Kipon today announced two mount adapters, which enable users to mount Canon EF lenses on Micro Four Thirds (MFT) and Sony NEX bodies. Developed in cooperation with “Japanese engineers,” both adapters allow for electronic diaphragm control, though auto-focus and image stabilisation are probably not maintained. Pricing and availability have yet to be communicated (and as you can see from the picture above, both products look a little rough around the edges, leaving us wonder about how much time it’ll require for the adapters to actually hit the shelves).

Website: Kipon

Manchester-based Return on Digital has launched an Olympics-themed photography competition. “Through our Olympictures Twitter and Facebook accounts users can share what the games mean to them by either tweeting/sharing photos with the accounts or by using #olympictures,” explains Alex Duthie, SEO Executive at Return On Digital. “There will be a daily prize for our favourite photo and an overall prize of a digital camera.” You can read more about the competition at the website below.

Website: Return on Digital

The JVC GC-XA1 Adixion is a new pocket-sized, wearable Full HD camcorder that’s dust- and freeze-proof, waterproof to a depth of five metres, and shockproof to withstand a fall from two metres. Also capable of shooting 5-megapixel stills, the JVC GC-XA1 Adixion includes built-in Wi-Fi, a 1.5-inch LCD monitor, and an ultra-wideangle lens. The GC-XA1 comes with a goggle mount, flexible mount, two lens protection covers, a USB cable and battery. A wide variety of optional accessories is available, including roll bar and handle bar mounts. The JVC GC-XA1 Adixxion action camera will be available in late summer for $349.95.

Sigma UK has teamed up with Sigma User to launch a photo competition. To celebrate the Olympics, the ‘Spirit of the Games’ contest “is all about capturing some great shots which show what the Games means to you – the people, the atmosphere and the celebrations,” the company says. You can submit up to five entries. The overall winner of the judges’ vote will win a Sigma SD1 Merrill kit worth £2149, including the 17-50mm F2.8 EX DC OS HSM lens, whilst 20 runners up will be entered into a Facebook competition to win the new Sigma DP2 Merrill, worth £799. Free to enter, the competition runs 28th July to 31st August.

Website: Sigma User

Getty Images is partnering with Fujitsu to produce a 20-gigapixel image of the opening ceremony of the 2012 Olympics. “We are truly excited to be partnering with Fujitsu on this project. The Opening Ceremony Gigapixel image is the result of just one of the new technologies we are embracing, to ensure London 2012 is captured like no other Games.  The Games are always synonymous with world records being broken and iconic moments being captured; with over 70,000 people expected at the Opening Ceremony, this image will capture this momentous occasion in innovative, high-resolution detail,” said Adrian Murrell, Senior Vice President, Global Editorial, Getty Images. The image will be available to view on gettyimages.co.uk overnight.

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.”