Think Tank Photo’s updated Airport TakeOff V2.0 rolling backpack is 15% lighter than its predecessor. “The Airport TakeOff V2.0 features a custom designed retractable handle with inset channel on aluminim tubing for added strength and durability, making it easier to roll down the street,” said Doug Murdoch, Think Tank Photo’s CEO and lead designer. “A newly added tablet carry in the laptop pocket and dedicated smart phone pocket in the front flap insure photographers’ tools are easily accessible and at the ready.” Sized to meet the needs of the travelling professional, the Airport TakeOff V2.0 fits most US domestic and international airline carry-on requirements. The Think Tank Photo Airport TakeOff V2.0 bg will be available for $369.75.

The new Signature Series from Think Tank  Photo is a modernised version of the classic shoulder bag. Available in two sizes, the bags feature a modern fabric that is durable yet soft to the touch. The Signature 10 accommodates a standard-size DSLR or CSC with 3–4 prime lenses and accessories, plus a 10" tablet. The larger Signature 13 (pictured) fits one standard-size DSLR with mid-range zoom attached plus 2–3 additional lenses and a 13" laptop. THe Signature 10 will be available for $249, whilst the Signature 13 will retail for 279.

X-Rite Photo Europe has announced a special seasonal bundle offering the Color Confidence GrafiLite free with all purchases of the X-Rite ColorMunki Photo (pictured). GrafiLite is a desktop daylight simulation device that complements the ColorMunki perfectly. It allows photographers to view prints and colour swatches in simulated daylight, indoors, regardless of time of day or the light conditions present. This limited time offer, which runs until 31st March 2017, delivers a saving of over £61.

The winners of the 60th World Press Photo Contest have just been announced. This year, the competition drew entries from around the world: 5,034 photographers from 125 countries submitted 80,408 images. The jury gave prizes in eight categories to 45 photographers from 25 countries: Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, India, Iran, Italy, Pakistan, Philippines, Romania, Russia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Syria, New Zealand, Turkey, UK, and USA. The overall winner is Burhan Özbilici, a staff photographer for The Associated Press. Özbilici’s picture – which also won first prize in the Spot News Stories category – shows how Mevlüt Mert Altıntaş, a 22-year-old off-duty police officer, assassinated the Russian ambassador to Turkey, Andrey Karlov at an art exhibition in Ankara, Turkey, on 19 December 2016. “It was a very very difficult decision, but in the end we felt that the picture of the Year was an explosive image that really spoke to the hatred of our times,” says Mary F. Calvert, a member of the jury. “Every time it came on the screen you almost had to move back because it’s such an explosive image and we really felt that it epitomizes the definition of what the World Press Photo of the Year is and means.” You can view the World Press Photo of the Year, as well as the category winners and runners-up, at the website below.

Version 5 of RawTherapee is now available for Linux, Mac OS and Windows. This update adds support for 32-bit TIFF files, a Lockable Colour Picker, two new tools (Retinex and Wavelets), automated chroma noise reduction, a new Inspect tab, print soft-proofing support, two new exposure tone curves, monitor profile and rendering intent support, and much more. The Mac and Windows versions are downloadable from the RawTherapee project's website, whilst Linux users can get it via their package manager.

Nikon has announced the cancellation of all three DL series premium compact cameras. Announced almost exactly a year ago the Nikon DL18-50 f/1.8-2.8, DL24-85 f/1.8-2.8 and DL24-500 f/2.8-5.6 cameras, all of which which featured 20.8-megapixel CX-sized sensors and fixed-mount lenses, were originally scheduled to hit the shelves in June 2016 but were postponed due to issues with the integrated circuit for image processing. Nikon now says that "sales of the DL series will be canceled due to concerns regarding their profitability."

