Benro have added two new tripod kits to their video lineup. The new Pro versions of the Benro BV4 (8.8 lb payload capacity) and BV6 kits (13.2 lb payload capacity) incorporate the eighth generation two-stage aluminium tripod. This professional tripod is a double tandem leg design that uses an adjustable, removable spreader, a metal 75mm bowl, oversized quick positive leg locks and dual spike feet with pads, making this kit perfect for heavy loads and rigged cameras. Both kits are designed for more demanding filmmakers and videographers - allowing for precise control over the counterbalance, pan drag and tilt drag. Both sizes will be on hand for live demonstrations at NAB this week (Central Hall Booth #C1307).

Intro 2020 has been appointed the sole UK distributor of Cullmann products. Cullmann tripods include a range of flexipods available in three sizes and three colours, plus mini tripods, full size tripods and the top of the range Titan 935 tripod, a large photo/video tripod that supports 21kg of equipment. Tripod prices start from £13.99 and rise to £399.00 for the Titan 935 model. The Cullmann bag range includes the Sydney PRO Action zoomster, the Ultralight Sport and Lima backpacks and two more traditional camera bags – the Ultralight PRO Maxima 120 and 300. There are also two messenger-style Madrid bags and the new Sydney Maxima 425+ Pro bag. Cullman bags start from £35.99.

The new Lytro Cinema is billed as the World’s first Light Field solution for film and television. With Lytro Cinema, every frame of a live action scene becomes a 3D model: every pixel has colour and directional and depth properties bringing the control and creative flexibility of computer-generated visual effects to real world capture. The system opens up new creative avenues for the integration of live action footage and visual effects with capabilities like Light Field Camera Tracking and Lytro Depth Screen -- the ability to accurately key green screens for every object and space in the scene without the need for a green screen. Lytro Cinema comprises a camera, server array for storage and processing, which can also be done in the cloud, and software to edit Light Field data. The entire system integrates into existing production and post-production workflows, working in tandem with popular industry standard tools. The system is capable of recording 755 raw megapixels at up to 300fps and offers up to 16 stops of dynamic range. Lytro Cinema will be available for production in Q3 2016 to exclusive partners on a subscription basis.

Lensbaby today announced the availability of their new Twist 60 lens. This metal-bodied 60mm f/2.5 lens with gold anodised accents creates powerful portraits, spotlighting subjects by freeing them from their background and surrounding them with swirly blur and enhanced vignette. The brighter the aperture, the greater the swirl and the greater the vignette. The optical formula comprises 4 elements in 3 groups and a 12-bladed iris diaphragm that can be stopped down all the way to f22. The Twist 60 lens retails for $279.95 and is available via pre-order beginning today. Shipments commence on 5th May. A Twist 60 Optic ($179.95) will also be sold separately for use with other Lensbaby Optic Swap System-compatible lenses.

Leica have released a new firmware update for the Leica S (Typ 007) medium-format DSLR camera. Version 3.0.0.0 adds automatic lens update, whereby lenses with older firmware will now be automatically recognised and updated. Further optimisations include customisability of the Live View button, as well as the shutter release, which can now be programmed for AE lock. Also new with this firmware are improved symbols for camera settings. Registered Leica S customers in the UK can log in to the Leica owners’ area and download the firmware or take their camera to a Leica Store or Leica Customer Care for a complimentary update service.

Photography Blog attended yesterday’s European launch of the new Hasselblad H6D medium format camera in London, upgrading the previous H4 and H5 models, and got to spend some time with, and take some exclusive hands on photos of, both the 50MP and 100MP versions – outwardly identical apart from their model numbers, but inwardly quite different.

Introducing the new digital medium format camera in its two iterations – the company’s first launch this year – Hasselblad’s CEO Perry Oosting told those in attendance that this was “a completely new electronic platform. We started from scratch and are very proud to launch our first product of 2016.”

Intro 2020 has been appointed sole UK distributor of Beastgrip Pro, the World's first universal lens adapter and camera rig system for smartphones. Featuring an adjustable lens mount with spring loaded clamps, the Beastgrip Pro is a modular rig system with a removable lens mount assembly and handle. It comes with industry-standard photography mounts and an ergonomic grip, allowing users to attach all kinds of photography gear and take a better shot. There are 3 kits in the product range, including the basic Beastgrip Pro Rig (£139.99), the Beastgrip Pro Rig plus Wide Angle Lens (£169.99) and the Beastgrip Pro Rig plus Wide Angle and Fish-eye lenses (£199.99).

