ExpoImaging today announced availability of an Indicator Battery Pouch that offers photographers a new way to store and keep track of a variety of rechargeable batteries, without mixing charged with depleted ones. “Photographers or anyone dealing with electronics today have to deal with keeping track of rechargeable batteries,” says Erik Sowder, ExpoImaging CEO. “The new Indicator Battery Pouch is a simple yet effective way to conveniently store and carry rechargeable batteries, and to help keep track of which ones are charged and ready to go.” The pouch incorporates adjustable hook-and-loop straps, allowing it to conveniently attach to a camera bag strap, a belt, or to hang from a stand. It can hold twelve AAA batteries, eight AA batteries, four 9V batteries, or two camera batteries. The Rogue Indicator Battery Pouch is priced at £12.99 including VAT.

Cactus have announced two second-generation V6 wireless flash transceivers. Offering compatibility with Canon, Fujifilm, Nikon, Olympus, Panasonic and Pentax flashes, the Cactus V6 II now supports HSS / FP mode in the same cross-brand environment. The Cactus V6 IIs (pictured) incorporates all the functions of the V6 II, but comes with a Sony-compatible hot shoe. Additionally, both the V6 II and IIs now have an automatic LED AF-assist light. The Cactus V6 II and IIs are currently scheduled to be available in 2016 July and August respectively, priced at $95 each.

Sinar have announced the expansion of their line-up of electronically controlled precision shutters for view cameras. Designed for use with a variety of digital backs, the Sinar eShutter is billed as a "future-proof system for all lenses with shutter size 0." Sinar now offers two eShutter versions: the all new eShutter 250, with a maximum shutter speed of 1/250 second, and the well-known eShutter with a top shutter speed of 1/125 second. According to the company, a wide range of Sinaron eShutter 250 lenses will become available in July 2016.

Epson have announced it is shipping the new family of SureColor P-Series printers – the 44-inch SureColor P10000 and 64-inch SureColor P20000. Successors to the renowned Epson Stylus Pro 11880, the new SureColor P-Series printers leverage an enhanced PrecisionCore MicroTFP print head, newly developed media feeding system, and reformulated Epson UltraChrom PRO nine-colour pigment inks. The Epson SC-P10000 and SC-P20000 are currently available for $6,995 and $11,995 respectively. For the North American market, a 320GB Internal Print Server is included ($399.95), and an optional Auto Take-up Reel ($1,999.95) is available to enable roll-to-roll production.

Leica M à la carte camera personalisation programme has been expanded with the addition of the Leica M Monochrom, bringing the entire portfolio of bespoke options to this special digital rangefinder model. The camera, which incorporates a unique black and white sensor, can now be ordered with a multitude of tailored features, including a choice of classic black chrome or black paint body. Furthermore, for the first time and exclusively via the à la carte programme, customers can also select the camera body in a silver chrome finish. Orders for the personalised Leica M Monochrom à la carte camera can be placed via official Leica Stores and Boutiques, where customers are able to view a variety of samples, illustrating the full range of options offered by the programme.

Sigma have revealed availability and pricing for the new Sigma sd Quattro compact system camera. Building on the concept of the SD1 Merrill, the sd Quattro features a Sigma SA lens mount, making it compatible with all of the Sigma Global Vision lenses in the Contemporary, Art and Sports lines. Equipped with a 19.6-megapixel APS-C size sensor, the camera offers a combination of contrast-detect and phase-detect auto focus, plus a focus peaking function for manual focus enthusiasts. The high-resolution 2.36-million-dot electronic viewfinder features near-100% viewfinder coverage and a 1.09 magnification ratio. O-rings and environmental seals around buttons and seams prevent the intrusion of dust and water, making the camera suitable for use in adverse weather conditions. The Sigma sd Quattro will be available in early July with a suggested retail price of £799.99 including VAT and a new lens kit of the Sigma sd Quattro plus 30mm F1.4 DC HSM | Art lens will be available in early July with a suggested retail price of £999.99 including VAT.

Sigma UK have announced availbility and pricing for the new Sigma EF-630 electronic flash. Designed to work with current digital SLR cameras from Canon, Nikon and Sigma; the EF-630 is a multifunctional clip-on type flash featuring a zoomable tilt-swivel head, wireless TTL exposure control as well as high-speed sync, rear-curtain sync and modelling flash functions. Photographers can update the unit's firmware via the newly developed optional Flash USB Dock FD-11. The Sigma Electronic Flash EF-630 will be available in early July with a suggested retail price of £399.99 including VAT and the Flash USB Dock FD-11 in Sigma fit will be available in early July with a suggested retail price of £59.99.

Phase One today released an update to Capture One Pro. Version 9.2 offers a better culling workflow from selections and metadata sources to accelerate the photo editing process; and adds support for half a dozen new cameras including the Pentax K-1, the Nikon D500, the Canon EOS M10, PowerShot G5x, G7x Mark II and G9x.

