X-rite have teamed up with Color Confidence to offer a free GrafiLite worth £50 with all purchases of the X-Rite ColorMunki Photo. The GrafiLite, an accurate desktop lighting solution, enables reliable and consistent print assessment helping users calibrate screens to their print standards. Offering a cost effective and convenient alternative to traditional viewing booths, GrafiLite helps photographers overcome the issues of colour becoming distorted under standard home and office lighting. The promotional offer is available from major photographic retailers and direct from the website below.

Multiblitz USA today announced the upcoming launch of the Multiblitz V6, a powerful LED light to the North American market. Weighing 3lbs and producing a 6000 lm luminous flux, the V6 features one of the most advanced LED modules available with a color temperature of 4000K that generates 2200lux at a distance of 6 feet. Flicker-­free light output is controlled over 2.5 f-­‐stops, in half-stop increments. Equipped with a silencer fan, the V6 is also suited for videography with sound recordings. Available from 1 December 2014, the Multiblitz V6 is priced at $799 (reduced to $699 for the month of Devember). A starter kit including the Multiblitz V6, a carry case, a light stand and a 28-inch octabox will also be available, priced at $1,149 (reduced to $1.049 in December).

Website: Multiblitz

Cactus has released a firmware update for its V6 wireless flash transceiver. Version 1.1.004 adds support for the Olympus FL-50R andFL-36R ; the Panasonic FL-500R and FL-360R; and the FourThirds versions of the Metz 58 AF-2, 52 AF-1 and 44 AF-1 flashes, and incorporates a profile for the Godox V860N for Nikon. Read the Cactus V6 firmware release notes for a full list of enhancements and bug fixes, and download the Cactus Firmware Updater to perform the update.

Kenu has just launched Stance, a compact tripod for iPhones. Billed as the first tripod specifically designed for the iPhone, Stance mounts directly into the smartphone’s Lightning port using Kenu’s patent pending MicroMount. The compact tripod weighs only 1.2oz (34g) and is smaller than a pack of gum. Non-slip feet and premium zinc-alloy construction create a stable base. A ball-and-pivot joint lets the phone tilt and rotate freely, allowing you to position your iPhone at the perfect angle. The Kenu Stance is available for $29.95 on the website below.

NEC Display Solutions Europe has announced the availability of the professional-grade, 32" MultiSync PA322UHD display. Using a wide-gamut white LED backlight, the NEC MultiSync PA322UHD features an IGZO technology IPS-type LCD panel that delivers 99.2 percent coverage of the Adobe RGB colour space. Boasting a multitude of inputs, including two DisplayPort, two DVI-D and four HDMI as well as a USB 3.0 hub with DisplaySync Pro technology, the new MultiSync PA Series display offers a resolution of 3840x2160 pixels and a static contrast ratio of 1000:1. The stand supports both landscape and portrait modes, and the display will automatically rotate the image when the display is rotated. Other highlights include 14-bit 3D internal programmable lookup tables (LUTs) for calibration, Picture in Picture and Picture by Picture modes which split the screen in half or in quarters to up to 4 Full HD images, and a USB 3.0 hub with DisplaySync Pro. The MultiSync PA322UHD is available from November 2014.

Kingston has launched a 256GB Class 10 UHS-I SDXC memory card and a 128GB Class 10 UHS-I microSD card. With speeds up to 90MB/s read and 45MB/s write, the Kingston 256GB Class 10 UHS-I SDXC memory card transfers files much faster than standard Class 10 SDHC/SDXC cards. Its higher sustained write speed supports continuous burst mode for still photos and reduces stutter during video capture. Backed by a lifetime warranty and free technical support, the Kingston Class 10 UHS-I SDXC memory card is also available in 16GB, 32GB, 64GB and 128GB capacities. “Kingston Technology is proud to launch these new high-capacity and high-speed memory cards,” said Valentina Vitolo, Flash memory business manager, Kingston. “In a world where most users carry around more data than ever before on mobile devices, the larger capacities and faster speeds help ensure that customers have the best possible solutions available to them to streamline their mobile lives.”

Today Wacom launched Dropzone and Control Room, two new cloud based services that offer fast and easy access to images and personal settings. Offering up to 2GB of free storage, Dropzone enables users to easily store and access their images on any computer or device, at any time. Control Room offers a storage service for individual Wacom pen, tablet and display settings, saving the user time on configuration when they want to use their familiar settings on a different device of the same type. Both Dropzone and Control Room are easy to use, free of charge and work independently from existing services or operating systems. Note that a Wacom Cloud account is required for both services.

