Lowepro have launched four new models as part of their ProTactic series of camera bags. The expanded line now includes the ProTactic SH 120 AW shoulder bag ($99.95) designed for mirrorless camera kits; the ProTactic SH 180 AW mid-sized shoulder bag ($129.95) that fits a standard SLR with a 24-70mm lens attached, one to two extra lenses, a tablet, smartphone and small personal items; the photojournalist-style ProTactic SH 200 AW bag ($169.95) designed to fit a professional SLR camera with a classic 70-200mm lens kit, two to three extra lenses or speedlights, up to a 13-inch laptop and tablet, smartphone, and accessories; and the ProTactic BP 250 AW backpack ($189.95).

Phottix has unveiled a new wireless flash trigger system designed to work with Canon’s E-TTL and RT flash units. Allowing users to control both radio-enabled and non-radio flashes from Canon, the Phottix Laso Transmitter can trigger up to 5 groups (15 units) of Canon system flashes and supports multiple flash modes, including E-TTL II/E-TTL, Manual, MULTI, Ext.A and Linked Shooting. The Laso Receiver can also be connected to studio lights, offering the ability to mix hot-shoe flashes and studio strobes. The Phottix Laso system is now available in the United States.

Leica will open a second London-based store at The Royal Exchange. Following the success of its Mayfair store, Leica is expanding its retail presence with this new outlet – known as the Leica Store City – enabling customers in The City and East of London to experience the German brand’s full range of photographic and optics products, as well as providing access to the company’s services, such as its Akademie creative photography workshop programme. Opening on 5 October 2015, the Leica Store City is located at No.18 The Royal Exchange, London, EC3V 3LR.

XSories have announced the new Bendy range of flexible tripods for smartphones, action cams and regular cameras. Available in three sizes, Mini Bendy (£15.99), Bendy (£19.99) and Big Bendy (£23.99), the tripods come in six vibrant colours: red, green, blue, orange, black and grey. Each Bendy model features an adjustable ballhead, flexible legs, non-slip feet and a ¼-inch universal screw

Cokin and Omegabrandess have just introduced the NUANCES Limited Edition ND1024 Z-PRO (L) 100mmx100mm filter kit. Available for Z-PRO Series (L) only, the kit includes the ND1024 10-stop neutral density filter, Z-PRO (L) filter holder with foam mask, 4 adapter rings; 67, 72, 77 and 82mm, and a soft filter case. The kit is available for $421.50 via the Omegabrandess website.

This October, Triggertrap are calling on photographers from around the world to create time-lapse movies featuring the cities they love. The clips will then be combined to create a powerful crowdsourced time-lapse film. From famous monuments to bustling crowds to office blocks, Triggertrap wants photographers to capture the local views that matter to them, and paint an honest picture of the photographer’s environment. The events will take place in London, Cape Town, New York City, San Francisco, and Milan, kicking off with this year’s LapseLondon event on 11 October 2015. The events will all be free to attend. The finished timelapse films and documentary of the events will be available online in November via Triggertrap’s Vimeo page and website.

Magix have released the latest version of its video editing solution, Movie Edit Pro. Boasting a multitude of unique features, ranging from HEVC/H.265 support and high-quality video stabilisation to working with footage from 360° cameras and action cams; the Movie Edit Pro 2016 product family offers beginners and more advanced users a range of practical tools. Movie Edit Pro is available online from £49.99.

PhotoSpring 8 is a new-generation digital photo frame billed as the World's first completely automated digital photo album. The device features an 8" touch-screen with a resolution of 1280x800 pixels, built-in SD, microSD and USB slots, as well as WiFi connectivity. It automatically gathers photos from various sources, and organises them in a single, easy-to-access location. Facial recognition technology automatically identifies and tags the people in each photo. The search function can find photos by people, location, date, or any combination of the three. Photos can be automatically shared with designated family and friends based on the people tagged in each photo. PhotoSpring 8 also includes an integrated voice-activated digital assistant to help with everyday tasks and information requests. The product - which is currently seeking funding via Kickstarter - shall be available from April 2016. Pricing for the base model with 16GB of memory will start at $199 but "early birds" can get it for $99 by backing the project now.

Photography Blog has teamed up with ExpoImaging to offer you the chance to win the new and improved Rogue FlashBender 2 Portable Lighting Kit.

Geoff Vago has been chosen as the lucky winner - congratulations!

The Rogue FlashBender 2 range of unique light modifiers for speedlight flash units, allows photographers to direct and shape light. The range has been created by ExpoImaging to meet the needs of location photographers, and is made up of strong, durable, lighting tools that can be flat packed for easy storage or transportation.

The FlashBender 2 range has a patented design, giving the photographer complete control over the shape of the reflector.

The innovative Rogue FlashBender 2 Portable Lighting Kit includes everything you need to unleash your creativity in one practical kit.

