Samsung have launched two new memory card lineups, PRO Plus and EVO Plus. Available in 64GB and 32GB storage capacities, the PRO Plus microSD and SD cards are equipped to handle storing and transferring professional-grade photos and 4K UHD video content created from high-end DSLRs, smartphones, tablets and modern action cameras. With their higher read and write speeds of up to 95MB/s and 90 MB/s respectively, the PRO Plus SD cards and microSD cards satisfy both UHS-I Speed Class 3 (U3) and Class 10 performance levels. The new EVO Plus memory cards are also available in SD and microSD form factors, and have read and write speeds up to 80MB/s and 20MB/s respectively that provide UHS-I Speed Class 1 (U1) and Class 10 performance, boasting a much more advanced read performance compared to the existing EVO lineup.

JP Distribution has announced the UK launch of the Westcott Ice Light 2 LED light. The new Ice Light 2 is engineered with patented new LED technology offering 1,740 lumens of daylight-balanced light while maintaining a compact housing. Unlike traditional LED panels, the Ice Light has a built-in diffuser that is custom-designed to protect the LEDs and provide a 73° beam angle. Daylight-balanced at 5500K and rated for 50,000 hours with a Colour Rendering Index (CRI) of 96, the Ice Light 2 provides flicker-free output and stable light consistency. The redesigned handle offers a dedicated on/off power slider with an 18-step range and a light output memory which remembers your last power setting between uses. Battery indicator displays the current battery level using illuminated blue lights. Both ends of the Ice Light 2 include 1/4"-20 thread`s to mount to a light stand, tilter bracket or tripod. The Ice Light 2 is available for £549.

Adorama has just inked a deal with world-renowned camera adapter manufacturer Kipon, making the New York-based retailer the official US outlet for all Kipon products. On the Adorama website, customers can browse through more than 400 varieties of camera lens adapters including macro adapters, electronic adapters, adapters with integrated glass, optical focal reduction adapters, adapters with built-in aperture control, tilt/shift adapters, tilt adapters, and shift adapters for cameras such as Canon, Nikon, Sony, Olympus, Leica and more. Additionally, all Kipon products will also be available to other resellers at wholesale pricing through Adorama.

Apple has posted a Digital Camera RAW Compatibility Update, which adds system-level support for raw image files generated by the Canon EOS 5DS, 5DS R, 750D and 760D, the Fujifilm X-A2, the Hasselblad CFV-50c and H5D-50c, the Leica C (Typ 112), the Nikon 1 S2 and D7200, the Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark II, the Panasonic Lumix CM1 (pictured) and GF7, and the Pentax MX-1.

International Garden Photographer of the Year (IGPOTY) have announced the winners of their Monochrome Photo Project competition. The overall winner is Matthew Woodhouse whose photo 'Three,' reprinted above, depicts an avenue of beech trees in Northern Ireland planted in the 18th century by the Stuart family, with the intention to impress visitors as they approached the entrance to their home, Gracehill House. The runners-up are Annette Lepple and Ceri Jones.

Back in 2012, Hasselblad caused quite a stir with the introduction of the Hasselblad Lunar compact system camera. Dismissed by many as nothing but a Sony NEX-7 in drag, the 24-megapixel Hasselblad Lunar was arguably the most talked-about product at Photokina 2012. The intense interest that surrounded the announcement had as much to do with the camera's uniquely ergonomic handgrip and eye-catching, designed-in-Italy body shell as with its astronomical price tag of $6,995. While this actually made the Lunar the cheapest Hasselblad digital camera by a (very) wide margin, it was still a lot more expensive than the NEX-7 with which it shared almost every component - including the sensor, lens mount, AF system, viewfinder and TriNavi control system. If you've always wanted to own one, we've got good news for you - B&H has reduced the price to a much more affordable $1,495. (Meanwhile, the Sony NEX-7 with 18-55mm lens can be yours for $498.)

Via MLZphoto

Serf and Shoot The Frame — the photography contest site — are launching a new Affinity Photo photography contest. There's no restriction on subject matter - landscapes, wildlife, architecture, portraits, etc. are all accepted – and photographers can also submit as many entries to the competition as they wish for more chances to win. The contest only has one main requirement – that entrants use Affinity Photo (currently available for free in beta) to edit their entries.

Tamron USA announced today their first foray into "phototainment" with Season 1 of a video series designed to entertain while teaching valuable photo tips. Launched in conjunction with year two of their national Tailgate Tour to promote photography, the six episode series captures the adventures of two photo road warriors as they make their way across the country, capturing some of the most beautiful photo vistas in the US..

To celebrate National Photography Month, Digital-Tutors today announced a photo manipulation challemge. To enter the contest, contestants need to use their photo editing and manipulation skills to turn features from 2-5 separate images into a single, final image. The original images must also be uploaded with each entry. The submission deadline is 24 May 2015. Click through / read on for more information.

To celebrate Earth Day 2015, Triggertrap brought together photographers from five continents to create EarthLapse: a spectacular timelapse window on our world from many perspectives. In a follow-up to last year’s highly successful LapseLondon, when 40 photographers timelapsed a day in the life of London, EarthLapse drew on the vision and enthusiasm of photographers across the globe to highlight how breathtaking every far corner of the world can be. The beautiful outcome illustrates why days of global appreciation such as Earth Day remain important to preserving our planet’s environment.

Macphun today announced an update to FX Photo Studio. In addition to a number of feature improvements to the app, the new update adds a new collection of 3D effects filters including Black and White 3D, CMYK, Bokeh, Cinema, Red and Green, and 3D Glitche; plus 8 new stickers. The app is available for €2.99 (€0.99 from 1-3 May) on the iTunes App Store.

Lomography has announced the Lomo LC-A MINITAR-1 Art lens for M-mount rangefinder cameras. This pancake type interchangeable lens has a focal length of 32mm, a minimum focus distance of 0.8m and a maximum aperture of f/2.8. The optical construction features 5 elements in 4 groups and a 4-step zone focusing system. "The signature vignetting, sharp contrast and gloriously rich character of the LC-A legacy can now be achieved on a wide array of both digital and analogue cameras," the company says. Interested photographers can pre-order the lens for £249. Delivery is currently planned for July 2015.

Want to see exactly what the new Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246) camera looks like in the flesh?

Check out our hands-on gallery of photos of the Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246) camera.

The Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246) is a new black and white rangefinder camera. The Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246) features a newly developed 24 megapixel full-frame black-and-white CMOS sensor, ISO range of 320-2500, high-performance Leica Maestro image processor, 2Gb buffer, Live View function with focus peaking, 1080p HD video recording, 3-inch 921K-dot LCD with a Sapphire Crystal screen, and compatibility with almost all lenses of the Leica R series.

The Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246) will be available in early May for £5750 / €7200.

In the UK, JP Distribution will be running a PocketWizard end-user cash back promotion. Starting tomorrow, customers purchasing any of a number of PocketWizard products - including the PocketWizard PlusX Twin Set, PocketWizard Plus lll Twin Set and the PocketWizard Mini & Flex Kit for Canon or Nikon (1 x MiniTT1, 2 x FlexTT5 & 1 x AC3 ZoneController) - from authorised UK and Republic of Ireland resellers, will be entitled to claim up to £50/€60 cash back by redemption of a voucher and valid proof of purchase. THe promotion ends on Tuesday 30th June.