Tamron has announced the development of a new fast, optically stabilised, splashproof standard zoom for full-frame cameras. The Tamron SP 24-70mm F/2.8 Di VC USD will feature the manufacturer’s Vibration Compensation (VC) technology and an ultrasonic focus motor for quiet AF operation. The optical formula comprises 17 lens elements in 12 groups, including three low-dispersion, two high-refractive-index and three glass-moulded aspherical elements as well as a hybrid aspherical element; and an iris diaphragm with nine rounded aperture blades. As the world’s first 24-70mm f/2.8 lens with VC technology, the Tamron SP 24-70mm F/2.8 Di VC USD will be available in Canon and Nikon fit. A special A-mount version with no Vibration Compensation will be marketed to Sony DSLR users. Pricing and availability to be communicated.

The HANNSapple Digital Photo Frame, which was exclusively available from Hannspree’s London concept store, is now available to buy online. Featuring a shiny red exterior and classic apple detailing, the HANSapple has a 7 inch LCD screen with a resolution of 800x480 pixels and contrast ratio of 500:1, dual SD-MemoryStick memory card slots and USB port. In the UK, the HANNSapple digital frame is available from Misco for £34.99. In Ireland, you can buy the frame from Xtravision.

X-Rite has announced a four free webinars for the month of February. The first online seminar, starting Thursday at 11am EST and hosted by Joe Brady, is entitled “Editing Portraits in Photoshop & Getting Prints Back that Match Your Display!” In this webinar, Joe will share some of his favourite techniques, tips and tricks for adding shape, direction and finish to portraits. Other topics for February include “Image Edits and Enhancements in Lightroom 3”, “For the Birds! Nature Photography with Maxis Gamez” and “Edit & Enhance Landscape Images in Photoshop.” Click through / read on for the exact webinar dates and times.

Gitzo has announced the refined and improved Systematic range of modular, professional tripods. New construction and bonding techniques have almost doubled maximum payloads by distributing weight more efficiently to the 6X carbon fibre legs, which also feature the G-Lock system for greater power and ease of leg section locking. In addition, design details on the distinctive new triangular top casting make changing centre components even faster and safer. Each Systematic Series has 3-section, standard 4-section and long 4-section tripods, with Series 3 and 5 also offering an extra-long 4-section model and Series 5 featuring the “iconic” giant 6-section tripod alongside an ultra-compact 6 section model. For more information, visit the website below.

The fifth International Garden Photographer of the Year (IGPOTY) exhibition will launch at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew on 3rd March. The display showcases the best garden, nature and outdoor photography from around the world, illustrated through the new competition categories that were introduced last year. Over 90 stunning images will feature in the exhibition, which is open daily until 9th April.

Travel Photographer of the Year award winner Lorne Resnick has announced additional dates for his Art of Travel photography workshop series. These workshops provide photographers with an opportunity to expand their knowledge in some of the most beautiful places on Earth. Workshop locations include Cuba, Kenya, Monument Valley and Death Valley. For more information, visit the website below.

Following the passing of Sigma’s founder, Michihiro Yamaki, his son has been appointed as the company’s Chief Executive Officer. Kazuto Yamaki joined Sigma 18 years ago and has since worked as Corporate Planning Division manager, Vice-President and Chief Operating Officer.

Hasselblad has launched Hasselblad tv – a new multi-language online video platform for professional and aspirational photographers. The website offers viewers a range of channel options, including education and training videos, product information, global news and events plus peer videos submitted by Hasselblad photographers worldwide. Chris Russell-Fish, Hasselblad’s Global Sales and Marketing Director said: “This initiative is very much a work in progress and it’s a ‘call to action’ to photographers worldwide. We want everyone, from students to leading professionals - from those who rent Hasselblad cameras and those who own them - to submit their videos.” Hasselblad tv is accessible on PC or Mac computers as well as iPhones and iPads via the website below.

Lensbaby has launched a new set of macro photography accessories for its lens bodies and optics. The Lensbaby Macro Converters are available as a kit containing one 8mm converter and one 16mm converter, which can also be stacked together to make a 24mm converter. The existing Lensbaby Macro Kit (which features a +4 and +10 macro filter) can also be used in conjunction with the Macro Converters with the Double Glass, Single Glass, Plastic and Soft Focus Optics for an even closer capture. The new Lensbaby Macro Converters are available now for $50 from the website below.

At the CP+ trade show, Kenko Tokina will be showing a mock-up of its newest full-frame lens, the Tokina SD 70-200mm f/4 (IF) FX. This constant-aperture telephoto zoom features a ring-type ultrasonic focus motor and optical image stabilisation. Measuring 168x80mm (length x maximum diameter), the Tokina AT-X Pro SD 70-200mm f/4 (IF) FX lens is a bit thicker but nearly 5mm shorter than Canon’s popular EF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM. Additionally, the Tokina lens can focus somewhat closer (its close-focus point is at a distance of 1m from the sensor plane), although its maximum magnification is unknown at the time being. The release date and MSRP have not yet been revealed either.

