PromarkBRANDS is celebrating National Photography Month during May on the company’s Facebook and Twitter pages. The company’s five brands, Photogenic Professional Lighting, Speedotron, Norman, Cool-Lux, and Smith-Victor, are featuring a tip-a-day on their social media pages and are holding five different Facebook contests for the chance to win kits and lights in honour of the month. Contests vary from submitting photographs and explaining the lighting techniques used, submitting top photography lighting tips, to a Photography Challenge, where photographers are asked to shoot and post a specific image every day. Entries will be judged by photographers and lighting professionals and the best two entries for each brand win the prizes.

Data recovery, file repair and PC optimisation software utility company, Yodot Software, has released its latest software to recover lost and involuntarily deleted photos on Mac OS X. The Yodot Mac Photo Recovery application can find a photo even when the file system of a Mac drive is completely damaged and can calculate the exact file size to recover. The preview feature of the software helps in previewing all photo, audio and video files to evaluate the chances of recovery before registering the software. For registration a licence key is sent through email to unlock the trial version after purchasing the software The application can be purchased with a limited-time launch discount for a MSRP of $49 from the official website.

Fujifilm has launched the Fujifilm WCL-X100, a 0.8x wide-angle converter for the Fujifilm X100 large-sensor compact camera. This conversion lens attaches directly on to the camera and converts the lens to a 19mm wide angle (28mm in 35mm terms). The design of the WCL-X100 has been carefully considered to ensure a seamless blend with the camera. It uses the same materials, textures and colours as the X100 itself, plus the optional LH-X100 lens hood and PRF-49S protective filter can be used on the conversion lens. Manufactured in Japan, the Fujifilm WCL-X100 features an all-glass optical construction using four elements in three groups, with Fujinon EBC coating.

DxO Labs have released an update to DxO FilmPack, which adds compatibility with Adobe Photoshop CS6. Allowing users to apply the aesthetic signatures of dozens of films or one of 25 creative renderings to their digital photos, DxO FilmPack v3.2.2 is compatible with DxO Optics Pro 6 & 7, Aperture 3, Lightroom 3 & 4, Photoshop Elements 9 & 10, Photoshop CS3, CS4, CS5 and now CS6. Additionally, it is also available as a standalone application that runs in both 32 and 64 bits under MacOS and Windows.

BlueCam Free is a new camera app for the Apple iPad. Providing an alternative to the built-in Camera app, BlueCam Free offers remote control ability, 9x-153x digital zoom for photos & videos, photo & video timers, photo & video filters, auto and manual uploading to Facebook/Twitter/Flickr and many other features. As the name suggests, the app can be downloaded from iTunes free of charge.

Akvis has released updates to Akvis Sketch, ArtWork and ArtSuite. The updates incorporate bug fixes and add compatibility with Adobe Photoshop CS6. Available as plugins and as standalone applications for Windows and Macintosh, the programs can be purchased separately or as part of a software bundle, via the Akvis website.

LPA Design has announced a firmware release plan for the PocketWizard MiniTT1 and FlexTT5 radios to address compatibility with several new Nikon and Canon cameras and flashes, as well as the new Sekonic RT-32CTL module. The new Nikon and Canon gear is currently being reverse engineered & tested, with LPA Design being keen to stress that they do not receive any inside information from either companies. “In order to expedite the process, we will be releasing “rolling betas” which will then be rolled into production releases based on feedback during the beta phase,” LPA Design said in a statement. The first MiniTT1/FlexTT5 beta firmware release will be for the Sekonic module, with beta releases for the Nikon SB-910 flash, the Nikon D4/D800/D800E digital SLR cameras and the Canon 600EX-RT (pictured) and ST-E3-RT following in due course.

Athentech Imaging has released updates to both the iPhone and iPad versions of its Perfectly Clear app. The new versions incorporate a host of improvements, new features and bug fixes. For a limited time you can get Perfectly Clear for iPad for $1.99 and the iPhone version for $0.99 on the iTunes App Store.

