Canon U.S.A. is opening a new service and support centre in Ridgefield Park, New Jersey. This facility is located just across the George Washington Bridge outside of New York City, and will provide comprehensive product repair and maintenance services for Platinum and Gold level members of Canon’s Professional Services (CPS) programme. Do note that an advance reservation is required for all service and support requests handled by the Ridgefield Park, N.J. service centre. Eligible CPS members can make a reservation by calling 1 (888) CPS-4540.

The FocusMaker, a new-generation DSLR follow focus device, is now available in the UK. Brought to market by Danish design company ID/FX, and retailing at £65, the FocusMaker is currently available exclusively through Calumet. Designed to fit on virtually any DSLR lens, the device is claimed to provide “an unmatched accurate overview of the shooter’s focus points,” helping videographers overcome complex focus shift challenges. “The FocusMaker mounts in seconds and can be removed even faster,“Sian Hamer, Calumet marketing executive said. “It doesn’t require heavy rigs and it’s ideal for small camera crews or photographers shooting alone.”

At the 2013 NAB Show in Las Vegas, Canon will showcase its full line of professional, high-definition imaging equipment for motion picture, television production, video content creation, and still photography at booths C3628 and C4325. The company will feature a live 4K Workflow Demonstration where visitors will have the opportunity to interact with industry-leading colourists and editors in a 4K DI (Digital Intermediate) suite. Canon will also showcase the new Cinema EOS C100 EF 24-105 Lens Kit, which is billed as a cost-effective solution to assist cinematographers, including single-person and small cinematography crews. The company’s technical representatives will be on-hand to provide consultations for cinema, video and DSLR users and CPS Gold and Platinum members can receive free onsite Clean & Checks for current professional equipment.

When: April 4th 2013, 7:00pm (GMT)

What: This is an exclusive webinar for Photography Blog readers with Oliver Mews, Global Service Manager and Trainer at Datacolor. The webinar’s topics are: general color management, Photoshop settings and some tips and tricks on how to make sure to work with correct colors for different purposes. Get the chance to ask live questions at the end of the webinar!

Where: http://spyder.datacolor.com/webinars/photographyblog-uk

Canon is expanding its handheld video camera range with three compact models for professionals and video enthusiasts. Two new professional X-series models, the Canon XA25 (£2099/€2799, pictured) and XA20 (£1699/€2199), combine a powerful, all-new imaging system with professional audio and Wi-Fi connectivity in a “versatile, compact package that fits neatly in the palm of a hand,” the company says. Highlights include a 1/2.84” HD CMOS PRO sensor, 20x zoom with dynamic optical image stabilisation, 3.5” OLED touchscreen, a tilting 1.56-million-dot electronic viewfinder, dual-format recording, built-in Wi-Fi and IR lamp, 2x XLR inputs as well as fast- and slow-motion movie recording capabilities. The Canon XA25 additionally features HD-SDI output offering the high capacity, uncompressed connectivity useful for many broadcast applications. The enthusiast-focussed Canon Legria HF G30 (£1299/€1699) comes with the same lens (with “optical intelligent IS”), OLED touchscreen and HD CMOS PRO sensor, Wi-Fi connectivity and full manual controls but lacks the XLR inputs and built-in infrared lamp of the XA models. All three models will be available from June 2013.

Canon is developing firmware updates for three of its interchangeable-lens Cinema EOS System cameras. Following the release of these upgrades, the Canon EOS C500 (pictured), EOS C300 and EOS C100 will offer support for a new Magnify function that will allow users to check focus in different parts of an image, on the camera LCD, as well as the centre. The EOS C300 will also be upgraded to support an additional range of features designed to assist independent videographers. Push Auto Iris and One Shot AF will provide further versatility on small-crew shoots, offering a quick, easy way to check and adjust exposure and focus prior to recording. The EOS C300 will also gain additional support with 1440x1080 HD video recording at 35Mbps. A further upgrade for the EOS C100 will add support for Continuous AF when used with Canon’s EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM lens. In addition to these updates, Canon will also add new features to the Cinema Raw Development (CRD) software. The firmware updates for the EOS C500, EOS C300, EOS C100 and CRD software will be available later in 2013.

Canon is developing a new 35mm cinema prime lens for large-sensor digital cameras. Compatible with a wide range of sensor sizes including super 35mm, full-frame 35mm and APS-C, the new EF-mount 35mm lens in development would become the sixth prime lens in Canon’s EF Cinema lens line-up, fulfilling the requirement for an option between the existing 24mm and 50mm lenses. A development sample of the 35mm cinema lens will be on display in the Canon booth during the 2013 NAB Show in Las Vegas, April 8-11, 2013, with the aim of an official launch during 2013.

