Fotodiox Pro has announced the LED Studio-in-a-Box; a lightweight, fold-out kit for tabletop product photography. Available in four different sizes, the LED Studio-in-a-Box comes equipped with built-in LED lights and a removable diffusion panel. The kit includes four plastic, wrinkle-free “cyclorama” backgrounds in black, white, gray and blue, as well as a removable diffusion panel and an integrated ring of top-mounted LED lights. Pricing starts at $69.95.

Panasonic will be exhibiting at The Farnborough International Airshow public weekend, taking place in Hampshire on 16th and 17th July. With an array of products suited to enthusiasts and families alike, Panasonic will showcase a selection of their Lumix G & Lumix cameras and HD camcorders on their stand. Having only just been announced, this will be one of the first chances for consumers to see the new ultra wide-angle Leica DG Summilux 12mm f/1.4 ASPH. lens (read review) that has been created to satisfy professional needs for shooting landscapes. The Panasonic Lumix GX80 and a selection of Panasonic’s 4K camcorders will also be on the stand. For those interested in purchasing a product, Panasonic has teamed up with London Camera Exchange to give visitors the chance to secure exclusive show offers on the Lumix G, Lumix and camcorder range.

Leica are celebrating the tenth anniversary of the launch of the Leica M8, their first-ever digital rangefinder camera, with a special trade-in promotion. The Leica M8 marked the beginning of a new era, bringing the unique characteristics of Leica's rangefinder focusing technology into the world of digital photography. Later models, such as the Leica M9 (2009) – the first Leica camera with a 35mm full-frame sensor – further built on this success and repeatedly set new standards with innovative features and functionality, while always retaining the basic principles of the Leica M-System. Leica UK are celebrating the anniversary with a number of special promotions, available at any authorised UK Leica System Dealer, Leica Boutique or Leica Store. Among these is a trade-in offer allowing customers to trade in any camera for a new Leica M (Typ 240), M-P (Typ 240) or Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246) and receive a special £500 bonus in addition to the value of the camera system traded in. The promotion runs until October 31st 2016.

Issue 54 of David Noton’s Chasing the Light Online Magazine is now available. In this month’s Field Trial article, David Noton Canon takes centre state, as David Noton explains why he chose the system, and why he sticks by his decision. Then in the Low Down, he turns his attention to the photographic inspiration to be found in photographing faces around the world, as he reminisces on the memorable portraits he has shot over the years. In an edition of Stepping Back, David takes readers to the Dalmatian coast of Croatia, revisiting the trip he made in 2008 and the location’s possibilities. And in this month’s How It’s Done, he shows us what’s in his photo backpack, a piece accompanied by a video link. Finally, David presents two of his popular Fundamentals of Post-Production Videos.Do note that the full contents of Chasing the Light Online Magazine is available to full f11 subscribers only. However non-members can purchase individual issues of the magazine at a price of £4.20.

Meyer-Optik Goerlitz announced today the availability of its new portrait lens, the Trimagon f2.6/95. According to the company, the Trimagon 95mm lens uses a unique coating and design that delivers sharp images with minimal reflections. “While the Trioplan 100 restored Meyer-Optik’s long lens to the artistic photography market, the Trimagon 95 provides professionals a dynamic modern lens that delivers extraordinary portraits and natural-looking photographs,” said Dr. Stefan Immes, CEO, Meyer-Optik Goerlitz.  “The remarkable nature of the lens is its rendering of secondary light, specifically providing realistic reflections of the finest structures.” Handmade in Germany, the Meyer-Optik Trimagon f2.6/95 has an optical construction comprising 3 elements in 3 groups, an angle of view of 25°, and a 52mm filter thread. The Trimagon f2.6/95 is available for Canon, Nikon, Fujifilm, Leica, Sony and Micro Four Thirds, priced at $1,699.

The USA Landscape Photographer of the Year contest will open for entries on 15th July. The contest is open to everyone and you can enter photographs across seven categories including Classic View, Black and White, Urban Landscape, Environmental Value and My USA. The Judging Panel consists of International photography greats including Antony Spencer, Art Wolfe, Brenda Tharp, Charlie Waite, Charlotte Gibb, Christopher Burkett, Ian Plant, Jim Patterson, Justin Reznick, Lori Kincaid, Marc Adamus , Marc Muench, Paul Sanders, Sarah Marino and Tim Fitzharris. The USA Landscape Photographer of the Year Awards celebrate the American landscape only, however you don’t have to live in the USA to enter. The submission deadline is midnight PST, 15 September 2016. Do note that entry fees apply.

The Travel Photographer of the Year exhibition is set to open on July 22nd at 10 Stockwell Street, the award-winning building at the University of Greenwich, within the Maritime Greenwich UNESCO World Heritage Site. The photographs going on display are the winning shots from the international Travel Photographer of the Year awards, one of the world’s leading photography competitions. Photographers from 114 countries have entered TPOTY, and these images give a beautiful, fascinating, entertaining and, at times, moving, depiction of life, cultures, wildlife and landscape all over the planet. Visitors can take home the winning images in the form of the latest TPOTY book, Journey Eight, which will go on sale at the exhibition. They will also be able to buy postcards and greetings cards featuring a selection of the winning images. Open seven days a week, this free-to-view exhibition runs to September 4th.

Filmmaker Anna Akana and Canon U.S.A. together announced that Akana will become the latest personality featured in the Rebel With A Cause initiative, which celebrates 25 years since the introduction of Canon’s first EOS Rebel film SLR camera. Following in the footsteps of American daredevil Nik Wallenda and Grammy Award winning record producer Swizz Beatz, Akana, a strong proponent of anti-bullying and suicide prevention, will be featured in a video dedicated to her own unique cause, debuting in September. Canon will conclude the year-long “Rebel With A Cause” programme in October with a consumer Rebel, whose cause will be chosen from the recently closed contest searching for the next great inspiration. In addition to a cash prize, the winner will have the opportunity to bring their cause to life with a documentary production, similar to those of the previous Rebels.
 

