The Nikon Coolpix W300 is a new rugged compact camera with a 16-megapixel sensor, a 24-120mm equivalent lens, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS and 4K video recording capabilities. Built to withstand even the toughest outdoor elements, the Coolpix W300 offers a waterproof (100ft. / 30m), freezeproof (14F / -10C), dustproof and enhanced shockproof (7.9ft. / 2.4m) camera body, increased grip area and ergonomically improved shutter button placement (as compared to its predecessor, the Nikon Coolpix AW130). Additional outdoor-friendly features include the ability to go off the beaten path with Points of Interest (POI) and mapping functions, as well as an altimeter and depth gauge. The camera also has a dedicated button to activate an LED light for illumination, and a new Active Guide function to easily display location and altitude data at a glance. The Nikon Coolpix W300 will be available in Summer 2017 in orange, yellow and black for a suggested retail price of $389.95.

The Nikon AF-S Nikkor 28mm f/1.4E ED is a new "Gold Ring" wide-angle prime for Nikon DSLR cameras with FX size sensors. With a fast f/1.4 maximum aperture and a nine-bladed blade rounded diaphragm, it offers a shallow depth of field with a pleasing bokeh and excellent low-light performance. The body of the lens is composed of lightweight magnesium alloy, and features dust and water drop resistant sealing to withstand the elements, combined with a fluorine coating to resist dirt and smudges. The optical construction of the lens consists of 14 elements in 11 groups, with three aspherical elements that virtually eliminate coma, aberration and distortion, with two ED glass elements that minimize chromatic aberration. The lens also uses Nikon’s Nano Crystal coat to reduce instances of ghosting and flare. The AF-P DX NIKKOR 10-20mm f/4.5-5.6G VR and AF-S Nikkor 28mm f/1.4E ED will be available in late June for a suggested retail price (SRP) of £2,079.99/€2,479.00/$1999.95.

Nikon today introduced a new fisheye zoom for DSLR cameras with FX size sensors. The new lens design provides a creative circular 180-degree vertical / horizontal angle of view on full frame cameras, and zooms to a non-circular fisheye view (180-degree diagonal angle of view) on the long end of the focal range. The lens can also be used on DX-format cameras for a distinctive point-of-view and extreme wide-angle applications. The AF-S Fisheye Nikkor 8-15mm f/3.5-4.5E ED is also the latest in Nikon’s Gold Ring Series of premier lenses and features a next-generation design for high-resolution Nikon DSLR cameras. It is also Nikon’s latest lens to use an electromagnetic diaphragm for consistent exposure during high speed shooting, or smooth exposure control while capturing video. The optical formula of the Fisheye NIKKOR 8-15mm consists of three ED elements to reduce chromatic aberration, while two aspherical lens elements minimize coma, even at the widest aperture, and enable a more compact lens size. Additionally, the front lens element is coated with Nikon's non-stick Fluorine coat to help resist dirt, fingerprints and smudges, while the company's exclusive Nano Crystal Coat helps reduce ghost and flare. The Nikon AF-S Fisheye Nikkor 8-15mm f/3.5-4.5E ED is available now for a suggested retail price of £1,299.99/€1,549.00/$1249.95.

The Nikon AF-P DX Nikkor 10-20mm f/4.5-5.6G VR is a new, stabilised UWA zoom for DSLRs with DX size sensors. The lens features the equivalent of 3.5 stops1 of Vibration Reduction (VR) performance, to help capture sharp images while handheld or in challenging light. Additionally, it utilizes Nikon’s Pulse Motor technology for super-fast and quiet AF operation- which is especially useful when recording video. The optical formula contains three aspherical elements for excellent image quality with minimal distortion even at the widest focal length. The AF-P DX Nikkor 10-20mm f/4.5-5.6G VR zoom will be available in late June for a suggested retail price of £329.99/€389.00/$309.95.

