Panasonic has announced a new line of Blu-ray Disc media designed for secure digital data archiving in professional applications. Available in two grades - Archival Grade and Century Archival Grade -, the new Panasonic Archival Grade Blu-ray Discs have an expected archival life of more than 50 years at a room temperature of 77°F and a relative humidity of 80%, the company claims. Featuring a new recording layer structure that ensures longer shelf life, the Century Archival Grade Disc has an estimated life of 100 years. The Archival Grade discs will hit the shelves in the 2nd quarter of this year, while the Century Archival Grade discs will start shipping in the 3rd quarter. Detailed information will be announced at a future date.

Carl Zeiss has just launched the first set of cine lenses designed especially for HDSLR cameras: the Compact Prime CP.2 lenses. The Compact Prime CP.2 lenses deliver great flexibility by introducing interchangeable mounts that allow the lenses to be used with a wide range of cameras, from traditional cine to HDSLR systems. Available with three different mounts – PL, Canon EF and Nikon F – this new family of ZEISS lenses enables cinematographers to be completely free in their choice of camera systems, the company says. The ergonomics have been improved compared to standard SLR lenses. The lenses’ cine-style housing dimensions, focus and iris gear positions, and front diameter are the same for the standard lens set. The longer focus rotation and the possibility for manual focus give users the flexibility they demand. The iris diaphragm consists of 14 high-precision blades, which stay consistently round and symmetrical over the entire T-stop range. This translates into natural and pleasing out-of-focus highlights and a smooth bokeh. Currently on display at the NAB in Las Vegas, these lenses cover a 24x36mm image format without vignetting. They will be available from June 2010.

Website: Zeiss Cine Lenses

Carl Zeiss has introduced a new Lightweight Zoom lens for filmmakers, which comes with interchangeable mounts that allow it to be used with a wide range of cameras, from traditional cine to HDSLR systems. The Carl Zeiss Lightweight Zoom LWZ.2 features radically shaped spherical glass surfaces with a very strong curvature, which guarantee high optical performance, the manufacturer says. Large-diameter aspherical lens elements keep the lens light while at the same time reducing spherical aberrations and keeping the image free of distortions. Straight lines stay straight, from infinity to close-ups and over the entire zoom range. The new lens is currently being showcased at the NAB show in Las Vegas.

True Stories is the title of Korean photographer Koh Sang Woo’s upcoming solo exhibition at the Sesame Gallery in London. Koh’s art is part painting, part performance, documented in photography. Carefully choosing his subjects for their personal stories, he paints directly onto their bodies as he works, and then reverses the colours in the final exposure to give his photos an unmistakeable electric vibrancy. In True Stories, all his photographs probe the kind of subtle conventions that restrain and limit their subjects – be it corporate control, racial prejudice, or the pressure to “be the best”. True Stories opens on 6 May at the Sesame Gallery, 354 Upper St, Islington, London N1 0PD.

Lens, the New York Times’ photo blog, invites photographers around the world to join in their new project, “A Moment in Time”. Thousands of photographers of all experience levels will be capturing the same moment on Sunday, May 2nd at 15:00 U.T.C. While anyone is welcome to participate, the organisers are particularly hoping to see submissions from students and professors of photography. To help simulate ideas, Lens is suggesting the following categories for images: Religion, Play, Nature & the Environment, Family, Work, Arts & Entertainment, Money & the Economy, Community and Social Issues. After you take your photos, submit your best image as soon as possible to the website below (it will go live on Sunday, May 2nd at 15:00 U.T.C.).

Website: A Moment in Time

Sanyo has announced two Xacti branded Dual Cameras, the DMX-CG100 and DMX-GH1, both of which capture full HD video and 14-megapixel stills. The two cameras differ primarily in their form factor and colour scheme. Otherwise they are very similarly specified. Both have 5x zoom lenses with a 35mm equivalnet focal range of 38-190mm, built-in stereao microphones, 2.7” LCD screens and a sensitivity range of ISO 50 to ISO 1600. Both can capture 1920x1080-pixel Full HD video at 60fps with double-range zoom, and 4352x3264-pixel stills at up to 1fps. The video format is “MPEG-4 AVC / H.264”. The Sanyo Xacti DMX-GH1 features Sanyo’s unique “Double Sub Rec Button” for easier shooting. The price of the new models has not yet been disclosed.