Phottix have launched two new Mitros TTL Flash units for use with the proprietary Sony multi-interface hotshoe.The Mitros and Mitros+ units share many significant features including a guide number of 58, full TTL functionality as well as manual and multi modes, Auto/Manual Flash Head Zoom with 180 degree rotation and 97 degree tilt, High Speed Sync and Rear Curtain Sync, Manual and bracketed Flash Exposure Compensation, and a Quick Flash Mode: with 0.1-2.5 second recharge times and much more including a USB port for future firmware upgrades and a 3.5mm sync port. The Phottix Mitros+ adds significant functionality, allowing photographers to not only use the Mitros on or off camera for lighting, but to also control and trigger remote flash by radio signal. The new Phottix Mitros is now available for $299 and the Mitros+ is also now available for $399.

LockCircle has announced its latest BirdCage for the Panasonic Lumix GH4 and the Sony A7/A7R/A7S compact system cameras. Billed as the first Modular Production Cage System in the market, the BirdCage by LockCircle weighs in at 51 grams and features an integrated LockPort micro-to-full-size HDMI adapter and a system of plates for different setups and Positive-Lock Mounts for precise follow-focus work. Designed by Dante Cecchin, the BirdCage by LockCircle is available from $399/€379. Availability is slated for 20 November 2014.

NEC Display Solutions of America announced today several affordable product bundles with SpectraViewII calebration software. The SpectraViewII EA Kit, which includes SpectraView software and a Spyder colour calibration sensor, is now available as a separate option or bundled with the the 24-inch MultiSync EA244UHD (3840 x 2160 resolution, pictured), 27-inch EA274WMi (2560 x 1440 WQHD resolution), and 30-inch EA304WMi (2560 x 1600 WQXGA resolution) displays. “These latest bundles offer affordable colour management and colour accuracy, and also leverage the NEC hallmarks of great ergonomics and eco-friendly features,” said Art Marshall, Product Manager of Professional and Medical Displays at NEC Display Solutions. “NEC has built its MultiSync PA Series as the standard for colour-critical professions. Now, it’s bringing that same expertise for colour accuracy to the wide gamut EA244UHD and EA304WMi models, and standard gamut EA274WMi display.”

The Lume Cube is a powerful and ultra-portable LED lighting tool that's controlled by a smartphone app. Promising toopen new creative possibilities for photographers of any skill level, the Lume Cubeis a compact and versatile LED light for capturing both stills and videos, and is compatible with camera phones, action cams as well as more traditional digital cameras. Measuring only one-and-a-half inches, the water resistant Lume Cube produces 1,500 lumens of light in either video mode, for a continuous light source, or in strobe mode. Encased in a colourful rubber shell, the Lume Cube can magnetically attach or suction to just about any surface. The commercial launch of the Lume Cube will be funded through a Kickstarter campaign. To find out more about the device, visit the website below.

Breakthrough Photography has announced a new line of 3.2mm ultra-slim ‘Traction’ filters featuring glass from Germany and Japan, advanced coatings and weather-sealed construction. The brand new X-Series filter line-up consists of three different models; the X1 Flat Black Filter (UV only), the X2 Traction Filter (available in 3-stop and 6-stop Neutral Density and UV variants), and the X3 Traction Filter (also available in 3-stop & 6-stop Neutral Density and UV versions). The X1 Flat Black Filter features an ultra-slim 3.5mm standard flat black frame, the X2 Traction Filter features a 3.5mm ‘Traction’ frame CNC machined from aluminium, AGC glass from Japan, MRC8 and dual nano coating layers, and the X3 Traction Filter features the company's signature 3.2mm ‘Traction’ frame CNC machined from brass, SCHOTT B270 glass from Germany, MRC16 and dual nano coating layers. The X-Series filters can now be pre ordered on Kickstarter.

The new Eizo ColorEdge CS240, a 24.1-inch monitor for photographers and graphic design professionals, is now available for purchase. The ColorEdge CS240 features a wide-gamut IPS panel with a resolution of 1920x1200 pixels and 99% Adobe RGB coverage. With this extended gamut, images shot in raw can be converted to Adobe RGB and images shot in Adobe RGB will be displayed in vibrant and lush colours, the company says. The Eizo ColorEdge CS240 comes equipped with DisplayPort, HDMI, and DVI input terminals. With the DisplayPort input, the monitor offers 10-bit display (more than one billion colours simultaneously) from a 16-bit look-up table, which also makes hardware calibration possible. For users that require a wide variety of calibration functionality, Eizo bundles its proprietary ColorNavigator 6 software. Preset target values for photography, printing, and web design are included for users looking for a simple way to calibrate the monitor. Experienced users can set their own target values for brightness, gamma, and white point, and generate an ICC profile. ColorNavigator 6 offers several advanced functions such as measuring the white of the paper to be used for printing for better screen-to-print matching and profile validation for verifying calibration results. An ergonomic stand with 35° tilt, 344° swivel, portrait mode, and 130 mm height adjustment lets users place the screen in the optimal position. Distributed by Colour Confidence, the Eizo ColorEdge CS240 is available in the United Kingdom for £564.

