Tiffen has just released the Tiffen Pearlescent, Tiffen Satin and Tiffen Black Satin filters in 40.5, 43, 46, 49, 52, 55, 58, 62, 72, 77 and 82mm ring sizes. Originally developed for Hollywood cinematographers, these filters soften excess detail and reduce wrinkles and blemishes, giving photographers and videographers more creative control over the shot. “The Tiffen Company pioneered Optical Filter development for photographers more than 75 years ago and to this day continues to innovate with new product offerings such as the Pearlescent, Satin and Black Satin filters,” says Steve Tiffen, President and CEO, The Tiffen Company. “After decades of enjoying how Hollywood has used these Tiffen MPTV filters to achieve their visions, we look forward to seeing an entire new group of image-makers capture and enhance their subjects using the Tiffen Pearlescent, Satin and Black Satin filters for photography and videography.” The Tiffen Pearlescent, Satin and Tiffen Black Satin filters are available today through Tiffen domestic and international dealers and distributors.

Russian Photography is a new online exhibition presented by the Photographic Museum of Humanity (PMH). Curated by Anna Shpakova, Director of Photography at the Russian agency Ria Novosti, this exhibition explores the work of Anastasia Rudenko, Georgy Pervov, Denis Tarasov, Ilya Batrakov and the Grozny Collective Project. "The stories we are presenting today at the Photographic Museum are very diverse: we are introducing photographers from different generations, individual and group projects, and we are showing bodies of work from various genres: from documentary photography to a completely original genre entitled 'photographic realism', coined by the photographer," Shpakova says.

DxO Labs have posted their findings on the RED Epic Dragon sensor. The imager has achieved an overall DxOMark Sensor Score of 101, setting a new record. The unusually high overall score is attributable to the sensor's fantastic dynamic range of 14.8EV, and colour  depth of 26.5 bits, which is better than what we have seen from the very best medium-format CCDs. The low-light ISO score is 2745, which is a bit lower than that of the very best "35mm full-frame" sensors, but still impressive.

Website: DxO

Fuji now allows owners of select X series compacts (the Fujifilm X10, X20 and X100) and CSCs (X-Pro1 and X-E1) to personalise thir cameras by choosing from one of the customised Signature colours and textures. "Whether you already own a camera or are looking to purchase one today, simply select a style to suit your personality and we’ll get your tailor-made camera to you in a flash," the company promises. The service is available on the dedicated Fujifilm X Signature microsite.

Lastolite has announced three new products to the Joe McNally range. The Joe McNally Ezybox Speed-Lite (£65) is a 22cm x 22cm mini softbox featuring 1 outer and 3 alternative inner diffusers (1 stop diffusers, Soft Silver and Soft Gold). The Joe McNally Skylite Rapid with Masks  (£170) features a rigid aluminium frame, which is quick to assemble and delivers reliable lighting control, even in the most demanding conditions. Finally, the Joe McNally 4:1 Umbrella (£115) offers White Bounce, Silver Bounce, Shoot Through and Shoot Through with Square Mask configurations. The removable mask also enables photographers to switch between a circular or square catchlight.

Lastolite has added inspirational new textures to their Urban Backgrounds Collection. Now available in Derelict Wall/Wooden Fence, Shutter/Distressed Door and Tarnished Metal/Container, the backgrounds have been designed using crease resistant fabric, allowing photographers to create the outdoor look in an instant, whether it’s in the studio or a client's home. Each reversible background has a unique urban feel and can quickly add a new dimension to any portrait sitting. The new Urban Backgrounds are available for £165 each, in a size of1.5m x 2.1m.

Issue 26 of David Noton’s Chasing the Light online magazine is now available. In this month’s edition, David takes his readers to Rio de Janeiro, relating an incident that took place on the Copacabana beach. In Seeing the Light, he considers the most effective lighting for travel portraiture and analyses some great accompanying examples. Hot Legs is the aptly titled name of this month’s essential Low Down and Video Blog by David, as he discusses tripods. Other interesting articles include a Guest Feature by world-renowned wildlife photographer Chris Weston, a behind-the-scenes look at the making of a butterfly photo by Ross Hoddinott and the very first piece in David Taylor's series Taylor Made.  Do note that the full contents of Chasing the Light online magazine is available to f11 subscribers only. Non-members can purchase individual issues of the magazine at a price of £4.20.

Canon UK has launched its Spring 2014 cashback promotion. Customers can claim up to £210 cashback on a range of Canon products including DSLRs, lenses, compact cameras, camcorders and Pixma PRO printers. The offer runs from 1 March 2014 to 7 May 2014 for eligible products purchased from UK or Republic of Ireland retailers

Hasselblad has begun shipping its H5D-50c camera, which is billed as the world's first "fully integrated medium-format camera system to use CMOS sensor technology." Featuring a 50-megapixel CMOS imager with almost twice the physical size of the largest 35mm
DSLR sensor, a sensitivity range reaching all the way to ISO 6,400/39°, up to 14 stops of dynamic range, a 1,5fps continuous shooting mode and a maximum exposure time of 12 minutes; the Hasselblad H5D-50c is available for €20,900 (excl. tax).

