Canon Japan has posted 9 sample images and two sample movies captured with the new Canon EOS M compact system camera, Shot at ISO speeds ranging from ISO 100/21° to ISO 400/27°, the Canon EOS M sample photos are provided in JPEG format, at full 18-megapixel resolution (though note that a number of them are currently labelled as “coming soon”). Six of these images were taken using the new EOS M lenses (EF-M 22mm f/2 STM and EF-M 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM), whilst the remaining three were captured with the EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM, EF 50mm f/1.8 II and EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM, The Canon EOS M sample videos were shot in Full HD but are provided at reduced resolution settings (960x540 and 480x270 pixels) only.

Website: Canon EOS M Sample Images & Movies

The Canon EOS M is a new compact system camera with an 18-megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor, new EOS M lens mount and a touch-screen interface. Key features include a Full HD Movie mode with Movie Servo AF for continuous focus tracking of moving subjects, manual exposure control, a sensitivity range of ISO 100-6400 (expandable to ISO 12800) for video recording, ISO 100-12800 (expandable to ISO 25600) for still image shooting, Multi-shot Noise Reduction and a 1,040,000-dot, 3.0-inch Clear View LCD monitor II with smudge-resistant coating, multi-touch operation and Touch AF. Other highlights include a flash hot-shoe, stereo microphones, manual audio level adjustment and a Video Snapshot mode with touch-screen editing. The Canon EOS M Digital Camera bundled with the new EF-M 22mm f/2 STM kit lens will be available in October for an estimated retail price of $799.99 / £879.99 /  €1,049.99.

The Canon EF-M 22mm f/2 STM is a new moderate wide-angle lens for the Canon EOS M compact system camera. With a diagonal angle of view of 63°30’, the Canon EF-M 22mm f/2 STM lens is equivalent to a 35mm optic on a full-frame body. The optical formula comprises 7 elements in 6 groups, including one aspherical lens element, and an iris diaphragm with seven rounded blades. The Canon EF-M 22mm f/2 STM has a close-focus point of 15cm, maximum aperture of f/2 and a 43mm filter thread. The lens will be available from October priced at £229.99/€273.99 RRP including VAT.

The Canon EF-M 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM is a new M-mount standard zoom for the Canon EOS M compact system camera. With an angle-of-view range of 74°20’ - 27°50’, the Canon EF-M 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 IS STM is equivalent to a 29-88mm lens in a 35mm system. The optical formula comprises 13 elements in 11 groups, including 3 aspherical elements, and an iris diaphragm with 7 rounded blades. Other features include optical image stabilisation; an inner focusing system with STM technology, supporting the EOS M’s Movie Servo AF function for smooth and quiet continuous autofocus during video shooting; a close-focus point of 25cm; and a 52mm filter thread. The Canon EF-M 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM lens will be available from October for $299.99/£269.99/€320.99.

Timed to coincide with the launch of the Canon EOS M compact system camera, Canon has announced a diminutive new hotshoe-mounted flash called the Speedlite 90EX. Weighing in at 50 grams, the Canon Speedlite 90EX runs on 2 AAA type batteries and features a guide number of 9 (in metres at ISO 100/21°). Compatible with all of Canon’s digital SLR cameras and select PowerShot models as well as the new Canon EOS M, the Speedlite 90EX can also act as a master for multiple wirelessly slaved Canon flashguns. Shipping with the Canon EOS M as standard, the Speedlite 90EX will also be available separately for $149.99/£119.99/€139.99.

JP Distribution has announced that the TriPad is now available in the UK. Made from recycled glass and plastics, the Tripad turns any tripod into a sturdy, portable workspace for photographers and videographers by safely connecting a laptop to a camera. Weighing in at 1.59kg and able to hold up to 3.6kg depending on the tripod you mount it on. The TriPad is available now for £69.99.

FilterCalc is a free Android app for photographers who use filters on cameras with no TTL metering (e.g. vintage rangefinders, TLRs etc.). “While there are many apps out there that help you compute exposure compensation in terms of aperture / shutter speed, there are none that allow you to calculate the offset in terms of ISO,” says developer Tatyana Skymyrka. “A traditional technique in using filters is to deduct the number of stops/filter factor off actual ISO/ASA you’re using and use the newly ‘computed’ base ISO in your light meter. Readings then result in proper exposure. While computing 1-2 stops is not a big deal, attempting to calculate offset say of 6 3/4 stops in a field can be a challenge.  This is precisely what the app addresses.” Compatible with devices running Android 2.3.3 and higher, filterCalc can be downloaded from the Google Play Store.

The Sinarback eXact is a new professional digital back offering a resolution of 192 megapixels. Equipped with a 48x36mm Dalsa FTF 6080C sensor with a native resolution of 48 megapixels, the Sinarback eXact achieves its 192-megapixel output via its multi-shot mode. Available from October, the eXact can also be used at resolutions of 12, 21 or 48 megapixels, depending on the photographer’s needs. The Sinarback eXact can be attached to Hasselblad H and V as well as Mamiya 645 cameras via appropriate adapters. The recommended retail price is CHF 29,800 / €23,840 + VAT.

