Canon have released a firmware update for the EOS 60D DSLR camera. Firmware version 1.0.8 incorporates the following fix:

  1. Fixes a phenomenon in which captured images may become overexposed when using the camera’s built-in flash or an external Speedlite in combination with the lenses listed below:*
    a) EF300/4 L IS USM
    b) EF28-135/3.5-5.6 IS USM
    c) EF75-300/4-5.6 IS USM
    d) EF100-400/4.5-5.6 L IS USM

Website: Download Canon EOS 60D Firmware Update Version 1.0.8

Nikon have released a firmware update for the Coolpix P7000 camera. Version 1.1 includes the following changes:

  * Image recording time at image quality settings that include NRW (RAW) has been reduced.
  * Lens control has been optimized to reduce the frequency with which the “Initializing lens. Cannot focus.” message is displayed.
  * An issue that, in some rare cases, prevented zoom operation has been resolved.
  * An issue that caused the monitor display to exhibit a loss of detail in highlights (blown highlights) when the shutter-release button was pressed halfway with Active D-Lighting enabled has been resolved.

Website: Download Nikon Coolpix P7000 Firmware Update Version 1.1 (Windows)

Website: Download Nikon Coolpix P7000 Firmware Update Version 1.1 (MAC)

Fujifilm have released a new firmware update for the FinePix REAL 3D W3 camera. Version 1.10 fixes the following issues:

- In [HD][1280] movie recording mode, Economy mode ([HD][1280]E) can be selected.
In this Economy mode, movie quality for long period is optimized.
For long continuous recording of 3D HD movies, Economy mode setting is recommended.
* SD memory card with class 6 (6 MB/s) or better is recommended.

Website: Download Fujifilm FinePix REAL 3D W3 Firmware Update 1.10

Apple have released version 3.5 of the Digital Camera Raw Compatibility Update. This update adds RAW image compatibility for the following cameras to Aperture 3 and iPhoto ‘11:

  * Canon PowerShot G12
  * Leica D-Lux 5
  * Leica V-Lux 2
  * Nikon D7000
  * Nikon COOLPIX P7000
  * Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2
  * Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2

Website: Download Apple Digital Camera Raw Compatibility Update 3.5

The 80 megapixel Leaf Aptus-II 12 digtal camera back has now begun shipping. The Leaf Aptus-II 12 is the most versatile digital camera back ever made, allowing you to take your photography further - capturing the highest resolution, highest quality, single-shot images possible. The Leaf Aptus-II 12 and Leaf Aptus-II 12R support a wide range of camera models including Phase One and Mamiya 645DF cameras, Hasselblad H1/2, Hasselblad V, Contax, HY6/AFI, and a large selection of technical view cameras via adapters.

Shape Collage creates picture collages from photos on your computer or from the web to make collages in less than a minute. With just a few mouse clicks photos are automatically and intelligently placed into any shape a user a wants. Users can design their collages in custom shapes - like a heart shape for a romantic touch or holiday shaped collages like a Christmas tree, Santa, or a Snowman.

Win an unforgettable trip off Scotland’s dramatic West Coast in the ‘Wish You Were Here’ online travel photography competition. Three winners will enjoy a once in a lifetime photographic experience on the island with National Geographic’s Jim Richardson. Winners and their partners will enjoy a week’s stay in the exclusive Jura lodge, a VIP tour of the Jura distillery and island, a two day photography master-class from Jim Richardson, and an Olympus E-PL1 camera to capture images from their visit.

Only 15% of consumers back up their computer files on a regular basis (once a week or more). In a survey by Acronis, almost a third (29%) do not back up their files, photos and music, while a quarter (25%) state that they only back up when they remember.

Do you back-up your photos regularly? If so, what kind of system do you have in place? Let us know in the Comments.

PhotoCaddy 1.4 is an award-winning photography guide for iPhone and iPod touch devices. PhotoCaddy is a handbook for photographers of all skill levels, with content that is constantly evolving thanks to an active user community. Users have access to a growing range of photography topics, with each topic providing creative suggestions, technical camera settings, and equipment recommendations.

The PhotoShelter Print Vendor Network is a new open network of print vendors from around the globe. The PhotoShelter Print Vendor Network enables serious photographers to sell prints and products via their PhotoShelter websites while assigning fulfillment to a print vendor of their choice, virtually anywhere in the world.