The new Thule Perspektiv camera bags are now available in the UK. The Thule Perspektiv series has six camera bags in various sizes for different needs; including the Perspektiv Backpack, Perspektiv Daypack, Perspektiv Messenger Bag, Perspektiv Top Loaders (medium and large) and Perspektiv Action Sport Camera Case. “The bags are steeped in Scandinavian design and Thule quality where each piece combines function, attention to detail and contemporary styling,” the company says. The Thule Perspektiv range, which has recently won an iF Design Award, is available at prices ranging from £30.99 to £210.99.

Developed by LockCircle, the Prime Circle XE System is a complete range of innovative prime lenses with electronic aperture and wireless control up to 300 feet. Prime Circle XE lenses blend world-class optics (Carl Zeiss) with cine-style ergonomics complete with dedicated XE and XE-Z wireless controllers and an FZ intelligent mount. Available in 10 different focal lengths from 15mm to 135mm, PrimeCircle XE lenses feature large focus scales on both sides of lens barrel for precise focus-puller work and a 95mm front mount across the range. The lenses will be on display at the NAB 2013 show, in Booth # C 9921.

Issue 15 of David Noton’s Chasing the Light eZine is now available. In this month’s edition, David continues his brand new series Seeing the Light with an exploration of daylight, and also provides his regular essential Compositional Tutorial: this time exploring the importance of the Decisive Moment. For Stepping Back, David revisits the momentous switch to digital whilst shooting the stunning vistas of the Northumbrian coastline. Issue 15 also includes two video tutorials, a guest feature on animal portraits by Ben Hall, and the final part of David’s account of his trip to Myanmar (Burma). Please note that the full contents of Chasing the Light eZine is available to f11 subscribers only.

Nikon has released a firmware update for the Nikon D800 DSLR camera. According to the company, Version A1.01 / B1.02 incorporates a number of improvements and fixes, some of which appear to be quite significant. Click through / read on for the details.

Nikon has issued a firmware update for the Nikon D600 full-frame DSLR camera. Version C1.01 incorporates an array of enhancements and fixes, the most significant ones being an improvement in AF-C performance and the ability to output a live view feed with 100% frame coverage in movie mode via HDMI. Click through / read on for the details.

Nikon has posted a firmware update for the its Nikon D4 professional DSLR camera. Version A1.05 / B1.03 adds support for the new AF-S Nikkor 800mm f/5.6E FL ED VR lens, improves auto white balance performance, and fixes bugs. In the release notes (see below) Nikon also claims, somewhat mysteriously, that “images are sharper and appear more three dimensional.”

Nikon has released a firmware update for the Nikon D3200 entry-level DSLR camera. Version C1.01 changes a couple of aspects of the camera’s behaviour when using the Wireless Mobile Utility, and fixes bugs. Click through / read on for the detailed list of changes.

Nikon has posted firmware updates for the DX-format Nikon D7000 as well as the FX-format Nikon D3, D3S (pictured) and D3X DSLR cameras. Unlike the more comprehensive firmware updates issued for the Nikon D3200, D600, D800 and D4, this upgrade simply adds support for the new AF-S Nikkor 800mm f/5.6E FL ED VR lens.

Website: Nikon D7000 Firmware Update A1.03 / B1.04
Website: Nikon D3 Firmware Update A2.03 / B2.03
Website: Nikon D3S Firmware Update A1.02 / B1.02
Website: Nikon D3X Firmware Update A1.01 / B1.02

Issue 26 of Landscape Photography Magazine is now available for purchase. This month’s edition includes advices on using circular polarisers, a guide to underwater landscapes, a review of the book Ireland’s Coast by David Hay, a test of the Canon EOS 6D camera, an article on whether pro gear is really worth the money it costs, and much more. and much more. Do note that the full contents of Landscape Photography Magazine are available to subscribers only.

Pentax has launched a new spotting scope kit that will enable users to attach any Pentax digital SLR camera for digiscoping purposes. The PR-80 EDA spotting scope (£1,249.99) features a double-ED objective lens and FBMC (Fully Balanced Multi Coating) on all lenses with enhanced light transmission and resolution values for superior colour, contrast and brightness. The PR-80 EDA lit is argon-purged, fully water- and dustproof, and unusually compact. The adapter that will allow for the attachment of a DSLR is currently under development. By means of this adapter, the spotting scope can be “converted” into a high-power telephoto lens. The estimated focal length will be around 1500mm, the company says.