Olympus has issued firmware updates for the three quiet-focussing SWD lenses in its E-system line-up. Firmware version 1.2 for the Zuiko Digital ED 12-60mm f/2.8-4 SWD prepares the lens to provide optimum performance with the new Olympus E-5 DSLR camera body, while firmware version 1.1 for the Zuiko Digital ED 14-35mm f/2 SWD (read review) and Zuiko Digital ED 50-200mm f/2.8-3.5 SWD lenses improves continuous AF speed with other Four Thirds cameras too.

Phase One have announced an unprecedented new-product investment protection plan. Customers who wish to upgrade to a new product within 6 months of its official launch will receive 90 percent of their original purchase price against any new Phase One digital back launched at a higher price within 18 months of the original purchase date, 50 percent against any new Phase One camera body launched at a higher price within 24 months, and 50 percent against any new Phase One or Schneider Kreuznach lens for the Phase One 645 camera platform launched at a higher price within 24 months.

HUBBLE: Window on the Universe features over 200 super-sharp, close-up photographs of our solar system. With spectacular full page spreads, the book showcases the story of Hubble’s journey, explaining the anatomy of the telescope and optic specifics, the launch in 1990 and the very latest and most impressive discoveries that have changed the way we look at our Universe.  Key images include views of Pluto in unprecedented detail and the recent photograph of Carina Nebula taken by the Hubble 20th Anniversary team in April this year, for the telescope’s birthday.

The Pro Line Apollo 300 and Apollo 180 Creative Kits are two new all-in-one studio kits. The Pro Line Apollo 180 Kit is perfect for those who are new to photography, while the Apollo 300 kit is for those with a larger studio area, or who simply want more power. The Apollo 180 and 300 Creative Kit are available for £299.99 and SRP £499.99 respectively.

Canon has announced that its EOS 5D Mark II DSLR cameras were used for capturing crucial images in a key action sequence in Iron Man 2. The scene in question is the one in which the titular character’s alter ego Tony Stark drives a race car in the Historic Monaco Grand Prix and is attacked by super-villain Ivan Vanko. The Canon digital SLR cameras were used to capture moving background plates on location in the famous European principality and to provide crash-cam footage amid the scene’s high-speed auto race. “The new manual exposure firmware introduced during the shoot enabled us to expose 5D Mark II imagery more similarly to the film we were shooting,” cinematographer Matthew Libatique noted. “That was the sealer for us. Once that manual firmware was installed we knew that we were going to be using the 5D Mark II.”

Epson has announced the launch of its Signature Worthy line of high-quality fine art and photography media in the UK. The Signature Worthy range, which has been available for more than one-and-a-half years in the USA, includea Epson’s highest-quality cut-sheet media products. When used in combination with Epson’s Stylus Pro print technologies and UltraChrome inks, the Signature Worthy media will deliver Digigraphie-approved results allowing fine art and photographic artists to produce limited, certified editions of their original works. “We have a reputation for our image quality and Digigraphie capabilities and are confident that the new Signature Worthy brand will help reinforce our position as a leader in high-quality photographic and fine art image reproduction,” says Martin Johns, market development manager, Epson UK.

Fujifilm USA has launched the “Best Photo Book Promotion Ideas Ever” contest for professional photo-finishers. The aim of the contest is to share their unique, persuasive ideas for promoting photo books in order to drive trial. Whether the idea was already the centerpiece of a successful retail photo book promotion or a new idea that has not yet been promoted, all entries are encouraged. The contest runs through 31 October. One Grand Prize winner will receive a cash award of $2,500, the first and second place winners will each receive $1,000.  The winners, as chosen by a panel of business and marketing experts, will be announced in early December.

Website: Official Contest Rules

The winners of the first Carl Zeiss Nano Image Contest have now been selected. First prize in the SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy) category was awarded to Heinrich Badenhorst with his image of a bizarre landscape made of graphite, captured with an ULTRA REM. With a total of 7000 points, his image received the most votes of all categories. Other category winners include Norman Hauke and Arne Laucht (category CrossBeam), Dr. Emile van Veldhoven (category Helium Ion Microscopy) and Dr. Andrey Burov in the category Transmission Electron Microscopy.

