Mastering the Fuji X100 by Michael Diechtierow is a new title from Rocky Nook. This book guides readers through the features and capabilities of the Fujifilm X100, teaching readers about optimising focus, influencing dynamic range, which film simulation is best, and much more. The 192-page volume is available for $29.95.

The book Redwood Saw by Richard Rothman is a photographic narrative comprising landscapes, seascapes, portraits, and nudes shot in and around the small coastal town of Crescent City, California. “Redwood Saw is a book about the human loss of innocence, the worldly loss of wildness, and the consequential loss of freedom and hope that attend these conditions and that mark our times,” the photographer says. Richard Rothman will deliver a lecture about the book, followed by a book signing, on Wednesday 7th March at the School of the International Center of Photography (1114 Avenue of the Americas at 43rd Street).

Manfrotto will showcase a number of pioneering photographic products at the forthcoming Focus on Imaging trade show. These will include the full range of Manfrotto tripods, bags, clothing and LED lights, the Gitzo Systematic Tripod range, Kata and National Geographic Bags and Lastolite products. Visitors can take advantage of a range of exclusive promotional activities when purchasing Manfrotto products at the fair. These include the brand’s new Gitzo Scrappage Scheme, which offers a saving of up to £100 when scrapping an old camera support. Additionally, there will be the chance to win limited-edition Manfrotto products daily through a ‘Guess-N-Win’ competition and everyone can take advantage of a 15% discount online product voucher only available at the stand. Focus on Imaging is taking place from 4-7 March 2012, with Manfrotto occupying stand N10-11.

Intro2020 has announced the UK launch of the Cotton Carrier System, which eliminates the strain and pain placed on a photographer’s neck and shoulder when carrying one or two cameras. According to the company, the Cotton Carrier camera slings, camera vests and camera holsters will appeal to news photographers, sports photographers, wedding photographers and “active” photographers including mountain bikers, mountain climbers and snow boarders. The Cotton Carrier System comprises a vest (£139.00), a vest+holster combination for a two-camera setup (£169.99, pictured) as well as a range of accessories (from £46.00).

Sigma UK has announced a reduction in the suggested retail price of the 105mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM lens. Previously set at £799.99, the MSRP of the lens has now been lowered to £649.99. Featuring a Super Multi-layer Coating to reduce flare and ghosting, a HyperSonic Motor (HSM) for quiet auto focus and Sigma’s own Optical Stabiliser (OS) to combat motion blur resulting from shaky hands, the Sigma Macro 105mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM boasts nine rounded diaphragm blades for a pleasing bokeh and a splashproof construction for problem-free outdoor use.

LPA Design, manufacturers of PocketWizard Photo Products, have announced the new PocketWizard Plus III. Featuring 32 channels and Selective Quad-Zone Triggering that enables photographers to remotely trigger flashes and/or cameras in groups or individually, the PocketWizard Plus III Transceiver is compatible with all other PocketWizard radios and virtually every popular flash and professional digital SLR camera system. It also communicates with all PocketWizard-enabled photo gear including select Profoto, Dynalite, Norman and Photogenic flash systems and Sekonic light meters. The new Plus III will be demonstrated at the PocketWizard WPPI 2012 Booth #621 in Las Vegas, NV as well as in the JP Distribution booth at Focus on Imaging Show in Birmingham, UK, March 4-7, 2012.

Offering a 16% greater printing capacity from a unit that is 20% smaller than its predecessor, the Citizen CY Dye-Sub Photo Printer enables users to save space in retail environments such as small kiosks while delivering more prints per roll of media. Features include easy-to-install ribbons that can be automatically identified by the printer and a double buffer that enables full speed output with no delay between prints.  The CY also features a drop-down front door that allows easy access when changing media and offers the potential for the printer to be built-in to its environment. For further information contact Citizen System Europe via the website below.

PinPoint, a camera-mounted focus assist system developed by DeluxGear, is now available from OmegaBrandess. Outfitted with an activator button, PinPoint emits a narrow, green light beam to help the camera’s AF system acquire focus in a dark environment. Once the camera focuses, the user then releases the activator button on the PinPoint and takes the shot. PinPoint helps with low light conditions, monochromatic surfaces, picking subjects out of a crowd, and so on. The device PinPoint comes with two universal mounting options so it can be used with all SLR cameras, the company claims. Powered by two AAA batteries, PinPoint (list price: $169.99)comes with a velvet bag for easy storage and a one-year warranty.

For Dummies have just announced a brand extension in their line of books and products – the new For Dummies eLearning Center and eLearning Kits. Designed to reflect the increasing interconnectedness of traditional learning materials with interactive online components, the eLearning Kits feature a full-colour printed book and an interactive eLearning course on CD that corresponds with the book. Among the first such bundles is the brand new Digital SLR Photography eLearning Kit For Dummies by Mark Holmes. “This complete dSLR photography course includes a wealth of information on such topics as how to set your camera’s exposure controls, composition do’s and don’ts, and how to apply what you’re learning so you take better pictures,” the publisher says. The 304-page paperback and accompanying CD ROM is available for $34.99 / £24.99 / €28.00.