Source: Kenko Tokina

Kenko Tokina has announced yet another mirror lens for Micro Four Thirds. Measuring only 66x66mm (length x diameter) and weighing in at only 300 grams, the Tokina 300mm f/6.3 is a lot more compact than the longer but slower Kenko 400mm f/8, which was also announced recently. Like its bigger brother - and the vast majority of mirror lenses -, the Tokina 300mm f/6.3 is a manual-focus lens with a fixed aperture. The lens takes 55mm filters, focuses down to 0.8m and offers a maximum reproduction ratio of 1:2. The recommended retail price has not been revealed yet.

Source: Kenko Tokina

From 17th February until 31st March, Daniel Blau’s London gallery will host an exhibition entitled, Photographer’s Own - Paper Negatives from the 1850s. “The paper negative had its heyday for a brief period in the early days of photography until c. 1860,” the organisers say. “For their beauty, zeitgeist, rarity and provenance they rank amongst the greatest treasures of photography.” The Daniel Blau gallery is located at 51 Hoxton Square, London N1 6BP and is open from Tuesday to Saturday 11 to 6pm.

Mod, a manufacturer of stylish camera straps and accessories, has announced several new product lines for compact and SLR cameras. The new product ranges include ECO straps, compact camera straps and bags, drop-in pouches for SLR cameras, strap wraps, neck pads and quick release adaptors. Made from recycled billboard vinyl, the environmentally friendly ECO straps are available for $19.95-$47.50 depending on model. The compact camera pouch and strap is $22.50, the drop-in pouch sells for $26.50,  the strap wrap - which keeps your extra batteries, memory cards etc. on hand - costs $19.95, the neck pad - which provides extra padding for your basic camera strap - can be yours for $9.95, while the quick release adaptor retails for $12.95.

The Light of Venice by photographer Jean-Michel Berts is the fifth volume in Assouline’s popular The Light of.. series. This time Berts guides readers through Venice, relating through black-and-white images and journal entries the emotions the city evokes. The 132-page hardback is available through the publisher’s website for $65/€50/£40.

Hama has introduced two newly designed metal camera cases for digital compact cameras. The eye-catching “Hama Metal Style” hard cases are available in black or grey and provide sturdy protection for all cameras up to 65x105x30mm in size. The cases retail for €12.99 apiece.

Fujifilm USA has announced the recommended retail price of the new Fujifilm X-Pro1 compact system camera and three Fujinon XF lenses. The body-only price of the X.Pro1 camera is $1,699.95, the Fujinon XF 18mm f2 and 35mm f/1.4 lenses will cost $599.95 each, while the Fujinon XF 60mm f/2.4 Macro will set you back $649.95. The Fujifilm X-Pro1 camera body and lenses will be available at the end of February.

The winners of the January 2012 Photography Blog Competition have been announced. The theme for January was “Technology” - you can view all of the entries in this gallery. Here are the 5 winners:

1st Place
Always Keep In Touch by Barry John

Prize: X-Rite ColourChecker Passport
Kindly donated by X-Rite
http://www.xritephoto.com/

The new Tokina AT-X 17-35mm f/4 Pro FX full-frame wide zoom is now on sale in the United Kingdom. Available in Canon and Nikon fit, the Tokina AT-X 17-35mm f/4 Pro FX has an optical formula that comprises 13 elements arranged in 12 groups, and comes with a nine-bladed iris diaphragm. Notable features include an angle-of-view range of 103.96° -64.74°, a rubber seal around the lens mount, and Tokina’s exclusive one-tocuh focus clutch mechanism that allows the photographer to switch between AF and MF simply by snapping the focus ring forward for AF and back toward the camera to focus manually. Both the Canon and the Nikon versions come with a silent, high-precision AF motor. The Tokina AT-X 17-35mm f/4 Pro FX lens is available from Kenro for £829.99.

The Casio Exilim EX-ZR20 is a 16.1-megapixel compact camera with a 25-200mm equivalent lens, Rapid Shutter technology and 0.13-second high-speed auto focus. The camera’s Rapid Shutter allows for shot-to-shot times as short as 0.26 seconds, while Casio’s Exilim Engine HS image processor delivers advanced functions such as continuous shooting at a speed of 30 shots per second, and high-speed in-camera HDR exposure blending. Additionally, the Casio EX-ZR20 is capable of combining shots taken with high-speed continuous shooting when the user is moving the camera, enabling super-wide-angle photography. Users can choose wide-angle shooting modes equivalent to 15mm or 19mm. In addition to capturing sixteen-megapixel stills, the Casio Exilim EX-ZR20 can also record Full HD movies with stereo sound. In Europe, the EX-ZR20 will be available from April for €279.

Want to see exactly what the new Pentax K-01 compact system camera looks like in the flesh?

The Pentax K-01 is a CSC camera that’s been developed in collaboration with Australian designer Marc Newson, sporting a unique design that’s unlike anything else currently on the market.

We tried the K-01 out with the new super-slim 40mm panake lens and a variety of existing K-mount lenses.

The K-01 is available in three colours - black, yellow and white - with the first two versions only being released in the UK.

Check out our extensive hands-on gallery of 51 photos of the new Pentax K-01 camera.