Manfrotto have launched the new Friction Arms Range, enriching its line-up of arms for photography and videography. Ideal for professional and advanced enthusiasts, these four new small-sized friction arms are available in two sizes; 15cm and 24cm. The range offers updated features, including an anti-rotation system, which keeps the equipment securely interlocked. This distinctive feature is available using Manfrotto friction arms in combination with the Manfrotto Nano Clamp 386B-1 and with the “Easylink” connection of the Manfrotto 190 series and Manfrotto 055 series. Made of high robust aluminium which ensures durability, the arms can carry a payload up to 3kg. Prices start at £64.95.

Night Photography and Light Painting: Finding Your Way in the Dark, 2nd Edition is a comprehensive reference book by Lance Keimig. This new edition presents the practical techniques of shooting at night alongside theory and history, illustrated with clear, concise examples, charts and images. From urban night photography to photographing the landscape by starlight or moonlight, from painting your subject with light to creating a subject with light, this book provides a complete guide to digital night photography and light painting. The paperback version is available for £21.99 / $34.95.

Calumet UK have launched a professional LCD viewfinder loupe designed for use with all DSLRs that have a screen size of 3 or 3.2 inches, including the Canon EOS 5D Mark III and the Nikon D810. Giving photographers a clear, magnified view of the DSLR’s LCD screen, the Calumet Foldable LCD Viewfinder offers three times magnification and the dioptre allows for lens focus adjustment. The integrated rubber eyecup provides a hood view of the display and is adjustable; simply flip up the eyepiece to switch to standard live view. The viewfinder loupe comes with a quick release mounting plate which simply clips onto the camera’s mounting plate. The Calumet Foldable LCD Viewfinder (£125) is available in store and online now.

Wacom today launched their first global promotion campaign - ‘Create more’. Targeting both professionals and experienced enthusiasts in the photography and illustration fields, Wacom offer a range range of high-quality content and downloads including free tutorials from professional artists on their website. From July 15th until December 31st artists can also benefit from a special value pack with free software and additional offers upon purchasing an Intuos Pro pen tablet. The ‘Create more’ campaign features eleven internationally recognised artists from around the world. Among them are Miss Led, an award-winning illustrator from London (pictured), Ben von Wong, a visual engineer and photographer from Canada, the Australian Illustrator Guy Shields, the German motion designer Robert Hranitzky, and Natalie Shau from Lithuania, who combines photography and illustration.

LPA Design, manufacturers of PocketWizard Photo Products, have started selling direct to USA dealers. “As we transition to our new sales and marketing approach, we are excited by the possibilities of working more directly with our Dealers and building closer relationships with the community of PocketWizard photographers,” said Heather Ambrose, Marketing Manager at LPA Design. “We’ve had a great partnership with the MAC Group over the past 14 years, as they’ve been integral in building the PocketWizard brand in the US market. We wish them continued success in the future.”

Taiwan based PhotoFast has announced the US availability of i-FlashDrive MAX, the World's smallest "Made-For-iOS" USB 3.0 flash drive, and the i-FlashDrive ONE app. Built with a Lightning connection, i-FlashDrive MAX can be plugged directly into iOS devices using USB 3.0 SuperSpeed, enabling anyone to quickly access, transfer and store hundreds of photos, videos and other files. The i-FlashDrive MAX USB 3.0 models come in 16 GB, 32 GB, 64 GB or 128 GB capacities, with retail prices beginning at $79.99. Both i-FlashDrive MAX and the i-FlashDrive ONE app offer enhanced security features, including an app and accessory USB lock and supported Touch ID.

This Thursday, celebrity photographer Douglas Kirkland will hold a free presentation at the Crest Theatre in Los Angeles, showing images from his career that started in the 1950s. He will speak about the techniques he employs, about the approach to his work and the importance of the relationship he creates with his subjects as well as his continuing involvement with the latest evolving technology. In addition, he will do a short demonstration introducing the Canon EOS 5DS and 5DSR cameras to the audience. The event is free to attend but you need to sign up in advance.

Lumenati have launched their Kickstarter campaign for the CS1 "cinematic smartcase" which combines the technological features of a digital device (film-free shooting, instant sharing and an editing app) with the cool design, ergonomic ease and "natural narrative" of a classic Super 8 motion picture camera. The lightweight, portable unit allows anyone to frame and film a steady, stable shot with the pull of an intuitive trigger. A cold shoe allows filmmakers to attach lights, microphones and extra handles for sport shooting. The low-light, real-time viewfinder allows WYSIWYG capabilities even in bright light, a feature that is elusive to modern mobile devices. Conversion lenses can be swapped to shoot in wide angle, fisheye and telephoto. The fundraising campaign is now live on the website below.

SanDisk has launched te iNAND 7232 embedded flash drive for connected mobile devices. Available in capacities up to 128GB, the SanDisk iNAND 7232 solution enables manufacturers to introduce smartphones, tablets and other connected devices that feature ample storage to meet the needs of increasing consumer content while providing next-generation digital photography capabilities, the company says. The SanDisk iNAND 7232 boasts sequential write speeds of up to 150MB/s, a 25 percent increase from the previous generation product. This helps with 4K Ultra HD video capture, quick downloading via 802.11ac/802.11ad and raw image capture, and also enhances the performance of multi-camera and depth-sensors. Samples of the SanDisk iNAND 7232 are currently available to original equipment manufacturers in capacities of 32GB to 128GB.

Canon Europe will be demonstrating its professional 4K workflow at IBC2015 in Amsterdam, Netherlands. The Canon stand will include dedicated areas for live capture, providing visitors with the opportunity to get hands on with Canon’s 4K and Full HD product range through a series of shooting scenarios, review and editing processes. A variety of live demonstrations including cinema shooting and documentary shooting will also be available to visitors. Canon’s IBC stand can be found at Hall 11, stand E50.

