Olympus have created a bespoke messenger camera bag by Gillis London ready to launch at The Photography Show (TPS) 2017. With very limited production, the new bag has been designed specifically for the new OM-D E-M1 Mark II. Gillis London has selected a high-quality vintage leather to hand-craft each bag. The infusion of oil during the tanning process makes the leather supple and produces unique colour variations. This results in each bag having an individual look much like a fingerprint. Inside you will find two separate removable trays with quilted lining and protective separator panels. Each tray has been measured to fit the camera body and additional lenses. There is an external zip on the top of the bag so that quick access is available. The Olympus messenger camera bag by Gillis London has an RRP of £299.99, but customers purchasing an OM-D E-M1 Mark II at TPS will receive the bag free of charge. Limited stock will be available from the Olympus stand on a first-come-first served basis.

Hireacamera.com has announced a new exclusive offer on their range of Fujifilm cameras and lenses. From today, a 25% discount will be applied to all Fujifilm camera and lens hires. This exclusive offer is the result of a new partnership between Hireacamera.com and Fujifilm and is part of a drive to get Fujifilm’s X-Series cameras and XF lenses into the hands of more photographers. The offer also includes Fujifilm’s new medium format camera, the highly anticipated GFX 50S, and the new GF lens series. Guy Thatcher, Managing Director at Hireacamera was equally delighted, he commented, ‘The growing levels of excitement about Fujifilm’s cameras grew consistently throughout 2016 and the surge of interest we received when the GFX release dates were announced, earlier this year, was unprecedented. To that end, we’ve worked collaboratively with Fujifilm to deliver this very attractive offering to everyone who is interested in Fujifilm cameras.’

Zhongyi Optics have launched the Zhongyi Mitakon Lens Turbo II N/G FX adapter, which enables Nikon FX lenses to be mounted to Fuji X-Series APS-C cameras while (almost) retaining their original field of view. Just like the Canon version, the new Lens Turbo II N/G FX features an optical formula comprising 4 lens elements in 4 groups, including 1 extra-low dispersion element which helps reduce chromatic aberrations. The adapter modifies the APS-C focal length multiplier of 1.5 by a factor of 0.726 and improves the maximum aperture of the lens by 1 stop. Available directly from Shenyang Zhongyi Optics, the adapter carries an SRP of $149.

For the first time ever, Canon UK are launching a range of branded clothing and accessories. The new collection includes clothing such as t-shirts, jackets, sweaters and hoodies, as well as accessories like umbrellas, baby bibs, hats and limited-edition camera bags. Camera fans will also be able to get their hands on a miniature Hansa Canon camera model, replicated on Canon’s first production model and Japan’s first high-quality 35mm camera launched in 1936 (pictured). The new range will be available from 18th March from Canon’s online store and on display on the Canon stand at The Photography Show (NEC, Birmingham, 18th – 22nd March) for visitors to experience first-hand.

Adobe have teamed up with The Photography Show (TPS) 2017 to offer visitors to the show 20% off the Adobe Creative Cloud Photography plan (£8.08 per month instead of £10.10 per month for an annual plan). Providing access to the Lightroom CC and Photoshop CC desktop applications, the Adobe Creative Cloud Photography plan also includes unique sophisticated mobile capabilities: automatically syncing photos with Lightroom CC on the desktop, Lightroom on mobile devices lets users access and edit their entire catalogue of photos on iPad, iPhone as well as Android smartphones and tablets. Additionally, the Adobe Theatre is returning to The Photography Show this year from March 18 to March 21 2017, offering a comprehensive programme of sessions to help improve and enhance photographers' image editing skills.

