The Pentax 645 Digital camera looks like it will finally arrive in 2010. An official press release on the Pentax Japan website provides a target release date for both the 645D and the smc PENTAX-D FA645 55mm F2.8 lens. It also reveals that the 645 Digital will feature an image sensor with at least 30 megapixels. The Pentax 645 Digital has been shown in prototype form at various photography shows over the last few years.

Website: Pentax Japan

Pentax are ending production of the 67II and 645NII medium format film cameras. Pentax “has reluctantly decided to stop production” of the 67II and 645NII from next month because of “difficulty in sourcing electronic components”. The Pentax 67II was first released in 1998, and the Pentax 645NII in 2001. Both cameras were discontinued in Europe back in 2006, due to EU legislation on the use of lead solder.

Website: Pentax Japan

Tamron has just announced the development of a 60mm f2 macro lens for APS-C DSLRs. The Tamron SP AF 60mm f/2 Di II MACRO 1:1 offers 1:1 magnification at a working distance of 100mm (which translates into a focusing distance of 230mm from the sensor plane) and is a full stop faster than most other macro lenses manufactured today. With a diagonal angle of view of just over 26.5 degrees, it also doubles as a fast portrait lens. Other standout features include the employment of two low-dispersion elements to compensate for various aberrations, Broad-Band Anti-Reflection multi-layer coatings to enhance the light transmission factors in both the short and long wavelength ranges, internal focusing and full-time manual focus override. The Tamron SP AF 60mm f/2 Di II MACRO 1:1 lens is designed exclusively for APS-C sensors and is not meant to be used on full-frame DSLRs.

Price and availability date to be confirmed.

The Tokina AT-X 16.5-135 DX is a new ultra wide-range zoom lens for DSLR cameras with APS-C sensors. Offering an equivalent angle of view to 25-200mm, the Tokina 16.5-135mm lens is well suited to scenic and travel photography. Three aspherical elements, one all glass precision-molded element and 2 compound elements yield high contrast. Additionally two Super-low Dispersion (SD) glass elements correct chromatic aberration. The Tokina AT-X 16.5-135 DX will be available in the US for Nikon cameras in June and Canon in July.

Leica Camera AG have just released a firmware update for the Leica D-Lux 4 digital camera. The version 1.20 update offers the following improvements:

1. Optimised auto white balance performance.
2. Optimised auto focus performance.

Website: Leica D-Lux 4 Downloads

LaCie have just released LaCie Blue Eye Pro Proof Edition, a complete monitor calibration and profiling solution. Highlights of LaCie Blue Eye Pro Proof Edition include ensuring certified colours in a single click, UGRA soft proof-grade Test & Report function and switching between colorimetric environments without recalibrating. The suggested retail price of LaCie Blue Eye Pro Proof Edition is £269+VAT / $429.99.

Wozofoto.com is a new fine arts photography website whose goal is to bring high-quality photographic prints to aficionados at affordable prices. Every day a new photograph from a different photographer is posted and every day it’s the same price: $10 + shipping. This applies to 5x7” and 8x10” prints; poster sizes are available for an additional fee. Each photo is available for purchase for one day only, and the photo of the day is always changed at midnight CST. Photographers interested in selling their work are welcome.

Website: wozofoto.com

British press photographer Simon Taylor has submitted a petition to Downing Street 10 to remove new restrictions on photography in the United Kingdom. Section 76 of the Counter Terrorism Act, introduced on February 16, makes it an offence to “elicit, publish or communicate information” relating to members of the Armed Forces, police and intelligence services if that information is “likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism”. Those convicted under Section 76 could face a fine or up to 10 years’ imprisonment. The petition submitted by Taylor states that “We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to Remove new restrictions on photography in public places.” If you are a British citizen or resident, and agree with the petitioner’s aims, you can sign up at the following URL:

Website: Petition

Pentax have ruled out a move to higher megapixel sensors, and revealed their plans for full frame, medium format and EVF cameras. Talking about sensor resolution in APS-C DSLRs, Gabriele Remmers, Marketing Communication Manager of the Division of Imaging Systems of Pentax Europe says the “sensible limit [...] has been reached”, and also talks about Pentax’s full frame and medium format plans as well as whether Pentax sees a potential in interchangeable-lens EVF cameras. In an interview published in the April 2009 print issue of Germany’s fotoMAGAZIN, she argues that it is becoming more important to improve on other aspects of image quality, such as lowering noise without sacrificing fine detail and texture. This echoes the words of Olympus’ Akira Watanabe, who has recently claimed Olympus would stop increasing the pixel count of their DSLRs and concentrate on reining in noise and expanding dynamic range instead. Talking openly about challenges and priorities, Ms. Remmers also answers questions regarding Pentax’s full frame and medium format plans and reveals what the company thinks about interchangeable-lens system cameras sporting electronic viewfinders.

