For the first time in Europe, the Pentax K-x is now available in eight new colours. These iclude beige, chocolate, metal fuchsia, pink, metal turquoise, metal dark grey, olive green and soft brown. As the Pentax K-x has already been available in black, pearl white, red and navy blue, the addition of these new colours means Pentax enthusiasts now have a dozen different colour schemes to choose from. These new colours, produced in limited edition kits with the 18-55mm lens, will be launched in March, at the same recommended retail price as the existing black version, £599.99 including taxes.

Pentax has posted two entertaining short films shot by professional production companies to demonstrate the possibilities of shooting HD video on a Pentax K-7 digital SLR camera. The All Terrain Studios filmmaking team of Dave Rosner and Melissa Rosner produced The Rider in the Colorado high country using the smc Pentax DA 15mm F4 ED AL Limited, the smc Pentax DA Star 55mm F1.4 SDM and the smc Pentax DA Star 300mm F4 ED(IF) SDM lenses. The other film, Uncle Jack, produced by Futuristic Films, is a fast-paced nocturnal odyssey shot in downtown Denver entirely at night using the smc Pentax DA Star 16-50mm F2.8 ED AL (IF) SDM, the smc Pentax DA 10-17mm F3.5-4.5 ED (IF) zooming fish-eye and the smc Pentax DA Star 60-250mm F4 ED (IF) SDM lenses.

Pentax has launched a teaser campaign in order to draw attention to its upcoming medium format digital camera. At present, precious little is known about the body, except that it will be officially unveiled at the CP+ trade show that takes place from 11-14 March 2010.

Website: Pentax 645D Teaser

Nikon has issued a firmware update for the new Nikon D3S digital SLR camera, which we recently reviewed. Version 1.01 incorporates the following changes:

• Movie recording specifications have been modified as follows and an issue that, in some rare cases, caused movie playback to appear to have stopped has been resolved.
• When exposure preview is enabled in live view tripod mode, information + histogram display is possible, but the histogram is no longer displayed while movies are recorded.
• When the live view button is pressed with the Audio Video Cable EG-D2 connected, the image is displayed in both the television and camera monitor, but the camera monitor now turns off during movie recording. The camera monitor turns on again when the Audio Video Cable EG-D2 is disconnected from the camera.
• Some simplified Chinese menus and help displays have been revised.
• When some memory cards were inserted in the camera, “CHA” was displayed in the top control panel and images could not be captured. This issue has been resolved.

Website: Nikon D3S Firmware Update 1.01 - Macintosh
Website: Nikon D3S Firmware Update 1.01 - Windows

Yesterday Canon announced the exciting new EOS 550D / Rebel T2i DSLR camera with 18 megapixels and Full HD video. We attended last night’s UK press launch at the British Academy of Film and Arts in London to bring you a comprehensive gallery of hands-on photos.

Pentax has announced an instant rebate programme in the US, effective until 15 February 2010 on 3 Pentax K-x kit configurations. The amount of the rebate is $50 and is valid on the single-lens kit consisting of the Pentax K-x digital SLR camera and the 18-55mm lens, as well as two double-lens kits including the body and afore-mentioned lens plus either the 50-200mm or the 55-300mm telezoom.

Canon has just unveiled the Canon EOS 550D (called the Canon EOS Rebel T2i in North America); a consumer-grade 18-megapixel digital SLR camera that can shoot 1080p high-definition videos. Canon’s advanced DIGIC 4 image processor and 18MP sensor support standard ISO settings of 100 – 6400 (expandable to 12800), while enhanced in-camera noise reduction technology boosts performance in low light conditions. The system’s 14-bit image processing produces smooth tonal gradation and natural looking colours for high quality prints and on-screen display. The EOS 550D / Rebel T2i also supports high-speed, continuous shooting at 3.7 frames per second. A 7.7cm / 3” Clear View LCD screen with 1,040k dot resolution and anti-reflective coating makes it possible to view the scene and your captured your images in bright conditions and from a variety of angles. The EOS 550D body only is available from 24th February 2010 priced at £799.99 / €899. In the USA, the Canon EOS Rebel T2i is expected to hit the shelves in early March priced at $799.99.

Canon have announced the development of the EOS E1 video plug-in for Apple’s Final Cut Pro. This new plug-in allows simple and easy transfer of video content from Canon’s EOS DSLR cameras directly into Final Cut Pro.

