The Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR is a new FX-format telephoto zoom lens. An updated version of Nikon’s immensely popular AF 80-400mm telephoto lens, the new AF-S 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR telephoto zoom boasts an improved optical construction, Nikon’s Vibration Reduction system which allows up to 4-stops of compensation, and a greatly improved autofocus mechanism. The new Nikon 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR will go on sale in the UK on 19th March 2013 for £2,449.99 / €2,999.00. In the US it will be available in early April 2013 for a suggested retail price of $2,699.95.

The Nikon Coolpix L320 is a new super-zoom camera with a 26x lens. The L320 also offers a 16-megapixel CCD image sensor, 720p movie recording, four different automatic anti-blur functions, and is powered by convenient AA batteries. The Nikon L320 goes on sale in the UK on 21st March 2013 for £199.99 / €239.00.

Multiblitz USA has added Maryland advertising photographer Roy Cox to the Multiblitz Professional Team. “We are thrilled to have such a household name in advertising and fashion photography like Roy Cox on the Multiblitz Professional Team. His body of work and track record speak for itself. He will help bring Multiblitz a step forward, especially in the Mid-Atlantic region.,” said Veit Wulms, president of Multiblitz USA. “It’s no coincidence that big names like Under Armour and The University of Maryland are among his clients. With his innovative and sophisticated style he embodies everything the Multiblitz brand stands for. Roy is the perfect fit.”

Canon UK has announced the upcoming release of the CanoScan 9000F Mark II scanner. Capable of scanning reflective originals as well as up to twelve 35mm film strips, 4 mounted slides or 120 format up to 6x22cm, the CanoScan 9000F Mark II is a flatbed scanner with a white LED light and a built-in transparency adapter. Maximum hardware resolution is specified at 9600x9600dpi for film, and 4800x4800dpi for prints. New to the CanoScan 9000F Mark II is the included My Image Garden software, which provides effortless navigation between scanning functions, and features a number of photo organising capabilities including face recognition. Canon’s Scan to Cloud feature allows users to scan to Evernote or Dropbox cloud services with a touch of a button, while Stitch Assist enables large A3 documents and photos to be scanned in two parts and stitched seamlessly together. The CanoScan 9000F Mark II is available in the UK and Ireland from April 2013 with an RRPof £219/€240. (Canon U.S:A. announced this scanner in December 2012, with an MSRP of $199.99.)

Epson has announced a continuation of its “Finish Strong” advertising campaign with a new photography contest. “Photographers have an uncanny ability to pre-visualize amazing photographs,” said Richard Day, group product manager, Professional Imaging, Epson America, Inc. “This contest provides the chance for anyone to see their concept of a Finish Strong ad come to life.” The winner will receive either an opportunity to attend an actual photo shoot with world-renowned photographer Joe McNally or a $5,000 cash prize. More information, including the submission form and previous “Finish Strong” print advertisements, can be found at the website below.

Picpack, a Berlin-based start-up that allows you to print your Instagram photos on magnets, is expanding its magnet-printing service to include the work of talented illustrators and photographers around the world. The current line-up includes Instagram superstars like Michael Schulz (@berlinstagram), Ricky Araujo (@rickyohead) and Thomas Kakareko (@thomas_k), plus distinguished illustrators like Benjamin Rabe and Farid Rivas Michel. Packs of 12 magnets cost €18 each, including free delivery worldwide.

OmegaBrandess has been appointed as US distributor for JAG35’s line-up of HDSLR stabilisation products. The range includes complete camera rigs, follow-focus devices, camera supports, extension rods, handles, crimson supports, articulation arms and rail accessories.

The Canon EF 200-400mm f/4 L IS USM is a new professional lens that first appeared at last year’s Olympics. Still in pre-production and not even officially announced, but looking like very much the real deal, we were able to take a look at one of three samples that were being shown to journalists to the Focus on Imaging Show in Bimingham, UK. The Canon 200-400mm features a built-in 1.4x tele-convertor to extend the reach to 560mm with very little loss of quality (easily activated by a switch on the lens barrel), a built-in filter holder, 2 customisable function buttons, and an innovative stepped focusing ring especially for video. The Canon EF 200-400mm f/4 L IS USM is expected to ship sometime this year, price yet to be announced.

Check our our hands-on gallery of 16 photos of the new Canon EF 200-400mm f/4 L IS USM lens.

