Totally Rad! has launched PicTapGo Version 3.0. This update will bring new features to the iOS app, including fine-tune adjustments, new social-sharing options, faster speed and a unique filter pack. “We really think this is the best PicTapGo to date,” said Doug Boutwell, CEO and founder of Totally Rad! Inc. “When updating the app, we do our best to make editing and sharing easier, and to continue offering something unlike any other photo editing tool. With the improved functions and capabilities, as well as the new filters, we think existing PicTapGo fans and new users alike will really enjoy 3.0.” The update is free for current PicTapGo users.

'Achieving Perfect Exposure and Profiles in Video' is a new free webinar hosted by X-Rite. Delivered by independent filmmaker and editor Ollie Kenchington, the webinar will cover a number of topics including the placement of a ColorChecker Video target in a scene, balancing a video shot with different picture profiles, how different gamma profiles affect our images and how our camera handles colour information. The webinar will be taking place from 5.30-6.30pm on 20th June. Advance registration is required.

Sun-Sniper have expanded their Sniper-Strap system with 7 new Rotaball camera straps. Each of the seven ROTABALL models now has a ROTABALL CONNECTOR and a BLOKKER. The stainless steel mono-multi ball bearing (a large ball turning in 32 small balls) allows the camera to pivot freely and without obstruction. The rubber washer with its SNAKESKIN structure provides the safest connection to the strap. And even more security is ensured by the BLOKKER: a newly developed pin that blocks the connector at the camera to prevent the camera from being unscrewed by anyone not authorized to do so. ROTABALL straps can bear loads of up to five kilos in camera and lens weight. "Our camera straps of course also pass tougher tests, e.g. applying loads up to 80 kg. But then we cannot guarantee the stability of the camera bodies," explains Peter Geller, owner and CEO of SUN-SNIPER. "When performing the stress test, we focused particularly on the fact that the weight of the camera multiplies significantly due to the up-and-down motion caused by running, even with the SHOCK ABSORBER providing compensation."

Leica has announced the expansion of the Leitz Park in Wetzlar. Over the next two years, the Company Group from Salzburg, Austria, headed by Leica chairman Andreas Kaufmann, will be investing in the construction of four further buildings that will expand the gross floor area at the complex by an additional 26,000 square metres. On completion of this third phase of construction in 2018, the Leitz Park complex will have been expanded by an attractive World of Leica Experience – featuring a museum, the Leica archives, a Leica Galerie and an outlet store – a 4-star hotel, a building for CW Sonderoptik GmbH and an office building. “We are very pleased to see how the Leitz Park is already accepted and appreciated by the citizens of the region and the employees of the companies on our site,” Kaufmann says. “Breaking ground for the start of the third phase now marks the next milestone in our ambitious project: the expansion of the Leitz Park to create the foremost centre of the optical industry in Germany. I am certain that this next phase of development will make the site even more attractive and further increase its international charisma.”

JP Distribution have announced the UK availability of a range of high quality audio systems from the Australian company MyMyk. The range consists of SmartMyk & SmartMyk Windshield, SmartLynk, SportsMyk and the MyMyk Connector Cable. The SmartMyk (£149) is a directional shotgun microphone which works by localising the sound to the image, rejecting background noise to concentrate on the sound from the subject. The SmartMyk Windshield (£59, pictured) is a slip-­on, open­-cell, reticulated foam with an integral fur cover providing excellent wind protection whilst safeguarding the SmartMyk in the most difficult of conditions. The SmartLynk two­-channel mixer, audio routing and monitoring device (£199) allows you to monitor your sound input prior to and during recording, block unwanted noise from the camera by overriding the camera’s built-­in Automatic Gain Control and record your audio track to an external device. It also features a removable cold shoe to reveal external 1⁄4” thread in the base, making attachment to a tripod, pistol grip or boom pole a simple process. The fully adjustableadjustable SportsMyk mini-boom microphone (£79) restricts unwanted noises normally associated with audio recordings on action cameras, while its flexible arm allows it to be positioned close to the mouth. Finally, the MyMyk Connector Cable (£16) enables yout to connect an external microphone to your smartphone or tablet, and can also convert the “APP Output” of SmartLynk to function as a standard audio output for connection to a separate audio recorder.

