The Society of International Nature and Wildlife Photographers (SINWP) has announced the winners of the Wonders of Wildlife photography competition. Malcolm Blackburn from Derbyshire, England was chosen as the winner for his image entitled Zebras at Dawn. "It was taken just after 6:00 am after a dry spell which produced the dust in the shot," Malcolm says. "It was taken on my Canon 5D Mk3 and the Canon 100-400mm Mk2 lens at 400mm. Exposure was 1/500 at f8 and 640 ISO.’’ The runners-up include Ian Stone from Kent and Lawrence Eagling from County Antrim, Northern Ireland.

The Photographer’s Guide to the Panasonic Lumix DC-ZS70/TZ90 by Alexander S. White is a new title from White Knight Press. A follow-up to the author’s earlier guides, the Photographer’s Guide to the Panasonic Lumix DC-ZS70/TZ90 explains all operations, features, menus, and controls of the camera in clear language, providing guidance not only about how to accomplish various tasks with the camera, but when and why to use certain features. The book includes a full discussion of the video recording abilities of the ZS70 camera, which offers manual control of exposure and focus during movie recording, and provides ultra-high definition 4K recording of motion pictures. It also explains the camera’s features for extracting still images from 4K video and using the Post Focus and Focus Stacking features to produce sharply focused images after a shooting session. The book is available for $9.99 in PDF, Kindle, and ePub formats. The paperback version is available for $24.95.

Sony have just unveiled VENICE, their first full-frame digital motion picture camera system. The camera combines a newly developed 36x24mm full-frame sensor and compatibility with a wide range of lenses, including anamorphic, Super 35mm and full-frame PL mount for a greater range of expressive freedom with shallow depth of field. The lens mount can also be changed to handle E-mount lenses for shooting situations that require smaller, lighter, wider and more characteristic lenses. A new colour management system and wide colour gamut gives users more control and greater freedom to work with images during grading and post-production. VENICE also has more than 15 stops of latitude to handle challenging lighting situations. Additionally, it is the film industry's first camera with a built-in 8-stage glass ND filter system. The VENICE CineAlta digital motion picture camera system is scheduled to be available in February 2018.

The Fujifilm X-E3 is a rangefinder style, ultra-compact mirrorless camera which boasts outstanding image quality and enhanced handling. The X-E3 utlises a 24.3MP X-Trans CMOS III APS-C sensor and the X-Processor Pro high-speed image processing engine. The Fujifilm X-E3 will be available from September 2017 in Black and Silver, with an RRP as follows:

X-E3 body £849

X-E3 + 23mmF2 kit £1149

X-E3 + 18-55 kit £1249

X-E3 Case £74.99

X-E3 Metal Hand Grip £119.00

The Fujinon GF 45mm F2.8 R WR lens will be released in November 2017. The Fujinon GF 45mmF2.8 R WR is a highly versatile wide angle lens with a focal length equivalent to 36mm (on a 35mm format) and maximum F2.8 aperture. Thanks to its compact and lightweight design (weighing only 490g), this lens is ideal for street and documentary photography. The Fujinon GF 45mm F2.8 R WR lens will be available in November 2017, with an RRP of £1699.

The Fujinon XF 80mm F2.8 R LM OIS WR Macro is the first 1.0x magnification mid-telephoto macro lens for the X Series range. This lens features a focal length equivalent to 122mm (on a 35mm format), a maximum aperture of F2.8. The lens supports hand-held shooting thanks to a powerful image stabilizer and ultra-lightweight design. The Fujinon XF 80mm F2.8 R LM OIS WR Macro will be available in November 2017, with an RRP of £1249.

Fujifilm X Raw Studio is a brand new RAW conversion system. Fujifilm X Raw Studio enables users to quickly and easily convert RAW files with outstanding image quality. Exceptional image quality is retained, as the X Raw Studio system utilizes the X Processor Pro in the camera instead of the CPU in the computer. This new software is due to be available from late November 2017.

Free upgrades for the Fujifilm X-Pro2, X-T2, X100F and X-T20 cameras will soon be released in November and December 2017.  These updates will provide support for “FUJIFILM X RAW STUDIO”, improve studio flash controller usability compatibility, introduce a new AF tracking algorithm and include other functional and operational updates

The firmware updates are due as follows:

Late November : X-T2, X-T20

Late December : X-Pro2, X100F

Fujifilm has added the GF 250mm F4 R LM OIS WR lens and GF 1.4X TC WR teleconverter to the G Mount lens roadmap. The GF 250mm F4 R LM OIS WR is a telephoto prime lens with a focal length equivalent to 198mm. The GF 1.4X TC WR is a high-performance teleconverter capable of multiplying the focal length by 1.4x.

