DJI today announced the DJI Ronin-M camera stabiliser is now available for pre-order. Featuring a unique, lightweight (5lbs) magnesium frame, the DJI Ronin-M opens up new Small enough to carry in a backpack, the DJI Ronin-M incorporates DJI’s signature SmoothTrack system, allowing operators to easily track action on a multiple or single axes. The quick-release system for the top handle allows users to mount the DJI Ronin-M easily to jibs, cranes and tripods. Capable of stabilising camera setups up to 8lbs, the DJI Ronin-M camera stabiliser is available for an MAP of $1,399.

Color Confidence today announced that they will be attending a number of roadshows and open days across the United Kingdom over the next few months. Showcasing a lineup of innovative photography products such as BenQ’s first colour critical monitor, DxO’s newly updated image editing software, X-Rite‘s colour management solutions, Rogue’s new and improved FlashBender 2 range and NEC’s latest 4k colour critical monitors with new built-in Spectraview II calibration software. There will be professional product demonstrations and best practice tips, as well as special offers on purchases made on the day. Color Confidence will be exhibiting at shows as part of the Bigger Picture Roadshow, Calumet spring open days, London Camera Exchange Pro Show, Photovision Roadshow, WEX Workflow event and Park Cameras Imaging festival. Click through / read on for dates and locations.

X-Rite is hosting a free webinar with X-Rite Coloratti, fine art and commercial photographer, and professional photographic trainer, Mark Wood. Taking place from 5:30pm – 6:30pm GMT on 14th May, this Photoshop and Lightroom masterclass will demonstrate the importance of colour management, image editing and the new features of Lightroom CC. Topics to be covered include tips for importing into Lightroom CC, dealing with tone and colours that can not be displayed or printed, round tripping images via Photoshop, an introduction to Smart Objects, and more. “For many photographers, the work behind the lens comes naturally. Mastering the digital workflow, with tools such as Photoshop and Lightroom can take a bit more time and effort.” commented Geoffrey Clements, Managing Director of X-Rite Photo Europe. “We have partnered with Adobe to create the ultimate photographic workflow with our recent special offers on the ColorMunki Display, i1Photo Pro 2 and the i1Display Pro, and crucially we want to help people get the most from this workflow.”

Spider Camera Holster today announced the availability of their newest product, the SpiderPro Hand Strap. Following the success of their Tilt crowdfunding campaign, which raised over 180 percent of their monetary goal, the SpiderPro Hand Strap can now be purchased at select retail stores and directly through the company website . “Over the years, our loyal customers have regularly sent us feedback on what they desire in a hand strap. We listened, and we’ve come up with a strap design that fits our customer’s needs while also meeting Spider Holster’s rigorous product standards,” said Shai Eynav, founder and president of Spider Holster. Billed as the world’s first truly universal hand strap, the SpiderPro Hand Strap’s thin and extremely durable materials slide in between the camera body and tripod plate, making it adaptable to any camera system. The standard black leather SpiderPro Hand Strap carries an MSRP of $65. Colour Hand Straps will be available in retail by summer of 2015.

Adaptalux is an adaptable, miniature portable lighting studio designed for macro and product photography. "This lighting system for macro photography is all about innovation and creativity, both in the product design and the incredibly creative pictures and videos it allows photographers to make without having to travel the world," says Martin Brenig-Jones, Co-Owner and Business Director, Adaptalux. "Macro photography subjects are everywhere and look amazing with the right lighting!" Adaptalux is split into three main parts; a control panel, a set of lighting arms and a set of effect components. Currently seeking funding through Kickstarter, the Adptalux project has raised over £93,000 of its £100,000 goal so far, with 4 days to go.

Ricoh has published seven high-resolution sample photos captured with the new Pentax K-3 II digital SLR camera. Taken by Mitsuo Suzuki, these Pentax K-3 II samples were shot at sensitivity settings ranging from ISO 100 to ISO 400, using an array of lenses including the HD PENTAX-D FA 150-450mmF4.5-5.6ED DC AW telezoom, the HD PENTAX-DA 35mmF2.8  Limited macro lens, the smc PENTAX-DA★55mmF1.4 SDM prime, the smc PENTAX-D FA MACRO 100mmF2.8 WR telephoto lens, the HD PENTAX-D FA★70-200mmF2.8ED DC AW telezoom and the HD PENTAX-DA 16-85mmF3.5-5.6ED DC WR standard zoom.

Website: Ricoh Imaging Japan

Outdoor Action and Adventure Photography by professional adventure sports photographer Dan Bailey is a new title from Focal Press. This book teaches photographers how to think geometrically and how to pull together the elements that make for a successful shot, all while being immersed in the action. “Few styles of shooting bust your photography chops like adventure and action photography,” Bailey says. “You have to be on top of your game, because you might only have one chance to get it right. This kind of shooting requires skill, focus, and confidence, because in a span of split seconds you can do one of three things: miss the shot, get the shot, or actually nail the shot. Which one would you rather do?” The 312-page paperback is available for £21.99/$34.95.

