The Sony NEX-VG900 is the first Handycam with a 35mm full-frame sensor. The VG900 has a 24.3 megapixel Exmor full-frame CMOS sensor, Full HD 50p/25p/24p progressive movie recording, XGA OLED Tru-Finder, 3 inch XtraFine touch panel LCD and is compatible with full-frame A-mount lenses via a supplied adaptor. The Sony NEX-VG900 will be available in November for around £3000 / $3,300.

The NEX-VG30 has a 16.1 Exmor APS HD CMOS sensor and can shoot Full HD video footage at either 50p, 25p or 24p. Available in December, the Sony VG30 costs $1800 body-only or $2700 with the new E PZ 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 OSS Power Zoom lens.

Sony have launched no less than 10 new digital imaging products today, including three 35mm full-frame cameras. They are the:

- NEX-6, A99, DSC-RX1 cameras
- NEX-VG900, NEX-VG30 camcorders
- 10-18mm, 16-50mm Power Zoom, 35mm f1.8 (all E-mount), 300mm f2.8, Planar T 50mm F1.4 ZA SSM full-frame lenses

Hasselblad celebrates this year’s Masters award winners with the unveiling of the Hasselblad Masters Book Vol. 3 - a portfolio collection of the work the award winners created during their tenure as Hasselblad Masters interpreting the theme “Evoke.” All eleven winners will be attending Photokina and will receive their awards at the Hasselblad booth (Hall 2.1, Stand A-021/B-020). The book will be available for €79.90/$95/£65.

Hasselblad’s ‘next generation’ H System camera series, the Hasselblad H5D, will be showcased at the company’s press conference at Photokina, Cologne, Germany. Featuring a modernised design and a complete new electronic engine, the Hasselblad H5D Series will be available in 40-, 50- and 60-megapixel editions as well as 50- and 200-megapixel Multi-Shot versions, and will start shipping in December 2012. The cameras offer the largest and brightest optical viewfinder in the market, simultaneous raw+JPEG shooting, True Focus II technology providing accurate focus and immediate focus confirmation, larger and more ergonomic buttons, new sealing for improved weatherproofing and an optional battery adapter for standalone operation. In addition to the Hasselblad H5D Series cameras, the company also announced the HCD 24mm f/4.8 H System lens. which is equivalent to a 17mm lens in a 35mm system.

Dutch tripod brand Redged will launch a range of new products at this year’s Photokina. The line-up includes the Redged TSB-527 travel and macro tripod, the Redged RTA-532 five-section tripod that extends to a maximum height of 2m, the RNB-360 ballhead made for panoramic photography, the ultra-compact RNB-0 ballhead with a maximum load capacity of 4kg and two “monopoles,” i.e. extra-long extendible,monopods with maximum heights of 4m and 6m. In addition, the company also announced the launch of its new website.

Sunbounce will be presenting its newest innovation for creative lighting at the Photokina trade show held next week in Cologne, Germany. The Sunbounce Bounce-Wall is a compact system consisting of a supporting arm, flexible bracket and replaceable reflectors. It can be used not only with a hotshoe-mounted flash, as seen in the illustration above, but also with the sun as the light source. The Bounce-Wall is available from authorized retailers beginning 18th September, manufacturer’s suggested retail price €98.50.

At Photokina 2012, the LensPen Group will introduce five new lens, filter and display cleaning pens and an improved design on their sensor cleaning loupe. The new SensorKlear Loupe (pictured) features eight LEDs, which is double the four of the original model, and they’re powered by just two AAA batteries. Also, it’s easy to use; just remove the camera lens, place the Loupe on the aperture ring and turn on the light to inspect the sensor. Dry dust can be removed by the Hurricane Blower, while the SensorKlear II pen - which features an angled tip that can be inserted through the access window on the side of the loupe - allows users to “safely and easily” get rid of sticky particles.

The Carl Zeiss Apo Sonnar T* 2/135 is a new manual-focus telephoto lens for Canon and Nikon SLR cameras. Based around Carl Zeiss’s proven “floating elements” design, the Carl Zeiss Apo Sonnar T* 2/135 has a focal length of 135mm, maximum aperture of f/2, close-focus point of 80cm and a maximum reproduction ratio of 1:4. As with all other SLR lenses in the ZE and ZF.2 series, the Carl Zeiss T* anti-reflective coating as well as the sophisticated treatment of the elements’ edges with a deep-black special lacquer make the Apo Sonnar T* 2/135 resistant to reflections and stray light. When moving from the lens’ close-focus point to infinity, the focus ring turns by 268°, which enables ultra-precise focusing. The Carl Zeiss Apo Sonnar T* 2/135 will begin shipping in December 2012 at a recommended retail price of approximately €1.600+VAT or $2.000.

At the Photokina 2012 trade show, Carl Zeiss will present a full-frame manual-focus 55mm f/1.4 lens for SLR cameras (pictured), a sneak peek of a new family of auto focus lenses for CSCs, at least one fast lens with M bayonet mount, alongside the new Carl Zeiss Apo Sonnar T* 2/135 telephoto lens. The latest Nokia smartphone models with built-in Zeiss optics will again be on show at Carl Zeiss’s stand (hall 2.1, stand B011). Visitors will be able to try out all the products right on the spot, from high-quality SLR lenses, Sony cameras with Zeiss optics, Zeiss lenses for Sony system cameras to the new Nokia 808 PureView smart- phone with 41-megapixel camera sensor.

