Sony has released a 16GB, high-speed UDMA compact flash card. The 16GB Sony 300x Compact Flash offers a uper-fast 45MB/second write speed. This makes it the perfect partner for UDMA-enabled cameras such as Sony’s ? DSLR range, letting you to record more frames per second in continuous shooting mode. The card also comes with a 5 year warranty and image recovery service. Price and availability of the 16GB Sony 300x Compact Flash to be announced.

Eye-Fi has made the upload of digital photos from camera to computer using its wireless memory cards twice as fast. “Faster wireless uploads and the ability to add new services to your Eye-Fi card are significant advancements in making it more convenient and rewarding to save and share digital memories,” said Jef Holove, CEO of Eye-Fi. “Even better, we’re able to offer this new convenience and flexibility to current users as well as new customers.” Beginning October 5, new and existing Eye-Fi card owners can easily add features that are not already included on their cards and renew annual services.. Eye-Fi has also announced plans to expand its distribution internationally to Japan and Canada by the end of the year.

Leica and Phase One have agreed to enter into a long-term strategic alliance in the technical development and marketing of professional photography products. Close cooperation has also been decided upon for the expansion of effective service and marketing structures. ‘Our two companies are an outstanding match for each other due to the similarity of their corporate cultures, their extraordinary innovative strengths and their dedication to absolute quality. Together with Phase One we will soon be able to begin offering professional customers a new range of products and services.’ commented CEO of Leica Camera AG, Dr Andreas Kaufmann.

FotoTV, the largest online archive of films about photography of its kind, launches its English site FotoTV.com. ‘FotoTV’s unique and qualified online archive offers every enthusiast direct access to a host of artists, photographers and knowledge. What is unique about FotoTV is that viewers have access to a large number of films from just one site’ explains FotoTV founder, Marc Ludwig. FotoTV are offering new registered users 15 films free of charge in addition to a special introductory offer of €29.90 (approximately 42.60 $) for a year’s subscription, including more than 40 films at launch.

Microsoft have released the second version of Pro Photo Tools, a set of tools for photographers to perform various tasks with their images. The highlights of Microsoft Pro Photo Tools 2 include:

- Support for reading and writing metadata to/from XMP side cars so that metadata will interoperate with Adobe products. This is in addition to reading and writing from the file.
- Users can convert from RAW to JPEG, TIFF, and HD Photo using “As Shot” settings. This includes the ability to resize the image.
- Users can view actual RAW image in addition to thumbnails
- Support for 64-bit Windows
- Support for international locales
- Improved UI for geotagging your photos

Website: Download Microsoft Pro Photo Tools 2

The Seattle Sling is a new waterproof camera bag from the makers of Camera Armor. The Seattle Sling features complete protection from the elements, featuring interior dry-bag technology that provides weather-proof protection in addition to impact safety. Zipper-free with a sealed dry bag that is proven to hold air-tight even when fully submerged in water, the Seattle Sling is available now for $149.95.

HP Baryte Satin Art Paper delivers the look and feel of traditional argentic baryte papers. HP Baryte Satin Art Paper is designed with an acid buffered fiber base substrate, an authentic baryte smooth surface coating and a high-performance inkjet layer, which delivers long-lasting prints and exceptional image quality. HP Baryte Satin Art Paper is optimized for black and white and color prints, portraits, vintage photo reproductions, restorations and style renderings. Expected to be available worldwide ffrom Oct. 1, 2008, pricing for HP Baryte Satin Art Paper starts at $130 for a 610mm x 15.2m roll.

Samsung have introduced NaBee, a wirelss USB connection for digital cameras. Samsung NaBee allows for a simple, high-speed wireless communication between a digital still camera and PC. Plug the miniature dongle into the camera USB connector, and its matching dongle into the PC and it connects just like a standard USB cable. NaBee will be available in December 2008.

Nikon have just released a firmware update, version 1.11, for the 10 megapixel Nikon D80 DSLR camera. Version 1.11 resolves an issue which, in rare cases, causes the battery indicator to blink whilst shooting regardless of the level of charge in the battery.

Website: Nikon D80 Firmware Update 1.11 (Windows)
Website: Nikon D80 Firmware Update 1.11 (Mac)

Pentax’s Sales & Marketing Director of Imaging Systems, Mr. Toshiaki Iue, who recently joined the company in July, has stated that “Pentax’s relationship with Samsung is not perfect – there are some issues”, but went on to say that the two companies would continue their technology partnership for at least the near future. In a wide-ranging round-table interview held at Photokina, Mr Iue candidly answered questions on a wide range of topics, including Pentax’s future plans for their long-delayed digital 645 medium format camera, the potential impact of Micro Four Thirds, and their relationship with parent company Hoya.

