The new Metabones Speed Booster ULTRA adapter features an advanced 5-element / 4-group optical design incorporating ultra-high index tanatalum-based optical glass for improved corner sharpness, distortion and reduced vignetting. Like the original Metabones Speed Booster announced in January 2012, the Speed Booster ULTRA allows various full-frame lenses to be mounted on certain compact system camera bodies and has a magnification of 0.71x, so it effectively reduces the crop factor of cameras with APS-C sized sensors - such as Sony E-mount and Fuji X-mount cameras - from 1.5x to 1.07x. According to Metabones, the Speed Booster ULTRA performs extremely well with professional-grade f/2.8 zoom lenses such as the 24-70mm f/2.8 and 70-200mm f/2.8 zooms. Pricing starts at $449.

Kenro, has announced that the Nissin i40 - 'love mini' compact flash gun is now also available for FourThirds and new hot shoe style Sony cameras. With an auto adjust zoom ranging from 24mm-105mm and a built-in diffuser giving 16mm lens coverage, the Nissin i40l is also equipped with a LED video light providing 9 steps of output level adjustment. Other features include a guide number of 40 at 105mm, high-speed synchronization (supporting up to 1/8,000 seconds shutter speed), wireless TTL mode and the ability to tilt the head horizontally 180° to right and left and up 90°. The flash is powered by 4 x AA batteries and has an SRP of £204.

The winner of the inaugural International Landscape Photographer of the Year  is Christian Fletcher from Western Australia. "My aim was to produce striking images from the air that had an industrial theme," Christian says. "As a photographer I feel it is my duty to capture the world we live in, be it pristine wilderness or industrial oblivion. Both are inspiring in a photographic sense but only one is sustainable."

Issue 32 of David Noton’s Chasing the Light Online Magazine is now available to purchase. In this month’s Behind the Lens article, David Noton describes his recent productive photo trip to the market at Issigeac in the Pays de Bergerac to capture the bustle of colour found there, as well as many other happy hours spent capturing the Gallic idyll of the region; this is all accompanied by his usual Video Blog. And the Low Down continues with Part Three of David’s articles on printing, this time getting down to the nitty-gritty of making a print, including discussions on the topics of colour management and soft proofing. Ross Hoddinott continues his Hangout series by writing about his own home patch of Cornwall, and the inspiration and benefits this popular location has always brought to his photography, all accompanied by some of his favourite shots. For How It’s Done, Ian Badley continues the Cornish theme, sharing the story behind his spectacular shot of a super-yacht in the 2010 Pendennis Cup Regatta. Do note that the full contents of Chasing the Light Online Magazine is available to full f11 subscribers only. However non-members can purchase individual issues of the magazine at a price of £4.20.

Nikon have posted a firmware update for the Nikon D4S professional DSLR camera. Version C:1.10 incorporates the following improvements:

• When SPORT VR mode, built into the AF-S NIKKOR 400mm f/2.8E FL ED VR, is selected, the same continuous shooting rate available when OFF is selected is now possible.
• When memory cards with capacities greater than 128 GB were formatted with the camera, they were formatted using the FAT32 file system.  They are now formatted using the exFAT file system.
• Operation has been changed so that when menus are displayed during movie live view and the movie-record button is pressed, the menu display disappears and display returns to movie live view. To begin movie recording, press the movie-record button again.
• The Zoom on/off option for playback mode with Custom Setting f1: Multi Selector Center Button can now be used to zoom-in on images with zoom display centered on the active focus point, even if they were captured with live view photography. However, the focus point will not be displayed.
• The Help explanation provided for the Preset focus point option under Custom Setting f19: Lens Focus Function Buttons has been revised.

Want to see exactly what the new Olympus E-PL7 compact system camera looks like in the flesh.

Check out our extensive hands-on gallery of photos of the Olympus E-PL7 compact system camera.

Canon has announced details of its presence at Photokina 2014. The company's programme at the show will offer visitors a digital imaging experience that highlights its line-up of products and services. Within an open, free-roam environment, visitors will be invited to undertake shooting challenges, with experts on-hand to guide them along the way. The stand will also feature live presentation sessions with Canon’s world famous photography ambassadors. Presenters will include landscape and travel photographer David Noton, photojournalist and documentary filmmaker Ulla Lohmann, and action shooter Richard Walch. Furthermore, Canon Explorer Jörg Kyas will be taking on interactive challenges set by visitors – providing a unique way for enthusiasts to learn about new styles or techniques. To allow attendees the opportunity to retain their experience, Canon Live Pass RFID cards will be supplied to allow visitors to scan in at key points around the stand in order to create a souvenir site which is tailored to their interest areas, and to which they can refer after the show. Canon’s stand will be located in Hall 3.2.

