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.

Issue 25 of landscape photography magazine is now available for purchase. This month’s edition includes a guide to stacking star trails, a review of the book “Mastering the Art of Composition,” a test of hiking boots, an interview with Paul Sanders, former picture editor of The Times, and much more. Do note that the full contents of Landscape Photography Magazine are available to subscribers only.

Ilford today announced that it is expanding its popular Galerie Prestige range with the introduction of the new 340gsm Canvas Natural cotton/polyester blend canvas. Featuring a matt surface and natural tint, Ilford Galerie Prestige Canvas Natural is free of added optical brightening agents within the coating layer, making it ideal for gallery wraps, exhibition and museum displays or other large format prints.  A sturdy platform with a hefty feel, the 340gsm canvas offers reduced ink bleed and ensures optimal print accuracy. The new canvas is available in 17”, 24” and 44” rolls.

Wacom will be showcasing its Intuos5 and Cintiq 24HD touch at Focus on Imaging 2013. Additionally, visitors can take advantage of exclusive offers, including £100 off the Cintiq interactive pen display and ‘Save the VAT’ on the Intuos5 range of pen tablets. Regular presentations throughout the day cover topics such as Adobe Lightroom, Adobe Photoshop, Datacolour colour tools and the benefits of using a Wacom tablet. In these open seminar sessions the experts will be giving a selection of tips and tricks on how to perfect your photographic workflow, from editing your shots with the latest retouching tools, organising and rating your images, and finally getting colour accurate files ready for print or output in a range of different environments.

Nikon UK today announced its plan to open the Nikon School in London. A new training course programme will be launched to coincide with the opening of the Nikon School and will include a range of courses from “Introduction to Photography”, to more advanced product specific courses. Customers are encouraged to visit the dedicated training website to book courses, which run from April.

LPA Design has launched its newest product, the budget-friendly PocketWizard PlusX transceiver. Priced at $99 in the US and £89.99 in the UK - with a twin set available for £169.99 -, the PocketWizard PlusX is billed as the perfect entry into the PocketWizard Wireless System with the same range and reliability as the manufacturer’s PocketWizard Plus line of radios. The 10 Channel PlusX uses PocketWizard’s patented “Auto-Sensing Transceiver Technology” which means it will automatically switch between transmit and receive as needed. Users just turn it on, connect it to the flash or camera and set the channel using its simple, rotary-dial.  The PlusX automatically figures out what it needs to do to trigger remote flashes or cameras. The PlusX is compatible with all PocketWizard transmitters and receivers including PocketWizard-enabled photo gear from Profoto, Dynalite, Norman, Photogenic and Sekonic light meters. Availability is slated for mid-March.