JP Distribution have announced the UK availability of the Syrp Genie Mini, an extremely compact and easy-­to­-use motion control device that allows you to create ultra­-smooth panning time-­lapse and real-­time videos. Controlled with the ​Syrp Genie App​ on your iOS or Android device, the ​Genie Mini​  is simple to set up and control, making it a perfect choice for beginners and experienced time-lapse enthusiasts alike. Additionally, the ​Genie Mini​  is fully compatible with the ​Syrp Genie​, giving you 2­-axis control to enable ever more complex movements in your video. The Syrp Genie Mini Motion Control Device is available for £250.

Think Tank Photo have launched a new protective backpack for users of DJI Inspire or other similarly sized quadcopters. The new backpack easily holds a DJI Inspire (parked with gimbal and rotors detached), Zenmuse gimbal with 3 lenses, 6x batteries, 2x controllers, 2 x 8” tablets, lots of extra propellers, and a 17” laptop and charger. The contoured tuck-away harness with lumbar support, cut-away air-channel, the adjustable sternum strap, and the removable padded waistbelt allow for extreme comfort while trekking into remote areas or simply pulling it from the car. The Think Tank Helipak for DJI Inspire is available now for $339.75.

Fotodiox have announced the LED100WB, a soft yet powerful LED light for photographers and filmmakers. Offering a compact form factor, the Fotodiox LED100WB draws a mere 100 watts while outputting the rough equivalent of a 400+ watt Tungsten light. A perfect tool for portraits, tabletop photography, video interviews, short films and even special effects like slow-motion and time-lapse capture, the LED100WB features a quick-release front mount compatible with Alien Bee accessories. Each LED100WB comes with a metal reflector, a diffuser and a portable folding softbox. The new Fotodiox product is available now as a single light ($299.95) or three-light kit ($999.95). The three-light kit additionally includes three light stands inside a custom-fit, luggage-style rolling case.

JP Distribution have announced the UK availability of several new Westcott Products including the pliable Flex LED light panels (pictured), the modular Scrim Jim Cine frame system and a new iOS app. The light-weight and 1⁄4” thin moldable framework of the dimmable Westcott Flex LED light panels allow you to shape the light in unique ways, delivering up to a 360° spread of light. Available in Daylight (5600K) and Bi­Colour (2800K-6000K) options, and in a range of sizes from 10”x3” to 2’x2’, the Westcott Flex LED panels produce an outstanding, consistent and flicker­-free light that is ideal for filmmakers and photographers. Scrim Jim Cine is an ultralight modular frame system that allows users to shape, block and modify light with more control than ever before. The Westcott Flex LED panel kits, including panel and Scrim Jim Frames, are available from £650­. Finally, the new Westcott App allows Ice Light 2 users to connect their iPhone or iPad to up to 10 individual Ice Lights and control them all via the app.

The PocketWizard Plus IV Autosensing Transceiver from LPA Design is now available to purchase in the United Kingdom. The new model includes all the features of the Plus III and adds key new functionality. When used as a transmitter, its top shoe provides on-camera TTL compatibility with most Canon, Nikon, Panasonic, Fuji and Olympus cameras and flashes. When used as a receiver, the top shoe pairs with virtually any speedlight for easy mounting and manual power adjustment of a remote flash. The new Plus IV is available for £150.

