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.

We take a look at the key differences between the Leica TL2 and Leica TL cameras...

The Leica TL2 is a new APS-C compact system camera that is precisely machined from a single block of aluminium. With a newly developed 24-megapixel CMOS sensor and Maestro II series high-performance image processor, the Leica TL2 also builds on the previous TL camera by incorporating 4K video recording, 20fps continuous shooting using the new electronically controlled shutter, and faster auto-focusing and startup times. The Leica TL2 will be offered in a choice of two different colours, black and silver, for £1700 / $1950 body only, with sales starting today (10th July 2017).

UK Optics have launched the advanced Novo Excel Pro 77mm ND-8-2000 variable ND filter. Providing a light reduction of about 3 to 11 stops (ND8 to ND2000), the Novo Excel Pro 77mm ND-8-2000 filter enables photographers to use a wider aperture or slower shutter speed for creative effects. Manufactured from 'Super White' German Schott glass, the filter boasts nano multi-coatings as well as additional specialised coatings. The NOVO Excel Pro Vari-ND features a ultra slim black almite frame, and a front filter thread of 82mm, designed to avoid vignetting even on ultra-wide angle lenses.

The Novo MVS-01 Monopod Stand is a universal three legged stand that connects directly to the bottom of any monopod that features a 1/4" mount. To attach the stand to the monopod, users simply unscrew the foot and spike at the base of the monopod and replace it by screwing in the MVS-01 Monopod Stand. To remove, push the silver release button on each leg and unscrew or leave it on and fold back the legs so the stand can then be carried as part of the monopod and is always ready for use. Additionally, it can also be used as a table top mini tripod due to a swivel and panning mini head that also locks when used as a monopod stand.

The advanced Novo Excel Pro Circular Polariser boasts nano multi-coatings and additional specialised coatings to provide a water and oil repellent, scratch resistance surface. Featuring an ultra-slim black almite frame, at just 7mm, helping to avoid any vignetting on ultra wide angle lenses. The special multi-coated optics ensure optimum image quality, minimising unwanted optical artefacts such as ghosting and internal reflections, and maximising light transmission. Additionally, the Novo Excel Pro Circular Polarisers offer a light loss of only 1.3 stops. The filters are available in sizes ranging from 40.5mm to 86mm.