Portable Lighting Kit includes:

FlashBender 2 – LARGE Reflector
FlashBender 2 – SMALL Reflector
LARGE Diffusion Panel
SMALL Diffusion Panel
Rogue Flash Gels - Combo Filter Kit
Rogue 3-in-1 Flash Grid - Stacking Grid System
Rogue Grid Gels - Combo Filter Kit
Rogue FlashBender Travel Bag

Key features:

Soften light with soft boxes on-camera or off-camera
Shape bounce flash and background light
Snoot hair light
Focus light with the Rogue Grid for dramatic effect
Add theatrical accent colour with Rogue Flash Gels
Colour correct flash for improved colour balance
Total Kit Weight: 19 oz (540g)

The Rogue FlashBender 2 Portable Lighting Kit is available to purchase through leading photography retailers and is distributed exclusively by Color Confidence. For further information and to purchase your Rogue FlashBender 2 Portable Lighting Kit, visit: www.colorconfidence.com

How to enter the competition

To be in with a chance of winning the Rogue FlashBender 2 Portable Lighting Kit, all you have to do is sign up to the Photography Blog newsletter from 20 August to 21 September 2015 using the form below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Metabones have released a firmware update for their EF-mount Speed Boosters and Smart Adapters. Version 1.8 adds support for the on-sensor phase-detect auto-focus (PDAF) function of the Olympus OM-D E-M1 and Sony Alpha 7R II compact system cameras. In addition, this firmware upgrade provides support for the fast contrast-detect auto-focus (CDAF) feature of the Olympus E-M5II, E-M5, E-M10 and E-P5 models. Click through / scroll down for the details.

Samyang have introduced four new manual-focus lenses for compact system cameras with APS-C and FourThirds sized imagers. The Samyang 21mm F1.4 ED AS UMC CS (£279.99/€349.00, pictured) is a moderate wide-angle/normal lens with a maximum aperture of f/1.4 and an optical formula comprising 8 lens elements in 7 groups, including one extra low dispersion lens (ED) and three glass aspherical lenses. The Samyang 50mm F1.2 AS UMC CS (£309.99/€399.00) is a short telephoto lens with a bright f/1.2 aperture with impressive bokeh, incorporating 9 elements in seven groups with two glass aspherical lenses. For an extra £30/€50, both the 21mm and 50mm lenses will be available in cine versions featuring quiet and smooth de-clicked focus and aperture gear rings and maximum apertures of T1.5 and T1.3 respectively. These new lenses will be available from mid-October in Sony E, MFT, Fujifilm X and Canon M mounts.

Anthropics Technology have launched PortraitPro v15 - a major release of their professional portrait retouching software. This update offers a host of new features including realistic makeup controls, wide angle lens distortion correction, enhanced Child Mode, advanced skin colouring and tone correction, improved feature detection and support for ultra-high resolution displays. The standard edition can now be purchased for £29.95/$39.95 (regular price £59.90/$79.90).

Epson have unveiled their wireless PictureMate PM-400 Personal Photo Lab delivering borderless 4" x 6" and 5" x 7" photos that are smudge, scratch, water, and fade resistant, and last up to 200 years. Featuring a 2.7-inch LCD screen and easy-to-use button formatting for intuitive set up and navigation – all without a PC – the "personal photo lab" offers a range of photo editing and custom printing options including Auto Photo Correction, removing red eye, printing classic borders or borderless, as well as the ability to print in black-and-white, color or sepia. The PictureMate PM-400 is now available for $249.99.

Case Logic offers three camera bag collections for photographers of all levels. Launched earlier this year, the Kontrast collection features seven different camera bag designs that offer a range of backpacks, shoulder bags, slings and holsters suitable for interchangeable-lens cameras and action cams alike. For the urban photographer, the Reflexion collection (pictured) comprises three products including the Red Dot award winning messenger-style cross-bags, available in small or medium, and a full backpack. Last but not least, the Luminosity Collection offers a series of thirteen all-in-one backpacks and messenger bags featuring the unique snake divider system which offers a customisable one-handed solution for organising and accessing your DSLR camera, additional lenses and accessories.

Ikigai is a new brand of camera bags that feature a configurable and removable "camera cell," which provides added protection and makes packing easier. Initially, Ikigai will debut its innovative bag design with the Rival Backpack, to be followed by a complete family of interchangeable camera bags that allow users the freedom to custom-tailor their own carrying solution. "Ikigai represents the perfect blend of form and functionality," says founder Mark Green. "We know photographers are tired of constantly switching bags and repacking their gear to adapt to the needs of individual shoots. We also know there are entirely too many variations of bags, which creates a very confusing and frustrating shopping experience. Once a few professional photographers experience Ikigai for themselves, we expect the brand to spread like wildfire." Pricing for the camera cells starts at $79.99.

Rockabye is a new title from Daylight Books, featuring photographs by Lili Holzer-Glier. On October 29, 2012, Hurricane Sandy slammed into the Northeast coast of the United States engulfing homes and crippling communities. Among the worst hit neighborhoods in New York City was Rockaway Beach located in the Borough of Queens. In Rockabye,r Lili Holzer-Glier examines the condition of the Rockaways, post-Hurricane Sandy, through a series of colour landscapes and portraits taken between 2013-2015. The 112-page hardcover ($45) will publish in October coinciding with the third anniversary of the storm.