Unified Color Technologies have announced an upcoming free webinar on architectural HDR photography to be hosted by professional photographer Michael James. For Michael, HDR is one technique he employs to represent a scene just as he saw it on location, ensuring his client’s properties are reproduced true to life. During this webinar, James will demonstrate the power of Unified Color’s proprietary Beyond RGBTM colour technology and how it can combine with the latest colour-safe editing tools and workflow-simplifying features of Unified Color’s HDR Expose 2 software and Photoshop plug-in, 32 Float v2. The webinar will be taking place at 11am EDT on 15th May. Attendance is free, but advance registration is required.

Darlings of Chelsea have announced a photography competition centred around the theme of “Environment”. They are looking for unique, original and beautiful photographs taken anywhere in the world that you believe portray your environment. This competition is open to both amateur and professional photographers. Open to novices and professionals of all ages, the competition runs until 9th June. The winner will be awarded a third-generation Apple iPad (16GB, Wi-Fi version). Click through / scroll down for the details.

Adobe today announced the immediate availability of Adobe Creative Cloud. Billed as a radical new way of providing tools and services for creatives, Adobe Creative Cloud is a hub for making, sharing and delivering creative work and it is centred around Adobe Creative Suite 6.“Adobe Creative Cloud members receive full access to the entire portfolio of Creative Suite 6 tools, integration with our touch tools, file storage and sharing services and Web hosting – everything they need to go from idea to finished work, at a breakthrough monthly subscription price,“ said David Wadhwani, senior vice president, Digital Media Business, Adobe. In addition, two new Touch Apps – Adobe Proto and Adobe Collage – are now available for iOS devices, as are new features and additional language support in both Photoshop Touch and Adobe Ideas.

Leica has launched the Leica S-Adapter H accesory, which allows all Hasselblad H-system lenses to be mounted on a Leica S2 camera body. The Hasselblad H-system features a total of 11 leaf shutter lenses with focal lengths from 28 to 300mm. As the S2 features a dual shutter system – users may toggle between the focal plane shutter (FPS) in the camera body or the central shutter (CS) in the lens using the main switch – photographers now have access to numerous additional lenses, increasing the photographic options offered by the Leica S-System. Users of the Hasselblad H-system also benefit from the new adapter. The versatility of Hasselblad H lenses is expanded considerably when they are used in combination with an S2. For instance, thanks to the dual shutter system of the Leica S2, H lenses can be now used with the focal plane shutter at speeds of up to 1/4000 of a second. The Leica S-Adapter H is available for £1,350.

Leica is expanding its Leica S medium-format system with five new central shutter (leaf shutter) lenses, with availability from October 2012. As promised at the launch of the system back in 2008, these lenses deliver a top shutter speed of 1/1000th of a second and enable flash synchronisation at all speeds. Compared to the body-integral focal-plane shutter of the Leica S2 camera, which boasts a top shutter speed of 1/4000th of a second but a rather slow flash sync speed of 1/125, the CS lenses offer a working range expanded by three f-stops, which in turn allows Leica S sytem users to be more creative with their flash photography. The lenses that will go on sale in October include the central-shutter versions of the Leica Elmarit-S 30mm f/2.8 ASPH. (£5,850) and Leica Summarit-S 35mm f/2.5 ASPH. (£5,515) wide-angle lenses, the Leica Summarit-S 70mm f/2.5 ASPH. (£4,365, pictured) standard lens, the Leica APO-Macro-Summarit-S 120mm f/2.5 (£5,975) tele-macro lens and the Leica APO-Tele-Elmar-S 180mm f/3.5 (£5,975) telephoto lens.

