The terms and conditions of participating in the E1|R1 Photo Award are now available online. As the first of its kind, the international E1|R1 Photo Award for professional photographers seeks the most beautiful and powerful photographs in the environment of the European long-distance paths, E1, for hikers, and R1 for cyclists. Entrants may submit photo series with at least three and at most four motifs to one of 4 categories including, “Culture and Landscape”, “Man and Nature”, “Sky and Earth” and “Animal and Nature”. The submission window opens on 1 December 2017 and closes on 31 March 2018. The winners in each individual category, the overall winner, as well as the winner of the prize for the promotion of young talent (chosen by Olympus) will be selected by a professional jury. The overall winner of the professional award will receive a prize to the value of 12,000 Euros, while the winner of each category will receive 3,500 Euros each.

The Yashica digiFilm Y35 is a new digital camera offering a similar shooting experience as an old film camera. Featuring a 1/3.2"-type 14-megapixel sensor, a 35mm (eq.) f/2.8 lens, a built-in viewfinder and five shutter speeds, the Yashica Y35 takes different digiFilms such as "ISO400/27° Black & White" or "ISO1600/33 High-Speed Colour," and saves the resulting photos on an SD card. In other words, instead of choosing a picture style and ISO speed from a menu, as you'd do with a regular digital camera, you need to physically insert a cartridge as with a film camera.  Actually, the Yashica digiFilm Y35 does not even have an LCD screen - to change cartridges (and batteries), you need to open the rear cover, similarly to the way you would change film in an analogue camera. The only controls on the Y35 are the shutter release, a shutter speed selector and a winder (which doesn't actually advance the "film," of course, but enhances the illusion of shooting a film camera). Backers pledging HK$1,108 (US$142) or more on Kickstarter will get a Yashica digiFilm Y35 camera plus two digiFilms, whereas those pledging HK$1,248 (US$160) will get the camera and four different digiFilms. Shipments are expected to commence in April 2018.

The third edition of the ZEISS Photography Award is now open for entries. Launching with a new brief of “Seeing Beyond - Untold Stories”, photographers from around the world are invited to submit their best series of work before the competition closes on 6 February 2018. The winner and a shortlist of up to ten talented photographers will be announced on 3 April. Winning images, as well as selected shortlisted photographers, will be shown alongside the Sony World Photography Awards Exhibition at Somerset House in London, from 20 April - 6 May.

Google have posted a large number of high-resolution sample photos taken with their new Pixel 2 smartphone. Covering several genres ranging from still life to action, landscapes and portraiture, these Google Pixel 2 samples demonstrate a remarkable dynamic range - especially those taken in HDR mode -, good overall colour, varying levels of detail and some processing artefacts. You can download the full-size originals from the website below.

Website: Google Pixel 2 Sample Photos

Alien Skin Software today released Exposure X3, the latest version of their non-destructive raw photo editor and organiser. This edition brings new colour and B&W toning enhancements that give photographers greater control over their image adjustments. Powerful new organising tools include virtual copies for editing multiple variations of a single photo, without taking up additional disk space. Exposure’s intuitive keywords interface enables photographers to add descriptive metadata to their photo, making it easy to organize photos around themes and to create keyword sets. The advanced collections tools help them quickly and easily group their images, no matter where they appear on their computer. Exposure X3 is available for $149. Existing users can upgrade for $99.

Samyang have just announced their fourth autofocus lens for Sony's full-frame E-mount cameras, the Samyang AF 35mm F1.4 FE. The optical formula comprises 11 elements in 9 groups and features 2 aspherical lenses and 2 high-refractive lenses, plus Ultra Multi Coating. The lens will be available globally from November and will carry a suggested retail price of £599.

OmegaBrandess will demonstrate its complete line of products and services at this year's PDN PhotoPlus International Conference + Expo in New York City. "We are excited that OmegaBrandess Distribution will join us at this year's PhotoPlus Expo," said Mike Gangel, Show Director at PhotoPlus Expo.  “The show continues to bring together innovative manufacturers, world class photographers, and imaging experts to create an incredible learning experience.  OmegaBrandess certainly adds to that learning experience." Attendees at this year's show will have an opportunity to receive hands-on demos of OmegaBrandess’ latest products including HyperJuice USB-C Hubs & Chargers, Gary Fong SnootSleeve, Intova Action Cameras and more.

RED have announced the Monstro 8K VV, a new cinematic full-frame sensor for WEAPON cameras. Billed as an "evolutionary step beyond the RED Dragon 8K VV sensor," the new Monstro 8K VV promises improvements in image quality, including dynamic range (to the tune of 17+ stops!) and shadow detail. The combination of a WEAPON camera and the Monstro 8K VV imager offers full-frame lens coverage, captures 8K full format motion at up to 60 fps, produces detailed 35.4-megapixel stills, and delivers data speeds of up to 300 MB/s. “RED’s internal sensor programme continues to push the boundaries of pixel design and Monstro is the materialization of our relentless pursuit to make the absolute best image sensors on the planet,” says Jarred Land, President of RED Digital Cinema. “The full-frame 8K VV Monstro provides unprecedented dynamic range and breathtaking color accuracy with full support for our IPP2 pipeline.” The Monstro 8K VV will replace the current RED Dragon sensor in RED’s lineup, and customers that had previously placed an order for a Dragon 8K VV imager will be offered this new sensor instead.