Ludwig Museum is going to host a large-scale exhibition of the works of Martin Munkácsi, one of the most influential photographers of the 20th century. The exhibit Martin Munkácsi: Think While You Shoot will be on display from 7 October 2010 until 9 January 2011. Martin Munkácsi - orignal name: Munkácsi Márton -, known for his original photo essays, documentary and fashion shots as well as his portraits of mid-20th century celebrities, was one of the most significant pioneering figures of modern photojournalism. Henri Cartier-Bresson claimed that it was Munkácsi’s iconic image from 1930, ‘Three Boys at Lake Tanganyika,’ (see above) that roused his interest in photography, causing him to dump his plans of becoming a painter. Working for publications such as Harper’s Bazaar and Life, Munkácsi “broke fashion photography out of the studios and set the static medium of photography in motion”. Ludwig Museum is located at Komor Marcell utca 1, District IX, Budapest, Hungary. Click through / scroll down for a selection of images from the exhibition.

Wiesbaden-based Foolography has released new GPS modules for the Nikon D3100, D5000, D7000 and D90, which enable these cameras to include location data captured by any Bluetooth GPS receiver in the EXIF. The Foolography Unleashed Dx000 module (pictured) fits into the GPS socket of the first three Nikons, while the Foolography Unleashed D90 attaches to the side of the Nikon D90. These small modules include Bluetooth 2.0 compliant radios that can receive data from Bluetooth GPS devices, and pass them on to the cameras for geotagging purposes. The new Foolography Unleashed modules are priced at €149 each, including 19% German VAT. This is €50 less than the price of the existing Foolography Unleashed D200+ module, which attaches to the front of the Nikon D200, D300 and D300s models.

Nikon has issued a firmware update for the Nikon Coolpix P90 digital superzoom camera. Version 1.1 resolves an issue with image capture that occurred in single-shot mode with manual focus and distortion control enabled. The firmware fix can be downloaded from the websites below.

Website: Nikon P90 Firmware 1.1 - Windows
Website: Nikon P90 Firmware 1.1 - Macintosh

Pentax has unveiled two new compact cameras with 720p HD movie recording capability. The 14-megapixel Pentax Optio LS1000 and Optio LS1100 feature an unusually boxy design, 3-inch LCD screens, 4x zoom lenses starting at a focal length of 27.5mm (in 35mm terms), Auto Picture mode and face detection with Smile Capture. Both cameras are listed on the Pentax UK website, but so far we have only been able to spot a few minor cosmetic differences between the two models. The price is £79.99.

You can win one of three Nikon Coolpix L22 cameras and a Kingston 4GB SDHC memory card by participating in Kingston Digital’s autumn photo competition. The theme is simply “autumn” and is open to individual interpretation. The competition, which is open to residents of the European Union aged 12 and above, closes 15th November 2010.

Website: Kingston Autumn Competition

The 2010 FotoWeek DC festival will be held from 5-13 November across the District of Columbia and throughout the metropolitan area. The 2010 line-up includes innovative, high-calibre, and inclusive exhibitions and lectures that provide a high-visibility platform for professional and amateur photographers alike. Highlights include a night gallery, portfolio reviews, lectures, seminars and more. The FotoWeek DC Awards Ceremony and Launch Party will set the festival in motion on Friday, November 5th, awarding over $23,000 in cash prizes to the competition winners.

Nevercenter has just released a new app called Infinicam for iOS devices. Like Nevercenter’s earlier app CameraBag, Infinicam applies high quality effects to photos, but instead of having a set number of pre-­defined camera styles, Infinicam offers an endless variety by generating new and unique randomised camera styles that combine a wide array of photographic effects borrowed from analogue cameras and film emulsions. Once a favourite “camera style” is found, it can be easily saved and named for instant access later. Infinicam is available now for $1.99 USD in the App Store.

Website: Infinicam

Kingston has released its CompactFlash Ultimate 600x memory cards. Available in 16GB and 32GB capacities, the Kingston CompactFlash Ultimate 600x cards support UDMA mode 6 and offer read and write speeds of up to 90MB/sec. Backed by a lifetime warrenty, the cards are priced at £170.85 (32GB) and £97.55 (16GB). For added peace of mind, the price of theCF Ultimate 600x cards include free downloadable data recovery software from MediaRECOVER.

JP Distribution, the exclusive UK distributor for Westcott, has announced a new range of collapsible umbrellas. The 43“ umbrellas fold down to just 14.5“ enabling them to fit easily into almost any bag or backpack. Available in three different styles – optical white satin (£19), soft silver (£19) and optical white satin with a removable black cover (£22), this umbrella range can be used as shoot through diffusers, or to bounce a light source. Intertested readers should contact Johnsons Photopia for their nearest dealer on 01782 753304.