After more than 1,800 entries lass summer, Jessops are bringing back their #ShareYourSummer campaign. From 1 June – 2 August, the company is offering 9 budding photographers the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to showcase their work in 56 nationwide store windows on major UK high streets and shopping centres, plus an invite to an exclusive Jessops and Sony event, where the overall winner will be announced and set to receive an incredible £3,000 prize. Rob Murray, Marketing Director at Jessops comments: “Now running in its second year, our Share Your Summer campaign is designed to give photographers from all walks of life the opportunity to exhibit a photo they are really proud of across 56 Jessops shops in major UK cities, shopping centres and high streets. It is clear that the nation’s passion for photography is ever-present with people posting photographs daily on social media. However, it is rare that anyone would ever get the opportunity to share an exceptional image any further than this. We want everyone to have the opportunity to have their very own exhibition where all are invited to view it.”

Photographer Linda Köhler-Sandring set the Bounce-wall Speed Shooting record on Saturday, 27 May 2017: in only 7.092 seconds, the she shot 888 professional outdoor portraits in Zingst, Germany. With the help of an assistant and the right Sunbounce equipment, Linda Köhler-Sandring achieved what no one else has done before: Using the "mobile portrait studio,” consisting of a Bounce-Wall and a Mini Sun-Bouncer Black-hole as a neutral background, she took successive pictures of Zingsters and visitors in just a few minutes. The Berlin-based photographer was delighted with her success: "The Sunbounce Speed Shooting was a significant event for all of us! We didn’t know if we could really do it. It was quite a feat for the whole team. All the more reason we are happy to have sent home beautiful portraits with so many people.”

Garmin have announced the VIRB 360, a compact, rugged and fully spherical 360-degree camera. The waterproof VIRB 360 is an easy-to-use device that captures high-quality video up to 5.7K/30fps with sound, courtesy of four built-in microphones, as well as 15-megapixel spherical stills. Taking advantage of its built-in GPS and numerous other sensors, the VIRB 360 provides owners with customizable G-Metrix data overlays in a captivating 360-degree augmented reality setting. “The VIRB 360 lets you relive personal experiences and share them with your friends – from a different point of view, every single time,” said Dan Bartel, Garmin vice president of global consumer sales. “VIRB 360 owners will no longer need to worry about trying to capture the perfect angle or setting up the perfect shot. The camera’s easy-to-use feature set will make even the most inexperienced users look like experts.” The Garmin VIRB 360 has a suggested retail price of $799.99 and is expected to be available in June.

The updated version of Think Tank Photo's TurnStyle sling bag series offers a new stabiliser strap that holds the bag steady while actively shooting and tucks away when not in use. The TurnStyle 5 ($74.75) fits a compact system camera body plus two to four lenses, and an 8-inch tablet. The TurnStyle 10 ($84.75) fits a standard size DSLR plus one to two lenses, and an eight-inch tablet. The TurnStyle 20 ($99.75) fits a standard size DSLR plus one to three lenses, and a 10” tablet. These new version releases come in the traditional Charcoal and in a new colour, Indigo Blue. “This new version of our popular TurnStyle sling bags reinforces their reputation as the ideal ‘grab and go’ camera bag,” said Doug Murdoch, Think Tank Photo’s CEO and lead designer. “One thing we’ve learned from serving professional photographers for so long is that they always need one, pre-conformed gear kit that gives them access to their core gear. The TurnStyle is that bag.”

Think Tank Photo has announced the new StreetWalker Rolling Backpack V2.0 ($299.75), featuring the ability to switch from a backpack to a roller. The bag will fit two DSLR bodies with lenses attached (including a 200-400mm f/4), and a 15” laptop, and offers a tripod mount on the front panel. Also released are upgraded versions of all three classic StreetWalker backpacks. The StreetWalker HardDrive V2.0 ($229.75) fits two bodies with lenses attached or a gripped body with a 200–400mm f/4 attached, a 15” laptop and a 13” tablet. The StreetWalker Pro V2.0 ($199.75) accommodates two bodies with lens attached or a 400mm f/2.8 unattached, and a 10” table. And, the StreetWalker V2.0 ($169.75) fits one gripped DSLR with 70–200mm f/2.8 attached, one standard DSLR with 24–70mm f/2.8 attached, a 16–35mm f/2.8, and a 10” tablet. “With the release of the new StreetWalker Rolling Backpack and the new versions of the three classic StreetWalker backpacks, we made three of the best pro-level backpacks in the photo industry even better,” said Doug Murdoch, Think Tank Photo’s CEO and lead designer. “The one thing we’ve heard over and over since they first launched is how comfortable and durable they are. Now, with the hybrid rolling backpack and the upgraded core backpacks, we’ve integrated even more photographer feedback to expand their functionality.”