The Booq Boa Flow Graphite bag is now available in the UK.The bag's weatherproof ballistic nylon exterior is equipped with water-repellent coating to endure even the most hazardous weather conditions. To keep you fully covered, a rain cover with reflective elements makes you visible in low light conditions. A malleable interior compartment allows you to enhance or collapse the main and bottom compartment, making room for a DSLR, large headphones and other necessities. A back laptop compartment has been densely padded to fit up to a 17” MacBook or PC, meanwhile a plethora of exterior pockets keep all other fundamentals safely tucked away and easily accessible.Boa flow is available now for £200.

The Jessops Academy's one-day Big Cats Photography Course, launched just last month, offers attendees a chance to get up close and personal to nature’s giant cats. Amongst the cats you can photograph are the critically endangered Amur Leopard, the beautiful Snow Leopard and the mysterious Jaguar. Throughout the day you will be guided by a Jessops Academy Tutor, assisting you to get the best from your camera by advising you on both technical and creative aspects of photography. The cost of attendance is £125. For more information, visit the website below.

Professional Photography: The New Global Landscape Explained by Grant Scott is a new title from Focal Press. Topics covered in this book include practical examples and detailed advice on designing and maintaining a well-structured website, exploring personal projects to find new clients, managing print sales and exhibiting, and of course being well-versed in creating both still and moving images. The accompanying podcast interviews with some of today’s top professional photographers provide additional insider information to help photographers understand their place in both the commercial and creative worlds, the publisher says. The book is available for $38.95.

Supersense is a new "analogue concept store" in Vienna, Austria, which will offer exclusive analogue products including the world’s first analogue instant pinhole camera, Impossible film, refurbished cameras, and a new range of Impossible cameras and Instant Lab products. The unique shop is the brainchild of Impossible founder, Florian Kaps, shortly after he retired from the company. “After spending an extended period with my family, I began revisiting the contacts and stores that I had come across during my time at Impossible,” Florian says. “It has always been a dream of mine to create a base, a single resource, for all analogue lovers and offer them a hands-on experience of what a truly broad and inclusive analogue culture can be." Supersense is located at Praterstraße 70, 1020 Vienna.

Casio has announced a very unusual-looking action camera feaaturing a detachable monitor. The new Casio Exilim EX-FR10 "split camera" has a physical shutter release on the main camera body but can also be operated remotely via its detachable, Bluetooth-enabled wireless controller. Key specifications include a 14-megapixel, 1/2.3"-type CMOS sensor, 21mm (eq.) f/2.8 lens and a 2", 230,400-dot screen. Images captured with the Exilim EX-FR10 are recorded on microSD memory cards, and can be sent effortlessly to a smartphone or tablet via Wi-Fi. The camera will be available in Japan in three different colours; orange, white and green - priced at 50,000 yen (about £300) -, and comes with an assortment of accessories including various straps and attachments. Currently, there is no word on international availability or pricing.

Secrets of Backyard Bird Photography by J. Chris Hansen is a new title from Rocky Nook. Topics covered in this book include the recommended photographic equipment, camera set-ups and the use of backgrounds and photo blinds, composition styles, step-by-step projects for the do-it-yourselfer and techniques to attract birds using feeders and perches. The 128-page volume is available for $24.95.

The Tiffen Company has announced the availability of the Steadicam Curve for GoPro, both online and in stores. The Steadicam Curve for GoPro is a stealth camera stabilising system engineered for the rigours of extreme sports and events. Compact enough to fit in your back pocket, the new Steadicam Curve weighs in at 1/2lb with an ergonomic design for one-handed, smooth video capture. Steadicam CURVE for GoProis available today for $99.95.

DxO Labs have released DxO Optics Pro 9.5.2. This version adds support for the Nikon D810 (pictured, Elite Edition only) and expands its library of DxO Optics Modules with 894 new camera/lens combinations, The Standard and Elite editions of DxO Optics Pro v9.5.2 for Mac and Windows are immediately available in the DxO Labs online store.

Akvis Refocus has been updated to Version 5.0. This release brings a new refocusing algorithm, expanded raw image file support, minor bug fixes and improved compatibility with Adobe Photoshop CC 2014. Registered users of Refocus can upgrade to version 5.0 for free by downloading and installing the new version.

Two years after its introduction, Olympus is launching the all-black edition of its M.Zuiko Digital ED 12mm f/2 Micro Four Thirds lens in the United States. Equivalent to a 24mm ultra-wideanlge optic in a 35mm system, the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12mm f/2 (read review) is a high-grade, all-metal, fast lens that features built-in depth of field and distance indicators, making it ideal for zone focusing. In the U.S., the lens will be available for $799.99.

Olympus Japan have published five high-resolution sample photos taken with the new Olympus PEN E-PL7 Micro Four Thirds camera. Shot with a variety of prime lenses, these E-PL7 samples are available to download from the website below.

Website: Olympus Japan