The iWorkTablet is a new solution for working with a Wacom tablet and the iWorkCase. The iWorkCase is the first on-location workstation from photographers for photographers, as well as digital operators and DiTs. Every order of an iWorkCase or HyperMac battery placed by 31.12.2010 will be entered in a lottery for an iPad Wi-Fi + 3G 16GB.

TouchRetouch 2.0 is a new photo-editing software app for iPhone, iPod touch and iPad users. It allows users to remove objects from freshly captured or saved photographs easily, with finger swipes and taps only, without affecting any other elements of the picture. TouchRetouch 2.0 is available worldwide exclusively through the AppStore in the Photography category and for $0.99 (USD) only.

BlackBerry Presents MTV’s Brand New for 2011 is a new competition where one director, reporter or photographer will win a money-can’t-buy opportunity to showcase their talents with MTV. The winning photographer will be hanging out with MTV Bang presenter and model Natasha Gilbert, documenting the evening and artists through a lens. To secure this unique opportunity, entrants can simply upload their best picture from a live event, ensuring the image reflects the atmosphere and experience, and accompany this with a caption.

AKVIS Refocus improves the sharpness of out of focus images. It can process the entire photo or bring into focus only the selected part to make the subject stand out against the background. To achieve a more realistic selective focus effect, you can sharp one part of the photo and blur the rest. Registered users of AKVIS Enhancer can get this program for free. Other users can benefit from the 30% discount Christmas offer.

kiRay Camera 1.3 is a new photo correction app for iPhone, iPod touch and iPad users. The kiRay Camera app offers users a single click photo correction tool that works automatically when a new photo is taken. Saved photos can be opened and enhanced with just a tap or two to the screen to fix back lighting, brightness, focus and more. With more than 250,000 downloads, kiRay Camera has been sitting in the number one spot in Japan’s Photography category for the last year. kiRay Camera 1.3 is only $1.99 (USD) and available worldwide exclusively through the App Store in the Photography category.

Talenthouse has launched a new project with Grammy Award winning band, Maroon 5. Photographers worldwide are asked to submit a photograph that embodies the theme of ‘Love’ to the Talenthouse website by 31 January 2011. After an eight-day voting stage, Maroon 5 will review the 50 highest-voted submissions and pick the 5 winners who will each receive the opportunity to photograph Maroon 5, meet the band and attend an after show party on their 2011 world tour at a location determined by Maroon 5 and Talenthouse. Travel and accommodation will be provided. The 5 winning photographs will be featured on the band’s official website and social media pages. The winners will be announced on Valentine’s Day.

Webstie: Talenthouse

Light & Land has announced a number of photography workshops in some brand new locations next year. These include classes in Jordan and Puglia, led by Charlie Waite, a workshop in Libya with Giles Stokoe and aurora hunting in Lapland with David Ward and aurora photographer Andy Keen. Full details including locations, dates and prices can be found at the website below.

White Knight Press has just released a new title, the Photographer’s Guide to the Leica D-Lux 5: Getting the Most from Leica’s Compact Digital Camera . This book is a follow-up to the author’s earlier guides to the Leica D-Lux 4, Panasonic Lumix LX3, and Panasonic Lumix LX5 digital cameras. The new book, like the earlier ones, explains all operations, features, menus, and controls of the camera in clear language, providing guidance not only about how to accomplish things with the camera, but when and why to use certain features. In addition, the book goes beyond the realm of everyday photography, and provides introductions to more advanced topics such as infrared photography, street photography, digiscoping, astrophotography, and creating 3D images that can be viewed with conventional red and blue 3D glasses. The book is available now in PDF format for download through the website below at a price of $9.95.

Verbatim’s portable USB 3.0 hard drives with 1TB capacity are now available in six neon colours. These include Caribbean Blue, Hot Pink, Violet, Sunkissed Yellow, Eucalyptus Green and Volcanic Orange. Backwards compatible with USB 2.0 host devices, the new USB 3.0 Portable Store ‘n’ Go Hard Drives from Verbatim come bundled with two software packages, Nero BackItUp and Burn Essentials, and Nero RescueAgent.  The Verbatim USB 3.0 Portable Store ‘n’ Go Hard Drive is available in stores now and costs £99.99.