Crumpler is launching a new line of photo bags at the PMA show in Las Vegas next week. They are:

The Industry Disgrace - designed for professional photographers carrying heavy camera equipment. It features a breathable air mesh base strap, ergonomic neoprene neck pad with grip print, double length adjustment feature on neck strap and an extra strength attachment strap.
The Cork & Fork - a new protective photo equipment bag - spacious, padded photo backpack designed to slot inside Crumpler’s brand new carry-on roller luggage piece, The Period Charmer, making it an easy travel companion. It also works as a highly functional stand alone piece.
The Rufous Whistler - a limited edition version of Crumpler’s most popular photo bag model, The 5 Million Dollar Home. It features an external pocket, two hidden internal side pockets, a padded and brushed nylon-lined main compartment, configurable dividers, etc.

Crumpler is an Australian designer of specialty bags that are trendy, fun and stylish.

The new SpheroCam HDR Camera System records 26 f-stops of exposure data, capturing a 360 x 180 degree full spherical image and a resolution of up to 50 mega pixels. This unique 32-bit HDR capturing device is the first camera able to measure real-world luminosity values. “The SpheroCam HDR system helps bridge the gap between real world photography and computer graphics modelling.” Peter Taylor, SpheronVR’s CGI Business Manager. SpheronVR will be exhibiting the SpheroCam HDR at the Focus on Imaging show in Birmingham, UK, on 24-27th February.

Light Crafts has today released version 3.4 of LightZone, plus an updated beta version LightZone 3.4B. LightZone 3.4 features seven style families and an impressive 38 pre-defined styles that can be both viewed and applied with one click of your mouse. In addition LightZone 3.4 instantly displays a real-time visual thumbnail preview of the picture with the applied chosen style. LightZone 3.4 is available through February 15, 2008 at a $50 discount for either the ‘full’ or ‘basic’ editions bringing the purchase price to $199.95 and $99.95 respectively.

Transcend has released a new 32GB, 133x speed CompactFlash card. Transcend’s 133x CF cards achieve fast read/write speeds of up to 45MB/16MB per second on average. They also feature built-in ECC (Error Correction Code) to automatically detect and correct errors during data transfer, which prevents data corruption and missing files. The Transcend 32GB 133X CompactFlash Card will cost €169.

In a special exhibit at PMA, Fujifilm will feature a prototype of a new portable medium-format film camera. Even as the company innovates in digital imaging technology, Fujifilm remains true to its heritage and to the acknowledged superior image quality delivered by professional photographic film products.  Fujifilm is committed to further expanding the world of imaging whether in digital or analog technologies. Details about the Fujifilm medium-format film camera are scarce at the moment, so we’ll try and get more info for you next week at PMA.

The new Quick Pod DSLR is the the world’s first handheld extendable tripod for DSLR cameras. The DSLR version extends to 53” and converts to a monopod to hold camera equipment weighing up to 6 lbs. “Families on vacation and You Tubers will all benefit by making picture taking and movie making easier”.  “Professionals are using the Quik Pod® for photo and lighting solutions.” commented inventor Wayne Fromm. Prices for the various versions of the Quik Pod start at $24.95.

Canon UK held a glitzy event for their new Spring collection of products this morning at the Science Museum in Central London. Against a somewhat ironic backdrop of Euro 2008 (well, at least for us England supporters), which Canon are sponsoring, no less than 36 new products were shown off to over 200 members of the press and trade. In a somewhat low-key line-up from the camera side of things, the new Canon EOS 450D / Digital Rebel XSi stood out as the main draw - unless you can afford several thousand pounds for the new 800mm and 200mm lenses, that is. We managed to make our way through the throng and literally grab a couple of minutes with the Canon 450D, plus get hands-on with the new Digital IXUS 80 IS and A-series Powershot compacts. Click the link below to view a selection of “live” product shots…

We have a selection of 40 photos taken with a pre-production version of the new Pentax K20D DSLR canera and new smc PENTAX-DA 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 AL II zoom lens on a recent press trip to Dubai, UAE. Please note that as the K20D that I used was a pre-production version, therefore these images do not represent the quality of the final production camera.

Website: Pentax K20D Photos

The Samsung GX-20 is a new 14.6 megapixel digital SLR camera. The GX-20 builds on the previous GX-10 model, offering more megapixels, a larger 2.7 inch LCD monitor, Live View mode, ISO 100-6400, Dust Alert System and an X-sync socket for studio flash systems. Other standout features offered by the Samsung GX-20 include a built-in Shake Reduction system, 11-point AF, and Enhanced Digital Filter which allows a greater dynamic range of exposures. The 14.6 megapixel sensor inside the GX-20 has been developed in a joint-venture with Pentax, with Samsung responsible for the fabrication. The new Samsung GX-20 will be available from March 2008, for £699 / $1399.95 with the 18-55mm kit lens. Samsung are also launching a 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 super-zoom lens, which will cost around £449 and be available in March 2008.

