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.

Sigma have announced that their 20mm F1.4 DG HSM | Art, 35mm F1.4 DG HSM | Art and 85mm F1.4 EX DG HSM lenses are not fully compatible with the new Canon EOS-1D X Mark II digital SLR camera. This partial incompatibility may cause exposure inaccuracies when “Evaluative Metering” or “Centre-weighted Average Metering” metering is employed. Sigma are currently working on a firmware fix for each lens. Release dates for the firmware updates will be announced later.

Inspired by the scientific uses of infrared film throughout history, The Unseen - An Atlas of Infrared Plates by Edward Thompson pushes the purposes and properties of the rarest photographic film on the planet to its scientific and conceptual limit. The project comprises twelve chapters documenting everything from the most radioactive forest in the world to rapidly melting glacial ice caves and superficial veins beneath the human skin. Published by Schilt, the 266-page hardback is available for £30 | $50 | €45. 

Polaroid has launched a new, fully automatic TTL flash unit for Canon, Fujifilm, Nikon, Olympus, Panasonic, Pentax and Sony cameras. The Studio Series Digital PL-108AF flash has a guide number of 18 (in metres at ISO100/21°) and comes with a tilting flash head with precise light control, red-eye reduction capabilities and an AF assist light. It also includes quick settings such as Auto Focus, TTL metering and automatic shutter speed for simple shooting. The Polaroid studio series digital auto focus flash line models are now available from $48.95 – $53.99 on Amazon

The British Journal of Photography (BJP) has announced that it is raising funds using by offering shares to its readers and followers via crowdfunding website CrowdCube. BJP is seeking fresh investment to bring its archive - which spans over 160 years of content - to the public via the Web. Over 180,000 pages, encompassing all of photographic history, have already been scanned and digitised. Due to unprecedented demand the crowdfunding campaign has reached its initial funding goal within hours of going live, with 24 days still left for investors to get involved.

Into the Woods, a new exhibition by young British photographer Ellie Davies will showcase her new work from the series 'Half Light', alongside her earlier bodies of work. In 'Half Light,' Davies adds a new element – water – a dark, still river, bordered by colourful, textured riverbanks rich with vegetation. The murky water dissects each image creating a false horizon, separating the viewer from the twilight forest beyond and allowing the land to be considered from a distance. ‘Growing up in the New Forest in the south of England, I spent my childhood exploring and playing in the woods with my twin sister. In Half Light, I consider my relationship with these places, my ongoing attempt to reconnect with the wilder landscapes of my youth and to discover if those remembered and imagined places can be found and captured again.’ In addition to 'Half Light', Into The Woods will include previous bodies of work in Davies’s woodland series’ including 'Stars', 'Between The Trees', 'Islands', 'Come With Me' and 'The Gloaming'. Ellie Davies: Into The Woods will run from 21st July to 20th August 2016 at the Crane Kalman Gallery, 178 Brompton Road, London SW1 1HQ.