The Leica M Monochrom is a new, black-and-white only, full-frame digital rangefinder camera with a highly sensitive 18-megapixel monochromatic sensor. Lacking a colour filter array (CFA) and an anti-aliasing filter, the Leica M Monochrom is capable of producing extraordinarily detailed black-and-white photographs with no Bayer interpolation. The lack of a CFA also means that the sensor is significantly more sensitive to light, resulting in an ability to produce unusually clean image files at sensitivity settings up to ISO 10,000. In most other respects, the camera is similar to the existing Leica M9. The Leica M Monochrom is scheduled to be available in the UK from the end of July 2012 from authorised Leica dealers including the Leica Store Mayfair for an SRP of £6,120 including VAT. The scope of delivery also includes a copy of Adobe Photoshop Lightroom and Silver Efex Pro 2.

The Leica APO-Summicron-M 50mm f/2 ASPH. is a new, apochromatic standard lens for the Leica M system. Weiging in at 300 grams, the Leica APO-Summicron-M 50mm f/2 ASPH. features 8 elements in 5 groups - including a floating element that changes its position relative to the front group during focusing -, an iris diaphragm with 11 blades and a close-focus point of 0.7m. Assembled in an intricate process, completely by hand, the Leica APO-Summicron-M 50mm f/2 ASPH. will be available in the UK from the end of July 2012 for £5,400.

Leica has unveiled a special edition of the Leica M9 full-frame digital rangefinder camera: the Leica M9-P ‘Edition Hermès’. Following the Leica MP ‘Edition Hermès’ (in 2003) and the Leica M7 ‘Edition Hermès’ (in 2009), this is the third in a line of premium special editions of the Leica M-System to be created in collaboration with the renowned Parisian house Hermès. The highlight of the camera is the Veau Swift calfskin leather in ocre colour, supplied by Hermès for the leather finish of the silver-chrome Leica M9-P. This extremely fine and supple leather is applied not only to the camera body, but is also used for the shoulder strap included in the set. The Leica M9-P ‘Edition Hermès’ is offered in a choice of two different sets, containing either one or three lenses. The first kit is scheduled to be available from May 2012, at a UK suggested retail price of £18,000. The second set, which is called the Leica M9-P ‘Edition Hermès’ – Série Limitée Jean-Louis Dumas, will be available form June for £36,000.

The Leica X2 is a 16-megapixel, large-sensor digital compact camera with a new, APS-C format CMOS imager and a 36mm equivalent Leica Elmarit 24mm f/2.8 ASPH. lens. Compared to the Leica X1, the Leica X2 features an improved autofocus system, which enables fast, precise and almost silent focusing. Furthermore, the camera features a pop-up flash and a hot shoe that offers full compatibility with the Leica SF 24D and SF 58 system flash units. In live view mode, the high-contrast 2.7” LCD screen delivers a bright and detailed view, even in strong light. New to the X series is an optional Viso-Flex high-resolution electronic accessory viewfinder (£360) with 1.4 million dots and a 90° swivel function for shooting from unusual angles. Also available separately is a bright-line optical viewfinder (£269), providing a bright and clear view at all times, with no impact on the camera’s battery power. The Leica X2 is scheduled to be available in the UK from May for £1,575.

The Leica V-Lux 40 is a 14-megapixel super-zoom digital compact camera with touch-screen, 20x optical zoom, GPS and Full HD video capture. Bearing a close resemblance to the Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ30/ZS30 features a 24-480mm equivalent lens and a 3” touch-sensitive LCD screen with a resolution of 460,000 dots.  The entire 20x zoom range is available during movie recording and videos can now also be saved in MP4 format. An integrated GPS function allows users to geotag their images. Available for £550, the Leica V-Lux 40 is supplied with a comprehensive software package comprising Adobe Photoshop Elements 10 for still-image processing and Adobe Premiere Elements 10 for video editing.

PermaJet has announced that all users of the PermaJet range of papers are automatically entitled to use the company’s new free ICC Custom Profiling Service. The remote custom profiling service is simple - once you’ve downloaded the target files and instructions you just need to print out the patch target files onto the paper that you require the profile for (with all colour management switched off in both your image software and printer driver) and mail them to PermaJet. When received, they are scanned with a high quality Gretag spectrophotometer to create a totally accurate custom ICC profile tailored to your printing environment. The profile is then e-mailed to you, usually on the same day as being received in the post.