Spudz lens cloths and Camovers neoprene pouches are now available in the UK. Spudz are available in a range of colour designs and sizes and prices start from £2.99. Unlike other lens cloths, the Spudz lens cloth stays attached to the inside of the storage pouch. Camovers neoprene pouch offers complete protection from the elements and keeps it insulated from abrasive objects

DIWA has today announced two prestigious DIWA Gold Awards for the Nikon D300 and D60 DSLR cameras. Test Manager of DIWA Labs, Kai Thon, commented: “For many years, Nikon have been an industry leader in technological developments, but in recent months they have displayed elevations larger than ever, most of them included in models like the D60 and the D300. Computer-based analytic test results from our sophisticated DIWA Labs and expert reviews from DIWA member websites unanimously conclude that both models are highly competitive in either market segment”. The Digital Imaging Websites Association (DIWA) is a fast growing group of independent Web-based specialist publications dedicated to digital imaging.

Samsung are currently working on their third DSLR camera, scheduled for release in 2009. According to the report by What Digital Camera, Samsung’s new DSLR will be jointly developed with Pentax and will be based around an APS-C size sensor. The as yet un-named model will be significantly different to the current GX-20 (pictured), with video recording a possible inclusion.

Website: What Digital Camera - Samsung confirms plans for new DSLR

Adobe have released the final versions of Camera Raw 4.6 and DNG Converter 4.6 for both Windows and Mac platforms. Newly supported camera models in Version 4.6 include:

Canon 1000D (Digital Rebel XS/EOS Kiss F), Canon 50D, Fuji FinePix IS Pro, Kodak EasyShare Kodak Z1015 IS, Leaf AFi II 6, Leaf AFi II 7, Leaf Aptus II 6, Leaf Aptus II 7, Nikon D700, Nikon D90, Nikon Coolpix P6000, Olympus SP-565 UZ, Pentax K2000 (K-m), Sigma DP1, Sony A900

Website: Adobe Camera Raw 4.6 (Windows)
Website: Adobe Camera Raw 4.6 (Mac)

The LowePro Classified AW is a new range of camera bags specifically designed for photojournalists. Classified AW shoulder bags feature a discreet and slim profile, are contoured to be comfortable, and move easily with the body to help navigate a busy street. The largest model of the series also accommodates up to a 15.4” widescreen notebook computer, and all models feature Lowepro’s patented All Weather Cover to protect from the elements. “Classified AW delivers a full set of workmanlike features, plus a modern, off-hours appeal that Lowepro believes will speak to the photojournalist who wants style and substance in his or her camera bag.” said Nicole Mummenhoff, Senior Vice President of Worldwide Marketing, Lowepro. The new LowePro Classified AW range will be available in early November 2008.

The Olympus mju 1040 Crystal is a special limited edition camera featuring a crystallized protective sliding lens barrier. A glittering arrangement of 98 crystallized Swarovski Elements is included on the camera’s black body. The special edition Olympus 1040 Crystal will be available from the end of October 2009 in limited quantities for £175.

Fujifilm have unveiled a new accessory kit for the FinePix S100FS digital camera. A fitted shoulder bag, additional two years warranty and Corel Paint Shop Pro X2 software are included. The Fujifilm S100FS accessory kit will be available in October 2008 in the US for $59.99.

Andrew Sassoli-Walker, from Southampton, UK, is the winner of the Container Shipping Information Service global photography competition. Launched in August, and entitled ‘The box that changed our lives’, competition applicants were asked to email unusual or creative pictures of container boxes. Judge Nick Souza said: “Container shipping affects every single one of us. We might think that they are boring steel boxes, but this competition has shown them in a new light and exposed the variety of places, climates and uses that they are put through.”

The Face of Church Street is a new photo exhibition by Richard Nolan-Neylan which puts the spotlight on small business owners in Church Street, Stoke Newington, London. Church Street is a rare street in modern Britain, with no corporate chain stores, only independent traders. An exhibition of Nolan-Neylan’s images are on display at The Blue Legume Café in Church Street, Stoke Newington from 16th October - 13th November.

Pentax have dropped the price of the 14.6 megapixel Pentax K20D DSLR camera to $995 in the US. This price is for the K20D body only. Pentax have also reduced the Option W60 waterproof compact camera to $299.95.

