Manfrotto has launched a new compact and foldable Lastolite by Manfrotto EzyBounce bounce card. Featuring a secure fixing system, the Lastolite by Manfrotto EzyBounce is made from impact resistant ABS (glass re-enforced plastic) and fits all standard flashguns available on the market. With a wide white surface for maximum reflection when opened (18x19cm), the card collapses to a third of its original size when closed (11x7cm). The Lastolite by Manfrotto EzyBounce bounce card has a RRP of £24.95.

Hoya have anounced a new filter line. The new Fusion Antistatic filters feature a new antistatic coating that acts like a force field around the filter to repel dust. Perfect for environments where dust is common, these filters require less frequent cleaning and maintenance than traditional filters. Additionally, the hardened, antistatic top-layer is water repellent, stain and scratch resistant and cleans easily when smudges or fingerprints are introduced to the surface. Made in Japan, the filters feature a lightweight, low-profile aluminium frame to house the glass. The low-profile frame eliminates vignetting when used on wide-angle lenses. Fusion filters are available in UV, Circular Polariser and Protector versions and in sizes from 37mm through to 82mm. Prices start from £26.99 for the 37mm protector filter.

Canon USA has issued a product advisory to owners of the Canon Speedlite 600EX-RT flash and ST-E3-RT wireless transmitter. The company has discovered that with certain units, wireless flash shooting with radio transmission will not work in some setting modes when 7 or more units are linked. Photographers owning one or more of the affected flashes and/or transmitters are encouraged to contact Canon to have their unit(s) inspected and serviced for this phenomenon at no cost.

SeaLife announced the expansion of its permanently sealed waterproof camera line with the introduction of the new Micro 2.0. Durable and compact, measuring in at 4 inches wide with a 2.4" colour LCD screen, the new Micro 2.0 features a Sony CMOS image sensor capable of recording 16-megapixel stills as well as Full HD movies at 60fps or HD videos at 30fps. Offering a built-in 130° fisheye lens, the SeaLife Micro 2.0 can also be fitted with an optional 10x Macro converter for close-up shooting. Like its predecessor, the Micro HD, the new Micro 2.0 can be used above or below the surface down to 200 feet, while its on-board wireless module connects the camera to any iOS / Android smartphone or tablet using the free SeaLife Micro Cam app. The 32GB model retails for $499.95, and the 64GB version can be had for $549.95.

Nevercenter has released Version 2.8 of  CameraBag, a Mac/Windows program which allows you to edit your raw images, add a variety of user-configurable filters to your photos and simulate the look of classic film stocks. New features in this update include five types of histogram, the ability to zoom and see your image at full resolution and an all-new Photos extension for OSX El Capitan users.

Ricoh have released the highly anticipated Pentax Tethered Capture Plug-In for use with Adobe Lightroom. Enhancing the tethered capture capabilities of thePentax 645Z medium-format dSLR camera (pictured), the new plug-in enables files to easily be uploaded into Adobe Lightroom during a studio session, where they can readily be viewed, shared and edited. “Since Lightroom is already the de-facto standard for many photographers to edit and develop their images, this new plug-in is especially welcome,” said Chris Knight, a New York-based portrait photographer. “Using Lightroom, I am able to quickly share photos with my clients, who are even able to view and comment from remote locations.”

Alien Skin Software has introduced Exposure X for OS X and Windows. Designed to streamline routine editing tasks, Exposure X is a digital imaging app that helps photographers quickly organise, edit, and enhance their photos. It can be used as a plug-in to Photoshop and Lightroom, or as a complete standalone photo editor. The program offers non-destructive editing, so a photographer’s original photo is never touched and changes can always be undone. Additionally, using proprietary algorithms Exposure X handles raw image files from a wide range of cameras. Exposure X is available now from Alien Skin Software for $149. Owners of any version of Exposure may upgrade for $99.

Really Right Stuff have announced the PG-01 compact gimbal head. This patent-pending modular head is perfect for shooting both single- and multi-row panoramas. The PG-01 is designed to support smaller camera setups, such as CSCs or SLRs with lenses up to a 70-200mm f/2.8 tlezoom. An option for an integrated levelling base makes it the smallest, complete gimbal system for its load capacity. Depending on configuration, the Really Right Stuff PG-01 Compact Pano-Gimbal Head retails for $180-$435.

