The Transcend 32GB JetFlash V60 is the company’s latest high-capacity USB flash drive. About the size of an AA battery, the JetFlash V60 is small and light enough to be taken anywhere, and is available in an assortment of bright, pearl-accented colors. The JetFlash elite software suite can be installed to run directly from the JetFlash drive when you plug it in, and includes seven time-saving data management functions.

The Transcend 16GB JetFlash V85 is a new high-capacity USB flash drive. It measures just 49.5mm long by 15.8mm wide, and is thin enough (7.4mm) to slide into tight-fitting stacked USB ports. Each JetFlash V85 comes with a classy metal carrying chain and has a compact zinc-alloy body. Transcend’s JetFlash elite software package includes seven useful tools specifically developed to help you manage your mobile data more efficiently.

The Assignment is a new European photography competition from Canon which challenges amateur photographers to submit their best work. There are four categories - Portrait, Landscape, Sport and Macro - and 19 European countries are taking part. “The Assignment will help amateur photographers across Europe to realise their ambitions,” said Mogens Jensen, Head of Canon Consumer Imaging, Europe. “Canon EOS has revolutionised D-SLR photography, and with this high-profile competition we hope to inspire even more people to take up this rewarding, creative hobby.” Pre-registration for The Assignment begins on 18th February, and the competition opens on 17th March and runs until 1st May.

DPReview have reviewed the Canon SD850 IS (also known as the IXUS 950 IS), an 8 megapixel digital camera with 4x zoom, image stabilized lens equivalent to 35-140mm.

“Minor quibbles aside, the SD 850 IS is hard to fault; it does exactly what’s expected of it and does it reliably and with a dash of style. It is fun to use, and I found myself carrying it around with me most of the time while I was working on this review. It is small and well built. It is responsive and easy to use and most importantly produces very good results for a camera in this class.”

Website: DPReview - Canon SD850 IS Review

Website: Read our Canon Digital IXUS 950 IS Review

The Ricoh R8 is a new 10 megapixel digital camera with a 7.1 wide-angle zoom lens. The R8 offers the Smooth Imaging EngineIII image processing engine, CCD-shift vibration correction, face recognition and 1cm macro mode. Other new features of the Ricoh R8 include a large 2.7-inch, 460,000-pixel HVGA LCD, 1:1 aspect square format function, and a complete redesign when compared to the previous R7 model. Available in silver or black and two tone, the Ricoh R8 will be available in March for £249.99.

The new Ricoh R50 is a 10 megapixel digital camera with a 5x zoom lens. With a compact body measuring 97.3(W)×56.3(H)×23.4(D) mm, the Ricoh R50’s 5x lens provides a focal range of 36-180mm. 15 different scene modes includes a sports function which captures the split-second movement of a fast-moving subject. Available in silver, the Ricoh R50 will be available in March 2008 at £149.99.

Harman Photo Gloss FB AL Warmtone Paper will be officially available in UK stores at the end of February. To help celebrate the launch, Harman Photo will be giving away 2,500 free sample packs of the paper on its stand at Focusing on Imaging. Harman Photo Gloss FB AL Warmtone is a true fibre base inkjet paper for high quality giclee printing, with a warmtone tint for photographers looking to create black and white prints with creamy whites and velvety blacks. “We are confident its impressive performance and ability to deliver superior results will make it an instant hit with both amateur and professional photographers alike.” commented Harman Photo Marketing Director, Howard Hopwood.

Nikon have released a firmware update, v1.02, for the D300 DSLR camera.

Modifications Enabled with “A” firmware ver. 1.02

- An issue that, in rare cases, caused vertical bands (lines) to appear in images captured at shutter speeds slower than 8s has been resolved.

Website: Nikon D300 v1.02 Firmware Update (Windows)
Website: Nikon D300 v1.02 Firmware Update (Mac)

Sigma have released a new firmware update, v1.06, for the Sigma SD14 DSLR camera. Improvements include:

  1. Accuracy of the custom white balance has been improved.
  2. One-day advance date counter that occurs with X3F images during an intercalary year was corrected.
  3. Review image quality on the camera’s LCD is improved.
  4. Users now have the option to disable the shutter release if there is no CF card in the camera. This option is found in the ‘Preview Style’ menu.

Website: Sigma SD14 v1.06 Firmware Update

Olympus Europa has issued some important information that may affect a small number of ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 12-60mm 1:2.8-4.0 SWD lens owners. While the manual focus performance of all lenses functions as specified, in some lenses the autofocus may not operate in the intended manner. This is the result of a fault during the manufacturing process of the autofocusing drive. The potential problem only concerns ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 12-60mm 1:2.8-4.0 SWD lenses with serial numbers ranging between: 230005416 and 230010688. Olympus is offering a free-of-charge inspection and repair service.

