Kenro has announced the UK launch of a new Nissin ring flash, the MF18 Macro Flash. The Nissin MF18 boasts an impressively high (for a macro flash, that is) guide number of 16 in metres at ISO 100/21°, and an ability to adjust its output down to 1/1024 power in Fine Macro mode. Available with either a Canon or Nikon fit, the Nissin MF18 also provides a Wireless TTL function enabling the addition of slave flashes. Firmware updates are available directly from the Nissin website via the unit’s USB connection. The recommended retail price is £359.99.

Sigma has issued a firmware upgrade for the Sigma SD1 digital SLR camera. According to the company, version 1.04 incorporates the following functional enhancements, improvements and fixes:

Languages to be displayed in Setup menu are added.
Enables the use of “SIGMA Capture Pro” camera control software.
Playback Menu is improved.
Saturation limit of highlight areas on JPEG images is improved.
Accuracy of evaluative exposure metering is improved.
Accuracy of Auto Focus is improved.
Various bugs have been corrected to achieve more stable operation.

Website: Sigma Firmware Update

Two of the UK’s most popular photographers, Andy Rouse and Joe Cornish, will be teaming up to unveil a new exhibition entitled ‘Outer Visions’ - at January’s Outdoors Show in London. Between them, Andy and Joe will be exhibiting a range of their best work, in a variety of formats which will include canvas and framed art prints. All images have been handpicked for the exhibition, to both compliment each other’s work and to inspire all who love the natural world. The exhibition will be located at Stand OU609 within the show, which will take place from 12-15 January 2012. For talk times and full details of the exhibition, visit the website below.

East London gallery and professional photographic printing lab theprintspace has just announced the NME Music Photography Awards Exhibition. Hosted by NME and Nikon, the exhibition will feature music photography from both amateur and professional photographers who won the 2011 competition. Photographers competed in categories including Live, Portrait, Reportage, Festivals, and Under-18s. On show from 6-11 January 2012 at theprintspace gallery on 74 Kingsland Road, the NME Music Photography Awards Exhibition is free for all to enter

Washington based Britton Mobile Development today introduced Portfolio for iPhone. Described as a “new pocket-sized counterpart to Portfolio for iPad”, this app can be used an ultra-portable portfolio, reference, or pose book. Portfolio for iPhone 1.0 is available now for the introductory price of $4.99.

Light & Land has announced a new workshop, “Filmmaking for Photographers”. Presented by remote location cameraman Phil Coates, the workshop will help clients demystify the process of shooting video on their DSLR or compact camera. It will also explore both the technical and craft based skills required when shooting video and storytelling, through the medium of moving image. Taking place on 31 March and 1 April 2012 at the Four Pillars Hotel, Cotswold Water Park near Cirencester , the “Filmmaking for Photographers” workshop is £349 per person including a light lunch, refreshments and tuition from Phil. For more information and to book your place, visit the website below.

Sigma has launched a remote camera control application called Sigma Capcture Pro. Designed exclusively for the Sigma SD1 digital SLR camera, Sigma Capture Pro 1.0 allows photographers to tether the camera to their computer and take control over camera settings and capture images remotely. By using a standard USB cable, SD1 users’ can adjust camera settings in the software such as aperture and shutter speed, exposure compensation and ISO value along with releasing the shutter to capture images. Images can be stored either on the camera’s CF card, the PC’s hard drive or both simultaneously. Sigma Capture Pro 1.0 is available for both Windows and MacOS through the website below.

Cameras Underwater has announced the availability of the new Ewa-Marine D-B underwater housing for compact system cameras. Waterproof down to a depth of 30m, thee D-B housing is manufactured from double laminate PVC and has an integrated, optically neutral flat glass port. Selling for £199.99, the Ewa-Marine D-B is available now through the website below.

Who would have thought that a digital camera inspired by the almost-bygone era of film would become an instant best-seller for a company that has been mostly absent from the higher-end of the market? That’s what the X100 achieved for Fujifilm in 2011, a retro product with a very modern twist that has proved to be by far the biggest surprise of the year, and a clear winner of our Camera of the Year 2011 award.

“The X100 delivers all of the goods and more in terms of its overall handling and image quality. Fujifilm have married the best of the past, in the multitude of external controls, leaf-shutter, optical viewfinder and stunning appearance, with some cutting-edge features, most notably the hybrid optical / electronic viewfinder, which really is a revelation to use.”