DxOMark have released their detailed findings on the Nikon D850-'s 45.7-megapixel full-frame sensor, which has become the first DSLR imager to hit 100 points on the DxOMark Sensor scale. "The introduction of the first BSI sensor in a full-frame Nikon DSLR with a super-high 45.7Mp resolution puts the Nikon D850’s image quality on par with, and often better than, medium-format cameras," the company says. "The first DSLR to hit 100 points — rather apt for Nikon’s hundredth anniversary year — puts the Nikon D850 in a class of its own for image quality." You may also want to read our own review of the Nikon D850 camera.

The Drone Major Group is the first company in the world to provide an integrated suite of products and services to every part of the rapidly-evolving global drone industry. Central to Drone Major Group is the launch of a new portal - Drone Major, the World’s first online portal which will provide critical connectivity to one of the fastest growing industries predicted to reach $100billion by 2020. The new portal facilitates the sale of drones and drone-related equipment and services throughout the world.

Jessops now offer a personalised advent calendar service. Customers can personalise their calendars with their favourite photos from the year for £6.99-£29.99. Designing an advent calendar is easy: simply select your size, format and chocolates and then add your favourite photos. The company offers a total of seven different designs and sizes to choose from.

Caldwell Photographic and Metabones have announced the Speed Booster Q666, also known as “The Devil’s Speed Booster”, exclusively for Pentax Q series cameras. The unusual nickname apparently stems from the fact that the new adapter boasts a record-breaking f/0.666 aperture and a 0.5x magnification. Like all Metabones Speed Boosters, the Speed Booster Q666 is optimised to fully account for the camera’s filter stack located near the sensor surface.  This is especially critical at the maximum aperture of f/0.666.  As a result, a huge range of optics, from vintage film lenses to the latest digital designs, will function flawlessly when adapted to any Pentax Q camera.  Planned lens mounts for the Speed Booster Q666 include a Pentax-K version and a Nikon F/G version with what Metabones claim to be "the most advanced Nikon G aperture adjustment mechanism in the industry." The Speed Booster Q666 is available from the Metabones website and its worldwide dealer network for $489.

Via Pentax Rumors

Designed for owners of fixed prime lens cameras and the growing range of CSCs, Billingham today announced the Billingham 72 camera bag. The Billingham 72 will come in five colour combinations, including Sage FibreNyte and Chocolate Leather, Khaki Canvas and Tan Leather, Burgundy Canvas and Chocolate Leather (pictured), Black Canvas and Tan Leather, and Black FibreNyte & Black Leather. 

Made in England at the Billingham factory, the 72 offers extensive protection thanks to a newly-designed arrangement of structured, highly dense foam in a continuous double layer around the whole body of the bag. This special fortified padding safeguards the entire camera and lens, keeping all edges and corners fully protected. The bag’s Quick Release System comprises a strong leather tab and brass ClogBall, enabling fast opening with one hand to retrieve the camera, while securing the equipment in transit. The Billingham 72 is available to order now for £100 (including VAT) from Billingham stockists in the UK.

The Hasselblad Masters Awards 2018 is now open to the public vote until the end of October 2017 on the company's website. This year’s competition was bigger than ever with 11 categories, including the brand new ‘Aerial’ sector that pays tribute to Hasselblad’s history of aerial photography. The public can vote by visiting Hasselblad’s website and select from the top 10 finalists in each category. Winners will not only receive the coveted accolade but will take home a state-of-the-art medium-format Hasselblad camera and have their work published in the Hasselblad Masters commemorative book.

Datacolor have launched their redesigned website, datacolor.com. In order to make visitors feel more at home, the website has been translated into four languages; English, Simplified Chinese, French and German. Additionally, the redesign makes it easier than ever for Datacolor’s visitors to learn the importance of colour management across multiple industries and is supported by colourful illustrations.

As they browse, customers are encouraged to learn more about the right solution for them through the Academy, including real-life use cases, educational resources like webinars and tutorials, events, press releases and the Datacolor blog. The blog contains richer online content such as technical tips, featured products and interesting news.

Manfrotto today announced a new range of smart traveller tripods. The Manfrotto Element Carbon range currently includes two models. Both feature a compact and sturdy carbon fibre construction that makes them strong but still very portable. The three leg-angle positions mean they are highly versatile. The twist lock mechanism enables photographers to get into the right position fast, in a few, easy moves, while the aluminium ball head is designed to deliver the fast movement when framing and a firm lock for setting equipment up exactly as you need it. The ball head mounts an Arca-type quick release plate with a 1/4"-20 camera screw on top that ensures equipment is balanced even when using zoom lenses. The Element Carbon Tripods have a payload of 4kg on the small tripod, and 8kg on the big tripod and feature a branded Manfrotto bag, an additional set of spike feet (big tripod only) and an Allen key to fix and tighten your gear. In addition, the Element Traveller Carbon Big Tripod features a detachable leg which, when removed and attached to the centre column, becomes a full-size monopod. The Element Carbon Tripods are available from £174.95.