater hardness than chemically strengthened glass and greater flexibility than sapphire crystal glass. These qualities make Clear Glass Ceramic the ideal material for protective lens filters. The Sigma Water Repellent Ceramic Protector filter is offered in the most popular filter thread sizes, and is compatible with all lenses that accept front filter threads that are 67mm-105mm diameters. The product is available now, priced from $130-$441 depending on the corresponding lens size.

Gary Fong has launched a new flash kit comprising a Nissin i40 flash and a Gary Fong LightBlade flash diffuser. Attached using the Gary Fong patented strap and band mounting system, the LightBlade Diffuser mounts directly onto the flash head and is then secured with the included Gary Fong Velcro Cinch Strap. This allows photographers using the LightBlade Diffuser to conveniently shift shooting between a horizontal and vertical orientation without changing the light angle or having to remove the diffuser. The LightBlade Flash Kit for Sony, LightBlade Flash Kit for Canon and LightBlade Flash Kit for Nikon. The three LightBlade Flash Kits are available exclusively on the Gary Fong e-store for $295.95.

Manfrotto has announced three new-generation compact LED lights for professional and advanced hobbyist photographers and videographers. Powered by Litepanels, the on-camera Croma2 (900lux), MicroPro2 (940lux) and Spectra2 (650lux) LED lights offer the latest surface-mount LED technology available in a portable size. All of these light sources are dimmable. The Croma2's colour temperature can be regulated from 3100K to 5600K, whilst the other two lights are fixed at 5600K. Prices start at £154.95.

Kenko's RealPRO filters are now available in the United Kingdom. Sold exclusively by WEX Photographic, the range consists of three types of filter: UV, Circular Polarisers and an ND1000 Neutral Density filter with prices starting from £33. Both the UV and Circular Polarising filters feature an Anti-Stain Coating (ASC) which represents a new generation of Kenko coating technology. Thanks to this new formula of coating material, the surface of the UV and Circular Polarisers cause moisture and water droplets to bead up and slip away, leaving the filter clean. Due to the smooth filter surface, dust and smudges do not stick to the glass and can be wiped away smoothly and easily. Kenko RealPro UV and Circular Polarising filters are available in sizes from 37mm to 82mm and the RealPro ND1000 filter is available from 49mm through to 82mm sizes.

Want to see exactly what the new Fujifilm XF-500 flash looks like in the flesh?

Check out our hands-on gallery of photos of the Fujifilm XF-500 flash, which is looking surprisingly complete given that it's not due for release until May 2016.

The National Press Photographers Association (NPPA) today named Think Tank Photo as the winner of the 2016 J. Winton Lemon Fellowship Award. The honour is given to those who render continuing outstanding service in the interests of press photography and for outstanding technical achievement in photography. Previous winners include Canon, Nikon, Sony, Fujifilm and Adobe. “When we started Think Tank over 10 years ago, we vowed to serve the needs of NPPA members and other working photographers,” said Doug Murdoch, Think Tank’s CEO and lead designer. “It is an extreme honour to be named for such an illustrious award, especially by an organization we hold in such high regard. We believe photojournalists and other press photographers and videographers serve such a high purpose in helping convey the truth, especially in settings where they often have to put their lives at risk.”

Wacom has revealed new Bamboo Smart styluses for a range of 2-in-1 Windows devices and Android phablets and tablets. “We drew on Wacom’s long history and market knowledge to come up with the new Bamboo Smart styluses,” says Mike Gay, Senior Vice President for the Consumer Product Business Unit at Wacom. “Not only are we opening up digital note-taking and ideation to a new set of laptop and tablet users, but we are also providing a way for users to think differently and explore new ways to communicate and collaborate.” Two programmable side switches on the barrel of Bamboo Smart’s AES stylus - which is compatible with the Toshiba dynaPad N72, the Dell Venue Pro 10 5000 Series, the HP Elite x2 1012 G1 and the Lenovo ThinkPad P40 Yoga - allow for fast and convenient access to regularly used commands, such as right click or double click. The Bamboo Smart for Android features one side switch and requires no batteries or any type of charging. The Wacom Bamboo Smart is available for £29.99.

Shenyang Zhongyi Optics have released three new Lens turbo adapters for Micro Four Thirds cameras.. The new adapters allow full-frame lenses with an M42 screw mount, Canon FD mount or a Minolta MD mount to be used on Micro Four Thirds cameras with a wider angle of view and faster aperture than with a regular adapter. Just like the previous Zhongyi Lens Turbo (ver II), the new MFT turbo adapter features an optical formula comprising 4 lens elements in 4 groups, including 1 extra-low dispersion element which helps reduce chromatic aberrations. The adapter modifies the FourThirds focal length multiplier of 2 by a factor of 0.726 and improves the maximum aperture of the lens by 1 stop. Available directly from Shenyang Zhongyi Optics, the adapter carries an SRP of $149.

Until February 28th 2016, the X-Rite i1Display Pro (£207.60) comes with a free Colour Management Pro eBook written by colour management specialist Ashley Karyl. Usually priced at £18, the eBook helps photographers - whether a frustrated amateur battling with a photo lab, or a professional who requires a fully developed colour workflow across multiple forms of visual media - cut through the confusion with practical advice and solutions that can be adapted to their needs. To claim a free copy of Colour Management Pro, customers can visit the X-Rite website and follow the instructions.