Bogen Imaging are holding their second free webinar, which focuses on selecting the right tripod and head. This course will provide photographers with useful tips and tricks when it comes to identifying which support products fit their needs. Participants will also have a chance to win one of two prizes which total over $800, including a Manfrotto tripod and head and a Gitzo tripod and head. The Selecting the Right Tripod and Head webinar will be held on June 27th from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. (EDT).

RansenScan is a new software utility speeds up the scanning of photo and postcard collections. It uses automatic image extraction, so that you can place several photos on a scanner and RansenScan will extract each image in a single scan. RansenScan also offers has immediate printing functions included - you can print the images directly from the program, without going to any intermediate software. RansenScan works with any Twain-compatible scanner, and is available now at $29.95.

Hahnemuhle’s FineArt Baryta and FineArt Pearl inkjet papers are now available in 60” rolls. Available in July 2008, the introduction follows a recent growth in popularity of large format printing. Other products in the FineArt Collection will follow, and in autumn 2008, Hahnemuhle will additionally debut 64” wide roll formats.
 

Version 3 of the Firefox web browser now supports colour management for photos with embedded ICC profiles. Unfortunately, as Rob Galbraith points out, it’s not turned on by default, so check out Rob’s article below for details of how to enable it. Apple’s Safari web browser also supports ICC colour management.

Website: Download Firefox 3

Website: Rob Galbraith - Firefox 3, released today, supports colour managed web browsing

Camera Dojo have reviewed the Airport International, a rolling carry-on backpack from Think Tank Photo.

“I have mentioned this before with reviews of the other Think Tank Photo products I use but it needs to be mentioned again, you will simply not believe the quality of the construction of these products. You look at RC-Fuse zipper which actually melts (fuses) the thread with the plastic coil to create an exceptionally durable zipper, or the thought that goes into adding just the right amount of structural support to keep the entire system stable without adding extra weight, or even just the overall construction and you know you do not have an El Cheapo bag you sniped off eBay for $20.”

Website: Camera Dojo - Think Tank Photo Airport International Review

Carl Rytterfalk has reviewed the Sigma AML-1, a new close-up lens for the Sigma DP1 compact digital camera.

“I should have had TWO lenses or even three and stacked them, that would probably give very nice macros. Right now you don’t get close enough for that type of photography with only one lens. For movies and portraits such as the ones above it’s a wonderful solution and gives you new views - plus that the extreme OOF is perfect for videos.”

Website: Carl Rytterfalk - Sigma AML-1 Review

Shutterbug have reviewed the Microtek ArtixScan M1 flatbed and film scanner, which features 4800 dpi optical resolution and 4.4 maximum optical density.

“Any photographer with a collection of film images in different format sizes should consider the Microtek ArtixScan M1 Pro. In the past there were compromises, like not enough optical resolution to scan 35mm film, or the need to pay a very high price for a higher-resolution scanner. This new ArtixScan is competitive in performance with dedicated multi-format film scanners at a fraction of their cost.”

Website: Shutterbug - Microtek ArtixScan M1 Review

DigitalCameraInfo have reviewed the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ8, a new 8 megapixel, 5x zoom digital camera.

“Image quality isn’t the best, with poor resolution scores, and the flash is terrible. It has great manual controls for users who are looking to learn more about photography, but these features might not be enough to overcome the LZ8’s problems. It’s your choice: either fork over a little more for a camera that produces better images, or take the lower price for an adequate camera with some shortcomings.”

Website: DigitalCameraInfo - Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ8 Review

The Sony HVL-F58AM is a new flashgun with an innovative Quick Shift Bounce system that offers more creative ways to achieve lighting, flash and bounce angles. The flash head can pivot 90 degrees left and right on a horizontal axis in addition to the conventional up and down vertical adjustment. With this system, the camera and flash unit can keep the same orientation regardless of portrait or landscape shooting. The HVL-F58AM features a maximum guide number of 58 at 105mm and ISO 100, and recycles in as little as five seconds. The HVL-F58AM flash unit will ship in September for about $500.

The new Sony HDR-CX12 camcorder can record both full 1920x1080 HD video and 10 megapixel photos. The CX12 (called the HDR-CX11E in Europe) is also the first high-definition camcorder with both Smile Shutter and face detection technologies, and also features a Carl Zeiss 12x optical zoom lens and Super SteadyShot optical image stabilization. The Sony HDR-CX12 camcorder will be in stores early August for about $900.

