SLR Magic has announced an upgraded version of its HyperPrime CINE 12mm T1.6 lens. The new variant offers a refined design that is better suited to the needs of professional cinematographers. specifically, the lens now has built-in gears around the aperture and focus rings to facilitate the use of the lens with a follow-focus device. The optical formula,  which comprises 12 elements in 10 groups including 3 'Tantalum' glass elements and an iris diaphragm with a dozen rounded aperture blades, is unchanged from the previous version. The SLR Magic HyperPrime CINE 12mm T1.6 Lens with Gears will be available from late November 2013. Pricing has yet to be confirmed.

Scarab Labs have released version 2.0 of Scarab Darkroom, a fast and easy-to-use raw converter for Windows. Unlike the previous edition, this is a paid app that retails for $49, but it comes with expanded functionality courtesy of a number of new features such as noise filtering, chromatic aberration correction, split toning, Adobe RGB colour space support and more. The free variant, now renamed Scarab Darkroom Lite, remains available alongside the paid version.

The Samsung NX300M is a modified version of the Samsung NX300, featuring a rear screen that tilts upwards by 180 degrees. In all other respects, the NX300M is identical to the NX300, with features like a 20-megapixel imager with on-sensor phase detection AF sensors, an articulated OLED touchscreen and Wi-Fi connectivity. As of this writing, the Samsung NX300M is available in South Korea only.

ArcSoft has announced that its digital photo makeover app, Perfect365, has reached 10 million downloads. Perfect365 is free to download, and lets people easily apply a natural touchup or a trendy makeover on digital self-portrait photos with a single tap. The app is available for Android, iOS and Windows platforms. A premium version is also available for Mac and Windows users.

Lightricks has released a dedicated iPad edition of its Facetune app. “Facetune for iPad is a game changer,” says Zeev Farbman, Lightricks’ CEO. “Facetune’s revolution was offering every user the ability to achieve magazine-level portraits on the go. Facetune for iPad provides a whole new experience, by stretching the limits of technology with a product that’s both powerful and approachable.” Facetune for iPad is available now, priced at $3.99. Lightricks simultaneously released a new iPhone version that costs $2.99.

Essentia Water has announced its Create A Better You photo competition, which is hosted on Essentia’s Facebook page. Running through 2nd November, the 4-week online contest invites US residents over the age of 18 to share photos that illustrate what inspires them to be happier and healthier. Essentia’s Facebook community will have the chance to vote for their favorite images and select the weekly People’s Choice winner. The company will also select one photo each week. Both winners will receive a case of Essentia Water, and their images will be used as the brand’s weekly inspirational post on its Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. 

Calumet UK is launching an exclusive six city in-store ‘Autumn Open Day’ programme starting in Edinburgh on Wednesday, 9th October and finishing at the company’s flagship London branch at Drummond Street, Euston on 7th November. Imaging specialists from leading brands including Canon, Nikon, Epson, Manfrotto, Bowens, Lowepro and Profoto will be on hand each day to demonstrate latest products and discuss workflow challenges with photographers. Click through / scroll down for the exact locations and dates.

A truly one-of-a-kind Leica M digital rangefinder camera designed by Jony Ive and Marc Newson will be auctioned off at Sotheby’s to raise money for The Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. Taking place on 23 November 2013, the (RED) Auction will feature items "from disciplines as diverse as space travel and lighting design to contemporary art and rare automobiles, all unified and distinguished by their excellence and innovation," the organisers say. One of the highlights of the auction, the completely unique Leica M for (RED) has a laser machined aluminium body with an anodised aluminium outer shell.

Ricoh has released half a dozen high-resolution sample images captured with the new Pentax K-3 APS-C format digital SLR camera. The 24-megapixel Pentax K-3 samples were taken with a variety of lenses including the smc PENTAX-DA FISH-EYE 10-17mmF3.5-4.5ED[IF], the smc PENTAX-DA★300mmF4ED[IF] SDM, the HD PENTAX-DA 70mmF2.4 Limited, the smc PENTAX-D FA MACRO 100mmF2.8 WR and the smc PENTAX-DA★16-50mmF2.8ED AL[IF] SDM. All of these sample photos were captured at low sensitivity settings (ISO100/21° and ISO200/24°). You can download the full-resolution Pentax K-3 sample images from the website below.

Website: Pentax K-3 Samples

The Nikon D610 is a new 35mm full-frame digital SLR camera with a 24-megapixel FX sensor and a new Quiet Release Burst mode. In regular continuous shooting mode, the Nikon D610 can capture up to six frames per second (up from 5.5fps in the Nikon D600), while in the new Quiet Release Burst mode - which reduces the sound of the camera’s mirror return mechanism - the maximum shooting speed is 3fps. In virtually all other respects, the Nikon D610 is essentially the exact "replica" of the D600, with headline features such as a 24.3-megapixel full-frame sensor, sensitivity range of ISO 100-6400 (extendable up to 25,600), lockable mode dial, pentaprism viewfinder with 100% coverage and 0.7x magnification, a (mostly) magnesium alloy body shell, a 39-point auto focus module, in-camera HDR exposure blending and Full HD video recording capabilities. The Nikon D610 will go on sale later this month, priced at £1799.99 / €2199.00 / $1999.95 for the body only. A kit consisting of the camera and the AF-S Nikkor 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5G ED VR FX lens will be available for £2299.99 / €2799.00 / $2599.95.