Western Digital today introduced a nduo of 256GB microSD cards, which includes the new 256GB SanDisk Extreme microSDXC UHS-I card – the fastest microSD card in its class – and the 256GB SanDisk Ultra microSDXC UHS-I card, Premium Edition. The 256GB SanDisk Extreme microSDXC UHS-I card delivers transfer speeds of up to 100MB/s, allowing users to save time transferring large files, as well as write speeds of up to 90MB/s for rapid capture of photos. The 256GB SanDisk Ultra microSDXC UHS-I card, Premium Edition, is ideal for smartphone and tablet users who don’t want to worry about running out of space on their devices. The new card features transfer speeds of up to 95MB/s. Built to perform in harsh conditions, the new cards are also waterproof, temperature-proof, shock proof, and X-ray proof. Additionally, the SanDisk microSD card line up is compatible with the SanDisk Memory Zone app for Android, giving users an easy way to manage and back up content on their device. The 256GB SanDisk Ultra microSDXC UHS-I card, Premium Edition, will be available worldwide in August 2016 with a UK MSRP of £129.99. The 256GB SanDisk Extreme microSDXC UHS-I card will be available worldwide in Q4 2016 with UK MSRP of £169.99.

Jessops are offering up to 1000 free prints upon the purchase of selected cameras from 9th June to 3rd August. The offer is valid on 6x4 prints only, ordered in-store, on a next-day service. "This offer ties in perfectly with Jessops’s recent Share You Summer campaign, designed to provide a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for photographers of all abilities to showcase an image they are proud of," the company said in a statement.

ExpoImaging today announced availability of an Indicator Battery Pouch that offers photographers a new way to store and keep track of a variety of rechargeable batteries, without mixing charged with depleted ones. “Photographers or anyone dealing with electronics today have to deal with keeping track of rechargeable batteries,” says Erik Sowder, ExpoImaging CEO. “The new Indicator Battery Pouch is a simple yet effective way to conveniently store and carry rechargeable batteries, and to help keep track of which ones are charged and ready to go.” The pouch incorporates adjustable hook-and-loop straps, allowing it to conveniently attach to a camera bag strap, a belt, or to hang from a stand. It can hold twelve AAA batteries, eight AA batteries, four 9V batteries, or two camera batteries. The Rogue Indicator Battery Pouch is priced at £12.99 including VAT.

Cactus have announced two second-generation V6 wireless flash transceivers. Offering compatibility with Canon, Fujifilm, Nikon, Olympus, Panasonic and Pentax flashes, the Cactus V6 II now supports HSS / FP mode in the same cross-brand environment. The Cactus V6 IIs (pictured) incorporates all the functions of the V6 II, but comes with a Sony-compatible hot shoe. Additionally, both the V6 II and IIs now have an automatic LED AF-assist light. The Cactus V6 II and IIs are currently scheduled to be available in 2016 July and August respectively, priced at $95 each.

Sinar have announced the expansion of their line-up of electronically controlled precision shutters for view cameras. Designed for use with a variety of digital backs, the Sinar eShutter is billed as a "future-proof system for all lenses with shutter size 0." Sinar now offers two eShutter versions: the all new eShutter 250, with a maximum shutter speed of 1/250 second, and the well-known eShutter with a top shutter speed of 1/125 second. According to the company, a wide range of Sinaron eShutter 250 lenses will become available in July 2016.

Epson have announced it is shipping the new family of SureColor P-Series printers – the 44-inch SureColor P10000 and 64-inch SureColor P20000. Successors to the renowned Epson Stylus Pro 11880, the new SureColor P-Series printers leverage an enhanced PrecisionCore MicroTFP print head, newly developed media feeding system, and reformulated Epson UltraChrom PRO nine-colour pigment inks. The Epson SC-P10000 and SC-P20000 are currently available for $6,995 and $11,995 respectively. For the North American market, a 320GB Internal Print Server is included ($399.95), and an optional Auto Take-up Reel ($1,999.95) is available to enable roll-to-roll production.

Leica M à la carte camera personalisation programme has been expanded with the addition of the Leica M Monochrom, bringing the entire portfolio of bespoke options to this special digital rangefinder model. The camera, which incorporates a unique black and white sensor, can now be ordered with a multitude of tailored features, including a choice of classic black chrome or black paint body. Furthermore, for the first time and exclusively via the à la carte programme, customers can also select the camera body in a silver chrome finish. Orders for the personalised Leica M Monochrom à la carte camera can be placed via official Leica Stores and Boutiques, where customers are able to view a variety of samples, illustrating the full range of options offered by the programme.

Sigma have revealed availability and pricing for the new Sigma sd Quattro compact system camera. Building on the concept of the SD1 Merrill, the sd Quattro features a Sigma SA lens mount, making it compatible with all of the Sigma Global Vision lenses in the Contemporary, Art and Sports lines. Equipped with a 19.6-megapixel APS-C size sensor, the camera offers a combination of contrast-detect and phase-detect auto focus, plus a focus peaking function for manual focus enthusiasts. The high-resolution 2.36-million-dot electronic viewfinder features near-100% viewfinder coverage and a 1.09 magnification ratio. O-rings and environmental seals around buttons and seams prevent the intrusion of dust and water, making the camera suitable for use in adverse weather conditions. The Sigma sd Quattro will be available in early July with a suggested retail price of £799.99 including VAT and a new lens kit of the Sigma sd Quattro plus 30mm F1.4 DC HSM | Art lens will be available in early July with a suggested retail price of £999.99 including VAT.