Sigma has annoucned that the Sigma Macro 105mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM is now available in Sony fit. The successor to the Sigma Macro 105mm F2.8 EX DG, introduced to market in June 2004, this large aperture medium telephoto 1:1 macro lens features a HyperSonic Motor as well as Special Low Dispersion (SLD) and one high refractive index SLD element. A floating focusing system moves two different lens groups in the optical path to different positions. The Sigma Macro 105mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM features a splash resistant design for use in harsh conditions and a rounded 9 blade diaphragm for a pleasing rendering of the out-of-focus areas. The lens is available at a suggested retail price of £649.99.

Want to see exactly what the new Leica M9-P Edition Hermès limited edition rangefinder camera looks like in the flesh?

With only 300 available worldwide, the Leica M9-P Edition Hermès carries a UK suggested retail price of a mere £18,000, with Hermès contributing the Veau Swift calfskin leather finish in ochre colour.

Check out our hands-on gallery of photos of the Leica M9-P Edition Hermès limited edition rangefinder camera.

Want to see exactly what the new Leica V-Lux 40 digital compact camera looks like in the flesh?

Check out our hands-on gallery of photos of the Leica V-Lux 40 digital compact camera.

Want to see exactly what the new Leica X2 digital camera looks like in the flesh?

We spent some time shooting with the new Leica X2 yesterday at an exclusive press event in London.

Check out our hands-on gallery of photos of the Leica X2 digital camera.

Want to see exactly what the new Leica M Monochrom rangefinder camera looks like in the flesh?

We spent some time shooting with the new black and white only Leica M Monochrom yesterday at an exclusive press event in London.

Check out our hands-on gallery of photos of the Leica M Monochrom rangefinder camera.

The Sony A37 is a new entry-level SLT camera. The A37 has a 16.1 megapixel Exmor APS HD CMOS sensor, high-speed shooting up to 7fps with Full-time Continuous AF, 3-cross 15-point phase detection autofocus system, and an ISO range of 100-16000. The new 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 telephoto zoom kit lens offers a generous 8x zoom range in a compact, go-anywhere lens. The Sony A37 will be available from the end of May 2012 for around £530 / $600.

The Sony NEX-F3 is a new entry-level compact system camera. The NEX F3 has a 16.1 megapixel APS-C size image sensor, 180° tiltable LCD for easy self-portraits, full HD AVCHD (50i/25p) video, and a built-in flash. The new Sony 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 OSS LE lens offers a powerful 11x zoom range and superb resolution in an easy-to-carry lens. The Sony NEX-F3 will be available from June 2012 for around £530 / $600.

Phase One is launching a series of free online events entitled “Phase One Live: Your Inspiration Stream.” Hosted by Phase One and some of the world’s leading photographers, each event will showcase a specific photography project, tracking each step in that project’s workflow from conception through completion. The première event on May 23 at 9 am CET features award winning British landscape photographer Joe Cornish. To register, visit the website below.

Leica today announced the opening of its extended retail premises encompassing three buildings in Mayfair, providing Leica customers with a range of premium services. At 27 Bruton Place, located just off Berkeley Square in Mayfair, Leica’s Client Care team offers expert advice tailored to photographers’ specific needs, as well as light repairs for camera and optics customers, and sensor-cleaning for Leica M- and S-System owners. Alongside this facility is Café Optik, providing a relaxed and friendly atmosphere to visitors. Additionally, a new rental service is also available on the ground floor: Rental-S. This service incorporates rental of Leica’s high performance S-System, as well as hire of Studio-S, a fully equipped studio that includes changing and make-up areas, hospitality and digital operator facilities.

Kodak has revealed two all-in-one printers and its new Pic Flick HD iPad app. The Kodak ESP 3.2 all-in-one printer (£79) is the latest addition to the company’s inkjet printer portfolio. “With a refreshed and modern design, it is targeted to photo-centric consumers and families who want great value, quality and simplicity,” Kodak says. “It offers Kodak’s signature easy Wi-Fi set-up and a 6.1cm colour touchscreen for effortless navigation and a better ‘walk up and print’ experience.” The ESP 1.2 all-in-one printer (£69, pictured) provides consumers with an easy way to print and save. It too offers effortless Wi-Fi set up and a 3.8cm intuitive touchframe interface for quick navigation making it simple to print, copy and scan. Coming in June, the free Kodak Pic Flick HD App for iPad lets consumers create personalised photo cards, collages and prints, with the ability to add captions and speech bubbles. For photo prints, Kodak Technology identifies the colours in the photo and automatically generates matching borders for prints and collages.