Imaging Without Boundaries is an exclusive event for Photokina 2012 taking place in Hall 6.1, Stand C009 – A009. Organised by Ilford and Imago 1:1, the event gives seven cutting-edge artists and organisations from around Europe the opportunity to demonstrate techniques that challenge the boundaries of photography and image making. Each participant has been allocated their own stand, where they will showcase image results produced by their creative approach to photography technique, image capture and image output. Visitors to Photokina are invited to learn more about the techniques featured in Imaging Without Boundaries in a daily programme of seminars hosted by each of the event participants. The seminar timetable can be downloaded from the website below.

Ilford has announced a diverse range of activity during the 2012 Photokina World of Imaging trade show. The company’s stand D.011 – E.010 in Hall 6.1 will host a gallery of works by renowned photographers and amateurs alike, with exhibition-quality prints made with Galerie Prestige inkjet media. The stand also features the work of Timothy Allen, the photographer for the BBC’s Human Planet series. The culmination of the ILFORD activity at photokina will be a major expansion of the five star Ilford Galerie Prestige range, comprising a total of five new inkjet photo papers.

PermaJet will arrive at Photokina 2012 with their biggest range of products to date. New additions to their line-up include the Mercury Ultra White Matt 405gsm inkjet canvas, 5-metre-length inkjet trial rolls of the PermaJet Oyster 271gsm and Ultra Pearl 295gsm media, an all-new Image Block Print Display System, a range of fast drying canvas protective varnishes in 2.5-litre cans, an anti-curl roller device and more. PermaJet’se full product range will be available to view at Photokina 2012, Hall 06.1 Stand D-020.

The new “Delta Pro” series from Hama comprises a photo tripod, a video tripod and two universal tripods. The two universal tripods “Delta Pro 180 3D” and “Delta Pro 160 3D” are each equipped with a three-way pan-tilt head, with the numbers 160 and 180 referring to the maximum height of the tripods in centimetres. The “Delta Pro 180 2D” video tripod comes with a smooth two-way pan-tilt head, while the “Delta Pro 180 Ball” photo tripod is equipped with a ball-head. The company hasn’t provided details on the tripods’ maximum load capacity and pricing. The new tripods will be on display at Photokina 2012, Hall 4.2, stand D 020 / E 029.

At Photokina 2012, Olympus will be challenging visitors to directly compare their own digital SLRs against the Olympus OM-D E-M5 in a low-light shoot-off. At the Olympus booth - Stand A11-B10 in Hall 2.2 - visitors will have a chance to put their camera’s picture quality to the test by pitting their own dSLR against an OM-D in the hands of a professional photographer. A model will pose for pictures taken by the public and the resident professional. A0-sized prints will show how well the OM-D E-M5 measures up. Other booth highlights include professional video making in the Audio Lounge and a Hello Terminal where you can have your picture taken against a backdrop.

If you can’t wait until Photokina, check out our own Olympus OM-D vs. Nikon D7000 head-to-head review!

Hama has announced the launch of its Quick Shoot Strap SC, a smaller version of the original Quick Shoot Strap. Featuring a three-point safety lock, the Hama Quick Shoot Strap SC allows the camera to be “moved from the carrying position to the ready position in a snap, without even moving the strap.” In addition, fourteen air cushions are integrated into the neoprene shoulder pad in order to absorb shocks. The Hama Quick Shoot Strap SC carries a recommended retail price of €45. The product will be on display at Photokina 2012, Hall 4.2, stand D 020 / E 029.

Hama has announced a new lineup of aha: camera bags called Skipp. Available in two sizes, Skipp bags feature rounded, overlapping cover flaps and flat accessory compartments divided into three sub-compartments. The 120 model (€49.99), in black or silver, is perfect for smaller system cameras with one additional interchangeable lens and no flash. The 150 size (€59.99) is ideal for larger single-lens reflex cameras with standard equipment. The new bags will be on display at Photokina 2012, Hall 4.2, stand D 020 / E 029.

Profoto today announced the Pro-B4 1000 Air battery generator, featuring flash durations down to 1/25,000 of a second. “Profoto’s new Pro-B4 1000 Air is the fastest, toughest and most versatile battery generator on the market today,” said Mark Rezzonico, VP Product Group. “With its unprecedented flash duration and world’s fastest recycling time, this new portable unit provides a world of creative possibilities for today’s fast-paced professional digital photographers.” At lower power settings the Profoto Pro-B4 1000 Air is capable of firing up to 30 flashes per second, while the maximum recycle time after a full-power discharge is less than a second. The unit’s energy setting can be adjusted with precise control in 1/10 f-stop increments. The Pro-B4 will be officially introduced at this year’s Photokina trade show. Pricing and availability to be confirmed.

Innova Art has unveiled two new additions to its award-winning Olmec brand of resin-coated papers. Launching at Photokina, the all-new 190gsm Photo Gloss and Lustre Lightweight papers offer photographers exciting new weights and finishes. Both new papers are bright white, water resistant and single-side coated.

Olympus have issued a vague press release that hints at a successor for the E-5 pro DSLR camera. The head of Olympus’ SLR planning team has said that the company is working on a new body for use with its best “Top Pro” lenses, like the 90-250mm f2.8 zoom. Akira Watanabe “emphasise(s) that Olympus is actively developing a solution and will announce more details in due course” - on the back of that statement, we’d expect to see at least an early mockup of the Olympus E-5 successor at the bi-annual Photokina show next month…

Innova Art will be drawing up in a traditional London red bus and celebrating the sporting highlights of London 2012 on its stand in Hall 6.1, stand B31, at Photokina. The company’s range of new and enhanced products - including a new, improved JetMaster, two new products in the Olmec range and a premium selection of IFA media - will also be on display. The Photokina trade show will be taking place from18-23 September in Cologne, Germany.