The Kata Owl-272 DL is a versatile photo backpack which can also be converted into a useful daypack for general outdoor use, and even a rolling bag for easy transportation. Featuring super-light yet durable RipStop fabrics and Kata’s unique weight-saving Aeriform foam, the Kata Owl-272 has a 3D moulded foam back enabling good ventilation and Spider Webbing straps. The new backpack is a suitable size for carry on for most airlines and can also be turned into a rolling bag with the addition of a Kata Insertrolley (optional). The Kata Owl-272 will be available from the end of September priced at £159.95.

Yobi.tv has launched a photography contest for residents of the US and all countries with diplomatic relations with the United States. The contest structure comprises 35 weekly rounds, organised into five sets of seven weeks each. During each weekly round, members will be able to vote for each eligible contest entry. At the end of each weekly round, the 3 entries with the most votes will proceed to a Semi-Final Round. After the seventh week of each weekly round set, a semi-final round will take place. Thus, there will be five semi-final rounds, with one semi-final round occurring after each of the five weekly round sets. Each semi-final round will last for one week and will feature the 21 semi-finalists chosen during the previous weekly round set. At the end of the semi-final round, the 3 contestants receiving the most votes will advance to the Final Rounds. The Grand Prize is $15,000. As always, we suggest that you read the rules before entering your work.

Website: YOBIPics

Jessops is offering customers a free Nikon camera bag and a 4GB SD card with every pre-order on the new Nikon D3100 dSLR camera. The Nikon D3100 is a 14.2-megapixel model with 11 AF sensors, Full HD video and full-time AF in Live View and D-movie modes. Using contrast based AF, the D3100 automatically focuses on subjects when Live View is activated to aid shooting when using the LCD. In comparison to the Nikon D3000, the new Nikon D3100 also gains a Quiet Shutter Release mode, which substantially reduces the sound of the mirror return, and an enhanced Guide Mode that now features sample assist images that change with camera settings to inspire users to achieve a desired look and feel to their images. The Nikon D3100 digital SLR camera will start shipping in September, but is already available for pre-order at Jessops, priced at £579.

Website: Jessops

The Irish branch of CameraInsurance (camerainsurance.ie) has announced a special 10% discount for customers who receive quotes and then insure from Photovision 2010. irector Stephen Brack said, “We are very pleased to have arranged this additional 10% discount with Insurers. Our cover is already wide offering a standard €7 million for Public Liability and €150,000 for Professional Indemnity as well as full theft cover for all equipment and this just makes it a little more affordable in these turbulent times.”

Website: CameraInsurance

Wacom will demonstrate the potential of digital imaging tools at Photokina 2010, with special focus on the Intuos4 and Cintiq ranges and the Bamboo Fun (read review). Experienced imaging specialists will be present on the stand to share valuable tips and techniques around digital image processing with visitors. You will find Wacom in Hall 4.1 at Stand I-019 as well as in the CHI-Area on Stand A-030.

Paul Coghlin has been announced winner of the prestigious Black & White Photographer of the Year. The competition, run by Black & White Photography magazine, attracted entries from around the world – including America, China, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Spain, France, Italy, Germany, Czech Republic, Norway, Ireland and the UK. Categories included best portrait, landscape, still life, single image, travel, reportage, under-25, digital printer, silver printer and the overall prize of Black & White Photographer of the Year. The winning entries will be featured in a special exhibition at London’s Hoopers Gallery – from 3 to 10 September. The pictures will also be featured in a special supplement which comes free with Black & White Photography issue 116

The LaCie Rikiki Go is billed as the smallest one-terabyte metal hard drive. Outfitted with an embedded USB 2.0 cable, Rikiki Go connects instantly with your PC or Mac. “We are thrilled to introduce 1TB capacity in this ultra-small, durable form factor,” said Quitterie Lescarret, Consumer Product Manager, LaCie. “Today’s on-the-go consumers need to access vital media quickly and dependably. With its industry-leading capacity, Rikiki Go provides users with the ultimate data storage and mobility, at a competitive price.” The LaCie Rikiki Go is available in 500GB and 1TB capacities through the LaCie Online Store, LaCie Corner, and LaCie Reseller+ starting at £89.90 including VAT.