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 the company Olympus) will be selected by a professional jury.

The Best of LensCulture, Vol. 1 is a new title from Lens Culture and Schilt Publishing. This book features 161 contemporary photographers from all over the world, discovered during of four of LensCulture’s annual competitions. Not only are these photographers geographically diverse, but their work encompasses many different genres — from portraits to street photography, photojournalism, personal stories, documentary, fine art, fictional narratives, poetic beauty and abstraction. The 288-page paperback is available for £22.50 | $29.95 | €25.00.

Apparent Software has released a new edition of ImageFramer, a well-known image framing application for Mac OS X. Version 4.0 introduces dozens of improvements, including an Adobe Photoshop Lightroom plug-in, batch processing, integration with Apple Photos, and the capability to export and import frames and design templates. "With ImageFramer 4, we focused on improving the workflow for photographers," said Jacob Gorban, Apparent Software's Founder. "We developed an Adobe Photoshop Lightroom export plugin, Apple Photos editing extension, and a built-in Batch Processing module. Additionally, exporting and importing of custom designs eases collaboration between ImageFramer customers." ImageFramer is available in three pricing tiers: US$29.95 for ImageFramer Lite, $39.95 for ImageFramer Standard and $69.95 for ImageFramer Pro.

Ricoh have just announced the shock- and waterproof Ricoh WG-50 digital compact camera. Developed as a standard-class waterproof digital compact camera, the WG-50 is waterproof to a depth of 14 metres, shockproof against falls from a height of 1.6 metres, and freeze-proof to temperatures as low as -10°C. It also provides a range of features to facilitate all types of still-image and movie shooting, including approximately 16 effective megapixels and Full HD movie recording capability. The camera also comes equipped with an outdoor friendly LCD screen whose brightness can be instantly adjusted to the lighting levels in a particular shooting situation. Ideally positioned around the circumference of the lens barrel for macro shooting, six LED Macro Lights allow the WG-50 to provide bright, uniform illumination on a subject when the Digital Microscope mode is selected. Available in black and orange colourways from the end of June, The Ricoh WG-50 carries a recommended retail price of £249.99.

DJI has launched the DJI Spark, an easy-to-use, fun-to-fly mini camera drone that lifts off from the palm of your hand. According to the company, Spark is the first drone that users can control by hand gestures alone, successfully removing the barriers between them and their camera in the sky. Even if you’ve never flown a drone before, flying Spark is easy because the only remote controller you’ll need is your hand. “Controlling a camera drone with hand movements alone is a major step towards making aerial technology an intuitive part of everyone’s daily life, from work and adventure to moments with friends and family,” said Paul Pan, Senior Product Manager at DJI. “Spark’s revolutionary new interface lets you effortlessly extend your point of view to the air, making it easier than ever to capture and share the world from new perspectives.” The DJI Spark houses a 1/2.3” CMOS sensor that captures 12 megapixel photos and shoots stabilised HD 1080p videos. The drone's 2-axis mechanical gimbal and UltraSmooth technology reduce shake and rolling shutter. The retail price of a DJI Spark, including an aircraft, a battery, a USB charger and three pairs of propellers, is £519 (€599).

MacPhun have announced the upcoming launch of their Aurora HDR and Luminar applications for the Windows platform. "Our Windows engineering team was formed in late 2015 and it has been working on core architecture and other behind-the-scenes tech since then, alongside our Mac developers," says Kevin La Rue, Vice President at MacPhun Software. "[T]he public beta of Luminar for PC will be available in July -  we’d love for you to give Luminar a test drive and help us make it as outstanding as it can possibly be." Interested readers are encouraged to pay a visit to the company's website to learn more.

Listening to requests and inquiries from their customers, TH Swiss today released updated correction profiles for their Irix 11mm and 15mm lenses to use with Adobe Photoshop Lightroom. The update offers improved correction data for distortion and vignetting, and makes it easier to find the profiles within Lightroom.

Website: Irix Downloads