A new firmware update for the Sony NEX-5 and NEX-3 cameras will be available from mid-October. A new custom function allows assignment to buttons of frequently-used functions, which should address some of our main criticisms of the NEX interface, plus there’s a new function to record movies with a specific aperture. Autofocus operation will be supported when using A-mount SAM and SSM lenses with the optional LA-EA1 Mount Adaptor. In addition Sony are planning 7 new E-mount lenses and a flashgun for 2011 and 2012.

Panasonic are releasing new firmware for the G2 and 14-140mm / F4.0-5.8 lens. Available in October, the G2 update will provide compatibility with the new 3D lens, while the 14-140mm update improves AF performance and reduces start-up time.

Manfrotto is introducing its own range of LED lights and an exclusive range of bags and clothing under the “Imagine More” tagline. Billed as a bold, new way of experiencing photography”, Imagine More also marks a widening of the audience targeted by Manfrotto with so-called social recorders. ”We are all very proud of this event: conceiving and creating Imagine More is something that each of us has been deeply involved in not only from a professional but also an emotional point of view,” said Marco Pezzana, Imaging Sales & Marketing Director and Supports Managing Director.

The Ricoh G700SE is a new water and dust resistant digital camera with wireless LAN and Bluetooth. The G700SE also supports optional GPS functions and laser barcode reader functions via slot-in units.

Datacolor SpyderCheckr is a new color reference tool that allows photographers to obtain consistent, accurate color within a standard RAW processing workflow. SpyderCheckr features 48 scientifically engineered color patches in a wide range of spectrally neutral colors and user-friendly profiling software. SpyderCheckrPro is a bundle package that includes the SpyderCheckr along with the Datacolor SpyderCube. Datacolor SpyderCheckr and SpyderCheckr Pro are available at a suggested list price of $129.00 and $169.00 respectively.

The LaCie 324i is a new professional monitor featuring a 10-bit P-IPS LCD panel. Ideal for prepress, illustration, web design, and photographic workflows, the LaCie 324i delivers uniform and accurate colours thanks to its wide gamuts (98% Adobe RGB) and backlight stabilisation. The LaCie 324i P-IPS LCD Monitor is available now for £945 / $1249.

The Lowepro S&F Series is a new flexible carrying system designed to increase versatility and speed. Aimed at event and sports photographers, wildlife photographers, and multimedia photojournalists, the S&F Series includes Lowepro’s innovative SlipLock system for adding a wide array of compatible bags, cases and pouches.

The HP Designjet Z6200 delivers the highest speeds of large-format printers in its price class. Designed for photo labs, digital print shops, advertising agencies, design firms and commercial printers, the Z6200 creates photo-quality prints with a resolution of 2,400 dots per image. The price for the 42-inch model is $8,995 / €11,000 and for the 60-inch model is $15,995 / €18,900.

The Flip UltraHD and MinoHD are pocket camcorders featuring a new design, enhanced HD video quality and more ways to share. Both models feature image stabilisation, 720p resolution at 50 frames per second, and new pre-loaded FlipShare software. The new Flip MinoHD one hour and two hour camcorders are small, sleek and stylish. The new Flip UltraHD now showcases a slimmer design. The Flip MinoHD one hour comes in silver for £149.99, the Flip MinoHD two hours comes in black for £179.99, and the Flip UltraHD two hours also comes in black for £159.99.

At Photokina Samsung are heavily promoting their great Compact System Camera hope, the new NX100, with a series of interactive displays demoing the camera’s capabilities, plus a giant-sized replica just in case you’d forgotten what it looks like. The NX10 and NX10 have also been “exploded” into their component parts to illustrate Samsung’s engineering prowess. And if you ever wanted to see the full range of Samsung cameras and camcorders, there’s a mind-blowingly long wall containing every current product in their line-up.

The Hasselblad booth is awash with visitors eager to try out the new products announced at the show. Among these are the 50-megapixel Hasselblad CFV-50 digital backs that catapult almost any V-system camera into the digital age, the affordable (ahem) Hasselblad H4D-31 medium-format DSLR and a couple of new lenses. A black Ferrari is also on display, symbolising the co-operation of the two iconic European brands that has resulted in the announcement of the Hasselblad H4D Ferrari Edition (see our news coverage and picture above).

The Hasselblad HC Macro 120-II is a 120mm macro lens for Hasselblad H4D medium-format digital SLR cameras. Compared to the previous iteration of the lens, the Mark II version offers improved correction of longitudinal chromatic aberrations, higher resolution and better close-up performance. Constructed of nine lens elements, the Hasselblad HC Macro 120-II features a maximum reproduction ratio of 1:1 at a close-focus point of 39cm.

