Think Tank Photo has released its Shape Shifter expandable backpack in three new configurations. The Shape Shifter 15 V2.0 ($249.75) is designed to hold a 15” laptop plus one DSLR and three lenses. and the Shape Shifter 17 ($279.75) is designed to hold a 17” notebook plus one to two DSLRs and three to four lenses. The all-new Naked Shape Shifter ($219.75), which also accommodates a 17” laptop, allows photographers to attach four to seven Skin Pouches or Lens Changers inside to create a highly customised modular backpack.

Akvis have announced a major update to Akvis Retoucher, an image restoration program for Mac and Windows. Version 8.0 adds a History Brush tool, an innovative image retouching mode for correcting small defects, several new setting options, support for 4K and 5K displays, and more. The software runs on Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 10 and on Mac OS X 10.6-10.11.

Nikon today announced the addition of two new telezoom lenses with stepper motors to their DX lens line-up. The Nikon AF-P DX Nikkor 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3G ED (400 grams, £299.99/€369.00/$349.95) and AF-P DX Nikkor 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3G ED VR (415 grams, £349.99/€429.00/$399.95) offer a 35mm equivalent focal range of 105-450mm and ultra-fast, near-silent auto focus allowing users to capture fleeting moments with ease. Both models feature an optical formula comprising 14 elements in 10 groups (including an ED glass element) and a 7-bladed iris diaphragm. The VR version adds Vibration Reduction - Nikon's proprietary optical image stabilisation system - for sharp hand-held shots at critical shutter speeds. The lenses can focus down to 3.7 feet (1.1m) at all zoom positions, for a maximum magnification of 0.22x, and take 58mm screw-on filters. Availability is slated for next month.

The Nikon D3400 is a new entry-level digital SLR camera with an APS-C sized 24-megapixel sensor and SnapBridge support. Using Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), SnapBridge creates a connection between a camera and a compatible smart device, making it possible to wirelessly and automatically transfer images from the camera to your smartphone or tablet. SnapBridge users can also access Nikon Image Space, a free online image sharing and storage service. The Nikon D3400's other main claim to fame is an improved battery life, which is rated to 1200 frames per charge; up from 700 in the existing D3300. The new model continues to offer an 11-point AF system, a 3" rear screen with a resolution of 921,000 dots, a continuous shooting speed of 5fps, as well as Full HD video capture at 60fps and an EXPEED 4 image processor. The Nikon D3400 will become available next month, bundled with the AF-P DX NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR lens for £489.99 / €599 / $649.99; as well as in a double-zoom kit (with the afore-mentioned AF-P 18-55mm lens plus the new AF-P DX NIKKOR 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3G ED telezoom) priced at $999.95. In the UK and Ireland, the camera will also be available in a body-only configuration for £399.99 / €489; and in an 18-55mm non-VR kit for £469.99 / €579.

The Nikon AF-P DX Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G and AF-P DX Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR lenses, which were first announced back in January, will become available in the US in September 2016. The AF-P DX Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G and AF-P DX Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR utilise stepping motors to drive AF for fast and quiet focusing, and boast a retractable-barrel design for enhanced portability. When shooting video footage, the stepping motor allows you to smoothly shift focus from subject to subject with practically no drive noise. Each lens incorporates 2 aspherical glass elements to correct various types of aberration, and the VR version additionally offers up to four stops of vibration reduction. The VR function can be turned on or off using the menu on compatible camera models (Nikon D3300, D3400, D5300 and D5500). The Nikon AF-P DX Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G standard zoom will be available for $199.95. The AF-P DX Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR will retail for $249.95.

Corel have released PaintShop Pro X9, introducing a range of new features and enhancements that promise to help anyone working with images start (and finish) their personal and professional projects faster than ever. The Interactive Gradient Fill tool allows users to save time creating gradients with new interactive colour nodes, while the enhanced photo workflow enables photographers to work faster than ever with a simplified user experience that streamlines many common tasks. Extending its camera support, PaintShop Pro X9 now works with 15 new camera raw profiles. This update also adds support for Windows Real-Time Stylus, which brings pressure sensitivity and more to specific touch-enabled 2-in-1 devices like Microsoft's Surface series. Also introduced today, the PaintShop Pro X9 and VideoStudio Pro X9 Photo Video Bundle brings together a complete photo, design and video editing package for creative professionals. Suggested retail pricing for PaintShop Pro X9 is $79.99 / €69.99 / £59.99. SRP for PaintShop Pro X9 Ultimate, which includes PaintShop Pro X9 plus a collection of add-ons worth more than $200, is $99.99 / €89.99 / £79.99. The PaintShop Pro X9 and Video Studio X9 Photo Video Bundle sells for $129.99 / €99.99 / £89.99.

CosySpeed has added two new models to its Camslinger Streetomatic series of camera bags. Designed for compact system cameras but also suitable for DSLRs and superzooms, the Camslinger Streetomatic bags can be worn comfortably around the hip or like a traditional sling bag over the shoulder. The new Streethunters Edition is limited to 100 bags and has been released in partnership with the international street photography website streethunters.net and German children’s aid organisation Terre des Hommes. €10 from the sales of each Streethunters Edition Camslinger Streetomatic will be donated to Terre des Hommes projects that help unaccompanied minor refugees in Europe. The other new model is the Camslinger Streetomatic Black, which joins the existing Streetomatic Blue and Khaki models.

Samyang has announced the upcoming release of the full-frame Samyang AF 14/2.8 FE auto-focus UWA lens for Sony E mount cameras. The optical formula comprises 14 elements in 10 groups including 3 aspherical glass elements and an iris diaphragm with seven rounded aperture blades. On a full-frame camera body, the Samyang AF 14/2.8 FE lens offers an angle of view of 113.9 degrees, making it the widest rectilinear lens designed for Sony E-mount cameras. The lens is compatible with both phase-detect and contrast-detect AF systems. The Samyang AF 14/2.8 FE will be globally available from September, priced at €699.