Fujifilm has added the XF 8-16mm F2.8 R LM WR and XF 200mmF2 R LM OIS WR lenses to the latest X Mount lens roadmap. In addition, the release date of the “MK Series for X Mount version” will now be 2018 rather than 2017, as previously communicated.

Fujifilm is collaborating with Magnum Photos on a major new project exploring the subject of "HOME". An exhibition of the work will tour to seven cities around the world starting in March 2018, and be accompanied by a photobook.

Meike have unveiled the manual-focus MK-85mm f/2.8 Macro lens for Canon, Fujifilm, Micro Four Thirds, Nikon and Sony cameras. Weighing in at 500 grams, the Meike MK-85mm f/2.8 Macro lens offers a maximum reproduction ratio of 1:1.5 and a minimum focus distance of 25cm, and also doubles as a medium telephoto prime. The optical formula comprises 11 elements in 8 groups, with nano-technology multi-layer coating. The suggested retail price is $299.99.

The FEP European Professional Photographer of the Year Awards 2018 competition is now open for entries. Open to all professional photographers who are registered and resident in a European country, the FEP European Professional Photographer of the Year Awards offer nine main categories including Commercial, Fashion, Illustration/DigitalArt, Landscape, Portrait, Reportage/Photojournalism, Sports, Wildlife and Wedding. A special section is also open for European young photographers, assistants and photographic students up to 30 years of age. The submission deadline is 7th January 2018.

Hasselblad have just unveiled the new X1D Field Kit, which offers excellent value with an all-encompassing package tailored for photographers who are seeking both robust protection and easily transportable equipment. The package includes the Hasselblad X1D-50c camera body, 3 XCD lenses (30mm, 45mm, and 90mm), 2 camera batteries, a cleaning cloth, a LensPen, a dust blower, a shoulder strap, a wrist strap, a USB cable and a Pelican carrying case. The X1D Field Kit retails at £13, 250 / €14,900 / $17,495 excluding VAT and is now available to pre-order. Shipping is expected to commence on 20th September.

Huawei has joined forces with youth culture magazine, Dazed, to create a photography initiative that is designed to unlock the potential of future talent. ‘Reveal the Real You’; is a community-led photo project that will see three collaborators awarded a £10,000 bursary to donate to the community cause of their choice. Andrew Garrihy; Huawei Europe, CMO said: “The photography capabilities on our phones allow anyone to take thought provoking images. Putting that power in people’s hands, has given everyone a platform to tell their story and help others understand more about their passions and beliefs through images. Reveal the Real You is simply an extension of what people do every day. We want to give inspired, committed people the opportunity to make a difference in their local community; give them a platform to get their voice heard and make things they never thought possible happen.” People interested in entering simply need to share a few sentences on their chosen community and 3 – 5 relevant images from their photography portfolio and as Reveal the Real You gathers momentum it will culminate in a shortlist of twenty photographers being given Huawei P10 smartphones to document their stories. For more information, visit the website below.

The broncolor Litepipe P is an innovative and highly variable light shaper. The five components can be assembled in less than a minute, without the use of any tools. The centrepiece of the construction is the tube-shaped diffuser, which delivers a homogeneous light and can be rolled up for transport. The two counter-reflectors included (textile covers with alu reflex coating; 1 narrow, 1 wider) can be used flexibly – the visible light-section can be changed steplessly, whilst the Litepipe P can also act as a natural ambient light when the counter-reflectors are not used.

The first UK walk-in service centre for Sony professional camera users is now officially open at Fixation HQ (250 Kennington Lane, London SE11 5RD). Plans for the pioneering Sony PRO Support Service centre were announced in June at a special joint presentation by Yosuke Aoki, Sony Europe Digital Imaging Vice President and David Garratt, CEO at Wex Group (Fixation’s parent company) - with a planned a target opening date of September 1st. “We are delighted to announce we have met that deadline pledge. This is a truly groundbreaking partnership with Sony - and a very important development for Fixation,” David Garratt said. “Now the growing numbers of Sony professional camera shooters can simply drop their kit off at Fixation for service and support rather than having to despatch it to the Sony plant in Wales.”