The powerful new Profoto B1X is a successor to the award-winning Profoto B1 on-location flash. Like its predecessor, the B1X is a 500Ws cordless light, offering TTL metering with Canon, Olympus, Nikon and Sony cameras, in connection with a hotshoe-mounted Air Remote TTL unit. The new model's LED modelling light offers 80% more light output, the battery holds 50% more power and the B1X boasts the widest HSS range available on any flash (up to 1/8,000s with 9 f-stop power range). "We want image creators everywhere to be able to realise their vision," the company says. "If that’s halfway up a mountain, overpowering the sun in the middle of the desert or hanging off a rock overlooking the Mediterranean – then so be it." In addition to the B1X light, Profoto are also launching two new OCF reflectors. Adding hard light to the shaping palette of Profoto OCF Light Shaping Tools, the OCF Zoom Reflector and the OCF Magnum Reflector are compact and lightweight, making them ideal for shooting on location. The OCF Zoom Reflector is so portable it even fits into the B1 case while mounted on the B1 or B1X.

The Camera Lift Strap - an innovative camera strap that reduces the neck and back strain caused by the weight of your camera - is now available for purchase. "Our camera strap design clasps right onto to your backpack handle and keeps the weight of your camera distributed along the shoulders, one of the strongest parts of the human body," the company says. "It has the capacity to carry the heaviest of camera equipment with ultimate comfort, so you can experience the weightlessness of your camera like never before!" The Camera Lift Strap is available to purchase at the website below, priced from $37.

Website: PONTE Leather

Leica have announced that the submission phase for entries for the ‘Leica Oskar Barnack Award’ photo competition (LOBA) has now closed. Approximately 2,700 photographers from a total of 104 different countries submitted entries to LOBA 2017. The majority of the entries received came from China, France, Brazil, Germany, Italy, South Korea and the USA. The international jury of experts will now judge the entries received and select the twelve finalists in the two categories of the competition, the ‘Leica Oskar Barnack Award’ and the ‘Leica Oskar Barnack Newcomer Award’. The winners of the 37th LOBA will receive their prizes at a gala event in Berlin in September. The work of all twelve finalists will then be displayed at a major exhibition in the ‘Neuen Schule für Fotografie’, Brunnenstrasse 188-190, 10119 Berlin.

Delkin announced today the newest addition to their growing line of BLACK products: the Delkin BLACK USB 3.0 Rugged Memory Card Reader. Utilising an innovative aluminium-plastic design, the BLACK rugged memory card reader takes advantage of stronger materials to offer ruggedised protection and extend the lifetime of the reader. Providing storage for one SD card, one microSD card and one CompactFlash card, the Delkin BLACK USB 3.0 includes a wraparound cord that tucks neatly into the rubberised cover for easy storage. Both SD & microSD slots fully utilise the high-speed performance of UHS-II cards, while the CF slot incorporates UDMA 7 and VPG (video performance guarantee) support.

StarTech.com has released two new USB 3.0 compliant card reader/writers for CFast 2.0 memory cards, which enable quick downloads, transfers or backups of photo or video content. The new single-slot card reader/writers are available in two versions, a USB-C variant and a USB-A version, which connect through an integrated cable to a laptop, mobile device or desktop computer. Both card readers are backward compatible with USB 2.0/1.1 connectors and CFast 1.0 cards. The MSRP is £55.90+VAT.

The Felix Schoeller Group is reminding interested photographers that the submission deadline for the third international Felix Schoeller Photo Award is getting closer and closer. After 31 May 2017, one of the most prestigious photo contests for professional photographers in the German-speaking world, with a total prize pool of €25,000, is moving into the judging stage. Due to past experiences and an enormously increased number of registrations, it is recommended that entrants do not wait until the final hours to upload their work. The first shortlist will be announced at the beginning of August, and the awards ceremony will be held on 14th October.

