On 30th June Hasselblad will be opening its first retail store in Stockholm, Sweden. Located at Fotografiska, a centre for contemporary photography, the Hasselblad store will be home to a full range of Hasselblad cameras, lenses and products, while encouraging visitors to explore the Hasselblad brand. The collaboration will enable Hasselblad and Fotografiska to provide access to a full range of Hasselblad cameras, while also sharing their joint knowledge on the art of photography. Per Broman, founder of Fotografiska, said: “We are honoured to collaborate with an iconic Swedish camera brand like Hasselblad on the opening of its first store. We share the same values and devotion for photography and together with Hasselblad’s renowned technical excellence and creative vision, we aim to welcome photography enthusiasts around the world. It is a perfect match for our 535 000 guests who visit us every year for inspiration via the very inclusive art form of photography.”

OmegaBrandess has announced the new Flexy Strap, an ultra-compact camera neck strap and wrist strap all in one. The Flexy Strap is compact and extremely comfortable thanks to the thick and soft Neoprene neck pad.  The strap cord is made using a proprietary technology allowing an elastic effect.  The result is the strap extends when carrying a camera around the neck and shortens when using as a wrist strap.  The Neoprene pad incorporates a magnetic button that allows the conversion to a very comfortable and secure wrist strap.  Made in Italy, the b-grip Flexy Strap retails for $39.99.

TH Swiss have just launched their newest product - a set of fifteen neutral density gelatin filters designed specifically for Irix lenses. Each filter is made with ultra-thin (0.1mm) high-quality film to keep the image free of optical aberrations and distortions. Thanks to the square shape and rounded corners, the filters easily fit to Irix lenses equipped with a 30x30mm rear filter slot. The Irix Egde Gelatin Filter Set is a convenient option for photographers who want to obtain a longer shutter speed with Irix 11mm f/4.0 or use an ND filter simultaneously with a screw-in polariser on the Irix 15mm f/2.4 lens. THe filters are available with three density factors: 0.6 (ND4), 0.9 (ND8) and 1.2 (ND16). The recommended reatil price is €8.45.

Lucid VR today officially announced the availability of their easy-to-use, pocket-size 3D 180° VR camera, the LucidCam with a preview sale launch campaign starting June 26th. Exceeding the original specifications of the LucidCam crowdfunding campaign, the engineers at Lucid VR enhanced it and developed a robust 4K 3D 180° VR camera with on-the-go VR content processing of pictures and videos, plus livestreaming capabilities. With the addition of Lucid’s viewing clip or phone case, you can create and view your own 3D 180° VR anywhere with a click of a button. “It’s been an incredible journey to bring this product to life while the industry was chasing 360° VR. 180° VR is much more appealing for the masses, as its simplicity and user experience allows more users to easily capture VR content. With Google’s announcement one of the major players in VR is realizing the benefits of 180° VR video for consumers,” said Jin. “LucidCam creates images and videos which let you for the first time see the world through someone else’s eyes as if you were really there. I want everyone to have such incredible superpowers.” Lucid kicks off the one-month preview sale campaign starting Monday, June 26th, where the camera will be discounted 15 percent off the retail price and delivered August 9.

Sigma have unveiled pricing and availability for the new Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 DG OS HSM | Art lens. Featuring a brand new optical stabiliser and highly efficient and fast AF system, the revamped 24-70mm F2.8 Art covers a wide range of shooting scenarios, the lens includes three SLD (Special Low Dispersion) glass elements and four aspherical elements to reduce chromatic aberration. The Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 DG HSM OS Art supports Canon, Nikon and Sigma mounts and works with Sigma’s MC-11 Sony E-mount converter. The Nikon version additionally features a brand new electromagnetic diaphragm. The Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 DG OS HSM Art lens will have a suggested retail price of £1,399.99/$1,299.00. Sigma, Canon and Nikon mounts will be available to purchase in early July.

Sigma have announced pricing and availability for their 14mm F1.8 DG HSM | Art lens. Boasting outstanding image quality from centre to edge, the 14mm F1.8 Art features the largest glass mold (80mm) in the industry, offering photographers an ultra-wide prime with virtually no distortion, flare or ghosting. Three lens elements are made with FLD (“F” Low Dispersion) glass, which is equivalent to calcium fluorite in performance, and four SLD (Special Low Dispersion) glass elements, which reduce chromatic aberration. The all new Sigma 14mm F1.8 DG HSM Art lens supports Canon, Nikon and Sigma mounts and works with Sigma’s MC-11 Sony E-mount converter. The Nikon version features a brand new electromagnetic diaphragm. The Sigma 14mm F1.8 DG HSM | Art lens will have a suggested retail price of £1,679.99/$1,599.00. Sigma and Canon mounts will be available to purchase in early July with Nikon mount following towards the end of July