Website: LaCie

Kubota Image Tools has launched a range of Vintage Delish Lightroom presets. Fully compatible with the recently-released Lightroom 3, the Kubota Lightroom Presets help professional photographers save time in their existing work. This latest edition of the Kubota Lightroom Presets includes 42 custom Develop Presets for Lightroom 3. Evoking nostalgia from decades spanning as far back as 100 years, these presets will “transport images with fashionable, highly sought-after looks that consumers desire”, the company promises. Available now for $39.00, the Vitage Delish Lightroom presets can be downloaded from the website below.

Website: Kubota Lightroom Presets - Vintage Delish

Manfrotto School of Xcellence, a free resource for anyone who wants to learn more about photography, has announced a free webinar titled “The Right Exposure and the Proper Lens”. Taking place today from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. EDT, the webinar will be hosted by Italian photographer Marc de Tollenaere. Topics covered include wide-angle lenses versus telephoto lenses, secrets behind a camera’s metering systems as well as the ins and outs of different camera modes. To register for the free Manfrotto School of Xcellence webinar and for additional information, visit the website below.

Website: Manfrotto School of Xcellence

Samsung are set to unveil a new NX-series digital camera that will “change the lives of creative consumers around the world”. In an invitation sent out to members of the press, the as yet un-named Samsung NX camera will make its debut on September 20th at the World’s biggest photo fair in Cologne, Germany. Introduced by Samsung’s Digital Imaging President, SangJin Park, the new product will boldly “take the camera industry by storm”. Samsung released the first model in the NX-series, the NX10 camera, earlier this year, to widespread critical acclaim.

In a surprise announcement, Cosina today unveiled the Voigtländer Nokton 25mm f/0.95, a new, ultra-fast standard prime for Micro Four Thirds cameras. The Nokton 25mm f/0.95 - which is not to be confused with the Noktor 50mm f/0.95, a longer and altogether completely different lens made by another company - is a genuine Micro Four Thirds lens that does not require the use of an adapter. Like other current Voigtländer lenses, the Nokton 25mm f/0.95 is manual-focus only, and comes with a distance scale complete with depth-of-field marks; something unique among MFT lenses. Constructed of 11 elements in 8 groups, this new 25mm lens has a diagonal angle of view of 47.3°; essentially the same as that of a 50mm lens on a 35mm camera. Outfitted with a 52mm filter thread and shipping with a hood, the Voigtländer Nokton 25mm f/0.95 will be released in October priced at 95,000 yen.

Website: Cosina Japan
Website: Olympus’ press release welcoming Cosina on board

The 18-megapixel Canon EOS 60D is a replacement for the 50D featuring a vari-angle LCD screen and Full HD video capture with full manual control including a variety of user-selectable frame rates. The Canon 60D can shoot 18-megapixel stills at up to 5.3 frames per second for up to 58 frames in a row (in JPEG format). Boasting a 9-point, all cross-type autofocus AF system, the EOS 60D also features Canon’s iFCL metering system, first introduced with the EOS 7D, with a 63-zone Dual-Layer sensor. An Integrated Speedlite Transmitter provides in-camera control of multiple EX flash units for more creative lighting. The new 3-inch LCD monitor has a 3:2 aspect ratio, a 1,040k dot resolution and full articulation for overhead shots or ground-level photography. The Canon EOS 60D’s standard ISO range of 100-6400 is extendable to 12800. The EOS 60D is available from October priced at £1099.99 / €1309.99 / $1,099.00 for the body only. It will also be sold in four different kits ranging from £1199.99 to £1999.99 depending on the bundled lens.

Update: We have added a gallery of large product images provided by Canon. Click through / scroll down to view the photos.

Canon has launched the Canon EF 8-15mm f/4L Fisheye USM, a zooming fisheye lens offering both circular and full frame images. A zoom-lock mechanism on the lens body allows the range to be limited to the focal length that ensures the best possible full-frame view without unsightly vignetting around the edge. ‘C’ and ‘H’ markings can be found next to the zoom operation ring, indicating the wide-angle zoom position where vignette-free shooting is possible with APS-C and APS-H sensors, respectively. Constructed of 14 elements arranged in 11 groups, the Canon EF 8-15mm f/4L Fisheye USM features Canon’s Super Spectra Coating on every lens element. The inner surface of the front element also features Canon’s SubWavelength Structure Coating (SWC), which uses tiny cone-like structures, shorter than the wavelength of visible light on the surface of the lens element, to gradually slow light down until it is at the same speed as it travels through glass, removing the risk of flare occurring before the light reaches the sensor. A ring-type ultrasonic motor provides quick and accurate focusing when shooting and enables a full-time manual focus functionality. The Canon EF 8-15mm f/4L Fisheye USM is available from January 2011 priced at £1499.99 / €1789.99 / $1400.00.

The Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM is a compact L-series telezoom lens featuring optical image stabilisation, two ultra-low dispersion elements and Canon’s Super Spectra coatings. An eight-blade circular diaprhragm offers excellent bokeh, while AF is fast and quiet thanks to a ring-type ultrasonic motor. As with all Canon L series lenses, full time manual focus override is possible, allowing photographers to manually focus, even when the AF motor is engaged. As befits an L-series Canon lens, the EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM offers exceptional build quality including environmental protection. Canon’s new Fluorine Coating also makes cleaning the lens easier, preventing smears or streaking. The Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM lens is available from October priced at £1599.99 / €1909.99.

The Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS II USM & EF 400mm f/2.8L IS II USM super-telephoto lenses feature completely redesigned optical systems and the latest iteration of Canon’s image stabiliser. Operation of IS mode 2 has been improved when shooting panning motion and a new third IS mode has been added, assisting users when quickly switching between subjects by activating the IS unit only during exposure. Both lenses have 16 elements in 12 different groups, using high performance fluorite lens elements that correct chromatic aberration. The optical elements also feature Canon’s latest Super Spectra Coatings, optimised for both the position and type of each lens element. A SubWavelength Structure Coating (SWC) reduces ghosting caused by light bouncing back from the imaging sensor. The EF 400mm f/2.8L IS II USM is claimed to be the lightest lens in its class due to a 28% reduction in weight compared to its predecessor. Both lenses will be available from December, priced at £7499.99 / €8929.99 (Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS II USM) and £11499.99 / €13689.99 (Canon EF 400mm f/2.8L IS II USM).

Canon today announced the development of two new super-telephoto lenses – the Canon EF 500mm F/4L IS II USM and the Canon EF 600mm F/4L IS II USM (pictured). Each will include the highest quality components, featuring high-specification image stabiliser technology alongside the use of optical materials such as fluorite, to correct aberrations ensuring high resolution images rich in detail and contrast. The redesigned, lightweight bodies will provide added mobility alongside enhanced protection against dust and water, the company says. The new lenses will be displayed for the first time in Europe during Photokina 2010.

Canon today unveiled two lens extenders designed for its L-series telephoto lenses. Intended for photojournalists, nature and sports photographers who need to get close to distant and challenging subjects, the Extender EF 1.4x III and Extender EF 2x III increase the focal length of a lens by a factor of 1.4x and 2x, respectively. The Extender EF 1.4x III features seven lens elements in three groups, and the Extender EF 2x III features nine lens elements in five groups. All optical elements use Canon’s Super Spectra coating, reducing ghosting and flare. For convenient transport, the 225g Extender EF 1.4x III and 325g Extender EF 2x III are supplied with a soft case (LP811) and Extender Cap EII. Both teleconverters will become available in December, and both will be priced at £549.99 / €659.99.

Canon has announced an update for its EOS Movie Plug-in for Final Cut Pro. Scheduled to be available for download from mid-September, Canon’s EOS Movie Plug-in E1 for Final Cut Pro version 1.1 adds support for the Canon EOS 60D digital SLR camera. The plug-in will allow users to view metadata and EXIF data for movie files. It will also provide support for multi-core processing, allowing even faster conversations with the latest generation of Macs.

AKVIS has released a Photo Kiosk version of AKVIS Sketch, a program which converts digital photos into pencil sketches and watercolour drawings. Thanks to this, those who are not familiar with photo-editing can convert their photos into drawings and then print them immediately. One license ($750) permits the installation of the software on five digital photo stations.

Website: AKVIS

The 31st issue of PhotographyBB Online Magazine is available for download. This edition features an in-depth look at lighting techniques for corporate and industrial photography, along with an exploration of light modifiers and their uses in portrait photography. Additionally, this issue looks at how and when to break photography’s “sacred” composition rules. PhotographyBB Online Magazine is available as a free download at the website below.

Website: PhotographyBB Online Magazine