Alien Skin Software today announced Exposure 5, the new version of its flagship photography effects software. According to the company, Exposure 5 enables digital photographers to achieve accurate film simulation, using a wide range of creative effects. “With Exposure 5, a photographer’s vision is the only element separating an ordinary image from an extraordinary one. Creative control and increased productivity were essential design objectives,” said Terence Tay, designer of the new Exposure 5 software. “It’s now much easier and faster for photographers of all levels to find the right look for their photographs.” Exposure 5 will be available from June, both as a standalone application and as a plug-in to Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Photoshop Lightroom and Apple Aperture. The program is priced at $199. Owners of any version of Exposure may upgrade for $99. Free upgrades will be automatically sent to everyone who purchased Exposure 4 directly from Alien Skin Software in March 2013 or later.

Sigma UK is offering a special cashback programme for all SIGMA SD/DP camera users. Anyone who owns a Sigma SD9, SD10, SD14, SD15 or SD1 digital SLR or any Sigma SD series digital compact camera can receive up to £300 cashback when they purchase a new Sigma Merrill model. The promotion is valid on new Sigma camera purchases imported via Sigma UK, and applies to all purchases made up to 16 June 2013 from a UK retailer. The offer is only available to residents of the  United Kingdom, aged 18 years or over.

Mamiya Leaf's new Credo WS 80 and Credo WS 60 medium-format digital backs are now available. The WS (Wide Spectrum) backs are based on the manufacturer's Credo 60 and 80 products but their infrared light blocking filter has been replaced with a custom glass filter and the sensor's position has been adjusted. This extends the captured spectrum of the back, enabling recording of Near IR images (~700nm). The new backs are available in Mamiya AFD/ DF/ DF+ and V (Universal) mounts.

Plustek USA says it has "decided to temporarily stop shipping" its OpticFilm 120 multi-format desktop film scanner due to a component issue. "Recently we discovered a component used in the manufacture of the OpticFilm 120 does not meet our quality standards," the company said in a statement, adding that they are working with a third-party supplier to "identify a permanent resolution to this problem." Plustek would not elaborate further on the nature of the issue or the component being involved, but some early adopters have reported certain problems apparently caused by a mis-alignment between the scanner optics and the film plane (the Plustek OpticFilm 120 has a fixed-focus lens). It is not clear whether the temporary halt in shipments is related to this issue. Plustek says it does not "expect this delay to be extensive," but it has declined to provide "a firm date when shipment will resume." Meanwhile, B&H has reportedly sent a note to prospective customers saying the scanner is "discontinued," which evidently isn't the case - but the OpticFilm 120 can no longer be found in its online store. Meanwhile, the scanner continues to be available from a number of UK retailers.

Panasonic has released a Full HD sample movie shot with the new Panasonic Lumix G6 MFT camera. The three-minute Panasonic G6 sample video is made up of 16 shots filmed in Peru, including a few takes demonstrating the built-in Miniature effect. Click through / scroll down to see the movie.

Want to see exactly what the new Panasonic G6 Micro Four Thirds camera looks like in the flesh? We have compiled a gallery of hands-on photos for your perusal.

Successor to last year's Lumix G5, the new Panasonic G6 is a 16-megapixel Micro Four Thirds system camera with an OLED viewfinder, 3" free-angle LCD screen, new-generation Venus processing engine, ultra-sensitive "night-shot AF" mode and Wi-Fi/NFC connectivity. Boasting an improved sensitivity range of ISO 160/23° - ISO 25600/45°, several new Function buttons and 7fps burst shooting capability, the Panasonic G6 retains its predecessor's dual mechanical-electronic shutter, clever Function Lever, touchpad AF function and SLR-like appearance. In terms of video capture, the Full HD 1080/50p recording mode has been carried over, and a new 24p video mode has been added enabling users to capture moving images and play them back at a ‘cinematic’ 24 frames per second. The integrated Wi-Fi/NFC connectivity means that after the initial setup, tablets and smartphones for remote shooting can be connected with a simple touch without having to re-enter authorisation details every time. The new Panasonic G6 will be available at the end of May, in four options: body-only (£549), in a kit with the 14-42mm II lens (£629), in a double-zoom kit with the 14-42mm II and 45-150mm lenses (£799) and in a bundle with the new 14-140mm superzoom lens (£949). Do note that in the United Kingdom, the G6 will be sold alongside the G5, which remains in the line-up for the foreseeable future.