Delkin’s Secure Digital to CompactFlash card adapter allows you to use SD and SDHC cards in a CF device. “We realized that many different groups of users, not only photographers, could benefit from an SD to CF adapter so we worked to come up with the most useable device - one that is SDHC compatible and that can be fully inserted into CF-only devices.”  said Martin Wood, Delkin’s CEO. The Delkin SD-CF adapter is now available for $29.99.

Acronis True Image Home 2009 is a new disk imaging and backup software application for home users. True Image protects users’ PCs and allows them to recover quickly from the impact of threats such as viruses, unstable software downloads and failed hard drives. New features in the 2009 edition include a Vista-like user interface, one-step protection and powerful search tools. Acronis True Image Home provides both full image and file-based backups. Acronis Tue Image Home 2009 is available now for £39.95.

Around 13,000 new and boxed Vivitar cameras are being sold at auction, after Vivitar UK went into administration last month. The sale starts on 14th October and ends on the 16th, with 990 lots up for grabs, so if you’ve ever wanted to buy more than 10 cameras at once for a song, now is your chance. The Vivitar worldwide brand name was recently purchased by Sakar International, who intend to continue selling Vivitar-branded digital cameras in the US.

Website: Vivitar Camera Auction

O’Reilly author Harold Davis is running a free webinar about night photography. Davis will demystify exposure techniques at night, and explain how he post-processes night photos. The night photography webinar will take place on October 17 at 10am PDT. Attendance is limited, so register now.

The new Kenro Light Box includes a built-in daylight balanced flat-panel top light. Billed as the ideal studio accessory for small product shots, the Light Box uses a daylight 144W fluorescent lamp and can be adjusted either forwards or backwards, in addition to also having a tilting feature. Paul Kench, Kenro’s managing director: says “Now anyone can shoot professionally-lit products with ease. This light table has all you need to produce very professional-looking images on a pure white background. The Kenro Light Box is available now for £640.38.

The UK price of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1 has now been confirmed. At the UK press launch held at Wembley stadium yesterday, Panasonic revealed that the World’s first Micro Four Thirds camera will cost £599 when it launches on 1st November. Various deals will be available to retailers, including a £50 cash-back, free 3 year warranty and a 1/2 price second lens, so the street price of the G1 may well fall to £499 before too long. The 45-200mm telephoto lens will cost £329.99 and also be available on 1st November. In the US, the price has been confirmed as $699 (both quoted prices are for the G1 with the 14-45mm kit lens).

The Shape Shifter backpack from Think Tank Photo is the first backpack specifically designed to expand and contract to fit your equipment. It can be compressed to just 3 inches in width once your equipment is removed, but can still pack in 2 pro size DSLR’s, 70-200 2.8, 24-70 2.8, wide angle 2.8 lenses, strobes and up to a 17” laptop. After your main gear is removed, you can continue to carry your laptop and accessories, but in a much smaller package. The Shape Shifter is scheduled for release in December.

Kingston Technology have announced the DataTraveler 150, a new high capacity 32GB USB drive.  The DataTraveler 150 (DT150) USB Flash drive allows users to conveniently combine work-related content and personal digital content on the same drive with plenty of room to spare.  Users can now transport and share entire libraries of music, photos, large business documents, and even video without ever having to change USB drives or search other portable storage devices containing specific content. “As file sizes increase especially with content such as music and photos, the need for small form factor storage drives with high capacities will continue to go up. The DT 150 certainly addresses those needs today.” said Mark Akoubian, Flash business manager, Kingston. The Kingston 32GB DataTraveler 150 costs $139.

You can take part in the Body Worlds exhibition in London by submitting photos of yourself showing how you have aged. Opening at The O2 on October 24th, Gunther von Hagens’ Body Worlds are the only public anatomical exhibitions that stem from an established body donation program and use donated bodies. Images for the ‘My Life in Pictures’ part of the exhibition can be of an individual or a family at various stages of life. The submissions that best chronicle and represent a life from childhood to current age, or show multi-generational family members over a lifetime will be chosen for the display. A special preview event will be held for those whose photos become part of the montage.

National Geographic is releasing a new photography book, Visions of Paradise, answering the question what is “Heaven on Earth.” Visions of Paradise is a collection of 82 world-renowned photographers of National Geographic and features 155 images divided into three themes-land, water and air. Along with this book, National Geographic is inviting the public to submit images that best represent their unique vision of heaven on earth to the Visions of Paradise Photography Contest, starting October 21 and lasting until December 21, 2008.