Corel's new AfterShot Pro 2 software is now available on the Mac App Store. BIlled as the "industry’s fastest raw photo software," Corel AfterShot Pro 2 features 64-bit processor support, updated camera profiles, new local contrast enhancements, proprietary Athentech noise removal algorithms, easier batch processing, various workspace enhacements and more. The software is available for $79.99.

Shenyang Zhongyi Optics have released the Canon EF-Fuji X Lens turbo adapter. This adapter allows full-frame Canon EF lenses to be mounted on Fuji's X series interchangeable-lens cameras while altering their magnification by a factor of 0.762x and improving their aperture speed by a full stop. The reduced magnification enables users to partially regain the angle of view lost by mounting a full-frame lens on a camera with an APS-C sized sensor. In other words, the Zhongyi EF-Fuji X Lens Turbo Adapter effectively reduces the crop factor of Fujifilm X series compact system cameras from 1.5x to 1.14x. The optical construction comprises 4 lens elements in 4 groups, including 1 extra-low dispersion element. The adapter is available now for $149, via the website below.

HDRsoft has launched Photomatix Essentials 4, a major upgrade to its high dynamic range imaging application aimed at enthusiast photographers. This edition introduces a new tone mapping method designed to give realistic looking results while preserving details in the highlights and shadows of the scene. It offers presets for one-click access to various styles, as well as manual control of the settings. Other new features include a Finishing Touch to increase contrast or sharpness of the final image before saving, the ability to undo and redo the HDR process with other settings, and an option to toggle between the original photo and a preview of the current one. Photomatix Essentials 4 is a free upgrade for licensed users of any version of Photomatix Essentials and is free for licensed users of Photomatix Pro.

NEC Display Solutions of America has announced a collaboration with United Kingdom-based Light Illusion, a colour management specialist, to enable native calibration for NEC MultiSync PA Series monitors through its LightSpace CMS display calibration system. “We are delighted to work with NEC Display to meet the calibration needs of artists in the world of moving images,” said Steve Shaw, CEO of Light Illusion. “The flexibility of the LightSpace CMS and the features of the MultiSync PA Series give users the tools necessary to realize their artistic and business goals.” NEC’s MultiSync PA Series displays feature custom calibration 3D LUT import capabilities that can directly upload calibration LUTs created via LightSpace CMS. That means users can accurately profile and calibrate NEC displays to a high level and conduct “look management” for situations such as on-set monitoring.

Nikon has launched 'I Am Different,' a major new integrated marketing campaign designed to inspire photographers to explore the world of photography through their own individual perspective. The first phase of the campaign has opened across Europe with a TV commercial featuring Clark Little, the Hawaii-based photographer whose images captured from the middle of breaking waves are already causing a stir across the world. A second phase will roll out later in the year with up-and-coming photographer, Andrius Alexsandravicius. For those motivated by the stories of Clark and Andrius, the campaign will be supported by a digital hub, where consumers can discover the photographers’ journey and the inspiration behind the emblematic images used in the advertising. In Clark’s case, visitors will find also find a mini documentary, behind the scenes footage and an interactive interview. “This is an incredibly exciting time for photographers,” said Yasmin Hartson, Advertising and Media Manager, Nikon Europe. “We love the fact that so many people are enjoying taking so many pictures – whether on their smartphone or on a camera – and we’re there for them when they are ready to take the next step into quality photography.”

Unified Color Technologies today announced HDR Express 3 – a significant upgrade to their photo enthusiast product, HDR Express. This edition offers significant improvements in both performance and image quality, including at in merge speeds and new alignment and de-ghosting algorithms. Additional improvements include new automatic and manual keyframe selection tools for de-ghosting with the option to preview the merge settings, and the ability to shoot bracketed exposure series of moving objects without the assistance of a tripod. HDR Express 3 is also the first application developed by Unified Color that is designed to fully take advantage of OpenCL processing on computer graphics cards. Existing customers who purchased HDR Express 2 more than 90 days before HDR Express 3’s launch can upgrade to HDR Express 3 for $49. New licenses for HDR Express 3 can be purchased for $79.

Calumet Photographic is hosting a series of open days across the United Kingdom. The seven open days take place at Calumet stores nationwide, with each offering visitors the chance to win a new Canon G7X Camera as well as free sensor cleaning for all Nikon and Canon DSLRs, product demonstrations, expert advice from the top brands, as well as a variety of offers and promotions throughout the store. Click through / scroll down for a list of dates and locations.

Photographer Antonio Olmos has returned to his homeland, Mexico, for the first project of the ‘Sony RX Celebrate the Streets’ series. He has captured the vibrancy and spectacular colour of the country's traditional Day of the Dead celebrations using the Sony Cyber-shot RX100 III. In the Mexican town of Mixquic the festivities take to the streets as thousands throng the local cathedral’s graveyard, the only remaining church graveyard in the city, lighting it with candles to create a unique scene. "In countries across the world, the streets are a social environment where, during these events and festivals, so many conventions are broken for the day," Antonio Olmos said. "The Mexican Day of the Dead sees people of all classes and backgrounds come together to honour the deceased and everyone shares that celebration – it’s a moment when everyone shares in both joy and sorrow at those who have died." Future potential projects for the ‘Celebrate the Streets’ series include New Orleans Mardi Gras, India’s Holi Festival and Pamplona’s Running of the Bulls.

