iExplore has kicked off a new contest for those who love to document their travels with photographs. The “Photo Safari Contest” winner, as judged by nine award-winning travel photographers, media writers, and popular vote, receives a $9,000 “Classic Kenya Safari” for two. You can enter the contest by submitting your best shot to the website below. The deadline for submissions is 22nd April. as always we suggest that you read the rules and regulations before entering your work.

Induro has announced its new PHT-Series 3-way panheads with folding handles. Comprised of magnesium alloy precision machined components, the new heads offer front and side tilt, and horizontal panning movements along with secure locking handles/knobs. Common features include smooth movements thanks to special bearing inserts, a built-in bubble level, patent-pending folding handles that simplify tripod packing and transport, a secure dual quick release locking system with a snap-in style quick release plate, and three fully graduated scales. The PHT0, PHT1 and PHT2 tripod heads differ from each other mainly in terms of size, weight and load capacity, the latter of which ranges from 5kg to 12kg.

Website: Induro PHT Series Panheads

At the annual Panasonic Europe Convention, held today in London, we grabbed some hands-on time with the new WA10 / DC10 dual cameras and the TA20 mobile camera. Born out of last year’s take-over of Sanyo, the WA10 and DC10 are a natural addition to Panasonic’s dual camcorder/camera range, while the TA20 is styled very much like a chunky mobile phone. None of the samples on display were functional, but our photo gallery gives you some idea of the design of the new Panasonic WA10, DC10 and TA20.

Gary Fong has unveiled two new Lightsphere Collapsible product bundles. The Lightsphere Collapsible Basic Kit includes the Lightsphere Collapsible, the White Dome, the AmberDome, the ChromeDome and the Gel Kit and retails for $119.95. The Pro Kit ($169.95, pictured) contains everything included in the Basic Kit and adds the PowerSnoot (with PowerGrid), a chrome-plated snoot with a grid that allows you to “achieve high-fashion, dramatic lighting effects, maximize strobe efficiency and gain directional control using regular speedlight equipment”.

Phase One has launched version 1.1 of the free Capture One app for iOS devices. The app enables users to use their iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch to wirelessly view, zoom and pan high resolution raw, JPEG and TIFF images while they shoot. New featyres in version 1.1 include user rating and colour tagging of images to help assist the selection and editing process, access to Capture Pilot servers outside the local network, and a number of minor enhancements and bug fixes. Do note that Capture Pilot 1.1 requires Phase One Capture One Pro version 6.1 or Capture One DB version 6.1.

The Panasonic HX-WA10 is a waterproof pistol-grip camcorder that records Full HD videos and 16-megapixel stills. Highlights of the new camcorder include a 5x optical zoom, a 2.7” wide TFT LCD monitor, a pair of stereo microphones and SDXC support. Movies are stored in MPEG-4 format, and the included HD Writer VE 1.0 software enables hassle-free videao uploads to Facebook and YouTube. Price and availability to be announced.

Panasonic are releasing the HX-DC10 and the HX-DC1 full HD camcorders. The Panasonic HX-DC10 features bright and stunning Full-HD video shooting with BSI Sensor, 16 Megapixel still picture recording and the highest class resolution among compact digital cameras. With the iA (Intelligent Auto) Mode optimal settings can be always in use. The Panasonic HX-DC1 features Full HD Recording in MP4 Format, 14-megapixel Still Picture Recording and a 3.0-inch Wide TFT LCD Monitor.

Panasonic today announced the release of the tough designed new HD Mobile Camera HM-TA20. The Panasonic TA20 features a triple tough design that is waterproof, shockproof and dustproof, and Night View mode for shooting in dim lighting. A large 3.0-inch Touch LCD enables easy and intuitive operation anywhere and anytime. The Panasonic TA20 features the MPEG-4 AVC file format (MP4), which is convenient for uploading and editing images with a PC or the Internet.

In addition to the TA20, Panasonic will also introduce the TA2 HD Mobile Camera which features Night View Mode for Bright Movie Shooting, a larger 3.0-inch LCD with Touch Operation and a bundled tripod stand for self-portraits.

Samsung has announced its new 12-megapixel CMOS imager based on a back side illuminated (BSI) pixel architecture. The new chip is designed to address an 8.5mm x 8.5mm auto focus camera module with a height dimension of 6.0mm for slim mobile phones. The tiny 1/3.2” sensor supports 12-megapixel full-resolution images at 30fps, and 1080p Full HD video at 60fps, as well as 720p at 90fps and VGA movies at 120fps for slow-motion playback. Samples of the 12Mp imager are available to smartphone manufacturers now with mass production scheduled in the third quarter of this year.