Fondation Carmignac has anounced Libya: A Human Marketplace, an exhibition of work by Mexican photographer - and the 7th Laureate of the Carmignac Photojournalism Award - Narciso Contreras, hosted by the Saatchi Gallery, London, from 16 May to 16 June 2017. Contreras lays bare an unfolding humanitarian crisis in which illegal migrants, refugees and asylum seekers are at the mercy of militiamen who exploit them for financial gain. Held in detention centres, the migrants are subjected to inhumane conditions including overcrowding, lack of sanitation and vicious beatings. The exhibition of 32 photographs by Narciso Contreras will be displayed from 16 May to 16 June 2017 at London’s Saatchi Gallery.

The Epson International Pano Awards 2017 competition is now open for entries. Dedicated to the art of panoramic photography, the 8th Epson International Pano Awards is open to all professional and amateur photographers with a combined pool of more than $50,000, including $22,000 cash. Prizes include an Epson SureColor P7070 and an Epson SureColor P5070 printer, and an Epson EB-1776 ultra-slim projector. “Epson is proud to continue its support as the title partner of The International Pano Awards in 2017,” said Craig Heckenberg, General Manager, Business Division, Epson Australia. “Each year the competition continues to go from strength to strength and nothing highlights this better than the fact that the awards now attract entries from over 60 countries around the world. The images submitted are nothing short of spectacular and I am confident 2017 will raise the bar once again.” For the first time ever, Nikon is now also sponsoring the Awards. Early-bird entries are open now until Sunday, 9 July 2017.

Fantasea line has just launched the rugged FRX100 V housing for the Sony RX100 V, RX100 IV and RX100 III cameras. Providing full access to all essential camera controls and functions, the Fantasea FRX100 V housing is depth rated to 60 metres, and features a shock-resistant construction, ergonomic design and double O-ring protection. Free extras include a hand-strap, moisture detector and port cover. Do note that the FRX100 V is very similar to the FRX100 IV housing. However, the FRX100 IV has a built-in front port thread design compatible with 55mm wet lenses and also includes in the box a 55-67mm lens ring adapter. By contrast the FRX100 V has a built-in front port thread design compatible with 67 mm wet lenses and is therefore not compatible with 55mm ones. The Fantasea FRX100 V underwater housing is available for $529.95.

Magix have released the latest version of their video editing software, Video Pro X. From 10-bit HEVC decoding/encoding and professional colour grading to 360° editing and precise audio mastering, this new edition offers powerful tools for broadcast-quality results. In addition, scalable proxy editing, preview rendering and hardware acceleration enable real-time video editing in HD, 4K and 360°. The software supports all formats from the professional and consumer sector such as ProRes, HEVC 10-Bit, AVC and MPEG-2. Thanks to new support for lookup tables in Video Pro X, it can sync flat recordings with LUTs from the camera manufacturer or upload cinematic effect LUTs to create unique film styles. Lookup tables save colour grading information and can easily be imported and applied, or custom created and saved. The latest version of Video Pro X is now available in stores and online for £349.00.

Phase One today announced a new capture solution for Cultural Heritage digitisation projects: the iXG Camera System. The robust, fully integrated camera - available in 50MP and 100MP configurations with exchangeable repro-lenses (72mm and 120mm macro) guaranteeing one million actuations - makes the iXG Camera System a powerful tool for processing high volumes of Cultural Heritage subject matter including documents, books, transparent film, glass plates and more. Operating on a new version of the Capture One CH software, the iXG Camera System provides precision focus control through motor driven focusing, with position recording of the lens to ensure accuracy. Contrast-based autofocus sets distance and resolution parameters accurately. The iXG Camera System is available for order now through Phase One Cultural Heritage Partners. Shipping commences in June 2017. Prices start at €33,990.