The National Press Photographers Association of the USA has announced the winners of ‘The Best of Photojournalism 2009’ award in eight categories. With no less than 53,000 entries submitted by 3,700 press photographers from 147 countries, picking the best must have been tough - and it’s not over yet. So far, the winners of the Sports Action, Sports Feature, The Art of Entertainment, Conceptual Photographic Illustration, Olympics Action, Olympics Feature, Natural Environment, and Sports Picture Story categories have been named, but judging will keep the jury busy for the rest of the week, right up until Friday, when the ‘Photojournalist of the Year’ and the ‘New America Award’ winners will be announced.

The European price and launch date of the Voigtländer Bessa III medium format rangefinder camera have been confirmed. The Bessa III, announced last autumn, now has a confirmed MSRP of 1999 euros. Availability is slated for May 2009. The Voigtländer Bessa III 667 (marketed in Japan as the Fujifilm GF670) is a folding bellows camera that uses 120 and 220 format roll film. With a special selector switch, you can specify whether you want it to shoot a 6x6 or a 6x7cm frame (the actual dimensions are 56x56mm and 56x69mm, respectively). The Bessa III features a HELIAR 80mm f/3.5 lens, whose angle of view is 53 degrees for 6x6cm frames, and 57 degrees for 6x7cm ones. Click through for more specs.

This year’s Worldwide Pinhole Photography Day will be held on April 26, and the organisers invite everyone who uses a pinhole camera to participate. Anyone who takes a pinhole photograph on the last Sunday of April (26th) and scans it can upload it to www.pinholeday.org where it becomes part of a public gallery. Pinhole cameras are the oldest photographic tools, which are used to create photos without a lens. So if you as a photographer are looking for routes to your roots, Pinhole Day may be just your ticket.

Kodak and LG have just signed a contract enabling LG to use Kodak’s OLED technology in a number of electronic devices, ranging from cell phones to television sets. According to a report by Engadget, neither company has issued an official press release yet, but if the story is to be believed, you might soon see LG branded computer screens and TVs featuring OLED (organic light emitting diode) displays. This could be beneficial to both editing and viewing digital photos, as Kodak claims OLED screens have “unsurpassed contrast and luminance”, offer “lifelike colour reproduction, vibrancy and brightness”, and are “easier to see in changing ambient light contitions”. On the other hand, OLED screens have historically been criticised for having a much shorter lifespan than other types of display.

Website: Engadget

Canon has released a new firmware update for the PowerShot SX1 IS camera. Version 2.0.0.0 firmware newly incorporates a RAW image recording function. A new version of Canon’s Digital Photo Professional software which can be used to develop RAW images is also available.

Website: Canon PowerShot SX1 IS Firmware 2.0.0.0

The Hot Shoe Diaries is a new book from Joe McNally that focuses on using small hot shoe flashes. Using Nikon Speedlights, McNally demonstrate how he makes his pictures with these small flash guns. The Hot Shoe Diaries is now available for $39.99.

The TrekPod GO! PRO is a new all-in-one monopod, tripod and hiking staff. “The TrekPod GO! PRO is a multi-tool for photographers on the go,” said Jim Clark, CEO of Trek-Tech. “It offers photographers the capability to do more and carry less. Because of its size and footprint, it can get into places large tripods can’t go, like soccer games and museums. It also takes you outdoors and travels easily.” Weighing 28 ounces, the TrekPod GO PRO comes complete with the MagMount PRO quick release ball head system which is rated for cameras up to 13.5 lbs. The TrekPod GO! PRO is available now for $229.99 / £149.99 inc vat.

Landscape and architectural photographer Tom Mackie is running a new landscape and architectural workshop in Andalucia, Spain. You will get the opportunity to learn from Tom in a very small team whilst shooting amazing images of Andalucia’s famous whitewashed villages. Tom will share the secrets to his success and show you how to keep your creative-eye looking for those unique shots that he achieves time after time. This event takes place on 19th - 26th May 2009.

Online storage provider Wuala has announced that it has merged with LaCie, manufacturer of external storage devices. Since its launch in August 2008, Wuala has grown rapidly thanks to its ease of use and the unique way of protecting its user’s privacy. “LaCie has a strong vision for where the future of storage is headed. This merge has allowed us to acquire a very innovative online storage solution that will transform our company from a leading hardware manufacturer to a comprehensive digital storage provider,” said Philippe Spruch, founder and CEO of LaCie.