Want to see exactly what the new Leica Sofort Instant Camera looks like in the flesh?

Check out our hands-on gallery of photos of the Leica Sofort Instant Camera.

The Elinchrom EL-Skyport Plus HS transmitter is now available to Olympus users. This will give them the ability to control and visualise power settings for all their compatible Elinchrom lights and the capability to shoot at speeds up to 1/8000s in Hi-Sync mode. The ODS (Over Drive Sync) enables users to fine tune the Skyport Plus HS transmitter’s trigger signal to optimise exposure at high shutter speeds whilst gaining up to 2 more f-stops of light. The transmitter attaches easily and securely to the hotshoe with its quick-lock mechanism, and is powered by 2x AA batteries. Users can also enjoy a range of up to 656ft (200m) outdoors, and up to 196ft (60m) indoors.

We sat down with Setsuya Kataoka, the Deputy Division Manager of the Imaging Product Development Division of Olympus, to discuss the new Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II camera.

Alien Skin Software today announced Exposure X2, the latest version of its flagship photo editor. Exposure X2 is a non-destructive raw converter and organiser that helps photographers quickly organise, edit, and enhance their photos using a variety of creative tools. It can be used either as a complete solution or as a creative editing plug-in to Adobe Lightroom or Photoshop. New features include a Spot Heal tool which enables detailed portrait retouching, Faded presets, a new Histogram panel, and more. Exposure X2 is available now for $149.

Bowens has launched the first products in its new Generation X flash range. The line-up comprises two new flash systems: XMT – an all-in-one battery unit for location lighting, and XMS – engineered to be the go-to system for studio photographers. The all-new 500Ws XMT (£1,199) boasts TTL and high speed sync functionality (up to 1/8000s) compatible with Canon, Nikon and Sony cameras: 9-stops of flash power adjustment; short flash durations: faster recycle times than ever before (as rapid as 0.01s): easy swap lithium-ion battery provides up to 500 full power flashes per charge: rear curtain sync; sync delay and strobe mode allow creative set-ups on the move. The XMS, available in 500,750 and 1000Ws models ( (£799, £899  and £999, respectively) all fully controllable via the XMSR 2.4 Ghz radio control and trigger) features multi-voltage operation. These units offer faster recycling times and shorter flash durations. The XMSR model includes Bowens' "Sync Offset" functionality, enabling photographers to embrace any brand of camera to shoot at high sync speeds – up to 1/8000s.

Want to see exactly what the new Sigma 85mm, 12-24mm, 500mm and Cine lenses looks like in the flesh?

Check out our extensive hands-on gallery of photos of the Sigma 85mm, 12-24mm, 500mm and Cine lenses.

Broncolor has unveiled the new “RFS 2.2 Transceiver” which will facilitate high-speed synchronisation in the Siros L and Move flash systems. Advantages include allowing the photographer to use a high shutter speed (up to 1/8000s) to freeze motion, overpower the sun with less flash power and equipment, darken backgrounds using a high shutter speed, and most importantly shoot with a large aperture creating a shallow depth of field. The new unit also offers the user a bright illuminated LCD screen which is easy to read and clearly indicates all settings. The RFS 2.2 transceiver is compatible with all Broncolor power packs or monolights equipped with an RFS 2 or 2.1 interface. Available in Canon, Nikon and Sony versions, the Broncolor RFS 2.2 Transceiver is priced at $114.95. Additionally, Broncolor has announced a new honeycomb grid, the Strip Grid 5:1 for P70 reflector ($235.00). It has the same function as all Broncolor honeycomb grids, with a new shape of the honeycomb.