Imagenomic has just released its award-winning Portraiture 2 Plug-in for Aperture 3. This new Portraiture 2 edition provides native 64-bit operation within Apple’s Snow Leopard operating system, and represents one of the first purpose-built, third-party image processing plug-ins to be optimised and released for Apple’s latest 64-bit systems and software applications, Imagenomic said in a statement. The Portraiture 2 plug-in for Aperture 3 is being made available as a free upgrade for registered users of the previous Aperture 2 Plug-in edition.  For new users, Portraiture 2 for Aperture 3 is available priced at $199.95 (SRP).

Website: Imagenomic

The new Sigma 50-500mm f4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM has now arrived in the UK. Presently available in Sigma, Canon and Nikon fittings, the Sigma 50-500mm f4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM has a suggested retail price of £1399.99. The Pentax and Sony versions will follow shortly, said Paul Reynolds of Sigma Imaging (UK) Ltd. Incorporating Sigma’s original Optical Stabiliser function, the Sigma 50-500mm f/4.5-6.3 allows sharp hand-held shots at shutter speeds approximately 4 stops slower than would otherwise be possible. Four SLD (Special Low Dispersion) glass elements provide excellent correction of colour aberration, the company says.

Panasonic Solutions Company has announced the Panasonic AG-AF100 camcorder, which uses a Micro Four Thirds sensor and lens mount.  The camera offers superior video handling, native 1080/24p recording, variable frame rates, professional audio capabilities, dual card slots and compatibility with SDHC and SDXC media. The AF100 incorporates a 4/3-inch, 16:9 MOS imager. The camcorder records 1080/60i, 50i, 30p, 25p and 24p (native) and 720/60p, 50p, 30p, 25p and 24p (native) in AVCHD’s highest-quality PH mode (maximum 24Mbps). Ready for global production standards, the camcorder is 60Hz and 50Hz switchable. The Panasonic AG-AF100 will be available by the end of 2010. Price to be confirmed.

To illustrate the science of attraction, the Science Museum is looking for photos of couples to feature in its ‘Who Am I?’ gallery that reopens in June 2010. Contributions of couples together can be made by the couples themselves via the ‘Coupling Up’ Flickr Pool. 50 photos from the pool will be selected to appear in a computer display as well as featured in a limited edition book of which all 50 selected photographers will receive a copy. “Attraction is very hard to pin down with scientific explanation alone,” the organisers say, so, when submitting the photo, you’re welcome to accompany the picture with a comment and tell them what made you click. The submission deadline is 18 April 2010.

Website: Coupling Up

Adobe Photoshop CS5 and Photoshop CS5 Extended have been announced today. For photographers, Photoshop CS5 now offers next-generation high dynamic range (HDR) capabilities. When combining multiple exposures into a single HDR image, Photoshop CS5 preserves the full tonal range of a scene with unprecedented speed and accuracy. The new HDR Pro offers exceptional ghost artefact removal and greater tone mapping and adjustment control. With HDR toning, users can emulate the striking look of an HDR image with any single-exposure image. Adobe Photoshop CS5 Extended delivers everything in Photoshop CS5, as well as advanced tools for 3-D. Adobe Photoshop CS5 and CS5 Extended are scheduled to ship within 30 days for £548 (ex-VAT) and £794 (ex-VAT) for respectively.

Adobe Creative Suite 5 is a new release of the industry-leading design and development software. Creative Suite 5 product line brings full-version upgrades of flagship creative tools while delivering significant workflow enhancements to designers and developers, focusing on interactivity, performance and maximising the impact of digital content and marketing campaigns across media and devices. The new lineup is headlined by Adobe Creative Suite 5 Master Collection, which includes, in a single package, all of Adobe’s renowned Creative Suite tools, which includes more than 250 new features. Adobe Creative Suite 5 products are scheduled to ship within 30 days, priced at £2,303 for Master Collection CS5, £1,509 for CS5 Design Premium, £1,429 for CS5 Web Premium, £1,509 for CS5 Production Premium and £1,032 for CS5 Design Standard.