In 2010, the global digital camera market grew by a healthy 14.7% after contracting by 11.6% in 2009 due to the world economic crisis. Shipments of compact digicams increased by 13.2% versus the previous year, easily exceeding CIPA’s modest forecast of 3%. System camera shipments - including DSLRs, CSCs and interchangeable-unit cameras - grew by a whopping 30.0% (again exceeding the CIPA forecast of 11.1%). The market of photographic lenses expanded by 34.8% in terms of volume. For 2011, CIPA forecasts a total market growth of 7.8%.

Canon has issued a statement in which the Japanese giant congratulates Jodi Bieber for winning the World Press Photo of the Year award with her portrait of Bibi Aisha, a brutally mutilated Afghan girl. For her winning image, Jodi Bieber will receive a cash prize of €10,000 and a Canon EOS body and lens kit. Ms. Bieber’s photo also took the first place in the Portraits category, while the first prize in the Spot News category went to Hungary’s Péter Lakatos for his entry, “Suicide Jump”.

Earth’s Beauty Tourshas announced a new photographic workshop in the areas of Inverpolly & Assynt,Scotland. The Inverpolly National Nature Reserve is a vast area of heather and grass moorland dotted with lochs and rocky peaks in the north-west of Scotland. The workshop costs £850, including six nights full board accommodation on a non sharing basis and with no single supplement (those willing to share get a £70 discount). The course starts on 6 February 2012.

International Garden Photographer of the Year (IGPOTY) has announced a photographic partnership with the National Trust. In conjunction with this, the 2011 competition sees the introduction of a new category, called ‘Breathing Spaces’ - intended to be a “celebration of the natural world as a place for people to relax, have fun and find inspiration”. Chris Lacey, the National Trust’s Photographic Manager, said. “International Garden Photographer of the Year is a great success story and the National Trust is delighted to be working together with the organisers. We are always trying to encourage our visitors to enjoy what our gardens and landscapes can offer and photography can be a huge part of that for most people. I hope that everyone who takes part has a truly inspired experience and I very much look forward to seeing the resulting imagery!” The 2011 competition launches on 1st March.

RangeFinderImages.com is a free online gallery for sharing photos captured with rangefinder cameras. Founded by rangefinderforum creator Jorge Torralba, the new website - just like its sister sites, LeicaImages.com and ZeissImages.com - lets visitors search for photos taken with a specific model lens, camera, focal length or any other combination. For photographers, the RangeFinderImages website provides a batch editing function that allows them to select many photos from their gallery and edit them all together. “We believe that RangeFinderImages.com can serve as a premiere website for sharing your photos taken with a rangefinder,” Torralba says. “As far as forums go, Rangefinderimages.com can provide a community for interaction where the photo is the starting point of a discussion.”

Website: RangeFinder Images

Futuresource Consulting recently carried out consumer research into photo-sharing habits in the UK, Germany and France. According to the results, the vast majority - around 90% - of camera / cameraphone owners across the three countries share at least some of their images with friends and family. Respondents use a wide variety of methods to share their images, with females more likely to be sharing than males. The main method of sharing for French and German respondents was via laptop or desktop PC, while UK respondents mainly shared using websites and e-mail.

Ricoh has released firmware updates for its GXR camera body and interchangeable modules. Version 1.13 includes the following updates and bug fixes:

• In [A] mode, with configured AE lock and AE bracket; the shutter speed recorded in the captured image may be different from the actual shutter speed.
• Corrects the phenomenon when an Eye-Fi card is inserted in the camera and it turns on the power, it will take time to start up, or the camera will not start.
• Only with Simplified Chinese (language setting in the camera): When you adjust exposure, a number shown in the right side of the exposure compensation slider in the screen may not show a proper number.
• When using the GXR camera unit with the GR LENS A12 28mm F2.5 module, pressing down the Macro button causes the focus ring movement to become faster.

Website: Ricoh GXR Firmware

DxO Optics Pro v6.5.4 adds support for the Olympus E-PL2, Panasonic LX5 and Sony A580, and 69 new DxO Optics modules. DxO Optics Pro Standard edition costs $169 / 149 € / £ 99, and the Elite edition $299 / 299 € / £ 199. All customers who purchased DxO Optics Pro since June 1st, 2009 are entitled to a free upgrade to version 6.5.4.

Cinematographer and Canon Explorer of Light, Gale Tattersall, has announced a new series of HD DSLR masterclasses. Tattersall’s earlier workshops have been touted as “the most hands on HD DSLR Workshops around,” and are regarded as having the highest student to instructor ratio, roughly three students to each instructor. Each of the three days included in the HD DSLR Workshops, students get hands-on time with the Canon 5D Mark II, as well as the chance to test and play with several different rigs from their sponsors Red-rock Micro, Glidecam, and Libec. Workshop dates include 13th, 20th and 27th February, 13th, 20th 27th March and 10th, 17th and 24th April. The location is 11517 1/2 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, California; and the course fee is $1,200.

Website: HD DSLR Workshops