Hasselblad has announced the launch of the new, 40-megapixel Hasselblad H4D-40, which will allegedly bring “ultimate image quality to an entirely new generation of photographers”. The Hasselblad H4D-40 features a 40-megapixel medium-format sensor and True Focus AF, and comes bundled with the company’s Phocus 2.0 software. Hassleblad will be launching the new H4D-40 at special “hands-on” events in over 50 cities throughout the world starting 10 February 2010. A kit consisting of the Hasselblad H4D-40 body, viewfinder and 80mm lens will set you back €13,995 / $19,995 / £12,995, and is available now.

Website: Hasselblad H4D-40 Launch Events Around the World

Canon has issued a firmware update for the Canon EOS-1D Mark IV digital SLR camera. Version 1.0.6 improves autofocus tracking performance with receding subjects and subjects that are approaching at a low speed.

Website: Canon EOS-1D Mark IV Firmware Upgrades

Nikon UK is preparing for its annual appearance at the Focus On Imaging photography show which will be held at the NEC, Birmingham from 7th-10th March. Visitors to the show will have the chance to check out Nikon’s complete range of products on the Nikon stand (D40, Hall 9 and 10), including their new professional camera, the D3s (pictured). This newest addition to Nikon’s FX family will be on display along with the D3000, D5000 and D300s models. Nikon’s expert team will also be on hand throughout the event to answer any questions. Along with the chance to handle Nikon’s products, an exciting seminar schedule has been lined up to include well known names such as; wildlife photographer Andy Rouse, aerial photographer Jason Hawkes and Mike McCartney who will be talking about his photography career; covering high profile celebrity events to his more recent book of the north highlands. Finally, visitors to the stand will also have the chance to win a Nikon D90 camera kit.

Website: Nikon UK

HireACamera has announced the arrival of the new Canon EOS 1D Mark IV to their equipment portfolio. The 16-megapixel Canon EOS 1D Mark IV boasts a completely new 45-point autofocus system with AI Servo II AF mode. The camera’s “regular” ISO range stretches from ISO 100/21° to ISO 12,800/42°, but expansion settings push this all the way up to ISO 102,400/51°. The Canon EOS 1D Mark IV is also geared toward videographers, as it offers full manual exposure control and selectable frame rates when shooting 1080p HD video. Guy Thatcher, Managing Director of Hireacamera said, ”The new 1D Mark IV is a welcome addition to our stock and is already proving popular after its first outing at the SWPP Convention in January. We are sure this is going to be a great addition to the Canon family and are offering great hire prices on it at the moment so photographers can really try before they buy.” The Canon 1D Mark IV is available to hire now and can be booked by calling 01892 603440.

The UK’s Broadcast Video Expo is set to feature digital SLR cameras for the first time in the show’s history. Amateur Photographer points out that the Broadcast Video Expo has been organised every year for 15 years now, without ever showcasing a single SLR, or indeed any stills camera. The advent of video capable DSLRs has apparently changed everything, as the 2010 event will feature a DSLR Cinematograpy Workshop, a Beginner’s Guide to Video DSLR and a DSLR Focus Feature. The Broadcast Video Expo 2010 show will take place from 16 to 18 February at Earls Court 2, London.

Via Amateur Photographer

Nikon has released a new version of its Capture Control Pro software. Camera Control Pro allows the user to remotely control a camera from a computer using either a wired connection or a wireless connection if using a Nikon Wireless Transmitter with the camera. Version 2.7.1 adds support for the Nikon D3 with firmware v2.02, and modifies the following settings:

• When the ISO Auto box under Sensitivity in the Exposure 2 tab is checked and the Detail… button clicked to specify the maximum sensitivity, the steps available can now be selected from 1/3 step, 1/2 step and 1 step from Custom Setting b1 ISO sensitivity step value.
• The length of time the camera waits before adjusting focus in response to sudden changes in the distance to the subject can now be selected from 5 (Long), 4, 3 (Normal), 2, and 1 (Short) from Custom Setting a4 Focus tracking with lock-on.
• Dynamic AF area can now be specified for FUNC. button + dials with Custom Setting f4 Assign FUNC. button (f5 Assign preview button>Preview + command dials, f6 Assign AE-L/AF-L button>AE-L/AF-L + command dials). 