The Phase One IQ3 100MP Achromatic is the World's first 101-megapixel achromatic digital back. Featuring a new CMOS sensor design and state-of-the-art focus on classic black and white photography, the Phase One IQ3 100MP Achromatic has a top ISO of 51,200; making it the most light sensitive medium format digital back available today. The IQ3 100MP Achromatic’s 101-megapixel sensor is produced without a Bayer colour filter, allowing all available light to be captured unaltered and unobstructed. With no colour information to be interpreted, the sensor is free to focus solely on capturing the highest level of detail, nuance and luminance. The IQ3 100MP Achromatic Digital Back also provides an electronic shutter, long exposure of up to 60 minutes, HDMI output, WiFi capabilities, full IQ3 XF Camera System integration, and compatibility with other camera bodies, as is standard with all IQ3 Digital Backs. "The IQ3 100MP Achromatic enables photographers to capture a timeless expression,” said Stefan Sándor, Vice President Marketing and Product Management. “The detail, tonality and image quality must be experienced first-hand, as seeing is not only believing, but truly inspirational.” The MSRP for the IQ3 100MP Achromatic digital back is $49,990. Shipping will begin in early August.

Sony and the European Outdoor Conservation Association (EOCA) have worked together to help raise awareness of some of the world’s rarest species through a stunning photography series shot entirely on the Sony RX10 III camera. This spring, UK photographer and finalist in the Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2014 and 2016 Sam Hobson, an award-winning Finnish wildlife photographer Lassi Rautiainen, Spanish nature photographer Javier Alonso Huerta, Swiss wildlife photographer Markus P. Stähli and nature photographer Gustav Kiburg set out to capture some of the rarest mammals and birds in the world including the European Bison, the Atlantic Puffin and the Little Bustard. Yann Salmon Legagneur, Head of Product Marketing, Digital Imaging for Sony Europe, commented: “We are delighted to showcase this collection of beautiful rare animals’ pictures, creatures that can be found right on our European doorstep. The Sony RX10 III, with its extended 600mm super-telephoto zoom lens and silent shutter capability ensures that these incredible animals are not disturbed whilst photos are taken.”

Fotomuseum Winterthur will be showcasing a comprehensive retrospective view of the work of American photographer and filmmaker Danny Lyon from 20th May - 27th August. As a dedicated and sharp-eyed observer fascinated by outsiders and subcultures, Lyon has spent more than fifty years documenting sociopolitical issues, delving deep into the heart of the matter and always building a close rapport with the people in front of his camera. Determined to counter the one-sided preoccupations of the mainstream media by offering an alternative viewpoint, he has developed an increasingly subjective and participatory form of documentary photography in the tradition of Walker Evans and Robert Frank. In addition to his iconic images, this wide-ranging retrospective also includes, for the first time in Europe, some of his lesser-known films, collages and fascinating material from Lyon’s own archives. Fotomuseum Winterthur is located at Grüzenstrasse 44, 8400 Winterthur, Switzerland.

The Sundisc is an ultra-portable softbox and reversible reflector that sits directly on your speedlight and fits in your camera bag. While it is essentially a compact softbox, the Sundisc can also double as a reflector with both warm and cool light. This way you can carry less gear and still get great shots. Additionally, the Sundisc flips into shape and clips to your speedlight within seconds. "We have worked with the Sundisc for over three years, testing and iterating and testing again. We have tested in the studio and we have tested in the field. We have sent the Sundisc out to be tested by other photographers and taken in feedback," the inventors say. "Now we are at a point where we are confident we have ironed out all the kinks and are ready to share the Sundisc with you." Interested readers are encouraged to pay a visit to the Sundisc project's Kickstarter page.

Olympus has issued new firmware updates for the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II, OM-D E-M5 Mark II and Olympus PEN-F compact system cameras, expanding their compatibility with Profoto AirTTL flashes. The updates Version 1.2 for the OM-D E-M1 Mark II, Version 3.0 for the OM-D E-M5 Mark II and Version 2.0 for the PEN-F enable compatibility with the new Profoto Air Remote TTL-O, allowing users to seamlessly integrate Profoto AirTTL flashes with these cameras. Further new functions for the E-M5 Mark II as well as the PEN-F include the ‘Save Setting/Mysets’ feature already available on the E-M1 Mark II. Click through / scroll down for the details, including an overview of all the new functions.