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

The free Alamy Photo Collection iPad app is a gallery of “breathtaking and intriguing” imagery sourced from Alamy’s large network of photographers and international agencies. Alamy’s CEO, James West says “The Alamy Photo Collection app is beautifully simple - it’s free, it looks great, it’s updated every day, and it brings the Alamy brand to an exciting new device for a global audience of photography enthusiasts.”

Website? Alamy Photo Collection

365 Photography Days tells the story of award-winning, freelance photographer Phil Gould, as he travels the globe in search of adventure. It is also a practical guide to photography techniques with hints and tips from an expert. Each day of the journey includes a photo tip, giving advice about everything from lighting techniques and camera settings, to groupings that work and images that sell. The 488-page hardback is going to be available priced at £25.

Nik Software today announced HDR Efex Pro, a completely new HDR imaging toolkit “designed to help photographers quickly and easily achieve the full spectrum of HDR enhancements from the realistic to artistic”. Key features include U Point powered selective tools for fast precise enhancements of contrast, shadow, structure and saturation adjustments, a proprietary tone mapping technology enabling a wide range of HDR styles and capabilities, automatic image alignment and reduction of “ghosts”, integrated video-based help system including education on HDR photography techniques, and more. The suggested retail price of HDR Efex Pro is $159.95. The software will be available in the fourth quarter of 2010.

Gitzo has launched a promotion for UK residents to receive a free tripod bag with every Gitzo Series 1 and Gitzo Series 2 Traveler. When you buy a Gitzo Series 1 Traveler you will and get a GC1201T or a GC2240T. Those that purchase a Gitzo Series 2 Traveler will get a GC3320 and a GC5210 free of charge. Running until the end of September, the promotional offer is available from all authorised UK Gitzo 5 Star dealers.

Website: Gitzo

Paperless Post has partnered with Magnum Photos to offer a range of greeting cards imprinted with Magnum’s iconic images. Paperless Post is a website where users design and send cards digitally without sacrificing the traditions of classic, custom stationery. The website is free to join, and there are 25 free stamps included with sign-up. The Magnum collection features some of the most important fine art photographs from the 20th century - you simply select a photo you like, add a personal message and have the card delivered to the recipient immediately.

Website: Paperless Post Magnum Collection Samples

The BenQ E1420 and 1430 HDR cameras are two new 14-megapixel models with 3x optical zoom, 720p HD video and in-camera HDR imaging functionality. The E1420 and E1430 both come with blink detection, smart scene recognition, “Love Portrait” and “Beauty Enhancer” modes, and a 3-inch, 230,000-dot monitor on board. The E1420 comes in “Elegant Gray” and E1430 in “Cool Blue”. Both will be available in China and Asia Pacific in August, Europe in September, and Latin America in October.

Blurb will host a free webinar covering the company’s PDF to Book workflow. Topics covered include camera white balance and profiles using X-Rite’s Color Checker Passport, monitor calibration and profiling using ColorMunki Photo, creating and using custom printer profiles, soft-proofing in Adobe Photoshop, converting images to the Blurb CMYK profile, setting up InDesign for Blurb books, pre-flight and uploading a PDF book to Blurb. Webinar times include 1pm EDT and 3pm EDT today, plus 1pm and 3pm EDT on 2nd September.

Website: Blurberati Blog

Color Confidence has confirmed the availability of the new NEC SpectraView Reference 241W and 271W monitors. The new screens feature a 3D Look Up Table (LUT) for precise colour space emulation and excellent colour mixture, 14-bit LUT for each RGB channel, Digital Uniformity Control for consistent colour across the entire screen, built-in SpectraView profiler software and more. NEC MultiSync versions of both of these models are also available in the form of the PA241 and PA271, which also offer superb levels of colour accuracy and many of the functions and features of the SpectraView models, the company says.

Website: Color Confidence Monitor Showroom

The new JVC Picsio GC-FM2 and GC-WP10 pocket video cameras feature Full HD video, 5-megapixel stills, a 3-inch touch screen and compatibility with Eye-Fi cards for Wi-Fi connectivity. Users can select from four different recording resolutions: Full HD 1080 (1920 x 1080/30p), HD 720 (1280 x 720/60p), iFrame (960 x 540/30p) and Quarter High Definition (960 x 540/30p). The new PICSIO cameras also offer time-lapse recording, which reduces hours-long segments to mere seconds. The GC-FM2’s special conveniences include a slide-out USB connector, so no connecting cable is needed, while the GC-WP10’s claim to fame is that it’s waterproof to a depth of 10 feet. The JVC Picsio GC-FM2 will be available in early September for $179.95. The GC-WP10 will hit the shelves in late September for $199.95.

Gary Fong has introduced its new tripod adapter for the iPhone 3GS and the iPhone 4. The new Gary Fong iPhone adapter affixes to most tripods as well as the Gary Fong Flip-Cage lineup of camera stands, enabling shooters to steady their iPhones. The adapter features a 1/4-20 female tripod socket, and is constructed of rugged industrial strength plastic to safely stow inside a backpack or pocket. The Gary fong tripod adapter for the iPhone is available for $19.95.

Website: Gary Fong

Want to see exactly what the new Sony A55 DSLR camera looks like in the flesh?

Here are 19 hands-on product shots of the exciting Sony A55, giving you a good idea of just how small it is - click through to view the gallery.

Want to see exactly what the new Sony A580 DSLR camera looks like in the flesh?

Here are 12 hands-on product shots of the traditional Sony A580, which replaces the existing A550 in Sony’s now extensive range of mid-level DSLRs - click through to view the gallery.

The Sony A55 and A33 are two new DSLR cameras that use Translucent Mirror Technology to offer high-speed shooting and smaller size. The 16.2 megapixel A55 can shoot at up to 10fps and has built-in GPS tracking, while the 14.2 megapixel A33 offers up to 7fps burst shooting. 1080i HD Movies with smooth, continuous autofocus during video shooting are available, plus enhanced Quick AF Live View, a 7.5 cm (3”) free-angle LCD, and Tru-Finder (Electronic Viewfinder) with 100% coverage. The new A55 and A33 Single Lens Translucent mirror cameras from Sony will be available from September 2010. The A55 and A33 cameras will cost about $750 and $650 (respectively) in the US and £700-800 and £600-700 in the UK for the body only, and about $850 and $750 for the body and 18-55mm zoom lens.