Founded by Francis Atterbury, Artisan Books is a new company utilising HP Indigo printing technology to produce affordable high-end books for creatives. One of the first books to be printed by the company is a collection of portraits by British photographer John Swannell.“I wanted to produce something really special that looks expensive and luxurious, and the book that encapsulates my latest portraits not only needed to capture the essence of the photography itself, but reflect the same high quality standards I hold for the original pieces,” said Swannell. “The newly established Artisan Books enabled me to create a beautifully printed, hand-finished book that showcases my work perfectly. I am really pleased with the whole look and feel of the book, it is better than I ever expected!” 

Fotodiox has launched an extensive range of camera accessories specially designed for Sony RX1 cameras. The accessory line includes an all-metal one-piece camera grip; a lightweight, aluminum lens hood; and a sleek shutter release button for easier, steadier shots. The accessories are available for sale individually or combined in the Fotodiox Pro Camera Kit bundle. The kit costs a total of $109.95, and all Fotodiox products come with a 24 month manufacturer’s warranty.

MindShift Gear has unveiled a Tripod Suspension Kit, whichallows outdoor photographers hands-free mobility and instant accessibility to tripods and monopods. The product was conceived in response to a complaint that carrying their tripods and monopods can be a nuisance, especially over long distances. Weighing in at 100 grams, the MindShift Gear Tripod Suspension Kit  is available for $47.50.

Switronix today released the PocketBase, an extended power solution for the BlackMagic Pocket Cinema Camera. The PocketBase allows you to power the camera up to 5 hours with two LP-E6 type batteries, while simultaneously charging the removable internal battery. By keeping the internal battery inside the Pocket Camera during operation, you can then hotswap the attached LP-E6 batteries within the PocketBase for continuous camera operation. Switronix is also releasing the BMPC-EXT, which is a 6" or 24" BlackMagic Pocket Camera conversion cable. It will convert any Switronix BMCC product to work with the Pocket Camera.

At Paris Photo this year, as a centennial celebration of Robert Capa’s life and work, Daniel Blau will present a collection of more than 65 rare vintage pictures documenting World War II in Europe from 1943-45. Born on 22 October 1913 as Friedmann Endre Ernő in Budapest, Hungary, Robert Capa was one of the most famous photojournalists and war photographers of all time. Having covered the Spanish Civil War, the Second Sino-Japanese War and the Second World War, he co-founded Magnum Photos in 1947, with Henri Cartier-Bresson, George Rodger, David Seymour and William Vandivert. As a Magnum photographer he documented the Arab-Israeli War of 1948 and the final stage of the First Indochina War, in which he died a violent death at the age of 40. In addition to the Capa collection, Daniel Blau will also organise an exhibition of images depicting Germany's "misled youth" during Hitler's rule from 1933 to 1945. The exhibitions will be on display from 14-17 November 2013 at the Grand Palais, Avenue Winston Churchill, 75008 Paris.

Want to see exactly what the new Pentax K-3 DSLR camera looks like in the flesh?

Here are 41 hands-on photos of the Pentax K-3, a new enthusiast DSLR camera with a 24 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor, full HD movies, 27-point AF system, 8.3fps burst shooting, 3.2-inch LCD screen, excellent build quality and weather-resistance.

Click through to view the Pentax K-3 gallery, including pictures of the new 55-300m lens that has also just been announced.

The Pentax K-3 is the new flagship model of the PENTAX K digital SLR camera series. The new K-3 features 24 megapixels, a 27-point AF system, high-speed continuous shooting at approximately 8.3 images per second, a newly designed 86,000 pixel RGB light-metering sensor, a large 3.2-inch high-resolution LCD monitor, Full HD movies at 60fps, dustproof, weather-resistant body construction, and an optical viewfinder with the largest, brightness subject image in its class. It also has an anti-aliasing simulator, rather than an optical anti-aliasing filter, providing a choice of filtered or filter-free shooting for a given scene or subject, plus Dual SD card slots and a USB 3.0 port.

Available in black or limited edition silver, the Pentax K-3 will be available from November for £1,099.99 body-only, £1,199.99 with the DA L 18-55mm WR lens, £1,349.99 with the DA L 18-55mm WR & DA L 50-200mm WR lenses, and £1,449.99 with the DA 18-135mm WR lens. The K-3 Silver Limited Edition will cost £1,399.99. Optional accessories include a battery grip, FLU card for wireless LAN connection to a compatible smartphone, and a camera strap.

The Pentax HD PENTAX-DA 55-300mm F4-5.8ED WR is a versatile telephoto zoom lens for K-mount DSLR cameras. The new lens features PENTAX-original HD coating to deliver sharp, clear images, and a weather-resistant construction. The Pentax HD PENTAX-DA 55-300mm F4-5.8ED WR will be available from November 2013 for £399.99.