Toshiba have announced the European availability of high-speed microSDHC and microSDXC cards designed for use in action cameras and mobile devices. The Exceria PRO M401 microSD cards are water, shock and x-ray proof, and work across an operating temperature range of -25°C to +85°C and can safely store data at temperatures from -40°C to +85°C. Supporting write speeds of up to 80MB/s and read speeds of up to 95MB/s, the new microSD cards comply with UHS Speed Class 3 specifications and come in 16GB, 32GB and 64GB capacities.

Olympus Ambassador and Principal Educator Damian McGillicuddy will open four Academies around the UK. The McGillicuddy Training Academies are situated in Gateshead in the North East, Royston in the East, Birmingham in the Midlands and Chester, the flagship Training Academy which is Damian McGillicuddy’s own studio, in the North West. The Academy courses have been created around a practical, hands-on experience, designed for all skill levels and held in a working studio. The courses and workshops cover a range of genres from still life to beauty, traditional portraiture to studio lighting. One of the important aims of the McGillicuddy Academies is to make sure that everything learnt during their workshops can be repeated as soon as photographers get back to their home or studio. To celebrate the launch of the McGillicuddy Training Academies, Olympus will run a special promotion on all new OM-D cameras - £100 off the 'Get to know your OM-D' workshop, now only £49. Promotional vouchers will be included in all OM-D camera boxes, with full terms and conditions.

Polar Pro have launched their PowerGrip H2O, the World’s first underwater-charging, battery-integrated extension pole system for GoPro (pictured); and the compact three-in-one hand grip, extension pole and mini tripod dubbed the Trippler. Initially funded through a Kickstarter campaign, the PowerGrip H20’s built-in 6,700 mAh Lithium battery provides up to 12 hours of shooting and with the add-on Waterproof Live Charging Kit users can even live-chargean action camera down to 99 feet underwater. Carrying an MSRP of $99.99 for the base model, and $149.99 with the underwater live-charge kit/LED light combo, the PowerGrip H2O is available via PolarPro’s website. Originally offered as a stretch goal for the PowerGrip H2O Kickstarter campaign, the Trippler is a lightweight, three-on-one accessory for smartphones, GoPro or other compact cameras. In its base configuration, the Trippler functions as a compact hand grip small enough to fit into just about any purse, camera bag or backpack, but with a with a simple twist, the telescopic extension turns the Trippler from a 7.5 inch grip to a 28 inch selfie stick. The Trippler is retailing for $49.99.

Luna is a tiny, easy-to-use camera designed to capture and share 360° footage. Only 6cm in diameter and weighing a little over 180g, Luna's form factor can be best compared to that of a golf ball. Its dual-fisheye-lens design, and single button operation makes 360° video accessible to everyone. With a built-in gyroscope and an IP-68 waterproof rating, Luna is designed with the adventurous videographer in mind. Luna is available for pre-order on IndieGoGo for the early bird price of $199. Delivery is expected within seven months.

The completely unique Light L16 camera, a new kind of imaging device sporting 16 camera modules, is now available to pre-order. Roughly the size of an iPhone 6S Plus in a case, the Light L16 has 5 cameras with 35mm equivalent lenses, 5 modules with 70mm equivalent primes and 6 units boasting 150mm equivalent telephoto lenses. Each camera module utilises a small imaging chip of the kind typically  used in smartphones. The 35mm equivalent units have a traditional, vertically stacked optical arrangement, whilst the 70mm and 150mm equivalent ones utilise a folded-optics design. When taking a picture, 10 of the cameras fire simultaneously and the resulting images are then "computationally fused" to create a clear, highly detailed final photograph (up to 52 megapixels when shooting at the 35mm or 70mm focal lengths). When working at the 150mm end, there is no superresolution advantage - the final images will be13 megapixels, which is the native pixel count of the individual sensors used - but having multiple cameras take the same shot at the same time still helps with keeping noise levels down and producing HDR imagery even for moving subjects. Additionally, the Light L16 uses depth mapping to allow for post-capture adjustment of the point of focus and depth of field. If you order before 1 January 2016, you get a ￡100 discount, otherwise the camera will cost ￡1199.99.