The new AgfaPhoto DC-1338sT camera has a 3” touch screen LCD display. A gentle touch – either with a finger or a stylus – of the display is all it takes for the user interface to open. The AgfaPhoto DC-1338sT also features a 3x optical zoom, 10-megapixel resolution, sensitivity up to ISO 3200 and 22 scene modes. The AgfaPhoto DC-1338sT will be available from the end of October for 179 euros.

Kodak has introduced two new all-in-one printers, the ESP 9 and ESP 7. Featuring an intelligent paper tray system which automatically adjusts settings based on paper type, size and amount, the Kodak ESP 9 and Kodak ESP 7 also offer Wi-Fi printing and a 10” one-touch control panel on the ESP 9. Both models promise to save consumers up to £75 a year on ink, compared to other leading consumer inkjet printers. The Kodak ESP 7 and ESP 9 AiO printers will cost £199.99 and £299.99 respectively, available from November.

Ilford Galerie Graphic is a new inkjet paper for professional photographers seeking more specialised media. Available in rolls from 17” to 44”, the Galerie Graphic product line includes Self adhesive vinyl, backlit transparency material, pop-up display media, heavyweight matt paper and ultra white pearl and gloss finishes. Ilford Galerie Graphic will be available in the UK from October 1st through JP Distribution.

Canon USA is revamping its Canon Professional Services (CPS) program in early 2009. The new CPS program, which will require all existing members to reapply, will offer three levels of membership – Silver, Gold and Platinum. “A day without a camera is a day without revenue. It is with this sense of urgency that Canon U.S.A. is upgrading the level of service provided by our CPS program to better support our Canon professionals in the field,” stated Yuichi Ishizuka, senior vice president and general manager, Consumer Imaging Group, Canon U.S.A., Inc. CPS Silver level membership will be offered free-of-charge. CPS Gold level membership will have an annual fee of $100, and CPS Platinum $500.

Leaf and Sinar are expanding their strategic alliance to include sharing of digital imaging technology. The first step of the planned cooperation will provide access for Sinar AG to the new Leaf AFi-II medium format system. “Our intention is to combine the extraordinary image quality and digital technology of Leaf products with Sinar’s vast knowledge and experience in creating superior medium format cameras,” said Dov Kalinski, general manager of Leaf. “As we expand our strategic cooperation with Sinar, we expect to see more new products that enhance the offerings of both companies.”

The Gorillapod Focus from Joby is a unique, bendable tripod engineered to support SLR cameras with larger telephoto lenses. The Gorillapod Focus provides the stability of a standard tripod at a fraction of the size and weight – only 1.1 pounds (500g). It uses a stainless steel screw for maximum strength to support 11 pounds (5kg) of gear. The new Joby Gorillapod Focus costs $149.95.

The Complete Collection includes all of the latest versions of Nik Software’s products available at a discounted price of $599, a saving of $450 if purchased separately. All products now include Nik’s patented U Point technology for precise control of selective editing functions. “The Complete Collection offers photographers an opportunity to buy all Nik Software products at substantial savings,” said Michael J. Slater president and CEO of Nik Software. “And with U Point technology fully integrated into all of our plug-in products, photographers can do even more with their images and have complete selective control within all Nik products,” Slater concluded. Each of the software products in the bundle installs as a plug-in filter for either Adobe Photoshop or Apple Aperture 2.1.

Lexar has increased the speed of its professional Compact Flash memory cards to 233x. The Lexar Professional 233x CF memory cards are now UDMA-enabled and capable of minimum-sustained read and write speeds of 35MB per second, a considerable improvement over the previous read and write speeds of 20MB per second. “The new Lexar Professional 233x CF cards provide the reliability, speed, and capacity photographers require to shoot continuously and confidently, while improving post-production workflow capabilities.” said Greg Agustin, senior product marketing manager, Lexar. The new cards are also complemented by the line of Lexar Professional UDMA-compatible high-speed card readers.

Lexar has introduced a Kodak branded 16GB SDHC Card. The new 16GB Kodak SDHC High-Speed Card is speed-rated at 60x, capable of minimum sustained read and write speeds of 9MB per second. “The KODAK SDHC High-Speed Card is an excellent choice for not only Kodak cameras, but all SDHC-compatible digital cameras. The strength of the KODAK brand paired with Lexar’s high-speed, high-capacity capabilities enables users of the card to experience the enhanced benefits of today’s digital cameras.” said Manisha Sharma, director of product marketing, Lexar. The 16GB Kodak SDHC Card will be available in October.

The Pentax AF160FC is a new auto macro flash designed for use with Pentax DSLR cameras. This new accessory flash unit utilises the automatic exposure-control system of Pentax’s DSLRs, producing uniform lighting on close-up subjects. The Pentax AF160FC has a maximum guide number of 16 and features a single control dial on the back panel to simplify flash-mode changes and discharge-level adjustments. Price and availability of the Pentax AF160FC to be announced.