On 26th February, Fujifilm will release an update to its free Raw File Converter EX application. Version 2.0 of the Silkypix-powered program brings film simulation support for the Fujifilm XQ2, X30, X100T, X-A2 and X-T1/X-T1 Graphite Silver Edition (pictured), Support for earlier X-series models will be added via a future software upgrade.

Olympus Japan has posted four high-resolution sample photos taken with the brand new Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark II compact system camera. Shot at sensitivity settings of ISO 200/24° and ISO 800/30° using the M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm f/2.8 Pro and M.Zuiko Digital 17mm f/1.8 lenses, these Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark II samples include three 16-megapixel photos and one 40-megapixel composite image.

Website: Official Olympus OM-D E-M5 Samples

The Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark II is a new 16-megapixel Micro Four Thirds camera that boasts the World’s most powerful 5-axis image stabilisation system to date. The improved IS promises blur-free photographs at shutter speeds up to 5 full stops slower than usual, and works with movies as well as stills. New OM-D Movie Mode offers multiple video frame rates and Full HD video at bit rates of up to 77 Mbps, and focusing during video capture is child's play via the 3-inch touch-sensitive, vari-angle LCD screen. A special advantage of Olympus’ ultra-precise 5-axis stabilisation system is the potential to capture extremely high-resolution still images that exceed the normal capacity of its sensor. By moving the imager between each shot and merging eight single exposures into one, the E-M5 Mark II delivers a 40-Megapixel photo whose resolution rivals that of the highest-resolution full-frame dSLRs. Other interesting new features include on-demand in-camera keystone compensation that allows for correcting converging verticals in Live View without the need for a shift lens or post-processing; and slightly redesigned controls that make it easier to operate the camera at high speed. Built-in WiFi means you can remote control the camwea from a smartphone, then share and geotag the images on social media using Olympus OI.Share. The latest addition to Olympus’ OM-D line-up goes on sale in late February 2015 and costs £899.99/$1,099.99 for the body only. UK and Ireland customers who order the Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark II before March 1st can benefit from a five-and-half year warranty worth £100 plus a messenger bag worth £130.

Olympus has announced a hotshoe-mounted dot sight accessory for Micro Four Thirds cameras. Similarly to the integrated unit found on the Olympus SP-100EE ultra-zoom camera, the interchangeable EE-1 dot sight enables the user to keep a moving subject within the image frame when using a long telephoto lens. Available in May, the Olympus EE-1 dot-sight framing assistant carries a suggested retail price of $129.99.

The Olympus Stylus Tough TG-860 is a new, 16-megapixel compact camera that is waterproof to a depth of 15m, shockproof from 2.1m, freezeproof to -10 °C and crushproof up to 100kg.  The camera sports a 21-105mm (eq.) f/3.5-5.7 lens and offers improved video capture options, GPS with multiple satellite system support, built-in Wi-Fi, a variety of shooting modes and Art Filters for capturing and sharing expressive images directly from the camera. The Olympus TG-860 features a 180-degree flip LCD, two customisable function buttons and Full HD video capture at 60 frames per second. Additionally, the Stylus Tough TG-860 can record High-Speed Movies at 120fps at 854x480 (16:9) or 640x480 (4:3) or 240fps at 640x360 (16:9) or 480x360 (4:3) resolution. A Time-Lapse Movie mode is also available, capturing images in 0.5, 1, 3, 6, 12 and 30-second intervals. The Olympus Stylus Tough TG-860 will be available in April 2015 in black, orange and white for  £269.99/$279.99.

Olympus has announced the upcoming release of a significant firmware upgrade for its OM-D E-M1 compact system camera. Version 3.0 increases the maximum continuous shooting speed from 6.5fps to 9fps with auto focus maintained. With this update, AF tracking performance is improved when using C-AF Sequential H mode. The firmware update will become available on 24 February 2015.

Olympus have unveiled an improved version of its M.Zuiko Digital ED 14-150mm superzoom lens for Micro Four Thirds cameras. This new edition features a dust- and splashproof construction and "greatly improved" design, as well as ZUIKO Extra-low Reflection Optical Coating on the surface of the front element to eliminate scratches as well as reduce ghosting and flare. The lens will be available in a kit with the new OM-D E-M5 Mark II compact system camera, priced at £1249.99. In the USA the  will be sold separately, at an estimated street price of $599.99.

Olympus has announced the development of the world's fastest fish-eye lens. The new M.Zuiko Digital 8mm 1:1.8 Pro has a maximum aperture of f/1.8, whereas most high-grade fish-eye optics max out at f/2.8, i.e. more than a full stop slower. The new lens will come equipped with a built-in petal-shaped hood and a dedicated Micro Four Thirds mount. As with other lenses in the Pro series, the M.ZuikoDigial ED 8mm f/1.8 Fisheye Pro features a dustproof and splashproof construction. A dedicated underwater lens port is also under development, allowing users to capture wide-angle images at depths of up to 45m when paired with the Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark II and PT-EP13 protective case. Availability is slated for summer 2015. Pricing is to be announced.

Olympus Japan has announced a Bluetooth and Wi-Fi enabled camera unit designed for use with smartphones. The Olympus Air features a Four Thirds sized 16-megapixel MOS sensor, a Micro Four Thirds lens mount, an electronic shutter with a top speed of 1/16,000s, an 81-point AF system, a shutter release and a tripod socket. Weighing-in at 147 grams, the Olympus Air can be controlled via a smartphone app. Going on sale on 6 March 2015, the Olympus Air has a recommended retail price of 36,504 yen. The product will only be available through the Olympus Online Shop, and there is no word on international pricing.

