Symform has just announced a new referral programme that will reward users with up to 200GB of free cloud storage. Billed as “the industry’s first decentralised cloud storage solution”, Symform uses RAID-96 to geographically distribute, encrypt, and shred its data. Users contribute inexpensive local storage equal to the amount of data that they want to redundantly store in the cloud. For those with 200GB or less, the service is free.

Ilford has announced an exclusive offer for photographers attending the upcoming PhotoPlus Expo (PPE) and WPPI NYC event on 27-29 October. The company will offer a free 16x20-inch print on Ilford Galerie Gold Fibre Silk paper to the first 100 professional photographers that submit their favourite image to the company’s secure FTP site, and follow that submission with a confirmation e-mail by 24 September. The image should be transferred as the highest possible quality JPEG, rendered in Adobe RGB or sRGB at a minimum of 300dpi, and not exceed 20 inches in the longer dimension. Instructions for logging on to the Ilford FTP site can be found in the press release below.

Phase One today announced open enrollment for its New Zealand Phase One Digital Artist Series (PODAS) workshop. At this event, each participant will receive a Phase One 645DF camera body, a 60-megapixel IQ160 back and an assortment of lenses, plus a free copy of both Capture One Pro and Media Pro software. Held from 30th November to 7th December, the workshop will feature top pro photography instructors and plenty of opportunity to shoot dramatic vistas of lakes, glaciers and ice cliffs. Shooting excursions will be complemented by classroom instruction on topics ranging from visualisation to composition, capture, workflow and presentation. Priced at USD 6900 per person, the New Zealand PODAS workshop is limited to 20 participants. To register, visit the website below.

The Wacom Cintiq 24HD is a new 24-inch widescreen graphics tablet offering a resolution of 1920x1200 pixels. Featuring Wacom’s proprietary Tip Sensor technology, 2048 levels of pressure sensitivity and 40 degrees of tilt control, the Wacom Cintiq 24HD comes with an ergonomically designed counter-weighted stand. The included pen has a pressure-sensitive eraser and two side switches that can be customized for common commands such as double-click and right-click. The optional Art Pen supports the pen rotation feature within Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator as well as Corel Painter 12, delivering natural brush effects, such as those that a calligraphy pen would produce. The Wacom Cintiq 24HD will be available from a select group of authorized resellers nationwide as well as at Wacom’s online store at a price of $2,499.

Western Digital has introduced two mobile apps for its My Book Live personal cloud storage solution. The WD My Book Live personal cloud storage allows users to keep media and files safe at home on their own physical drive and yet access them over the Internet with any PC or Mac computer or on tablets and smartphones through WD’s new mobile apps. In addition to all of the features currently available in the free WD 2go app, the WD 2go Pro app includes several advanced features, including photo and video clipping, automatic syncing, content sharing and an optional 4-digit pass code. WD 2go is free, while WD 2go Pro is available for $2.99.

Panasonic has announced a new firmware update programme for its Micro Four Thirds (MFT) lenses, and introduced the “HD Lens” category. The company says “HD Lenses” conform to a new standard of AF performance in terms of tracking speed and quietness, allowing users “to fully enjoy HD video recording”. The new firmware update brings quieter AF operation and enhanced stability for the optical image stabiliser during video capture. Click through / scroll down for a full list of “HD Lenses”.

Today, Sekonic announced a free downloadable upgrade to its L-758 Light Meter application and the USB driver for the latest versions of OS X. Version 2.1 of the Sekonic Data Transfer Software is used to easily create and edit camera exposure profiles and then transfer them to the L-758DR DigitalMaster for “extremely accurate” control of exposure. Along with the sensor’s dynamic range, it records the unique variations of a digital camera, such as the effects of shutter speed and aperture mechanisms as well as the characteristics of the lens in use. “The Sekonic L-758DR is the only meter that can be calibrated to read light the way a particular camera system reads light,” the company says. To see how using the Sekonic L-758DR Light Meter and Sekonic Exposure Target (pictured) plus free Data Transfer Software can profile a digital camera and lens combination for total exposure accuracy, watch the YouTube video below.

The major firmware update for the Panasonic LX5 which was announced on 26th August is now available for download. Version 2.0 speeds up the auto-focus to achieve best-in-class performance at the wide end of the zoom range, adds a High ISO NR function and improves AWB performance in low light situations. Additionally, the new firmware upgrade adds an Active mode to the image stabiliser during movie capture, expands the available My Colour modes with a Miniature Effect, and extends the maximum exposure time to 250 seconds (i.e. more than 4 minutes) for shooting fireworks, night scenes and starry skies. Shutter release operation is improved so that the camera can perform continuous auto-focus while the shutter release is depressed halfway, as with a system camera. The combined use of AF/MF is now easier even in situations where maximum focusing accuracy is demanded. The camera can now remember the size and position of the active AF point, which is convenient for shooting with the camera mounted on a tripod. The brightness, contrast and colour balance of the LCD screen and the optional external EVF can now be adjusted manually. The firmware update is available through the website below.

