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.

Australian startup ALPAKA has announced it is returning to Kickstarter with its latest creation, the Shift Pack. This innovative photo bag features a main roll-top compartment that quickly expands from a daily commuter to a larger travel pack. This largest compartment also features a reach-in vertically-oriented front zipper for a stylish touch and functional appeal. “The Shift Pack was designed around its name; it’s a comfortable, accessible pack that can quickly transition from the routine morning commute, to a lunchtime gym session and still be ready to hop a late flight for that last-minute vacation deal,” said Ramiro Gomez, cofounder of ALPAKA. “Following the overwhelming support we saw for our first product, the 7ven Messenger, we couldn’t wait to get back to the design table to tackle our first backpack, and now that the Shift Pack is finally here we wanted the Kickstarter community to have the first chance to purchase this new design.” With backpacker packages starting at $159.00 USD, the Shift Pack Kickstarter campaign will run for 44 days.

Amsterdam-based Exposar is the first content production agency to acquire and install StyleShoots Live, a new robotic photo and video machine that records footage without needing a camera crew. With only one user needed to operate the studio using the included iPad Pro interface, the system automatically cuts and edits videos ready for social media and e-commerce within minutes. “We’ve partnered with StyleShoots to make sure we have the most advanced photo and video creation technology in the industry. Our clients demand both creativity and speed without the loss of quality. This will always be our priority - and StyleShoots is the only solution we found that can actually help us achieve this,” says Norbert Brenninkmeijer, founder and CEO of Exposar. StyleShoots Live has evolved from the original StyleShoots concept, which was an iPad controlled all-in-one photo studio that shot, cut out and exported product images in just thirty seconds.

Research and Markets have announced the addition of the "Photography Equipment Market in the US 2017-2021" report to their offering. The analysts forecast the photography equipment market in the US to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 3.53% from 2017-2021. Research and Markets think growth will be driven by personalised digital cameras, product innovation and enhanced features. Key vendors include Canon, Fujifilm, Nikon, Panasonic and Sony.

Polaroid have announced seven new camera bags including attractively priced compact bags for mirrorless cameras, roomy backpack styles for DSLR kits and fast-access sling bags. Perfect for stowing smaller, mirrorless cameras, the Polaroid JOZ 20 zoom photo pack ($14.99) and the Polaroid JOZ 25 zoom photo pack bags ($16.99) are ideal for photographers who are looking for lightweight options to protect their gear. The Polaroid JOZ 20 zoom photo pack holds either a mirrorless camera with a lens attached or a compact camera with a fixed-mount zoom lens, while the Polaroid JOZ 25 zoom photo pack accommodates a compact DSLR camera with a 3 ½” lens attached. For photographers looking for a little more space for their gear while out-and-about, Polaroid offers the Polaroid JOZ 45 DSLR camera bag ($10.40) and the Polaroid JOZ 36 mirrorless / compact DSLR camera bag ($21.99). The Polaroid JOZ 76 ($42.99) photo sling pack accommodates a DSLR or mirrorless camera with a lens attached, an extra lens and a host of accessories, the sling is complete with a side door that allows for fast access to equipment when the bag is swung around to the front. Polaroid have also launched two photo backpacks, the Polaroid JOZ 81 ($39.99), which fits a DSLR camera and attached lens, as well as two to three extra lenses, flash and accessories; and the Polaroid JOZ 83 ($41.99), which can house a DSLR with a lens attached, three to four additional lenses, a flash, tablet and a host of accessories.

Fantasea have launched a selection of products designed to upgrade underwater housings. These include the UMG-02 LCD Magnifier ($219.95), which provides underwater photographers with an enlarged, clear, bright and sharp view of their camera's LCD screen; and the Fantasea Moisture Detector ($59.95), which includes an alarm unit and a moisture sensor unit, connected by a thin wire. The alarm unit is installed on any of the housing side panels using a double-sided installation sticker, included in the package. Click through / scroll down for the details.

Canon today officially opened its doors to its newest Professional Technology & Support Centre in Burbank, California. Facility highlights include enhanced on-site repair capabilities, industry standard 4K projection and DI capabilities, a fully equipped multi-purpose room, an immersive product showroom, an image lab for in-depth camera and lens testing and a workflow lab for software training and NLE workflows. “Since our 2011 launch of Cinema EOS, Canon has been steadfastly committed to exceeding the high expectations of our professional clients in the production community,” said Eliott Peck, executive vice president and general manager of the Imaging Technologies & Communications Group, Canon U.S.A. “Our new Burbank location represents the culmination of our commitment to listen to our clients, understand their needs and provide them with what they need to bring their artistic and passion projects to life. As Canon continues on its journey to support the production community and evolve with changes in this industry, our mission is now clearer than ever, to be a resource and a beacon for industry professionals.”

