Scholarships are now up for grabs for the Kubota Image Tools “Digital Photography Bootcamp”, a 5-day workshop for professional photographers worth $2,195. “We want to recognize and assist photographers who are working on a very limited budget—yet who still find time to give back to their communities.” said Kevin Kubota, Idea Guy of Kubota Image Tools.

Jessops is demonstrating the new Canon EOS 1D Mark III DSLR and offering free tips from Canon experts at four special events for enthusiasts and professionals. There’s also a half-price SanDisk 4GB CompactFlash card with every EOS 1D Mark III ordered on the day. The Jessops Demo Days take place in London and Birmingham on Thursday 19th July and Edinburgh and Cardiff on Thursday 16th August.

The ExpressDigital Darkroom photography workflow software has just been launched in the UK. Two training days will be held this summer covering event photography using ExpressDigital Darkroom software. Event Photography Training Days will be held in Birmingham on July 27 and Manchester on August 30.

Imaging Resource have reviewed the Nikon Coolpix P5000 camera, which offers 10 megapixels, 3.5x zoom lens (36-126mm), Vibration Reduction to combat camera shake, ISO 3200 capability and a 2.5 inch LCD screen.

“The attractive and capable P5000 may rub you the wrong way when it comes to shutter lag, shot to shot speed and high ISO noise. But because it’s a camera you can control, it provides ways to improve autofocus and reduce shutter lag and smooth out high ISO images. That takes a little more engagement with the camera than many digicams require, but that’s not always a bad thing.”

Website: Imaging Resource - Nikon Coolpix P5000 Review

ePhotoZine have reviewed the new Sony T100 camera, which has a 5x optical zoom lens and 3-inch LCD screen, with red, black and silver colours available.

“Predictably, ISO80 gives good results with no noise and good detail to the petals as does ISO100. ISO200 shows a minor amount of noise and the colour of the petals is starting to saturate with ISO400 having distinct noise and the petals a brighter orange than the lower ratings. ISO800 shows more colour, but still displays detail in the petal and I would expect to see more noise than this in the image. At ISO1600 the image starts to drop off in quality with noise taking over and the petals paling out whilst the noise at ISO3200 breaks the straight lines of the grey card down so they are fuzzy.”

Website: ePhotoZine - Sony DSC-T100 Review

Website: Read our Sony Cyber-shot DSC T100 Review

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

“As usual with Canon cameras the AF system is extremely fast, in fact it’s one of the fastest AF systems I’ve ever seen on a compact camera, locking on in under half a second, and sometime much quicker. Even in low light it focuses quickly, or at least lets you know quickly if it can’t focus. The bright AF assist lamp means that doesn’t happen very often though, and I found no problem focusing at night at ranges of several metres.”

Website: TrustedReviews - Canon IXUS 950 IS Review

Website: Read our Canon Digital IXUS 950 IS Review

After yesterday’s announcement by Canon that they were to invest heavily in CMOS sensors, Sony have also revealed very similar plans. Except that the Sony release is dated 6th June, which technically means that Canon are following Sony’s lead, but anyway, I digress. Sony are investing 60 billion Yen during the next 3 years “to strengthen its CMOS sensor manufacturing operations to provide growth markets such as mobile phones and digital still cameras with CMOS sensors”. All of this probably means that CMOS sensors will gradually replace CCDs in compact digicams, and hopefully improve the overall image quality (fingers crossed).

The Epson 4880, Epson 7880 and Epson 9880 are new large format printers featuring Epson’s UltraChrome K3 ink with Vivid Magenta and improved image processing. The sizes are - 17” (A2+) Epson Stylus Pro 4880, 24” (A1+) Stylus Pro 7880 and 44” (B0+) Stylus Pro 9880. Each model also has a Ethernet interface as standard, improved printhead and Super Halftone Technology, a new screening algorithm. Pricing excluding VAT - Epson 9880 £4495, Epson 9880 £2395, Epson 9880 £1495, all available September 2007.

The Epson 11880 is the first ever 64 inch large format printer from Epson. The Sylus Pro 11880 features Epson’s UltraChrome K3 ink with Vivid Magenta, Micro Piezo TFP printhead, Gigabit Ethernet and Super Halftone technology, a new screening algorithm. The Epson 11880 costs £9995 excluding VAT, and is available in September 2007.

The Epson 4450, Epson 7450 and Epson 9450 are new graphics arts large format printers featuring Epson’s UltraChrome K3 ink and Micro Piezo printhead. The sizes are - 17” (A2+) Epson Stylus Pro 4450, 24” (A1+) Stylus Pro 7450 and 44” (B0+) Stylus Pro 9450. Pricing excluding VAT - Epson 9880 £4095, Epson 9880 £2195, Epson 9880 £1395, all available September 2007.