Website: Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5 Firmware Update Service

Pentax has announced a 16-megapixel travelzoom camera called the Pentax Optio RZ18. Featuring 18x optical zoom, a slim, lightweight body and a three-inch LCD screen with a resolution of 460000 dots, the Pentax Optio RZ18 also offers sensor-shift image stabilisation, Auto Picture mode and 720p HD movie recording. Available from mid-October, the Pentax Optio RZ18 carries a recommended retail price of £199.99 / $299.95.

Getty Images has announced that it will shoot the London 2012 Olympic Games in 3D. The agency, which first used 3D photography when covering the Royal Wedding in April, will be deploying a handful of 3D-dedicated photographers “to ensure the best still shots are captured”.For further information on Getty Images’ involvement as the official photographic agency of the International Olympic Committee, visit the website below.

Magix has released Movie Edit Pro MX, a movie editing application for Windows. Available in two versions – Classic for beginners and Plus for more ambitious users –, Magix Movie Edit Pro MX enables you to transfer video to your computer, edit and dub the footage and add effects, titles and transitions. With the program, you can also upload your videos to YouTube or create interactive menus and burn to DVDs or Blu-ray disks. Magix Movie Edit Pro MX Classic and Movie Edit Pro MX Plus are available now for SRP £59.99 and £79.99, respectively.

On Friday, Lomography will hold a one-day flash sale at both of its Gallery Stores in London. There will be a discount of up to 75% on various items, from the collectable Whitestripes cameras (The Meg Diana F+, pictured, and the Jack Holga) to Lomography London flip-flops and original Russian cameras. “Never in the history of Lomography has there been a day like this, and never will there be again,” the company says. Lomography’s London Gallery Stores are open from 10am till 7pm and located at 117 Commercial Street and 3 Newburgh Street.

I Am an Entrepreneur is an ongoing photography competition announced by the SEVEN Fund. Each quarter, ‘I am an Entrepreneur’ features a new theme to inspire photographers and document a different aspect of the entrepreneurial experience. One finalist will be selected every three months, with a winning photograph for the quarter’s theme, and will receive a prize of $250. The grand prize winner will receive $1,000 at the end of the competition. The theme for July-September 2011 is Networks of Productivity and Change. For more information, and to read the rules, visit the website below.

Website: SEVEN

Serif has released PhotoPlus X5 featuring a new PhotoPlus Organiser, Vibrance Adjustment and Clarity Filter. New “sub-features” include Image Stacks, which intelligently group similar pictures, and Smart Albums, which automatically update to include new images added to a collection. It also offers extensive EXIF support to ensure all camera settings information is recorded for future reference and is easily viewable alongside images in the new Metadata tab. PhotoPlus X5 is compatible with Windows 7/Vista/XP and retails at £71.48 including VAT.

The Made in Polaroid exhibition features more than 60 pieces of art created by a mix of artists, designers, photographers, actors and musicians. Hosted by Phillips de Pury & Company, NYC, the exhibition runs until 14th September. Participating artists include fashion photographers Patrick Demarchelier and Steven Klein, designers Cynthia Rowley and Phillip Lim and actors James Franco and Viggo Mortensen, among many others. All pieces will be auctioned with proceeds benefitting Free Arts NYC, a non-profit that provides arts and mentoring programmes to under-served children.

X-Rite has announced a new, free webinar focusing on Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 3 and the basics of colour management. This is a three-part online seminar, with the first session taking place on 16th September, at 4pm CET. The second part is scheduled for 14th October, while the third session will be held on 18th November, both starting at 4pm CET. Taking part in the webinar is free, but advance registration is required.

Blottr is searching for the best creative photographers from around the United Kingdom in the ‘Your View’ competition. There are three categories including best home view, best office view and best workplace view. To submit a photo, entrants must register and log into the Your View page on the blottr.com website. Another way to easily upload images to the site is by using the Blottr iPhone app, PaparAPPzi. The submission period starts on 12 September 2011 and runs to 11 November 2011. Blottr will provide a £250 prize to three winners – one from each category –, whilst the overall winner will receive an extra £750. Note that according to the Terms and Conditions, entrants give Blottr.com unreserved permission to use any images, photos and details submitted as part of the competition as they see fit.

Fujifilm has announced a major re-launch of its Instax range of instant cameras and accompanying films. There are four cameras in the range - the Instax Mini 7S, the Instax Mini 25, the Instax Mini 50 and the Instax 210. Each ‘Mini’ camera produces wallet-sized 62mm x 46mm prints while the larger 210 model prints at 62mm x 99mm. The first three cameras capture photos on Instax Mini film, while the Instax 210 uses the wider Instax Wide film. For more information, visit the website below.

In Japan, Canon’s and Nikon’s combined share of the interchangeable-lens camera market has shrunk by an estimated 35% due to the onslaught of compact system cameras (CSCs). Citing “estimates at research firm BCN Inc.,” news agency Bloomberg claims that the biggest winner of this market restructuring is Sony, whose share has allegedly doubled. The situation is quite different in places like Europe and North America, where consumers are much less eager to embrace new technologies, allowing traditional SLR camera makers to continue enjoying healthy profits. Nevertheless, Bloomberg quotes a Nikon spokeswoman as saying, “Nikon has completed development of a next-generation camera” - although for the time being, it remains a secret if that “next-generation camera” is a CSC or not.

Source: Bloomberg via 1001NoisyCameras