The Nissin A10s is a new 2.4Ghz wireless TTL flash commander for Fujifilm, Sony, Micro Four Thirds, Canon and Nikon cameras. The simple and clear dial layout with colour LCD display allows the user to seamlessly and quickly control a large group of Nissin flashguns anywhere from a dark indoor studio, to a bright outdoor environment. The device’s range has been greatly extended (when compared to older models) to a maximum distance of 100 metres, and the TTL Mode, high speed sync (FP sync) supporting up to 1/8000 High-speed shutter speed, rear curtain, and other functionalities can be controlled remotely. Additionally, the Air10s has been equipped with a Micro SD card slot that allows users to update the device's firmware. Availability is slated for April, with pricing to be confirmed.

Manfrotto has announced the acquisition of Xume Adapters, a US-based company offering a range of quick-release adapters that allow photographers to attach lens caps and filters to their lenses quickly and with great precision. Utilising a magnetic solution that securely locks filters onto lenses, Manfrotto Xume accessories are safe for the lenses' focus mechanism, media cards, drives or other electronics. The strong magnetic attachment will keep the filter firmly in place – and ready to instantly swap out when a different filter is needed. Manfrotto Xumes adapters are available in 8 Sizes: 49mm, 52mm, 58mm, 62mm; 67mm, 72mm, 77mm, 82mm. The new Xume Adapter range will be distributed directly by Manfrotto Distribution, Manfrotto online shops and authorised distributors.

Leica are now offering a new range of configurable camera and lens sets featuring the Leica M (Typ 240), M-P (Typ 240) and M Monochrom (Typ 246) models. Each of these cameras can be combined with nearly any Leica M-Lens from the current portfolio – a total of 19 M-Lenses – to create a customised set. An overview of the available configurations can be viewed at the website below.

Fotodiox Pro has announced two new addition to its award-winning line of FlapJack LED Edgelights: the Studio XL and the 1.5x1.5. The Studio XL is a 30” LED Edgelight - the largest, softest light Fotodiox has ever produced. It offers manual and DMX control over brightness level and colour temperature. Larger than a typical LED panel, the FlapJack 1.5x1.5 features manual and remote control over brightness and colour temperature, while the integrated barndoors allow you to shape and direct light for even more creative control. Click through / read on for the details.

Tomorrow, Jessops will open their second store in the centre of London. Jessops on New Oxford Street will mark the opening of the company's 56th high-street branch, bringing a wider choice of cameras, expert advice and specialist photography services to the capital. “The location of our New Oxford Street store builds on the success of our existing flagship London store,” says Neil Old, CEO of Jessops. “There is a lot of exciting redevelopment in this part of London with an estimated 200,000 passengers passing through the new Tottenham Court Road station when it is completed later this year. This will allow us to offer our leading service and products to a wide audience of potential photographers.” The new shop will be located at 102 New Oxford Street, London, WC1A 1HB. The first 30 customers on Friday morning will receive 100 free prints.

Free trial versions of Affinity Photo and Affinity Designer are now available for Windows users. The ‘try before you buy’ offer follows the launch of the two products on Windows late last year, and means potential customers will be able to spend ten days testing the software before committing to a purchase. “Even though we offer a no-strings refund policy for 14 days, trial versions for Windows have been a popular request and we know there’s still a huge market out there of people who want a professional graphics or photo editor for a one-time cost with no expensive ongoing payments," says Ashley Hewson, Managing Director of Serif.

Exploring Ultraviolet Photography: Bee Vision, Forensic Imaging, and Other Near Ultraviolet Adventures with Your DSLR by David Prutchi is a new title from Amherst Media. In this book, the author shows readers how to select equipment that allows them to capture otherworldly ultraviolet images. Readers will learn how to use filters that block visible light and prevent infrared light leaks and will discover how complementing or overpowering sunlight with artificial UV light sources can help them create more powerful photographs. The 128-page paperback will go on sale on 25th February, priced at £33.99

Panasonic has developed a new technology, enabling electrical control of the near infrared (NIR) light sensitivity of the same pixel in an organic CMOS image sensor. This technology allows for switchning between modes of colour imaging and NIR imaging frame by frame, without the mechanical IR cut filter required for conventional image sensors. The sensitivity of all the pixels in the image sensor, which has directly stacked organic films, is simultaneously controlled by changing the applied voltage to the organic films. This technology also enables global shutter operation, the company says. Panasonic will present some part of these technologies at the international academic conference: ISSCC (International Solid-State Circuit Conference) 2017.

