A new world-wide photography contest aims to highlight the role of the potato as a source of food, employment and income in developing countries. The International Year of the Potato Contest is being held in conjunction with the UN’s International Year of the Potato (IYP) in 2008. The contest invites photographers to capture the spirit of the International Year in images that illustrate potato cultivation, processing, trade, marketing, consumption and utilization. Cash prizes totalling US$11000 as well as Nikon cameras are on offer.

Pro-Imaging, an international organisation representing professional photographers from over 30 countries, has published a list of so-called “rights grabbing” photography competitions. Chief suspects include the British Council, which is promoting the Creative Cities competition, the Adobe Design Achievement Awards, and Nikon’s Small World Photomicrography Competition, amongst others. This is the start of a long term campaign by Pro-Imaging to persuade competition promoters and sponsors to adopt practices which respect all the rights of all creators.

In his first article for PhotographyBLOG, Zoltan Arva-Toth takes the bold step of proposing an entirely new auto-focus mode for digital cameras…

Update 1: As this has created a lot of interest, we’ll be contacting the camera manufacturers soon to ask for their input.
Update 2: Kodak, Carl Zeiss, Olympus and DxO Labs have now provided their feedback - see the end of the article.

It is no secret to anyone with a basic knowledge of photography that most modern cameras offer two main focusing modes, manual focus (MF) and autofocus (AF). Autofocus may come in several flavours, including AF-S (called one-shot AF by Canon) for stationary subjects, AF-C (AI Servo) for moving ones – especially useful if your subject is moving toward or away from you – and an intelligent AF-A (AI Focus) mode, which detects if the subject is in motion or not, and acts accordingly.

The new Canon Digital IXUS 970 IS is a 10 megapixel camera which features a 5x optical zoom lens and enhanced optical Image Stabilizer. The Digital IXUS 970 IS (called the Powershot SD890 IS in the USA) also features Motion Detection to help reduce blur, and Face Detection with Face Select & Track and White Balance adjustment. “With its 5x zoom, the Digital IXUS 970 IS brings a new level of performance to Canon’s leading design brand,” said Mogens Jensen, Head of Canon Consumer Imaging, Europe. “Once again Canon is using its optical expertise to deliver powerful compact cameras in effortless style.” The Canon Powershot SD890 IS will cost $399.99. The Canon Digital IXUS 970 IS is available from early April 2008, priced at £299.00 / €449.00 RRP inc. VAT.

The new Canon Digital IXUS 90 IS and Digital IXUS 85 IS are 10 megapixel cameras with 3x zoom lenses. Both models feature Canon’s lens-shift type optical Image Stabilizer, enhanced auto focus performance for low-light shooting and to help reduce blur. The syling of the two models is different - the Digital IXUS 90 IS (called the PowerShot SD790 IS in the USA) is solid and chiselled, whilst the Digital IXUS 85 IS (called the PowerShot SD770 IS in the USA) apparently “reflects a glimmering, understated elegance”. “The design versatility of Digital IXUS is clearly demonstrated by these two new models,” said Mogens Jensen, Head of Canon Consumer Imaging, Europe. “These are cameras that enable users to express their individuality, both in the model they choose, and the images they make.” The Canon PowerShot SD790 IS will cost $349.99 and the SD770 IS $299.99. The Canon Digital IXUS 90 IS is available from late March priced at £259.00 / €379.00 RRP inc. VAT. The Canon Digital IXUS 85 IS is available from late March priced at £239.00 / €349.00 RRP inc. VAT.

The Leica M8 digital rangefinder camera is now available in limited edition exclusive sets with two high-performance lenses. The M8 has been twinned with either the LEICA SUMMICRON-M f/2/28 mm ASPH lens, or the LEICA APO-SUMMICRON-M f/2/75 mm ASPH lens. Both of these limited edition sets are available until 30th June 2008 - contact your Leica system dealer for further details.

CyberLink PowerProducer 5 is a new disc authoring software application which supports the creation of Blu-ray Discs and DVDs featuring video content recorded in the AVCHD format. PowerProducer 5 is available in two versions. PowerProducer 5 Ultra lets users create high-quality professional-looking discs on Blu-ray Discs and DVDs. PowerProducer 5 (DVD) supports the creation of customized menu designs for DVDs and VCDs. CyberLink PowerProducer 5 Ultra costs USD 79.95/Euro 74,99, and CyberLink PowerProducer 5 (DVD) USD 49.95/Euro 44,99.

Photo-enhancing software LightZone 3.5 now includes an extensive video learning center, additional camera compatibility and revised pricing of up to $50 off. “Our goal with LightZone is to show the digital public that there is an approachable way to enhance all their photos without lengthy books, manuals and luck.  Transforming your photos is a very visual experience, so we have employed a visual approach with our new video learning center,” said Fabio Riccardi, chief executive officer, Light Crafts. LightZone 3.5 is available for download now. The full version is now priced at $199.95, and the Basic version is $129.95.

Imaging Resource have reviewed the Nikon S510, the world’s smallest digital camera with optical vibration reduction.

“With one of those classic compact camera designs married to a very well organized menu system, it’s easy to make friends with the Coolpix S510. While test images were soft and exhibited some highlight flaring, they also showed very little chromatic aberration. And our gallery shots, sharp if not the sharpest we’ve seen, had natural color and control of highlight detail. It’s a fun take-anywhere camera that requires almost no thought to enjoy, but you should think twice if you expect to enlarge your images bigger than 8x10.”

