The Sigma 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 DC Macro OS HSM is a new, compact superzoom lens for dSLR cameras with APS-C sized sensors. Compared to the existing 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM, the new lens offers a lighter and more compact design, better close-up capabilities with a maximum magnification ratio of 1:2.9, and incorporates a special Thermally Stable Composite (TSC) material that makes it ideal for use in circumstances where extreme variations in temperature cannot be avoided. The Sigma 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 DC Macro OS HSM lens is also equipped with Super Multi-Layer Coating to reduce flare and ghosting, a Hyper Sonic Motor (HSM) to ensure fast and quiet auto-focusing, an Optical Stabiliser (OS) for better hand-held results and a rounded, seven-blade diaphragm for a pleasant rendering of the out of focus areas. The lens will be available in Sigma, Sony, Nikon, Canon and Pentax mounts, starting with the Canon version coming in July. Pricing and availability for other mounts have yet to be announced.

Wear Your Face is a new book of photographic portraits of men of varying ages, origin and character brought together in tribute to modern men. The heavy-weight book captures masculinity in the 21st century, showcasing over 200 portraits of men including famous faces such as George Clooney, Robert de Niro, Mickey Rourke, Jose Mourinho, Ryan Gosling and Mick Jagger by 45 iconic international contributors including Rankin, Michel Comte, Lars David Neill, Erwin Wurm, Martin Schoeller and Art Streiber. Rankin, who took part in the project, says: “To me the meaning of Wear your face is best captured by the look in an eye. Whether we are aware of it or not, eyes are what we naturally focus on when we look at faces – they are the real storytellers.” The book is priced at €39.90, with proceeds going to the United Nations Children’s Fund.

Gary Fong has announced the launch of its new Gamma Diffuser. Designed specifically for the Sony HVL-F43AM and HVL-F58AM flashes, both of which feature Sony’s Quick Shift Bounce system, the Gary Fong Gamma Diffuser softens the harsh light emitted by the flash for more pleasing results. Carrying a list price of $32.95, the Gamma Diffuser is currently available from the Gary Fong eStore for $29.95. Click through / scroll down for a video demonstration released by the manufacturer.

Research and Markets have published a new report entitled “Global Digital Camera Market 2011-2015”. Prepared by the analysts of TechNavio, the report forecasts that the global digicam market will expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10 percent over the period 2011-2015. “One of the key factors contributing to this market growth is the increasing demand for digital cameras in emerging markets,” the company says. “However, the increasing smartphone penetration could pose a challenge to the growth of this market.” The report is available for purchase through the website below.

Schneider Kreuznach has announced its intention to enter the lucrative market of Compact System Camera lenses. “We are placing a strong focus on the innovative market for mirrorless system cameras with their interchangeable lenses and have appropriate developments in the pipeline,” said Schneider Group’s managing director Dr. Josef Staub. “Schneider Kreuznach will launch the first lens of an all-new range of mirrorless system cameras this fall.” According to Photoscala the first lens in the line-up, called the Schneider Kreuznach Super Angulon 2,0/14mm, will be available with a Micro Four Thirds mount for “less than 1500 euros.” Unusually for a Schneider Kreuznach lens, the Super Angulon 14mm f/2 will offer auto focus capabilities as well as diaphragm control via the camera body.

The Nikon AF-S Nikkor 18-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR is a new DX-format lens with an ultra-high 16.7x zoom ratio and a 27-450mm equivalent focal range. Complementing the versatile focal range is Nikon’s second-generation Vibration Reduction system, which is claimed to allow “substantially sharper handheld images across the zoom range.” The optical formula comprises 19 elements in 14 groups, including 3 aspherical and 3 ED lens elements. Offering a 45cm close-focus point at the 300mm setting, the Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 18-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR provides a maximum reproduction ratio of 1:3.2. An iris diaphragm with 9 rounded blades allows for a smooth rendering of the out-of-focus areas. Weighing in at 830 grams, the new Nikon 18-300mm lens comes with a CL-1120 soft pouch and a petal-shaped HB-58 hood. With availability slated for the end of June, the DX Nikkor 18-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR is expected to retail at around £850/$1000.

Nikon has announced a new FX-format zoom lens with a 24-85mm focal range, compact build and Vibration Reduction. Weighing in at 465 grams, the Nikon AF-S Nikkor 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5G ED VR features an inner focusing mechanism, with autofocus controlled by a Silent Wave Motor (SWM). The optical formula comprises 16 elements in 11 groups, including 1 ED and 3 aspherical lens elements. The minimum focus distance is 38cm from the focal plane at all focal lengths. Also featuring an iris diaphragm with 7 rounded blades for a pleasing bokeh, the AF-S Nikkor 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5G ED VR takes 72mm filters and comes with an HB-63 lens hood and a CL-1118 soft pouch as standard. Available from the end of this month, the new Nikon 24-85mm VR lens can be yours for £519.99/$599.95.

Nikon today announced that total production of Nikkor lenses for interchangeable lens cameras has reached seventy million. As the 60 millionth Nikkor was manufactured in April 2011, this means that Nikon produced no less than 10 million interchangeable lenses in a matter if just 14 months. Additionally, the company has reached another milestone by producing the 30 millionth lens equipped with a Silent Wave Motor (SWM).

The eighth issue of Adore Noir Magazine is now available for purchase. Now in its second year, Adore Noir is a fine art photography magazine available exclusively in digital format. Featuring beautifully haunting portraits of children by Deborah Parkin, city- and landscapes by Bill Schwab, captivating modern-day ambrotypes by Jody Ake, mystical portraits by Mukti Echwantono, world-class photojournalism by Olof Jarlbro an illustrated interview with Troy Colby, an in-depth look into the world of Helen K. Garber and a round-table discussion on the topic of influence versus inspiration; this issue reinforces the magazine’s commitment to high-quality black-and-white imagery. The latest issue of Adore Noir is available for $2.95 from the website below.