Fujifilm are retiring some of their 220, 120 and 135 format films and plan on raising the prices of a number of their remaining film products. SKUs destined for discontinuation include five-packs of Velvia 50, Velvia 100, Provia 100F and Fujicolor PRO 160NS in 220 format; Provia 400X in 135 and 120 formats; and Velvia 100F in 4"x5" and 8"x10" sheets. Some of these products will be withdrawn from the market in December 2015, while others will be retired during 2016-2017 (see website below for details). Meanwhile, several remaining film stocks and disposable film cameras will see a price hike of ~20% on average.

Website: Fujifilm Japan

Sony Action Cam will be partnering with Tony Hawk and his Birdhouse Skateboard team for their ‘European Vacation 2015’ tour. The Tour offers Europe-based fans the opportunity to see the legendary Tony Hawk in action alongside some of the world’s best skateboarders including David Loy, Aaron “Jaws” Homoki, Kevin Staab, Clive Dixon, Ben Raybourn, Shawn Hale and Clint Walker. The team will be using the latest action cams from Sony to capture first-person POV footage including 4K video from the new X1000VR. They will be visiting some of the top skateparks in Europe and will be sharing their videos through both the Birdhouse and Sony social media channels. Click through / scroll down for the complete list of dates and locations.

The inaugural Calumet Photographic Student Photographer of the Year competition has received more than a thousand entries, attracting some of Britain’s best young photographers. Now, the winning and shortlisted images are going on a UK tour, exhibiting in Calumet Photographic shops across the United Kingdom. Edinburgh College student Oliver Henderson’s winning photo will take pride of place in the exhibition. His image of a woman in a red dress under a spotlight on a rooftop, set against an industrial background (above), scooped the title and the £11,000 prize bundle of photographic equipment. His photo will be accompanied by the nine finalist entries from Maria Karpova, University of the Arts London; Sioned Evans, University of Wales, Trinity Saint David; Joe Till, Walsall College; Monty Cholmeley, Oundle School, Katarzyna Janicka-Wojtowicz, Ieva Vaitkuviene, Jolanta Ziarnik, Thomas Craner-Buckley and Jack Visser. The tour has now started at the Bristol store; the exhibition will be in place until Friday 24th July, when it will move to other Calumet stores. Click through / read on for the exact dates and locations.

Pearson and Talenthouse are offering photographers around the world a rare opportunity to have their photography judged by British celebrity photographer Rankin. Photographers are being invited to capture the magic of learning and education through striking and memorable imagery. Selected entrants will be awarded a cash bursary for each photograph chosen for Pearson’s official photo library, and have their work credited and showcased across Pearson’s official channels. Additionally, a select number of photographers will be offered career opportunities with the potential to continue to work on paid projects for upcoming Pearson projects. Entrants have until 18 August at 6pm GMT to submit their ideas through the website below.

Phottix has joined the MAC Group, a sales and marketing company representing an array of imaging brands in the US. "Phottix is the new standard for cutting-edge innovation and excellence in photographic TTL lighting triggering accessories," said Jan Lederman, MAC Group President. "Together, we are committed to changing the industry and making TTL flash solutions easy and accessible to everyone."

Nikon today revealed the winners of the Nikon Photo Contest 2014-2015. "Fukushima Flowers" by Katsuhiro Noguchi of Japan has won the Grand Prize in the photograph category and "One" by Chris Rudz of Poland has received the Grand Prize in the video category. “The winning images might have been overlooked as they speak so quietly about one of the colossal events of the last decade,” judge Stephen Mayes commented. “But their intricate beauty pulls the viewer closer, demanding deeper study. Using the descriptive detail of the photographic process, the images describe nothing, but instead offer a meditation, first visually and then intellectually and finally emotionally as their significance emerges. And the lasting emotion is of hope plucked from the very earth that betrayed its inhabitants in 2011.” A further 107 winners will be announced on the Nikon Photo Contest website and all award-winning works will be exhibited in Japan.

Photocrati have named Ed Kashi as the 2014-2015 Photocrati Fund Fellow for his work documenting the epidemic of Chronic Kidney Disease among sugar cane workers in Chichigalpa, Nicaragua. Called a silent killer, the disease is often not identified until kidney failure is imminent. Research presently indicates harsh working conditions combined with severe heat, dehydration and environmental toxins likely contribute to the rising death toll. With this grant, Kashi plans to further his documentary work in partnership with local NGOs such as La Isla Foundation to raise awareness, and to improve available support for families of suffering sugar cane workers. Second Place goes to documentary and travel photographer, Jacob Maentz for his ongoing work on The Forgotten Ten (Katutubong Filipino Project). Third Place goes to renowned photographer Paula Bronstein for her ongoing work The Forgotten Frontline: Women in Afghanistan. Fourth Place goest to humanitarian photographer Anna Boyaizis for her project, Second Wave, which covers the Jane Goodall Institute’s innovative peer education programme in Uganda. This important programme focuses on improving girls’ lives through education and support for HIV prevention, feminine hygiene and reproductive health issues.

Lytro have released their newest updates for the ILLUM light-field camera. Lytro ILLUM 2.0 includes a new design and user interface with full screen views and improved focus aids, full living picture playback interaction in-camera, as well as an improved auto focus that is up to three times faster. Lytro Desktop 4.3 provides faster processing and more outputs including 3D lenticular prints and stereoscopic side-by-side 3D animations, which can be used with virtual reality headsets like Google Cardboard and Samsung Gear VR.