C&A Marketing, the company that bought Calumet Photo in the USA, has relaunched the photo and video equipment rental programme Calumet Rentals, which is now available online. Customers will be able to consult Calumet's staff of technical experts on all their projects to ensure they find the rental equipment that best suits their task. Once customers select their rental equipment, it will be shipped directly to their front door, with one to ninety-day rental periods, and shipping labels will be provided for easy returns. "We knew when we acquired Calumet in May that it was vital to get the rental business back up and running since so many professionals rely on the high-end equipment and expert staff for their photography and videography needs," explained Chaim Pikarski, C&A Marketing's Executive Vice President. "By moving the program online, we not only are serving the loyal Calumet customer base, but we've now opened this unique service and expert guidance to the photography community across the country." The rental service is available on the website below.

JP Distribution has announced the UK launch of the Sekonic SpectroMaster C-700 and Sekonic SpectroMaster C-700R spectrometers. Billed as the first spectrometers that measure every light source (LED, HMI, Fluorescent and the natural light spectrum), the SpectroMaster C-700 (£1299.99) is capable of measuring a wide range of colour temperature readings from 1,600 to 40,000 Kelvin. With its intuitive large (4.3” colour dot matrix LCD) colour touch screen, the SpectroMaster C-700 series offers easy navigation through spectral distribution screens, lighting comparisons, Colour Rendering Index (CRI) colour data and much more. Additionally, the SpectroMaster C.700R (£1399.99) can also measure wireless flash, providing colour and light output data. Flash units can be triggered up to 30 meters (100 feet) or more using the PocketWizard wireless triggering system. Any flash can be triggered and measured with a touch of the meter's measuring button.

Think Tank Photo have added a new size to their Digital Holster line-up. The Digital Holster 5 can be worn as a shoulder bag or attached to a belt, and accommodates an Olympus E-PL5 or OM-D E-M5, Fuji X-E2, Sony A6000, Nikon J3, Panasonic GX7, or any similarly sized compact system camera with one standard zoom lens. The new bag will retail for $39.75 including a seam-sealed rain cover.

Think Tank Photo has introduced its smallest, lightest backpacks, the Perception series. Designed specifically for mirrorless systems, the Perception series comes in two colours, black and taupe, and three sizes. The smallest size, The Perception Tablet,, accommodates a mirrorless system and an iPad Mini. The largest size, the Perception Pro, holds a 15" laptop and a 10" tablet, plus one mirrorless body or small DSLR with a small to medium zoom attached.  Plus, the largest size fits four to five more lenses. Prices range from $89.75 to $149.75, depending on size.

 Fireside is a smart system for your home that makes enjoying all your photos and videos as easy as taking them. The system consists of an intelligent curation and delivery service, and SmartFrame, a new generation digital picture frame that connects to users’ iOS/Android devices and the cloud to seamlessly integrate their curated content into everyday life. The Fireside app effortlessly brings all of a family’s photos and videos together to a private, secure place in the cloud, and makes them searchable. Then, Fireside’s cloud service uses contextual computing and machine learning to automatically curate and organise libraries of thousands of photos, showing families the content they actually want to see, the company says. Starting at $399 and available in both black and white, Fireside is launching on Kickstarter today.

Olympus Japan have unveiled the Olympus Stylus 1s, an evolutionary upgrade to their premium Stylus 1 compact camera. The Sylus 1s features a new step-zoom function, a smaller auto focus target, plus focus peaking and interval shooting functionality. It is powered by a BLS-50 battery that provides enough power to take 450 shots according to CIPA standards. Most of the other technical specifications - including the 1/1.7-type 12-megapixel CMOS sensor, the 28-300mm (eq.) f/2.8 lens, the 7fps continuous shooting mode, the ISO 100-12800 sensitivity range and the 1.04-million-dot, 3" touchscreen - are unchanged versus the Stylus 1. The Olympus Stylus 1s will go on sale nex month (in Japan), with pricing to be confirmed. A new wide-angle conversion lens (WCON-08X) and wide conversion lens adapter (CLA-14) will join the list of accessories available for the camera.

Impossible have released their long-promised Color 600, SX-70 and Spectra/Image Black Frame films. "Black frame color films are yet another dynamic alternative to the ‘standard’ square white frame made famous by Polaroid," the company says. "They are a stylish addition to a film line-up that includes the iconic white frame, along with gold, silver, a variety of colors, tropical florals and animal skins." Impossible Color Film Black Frames are suitable for use with any Polaroid SX-70, 600,or Image/Spectra camera as well as the Impossible Instant Lab.

The Manfrotto KLYPAPP is the first hands free photo capture app developed by Manfrotto. The application allows iPhone and KLYP+ users to take photos by simply clapping their hands; and enables them to enhance the colours, adjust the saturation, contrast, exposure and sharpness, as well as crop and flip the pictures before sharing them with their friends. Other key features include a night photography mode and a virtual horizon function. The KLYPAPP is available from iTunes for free, whilst the KLYP+ iPhone cases start from £24.95.