The new WD My Book Mirror Edition hard drive automatically stores valuable personal content twice to maximize data safety. Available in 1 TB and 2 TB capacities, the My Book Mirror Edition automatically uses RAID 1 mirroring for extra protection, making it an ideal storage solution for photographers. The full capacity of the drive can be utilized by converting the drive to RAID 0 (Striped). WD’s My Book Mirror Edition dual-drive storage systems are available now, priced at $289.99 for the 1TB version and $549.99 USD for the 2TB version.

Fujifilm have launched a new 310x speed CompactFlash card, currently the fastest in the World. Using a specially designed controller and the latest SLC flash memory chips, the Fujifilm 310x card achieves sustained write speeds of 46.5MB/sec. The Fujifilm 310x CompactFlash card will be available in the UK from the end of July 2008, priced at £49.99 (4GB), £119.99 (8GB) and £209.99 (16GB).

The C905 Cyber-shot from Sony Ericsson is a new 8 megapixel camera-phone. The complete with face detection auto-focus, smart contrast and image stabilizer includes a Xenon flash, face detection auto-focus, smart contrast and image stabilizer, and is also GPS-enabled for geo-tagging of photos. “The C905 Cyber-shot has been developed to make us all better photographers! That means making it easier to take great shots and never missing that magic moment…the 8.1megapixel C905 is a viable alternative to a digital camera.” said Sven Totté, Head of Imaging Marketing at Sony Ericsson. The C905 Cyber-shot will be available in three colours (Night Black, Ice Silver and Copper Gold) in selected markets from Q4 2008.

Sony Ericsson’s World View 2008 mobile camera phone competition is one of the biggest in the world. Now in its third year, more than 70,000 entries from around the world were entered in 2007. The People’s Choice prize will be awarded to the person who receives the most votes from the public around the world, with a trip of a lifetime worth £5,000/€6,250 up for grabs. The Experts’ Choice winner, chosen by Sony Ericsson’s panel of elite photography judges, will receive a trip worth £10,000/€12,500.

Album of the Damned: Snapshots from the Third Reich is one of the most unusual photographic/textual records ever published about the German people during Hitler’s twelve-year reign. This stunning record includes 400 photographs taken almost exclusively by amateur German photographers—soldiers and civilians—during WWII and covers a wide spectrum of life on both the home front and battle front. Paul Garson, a photographer, writer and teacher in Los Angeles, has viewed more than 100,000 images from more than a dozen countries to create this photographic record of the Third Reich. Album of the Damned: Snapshots from the Third Reich will be published later this year by Academy Chicago Publishers.

The RSPCA Young Photographer Awards 2008 is a prestigious UK photographic competition for under 19s. Anybody aged under 19 on 1 September 2008 can enter their photographs of any animal, large or small. The competition is divided into four categories: under 12 years, 12 to 18 years, pet personalities and the Olympus portfolio. The RSPCA competition is offering the winners some superb prizes including the opportunity to join the RSPCA on an exclusive photoshoot and top Olympus cameras. The deadline for entries is Monday 1 September 2008.

Leica and Jenoptik have concluded an agreement for digital imaging components comprising optoelectronics and software. Leica intends to further integrate digital technology and optoelectronics into its existing and future cameras and in this way further expand its position as a leader in the premium segment. Jenoptik’s Digital Imaging business unit specializes in the development and manufacture of high-performance imaging systems.

Shoot! The Day is a first-of-its-kind initiative designed to replenish the global stock photo supply in areas of the greatest buyer demand. Photographers worldwide are invited to shoot stock images in five key categories – active seniors, youth culture, family and kids lifestyle, business settings and still life. PhotoShelter have also launched The School of Stock. a definitive new online guide to understanding what stock photo buyers’ want and how they want it.

Square Group is hosting a free event dedicated to Apple’s Professional Creative Applications in London, UK. The Square event will focus on the latest offerings from Apple in pro photo, video and audio technology, including Aperture 2. It takes place at The Design Council in London’s Covent Garden on Thursday 3rd July.

The TrekPod, a lightweight, height-adjustable walking/hiking staff with a fully integrated tripod, is now available in the UK. JP Distribution have been chosen as the exclusive UK distributor for parent company Trek-Tech. Prices range from £5.99 for accessories up to £114.95 for the TrekPod Go with the MagMount AR/I quick-release, mount-demount system.