Tiffen have announced a brand new range of long-exposure filters that allow stills photographers to capture extreme long exposure images without incurring the red colour cast that occurs when photographers use high-density ND filters to shoot long exposures during daylight hours. Many camera sensors are sensitive to infrared wavelengths when they are exposed for prolonged periods and record this light as a slight warm red tint on some sensors, to an extreme red tint on other sensors in very bright conditions. The Tiffen XLE series comprises 3 different 10-stop reduction filters with varying infrared-cut characteristics, ranging from nothing in the XLE aXent (£28.99 - £103.99), to moderate in the XLE advantiX (£49.99 - £129.99) to complete infrared suppression in the XLE apeX (£78.99 - £168.99). These new screw-in filters are available from December, in sizes ranging from 40.5mm to 82mm. 

Lumera is a new device which connects your camera to your smartphone via Wi-Fi and BLE allowing you to back up and share your photographs wirelessly, without taking the phone out of your pocket. This novel accessory communicates with the camera via USB and attaches to the tripod socket, so after the initial setup you can pretty much forget about it while shooting. Additionally, the accompanying Android/iOS app enables you to wirelessly capture photos & videos, remotely view and edit camera parameters like shutter speed, ISO, focus and zoom area, white balance, drive mode, aperture, image quality etc., wirelessly stream the camera's live iew feed to your iOS or Android device, geotag your photos and more. Lumera is available for pre-order through Kickstarter from $125.

Shenyang Zhongyi Optics have released the Canon EF-Fuji X Lens turbo adapter. This adapter allows full-frame Canon EF lenses to be mounted on Fuji's X series interchangeable-lens cameras while altering their magnification by a factor of 0.762x and improving their aperture speed by a full stop. The reduced magnification enables users to partially regain the angle of view lost by mounting a full-frame lens on a camera with an APS-C sized sensor. In other words, the Zhongyi EF-Fuji X Lens Turbo Adapter effectively reduces the crop factor of Fujifilm X series compact system cameras from 1.5x to 1.14x. The optical construction comprises 4 lens elements in 4 groups, including 1 extra-low dispersion element. The adapter is available now for $149, via the website below.

NEC Display Solutions of America has announced a collaboration with United Kingdom-based Light Illusion, a colour management specialist, to enable native calibration for NEC MultiSync PA Series monitors through its LightSpace CMS display calibration system. “We are delighted to work with NEC Display to meet the calibration needs of artists in the world of moving images,” said Steve Shaw, CEO of Light Illusion. “The flexibility of the LightSpace CMS and the features of the MultiSync PA Series give users the tools necessary to realize their artistic and business goals.” NEC’s MultiSync PA Series displays feature custom calibration 3D LUT import capabilities that can directly upload calibration LUTs created via LightSpace CMS. That means users can accurately profile and calibrate NEC displays to a high level and conduct “look management” for situations such as on-set monitoring.

JP Distribution has announced the UK launch of the Sekonic SpectroMaster C-700 and Sekonic SpectroMaster C-700R spectrometers. Billed as the first spectrometers that measure every light source (LED, HMI, Fluorescent and the natural light spectrum), the SpectroMaster C-700 (£1299.99) is capable of measuring a wide range of colour temperature readings from 1,600 to 40,000 Kelvin. With its intuitive large (4.3” colour dot matrix LCD) colour touch screen, the SpectroMaster C-700 series offers easy navigation through spectral distribution screens, lighting comparisons, Colour Rendering Index (CRI) colour data and much more. Additionally, the SpectroMaster C.700R (£1399.99) can also measure wireless flash, providing colour and light output data. Flash units can be triggered up to 30 meters (100 feet) or more using the PocketWizard wireless triggering system. Any flash can be triggered and measured with a touch of the meter's measuring button.

Think Tank Photo have added a new size to their Digital Holster line-up. The Digital Holster 5 can be worn as a shoulder bag or attached to a belt, and accommodates an Olympus E-PL5 or OM-D E-M5, Fuji X-E2, Sony A6000, Nikon J3, Panasonic GX7, or any similarly sized compact system camera with one standard zoom lens. The new bag will retail for $39.75 including a seam-sealed rain cover.

Think Tank Photo has introduced its smallest, lightest backpacks, the Perception series. Designed specifically for mirrorless systems, the Perception series comes in two colours, black and taupe, and three sizes. The smallest size, The Perception Tablet,, accommodates a mirrorless system and an iPad Mini. The largest size, the Perception Pro, holds a 15" laptop and a 10" tablet, plus one mirrorless body or small DSLR with a small to medium zoom attached.  Plus, the largest size fits four to five more lenses. Prices range from $89.75 to $149.75, depending on size.