Want to see exactly what the new Panasonic Lumix LF1 digital compact camera looks like in the flesh? We have compiled a gallery of hands-on photos for your perusal.

The Panasonic Lumix LF1 is a surprisingly lightweight 12.1-megapixel compact camera with a 28-200mm (eq.) f/2.0-5.9 lens, integrated 0.2" electronic viewfinder, 3" rear display, multi-functional Control Ring and Wi-Fi/NFC connectivity. After a first initial setup, NFC compatibility lets you turn on Wi-Fi with a simple tap of a compatible smartphone or tablet, so no more fiddling with menus or passwords. The Control Ring at the base of the lens barrel makes it easy to manually control aperture, shutter speed and zoom. Other highlights include an ISO range of 80-12800, 10fps burst shooting, Power O.I.S. and level gauge functions, 15 Creative Control effects - of which 13 can also be applied to panorama shots taken in the Panasonic LF1's Creative Panorama mode - and Full HD 1920x1080 50i video recording with a choice of AVCHD Progressive and MP4 outputs. The Panasonic Lumix LF1 camera will be available from mid-June at an RRP of £379.

Want to see exactly what the new Panasonic Lumix G Vario 14-140mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH./POWER O.I.S. Micro Four Thirds lens looks like in the flesh? We have compiled a hands-on gallery for your perusal.

The Panasonic Lumix G VARIO 14-140mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH./POWER O.I.S. is a new 28-280mm equivalent superzoom lens for Micro Four Thirds system cameras. Significantly lighter and more compact than Panasonic's previous 14-140mm lens, the new Lumix G VARIO 14-140mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH./POWER OIS is capable of taking maximum advantage of cameras with high-speed AF such as the Panasonic GH3 and the new Lumix G6. Incorporating the manufacturer's POWER O.I.S. optical image stabiliser, the new lens is also optimised for HD video recording. The new Panasonic Lumix G VARIO 14-140mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH./POWER O.I.S. lens will be available from the end of June, priced at £599.

This contest has now closed. The lucky winners are:

Mike Gimblett has won a Sony NEX-3N compact system camera and a place at the 2013 Sony World Photography Awards Workshops

Olexander Demchenko, chris mockel, Nick Berry, Trygve Lydersen, Ilian Stamenov, Florin Cristea, Tom Bekiaris, GJ de Koning, and Napoleon Stratogiannakis have each won a place at the 2013 Sony World Photography Awards Workshops.

With the 2013 Sony World Photography Awards taking place this month we’ve teamed up with headline sponsors Sony to give 10 lucky readers the chance to win a place at a series of workshops taking place at Somerset House, London from 26th April – 28th April 2013.

One winner will also receive a NEX-3N compact system camera to test out their new skills. Featuring the same image sensor that you’d expect from a DSLR camera, the NEX allows you to take professional standard pictures, even if you’re an amateur, providing the best results and picture quality on the market. With a selection of 15 e-mount lenses available you’ll discover the ideal lens to bring your vision to life.

The workshops will cover a variety of topics suitable for camera enthusiasts from beginners to budding professionals and will coincide with the opening of the Sony World Photography Awards Exhibition on 26th April. 

There are three separate workshops covering a range of topics. From showing beginners how to improve picture quality, providing an understanding of commercial photography and turning a hobby into a career, or looking at the developments in full-frame photograph over time, there will be something for any photography enthusiast.

Speakers will include Michael Wayne Plant who specialises in work around identities and social landscape and Magdi Fernandes who works across fashion, music and sports. All attendees will be entered into a prize draw each day for one lucky winner to receive an NEX.