Sigma Corporation of America today revealed availability and pricing details for its 135mm F1.8 DG HSM Art lens (pictured). Ideal for events such as concerts, indoor sports, conferences, weddings and studio/location portraiture; the Sigma 135mm F1.8 DG HSM Art is highly capable of isolating your subject from the background. Its new large hyper sonic motor (HSM) provides ample torque to the focus group for optimal speed while the acceleration sensor detects the position of the lens for compensation focus groups for factors including gravity, producing faster and more responsive AF. Equipped with a focus limiter, the 135mm F1.8 Art can be easily optimised for a variety of camera-to-subject distances. Making its public debut at the 2017 CP+ Camera + Photo Imaging Show in Yokohama, Japan in February 2017, the 135mm F1.8 Art lens will begin shipping in May 2017 at an estimated retail price of $1399.

The Lomographic Society has announced the Lomo'Instant Automat Glass Lens Magellan instant film camera. Now available to preorder, the Lomo'Instant Automat Glass Lens Magellan Edition is the first Lomo'Instant camera with a multi-coated wide-angle glass lens.  Capturing images on 62mm x 46mm instant film sheets, the Lomo'Instant Automat Glass Lens Magellan Edition has a 38mm (21mm eq.) f/4.5 lens and a built-in flash with a guide number of 9. Like the other Lomo'Instant camera models, it offers unlimited multiple exposures,  zone focusing a tripod mount and a 43mm filter thread. The camera is priced at £169, and comes with a Lomo'Instant Automat Glass Close-Up Lens Attachment, Lomo'Instant Automat Glass Splitzer, a set of coloured gel filters and an infrared remote control.

The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) has launched a new photography competition in a bid to challenge misconceptions of engineering. Open to any photograph of an engineering-related subject that captures the dynamic, creative and progressive face of engineering and engineers today; the IET International Engineering Photography Competition has 5 categories including Digital, Environment & Energy, Structures & Transport, Robotics and Design & Production. A panel of judges will look at every entry and award cash prizes to five category winners, five secondary winners (ages 12-18) and five primary winners (ages 5-11). An overall winner will then be selected from the 15 winners, and awarded an extra cash prize. The deadline for entries is 31 August. The winners will be announced at the IET’s Engineering the Future Festival on 17 October 2017 and a selection of the winning photographs will be made into a permanent photograph display at IET London: Savoy Place.

GoPro has launched the Karma Flight Kit for Karma Grip owners in the US. Available now for $599.99, the GoPro Karma Flight Kit includes a the Karma Drone, Karma Controller, battery, charger, six propellers and a custom inlay to house your Karma Grip. You can purchase the kit in the GoPro shop.

RNI have released a new version of RNI All Films. The new RNI All Films 4.0.4 for Adobe Lightroom and ACR brings customised camera profiles for a number of new cameras including the Leica TL and M10, the Phase One IQ3 100MP, the Fujifilm X-100F. GFX 50S, X A3, X A10 and  X T20, the Canon EOS M5 and PowerShot G9 X Mark II, the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II, the Panasonic FZ80, GF9 and GH5, the Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge, and the Sony DSC-RX100 M5. Additionally, film grain is now turned off by default. You can use RNI Toolkit in Lightroom to set the desired level of film grain (ISO 100/21° – ISO 1600/33°).

Fundy Software have launched their newly revamped product line offering Lite, Pro and Studio licensing options starting at $199. Using the Fundy Suite, professional photographers can easily and quickly create customised albums and  beautiful wall art. Fundy is also a sales tool that enables professional photographers to conduct sales sessions with their clients either in-person or virtually from anywhere in the world. For emerging pros Fundy Suite Lite offers a cost-effective way to start using Fundy priced at $199.  Fundy Suite Pro, priced at $349, adds more professional options such as previewing custom framed prints and designing larger albums that are coveted by high-end brides. Fundy Suite Studio, priced at $499, is created for the large studio, allowing up to five computers to run the Suite simultaneously. For a limited time all licensing options offer a 3-moth freesubscription of Pro Enhancements. “Our newly revamped product line and attractive price points reflect the rapid growth and popularity the Fundy Suite has achieved since its launch in 2008. Our new tiered pricing gives a pathway for professional photographers to add significant revenue to their business and expand their product offerings as their business grows,” said Andrew “Fundy” Funderburg, founder of Fundy Software. “Additionally, our new Pro Enhancements perfectly fits our company mission to help professional photographers design better and do more so they can get back to the moments that matter to them most to their clients.”