The Tamron 18-400mm F/3.5-6.3 Di II VC HLD is the World's first 22.2x all-in-one zoom lens for APS-C DSLR cameras. Weighing in at 705 grams, the 18-400mm F/3.5-6.3 Di II VC HLD is remarkably compact and lightweight for a lens covering such an extremely wide zoom range. The focal length of 400mm at the telephoto end enables photographers to bring distant subjects closer as well as the perspective-flattening effects that only extreme telephoto settings can achieve. The optical construction of the lens comprises 16 lens elements in 11 groups. The use of specialised glass elements such as LD (Low Dispersion) and aspherical lens elements effectively minimises chromatic aberrations and geometric distortion. The AF drive system uses Tamron’s exclusive HLD (High/Low torque modulated Drive) motor. The power-saving HLD motor produces outstanding driving torque, and adjusts motor rotation from low to high speed to enable accurate and quiet focusing. The lens is equipped with Tamron’s original VC (Vibration Compensation) system, which effectively curbs camera shake under low-light conditions. The electromagnetic diaphragm system, which enables superior aperture control, will be incorporated into both the Canon and Nikon vrsions of the lens. The Tamron 18-400mm F/3.5-6.3 Di II VC HLD will be available from July, at a suggested retail price of £649.99/$649.00.

Yi Technology today announced the development of a new 3D stereoscopic camera. Technical details, pricing, exact availability dates, quantities and the product name remain undisclosed but the company says the new VR180 camera will be as easy to use and as compact as a conventional 2D model. Yi is working in close co-operation with Google Daydream to enable users to shoot their own VR180 videos and upload them directly to YouTube.

Gitzo today announced the Arsène Gitzhoven Traveller, which is billed as the World’s most exclusive limited-edition travel tripod. This flagship tripod is limited to 100 pieces worldwide – each with a laser engraved number on the tripod leg as well as an engraving of the owner’s signature. The Arsène Gitzhoven Traveller tripod is the very first model on the market to feature a full carbon fibre spider, making this tripod significantly lighter than conventional models. Additionally, the Arsène Gitzhoven has Gitzo’s latest Traveller Series 1 technological features, including state of the art Carbon eXact tubing and 180° leg folding mechanism for the ultimate strength, the Traveller G-lock mechanism, making it compact, strong and ergonomic, and a brand-new Centre Ball Head. The Arsène Gitzhoven Traveller tripod is presented in a highly refined, white branded chest with leather detailing containing the tripod and its accessories; the tripod’s certificate of authenticity signed by Gitzo’s CEO, and includes the name of the craftsman who created each specific piece. The limited-edition tripod is priced at £2,499.95.

Gitzo are celebrating their 100th anniversary by launching an exclusive, limited-edition travel tripod - the 100 Year Anniversary Edition. This flagship product will be available worldwide in an exclusive limited edition of only 1917 pieces, referencing Gitzo’s year of foundation, with the number of each piece laser engraved on one leg (1/1917 to 1917/1917). The tripod introduces a brand-new magnesium spider emphasised by a black finish and titanium colour details, and boasts Gitzo’s latest Traveller Series 1 technological features, including state of the art Carbon eXact tubing and 180° leg folding mechanism, the Traveller G-lock mechanism, making it compact, strong and ergonomic, together with a brand-new Centre Ball Head. Moreover, the limited-edition tripod features an ergonomic strap made of genuine Italian leather with a carbon-fibre look. The Gitzo 100 Year Anniversary Edition Traveller Tripod will be available at £1249.95. Gitzo’s centenary celebrations will also see the launch of other exclusive products that distinguish themselves through their new design and high-appeal including the ARSÈNE GITZHOVEN TRAVELLER TRIPOD, the world’s most exclusive carbon fibre travel tripod, the Centenary Bag Collection and the Fluid Gimbal Head.

Benro have unveiled their new Master Series round filters. Available in UV, Circular Polarisers, Neutral Density, and Variable Neutral Density, all Benro Master Series Round Filters feature HD optical technologies in the manufacturing process to ensure that filter surfaces are blemish-free and flat across the entire optical surface to guarantee sharp images that are free from ghosting and internal reflections. The filters feature German Schott optics, anti-IR, ultra-low-CA and waterproof multi coatings.

Vü Filters has joined Benro to produce a set of filter holders and filters for photographers. Every Benro Master Series Filter Holder is precision machined from high-quality aluminium and hand-assembled with a significant level of care and attention to detail. Their patented control ring allows for circular polarisers to rotate independently of the filter holder when they are set into place. Benro Master Series Filter Holder Systems are available in 4 sizes - 75mm, 100mm, 150mm and 170mm. To accompany the launch, the companies have also introduced a new colection of high-quality neutral density, reverse ND and graduated ND filters featuring Schott B270 optics with waterproof multi coatings, ultra-low-chromatic-aberration coatings and anti-IR coatings.