The Kingston Technology 8GB DataTraveler II Plus Migo Edition is a USB Flash drive with data synchronization software from Migo. This software gives users the freedom to work on multiple PCs in different locations. “Kingston’s new 8GB DataTraveler II Plus – Migo Edition now provides the complete solution of high capacity storage with Migo’s state-of-the-art software to keep the data secure and fully synchronized.” said Robert Halligan, chief operating officer, Migo Software, Inc. The Kingston Technology 8GB DataTraveler II Plus Migo Edition costs $154.00 in the USA.

The Kingston DataTraveler 100 USB Flash drive features a capless design and a new, “thumb-action” slide positioned on the side. “The DataTraveler 100’s new thumb-action, retractable design reduces the drive’s overall size, which allows for easy and unobtrusive transport in a pocket or attached to a keychain,” said Joe Teng, Flash product manager, Kingston. The Kingston DataTraveler 100 is available in capacities up to 8GB, ranging from $19 to $116 in the USA.

Dynamic Learning: Photoshop CS3 is a new book from O’Reilly provides essential information and training in Photoshop CS3. The book is split into thirteen lessons and also a DVD with Digital Classroom video tutorials. “The video tutorials really make these books unique,” explains author Jennifer Smith. “We’re excited to be able to connect directly with our readers with the included videos. Readers can complete the exercise on their own, and then view the video tutorials to watch the authors work through complex topics.” Dynamic Learning: Photoshop CS3 costs $44.99 USD, $58.99 CAD, £31.99 GBP.

PicaJet.com is giving away a free 12-month subscription to Shutterbug photography magazine, worth $60. All you have to do is purchase PicaJet FX digital picture management software, costing $59.95. PicaJet’s offer ends on August 1st, 2007.

DWF START is a new free forum-based service for photographers who are planning to start careers in wedding photography. Application for free memberships to DWF START are now being accepted. Digital Wedding Forum has also changed its name to DWF Pro, and currently boasts 4,400 members.

FotoFlexer is an online photo-editing suite for photo-sharing sites such as Facebook.com and Photobucket.com. “We created FotoFlexer because we were frustrated with the inability to easily edit photos in online communities,” said Neil Warren, a co-founder. Fotoflexer is a free product - visit http://www.fotoflexer.com to try it out.

DCViews have reviewed the Nikon D40x DSLR, which features a 10.2 megapixel sensor, producing 3,872 x 2,592-pixel images, 3D Colour Matrix Metering II system and 2.5 inch LCD screen.

“The new 10-megapixel sensor provides a lower base sensitivity and now includes the full ISO range from ISO 100 to 3200. Noise characteristics remain the same with low noise up to ISO 800 and excellent detail in highlight and shadow areas. The D40’s already excellent dynamic range has been improved to eight and a half stops on the D40X. This may not be directly noticeable in day to day picture situations but in certain high contrast situations it could prevent the sky from washing out, which would mean the difference between getting a white blob or a nice blue sky.”

Website: DCViews - Nikon D40x Review

Website: Read our Nikon D40x Review

DigitalCameraInfo have reviewed the Nikon Coolpix S500, a 7.1 megapixel camera with a 3x zoom lens (35-105mm), Vibration Reduction to combat camera shake, ISO 2000 capability, 2.5 inch monitor and One-touch portrait button.

“The Nikon Coolpix S500 retails for $299 which is right in the range of where it should be as a slim and sturdy point-and-shoot digital camera. This model was released alongside the Nikon S200, which was targeted to be the more budget-oriented camera. It costs $50 less and its features are worth at least that much less. Between the two cameras, I’d still go for the S500 mostly because of the optical image stabilization and much better LCD resolution. However, don’t expect too much in terms of image quality from the S500; noise levels up to ISO 800 are acceptable, but the S500’s dynamic range, color accuracy, and video performance are disappointing.”

Website: DigitalCameraInfo - Nikon Coolpix S500 Review

DCResource have reviewed the Nikon Coolpix P5000 camera, which offers 10 megapixels, 3.5x zoom lens (36-126mm), Vibration Reduction to combat camera shake, ISO 3200 capability and a 2.5 inch LCD screen.

“The Nikon Coolpix P5000 is a good compact camera that had a few too many corners cut, in my opinion. It offers a lot of features for both beginners and enthusiasts, but at the same time it’s lacking features that would make it a true D-SLR companion. Throw in a movie mode bug and a totally bizarre noise (and not the photo kind) in record mode and you’ve got a camera that I’m not jumping up and down about. It’s worth a look, but if you’re expecting a compact D-SLR, you might want to lower your expectations.”

Website: DCResource - Nikon Coolpix P5000 Review

DPReview have reviewed the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H7, a new addition to Sony’s range of ultra-zoom compact digital cameras offering 8 megapixels, 15x optical stabilized zoom lenses, ISO 3200, face-detection and HDTV output.

”...if you want a genuinely affordable big zoom camera for snapping the family that you can leave on ‘full auto’ all the time - and you rarely print your pictures bigger than 6x4 inches - the H7 is (at as little as $350 online) certainly worth a closer look.”

Website: DPReview - Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H7 Review