Fuji North America today announced the relaunch of the long-standing Fujifilm sponsored Masterpiece Award on August 1, 2017. The Fujifilm 2017 Masterpiece Award will be awarded to a Professional Photographers of America (PPA) member residing in the USA and Canada in each of three separate categories – wedding, portrait and illustrative - whose work best represents the specific category of photography. Honoured photographers will be named in a national press release to be issued by Fujifilm. In addition, the Fujifilm 2017 Masterpiece Award recipients will receive a crystal glass trophy, a certificate of award, and a lapel pin.

Alien Skin Software has announced its summer sale. All products in the company's online store are available at a 40% discount through July 24th. This includes the Advanced Layers Update for Exposure X2, Alien Skin's non-destructive raw photo editor, plus four additional software products - Blow Up, Snap Art, Eye Candy 7 and the Exposure X2 Bundle.

Photography Blog have teamed up with Manfrotto to offer two lucky readers the chance to win some fantastic prizes.

1st Prize - Manfrotto Manhattan Mover 50 backpack and BeFree Color aluminium travel tripod

2nd Prize – Manfrotto XUME filter adapter (size of your choice)

UPDATE: The two lucky winners are Frances Sunshine Hopkins (1st Prize) and Miguel Costa (2nd Prize). Congratulations!

Vanguard have just introduced the second generation of their VEO travel tripod line - VEO 2. With an emphasis on lightweight, durable construction and slim silhouettes, VEO 2 is tailor-made for travel photographers. Weighing even less than its predecessor and featuring all new materials - including a new carbon fibre technology - VEO 2 is available in 12 different configurations which include either aluminium or carbon fibre legs, a choice of 4 or 5 leg sections, 3 different colourways, and a choice between a ball head or a pan head. Vanguard’s patented rapid center column rotation feature allows the VEO tripod to fold into a super compact travel size
in seconds. Vanguard’s new VEO 2 tripods employ the same rotating centre column feature for excellent out-and-about functionality, however VEO 2 is even faster because it features advanced quarter turn twist-locks with definite open and shut positions for ultra-fast leg extension. The extra strong leg locks enable the Vanguard VEO 2 to offer a maximum load capacity of up to 8kg. To round out the VEO Collection, Vanguard has also designed all new VEO Discover bags, meant to perfectly complement the tripods. With innovative tripod carrying systems, the VEO Discover messenger bags and backpacks/slings allow photographers to pack their compact VEO 2 tripod as a carry-on.

OmegaBrandess have announced Cokin’s developement of an adapter ring specifically designed for the Olympus M.Zuiko 7-14mm F2.8 PRO lens. As the lens has a built-in hood and a round shaped front element without a thread, it used to be impossible to use filters - such as neutral density, graduated neutral density and circular polarisers - on this lens. After extensive development and testing, Cokin engineers have come up with a solution. The main component of the new accessory is positioned around the lens body, then attached to the adapter ring with screws. The XL size (X-PRO Series) filter-holder (included in the kit) is then attached to the ring, leaving two slots available for filters. The XL filter-holder is compatible with CREATIVE filters, and neutral density (ND and GND) glass filters from the NUANCES range.

As a photographer, we know that your colours matter to you. Having the latest technology is the best way to ensure that your display is always showing you exactly what you need to be seeing during post-production. That’s why Datacolor are offering you the chance to upgrade your display calibration device to the Spyder5ELITE+ for the fraction of the price you would pay buying outright.

The Spirituality in Photography Award 2017 is a competition open to everyone seeking to take photographs with spiritual depth. All entrants will have their photographs displayed on www.spiritualityinphotography.com/ and shared via social media. A panel of judges – including London-based photographers Jay Rowden and Georgie Lord - will select what they believe to be the best entry to win the Spirituality in Photography Award, and a prize of £50 of Darton, Longman and Todd books. Each entrant is asked to submit a photograph which demonstrates spiritual insight or inspiration. The image may be accompanied by a caption of no more than 100 characters, but no further explanation. Photos of children aged less than 16 years old will only be accepted for entry if the consent form is accompanied by a letter of agreement for the child’s image to be published, signed by the child’s legal parent or guardian. The closing date for entries is 31st August and the winner will be announced by 30th September. Entry is limited to three photographs per person.

Canon today announced the Selphy CP1300 Wireless Compact Photo Printer. This lightweight, mobile and Wi-Fi-enabled printer can be used virtually anywhere, anytime, thanks to its optional direct-connect battery, to print the perfect photos. The Selphy CP1300’s Party Shuffle Print function is designed to allow Wi-Fi connected users to connect multiple compatible mobile devices to the same Selphy CP1300 unit for everyone to enjoy creating a print layout made of combined images from family and friends. Images are now displayed on a reader-friendly 3.2” tilt-type LCD monitor, while image searching is improved with the ability to filter by date and browse by page rather than one image at a time. The Selphy printer has a suggested retail price of $129.99 and is offered in black and white models.