Read the Full Review

Congratulations to Fujifilm and the X100!

Now open to the general public, the recently launched Morpholio project seeks to create a new platform for presentation, dialogue, and collaboration relevant to all members “of any image driven culture”. Originally initiated by a group of five architects and academics, the Morpholio project has grown to include over 200 contributors including representatives of other visual disciplines including photography. “Our interest is in advancing the ways that we discuss, debate, and critique our work with a global community,” the founders say. They have recently released a free iOS app called Morpholio Beta 1.0 and launched a website where you can learn more about the project.

California-based SugarSync has announced that Japan’s SoftBank Mobile will be preloading SugarSync on two new high-end Android camera phones in order to provide their users with an easy way to auto-sync photos directly from their Android devices to their computers. “As the cameras on smartphones become more advanced, and as more of us use our smartphones as our primary point-and-shoot cameras, most people need a simple solution for getting photos off of their phone and back to their computers,” said Laura Yecies, CEO of SugarSync. “With SugarSync’s AutoSync technology, your photos are automatically synced from your phone to your computers as you take them – without having to fumble with wires.” The two camera phones in question are the Panasonic Lumix phone 101P and the Sharp Aquos phone 102SH.

Ilex has released the first issue of Photographer’s i Magazine for the Apple iPad.  Editor Marti Saltzman said “Photographer’s i is not like any other photography magazine because it starts from a different premise; our concern is with the art of image making.” Articles come to life with videos, audio recordings, and interactive tutorials. The free taster issue, available now on iTunes, includes richly illustrated thoughtful, practical advice from the likes of Magnum’s Abbas, Steve Simon, and other professional photographers.

The Veolia Environnement Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2012 competition is now open for entries. The competition offers photographers a chance to win a share of the £30,000 prize fund. The adult winner is awarded £10,000, while special award winners each receive £1,500 and category winners £1,000 each. The overall winner of the Veolia Environnement Young Wildlife Photographer of the Year title receives £1,000 and a one-day masterclass with a leading light from the photographic world, while the young category winners each receive £500. Winning images are featured in a hardback commemorative portfolio book, which is translated into a range of languages including Finnish and German, as well as a special supplement to the November issue of BBC Wildlife Magazine. Interested photographers have until 23rd February to enter their work.

Ricoh has issued a firmware update for the Ricoh GR Digital IV digital compact camera. According to the company, Version 1.17 incorporates the following improvements and fixes:

1 Improved flash firing for backlight conditions when the flash is set to [Auto].
2 Changed the focus bar display of the external AF. When the shutter release button is pressed half-way (focus lock), the focus bar for the external AF will stop at the position where the focus is locked.
3 Changed the image stabilizer control. Using [P] / [A] / [S] mode, the camera will take a picture without the image stabilizer function when the shutter speed is less than 1 second, even if [Camera Shake Correction] is set to [On].
4 Corrected the phenomenon below. A black line may appear at the top of the image taken with [Hi-Cntrast B&W] for [Image Settings].

Website: Ricoh GR Digital IV Firmware

Manfrotto has introduced a new range of LED lights. With six different models divided into continuous and hybrid LED lights, each one offers unique characteristics to adapt to the different needs of both enthusiast and professional photographers, the company says. Manfrotto’s new LED lights are available now, priced from £39.95.

Our penultimate award is for the DSLR Camera of the Year 2011. Somewhat overshadowed by the rise of compact system cameras, DSLRs are still the staple product for the big two of Canon and Nikon. But it’s the young upstart Sony that most caught our eye in 2011 with the launch of the A77, the premium product in the company’s innovative range and the deserved winner of our 6th award for 2011.

“The Sony A77 is a big leap forward for Sony’s DSLR range, offering a feature-set, handling and performance that beats its main rivals. The new 24.3 megapixel sensor offers greatly increased resolution without impacting on low-light performance or operational speed, while the OLED viewfinder is simply the best EVF that we’ve ever had the pleasure of using. The inclusion of full 1080p movies, built-in GPS, 12fps burst shooting, dual control dials, top-panel LCD and an excellent 3-way rear screen make the A77 our new favourite prosumer DSLR.”

Read the Full Review

Congratulations to Sony and the A77!

Want to see exactly what the new Fujifilm X-S1 bridge camera looks like in the flesh?

Then check out our extensive hands-on gallery of photos of Fujifilm’s premium super zoom camera.