Want to see exactly what the new Sigma DP3 Merrill compact camera looks like in the flesh?

Check out our hands-on gallery of photos of the Sigma DP3 Merrill compact camera.

The Sigma DP3 Merrill compact camera features a 50mm F2.8 lens and a 46 megapixel Foveon X3 sensor.

Fujifilm have revealed the full specifications of the upcoming XF 55-200mm f/3.5-4.8R LM OIS lens. Due for release in May 2013, the Fujfilm 55-200mm will offer 5 stops of stabilisation and faster maximum apertures than comparable zooms at a substantially cheaper price. Fujifilm were also showing a new lens roadmap at Focus on Imaging, with the new 23mm f/1.4R, 27mm f/2.8, 56mm f/1.4R, and the 10-24mm f/4R OIS lenses set to be launched this year. Exciting times for X-series owners.

Phase One today announced the Phase One IQ2 series: three new 645 format digital camera backs with high-speed wireless connectivity and a claimed 13 f-stops of dynamic range. The Phase One IQ280 enables remote image capture and viewing of its huge 80-megapixel images on an iPad running Phase One’s Capture Pilot App. The 60-megapixel Phase One IQ260 is an extremely versatile back with exposure ranges from 1/10000s to one hour and virtually noise-free images. The 60-megapixel sensor at the heart of the IQ260 is a unique 645 format imager found only in this digital back, offering the widest exposure range opportunities on the market, the company says. Finally, the Phase One IQ260 Achromatic is a dedicated image capture device designed to deliver the highest-quality pure black and white images with no Bayer interpolation involved. Availability of the new IQ2 backs is slated for June, with prices starting at €29,990/$39,990. You can sign up for a “test drive” at the website below.

The Think Tank Photo Low Rider Strap enables photographers to haul two bags - a shoulder bag and a roller bag - with a low and stable centre of gravity. With the Low Rider Strap photographers simply slip the split pad design over the handle of their rolling luggage and tighten the side straps. This approach is easier than stacking one bag on top of another. This counterbalanced, low-set load keeps bags balanced and prevents sloshing and sliding. The Think Tank Photo Low Rider Strap is available for $29.75,

Think Tank Photo has launched a limited edition of their popular Pixel Pocket Rocket CompactFlash memory card wallet.  Made of two-tone rip-stop nylon, the Limited Edition Pixel Pocket Rocket ($18.75) holds 10 CF cards while keeping them safe and organised. This CF card carrier was manufactured in a one-time production run and will be discontinued once inventory runs out. The company has also released a Pro DSLR Battery Holder ($17.50, pictured); a soft, compact case for photographers carrying two pro-size camera batteries for either Canon or Nikon bodies.

The finalists for the 3D category of the 2013 Sony World Photography Awards have been announced. Selected by judges from the World Photography Organisation (WPO), the three finalists are Michele Abramo Puricelli, Matjaž Tan?i? and Nick Saglimbeni.

The 2013 Kolor Panobook Contest, a major panoramic photography competition, is now open for entries. Interested readers have until 31st March to submit their best panoramic images to the competition, which will be judged by professional photographers Thomas Bredenfeld, Nicolas Mériau and Henry Stuart. Just like in 2011 and 2012, the best entries will be published in a beautiful hardcover book. For more information and to enter, visit the website below.

Photography instructor Kirsten Harvey has combined her love of photography, teaching and writing for children to create an innovative website for 6-16-year-olds. The main attraction of the site is the gallery section where children can showcase their best photographs. They can also offer and receive constructive comments and star ratings, encouraging an appreciation of photography as an art form. Additionally, Diddipix is billed as “excellent preparation for any child who may wish to study photography for GCSE.”

Multiblitz has added a 40” / 100cm parabolic octabox to its portfolio of light modifiers. The PROFOC 100P is an octagonal softbox with silver reflective lining and includes an inner and outer diffusor as well as a soft honeycomb grid. This easy-to-fold parabolic octabox closes the gap between the 27” Beauty Dish XL (PROBEAU XL) and the 3 ft. Octagonal Glambox (PROGLAM) in the Multiblitz light modifier line up. The Multiblitz PROFOC 100P will be exclusively sold in the US through the Multiblitz USA online store at www.multiblitzusa.com starting on March 15, 2013 and is priced at: $299.