More than 100 years after the Emil Busch Glaukar 3.1 was introduced, two top German photographers have reinvented this classic as a modern portrait lens. Fashion photographer Benedikt Ernst and portrait photographer Firat Bagdu have partnered with optical engineer Wolfdieter Prenzel for this project, and launched a Kickstarter campaign to bring the Glaukar 97mm f/3.1 into the modern age. The new Glaukar 3.1 will have the same brass appearance and silhouette as the original but will be constructed from high-end aluminium with a brass-like finish, which ensures the durability and mechanical precision of a modern lens. And while the new lens will look very much like the classic, the inside has been redesigned by Prenzel, completely from scratch to meet today’s high-tech demands. Planned for release in Canon, Fujifilm, Leica M and T, MFT and Sony fit, the new Glaukar 91mm f/3.1 will be manufactured in Wetzlar, Germany.

Datacolor are offering all display calibration owners the opportunity to upgrade to SypderELITE+ for a fraction of the price this summer. From July 17th to August 31st 2017, users can save £1301 on the Spyder5ELITE package, which will include a Spyder5ELITE+ software upgrade and a 90-day Adobe Creative Cloud Photography Plan membership. Photographers looking to upgrade their colour calibration device can take advantage of the promotion by submitting the serial number for their display calibration device at the website below.

Just a few days after a similar announcement by Sigma UK, Sigma Corporation of America has revealed pricing for the Sigma 14mm T2 FF and 135mm T2 FF Cine Prime lenses. Based on the SIGMA 14mm F1.8 DG HSM | Art and SIGMA 135mm F1.8 DG HSM | Art announced earlier this year, these two new lenses are aimed at professional videographers. Available in PL, Canon EF and Sony E mounts, each new lens carries an MSRP of $4,999. The two lenses will also be available as a set, complete with a carrying case, for $10,499. Videographers can also buy the entire Sigma Cine Prime lens series, comprising seven lenses and two cases, for $24,799.

CamFi have announced the release of CamFi Matrix Time, which makes it easier for photographers to build a bullet time effect by using CamFi. “The bullet time effect is known from its use in the Matrix movies,” said Mark Ma, CamFi CEO. “But it was not cheap to build such a shooting system. This release of CamFi Matrix Time significantly lowers the cost of the whole shooting system. It’s free for all CamFi users.” This Windows-based application allows the user to control multiple cameras simultaneously via WiFi or Ethernet. CamFi Matrix can be useful in a number of scenarios, such as 3D modelling, Virtual Reality, panoramic photography, event photography, wedding photography and more.

DJI has has joined ARPAS-UK, the professional trade association for Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems in the United Kingdom. Perran Bonner, Chairman of ARPAS, comments: “ARPAS-UK is delighted to welcome DJI as one of ARPAS-UK’s newest members. We welcome organisations and individuals working in every aspect of the drone industry, from manufacturing and distribution to operations, training and consultancy. We strongly believe that, with DJI as an active member, we will be able to help fulfil the needs of all our members and the markets in which they work.”

Tenba has launched an updated and remodelled Tenba Roadie Collection. Including the Roadie Roller 18” & 21” models, plus the new Roller 21” Hybrid & 21“ Air Case, the Roadie range is designed to provide travelling photographers with the very best protection for their kit, while sporting durable and discreet styling to keep valuable camera and video equipment safe and secure. Each bag also features a built-in locking mechanism for the main compartment and braided steel cable with padlock to secure the bag should you need to leave it unattended. The Air Case is shippable, checkable and un-crushable patented multi-layered shell offering the protection of a hard case at a fraction of the weight. Sizes vary within the range to accommodate several camera bodies, lenses and laptops up to, and including, 17”. A versatile padded camera insert (in each model apart from the 18” Roller) allows a camera and 2-3 lenses to be carried independently – and used within another bag of choice. Click through / read on for the details.

LPA Design today unveiled the PocketWizard MultiMAX II transceiver. Billed as the most versatile, reliable and predictably compatible radio on the market, the MultiMAX II offers a number of new features including 20 ControlTL channels - in addition to 32 standard rado channels -, Manual Power Control and an improved blue backlit LCD screen that provides better contrast for improved viewing in dimly lit studios or on-site locations. The key pad is brighter too, allowing photographers to easily change settings on the fly. Its 344 MHz frequency sets it apart from 2.4 GHz noise in crowded venues. “Professional photographers have clamored for years to bring back the MultiMAX. We listened and we responded by making a great radio even better and offering it at a lower price. The MultiMAX II Transceiver is and remains the only radio on the market that performs special PocketWizard features including Infinite Intervalometer, SpeedCycler and Ultra Long Range. It is the most reliable Transceiver on the market for capturing life’s most amazing moments, states Karen Marshall, CEO of LPA Design. The MultiMAX II will be available at retail and on line in the US and Canada starting 17 July 2017. The retail price will be $229 in the US and $309 in Canada.

Macphun today launched the free public beta of its award-winning photo editor Luminar for Windows. The public beta is free of charge and already matches some of the most important features of Luminar. The public beta of Luminar for Windows will be updated regularly leading to a full cross-platform release late in 2017.