Website: Adore Noir

JP Distribution has announced the UK availability of the PermaAIR aerosol, which has been designed primarily to help maintain and keep inkjet printers dust free. “Fine art printers in particular will find this product extremely useful in removing loose fibres by air blowing directly over the surface of the material prior to use as there is a tendency to leave fibres within the printer or on the rollers - with PermaAIR the problem goes away,” the company says. Suitable for all desktop and wide-format printers, PermaAIR retails at £7.95.,

A copy of one of the largest books of photographs ever published was sold at Bonhams Book, Maps, Manuscripts and Historical Photographs sale. The book is made up of 20 photographic views of Egypt, Sinai and Jerusalem by Francis Frith each print measuring an enormous 30 inches x 21 (77cms x 55). The photographer and photo historian Helmut Gernsheim wrote. “This is the largest book with the biggest, un-enlarged prints ever published”. Originally estimated at £50,000-70,000, the giant book was sold at over £330,000.

Thom Bleasdale has been selected by Centrespace Gallery to show his first ever exhibition. The work entitled ‘A Rare Photograph of the Soul Leaving the Body,’ shows 29 pieces from July 27 until 1 August. “The pieces are mainly about my view on life and my attempt to convince myself that death isn’t terrifying,” Thom said. “Some of the pieces exemplify living to its fullest extent and other pieces demonstrate aspects of life that are often unnoticed, but are much more significant than they first appear.” Centrespace Gallery is located at Leonard Lane, Bristol BS1 1EA.

Beyond Point-and-Shoot by Darrell Young is now available in the UK. Assuming little to no knowledge of photographic terms, techniques, or technology, this book is intended to help smooth the transition from photographic newbie to “real” photographer who is experienced, in-control, and passionate about their craft. Additionally, the author takes an in-depth look at camera types, lenses, aperture, shutter speed, sensitivity, metering and shooting controls, colour spaces, interpreting histograms and more. The 140-page volume is available for £19.50.

Arca Swiss has announced the RotaMount, a brand new rotating back designed for use with the Arca Swiss R-Series as well as with F and M Line view cameras. Allowing users to switch seamlessly from landscape to portrait format in just a couple of seconds, this safe and secure system guarantees total flexibility, the company says. The RotaMount is available for €390.

Single malt whisky brand The Macallan has announced a photography competition ‘The Last Word.’ Starting today, photography aficionados around the world will be able to upload a portrait they have taken with one word - ‘The Last Word’ - capturing the mood of their photograph. Each week one portrait will be chosen as ‘The Last Word of the week’ which will become Macallan’s Facebook profile picture for the following week.  Prizes will be awarded monthly leading up to a final selection of winners as chosen by esteemed judges from the Royal Photographic Society. To enter the competition, visit the website below.

Epson has announced the Epson Expression Home XP-400 “Small-in-One” multi-functional printer, scanner and copier. The sub-$100 wireless Small-in-One offers a 2.5” colour LCD with touch panel, built-in memory card slots for easy PC-free photo printing and instant-dry DURABrite Ultra ink. The Epson Expression Home XP-400 will be available in June through major computer, office and electronic superstores, a variety of retail stores across the USA, and Epson’s retail website.

Epson has announced its support for the “100 FACES OF LONDON” project with photographer Milan Svanderlik. Featuring portraits of one hundred Londoners, reflecting the huge diversity of people who make up this city, the exhibition will be shown in The Crypt Gallery throughout June and July. The images in the exhibition were printed by the photographer on an Epson Stylus Pro 3880.

Apple has unveiled an all new 15-inch MacBook Pro featuring a “Retina” display with a resolution of 220ppi. “[T]he Retina display’s pixel density is so high the human eye cannot distinguish individual pixels from a normal viewing distance,” the company says. OS X Lion, iPhoto, iMovie, iTunes and other Apple apps including Aperture and Final Cut Pro X have been updated to take full advantage of the new display. The updated Aperture 3.3 also includes new image adjustment features and now supports a unified photo library so photographers can move seamlessly between iPhoto and Aperture. Pricing for the new MacBook Pro starts at £1,799.

Apple has announced that OS X Mountain Lion will be available in July as a download from the Mac App Store. New system-wide Sharing allows you to share photos and videos quickly via a Share button, without having to switch to another app, and you just need to sign in once to use third-party services like Facebook, Twitter, Flickr and Vimeo. With built-in support for Facebook, you can post photos with locations right from your apps. Additionally, the new AirPlay Mirroring lets you wirelessly send an up-to-1080p secure stream of what’s on your Mac to an HDTV using Apple TV. OS X Mountain Lion will be available in July from the Mac App Store for $19.99

Apple has previewed iOS 6, and released a beta version to iOS Developer Program members.  New iOS 6 features include an all-new Maps app, Facebook integration for Contacts and Calendar, with the ability to post directly from Notification Center, Siri and Facebook-enabled apps like Photos, Safari and Maps; Shared Photo Streams via iCloud; and more. Shared Photo Streams in particular allow users to select the photos they want to share, pick which friends they want to receive the album, and the Shared Photo Stream album is instantly available on their iOS devices, iPhoto and Aperture on their Mac, via the web or even through Apple TV. iOS 6 will be available as a free software update for iPhone 4S, iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, the new iPad, iPad 2 and iPod touch (fourth generation) this fall.