The Hasselblad HC 50-II is a 50mm lens which has an angle of view similar to that of a 31.4mm lens mounted to a 35mm body. Improvemetns over the first version of this lens include an updated optical design resulting in more even performance across the frame, and better close-up capabilities. Featuring 11 optical elements in 7 groups, the Hasselblad HC 50-II has a maximum aperture of f/3.5 and a close focus point of 60cm.

The Hasselblad H4D-31 is a 31-megapixel version of the Hasselblad H4D medium-format digital SLR camera, which sells for less than €10,000 including a lens. Equipped with the same advanced technology as the H4D-40, the H4D-31, features Hasselblad’s True Focus, which provides focusing accuracy throughout the image field – even at close range with shallow depth-of-field.Featuring the company’s Hasselblad Natural Color Solution with its single colour profile, the Hasselblad H4D-31 makes it easy for medium-format photographers to get professional results from the camera. Currently shipping, the H4D-31 is available in two configurations, both with the latest version of Hasselblad’s Phocus 2.6 software. The first kit includes an 80mm lens, whereas the other offers a digital solution for V-system users by bundling the H4D-31 with a CF-lens adapter. Both options are priced at €9,995+VAT.

The Hasselblad CFV-50 (shown above with Hasselblad 202FA camera body) is a new 50-megapixel digital back for Hasselblad V-system cameras. Joining the ranks of the company’s CFV-16 and CFV-39 offerings, the Hasselblad CFV-50 is the third digital solution for V-system users. Compatible with virtually all existing V-cameras, including the 202FA/203FE/205FCC models, the CFV-50 (€11,990) offers cable-free operation and optimised integration between back, body and lens, Hasselblad says.

Ricoh have announced three new products this week - the A12 28mm wide-angle camera unit for the GXR system, and the robust G700 SE and G700 compacts. The latter two cameras aren’t being displayed on the stand, so our gallery of hands-on photos is your first chance to see them.

Sony have most of Hall 5.2 to themselves, with their new range of pellicle mirror SLR cameras taking centre-stage alongside the popular NEX cameras. We spotted a long row of different coloured NEX models which are all colours that aren’t available in the shops yet. In terms of new-at-the-show products, the mockup of the A700 replacement (A77?) that we featured yesterday was generating most interest in press circles, alhough the public seemed more interested in the BMX skills demonstration being used to test the A55 and A33 to their speedy limits. Video and in particular 3D are also being heavily pushed, with spectacle-wearing people browsing photos on Sony’s new 3DTV range.

Update: We’ve added some photos of the vast array of adpapters that allow old lenses to be used with the Sony NEX cameras, plus close-up shots of the 9 proposed NEX colours and hands-on with the new Bloggie Touch.

Tamron are drawing the crowds here at Photokina with a series of fashion shows and demos. Their recently announced 70-300mm F/4-5.6 Di lens is getting a lot of attention too - I tried it out on a Canon 5D Mk II and the autofocus system was fast and accurate, despite the low light levels of the show. There are a few resized shots in our Tamron stand gallery which show what the lens is capable of. Also of interest are a number of displays containing some of the seemingly vast number of lenses that Tamron produce and a chance to try out some of the bigger zooms for yourself.

Carl Zeiss have a large stand at Photokina showcasing their extensive range of high-quality lenses. Their main new product for the show is the Distagon T 1.4 35mm ZF/ZE.2 lens which is available for Nikon and Canon, plus an optical viewfinder and circular polariser. Perhaps more interesting for visitors is the giant replica lens which houses a history of Carl Zeiss, tracing the company’s progression through 120 years of history.

We checked out Schneider Kreuznach’s booth to see what their new tilt-shift lenses looked like in the flesh. The company had announced three perspective control lenses just prior to Photokina, and all three were on display at their stand. Two of them, the PC-TS Super-Angulon 50mm f/2.8 HM and the PC-TS Makro-Symmar 90mm f/4 HM, will be made in Canon, Nikon, Pentax and Sony mounts. The first was shown attached to a Nikon D3, whereas the second was mounted to a Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II. According to one salesman on the stand, the lenses will cost approximately €2,400+VAT and €2,300+VAT, respectively. We got our hands on the third PC-TS lens - the Schneider Kreuznach PC-TS Apo-Digitar 5.6 / 120 HM Aspheric made for Mamiya / Phase One system cameras - as well, which will sell for around €3,350+VAT.