Ansix Designs are set to launch the innovative LensPacks Velcro Lens Caps System as their second Kickstarter project. The patent-pending LensPacks allows users to perform incredibly fast lens changes without the need to fumble with rear lens caps. The wide Velcro base with metal fasteners ensures that LensPacks can hold virtually any camera lens in a variety of orientations. Compatible with Nikon F, Canon EF, Sony E and Micro Four Thirds lenses, LensPacks is easy to install and simple to use. Its universal design is compatible with literally any camera bag - a 6”x12” adhesive-backed Velcro sheet is available for non-Velcro bags. LensPacks are available at an introductory price when the Kickstarter campaign launches on 28 April 2015.

American photographer John Moore has been named as the 2015 Sony World Photography Awards’ L’Iris d’Or / Professional Photographer of the Year. The winning work “Ebola Crisis Overwhelms Liberian Capital” is a hard-hitting series of images that cut to the heart of this human tragedy. Talking at the awards Moore said: “I collect this award tonight in recognition of all the photographers working in difficult and dangerous places right now, and tomorrow. I am very grateful to the Liberians who allowed me to photograph them on their most difficult days. I will always be grateful.” The photographer was presented his award along with a $25,000 and the latest Sony digital imaging equipment at a gala ceremony held in London.

Wex Photographic has been shortlisted for the 2015 Best Retailer Award by Which? magazine. The Which? Awards celebrate and reward the very best businesses in the UK and highlight companies that are consistently focused on the needs of their customers. According to Which?, Wex received the highest customer score of any online retailer and was praised in particular for website functionality, stock range and delivery service. The winner of the Best Retailer Award will be announced at a ceremony at Kings Place, London on Wednesday 17th June.

X-Rite have announced a comprehensive list of events designed to teach photographers about the benefits of a fully colour managed workflow. “The more we talk to new and existing customers, the clearer it becomes that increasing people’s knowledge of how to effectively colour manage a photographic workflow really helps to improve people’s photographic experiences,” Managing Director of X-Rite Photo Europe, Geoffrey Clements said. “Good colour management across all your devices saves time, money and ultimately produces better images. We’re looking forward to continuing to educate and support photographers throughout these events.” Throughout the events there will be a number of special offers including, the special promotion in conjunction with Adobe, where users can buy either a ColorMunki Photo or i1Photo Pro 2 and enjoy a one year Adobe Creative Cloud Photography plan membership or buy the i1Display Pro and claim a 15 percent discount on an annual Adobe Creative Cloud Photography plan membership. Click through / scroll down for the full list of dates and locations.

Sigma have issued a product advisory stating that some of their Canon-mount lenses cannot be used with live view on the Canon EOS 750D and 760D digtial SLR cameras. Specifically, when the Live View Mode button on the camera body is pressed, the operation stops without displaying images on the rear LCD monitor, the company says. This issue affects 7 current and 6 discontinued Sigma zoom lenses. The company will provide users with a firmware update free of charge. Click through / read on for a detailed list of affected lenses.

The CamDolly Cinema System is the industry’s first truly portable and modular dolly system for professional-grade video and film equipment. Currently seeking funds on Kickstarter, the CamDolly Cinema System is the product of a collaboration between filmmaker Mat Jaz, filmmaker Bohus Blahut of Clutch & Company and the design team at Fotodiox- The system includes everything a filmmaker needs to build five different dolly modes, or "protocols" – each designed to create a specific type of shot. The entire CamDolly Cinema System easily fits into a compact car and packs neatly into three luggage sized cases. A single person can move all of the system's components to a shooting location with ease, and assemble the CamDolly into one of its five protocols in under 15 minutes. If the Kickstarter campaign achieves its $100,000 goal, CamDolly production will begin immediately with the first shipment expected in mid-June.

The Epson International Pano Awards 2015 competition is now open for entries. Dedicated to the art of panoramic photography, the sixth Epson International Pano Awards is open to all professional and amateur photographers with a combined pool of more than$50,000, including $20,000 cash. Prizes include an Epson Stylus Pro 7900 printer, an Epson Stylus Pro 4900 printer, and an Epson EB-1775 Ultra-Slim Projector. ‘Over the years we have been delighted to see this world-class photographic competition grow to the point where it now attracts thousands of entries from hundreds of photographers from around the world Each year the photographs are more and more impressive and the outstanding quality of both image capture and print astounds me,’ said Craig Heckenberg, General Manager Business Division, Epson Australia. ‘Epson is very proud to continue our support of this global competition and, as always, we look forward to seeing this year’s entries and the winners for each category.' Do note that entry fees apply.

Canon Europe today announced that it is acquiring London-based digital start-up Lifecake, the company behind the Lifecake photo-sharing app for families, which allows parents to store, organise, share and relive key moments of their children’s lives.  With the app, parents can create photo and video timelines that the whole family can experience on smartphones, tablets, computers and in printed photobooks. Lifecake is currently available in English, French, German, Spanish and Italian.

Sony have unveiled two new A-mount lenses at a press event in London - the Vario-Sonnar T* 16-35mm F2.8 ZA SSM II and the Vario-Sonnar T* 24-70mm F2.8 ZA SSM II.

Both the SAL1635Z2 and the SAL2470Z2 are updated versions of current lenses, offering significant improvements in image quality, ghost reduction and AF performance, together with a new dust and moisture- resistant design.

Pricing and availability are still to be announced.