We’ve just published sample photos and a video taken with the brand new Nikon Coolpix P6000 compact camera. The Nikon P6000 is a 13.5 megapixel compact camera with built-in GPS and RAW support. There are 40 full-sized JPEGs, 9 RAWs and 1 video for you to download. Our full Nikon Coolpix P6000 review will be published very soon…

Website: Nikon Coolpix P6000 Photos

Adobe has added RAW file support for 15 digital cameras to Lightroom 2.1 and Camera Raw 5.1, including the Nikon D90 and Canon EOS 50D. The Lightroom 2.1 update also includes improvements to Photoshop integration, Web module stability for Microsoft Windows Vista 64-bit operating systems, performance with 64-bit Mac OS X 10.5 Macintosh computers, and Keyword migration from Lightroom. In addition, Adobe has released a new set of camera profiles available on Adobe Labs.

DxO Optics Pro v5.3 is a major new release of the automatic image quality enhancement solution for digital SLR and compact camera users. DxO Optics Pro 5.3 adds more RAW support, 64-bit Windows compatibility, support for Adobe Lightroom 2, and new DxO Optics Correction Modules. “The noise removal technology for RAW images featured in DxO Optics Pro 5.3 opens up exciting options to photographers providing them with up to a 2-stop gain at photo capture, as if digital grain never really existed,” says Cyrille de La Chesnais, director of the photography business at DxO Labs. “This translates into a dramatic increase in capture flexibility.”

The second annual Photographers of Tomorrow student photography contest has just started. Open to certain US universities, the theme of this year’s contest is “Your World: The Art of Technology Through Your Eyes”. “The Photographers of Tomorrow contest is a way for the next generation of pro photographers to showcase their work nationally, build their portfolios, and be recognized by their peers and critiqued by some of the world’s most accomplished photographers,” said John Knaur, senior marketing manager, Digital SLR, Olympus Imaging America Inc. The grand prize winner will receive a $5,000 scholarship and an Olympus E-3 camera, ED 12-60mm f2.8/4.0 SWD Zoom lens, ED 50-200mm f2.8/3.5 SWD Zoom lens and gadget bag.

Hoya has launched a brand new range of High Definition lens filters. Available in Protector, UV and Circular Polariser types in sizes from 52mm through to 82mm, the Hoya HD filters feature 99.35% light transmission from an 8-layer anti-reflective multi-coating. The HD coating also makes the filter water and oil repellent and scratch and stain resistant. pricing starts from £32.99 for the 52mm Protector filter.

SeeHere.com is a new website from Fujifilm that allows you to share and manage your images, and order prints, photo products and gifts. You can create personal web pages from your photos and share them easily and safely with family and friends. “The launch of SeeHere.com is consistent with Fujifilm’s long-held belief that, as a leader in the imaging industry, we have a responsibility to promote the enjoyment and power of the photographic image, and to stimulate photo printing.” said Joan Rutherford, Vice President, Marketing Web for the Imaging Division of FUJIFILM U.S.A. Inc.

Corel are giving away a Sony A300 DSLR in the ‘Before and After’ photo competition. To enter, you have to improve your most dreadful photo using Corel Paint Shop Pro Photo X2 and then submit both the ‘before’ and ‘after’ image. Corel have provided some video tutorials for that extra bit of help. All entries must be submitted by Thursday 18th December 2008.

A Hands-on Guide to Creative Lighting is a new instructional DVD about Nikon’s Creative Lighting System. National Geographic Traveler photographer Bob Krist and photojournalist and lighting expert Joe McNally guide viewers on advanced creative lighting techniques. Krist and McNally teach viewers how to get the most from their Nikon Speedlights. “A Hands-on Guide to Creative Lighting” presented by Nikon School will be available from November 1st 2008 for $39.95.

Apple has just updated Aperture, its pro photo management and RAW conversion application. The Aperture 2.1.2 update improves the printing quality of books, cards and calendars ordered through the Aperture printing service. The update is recommended for all customers using Aperture 2.