The Pentax K-70 is a new all-weather digital SLR camera featuring a hinged LCD screen, Hybrid AF system, a top sensitivity setting of ISO 102,400 and a 24.24-megapixel CMOS sensor with no anti-aliasing filter.  Other highlights include include a newly designed grip, redesigned mode dial and control buttons on the camera’s top and rear panels to ensure exceptional handling and operation. The Pentax K-70 even provides a range of advanced features, equivalent to those available on premium models, including the PENTAX-developed Pixel Shift Resolution System; an innovative AA (anti-aliasing) filter simulator with the same moiré reduction effect as an optical AA filter; an optical viewfinder with nearly 100 percent field of view; and a built-in shake reduction mechanism with a shake reduction effect equivalent to approximately 4.5 stops. The body-only price is £559.99, while the Pentax K-70 + 18-135mm lens bundle can be yours for £799.99.The launch date will be announced at the beginning of July.

The new HD Pentax-DA 55-300mm F4.5-6.3ED PLM WR RE is a compact, weather-resistant telephoto zoom lens delivering enhanced AF performance and a minimum focusing distance of 0.95 metres. When mounted to an APS-C-format digital SLR camera, the HD Pentax-DA 55-300mm F4.5-6.3ED PLM WR RE lens provides an angle-of-view coverage similar to that of an 84.5-460mm lens on a 35mm full-frame camera. Its upgraded AF performance ensures that it delivers quiet, high-speed AF operation in still-image shooting, as well as smooth AF tracking operation during movie recording to minimise noise caused by focus and aperture shifts. With the incorporation of a retractable structure, the lens measures a mere 89 millimetres in length. The HD Pentax-DA 55-300mm F4.5-6.3ED PLM WR RE lens carries a recommended retail price of £399.99. The launch date will be announced at the beginning of July.

Sekonic have released two new versions of their acclaimed LiteMaster PRO L­478 series, touchscreen-operated light meters. The new models - the Sekonic LiteMaster PRO L­478DR­EL and L­478DR­PX developed in cooperation with Elinchrom in Switzerland and Phottix in Hong Kong -, offer wireless triggering and power control of Elinchrom flash units and triggering of flashes and radio triggers using the EL­Skyport and Phottix Strato II protocol, respectively. Both use Sekonic’s DTS (Data Transfer Software) system that automates meter calibration to the camera­ in use. The L­478DR­EL’s power screen enables separate selection of any of the four lighting Groups, 1,2,3,4, for flash brightness adjustment in 0.1EV increments by simply tapping buttons on the meter’s touchscreen.The L­478DR­PX flash control screen allows selection of a single group or a combination of groups for flash brightness measurement.  The measured value for each group is maintained as a visual record of the brightness difference of the lights in use so that lighting ratio for a total exposure reading can easily be determined. The L­478DR­PX group selection and triggering is compatible with Phottix flashes and radios that are compatible with the Phottix Strato II protocol. This includes flashes connected to the Strato and Strato II receiver and the Atlas II transceivers. Compatible Phottix flashes include the Indra360, Indra500 and Mitros+series flashes designed for use with Canon, Nikon and Sony cameras. Both the Elinchrom and the Phottix versions of the Litemaster PRO L478 are available for £350.

Phase One has released Media Pro SE (Second Edition), a software application built to manage large photo libraries. This edition adds support for the latest Mac and Windows operating systems and supports adjustments from the latest build of Capture One 9. "Media Pro is a much loved application with special workflow solutions, and it enjoys a large and active customer base," said James Johnson, Software Product Manager, Phase One. "This release incorporates the most recent feedback from those customers." Media Pro SE is available now for $189/€189. Owners of Media Pro 1 may upgrade for $/€39.

The Kodak Professional Film App is now available for both Android and iOS devices. With Kodak Professional  film roll sales growing more than 5% worldwide from 2013-2015, this free app was created to answer the often-asked questions – such as what types of film are suitable for certain environments, where to buy film, and where to develop film, to name a few.  In each section, users will be able to find examples of each type of photography, along with what others have done with Kodak Professional film. For Android users, the app is now available in the Google Play Store. For iOS devices, download the new version for iPad and the updated iPhone version from iTunes.