Canon has released a firmware update for its EOS C100 cinema camera. Version 1.0.3.1.00 incorporates the following enhancement: 
a Continuous Recording function has been added allowing for nonstop recording. At the same time the camera creates IN and OUT points in the footage every time the START/STOP button is pressed. At this time, this function is compatible with "EDIUS Pro 7" software which is distributed by Grass Valley.

Website: Canon USA
 

Manfrotto has just revealed its new 055 collection of tripods. Featuring a Quick Power Lock system, which applies significantly increased locking power to the leg section cuffs, the new Manfrotto 055 tripods have a vertical-horizontal column mechanism hidden inside the tripod’s top casting until it is needed. Both the head and the camera are now closer to the central casting, making the tripod even more rigid and further improving image sharpness, the company says. When required, the touch of one-finger lifts the 90° column mechanism out of the casting, allowing the centre column to swing to the horizontal position, with no disassembly and without removing the head or camera. Supporting up to 9kg payload, the new Manfrotto 055 is available from £199.95 SRP.

Manfrotto has released its new Spectra 1x1 panels aimed at professional videographers. These versatile LED units provide a soft light with high colour rendition (CRI>90); thereby all colours are reproduced accurately, with no tone shift towards green. A knob on the back panel of the Manfrotto Spectra 1x1 LED panel allows users to regulate the light output level from 0 to 100%. The sister model Spectra 1x1 FT additionally enables videographers to toggle between cold white (5600°K) and warm white (3200°K) colour temperature settings. The Spectra 1x1S and Spectra 1x1F panels are daylight-balanced fixtures, emitting light respectively with a narrow and wide beam angle. The LED lights mount easily on light stands through a removable yoke with a standard 5/8” attachment and are compatible with all Manfrotto Baby Light stands. The Manfrotto Spectra 1X1 panels are available from £719.95 SRP.

Manfrotto today launched its new X-pro 3-way head (£114.95) for photographers who want maximum precision from a compact size. "Carrying a complete tripod and head takes up a lot of space in a photographer’s bag and means extra weight to carry," the company says. "This is why the new X-pro 3-way head has been designed to occupy as little space as possible, with retractable levers that can be extended when needed, but remain extremely compact when not in use." Measuring 13x13.5x13.5cm, the Manfrotto X-pro 3-way head weighs in at 1kg and has a maximum load capacity of 8kg.

Twenty years after launching the Mountaineer tripod family, Gitzo unveiled an updated version of the range. Now stiffer and stronger than ever, with newly developed Carbon eXact tubes and a refined top spider design; the new Mountaineer tripods are also faster and easier to use with evolutions in the G-lock system, Ground Level Set mechanism, and leg angle selectors. The new models feature G-lock Ultra, a redesigned version of Gitzo’s signature leg lock system G-lock. G-lock Ultra has even more comfortable operation and reduced risk of debris entering the tubes and locking mechanisms. There are ten tripod leg sets and three complete tripod and head kits in the new Mountaineer range, covering Gitzo’s Series 0 (the smallest) up to Series 3. Each series has three and four section models available, priced from £479.95 SRP.

Nikon UK today launched its spring consumer promotion offering up to £120 cashback. Eligible products include selected digital SLR cameras, selected DX lenses, plus the SB-300 Speedlight. The offer is valid through 28 May 2014 and all claims must be received by 30 June 2014. For more details, visit the website below.

Gary Fong today launched an addition to its line-up of flash diffusers with the introduction of the LightBlade Diffuser.  Designed to accommodate nearly all spedlights, the new LightBlade Diffuser softens the harsh light emitted by the flash tubes, minimises shadows and reduces glare. Attached using the Gary Fong patented strap and band mounting system, the LightBlade Diffuser mounts directly onto the flash head and is then secured with the included Gary Fong Velcro Cinch Strap. The LightBlade Diffuser is available for $34.95 MAP.

The new Gary Fong Lightbulb adapter kit contains a Gary Fong Lightsphere adapter, which secures to a light socket adapter with AC power plug or Europlug. Compatible with the new Lightsphere Collapsible Speed Mount (Generation 5) and the new SpeedSnoot the Gary Fong Lightbulb adapter kit fits on any standard-mount light stand. "By taking advantage of the continuous source to pre-visualise the effects of various lighting setups, photographers are provided the professional look of a diffused strobe light without the confusion of syncing, metering and modelling," the company says. The Lightbulb adapter kit will be available in April for $53.95 MSRP.