Samsung has launched two new DSLR lenses, the D-XENON 18-250mm F3.5-F6.3 and 18-55mm II F3.5-F5.6. Robert King, Commercial Director of Samsung Cameras commented “These two new lenses form part of the next step in Samsung’s continued growth in the SLR market – the lenses used together with the new GX-20 offer superb quality and cutting-edge functionality.” Available from March 2008, the price for the GX-20 with 18-55mm lens is £699. The price and release date for the Samsung 18-250mm superzoom lens is still to be confirmed.

The Samsung i100 is a new 10.2 megapixel compact digital camera with 3 inch LCD screen and 3x optical zoom. Other standout features of the i100 include Face Detection, ISO 3200 sensitivity, MP3 Multimedia Player and Samsung’s World Tour Guide. The Samsung i100 will cost around £179 and be available in May 2008.

The Samsung i80 is a new 8.1 megapixel compact digital camera with 3 inch LCD screen and 3x optical zoom. Other standout features of the i80 include Face Detection, ISO 3200 sensitivity, MP3 Multimedia Player and 14 different Scene Modes. The Samsung i80 will cost around £149 and be available in April 2008.

The Samsung S1060 is a new 10.2 megapixel, entry-level compact digital camera. The S1060 features a 5x optical zoom lens, 2.7 inch LCD screen, Face Detection mode and 14 scene modes. The price and availability of the Samsung S1060 have yet to be announced.

The Canon EOS 450D / Digital Rebel XSi is a new 12 megapixel compact DSLR camera. looking very similar to the previous 400D from the outside, the EOS 450D / Digital Rebel XSi features a larger 3 inch LCD screen, new 9-point AF system, 14-bit processing, Live View mode with contrast detection AF mode (like the Panasonic L10) and 3.5fps continuous mode. The Canon EOS 450D / Digital Rebel XSi will be available body only for $799 / £599.99 / €899.99 and with the 18-55mm IS kit lens for £679.99 / €999.99, available from March 2008.

The Canon Digital IXUS 80 IS (Europe) / PowerShot SD1100 IS ELPH (US) is a new 8 megapixel compact digital camera. The IXUS 80 IS / SD1100 IS offers a 2.5” PureColor LCD II screen, DIGIC III image processor, upgraded High ISO Auto mode with new Motion Detection Technology, and 3x zoom with optical Image Stabilizer. The Canon IXUS 80 IS / SD1100 IS features Canon’s ‘perpetual curve’ design and is available in four subtle colour variations. The Canon Digital IXUS 80 IS will be available from March 2008 priced at £219.00 / €319.00.

Canon have added 3 new models to their A-series Powershot range of digital cameras - the A590 IS, A580, A470. Offering 8 megapixels, the Canon A590 IS and Canon A580 are identical apart from the addition of image stabiliation to the former model, with 4x optical zoom, Motion Detection Technology with High ISO Auto, 2.5” LCD and optical viewfinder on offer. The cheaper Canon A470 camera has a 7 megapixel sensor and 3.4 optical zoom. The new Canon PowerShot A590 IS will cost $199 / £159.00 / €229.00. The Canon PowerShot A580 will cost $179 / £139.00 / €199.00. The Canon PowerShot A470 will cost $179 / £109.00 / €159.00. All three are available from March 2008.

Canon have unveiled two new professional EF lenses, the EF200mm f/2L IS USM and EF800mm f/5.6L IS USM. Both lenses feature a 4-stop Image Stabilizer and incorporate L-series lens optics. With its large f/2 aperture, the EF200mm f/2L IS USM will appeal to photographers who require a brighter lens for indoor sports and portraiture photography. The EF800mm f/5.6L IS USM enhances Canon’s super telephoto range with the longest focal distance of any EF lens on the market. The EF200mm f/2L IS USM will be available from April 2008 priced at £4499.99 / €6659.99. The EF800mm f/5.6L IS USM will be available from June 2008 priced at £8999.99 / €13299.99.

The Canon PIXMA iP2600 is a new entry-level photo printer targeted at users looking for great value, high quality photo printing. The iP2600 replaces the iP2500 model and can print a 10x15cm borderless photo in just 55 seconds. Re-styled for 2008 with a lower profile and output tray, the PIXMA iP2600 delivers great design with value. The Canon PIXMA iP2600 will be available from March 2008 priced at £35.00 / €49.00.

The new Fujifilm FinePix S100FS is what the company describe as “its most advanced DSLR-styled camera to date”. With an 11 megapixel sensor, 2.5” tiltable LCD and 14.3x, 28mm-400mm Fujinon manual zoom lens, the Fujifilm S100FS attempts to offer the manual controls and functionality of a true DSLR camera. Film simulation modes and settings that expand the camera’s dynamic range have filtered down from the FinePix S5 Pro DSLR camera. The Fujifilm FinePix S100FS will be available from UK retailers in March 2008, pricing to be announced nearer to the date of the launch.

The new Fujifilm FinePix S8100fd camera offers 10 megapixels and an 18x wide angle lens (27-486mm). Successor to the S800fd model (which is just 6 months old), the Fujifilm S8100fd offers more megapixels, new Zoom Bracketing and Instant Zoom modes and some new continuous shooting modes (up to 33 frames at 13.5 frames per second (at 3 megapixels; 6.8 frames per second at 5 megapixels)). The Fujifilm FinePix S8100fd will be available from UK retailers in March 2008, pricing will be announced nearer to the date of the launch.