JP Distribution has announced the UK launch of its new Eco-Flo ink bottle system the Epson R3000 printer. The PermaJet Eco-Flo has been specially designed with moulded cartridges that simply slot into your printer in the usual way and stay in situ permanently. Refilling is then carried out simply by topping up the external reservoir bottles therefore avoiding unnecessary wear and tear on the cartridges and microchips. The company claims that using the PermaJet Eco-Flo ink system enables users to save up to 80% off their ink costs on the Epson R3000 printer.

Sigma has posted firmware updates for the Sigma SD1 and SD1 Merrill digital SLR cameras. According to the company, version 1.08 for the original SD1 and version 1.03 for the Merrill improve the accuracy of the evaluative exposure metering. You can download the firmware upgrades from the websites below.

Website: Sigma SD1 Firmware Update
Website: Sigma SD1 Merrill Firmware Update

Children With Cancer, a UK-based children’s charity, has recently launched its first photography competition. The theme is simply ‘Childhood’ and there are two categories for entrants: children (aged 16 years or under) and adults (aged 17 years or over). Each entry must be accompanied by a minimum donation of £5 for children and £10 for adults. The submission deadline is 3 August 2012. As always, we suggest that you read the terms and conditions before entering your work.

‘London from the Rooftops’ is a new exhibition of photographs by James Burns, who for nearly 10 years has been documenting London’s skyline from the top of the capital’s tallest tower blocks. Running from Wednesday 1st August until Wednesday 22nd August, ‘London from the Rooftops’ is hosted by theprintspace gallery, 74 Kingsland Road, E2 8DL. Admission is free.

Fujifilm has announced the discontinuance of a number of its films. The affected products include Fujichrome Velvia 100F in 35mm, 120 and 4”x5” formats and Velvia 50 in 4”x5” and 8”x10”. Gabriel Da Costa, product manager for professional film, said: “Fujifilm will continue to manufacture a wide range of film and the increasing support for our Choose Film group illustrates there is still a passion for film photography across the world.”

Ales Veluscek, Graeme Murray, Radoslaw Wesolowski, David Taylor and Monika Walczak are the lucky winner of a set of 100 Classic MOO Business Cards!

We’re pleased to announce an exclusive giveaway from MOO.com!

If you’ve never heard of them before, MOO love to print business cards online - but also check out their range of Postcards, unique MiniCards, StickerBooks, Greeting-cards, and much more!

MOO is Who?
MOO was born from a passion for beautiful, high-quality print and design. Upload your own images or artwork to create truly creative cards with our Printfinity technology, or you can choose a MOO card design template to personalize with your own details.

Dianne Annett, Eduardo de Francisco, Siu Hay Yip, Jacquie Bennett and Edwin Rosenbloom are the five lucky winners of a bundle of Kodak film.

With the Summer finally upon us what better time to get photographing the beautiful delights of the country, towns and people around you. To help you do this we’re giving away a great film prize courtesy of Kodak.

We’ve got five bundles, consisting of the award winning Portra 160 film for natural skin tones, Ektar, the World’s finest grain colour negative film, and the truly timeless classic and best-selling black & white film.

Whether you are a commercial photographer or an advanced amateur, there’s a film from Kodak for you in this exciting film bundle prize.

Paris Photo and Aperture Foundation have announced The Paris Photo–Aperture Foundation PhotoBook Awards. This year, the Awards will focus on two major categories: First PhotoBook and PhotoBook of the Year. A preselected shortlist of thirty titles will be profiled in The PhotoBook Review; and exhibited at Paris Photo at the Grand Palais and at Aperture Gallery in New York. The deadline for entries is 10th September. Publishers and photographers can enter online at the website below.

The Lomographic Society has announced the La Sardina DIY Edition. “The La Sardina DIY is a canvas to be filled,” says Heidi Mace, Digital Marketing and Online Manager, Lomography UK & Ireland. “Its interchangeable panels and special ink permeable material provide endless design possibilities. Writing, drawing, painting, or gluing something – it’s just so easy to set creativity free on this analogue icon.” As seen in the photo above, the La Sardina DIY Edition (£99) comes with Fritz the Blitz, a flashgun designed specifically for this analogue camera.

Switronix has unveiled the Powerbase PB70-BMCC, a power solution for the Black Magic Cinema Camera. Furnished with two p-tap ports to power additional on-board devices, the Switronix PB70-BMCC will nearly quadruple the runtime of the camera’s internal battery while allowing users to power multiple essential devices such as an on-camera light, monitor and other production accessories.  A 4-LED power gauge allows users to easily monitor their charge with the tap of a button. The Switronix PB70-BMCC is available for $329.