In celebration of Ansel Adams’ 110th birthday, Nik Software is offering 10% discount for a duration of 10 days on all products available in the Nik Software webshop. The promotion starts today and runs through 29th February2 and is valid exclusivly for purchases through the webshop and only for customers from Europe, Middle East and Africa.

Millican’s current collection features several bags that might be of interest to photographers. These include “Mark” the Field Bag (£95, pictured), “Stewart” the Courier Bag (£150), “Stephen” the Waistpack (£75) and “Dave” the Rucksack (£165), all of which are named after the entrepreneurs’ friends. Designed - and partly manufactured - in Cumbria, England, Millican bags are distinguished through their casual style, weatherproof canvas exterior, wide shoulder straps and multiple pockets for cables/lenses/batteries and memory cards. For more information, head to the website below.

The winner of this year’s Prix Pictet will be announced in London by Honorary President Kofi Annan. The theme of the competition, which will be judged by an internationally recognised panel of experts chaired by Professor Sir David King, is power. The jury is looking for photographs of the highest artistic quality, which most powerfully contribute to public awareness of issues involving sustainability, with a particular focus on the chosen theme. The winner will be named in October. For more information, visit the website below.

“Continental Drift” is an exhibition of new work - a video and a set of enlarged video stills - by Colin Snapp. Filmed entirely through the windows of tour buses, trains, taxis and rental cars in Morocco, the video “acts to highlight moments of collision between the observer and his cultural restrictions,” the organisers say. Derived from the video footage of Continental Drift, the stills, titled Latitudes, are described as “a visitor’s impressions of the landscape he himself inevitably imprints”. “Continental Drift” will be on display at The Journal Gallery (168 North 1st Street   Brooklyn NY 11211) from 6 March until 29 April.

Aurora Expeditions have announced that renowned photographer Martin Bailey will be running workshops on five of their wilderness voyages in 2012. Participants will travel to The High Arctic, Russian Arctic and Russian Far East, giving budding photographers the opportunity to hone their skills alongside one of the world’s leading experts. Russian Far East voyages include the spectacular Kuril Islands, Kamchatka Peninsula and Commander Islands, while the Russian Arctic voyage offers the rare chance to visit Novaya Zemlya and Franz Josef Land.  Russian Coast highlights include snow-capped volcanoes, deep fjords, pack ice and prolific wildlife such as whales, brown bears, rare birds, seals and even the illusive polar bear.  The Jewels of the Arctic voyages include Spitsbergen – the realm of the polar bear, the breathtaking mountain vistas of the East Greenland coast and a taste of Iceland. The 13 and 14 days voyages depart in June, July and August 2012.  Prices start at AU$8700 and include photography programme, ship accommodation, all meals on board, all shore excursions, lectures, medical services, port charges and taxes.

Canon has posted half a dozen full-resolution sample images and a sample movie captured with the full-frame Canon EOS-1D X digital SLR camera. Most of the sample photos were taken at a sensitivity setting of ISO 800/30°, with one ISO 100/21° and one ISO 1600/33° shot also being available for download. The lenses used to shoot the samples include the Canon EF135mm f/2L USM, EF 600mm f/4L IS II USM and the EF 400mm f/2.8L IS II USM. Unlike the stills, which are presented in their full 18-megapixel glory (albeit with strong JPEG compression), the sample video has been downsized for the Web and is thus not representative of the quality of a movie shot in Full HD mode.

Website: Canon EOS-1D X Sample Images & Movie

The Sigma 30mm f/2.8 EX DN prime lens - which was announced at CES - now has an official MSRP of $280. Manufactured for Micro Four Thirds and Sony’s NEX system, the Sigma 30mm f/2.8 EX DN “Digital Neo” lens has an optical formula that comprises 7 elements in 5 groups and an iris diaphragm with 7 rounded blades. Also equipped with a newly developed linear AF motor, which moves the lens elements directly without the need for gears or the drive of other mechanical parts, the Sigma 30mm f/2.8 EX DN is currently listed at B&H for $199 along with the remark, “new item, not available yet”.

Via PR

Sundroid is a sun and moon prediction app for Android phones and tablets. Capable of predicting the position of the sun (and the moon) in the sky for any location at any date / time, Sundroid Pro ($2.99 /  £1.99 €2.39) helps photographers choose the best timing and location for a photo, predict areas of light and shadow, or capture interesting and unusual alignments of the sun and moon with the subject. The app also has a free version, which can calculate sunrise, sunset, moonrise and moonset times and the phases of the moon but lacks the sun-and-moon tracking functionality of the Pro version.

The Capture Camera Clip System is billed as a “new way for active outdoors photographers to carry their camera” - by attaching it to any strap or belt.  The product’s lightweight ultra-durable aluminium body clamps tightly onto a user’s backpack strap, waist belt, messenger bag, or other existing gear. Its high-strength quick release lock allows a user to grab their camera, take a shot, and re-secure it in a second. Capture Clip is available from Intro2020 and carries a suggested retail price of £59.99.