Benro has launched a pair of carbon fibre tripods designed to provide heavy weight support for professional SLR cameras with long lenses. Based on the original Benro Combination tripods, the remodelled legs now feature the favoured ‘twist’ leg locks, rather than the lever leg locks on the earlier version. Ideal for wildlife and landscape photographers and film-makers alike, the tripods are extremely well specified, with key features including 8-layer carbon fibre tubes and magnesium alloy castings are lightweight, stable and offer excellent shock absorption, a flat mount platform for head, or supplied with levelling 75mm bowl for video use and a ballast hook for added stability. The tripods are available with three- or four-section legs and three feet options: ‘big’ foot, traditional rubber foot, or stainless spiked feet. The 3-section model (£400) has a maximum height of 150cm and folds down to 67.5cm, whilst the 4-section variant (£410) offers a maximum height of 152cm and a folded length of 57cm. Both models boast a maximum load capacity of 18kg.

LG today announced that the LG Q6, part of its new Q series, will be the first smartphone to offer the FullVision display following the LG G6. LG’s Q series is the company’s latest line of mid-range smartphones boasting the essential features of LG premium phones at a competitive price. The Q6 family consists of the Q6+, Q6 and Q6α. The three variants cater to different user groups in terms of memory and storage: the Q6+ comes with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of built-in storage, the base Q6 delivers 3GB of RAM and 32GB of storage and the most affordably-priced Q6α comes with 2GB RAM and 16GB of Flash storage. The unique 5.5-inch FHD+ FullVision display in the LG Q6 has an unusual aspect ratio of 2:1, and the smartphone’s “bezel-less” form factor maximises the screen while still preventing accidental touching of the screen when being held. The phone incorporates a 100-degree wide angle selfie camera that allows shutterbugs to include a large group of people in the shot. Meanwhile, the rear-facing camera mates a 13-megapixel imager to a "standard-angle" lens. The LG G6 will go on sale in key markets in Asia starting next month to be followed by availability in Europe, Latin America and North America onward.

Nikon have announced a full-frame version of their AF-P 70-300mm ED VR lens. The new Nikon AF-P Nikkor 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6E ED VR is a third of a stop faster than the existing AF-P DX Nikkor 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3G ED VR, and projects an image circle that's large enough to cover the full frame on an FX-format DSLR. As an AF-P lens it boasts Nikon’s proprietary stepping motor, which brings subjects into focus quickly and quietly, enabling video footage to be recorded with practically no drive noise. The "E" designation means the AF-P Nikkor 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6E ED VR has an electromagnetic diaphragm delivering consistent automatic exposure control even during high-speed bursts. The lens features a minimum focus distance of 1.2m (3.94 feet) throughout the entire zoom range, and comes with Nikon's Advanced Vibration Reduction technology on board, offering up to 4.5 stops of image stabilisation and a dedicated Sport VR mode. The dust- and moisture-resistant Nikon AF-P Nikkor 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6E ED VR lens will have a suggested retail priceof $699.95 / £749.99 / € 899.00, and availability will be announced at a later date.

Sigma Imaging (UK) has announced the recommended retail price of the new Sigma 14mm T2 FF and 135mm T2 FF 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 £4,749. In addition, the company has announced pricing for 8 other cine lenses. Click through / scroll down for the details.

Alison, one of the world’s largest free online education platforms, has just launched a new ‘Introduction to Digital Photography’ course. This free online course is an updated and more detailed replacement of the old Harvard University Digital Photography course from the Alison platform and is easily accessible to anyone keen to learn photography. It contains 11 modules that gives you an opportunity to gain extensive knowledge and understanding of digital photography, including the basic features of digital cameras, working with a digital camera, processing and formatting and the different photography styles and genres. Following the introductory course, Alison has further, more advanced digital photography courses in production as follow-up courses based on the different levels of the learner’s journey. There will be 3 courses for each level - Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced which will be released in the coming months.

The new Laowa Magic Shift Converter for Sony full-frame E-mount cameras can convert an ultra-wide lens into a shift lens and allows photographers to use it with no detectable vignetting. Built with a patented optics system which expands the image circle of your UWA lenses, the Laowa Magic Shift Converter turns the Laowa 12mm f/2.8 Zero-D lens into a 17mm f/4 Zero-D lens with +/- 10mm shift capability. Additionally, the MSC comes with a 360° rotation structure which allows photographers to shoot in both horizontal and portrait orientation. Weighing in at 360 grams, the Laowa Magic Shift Converter features five elements in four groups. Shipping is expected to commence in late July / early August.

Want to see exactly what the new Leica TL2 compact system camera looks like in the flesh?

Check out our extensive hands-on gallery of photos of the Leica TL2 compact system camera.