Website: Imaging Resource - Nikon S510 Review

Panasonic have released a firmware update, version 2.0, for the LEICA D SUMMILUX 25mm f/1.4 lens which enables contrast auto-focus when used with the DMC-L10 DSLR camera. Note that the firmware of of the DMC-L10 should also be upgraded to the new firmware version 1.2.

Website: Leica 25mm Lens Firmware Update 2.0

The GE E1235 is a new 12 megapixel digital camera with a 2.7 inch LCD screen, 3x zoom and ISO 3200 sensitivity. Other standout features include blink detection, smile detection, in-camera panorama stitching, face detection and image stabilization. Available in either deep red or silver, the E1235 will be available from March 14 through multichannel retailer HSN at the special introductory price of $199.95.

The Digital Photography Companion by pro photographer and popular teacher Derrick Story is a new portable guidebook to digital photography. Perfectly sized to fit in a camera bag, The Digital Photography Companion provides examples of how to capture great shots of people, places, landscapes, and more. The Digital Photography Companion is available now for $24.99 USD / £15.50 GBP.

Picstop are giving away a photographic holiday weekend anywhere in the British Isles. PicStop has teamed up with Northscape to offer a holiday that’s ideal for all levels of expertise whether you want to simply learn the basics, improve on your current skills and take them to the next level. The competition is free to enter, registration is quick and easy, all you have to do is answer one simple multiple choice question.

Ulead VideoStudio 11.5 Plus from Corel offers a complete, user-friendly solution for standard- and high-definition video editing and authoring. “VideoStudio 11.5 Plus also includes support for the latest HD formats including Blu-ray, HD DVD and AVCHD, giving consumers the ability to create professional- looking, high definition videos that they are proud to share whether it is in their living room, a board room, or over the Web.” said Jeff Hastings, President and General Manager, Corel Digital Media. VideoStudio 11.5 Plus is priced at $129.99 SRP (US and Canada), and is available now.

TrustedReviews have reviewed the 15x zoom Sony Cyber Shot DSC-H9 digital camera.

“Sony’s DSC-H9 has some interesting features, including an impressive zoom range, manual exposure options, night shooting and a big tilting monitor, and it is competitively priced, but it lack the versatility of some rival cameras. It is also lacking in final image quality, with unexpected optical problems as well as overpowered noise reduction. Not a bad camera, but there are better alternatives available.”

TrustedReviews - Sony Cyber Shot DSC-H9 Review

Microsoft have released a Beta version of Expression Media 2, a professional asset management tool formerly known as iView MediaPro. Available for both for Windows and Mac platforms, this fully functional version will expire on July 1st 2008. If you are already running Expression Media 1, you can install Expression Media 2 Beta without uninstalling Expression Media 1. The two versions will both run side by side on your computer.

Website: Microsoft Expression Media 2 Beta (Windows)

Website: Microsoft Expression Media 2 Beta (Mac)

After the much-publicized problems with the Canon EOS-1D Mark III DSLR’s auto-focus system, Canon USA are now claiming that the camera has “performed better in our tests than all previous EOS camera models.”

“After the AF mirror Adjustment, including the updated firmware version 1.1.3, the EOS-1D Mark III AF function performed better in our tests than all previous EOS camera models. Canon strives at all times to continuously improve our products in order to provide our customers with the best performance and value. We are aware that some customers have raised questions about the performance of the EOS-1D Mark III AF system under certain conditions.  We will continue to investigate, and look for opportunities to improve, the performance of the AF system to ensure the satisfaction of all of our customers.”

Website: Canon USA - Updated Service Notice: EOS-1D Mark III: AF Mirror Adjustment Problem

Olympus Europe have unveiled a limited edition version of the Olympus Mju 1020 compact camera. 5,000 limited edition white Mju 1020s will be available, each one with three uniquely-styled skins by internationally-acclaimed artist Matei Apostolescu. “The opportunity to design these camera skins was an interesting prospect for me. With photography being an exciting art form in its own right and a major component of today’s digital art, I was fascinated by the idea of designing pieces where the ‘canvas’ would ultimately be an instrument that can be used to create art itself”, explains Apostolescu. The Olympus Mju 1020 is a 10 megapixel camera with a 7x optical zoom. The new Limited Edition Olympus Mju 1020 is available now.

Think Tank Photo have introduced three new rolling bags which provide more protection and security for transporting heavy and expensive photography gear. The Airport Airstream is a new, small roller complies with international air travel guidelines and accommodates up to a 400mm lens and multiple DSLRs and lenses. Airport Security V2.0 and Airport International V2.0 are new versions with new and enhanced security features. “With all of these rollers we’ve listened to photographer fears and designed in strong, customizable features that allow them to use this rolling camera bag not only as a means of transporting equipment from one site to the next, but for storing it securely during the shoot,” said Doug Murdoch, Think Tank Photo’s founder and lead designer.

The Think Tank Photo Skin Collection is a new series of thin, flexible bags designed to fit on Think Tank Photo belts or regular belts. Their ability to be compressed when empty frees up valuable space in your cases, especially when in transit. “The Skin series was designed in direct response to feedback from professional photographers who have to lug their gear into the field,” said Doug Murdoch, Think Tank Photo co-founder and lead designer. “For some of them, having bags that compress to preserve room and yet still allow quick access is more important than padding. With the Skin series they have the same ‘Lock or Rotate’ functionality as our breakthrough modular systems but without the extra protective padding.” The 5-piece Skin Set includes the Skin 50, Skin 75 Pop Down, Skin Double Wide, Skin Strobe, and the Skin Chimp.