Insight Guides’ 2012 travel photography competition, run in association with The Independent on Sunday, is now open for entries. Whether professional or amateur, any UK-based adult who has a love of travel photography can enter by submitting three images that have been taken this year and capture the essence of a destination. There’s a separate category for under-18s, too, with the young photographer winning an Olympus Tough TG-820 camera of his or her own.  Photographers have until Friday 14 September 2012 to submit their entries for judging by an expert panel made up of Michael Pritchard, director-general of the Royal Photographic Society, picture editors of the Independent on Sunday and Insight Guides, and high profile photographer Kevin Cummins. As well as scooping a travel photography commission worth £3,000, the first prize winner receives an Olympus E-PL3 (RRP £550, pictured). The second prize is an Olympus E-PM1, whilst the winner in third place will be awarded an Olympus XZ-1 (RRP £400).

Lomography has announced a new 110 format black-and-white film called Orca BW 100. With a sensitivity of ISO 100/21°, the Orca BW 100 is Lomography’s very first 110 film and, as the company puts it “only the peak of a 110 film iceberg that is waiting to be released.” The first production run of the Orca B&W 100, consisting of just 5000 cartridges, is exclusively available for pre-order from the Lomography Online Shop at €6.90 per roll. Pre-ordered films are expected to ship from 25th May. Note that this first Orca edition has a missing back-paper; this means is that each frame will need to be counted manually because the spool does not stop when the film is done. Also, the last 4 photos on each 24 frame roll might have some light leaks.

Casio has launched the Exilim EX-TR150 digital compact camera, which features a rotating monitor, a special “Make-up mode”, 12.1-megapixel back-illuminated CMOS sensor and a 21mm equivalent lens. Also boasting a high-speed auto focus system that is claimed to lock on the subject in 0.15 second, the Casio EX-TR150 comes with a stylus which, in combination with the camera’s Decoration Function, allows users to clip elements from any photo to paste into another image. Thanks to its variable frame design, the Casio EX-TR150 can adapt to fit the user’s preferred shooting style or to help them capture an image from just about any angle or in any environment. The Make-up mode applies effects to smooth skin and soften facial shadows caused by harsh light, while the on-board Slide Panorama mode makes it easier to take panoramic photos. Pricing to be confirmed.

Harald Johnson has announced the relaunch of his photo education and entertainment site PhoozL. To celebrate this, the new PhoozL launches with two challenging photo contests/assignments. “Seeing the Light” is a “super-judged” contest with two rounds of judging, a theme chosen by Joel Meyerowitz, and the final judging and determination of winners also by him. The “After Dark” photo assignment is the first of a series of more casual photo challenges modeled on traditional assignments that art directors, editors, and publishers have always given photographers. There is an assignment, a limited time period to submit photos, and a final selection of winning images by the Assigner, in this first case by Harald Johnson himself. In addition to the contests and assignments, the new PhoozL also has forums (“Phorums”), a photo-critiquing area, a growing list of Photo Tips, and a Featured Photographer interview that will update regularly. There’s also a site blog and a special Phun section that includes Flash photo games, photo apps, and more.

Nik Software announced today that all of its plug-in products and trial versions have been tested and found to be compatible with the newly released Photoshop CS6, The compatibility testing has been done with the latest versions, which include Dfine 2.110, Viveza 2.007m Cikir Efex Pro 4.002, Silver Efex Pro 2.004, Sharpener Pro 3.008, HDR Efex Pro 1.204 (Mac) and HDR Efex Pro 1.203 (Windows).

GoPro has launched its new GoPro Dive Housing, which features a large, flat glass lens that allows for maximum photo and video sharpness underwater in all resolutions. Compatible with all HD HERO cameras, GoPro mounts and accessories, the new GoPro Housing comes bundled with a protective lens cap, tether string and assorted mounting hardware. It is now available for order at the Gopro Online Store, speciality retailers around the world, as well as Sport Chalet and Best Buy, for an MSRP of $49.99.

Leica has released a firmware update for the Leica S2 medium-format digital SLR camera. Version 1.0.3.3 adds support for the new Leica S-Adapter H and improves flash synchronisation when using the Leica S2’s focal plane shutter at a shutter speed of 1/125th of a second. The firmware upgrade can be downloaded from the website below.

Website: Leica Owners’ Area

Fujifilm has posted six full-resolution sample images captured with the Fujfilm X100 camera and the new WCL-X100 wide-angle conversion lens. Taken at f/5.6 and f/8 using the Provia, Velvia and Astia film simulation modes, these sample photos are meant to demonstrate what the new converter is capable of. You can download the Fujifilm WCL-X100 samples from the website below.

Website: Fujifilm Wide Conversion Lens WCL-X100 Sample Photos