Lexar today announced two high-performance storage solutions to easily transfer and share content between devices with USB Type-C or micro-USB ports. The Lexar JumpDrive C20c USB Type-C flash drive (pictured) features both USB Type-C and standard USB-Type A connectors in a convenient charging cable design to provide high-speed performance for fast file transfer with speeds up to 150MB/s read and 60MB/s write. The Lexar JumpDrive C20m micro-USB flash drive is a 3-in-1 solution that features both micro-USB and standard USB Type-A connectors that allow users to easily transfer files between On-The-Go (OTG)-enabled Android tablets and smartphones. Both JumpDrives are compatible with Windows and Mac systems and backwards compatible with USB 3.0 and 2.0 devices, and will be available in capacities of 32GB, 64GB, and 128GB. The new JumpDrive C20c USB Type-C flash drive has MSRPs of £24.99 (32GB), £35.99 (64GB) and £61.99 (128GB) while the JumpDrive C20m micro-USB flash drive has MSRPs of £18.99 (32GB), £30.99 (64GB) and £48.99 (128GB).

Lexar has announced a new 256GB 633x microSDXC UHS-I (U3) memory card. Designed for sports camcorders, tablets, and smartphones, the 633x microSDXC UHS-I card has read transfer speeds up to 95MB per second and is currently on display at Photokina. The microSDXC card comes with a USB 3.0 reader, which allows for quick and easy file transfer from the card to a PC. The card includes a limited lifetime warranty and a one-year limited warranty for the card reader. The new card will be "coming soon," with an MSRP of £246.99.

Want to see exactly what the new Fujifilm GFX 50S medium format compact system camera looks like in the flesh?

Check out our extensive hands-on gallery of photos of the Fujifilm GFX 50S medium format compact system camera and the 6 new G mount lenses.

Update: We've now added some much better hands-on photos of the Fujifilm GFX 50S.

Novoflex have announced several new products that will go on display this week at Photokina 2016. Coming shortly after the recent announcement of the Leica SL Smart Adapter for Canon EF lenses, Novoflex has also announced a similar lens adapter for Nikkor optics. This new smart SL/NIK adapter supports electronic pass-through from the lens to the camera body, enabling autofocus, aperture control, AF/MF mode, and depth of field indicator from the Leica SL camera body. A new tripod collar ASTAT-CN is designed to be used on the SL/NIK and the SL/EOS adapters when using heavy lenses on the Leica SL. This new tripod collar supports the lens to relieve the stress on the Leica bayonet mount. Additionally, Novoflex has introduced three new PL adapters that will allow film/video professionals to use PL-mount lenses on Leica T/SL (LET/PL), Micro Four Thirds (MFT/PL), and Sony E-mount (NEX/PL) cameras. Last but not least, the Novoflex MagicBall Free is a new take on the idea of a ball head and allows compact system camera users to quickly frame and capture an image quickly and with stability. The MagicBall Free is available in two set configurations. The MB FREE SET includes the MagicBall Free ball, Magic Ball Free housing, Magic Ball Free shell, and Magic Ball Free support foot. The BF SET includes the MagicBall Free ball, Magic Ball Free shell, and Magic Ball Free support foot. To see these and more Novoflex products, visit Hall 2.1, Stand A041-A043 at Photokina.

Metz has launched the mecablitz M400, a compact system flash for Canon, Nikon, Micro FourThirds, Pentax, Sony and Fujifilm cameras. Powered by four AAA sized NiMH, alkaline-magnesium or lithium batteries, the Metz mecablitz M400 has a zoom-swivel head covering a FOV range matching that of a full-frame 24-105mm lens, with a guide number of 40 (in metres at ISO 100/21°) at the 105mm position. Depending on your camera, the mecablitz M400 with master and slave mode also offers wireless TTL flash functionality. The M400 comes with an adjustable LED video/modelling light, bounce card and integrated wide-angle diffuser. Other highlights include high-speed flash synchronisation, second-curtain sync and red-eye reduction. Availability and pricing to be confirmed.

Want to see exactly what the new Sony A99 II DSLT camera looks like in the flesh?

Check out our extensive hands-on gallery of photos of the Sony A99 II DSLT camera.

Update: We've now added some much better hands-on photos of the Sony A99 II.

