Lensbaby has announced that its products were used to shoot the film “Much Ado About Nothing,” directed by the renowned Joss Whedon. "We shot the flashback scenes on a Canon 7D with a Lensbaby Composer with Double Glass," says Jay Hunter, Director of Photography. "I really love how the Lensbaby sends you into an abstract world, by defocusing and warping the frame while leaving other portions of the frame sharp."

Apple has issued a new Digital Camera Raw Compatibility Update to MacOS X. Version 4.06 adds support for nine new cameras including the Canon EOS-1D C (pictured), EOS 100D and EOS 700D, the Hasselblad Lunar, the Nikon COOLPIX A, Nikon D7100, Nikon 1 J3 and Nikon 1 S1, and the Sony Alpha NEX-3N. Note that Aperture version 3.4 or later, or iPhoto version 9.4 or later, is required to install this update.

Kenro has unveiled a new line of Variable Neutral Density Filters from Marumi, which feature adjustable ND2-ND400 light control. "Available in nine different sizes ranging from 49mm to 82mm, dream-like results are achievable by using just the single filter, minimising the need to carry several different kinds in order to create the desired effect," the company says. The new Marumi Variable Neutral Density Filters are available now and carry suggested retail prices ranging from £125.40 to £235.14.

Complementing the recently announced free educational Webinar series to introduce new customers to the Capture One Pro workflow, Phase One is now offering 20% off the purchase (or upgrade) price for Capture One Pro 7 until 16th June. And for those purchasing or upgrading to Capture One Express 7, the price is reduced by 50 percent until the end of the month. Click through / read on for the details.

Adobe today released Lightroom 5 for MacOS and Windows. The program is available as an individual licence or as part of Adobe Creative Cloud. Key new features include an Advanced Healing Brush, new Upright tool and Radial Gradients, which enable users to apply off-centre and multiple vignettes in a single image. Smart Previews allow photographers to make edits to their images offline, without bringing their entire library of original files with them. Edits and metadata changes to Smart Preview files are automatically applied to the original images when they are reconnected. Other novelties include new video slideshows and updates to the Book module. Photoshop Lightroom 5 is available now for immediate download for Adobe Creative Cloud members. Standalone software is available at Adobe.com and participating retailers for $149 or $79 for upgrades.

OmegaBrandess has launched the Phottix Umbrella Swivel US-A3 to the U.S. market. The redesigned Phottix US-A3 is an affordable umbrella swivel for off-camera flash units. The ball head design is easy to adjust for fast on-scene lighting changes. With an 8mm locking umbrella mounting hole, the US-A3 will accept most standard sized umbrellas. Included are a locking ring and a metal cold shoe for mounting flashes. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price for the Umbrella Swivel US-A3 is $24.99

The Societies have confirmed that Damian McGillicuddy will be presenting a full-day seminar at The Societies’ 2014 Convention in London. Damian and his team will be training attendees by creating four uniquely themed shoots utilising speedlight, studio, continuous and UV lights, splitting the auditorium into four - with a set in each corner. Damian says ‘‘The intention of this full-day seminar is to show you that professional photography is about creativity, control and technique, inspiring the audience to seek the correct education to propel their photography forward and to push themselves through the qualification process, not only for their own personal development but as a marketing exercise and, if necessary, as a business development tool.’’ The seminar, which is priced at £80 for members of The Societies and £120 for non-members, will be taking place on Thursday 16 January 2014 at the Hilton London Metropole Hotel.

Once again, Leica has revealed a little more about the upcoming Leica Mini M via its Facebook fan page. If the teaser graphic is anything to go by, the Leica Mini M will not have an integrated eye-level viewfinder, but it may have some traditional controls. (Of course there is still a possibility that the actual product will look entirely different - as you can see in the picture above, there is a speech balloon with the text, "Heard the rumours? Get the truth: Leica Stores - June 11th.")

Charity PhotoVoice has launched its fundraising WILD print sale of winning photographs from the WILD photography competition. Until Monday 10 June 2013, photography collectors and nature enthusiasts alike can help raise money for PhotoVoice by buying a print from a of 50 imaginative and remarkable images of the natural world from the competition shortlist. Each photograph in the WILD print sale is available to purchase as a professional 16”x 12” Lambda C Type print in a limited edition print run for £50.00. To view the WILD collection and to purchase a print visit the website below.

Olloclip has just introduced the sleek and lightweight Quick-Flip case and Pro-Photo Adapter. “The olloclip Quick-Flip case is designed for anyone who wants to keep the iPhone protected in a hard case while using the olloclip 3-in-1 quick-connect lens for shooting photos and videos,” said Patrick O’Neill, CEO and founder of olloclip. “By eliminating the need to remove the case, shooting photos and videos is easier and more spontaneous." The included Pro-Photo Adapter has two standard tripod mounts and a cold shoe for attaching photographic accessories such as tripods, video lights or microphones. The Quick-Flip case for the iPhone 4/4S and 5 comes in white or "translucent black" and retails for £39.99.

Canon has posted a firmware update for its PowerShot SX280 HS digital compact camera. Version 1.0.2.0 incorporates the following fixes and improvements:

1. Increases the duration of movie shooting by 20% in cases where the optical zoom is used compared to cameras running Firmware Version 1.0.0.0 or Firmware Version 1.0.1.0 through a reduction in the power consumption of the optical zoom.

2. Fixes a phenomenon with cameras running firmware version 1.0.0.0, in which the low-battery-level warning is prematurely displayed while shooting in movie mode.

Website: Canon U.S.A. Support

The PES Group has announced a photo competition with the tagline "Europe, I've got something to tell you." Now in its sixth year, the contest challenges amateur photographers to capture in a photo their expectations about Europe. The competition runs until 30 June 2013 and is open to European residents aged 18 and older. The winner will receive €2,000 worth of photographic equipment, plus a three-day trip for two to Brussels.

Canon U.S.A. has launched a new tutorial video series that will show photographers how to improve their photographic skills. The Canon EOS 101 tutorial video series, available 24/7 on the Canon Digital Learning Center and Canon’s YouTube channel, provides entry-level Canon EOS users, photography students and anyone new to using a digital SLR camera the guidance needed to help enhance their imaging skills. You can access the Canon Digital Learning Center via the link below.

By introducing the Single Wire Protocol (SWP) to support Near Field Communications (NFC) features, the SD Association has opened the way for its members to manufacture smartSD memory cards that can provide authentication services. "Completing the enhancement to smartSD marks the achievement of a strategy announced in 2011 to find new markets that would benefit from SD standards," said Brian Kumagai, president of the SD Association. "Adding smart-chip technology to microSD memory cards gives SD equipped smart phones and phablets new consumer conveniences whether they're connected to the Internet or not."