Mastering the Nikon D7000 by Darrell Young is now available in the UK. This book guides readers through the camera features with step-by-step setting adjustments; colour illustrations; and detailed how, when, and why explanations for each option. Every button, dial, switch, and menu configuration setting is explored in a user-friendly manner, with suggestions for setup according to various shooting styles. The 496-page volume is available for £26.99.

Lastolite has launched its new Strobo Kit. The Strobo is a compact and simple-to-use, creative light modifying system for battery-operated flashguns. The Strobo comes as a kit and is available in two versions: one which fits directly onto a flashgun and the other which includes an Ezybox Hotshoe Plate. Optional Barn Doors are also available for both kits. The Strobo Kit is available now, priced at £100.

EEF is reminding interested photographers that the deadline for entries for its photo contest is 31st October. The EEF Heroes of Modern UK Manufacturing Photography Competition, now in its second year, aims to capture the people, products, places and processes that make UK manufacturing great. There are separate categories for professionals, amateurs and young people aged 14-19. Canon is providing prize vouchers for £5000 worth of photography equipment, which will be shared among the winners. Entry is free via the EEF website.

Fujifilm has unveiled the MSRP and availability of the Fujifilm X10 digital compact camera. Not to be confused with the popular, large-sensor Fujifilm X100, the new Fujifilm X10 is a 12-megapixel compact with manual controls, a 2/3” type EXR CMOS sensor, a 28-112mm (eq.) f/2.0-2.8 lens and a newly developed Optical Image Stabilisation mechanism. The new sensor also offers all the usual EXR shooting modes that allow the user to give priority to signal-to-noise ratio, dynamic range or resolution depending on the individual requirements of each shot. The Fujifilm X10 will be available from early November at a price of $599.95.

Lindy Electronics have announced a USB 3.0 multi-card reader that provides SuperSpeed access to a range of memory cards. The device has slots for five different kinds of card, including Compact Flash, Memory Stick, SD, microSD and xD; and supports both UDMA-compliant CF cards as well has high-capacity SDXC memory cards. Backward compatible with USB 2.0/1.1 the card reader includes a 1m USB 3.0 cable, and sells for a recommended retail price of £24.99 including VAT.

The Kodak Playfull Waterproof is Kodak’s latest waterproof digital video camera. Combining pocketability with ruggedness, the Kodak Playfull Waterproof shoots 720p HD video, has a built-in USB arm for easy file transfer to a computer, can withstand a drop from a height of 1.5m, and is waterproof down to a depth of 3m. It also boasts a 2” display with LCD Glare Shield feature, an SD memory card slot that’s compatible with SDHC cards, and an HDMI port. Available in black or white for £79.99 MSRP, the Kodak Playfull Waterproof will go on sale on 1st November.

X-Rite has announced a number of free webinars for the month of October. There are three topics including “Raw Colour Power with Adobe Lightroom and the ColorChecker Passport”, “Stop Guessing - Start Knowing! Accurate Monitor Colour with X-Rite” and “Improve your Colour Management Skills, Part 2”. Click through / read on for the exact webinar dates and times.

JVC has revealed the MSRP of its GC-PX10 hybrid digital camera. Announced in September, the JVC GC-PX10 takes 12-megapixel stills and 1080p full HD video sampled at 36Mbps. Featuring 32 gigabytes of built-in flash memory plus a slot for SDXC/SDHC/SD cards, the JVC GC-PX10 can even shoot stills and video simultaneously. Other highlights include 300fps slow-motion movie capture at VGA resolution, 10x optical zoom with optical image stabilisation, a 3” tiltable touch-sensitive screen, time-lapse recording and a top sensitivity setting of ISO 6400. The JVC GC-PX10 carries an MSRP of $899.95.

Travel Photographer of the Year (TPOTY) has announced that photographer and former Guardian Picture Editor Eamonn McCabe has joined the list of speakers for the TPOTY Festival and will be speaking on October 16th, the final day of the festival. The TPOTY Festival opened on September 25th with Exploring Photography & Travel Day, and continued with Wild Day (October 2nd). At each event the audience has a range of lectures and panel discussions to choose from, allowing them to really immerse themselves in photography in the historic atmosphere of the Royal Geographical Society. Eamonn will be speaking at People & Cultures Day. Tickets cost £55, or £40 for students and RGS members. For further information, visit the website below.

The Opposite House, Beijing and The Upper House, Hong Kong have collaborated with Leica, commissioning four local photographers to photograph the hotels with the themes of “Beijing Opposites” and “Hong Kong Views” from the Top, using a Leica camera of their choice. The result is a diverse and eclectic mix of new perspectives on the Houses, seen through the lenses of different Leica cameras (film and digital). A photography contest focused on the same themes has also been announced to photographers worldwide, with the deadline for entries being 30th October. Prizes include a Grand Prize (a Leica X1), a First Prize for Hong Kong (a Leica D-LUX 5) and a First Prize for Beijing (also a Leica D-LUX 5). The runner-up prize for Hong Kong is a one-night stay in a suite at The Upper House, and the runner-up prize for Beijing is a one-night stay in a suite at The Opposite House. For full details of the contest, visit the websites below.

FotoDC has announced the programme of the upcoming fourth annual FotoWeek DC photography festival, taking place from 5-12 November in Washington, DC. This year FotoWeek DC programming can be found at FotoWeek Central, the designated festival hub, four satellite locations including FotoSpace, the Corcoran Gallery of Art and College of Art + Design, George Washington University, and Pepco’s Edison Gallery Place, as well as numerous partner venues.  All programming is open to the public and most is free with registration. Click through / read on for an overview of FotoWeek Central and the four satellite locations.

Boston gallery owner Jason Landry has launched a Kickstarter project aimed at raising funds for a large-format hardcover restrospective of Harold Feinstein’s classic black-and-white photographs. “Harold Feinstein is a living legend in the world of photography”, the project owner says. “We want Harold’s photographic legacy to be documented and available for everyone to appreciate his contribution to American 20th century photographic history.” In order for the book to go in print if at least $35,000 is pledged by Sunday 23rd October. Those who would like to help are encouraged to visit the website below.

Website: Kickstarter Photo: Harald Feinstein

The Ordover Gallery at the San Diego Natural History Museum has issued a call for entries for the Best of Nature Photography Show. The entry fee is $25 for the first three photos submitted. Each entry after that is $10, with a limit of 10 entries total. The submission deadline is 27th October. The Best of Nature show will include approximately 70 works, selected by two rounds of judging. For entry instructions, visit the website below.

Sony Japan has officially announced the discontinuance of the Sony A900 full frame digital SLR camera. The 24-megapixel Sony A900, which we praised for its high resolution, excellent viewfinder, robust build and intuitive controls, has been in production for three years, and is still available new on Amazon for $2,699.

Source Sony Japan via Foto Actualidad

PDN and Rangefinder Magazine have teamed up to launch an online magazine for professional and advanced amateur photographers - Pix, The Photographer’s Field Guide. Launching on 8th December and free to subscribers, this new online magazine will feature over 100 pages of editorial providing photographers with the latest information on photography gear, how-to’s, news on photography workshops, lighting tips, photographer profiles, and more. Pix will be available via e-mail to subscribers, and through the iTunes App store as well as on the PDN and Rangefinder websites for everyone else.