The Tamron SP 85mm F/1.8 Di VC USD lens (read review) has won the EISA Award for 'European DSLR Lens 2016-2017.' Introduced in February, the Tamron SP 85mm f/1.8 Di VC USD is the World's first image-stabilised 85mm f/1.8 lens for SLR cameras. Using LD (Low Dispersion) and XLD (Extra Low Dispersion) glass elements, the award-winning lens is constructed with Tamron’s new SP design, incorporating a new look and feel which includes larger and more tactile switches, together with Tamron’s Moisture-Resistant Construction. VC (Vibration Compensation) is also included in the lens design to help reduce camera shake making it easy to take handheld photographs in low light. USD (Ultrasonic Silent Drive) focusing is also a key part in delivering sharp and precise focus every time, with full-time manual override for extra creative control.

The Sigma 50-100mm F1.8 DC HSM | Art lens (see our full-resolution sample images) has won the “EISA EUROPEAN DSLR ZOOM LENS 2016-2017” Award. Equivalent to a 75-150mm lens in 35mm terms, the Sigma 50-100mm F1.8 DC HSM features an internal zoom mechanism and an aperture diaphragm with nine rounded blades. Weighing in at 1,490 grams; the Sigma 50-100mm F1.8 DC HSM has an optical construction comprising 21 lens elements in 15 groups and a minimum focus distance of 95cm. The lens is available in Canon, Nikon and Sigma fit.

The Teds, a series of photographs by Chris Steele-Perkins, will be exhibited in the UK for the first time in nearly 40 years at Magnum Print Room, London, from 21 September – 28 October 2016. Iconic vintage prints from Steele-Perkins’ series documenting the uniquely British youth culture of the Teds will be shown alongside eight previously unseen photographs from his archive, and a platinum print of the cover image from his landmark book, The Teds, first published in 1979. The exhibition will coincide with the launch of a new, re-designed version of this book by Dewi Lewis (£25).

Fotospeed have announced Foto Fest 2016, a free festival taking place on 3-4 September 2016 at The Pound Art Centre, Corsham, Wiltshire. Billed as "a celebration of photography and printing," Foto Fest 2016 features events for photographers of all backgrounds and interests. Entry to Foto Fest 2016 is free but for an additional £25 for a single day, or £45 for the weekend, you will be given entry to Fotospeed Presents – an opportunity to hear the event’s guests talk further about their work, covering everything from wildlife and sports, fine art nudes, to panoramic and street photography. Photographers speaking at Fotospeed Presents include Mike Birbeck, Andy Beel and Bob Ryan, Colin Westgate, Chrissie Westgate, Tom Mason, Anne Sutcliffe, Derek Doar, Tony Dudley and Joe Cornish.

XP Distribution, the specialist distributor for X-Rite’s range of colour management products aimed at photographers and filmmakers, has announced its attendance at Photokina 2016. X-Rite will return to Hall 4.1, Stand J029 from 20th to 25th September, to demonstrate solutions for achieving accurate colour in both photo and filmmaking workflows. The company's experts will be on hand throughout the event to offer visitors colour workflow advice on everything from capturing to viewing colour, all the way through edit and print. In addition, X-Rite will be showcasing their full range of colour management products including ColorChecker Passport Photo, ColorChecker Classic and ColorChecker Video; ColorMunki Photo, ColorMunki Smile and ColorMunki Display, as well as i1Display Pro. As part of the 40th anniversary celebration of the ColorChecker Classic, visitors to the X-Rite stand can enter a giveaway to win a five-day, all-inclusive workshop with Frank Doorhof in the Netherlands, worth approximately £5,000.

Cascable, an iOS-based remote control app that works with a number of Wi-FI capable cameras, has just been updated to version 2.0. Now supporting 50 models of camera from Canon, Nikon, Sony and Olympus, Cascable enablesfull remote control as well as copying and exporting full resolution photos, including raw files. The basic edition of Cascable 2.0 is available for free from the iTunes App Store, with Pro feature packs being available at $9.99 each.

“All that Life can Afford” is a new solo show featuring the photography of street photographer Matt Stuart. Hosted by East London's theprintspace gallery, the free-to-attend “All that Life can Afford” exhibition features images selected from Stuart’s extensive archive of photos, captured during the 20 years he’s been shooting in the genre. His pictures are full of clever juxtapositions of comedy, wit, and masterfully timed moments, cutting through the urban noise, ebbs and flows of human traffic to reveal witty, tender, magical moments which are gone as quickly as they appeared. The exhibition, which runs from 19th – 26th August, is accompanied by Matt’s first book : All That Life Can Afford (£30), published February 2016 by the Plague Press.

Calumet have announced their second Student Photographer of the Year competition to celebrate World Photo Day, which takes place on 19th August. All UK students are invited to submit a single photo of their best work along with up to 20 words explaining their chosen image. People who join Calumet’s Student Membership can submit an additional two images to the competition, with the scheme costing £25 and members receive free gifts worth over £150. Images need to be no larger than 2MB. The overall winner will be presented with their award at Calumet’s ‘Encounter More Open Days’ taking place in October and November across the company’s eight stores. The closing day for entries is 14 October 2016.

The O2 is inviting budding photographers to enter a competition for the chance to be an official photographer for an upcoming event at the venue. To get involved, simply head over to The O2 to enjoy one of the many fun and unique things to do, take a picture of your experience and share it on Instagram using #SummerOfFun and @theO2london. The deadline for entries is 22 August 2016. The prize will be a meal for four at one of the restaurants at The O2 to the value of £100 and a climb Up at The O2 for four people.