Photography Blog attended yesterday's global launch of the Hasselblad X1D at the Gothenburg Museum of Art. As one of the first people outside of Hasselblad to actually get their hands on the X1D, here are my initial thoughts...

Want to see exactly what the Hasselblad X1D medium format compact system camera looks like in the flesh?

Check out our extensive hands-on gallery of photos of the Hasselblad X1D medium format compact system camera.

The Hasselblad X1D is the World's first CSC with a 50-megapixel medium-format CMOS imager. Weighing in at 725 grams, the Hasselblad X1D is lighter and more portable than a lot of 35mm full-frame DSLRs, while delivering superior image quality courtesy of its considerably larger sensor. Hand-made in Sweden, the new X1D offers 14 stops of dynamic range; Full HD video recording; integrated Wi-Fi and GPS; a sensitivity range of ISO 100-25,600; dual SD card slots; an XGA electronic viewfinder and a large 3" multi-touch display with a graphical user interface similar to that of the Hasselblad H6D. The new camera uses an entirely new line of XCD lenses, which feature auto focus and built-in leaf shutters; but is also compatible with all 12 lenses and lens accessories from the Hasselblad H System, via an adapter. Available in late August / early September, the Hasselblad X1D carries an MSRP of £5,990/€7,900/$8,995 (+VAT where applicable).

Sony Japan has issued a warning about the installation of unauthorised camera apps and firmware hacks on their cameras. Although not specified in the statement, these may include the new STGuploader, which enables PMCA (PlayMemories Camera Apps) compatible cameras to upload files to Google Photos directly, without using a computer; and a hack that gets rid of the 30-minute video recording limit imposed on certain Sony camera models. The company calls attention to the fact that by installing any third-party firmware or uncertified apps, users risk voiding their warranty.

Via SAR

To celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Trioplan lens, Meyer-Optik Goerlitz announced today a special series of its new Trioplan f2.8/100. “The revival of the Trioplan lenses series became even more special for us this year with the 100 year anniversary of the lens,” said Dr. Stefan Immes.  “Our new Titanium and Golden Eye edition is the ultimate collectors item with a titanium or real gold coating. The titanium edition not only commemorates the Trioplan brand, but also creates a lens that is suitable for the highest demand environments.” Only 100 titanium lenses are available to the public.  In addition, Meyer Optik has issued a second series of 10 special gold plated Golden Eye versions of the lens (pictured). The 100 Titanium editions are available at $2499, and the 10 Golden Eye lenses are available for $3499. Pre-orders are currently being taken on the Meyer-Optik website.

Western Digital have unveiled the WD Pro Series: My Passport Wireless Pro Wi-Fi mobile storage and My Cloud Pro Series network attached storage. Designed specifically for the creative community, the WD Pro Series enables seamless transfer of content between devices, regardless of whether users are on a remote shoot, in the studio or editing at home. Available in capacities up to 3TB, the My Passport Wireless Pro Wi-Fi mobile storage (£189.99- £209.99) lets creative professionals and enthusiasts leave the laptop behind when on a shoot. Using the direct Wi-Fi connection, creators can automatically backup files from compatible cameras, as well as save, edit and transfer work seamlessly from up to eight other devices connected to the drive. Tethered connections are also available for faster transfers and include a built-in SD card reader as well as a USB 2.0 port. Offering up to 32TB of storage, the My Cloud Pro Series NAS (£379.99-£1,899.99) are optimised to import from cameras/memory card readers and other USB storage with a simple one touch backup button. In addition to giving creative professionals and enthusiasts a reliable place to store their files, this fast, high capacity drive features a hardware accelerated video processor. Its powerful transcoding capabilities mean the My Cloud Pro Series NAS can ingest, edit, store and stream content to and from popular formats, including 4K video. The products use the My Cloud mobile app – the new version of the app will be launched with the My Passport Wireless Pro and My Cloud Pro Series and be compatible with the Adobe Creative Cloud.

Canon will showcase its new Canon EOS 80D and EOS M3 Video Creator Kits during VidCon 2016 at the Anaheim Convention Center, 23-25 June 2016. The EOS 80D Video Creator Kit ($2,049.00, available from August 2016) includes an EOS 80D DSLR camera and EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM lens, an external microphone and 32GB SD card. This kit also includes the Canon Power Zoom Adapter PZ-E1 which allows creators to smoothly control their zoom at the push of a button or right from their compatible smartphone by using the Canon Camera Connect app. The EOS M3 Video Creator Kit ($899.99, available later this month) includes an EOS M3 compact system camera and EF-M 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM lens, an external microphone and a 32GB SD card. The new bundles join a family of Video Creator Kits that include the EOS Rebel T6i, Rebel T5i and EOS 70D.