Toshiba Europe has launched a new range of entry-level USB 3.0 flash memory USB drives with capacities of 16GB, 32GB and 64GB. Launched under the TransMemory brand, the new SuperSpeed U303 ‘it’s mini!’ range of drives transfer content twice as fast as USB 2.0 alternatives, while still offering backwards compatibility with Hi Speed USB 2.0 and USB 1.1 standards. Shipment of the new TransMemory U303 USB drives will start at the end of this month.

Canon have launched Canon Online Learning, a new programme of digital courses designed to help photo and video enthusiasts develop their skills at their own pace. Available now, the programme currently comprises 7 courses including Photo 101: How to Take Great Pictures, Printing Basics & Beyond, Great Landscapes Made Easy, Simple Tips for Photographing Children, Getting Started with Flash Photography, Understanding EOS Camera Operations and Canon Insider Guide: EOS Rebel Series. These first seven courses, and subsequent classes to follow, will include video guides unique to each course with the option to download or print PDF materials. With the exception of Canon Insider Guide: EOS Rebel Series, courses will also include complementary resources such as bonus video content, lighting/shooting diagrams, shot lists, resource guides and interviews with course instructors. Initial course offerings range from $19.99-$59.99.

Nikon UK has announced the appointment of two new photographers to its Ambassador line-up, Richard Peters and Helen Sloan. Introduced in 2013 Richard Peters is an award winning wildlife photographer with a wealth of experience in his field, whilstHelen Sloan is a film and TV stills photographer who works on the popular HBO series Game of Thrones.to celebrate class-leading photographers working in specific fields of photography, the Nikon Ambassador initiative aims to inspire people to pick up their camera and reach their creative potential. Jeremy Gilbert, Group Marketing Manager, at Nikon UK says: “We are delighted to announce the appointment of Richard Peters and Helen Sloan to our Ambassador scheme. Since the launch of the Ambassador scheme in 2013 we have seen some amazing talent in our line-up and it continues to go from strength to strength. Through the ambassadors we are able to engage with our customers but most importantly, encourage enthusiasts to take a step up with their photography.”

The new Pictools photographic accessory family includes the Pictools PTEF-SE-AF lens adapter for mounting Canon EF/EF-S lenses to Sony E-mount camera bodies, the PT51RK42 5-in-1 reflector kit, the PTFBD80 & PTFBD120 folding beauty dish and the portable PTSLK80 flash lighting kit. The Pictools PTEF-SE-AF lens adapter ($94.99) supports both APS-C and full-frame cameras, and provides auto focus via electronic contacts that also transmit aperture signals and exposure data between your Canon lens and your Sony NEX camera. The Pictools PT51RK42 kit ($94.99) comprises a 42" disc, a 5-in-1 reflector set, 6’ stand, reflector holder and carrying case. The Pictools Foldable Beauty Dish (31ˇ version: $199.99, 47" variant: $259.99) is billed as the most robust and complete kit of its kind on the market today, featuring 16 spring-loaded ribs, a steel base and a Bowens-compatible speed ring. Directional control of the light is accomplished using the included grid which attaches quickly to the provided Velcro lip. Finally, the Pictools PTSLK80 Speedlite Lighting Kit includes a Tri-Flash bracket that permits the mounting of up to 3 speedlites on the included light stand, plus a 31” silver lined Octa Umbrella Soft Box for $98.99.

The British Journal of Photography has revealed the winners of BJP Breakthrough 2016, its annual search for the world's best student and graduate photographers. This year's Graduate Series award went to the Belfast School of Art graduate Jan McCullough for her series Home Instruction Manual, while the Graduate Single Image award went to the UK-based Polish photographer Piotr Karpinski for his image titled Woman in the Church No.1. Sicilian photographer Simone Sapienza won the Undergraduate Series award for his Vietnam-based project Charlie surfs on Lotus Flowers, while Irish photographer Daragh Soden won the Undergraduate Single Image award for an image from his series Young Dubliners. The winning work will be exhibited at BJP's dedicated space at Free Range, the UK's largest creative graduate showcase from Friday, 24th June - Monday, 4th July 2016.