Website: Apple Aperture 2.1.2 Update

Olympus have reduced the price of the E-420 DSLR camera to less than £300 in the UK. Greg Connell, General Sales Manager - Digital SLR, said of the new price structure: “The price drop for the E-420 shows Olympus’ determination to offer the consumer an award-winning product at an even more competitive level. Consumers will now be able to enjoy an Olympus D-SLR at a similar price to some compacts.” Effective from today, the E-420 will cost £289.99 body only, £349.99 with the 14-42mm kit lens, and £449.99 with the 14-42mm and 40-150mm kit lenses.

Blurb has added a new Premium Paper offering to its range of photo books. Aimed at professional photographers, the 100-pound text silk-finish paper features improved opacity and superior print quality. Premium Paper is available from October 23rd to all Blurb users across Blurb’s Global Print Partner Network, which supports over 60 countries with access to 80 HP Indigo presses. “This is a big deal for Blurb users – many of whom are professionals who use our platform to create portfolios and to sell books to their clients,” said Eileen Gittins, founder and CEO of Blurb. “Premium Paper is yet another example of our commitment to these people, and to delivering superior quality and consistency. Our users can now make higher quality books than ever before.”

General Imaging are launching the GE digital camera range in the Middle East. The 2008 lineup of GE cameras will be shown at the GITEX Shopper & Consumer Electronics Expo show in Dubai. “The Middle East is rapidly becoming a critical region in the world of consumer electronics, and we are delighted to make our first appearance at GITEX,” commented CEO and Chairman Hiroshi “Hugh” Komiya. “This show gives us a good opportunity to reach out to not only the imaging industry in that part of the world but directly to consumers as well.”

Epson has extended its Collect&Recycle initiative to include postal return of inkjet printer cartridges. This programme aims to provide home users and small businesses with an easy, free solution to return their empty inkjet cartridges for recycling.  The Epson Collect&Recycle initiative has been running in Europe since February 2006, until now focusing on laser printer cartridges. 100% of the cartridges collected through the scheme are recycled: their plastic components are re-used in manufacturing and construction as raw materials, while metal parts are smelted and re-used in other industrial applications.

The Ricoh R10 is a compact 10 megapixel camera with a 7x, 28-200mm, image-stabilized zoom lens that you can easily fit in your pocket. New features include a high-resolution 3 inch LCD screen, Easy shooting mode, electronic leveller, customisable Function button and flash compensation. The R10 also has a new aggressive price-tag of £199 in the UK. Read our in-depth review now to discover if the Ricoh R10 deserves a place on your camera shortlist.

Website: Ricoh R10 Review

Lisa Visser has been named as the 2008 British Professional Photographer of the Year. The announcement was made at the British Professional Photography Awards (BPPA) in Newcastle on Sunday 19th October. Lisa, based at Hamilton Studios in East Grinstead, West Sussex has been a portrait photographer since 1988 and is recognised as one of the UK’s top child and baby photographers.

The new BenQ E1050t digital camera features an innovative touch-screen interface. You can use the 3 inch touch-screen LCD display to take pictures by tapping the screen, zoom in by circling the subject, and control video playback or browse photos by swiping the screen. The 10 megapixel E1050t also features a 3x optical zoom lens, AF Assist Lamp, HD 16:9 mode, Night Scene and 29 shooting modes.

Canon have unveiled their latest rebate promotion, covering a selection of lenses and flashguns. There’s up to $125 off lenses, including $50 off the brand new Canon EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS lens (pictured), and $50 off flashguns. All the rebates run from 19th October 2008 to 17th January 2009.

Website: Canon USA - Current Promotions

The SilverFast Archive Suite allows for fast and easy archiving of slides, negatives and reflective originals. Two programs, SilverFast Ai IT8 Studio and SilverFast HDR Studio, are included in the SilverFast Archive Suite. An integrated Color Management System which meets professional standards completes the package.

lynda.com has just launched its CS4 University online training courses. 28 training courses are available now with over 100 hours of instructional videos. lynda.com is also the exclusive in-the-box video training provider for Adobe Creative Suite 4. Lynda Weinman, co-founder of lynda.com, said, “As the software landscape continually evolves, a lynda.com Online Training Library subscription remains the most comprehensive and efficient way for designers, instructors, students, and hobbyists to keep their skill sets up to date.”

Epson has launched three new photography, imaging and printing training courses. The new courses cover art and macro photography, scanning, and live portrait photography. The original Print Academy, Art and Macro Photography and Scan courses cost £65, with the Live Portrait Photography workshop priced at £99.