With Sony’s ongoing development of its camera portfolio, from point and shoot Cyber-shot cameras to entry-level interchangeable lens NEX and Digital SLT Alpha models, Sony is serious about photography and proud to sponsor the World Photography Awards.

For further information about the 2013 Sony World Photography Awards Workshops or to book your place on one of the sessions, visit http://worldphoto.org/worldphotolondon/sony-workshops

This contest has now closed. The lucky winners are:

Beth Leek, ADEINNE TONNER, Eric William Sandiego, Roger Phillips, kerry day, Inga Andersen, Mark Gould, Julie Picton, L Francois regis Harvengt and KRZYSIA BIALESKA have each won a pair of tickets to the Sony World Photography Awards’ exhibition.

With the 2013 Sony World Photography Awards taking place next month we’ve teamed up with headline sponsors Sony to give 10 lucky readers the chance to win a pair of tickets to the awards’ exhibition, which will take place at Somerset House, London from 26th April – 12th May 2013.

Curated by Candlestar Director Michael Benson, this year’s exhibition offers a snapshot of the world in 2012 as seen by the winning and shortlisted photographers of the Sony World Photography Awards.  It will reveal the very best international contemporary photography across 25 categories, including fashion, travel, wildlife, landscape, portraiture and current affairs.

With this year’s awards receiving a staggering 122,000 entries from 170 countries, its evident just how popular photography continues to be, around the world.

Sony is committed to providing a camera solution for everyone and every budget, empowering people to take professional quality pictures, whether an amateur or an expert.

With Sony’s ongoing development of its camera portfolio, from point and shoot Cyber-shot cameras to entry-level interchangeable lens NEX and Digital SLT Alpha models, Sony aims to make photography more accessible to all and educate people in the art of taking pictures.

For further information about the 2013 Sony World Photography Awards Exhibition at Somerset House visit http://www.worldphoto.org/2013exhibition

Carson Optical has released the ML-515 LensMag, a 2-pack of high powered magnet magnifiers for the Apple iPhone 5. Included in each 2-pack is a 10x and 15x magnet magnifier. Simply remove the case from your iPhone 5 and place the desired high powered magnet magnifer over the camera. The LensMag will now act as a macro lens. As the ML-515 LensMag holds onto the iPhone magnetically, there is no need for glue or any additional accessories. The Carson ML-515 LensMag will be available from June for $19.

Canon U.S.A. has just launched the interactive Cinema EOS C500 4K Digital Cinema Camera Menu Simulator. With this innovative training tool, prospective users of the EOS C500 can navigate the simulated menu system with a mouse, keyboard arrow keys or their fingers (when using a touch screen device). To access this simulator feature, visit the website below.

Photographic Visions: Inspiring Images and How They Were Made is a new title from Rocky Nook. To create this volume, the curators of the online gallery 1x.com selected 95 stunning photographs from the thousands of images found on their website. Each photo is accompanied by information about the photographer, the vision and story behind the image, and details about the techniques and tools used to capture and process the photo. The 240-page volume is available for $39.95.

Adobe has released a video teaser for a new photo editing tool called "Camera Shake Reduction," which shall be integrated in future versions of Photoshop. To be premiered at next month's Adobe MAX conference, this new tool is designed to minimise the effects of motion blur resulting from camera shake. Unlike hardware-based image stabilisation solutions, this is a post-processing tool that you will be able to apply to (blurry) photographs you've already taken. In the video clip which you can see below, Senior Photoshop Product Manager Zorana Gee launches the Camera Shake Reduction tool directly from the Filter menu, suggesting that it will be an integral part of the program rather than a plug-in, as rumoured earlier. Click through / scroll down to watch the teaser.

Apple has posted a new Digital Camera Raw Compatibility Update to MacOS X. Version 4.05 adds support for cameras using Fujifilm's X-Trans sensors - to wit, the Fujifilm X20 (pictured), X100S, X-E1 and X-Pro1. Note that Aperture version 3.4 (or later), or iPhoto version 9.4 (or later) is required to install this update.

Website: Apple Support