The Metz mecablitz 26 AF-2 is a new flash with a guide number of 26 (in metres at ISO 100/21°). Features include a wide-angle diffuser (24mm), up to 85mm illumination with the included telephoto diffuser, a vertically tilting reflector for an indirect flash and an adjustable LED video light, which creates additional illumination when shooting video. Depending on the camera, the Metz 26 AF-2 also offers wireless TTL flash. To ensure that the unit is always up to date, firmware updates can be downloaded via USB. The flash will be available from the end of this month.

The British Journal of Photography (BJP) is inviting photographers to be a part of a nationwide public exhibition entitled Portrait of Britain. Visible on the nation's high streets, roadsides and in transport hubs across the length and breadth of the country throughout September 2016, the exhibition will be showcased on JCDecaux digital screens. Photographers may submit portraits of family, friends, themselves or simply people they find interesting. The photos must have been taken after 1 January 2010 and depict subjects living in the UK. Portraits can be shot using any camera model, film or digital, and images may be portrait, landscape or square in format. The submission deadline is 20 June 2016. The BJP will select 100 images for the exhibition.

Hasselblad have launched an all-new medium-format camera. Rather than an improvement on the existing H-series cameras, the H6D range has been completely rebuilt with new technical components and an all new electronic platform. The H6D range introduces the H6D-100c, a 100MP option (pictured), and the H6D-50c with a 50MP CMOS sensor. The new models feature a wider range of shutter speeds from 60 minutes to 1/2000th of a second, increased ISO range and a faster shooting rate along with a USB 3.0 Type-C connector. The high-definition rear touchscreen LCD delivers a pin-sharp live view experience and Wi-Fi as standard, a HDMI connector, for external monitor connectivity, completes the tool set. Built-in dual card slots allow enhanced media capability; a CFast slot allows for high-speed capture and an SD card slot enables maximum compatibility. Additionally, the H6D-100c brings 4K video capability to the medium-format world. The Hasselblad H6D-50c is priced at €22,900. The H6D-100c will be available for €28,900.

Epson. today introduced its next-generation Expression Home XP-430 Small-in-One ultra-compact printer. The new device supports Wi-Fi CERTIFIED and Wi-Fi Direct for printing without a router or wireless connection, and comes equipped with Epson Connect to print and scan from a tablet, smartphone or computer. The Expression XP-430 features a high-resolution 2.7" colour LCD screen and built-in memory card slots for easy PC-free photo printing, scanning and copying. The XP-430 Small-in-One is now available for $99.99.

Macphun Software have today launched a major update to Tonality, their award-winning black-and-white photo editor for Mac. Users will now have access to a free preset library, created by professional photographers from around the world. Additionally, Macphun have teamed up with 500px to allow users to easily export images directly from Tonality to the global online photography community. Raw image file support has been extended to include files generated by the Canon PowerShot G1 X Mark II, the Fujifilm FinePix HS50EXR 100, the the Leica Q (Typ 116), Leica SL (Typ 601) and Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246), the Nikon D300S, the Panasonic DMC-G7, the Sony A700, Sony RX100 III and the Sony RX10 II. To celebrate the update, Macphun are offering a 50% discount and a free batch processing in the MAS version of Tonality for one week only (7th14th April).

Ricoh have added a number of new, full-resolution sample images to their Pentax K-1 gallery. Originally comprising four photographs, the expanded gallery now contains 7+2 pictures including a demonstration of the camera's pixel-shift super-resolution and skin tone adjustment technologies, and a newly added image captured at a sensitivity setting of ISO 400/27°.

Website: Ricoh Imaging Japan

At the 2016 NAB Show in Las Vegas, Canon U.S.A. will showcase its full line of professional 4K and high-definition imaging equipment for video content creation and still photography at booth C4325. Additionally, there will be presentations and panel discussions throughout the show featuring Canon Explorers of Light, ASC members, and other emerging voices in imaging culture. A unique, immersive event, 8K Ride Experience showcases Canon’s innovation in current, emerging, and future technology by providing a simulated journey through a realistic, panoramic landscape powered by Canon 8K imaging technology. “The NAB show is Canon’s opportunity to show our valued customers and the industry our latest technology as well as the multitude of ways that Canon digital imaging solutions can help them achieve their vision,” said Yuichi Ishizuka, president and COO, Canon U.S.A. “NAB is an amazing show for us to connect with professionals in all aspects of video creation, editing, and distribution.”