JK Imaging has announced the upcoming launch of the Kodak Pixpro 4KVR360 VR camera, a compact device targeting the rapidly growing 360° VR video consumer market. The 4KVR360 adopts a minimalist approach to an all-in-one 360° VR camera, with two 4K fixed focus lenses housed on either side of the futuristic camera body. The lenses are designed to work in tandem, to capture full 360° 4K Video and easily upload 360° content to Facebook and YouTube via the camera’s Smart Device App. “The decision to continue expanding our award winning 360° VR camera line up with the new Kodak Pixpro 4KVR360 was a natural progression,” said Mariame Cisse, Marketing Director for JK Imaging Ltd., Europe. “We are committed to the interactive 360° video format and want to give yet another option to consumers when it comes to choosing a quality 360° VR camera based on their specific needs.” The 4KVR360 will feature a 20-megapixel CMOS sensor and use a Micro SD card (up to 128GB) to record 360° content. The 4KVR360 camera will incorporate Wi-Fi, NFC and Bluetooth connectivity compatibility for Smart device APPs to control and view the camera remotely. JK Imaging anticipates availability of the new 4KVR360 in early 2017. No MSRP has been released to date.

Olympus Japan has released 7 high-resolution sample photos taken with the new M.Zuiko Digital ED 30mm f/3.5 Macro lens. Shot on a variety of Micro Four Thirds camera bodies including the PEN E-PL7, the OM-D E-M1 and the  OM-D E-M10 Mark II; these M.Zuiko Digital ED 30mm f/3.5 Macro samples show off the superior macro capabilities of this brand new M.Zuiko Premium lens. You can download the sample images from the website below.

Website: Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 30mm F3.5 Macro Sample Images

Profoto has unveiled the Pro-10, the world's fastest studio flash/generator. Offering t0.5 flash durations as short as 1/80,000th of a second, the Profoto Pro-10 is a powerful 2,400Ws unit with a recycle time of just 0.02-0.7s. Other highlights include built in AirTTL supporting wireless sync, control and TTL exposure metering; 3 large rubberised dials; a high-resolution display; a power range of 11 stops (adjutable in full-stop or 1/10th-stop increments) and compatiblity with 11 different flash heads and over 120 light shaping tools.

Want to see exactly what the new Canon EOS M5 compact system camera looks like in the flesh?

Check out our extensive hands-on gallery of photos of the Canon EOS M5 compact system camera and the new EF-M 18-150mm f/3.5-6.3 IS STM lens.

Phase One has announced two new Schneider Kreuznach Blue Ring lenses. Providing edge-to-edge sharpness in a nearly distortion-free wide-angle design, the Schneider Kreuznach 45mm LS f/3.5 ($5990) is an ideal option for landscape photography as well as interior and architecture applications. The Schneider Kreuznach 150mm LS f/2.8 IF ($6990) is the fastest Blue Ring telephoto lens with an extremely shallow depth of field, which is perfect for portraiture. These new Schneider Kreuznach Blue Ring lenses are available now through a ntework of Phase One Partners.

Phase One today announced a new 101-megapixel digital back for its XF and H series cameras (from Hasselblad). Accommodating a range of technical systems, the Phase One IQ1 100MP Digital Back shoots 16-bit-per-channel images with a native resolution of 11608 x 8708 pixels and a dynamic range of 15 stops, and provides a sensitivity range of ISO 50-12,800. The IQ1 100MP Digital Back is shipping this month, priced at $32,990.

Western Digital today unveiled its SanDisk 1TB SDXC memory card prototype at Photokina 2016. “Showcasing the most advanced imaging technologies is truly exciting for us,” said Dinesh Bahal, vice president, product management, Content Solutions Business Unit, Western Digital. “Sixteen years ago we introduced the first SanDisk 64MB SD card and today we are enabling capacities of 1TB. Over the years our goal has remained the same; continue to innovate and set the pace for the imaging industry. The SanDisk 1TB SD card prototype represents another significant achievement as growth of high-resolution content and capacity-intensive applications such as virtual reality, video surveillance and 360 video, are progressing at astounding rates.”