The HD Pentax-D FA★ 70-200mm F2.8ED DC AW is a new full-frame telephoto lens for Pentax KAF mount cameras. This telephoto zoom lens has been developed as the latest model in the Pentax Star series, which boasts the highest image quality of all Pentax interchangeable lenses. The optical construction features 19 lens elements in 16 groups plus an aperture diaphragm with 9 rounded blades. The minimum focus distance is 1.2m, and the lens takes 77mm filters. Additionally, this zoom lens is equipped with the Pentax-developed Quick-Shift Focus System, which allows users to instantly switch to manual-focus operation after the subject is captured in focus by the camera’s AF system. In order to improve its operability, a three-position switch has been installed on this lens, allowing instant switching among QFS/A, QFS/M and MF modes. QFS/A is an autofocus-priority mode, which allows the user to switch to manual-focusing operation when autofocus operation is complete. QFS/M is a manual-focus-priority mode, which enables the user to switch to manual focusing at any time — even when the AF system is in operation. MF mode allows the user to instantly switch to manual focusing with a simple twist of the focus ring on the lens. Available in March, the new HD Pentax-D FA★ 70-200mm F2.8ED DC AW will retail for $2,299.95.

Ricoh have now confirmed the official name and specifications of the "high magnification super zoom" lens they had on display at photokina 2014. Designed for use on K-mount 35mm film cameras as well as the upcoming full-frame Pentax dSLR body (but also compatible with APS-C models), the HD Pentax-D FA 150-450mm F4.5-5.6ED DC AW features three ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass elements and a super-low dispersion glass element, HD Coating to optimise image rendition; and a dustproof, weather-resistant construction. Additionally, this zoom lens is equipped with the Pentax-developed Quick-Shift Focus System, which allows users to instantly switch to manual-focus operation after the subject is captured in focus by the camera’s AF system. In order to improve its operability, a three-position switch has been installed on this lens, allowing instant switching among QFS/A, QFS/M and MF modes. QFS/A is an autofocus-priority mode, which allows the user to switch to manual-focusing operation when autofocus operation is complete. QFS/M is a manual-focus-priority mode, which enables the user to switch to manual focusing at any time — even when the AF system is in operation. MF mode allows the user to instantly switch to manual focusing with a simple twist of the focus ring on the lens. Available in March, the new HD Pentax-D FA 150-450mm F4.5-5.6ED DC AW lens is priced at $2499.95.

Having confirmed the development of a 35mm full-frame DSLR camera back at photokina 2014, Ricoh is now planning to exhibit a mockup/prototype at CP+, one of the largest and most comprehensive camera and imaging shows in Asia. The company says the new K-mount camera will be launched before the end of the year, and will not only be compatible with full-frame lenses but also DA-series optics via an image cropping function.

The Lomographic Society have just relaunched their website, lomography.com. The site has been totally redesigned and is now optimised for all screen sizes. It also has a number of new features and improvements including a new uploader, new photo filtering optins and a dedicated Shoutbox. "For now, we realise that some much-loved features from the old site such as LomoWalls are not yet integrated," Lomography says. "We will be polishing these and rolling them out one by one to best work your feedback in."

Ilford Photo have published the findings of a recent survey designed to help them better understand film users. Thousands of film photographers from over 70 countries completed the questionnaire, and 30% of them turned out to be under 35, with three-fifths of them using film for less than 5 years. "For many of those the interest began after receiving a film camera as a gift from family or a friend," the company says. "Thanks to the film users who took part in this survey, we have confirmed what we thought, which is that the recent growth in film sales can be attributed to the new users coming through." Of those who responded, 98% used black and white film with 31% shooting it exclusively. Just 2% use only colour film. Interestingly 86% of respondents used roll film, and the Lomo and Holga cameras proved popular in this category.

Now open for entries, the Atkins CIWEM Environmental Photographer of the Year competition is an international showcase for the very best in environmental photography. Free to enter, the competition provides an opportunity for amateur and professional photographers of all ages to share images of environmental and social issues with international audiences, and to enhance our understanding of the causes, consequences and solutions to climate change and social inequality. The main prize is the prestigious Atkins CIWEM Environmental Photographer of the Year title, along with a cash prize of £5000. The deadline for entries is 7 April 2015 and photographers may submit up to 10 works.

BenQ have just launched a new 24” colour critical monitor designed for photographers. The BenQ PG2401PT comes complete with Palette Master Software, which has been co-developed with X-Rite and features an adjustable 14-bit 3D Look-Up-Table (LUT) and comes with a hood as standard. The 10-bit display panel has a resolution of 1920x1200 pixels and reproduces 99% of the Adobe RGB colour space. Each monitor has been rigorously factory tested for brightness uniformity, Delta-E (<2)) and Gamma curve. Input terminals include D-Sub, DVI-D, HDMI, DisplayPort, Mini Display Port, USB 3.0 together with a convenient SD card reader. The BenQ PG2401PT is available now from Colour Confidence. priced at £810 including value added tax.

Fujifilm UK has launched a new, app-based photobook printing service. POP Books are small, pocket or handbag sized photobooks made up of your own images from your phone, Facebook or Instagram feeds  and printed on Fujifilm's silver halide photographic paper. They come in two sizes, 10x10cm and 13x13cm, and two surfaces, gloss and lustre/matt. The accompanying free iOS app  (Android version launching in April) allows you to either order a printed POP Book or share a version online via Facebook, Twitter, Google+, email and so on. Fujifilm POP Books start at £4.99 including S&H.