Support for the Nikon D700 with firmware v1.02 has also been added. When a D700 with firmware Ver. 1.02 installed is connected, the behaviour of Auto ISO and focus tracking are also modified as described above.

Website: Nikon Capture Control Pro 2.7.1 for Windows
Website: Nikon Capture Control Pro 2.7.1 for Mac OS

Tamron has just announced a free new learning programme that’s specifically targeted at first-time DSLR camera owners. Starting on 18 January 2010, and every Monday for 12 weeks, Tamron will release an entertaining and informative one-minute episode of “DSLR Know-How with Tamron” on YouTube that’s designed to bring picture-takers up to speed in getting the most out of their equipment. “Once the ‘DSLR 101’ series is posted, we will follow it up with a ‘202’ and ‘303’ series covering more sophisticated techniques, creating, in effect, a unique easy learning center,” says John VanSteenberg, Tamron’s Senior Education Manager. The Tamron YouTube videos can be found on the TamronVids Channel.

Website: TamronVids Channel on YouTube

Nikon has issued firmware updates for the Nikon D300s, D700, D3 and D3x digital SLR cameras. All of these models gain support for 64GB memory cards. Additionally, version 1.01 of the Nikon D300s firmware fixes two bugs related to the MB-D10 multi-power battery pack and certain memory cards. Version 1.02 of the Nikon D700 firmware improves AWB performance, adds minor but welcome functionality upgrades to ISO control, AF point selection and GPS operation, and fixes bugs. Version 2.02 of the D3 firmware brings about similar improvements, while version 1.01 of the D3x firmware fixes a bug related to certain memory cards.

Firmware 1.01 for the Nikon D300s: Windows | Macintosh
Firmware 1.02 for the Nikon D700: Windows | Macintosh
Firmware 2.02 for the Nikon D3: Windows | Macintosh
Firmware 1.01 for the Nikon D3x: Windows | Macintosh

Sony has just unveiled its latest digital SLR camera, the 14.2-megapixel Sony A450. Unlike the existing A550 model, the Sony A450 has only one Live View mode, delivered off the main sensor. Sony calls this solution Manual Focus Check Live View, which neatly sums up its purpose. Gone is the secondary-sensor Live View solution employed in most other Sony digital SLRs, which allowed photographers to use the same fast phase-detect AF sensors as when using the optical viewfinder. The SteadyShot INSIDE anti shake mechanism has been retained, however, and the Sony A450 does boast a few powerful features such as continuous shooting at up to 7 frames per second (fps), an Auto HDR mode that allows you to take two frames with different exposures in rapid succession and have the camera merge them into a single photograph, and a head-turning battery life of 1,050 images per charge (when not using Live View). The Sony A450 has dual memory card slots for Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo and SD(HC) media. With a sensitivity range extending from ISO 200 to ISO 12,800, the Sony Alpha DSLR-A450 will be available from the beginning of February 2010. Pricing is to be confirmed, but we expect the A450 to be a budget model.

NASA has just placed an order for eleven Nikon D3S digital SLR cameras and seven AF-S Nikkor 14-24mm f/2.8G ED lenses. The D3S DSLRs and AF-S NIKKOR 14-24mm f/2.8G ED lenses ordered by NASA will be carried on the Space Shuttle and used to photograph activities at the International Space Station in the future. No special modifications will be made to these products. They will be the same products available to end-users, Nikon claims. The new equipment will be used along with the Nikon D2XS digital SLR cameras, Nikkor lenses, and Nikon Speedlights already in use at the International Space Station. Nikon has been supplying NASA with cameras and lenses since 1971.

Canon has issued firmware updates for its 1D Mark III and 1Ds Mark III digital SLR cameras. The new versions (1.3.0 and 1.2.0 respectively) add support for the WFT-E2 II wireless file transmitter, which was announced back in October and released earlier this month. To download the firmware updates, visit one of the websites below.

Website: Canon EOS 1D Mark III Firmware Update
Website: Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III Firmware Update

Canon has released a firmware update for the Canon EOS 5D Mark II DSLR camera. Version 1.2.4 adds support for the WFT-E4 II wireless file transmitter, and fixes an issue with very long exposures using the Bulb setting. To download the newest 5D Mark II firmware update, visit the website below.

Website: Canon EOS 5D Mark II Firmware Update