Huawei have launched the new P9 and P9 Plus smartphones with dual-camera modules featuring lenses designed in collaboration with Leica. One of these modules is a conventional 12-megapixel smartphone camera that takes 12-megapixel colour photos through a 27mm (eq.) f/2.2 lens, while the other boasts a 12-megapixel monochromatic sensor. Users may opt to use the two camera modules in tandem - in which case the device combines the two images to create one colour photograph with superior detail and low noise - or use the second camera on its own to take high-quality black-and-white photographs with no Bayer interpolation involved. The P9 supports auto focus based on three focusing technologies – laser, depth calculation and contrast detection – and automatically selects the one that yields the best result in any given environment. The Huawei P9 offers a 5.2" Ful HD display and comes with either 3GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage (€599) or 4GB of memory and 64GB of storage capacity (€649). The Huawei P9 Plus (€749) has a larger frame with a 5.5-inch screen and comes with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage, plus dual-IC Rapid Charge.

Nikon have announced the addition of four new photographers to their ambassador programme. The newest additions include wildlife photographer Joel Sartore (pictured), celebrity and portrait photographer Matthew Jordan Smith, Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist Deanne Fitzmaurice and commercial and portrait photographer Joey Terrill. “Nearly three years after the foundation of the programme, Nikon Ambassadors have worked to educate and empower photographers while continuing to celebrate their passion and love for photography through the power of visual storytelling,” said Mike Corrado, NPS Manager, pro relations and product marketing, Nikon. “These new additions all define what it takes to be considered one of Nikon’s most elite photographers, with unparalleled commitment to both their craft and the imaging industry.”

Lomography has introduced a new lens for its “art” range of lenses designed to work in conjunction with digital cameras.

The Daguerrotype Achromat, like several other Lomography lenses will be launched via a Kickstarter campaign to get it launched before becoming available for regular purchase in shops once the required funding has been achieved.

It is based on an optical design dating back to 1839, where a Chevalier Achromat lens was mounted on a Daguerrotype camera. The main characteristic of the lens is that at wide apertures it produces a soft effect.

The new lens has a focal length of 64mm, making it ideal for a number of subjects including portraits. The maximum aperture is f/2.9, and it will be available to buy in Canon EF and Nikon F mounts - you can also use it with other cameras via mount adapters.

Lenses bought via Kickstarter are likely to start shipping in August, with availability in normal shops some time after that.

The Lomographic Society has launched a Kickstarter campaign to help fund the commercialisation of its new Daguerreotype Achromat 2.9/64 Art lens. The Daguerreotype Achromat 2.9/64 Art Lens has been designed by Lomography’s technicians based on an 1839 design – and condensed into a bold brass lens for modern analogue and digital cameras – available in Canon EF OR Nikon F mounts. "Photographers and videographers can delve into an extensive variation of moods and special effect: silky soft focus at f/2.9, crisp sharp shots from f/5.6 onwards, and a focal length of 64mm," the society says. The Daguerreotype Achromat Lens works with a Waterhouse Aperture Plate system, which allows full creativity with depth of field and bokeh effects. The Daguerreotype Achromat 2.9/64 Art Lens is available through Kickstarter, where in addition to exclusive offers and prices, backers can secure their own Daguerreotype Achromat Lens from the first-ever batch – estimated to start shipping in August of this year.

Manfrotto has won five accolades and an honourable mention at the 2016 Red Dot Awards. The award winning products include the XPRO Monopod, Pixi Evo, Lykos LED, Compact Xtreme and Digital Director, with the honourable mention going to the D1 Drone Backpack (pictured).

Lexar today announced their Professional XQD 2.0 USB 3.0 reader. With its compact, portable design, the new memory card reader can easily slip into a pocket or bag, and offers a simple plug-and-play design with a USB 3.0 connector so content can be securely transferred on the go. For versatility, the reader is backwards compatible with USB 2.0 devices at USB 2.0 speeds. The Lexar Professional XQD 2.0 USB 3.0 Reader will be available in late April with a MSRP of £29.99.