Website: Olympus 12-60mm Service Announcement

Wild Wonders of Europe is the continent’s largest ever photography project. Spanning at least 5 years, the Wild Wonders of Europe project will consist of a cutting-edge web site, outdoor exhibitions, books, audiovisual picture shows, TV-series, photo competitions, and events all across Europe. “It is clear that presently, a majority of Europeans are becoming increasingly alienated from nature. Wild Wonders of Europe aims to reverse this trend. We want to touch people’s emotions, excite them about nature, make it cool. We want to re-connect people with our natural heritage…our spiritual home,” says Peter Cairns, photographer and writer from Britain, Business Director of Wild Wonders of Europe.

TrustedReviews have reviewed the Canon MP970, the new top-of-the-range PIXMA All-in-One printer.

“So, the extra £85 you pay for the PIXMA MP970 over the PIXMA MP610 brings you a finer minimum drop size, a built-in transparency scanner, a bigger LCD screen, six-colour print and network connectivity. The machine is at the top of Canon’s range and has the best spec and the best print quality of just about any all-in-one printer on the market. If you ignore its hopeless duplex print speed, it’s an excellent piece of printing, scanning and copying technology.”

Website: TrustedReviews - Canon MP970 Review

The famous Yashica camera brand has been reborn, with 8 new digital models on the way. Production of Yashica cameras stopped in 2005 when parent company Kyocera withdrew from manufacturing both Yashica and Contax models. Now Hong-Kong based JNC Datum Tech. International Ltd have revived the Yashica name with a new range of 7 and 8 megapixel cameras in the USA. There are even 4 film cameras available for the analog purist. According to Amateur Photographer, 5 of the digital models will make it to the UK, price from £49 - £120.

The shortlist for the Sony World Photography Awards has been announced. 10 professional and 7 amateur photographers have been shortlisted in each category from 44,641 professional photograph entries and 25,934 amateur photograph entries. The Awards will be celebrated in Cannes, France from 21st to 25th April 2008, with a top prize of $25,000 for the Sony World Photography Awards Photographer of the Year.

If you are a sports or wildlife photographer and live in the USA, you could test-drive the new Hydrophobia 300 - 600 raincover from Think Tank Photo for free. The first 150 respondents will be eligible to try-out the Hydrophobia, the first rain cover specifically designed to be pre-mounted for quick deployment., for two weeks at no charge.

Epson will be showing their largest printer, the 64” Stylus Pro 11880 and their smallest, the PictureMate 260, at this year’s Focus On Imaging show. Also the Stylus Photo R1900 will be demonstrated in the UK for the first time. Mike McNamee, editor of Professional Imagemaker and Paul Gallagher, photographer and monochrome specialist who will be doing short talks on the stand. Finally, a media gallery will show the wide range of options, including premium glossy, traditional photo, canvas and fine art which are available to choose from.

Image Compressor 2008 provides everything you need for storing, viewing, retouching and sharing your photos. New features include a powerful image viewer, Photoshop plugin compatibility, and support for all major image types including RAW format. Image Compressor 2008 is available for $99.99 (USD) for the Pro Edition, or $49.99 (USD) for the Home Edition.

Nikon will be showcasing its new professional digital SLRs, the D3 and D300, at this year’s Focus on Imaging photographic show. Visitors will also be able to check out the recently announced D60 and Coolpix compacts. Travel photographer Steve Davey and Photography Monthly Editor, Will Cheung, along with John Clements and Oz Kharawala, will be giving talks throughout the show. The Focus on Imaging show runs 24th – 27th February 2008 at the NEC in Birmingham, UK.

DxO Optics Pro v5 now supports the new Nikon D3 camera body and an initial selection of lenses. Lens correction modules for three popular Nikkor lenses are available for the Nikon D3: the AF-S Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8G ED, the AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.4D and the AF-S Nikkor 14-24mm f/2.8G ED. “This SLR is built for demanding professional photographers who will make no compromise in image quality. And that’s what DxO Optics Pro is all about: getting the best image quality possible,” says Luc Marin, VP of the Photography business at DxO Labs. DxO Labs has also reset the demo limitation at “0” for everyone who has demo’d version 5.

REALVIZ will be demonstrating their full image processing software range at Focus on Imaging 2008. Products on show will include Stitcher Unlimited 5.6, ImageModeler 4, VTour 1.2 HDR and the HDR Imaging Studio. Visitors to the show can also obtain a 20% discount off the standard retail price of the REALVIZ software products.