Photo London has announced the list of participating galleries for the third edition of the Fair, taking place 18 – 21 May 2017 at Somerset House (pictured). Building on the success of the previous two editions, Photo London 2017 will showcase the best in contemporary photography to a growing international audience of collectors and enthusiasts. The 86 galleries exhibiting in 2017 were selected by an expert Curatorial Committee led by Philippe Garner, Former Director at Christie’s and International Head of Photographs and 20th Century Decorative Arts and Design at Christie’s. As a result of their work, the third edition of the Fair includes galleries from 17 different countries: Austria; Australia; Azerbaijan; Belgium; Canada, Chile, France; Germany; Iceland; Italy; Japan; Spain; Switzerland; Turkey; United Arab Emirates; UK and USA. To its established mix of galleries featuring all forms of photography from the dawn of the medium to the present day, Photo London has this year added a number of leading contemporary galleries including Victoria Miro, Sprüth Magers and Alison Jacques Gallery. Photo London 2017 also features an expanded 'Discovery' section – a showcase for emerging galleries, publishers and artists, curated for the first time by Art Consultant and Curator Tristan Lund. The 2017 Discovery galleries include Cob Gallery (London), BERG Contemporary (Reykjavík), EUQINOMprojects (San Francisco) and Rubber Factory (New York), and the section will feature works by some of the world's leading young artists including Asger Carlsen, Waheeda Malullah, Thomas Albdorf, and Laura Pannack.

According to Canon U.S.A., an estimated 75 percent of the photographers covering the Big Game between the teams from New England and Atlanta used Canon EOS DSLR cameras and EF lenses in the Houston stadium. “It’s an honor to see yet another major sporting event where the country’s most talented and acclaimed sports photographers captured exciting moments with Canon equipment. These images will be seen by millions of people around the world and will forever be etched in sports history. We understand there are many equipment options for professional photographers and Canon is honoured to serve these professionals and provide assurances that both our products and support live up to the requirements and expectations of our devoted customers,” said Yuichi Ishizuka, president and COO, Canon U.S.A.

At BVE 2017, Zeiss will be showcasing a wide variety of cinematography and photography lenses, paired with a number of market leading cameras such as the RED Epic-W 8K, Sony FS7 and ARRI Amira. These will include the new Lightweight Zoom LWZ.3, the company's range of Cinema Zoom CZ.2 lenses and Compact Prime CP.2 lenses, as well as the Otus, Milvus, Batis, Loxia and Touit family of lenses designed for Canon, Nikon, Sony E and Fuji X-mount camera systems. In addition to displaying their products, Zeiss will be giving visitors to the stand the chance to enter a competition to win a brand new ExoLens Pro Wide-Angle lens for their smartphones.

Turner-prize nominated and Deutsche Börse Prize winning photographer Richard Billingham has started filming his first feature, Ray & Liz. Billingham shot to fame in 1996 wit his groundbreaking photographic series ‘Ray's a Laugh’, extraordinary images of family life in his childhood home, a tower block in Cradley Heath in the West Midlands. ‘Ray's a Laugh’ was exhibited internationally and featured in the pivotal show, Sensation (1997) at The Royal Academy of Arts. He has continued to photograph his family, and presented a major new body of work in 2010. His current film project has been developed over five years with Producer Jacqui Davies. Working with cinematographer Daniel Landin (Under The Skin), Richard Billingham returns to the striking series of photographs that he captured of his family during Thatcher-era Britain to tell a universal story of everyday conflicts, loneliness, love and loss. Filming commenced on the three-week shoot on 30 January 2017, with a variety of Black Country locations in and around Cradley Heath and Dudley.