Several industry experts have been invited to discuss Adobe Photoshop Project Manager John Nack’s video, Content-Aware Fill Sneak Peek. “Content-Aware Fill” is a feature that will make its way into Photoshop CS5 later this year, and Photoshelter asked the experts about the pros and cons of this time-saving tool, what it could mean for photographers and how it could impact image security online. The list of those who answered includes Vincent Laforet, Dr. Bob Carey, Mike Davis, James Estrin, Davide Marchionni, Jim Goldstein, Steve Best, David Sanger and John Harrington. Interested readers are encouraged to follow the link below to find out what each of them had to say.

Website: Wider Angles: Photoshop Content-Aware Fill

Transcend offers a range of splash- and shockproof storage devices, including a USB flash drive and two portable hard drives. Offered in 4GB, 8GB and 16GB capacities, the Transcend JetFlash V70 flash drive is constructed of durable eco-friendly silicone rubber that provides a pleasant tactile feel and makes the drive highly resistant to excessive shock, splashes and dust. The anti-slip and shock resistant Transcend StoreJet 18M and 25M portable hard drives feature a sophisticated dual-stage shock-dampening system that incorporates internal suspension technology and a vibration-absorbing silicone outer shell. Transcend’s 1.8-inch StoreJet 18M mini portable hard drive sports a 120GB storage capacity, while the StoreJet 25M-R (Red) is available in 250GB, 320GB and 500GB, and the StoreJet 25M (Black) is offered in capacities of 160GB, 250GB, 320GB, 500GB and 640GB.

Website: Transcend

Marketing Essentials International (MEI) and Bourne Media Group (BMG) have announced the formation of GoingPro, a totally new programme providing educational opportunities and business advice for emerging professional photographers. Created by MEI’s Skip Cohen and BMG’s Scott Bourne, GoingPro is a year-long annual programme dedicated to educating professional and aspiring professional photographers through a soon to be published GoingPro book, educational workshops, national conferences, free webinars and podcasts, blog and training DVD.

Website: GoingPro

Paradigm Global Partners, an investment company, has announced its acquisition of Ilford Imaging Switzerland GmbH. The Paradigm acquisition will maintain the financial stability of the company and provides a sound platform to manage future challenges, the company said in a statement. Reflecting on the change in ownership Lars Sommerhauser, Chief Operating Officer, commented: “The last few years have been tough for the imaging business as a whole, including ILFORD. This announcement has injected a renewed sense of energy and excitement within the company and provided the business with focus and direction. We are committed to servicing the global market where there is a demand for the premium quality products that we manufacture and this will necessitate a strengthening of our business units in the USA and Asia.”

Fujifilm has issued a firmware update for the Fujifilm FinePix REAL 3D W1 digital compact camera. Version 2.00 adds a new size, S 16:9, to the Image Size options in the F-Mode menu. Images taken with this setting fill the screen completely, with no black bar on either side. To download the firmware update, visit the website below.

Website: Fujifilm Finepix REAL 3D W1 Firmware 2.00

Ricoh has released a firmware update for the Ricoh CX3 digital compact camera. Version 1.08 fixes a bug with the playback of HD videos. You can download the new firmware update from the website below.

Website: Ricoh CX3 Firmware

Nevercenter’s CameraBag, a photo filter app for the iPhone, has come to the iPad and is proving popular once again. Currently one of the top five apps in the Photography section and one of the top 100 of all paid iPhone apps in the App Store, CameraBag has filters that “instantly emulate photography’s most beloved and iconic cameras, films, and processing techniques”. At any point users can double-tap to “Vary” the current filter, offering a slightly different take on that effect for infinite variations. Besides the new Vary button, CameraBag for iPad introduces other features such as the ability to pick and choose between borders and aspect ratios for each filter. High resolution photos are also supported.

Website: CameraBag for iPad