Book a Studio, phlow, Rambex Universal and SNAPP Guides have been chosen to exhibit their products and services in the inaugural Innovation Hub at The Photography Show (18-21 March, NEC Birmingham). The Innovation Hub will play host to the first lens in the world to fit any camera or video camera – the Rambex 105mm f/8 Universal and DIY Camera Lens v1.0. The Universal Lens is manually operated and focused by sliding the focusing tube forwards or backwards. Pros will also benefit from a visit to see the team behind Book a Studio – an all-new, unique digital directory which allows photographers and videographers to find their perfect studio. Founded in 2016 and based in London, Book a Studio provides everything needed for users to contact studios and is free of charge for both studios and photographers to use. For the photographers heading to the show who love to combine travel into their work, SNAPP Guides' new, innovative, smart app will change the way that future shoots are planned, leaving more time for the all-important creative preparation. phlow will also be on hand in Innovation Hub to present their photo-sharing platform with the visitors of The Photography Show looking to get ahead with their own digital marketing. The technology behind this new app allows the images photographers have taken to be seen by targeted people beyond existing social circles, while providing powerful and contextual insights into portfolios.

Sony have released a new PlayMemories Camera App that allows you to divide the scene into two or three areas and optimise the exposure and white balance for each area. According to the company, this application - called Digital Filter - is perfect for scenes containing vastly different brightness levels, such as in backlit landscape scenes. Digital Filter offers functionality, ease of use and image quality that go beyond the features of Sky HDR, another Sony Camera App enabling users to independently control the exposure of land and sky and adjust different brightness levels in one picture. Priced at $29.99, the new Digital Filter application is available for select Sony cameras including the ILCE-7, ILCE-7R, ILCE-6000, RX100M3, ILCE-7S, ILCE-7M2, RX100M4, RX10M2, ILCE-7RM2, ILCE-7SM2, RX1RM2 ILCE-6300, RX10M3, RX100M5 and ILCE-6500. Those who own a copy of Sky HDR can purchase a Digital Filter license for $19.99.

Via SAR

The World Photography Organisation and Zeiss today announced the winner of the 2017 Zeiss Photography Award “Seeing Beyond”. Now in its second year, the theme of ZEISS Photography Award was ‘Meaningful Places’ which challenged professional photographers to look past the ordinary and everyday and submit a body of work that captured extraordinary aspects of the world we live in. The overall winner is Belgian photographer Kevin Faingnaert, recognised for “Føroyar”, a stunning photography series about life on remote and sparsely populated villages on the Faroe Islands. Faingnaert receives €12,000 worth of Zeiss lenses and €3,000 in travel expenses to complete a photography project.

Fantasea Line today unveiled the rugged and stylish FA6500 Housing for the Sony A6500 and A6300 mirrorless cameras. Featuring an ergonomic design with access to all essential camera functions, the Fantasea FA6500 is depth rated to 60 metres / 200 feet, and offers double O-ring protection for a perfect watertight seal. The housing ships with a Moisture Detector and Alarm, a Hand Strap and a Body Cap. Availability is slated for April 2017.

To celebrate its 100th birthday, Gitzo will give any customers who purchase a Systematic tripod a bespoke, lithographically printed, limited edition book commissioned by one of the world’s most respected landscape photographers, Colin Prior. Gitzo’s strongest and most stable tripods, the Systematic range is modular - with a top casting element that opens and closes to allow each tripod to be configured with a flat disk, geared or sliding centre colum, levelling base or other Systematic accessoires. The Systematic tripods feature Carbon eXact tubes, ultra stable feet for a solid footing and maximum stability on any surface, and the Easy Link attachment for attaching various accessories. Colin Prior has used Gitzo products for years in his work, and as such is a Gitzo ambassador working closely with the brand. He will be working with Gitzo to launch the 100 years celebration by holding an exclusive talk at The Photography Show on the 19th March speaking about his current project ‘The Living Mountain’.