The completely unique Light L16 camera, a new kind of imaging device sporting 16 camera modules, is now available to pre-order. Roughly the size of an iPhone 6S Plus in a case, the Light L16 has 5 cameras with 35mm equivalent lenses, 5 modules with 70mm equivalent primes and 6 units boasting 150mm equivalent telephoto lenses. Each camera module utilises a small imaging chip of the kind typically  used in smartphones. The 35mm equivalent units have a traditional, vertically stacked optical arrangement, whilst the 70mm and 150mm equivalent ones utilise a folded-optics design. When taking a picture, 10 of the cameras fire simultaneously and the resulting images are then "computationally fused" to create a clear, highly detailed final photograph (up to 52 megapixels when shooting at the 35mm or 70mm focal lengths). When working at the 150mm end, there is no superresolution advantage - the final images will be13 megapixels, which is the native pixel count of the individual sensors used - but having multiple cameras take the same shot at the same time still helps with keeping noise levels down and producing HDR imagery even for moving subjects. Additionally, the Light L16 uses depth mapping to allow for post-capture adjustment of the point of focus and depth of field. If you order before 1 January 2016, you get a ￡100 discount, otherwise the camera will cost ￡1199.99.

Adobe has released Lightroom 1.4 for Android, which is now available for free. The ability to use Lightroom for mobile without a paid subscription means that anyone can take advantage of all of the organisational, editing, and sharing abilities that the mobile app offers. Lightroom for Android supports raw DNG workflows making it possible to enhance images and take full advantage of all of the quality and details found in images captured on Android Lollipop powered devices. Signing up for a free trial of Adobe Lightroom CC adds the ability to synchronise files and edits with Lightroom on a desktop or laptop as well as with Lightroom Web.

The winners of the EyeTime 2015 contest have been announced. EyeTime 2015 was assembled as a means to publicly promote the research, exploration and investigation currently happening amongst today's emerging talent. Winners include Javier Corso, Turjoy Chowdhury, Vanessa Vettorello. Jiawei Zho, Md Shahnewaz Khan, Felicia Simion, Holly Castillo, Yew Kiat Soh, Hans Rusine, István Juhász, Luca Laghetti, Anna Pietrzak and Emese Benkő.

The Event Photography Awards are now open for entries. Photographers, event professionals, venues, agencies and suppliers alike are all being called upon to submit their imagery in a variety of categories including Music Events, Cultural Events, Sporting Events, Corporate Events, Trade Shows, Private Events, Weddings, Experimental and Behind The Scenes.. Pictures by both amateur and professional photographers from any event which took place between 1 January 2015 and 31 December 2015 can be submitted. The deadline for entries is 31 January 2016.

The new COOPH Rain Jacket has been designed specifically for photographers. Some of the one-of-a-kind features include a special quick-access zipper to grab the camera and an extended shapeable hood to cover the lens when shooting in stormy conditions. It also features elasticated cuffs for added protection when things turn nasty and a host of practical inner and outer pockets to store even a tablet. “The Rain Jacket allows photographers to get the shots they want, without worrying about getting wet or damaging their equipment,” Ulrich Grill, founder of COOPH and a professional photographer himself, said. “We hope photographers forget the weather and remember the moments.” The COOPH Rain Jacket is available for €398.

3Pod have announced a new line of tripods, monopods, ballheads and video heads for profesiional photographers and videographers. Available exclusively at Adorama, new products from 3Pod include the Orbit 3-Section Tripod and the Orbit 4-Section Tripod, a 4-Section Monopod with Fluid Base, a Table Top Tripod with Ballhead, a 3-Way Head with Quick Release, the M1 Mini Ballhead, a Pistol Grip Ballhead, the new T1 Tilthead with Quick Release, the Q3 Fluid Video Head and the Q2 Lightweight Fluid Video Head. Click through / read on for the details.