Fotodiox has released the Aputure V-Control for Canon DSLR cameras, a handheld USB host device offering comprehensive image and follow-focus control. “Perfect for dramatic rack focus shots, and for correcting focus when the camera is out of reach on a dolly or a crane, V-Control is the only device of its kind that enables photographers to easily switch between still and video modes, offering full hands-on remote control of the camera’s aperture, shutter speed, ISO and exposure compensation,” the company claims. Currently supported camera models include the Canon EOS 1D Mark IV, 5D Mark III, 5D Mark II, 7D, 60D, 600D/T3i/Kiss X5, 550D/T2i/Kiss X4, 500D/T1i/Kiss X3 and the 1100D/T3/Kiss X50. The V-Controller is priced at $179.95 and is available for order now at fotodioxpro.com and other online retailers including Amazon.

Hasselblad has launched a new trade-in offer for photographers interested in purchasing a high-end professional film scanner. Between now and 31st May, you can get €4500 off the price of a Hasselblad Flextight X5 scanner and €3000 off a Hasselblad Flextight X1 when you trade in your old scanner, regardless of make or model. These two models represent the pinnacle of CCD scanners, offering extremely high resolution and dMax as well as fast scanning speeds and multi-format scanning. “A vertical optical system allows the CCD to face downwards creating a glass-free optical path between the original and the lens,” the company says. “The patented virtual drum solution produces optimal focusing across the whole of the original and the flexible holder guarantees easy mounting combined with a safe and cautious handling of your originals.”

Calumet has reserved space for two stands at the 2013 Focus on Imaging trade show, and has spent months planning for the four-day event. Dozens of trained staff will showcase latest imaging products on Stands N1 and M10 and for the first time ever the company is also running all day seminar programmes throughout the show. Sian Hamer, Calumet marketing executive said: “M10 will be our product stand packed with all the latest state-of-the-art merchandise and offers from leading brands like Nikon, Canon, Fujifilm and Lowepro. We will also have product experts from top brands like Sony, Drobo and Hahnel on hand too. N1 will be our stand for demonstrations from companies such as Certon, Datacolor, Cambo and Epson.”

The recently launched Plustek OpticFilm 120 multi-format film scanner will be on display at the Focus on Imaging trade show held in Birmingham from 3rd - 6th March. Capable of scanning both 35mm and 120 format negatives and slides, the Plustek OpticFilm 120 boasts a custom-designed 8-element glass lens and a high-resolution CCD sensor; and comes complete with adjustable-pitch film holders that feature unique sliding inter-frame dividers to ensure optimal film flatness. The scanner’s hardware resolution - based on the specification of its stepper motor and the number of pixels on its CCD - is 10,600dpi, with the optical resolution (which also takes into account the resolving power of the optical system) specified at 5,300dpi. Other highlights include automated IT8 calibration and a motorised film transport for batch scanning.

Want to see exactly what the new Sony A58 DSLR camera looks like in the flesh?

Check out our hands-on gallery of photos of the Sony A58 DSLR camera, including a side-by-side comparison with the previous A57 model.

Want to see exactly what the new Sony NEX-3N compact system camera looks like in the flesh?

Check out our hands-on gallery of photos of the Sony NEX-3N compact system camera, including a side-by-side comparison with the previous NEX-F3 model and the more expensive NEX-5R camera.

Want to see exactly what the new Sony 70-400mm F4-5.6 lens looks like in the flesh?

Check out our hands-on gallery of photos of the Sony 70-400mm F4-5.6 lens.

The Sony A58 is a new Digital SLT camera with Translucent Mirror Technology. The A58 has a new 20.1 effective megapixel Exmor APS HD CMOS sensor, ISO 100 to 16000, speedy 8fps shooting, 15-point AF system with Lock-on Autofocus, an OLED Tru-Finder, and Auto Object Framing. The new Sony A58 interchangeable lens camera will be available in the UK from mid-April, priced at around £450 with the 18-55mm kit lens or £600 in a twin-lens kit.

The Sony NEX-3N is the world’s smallest, lightest interchangeable lens camera (with an APS-C sensor and built-in flash), weighing just 210g. The NEX-3N has a 16.1 megapixel Exmor APS HD CMOS sensor, 180° tiltable 3-inch LCD screen, pop-up flash, and a zoom lever. The new light, compact NEX-3N interchangeable lens camera from Sony is available in the UK from mid-March 2013, priced at £400 with the 16-50mm power zoom lens and £600 with the 16-50mm power zoom and 55-210mm lenses.

Sony introduces three new A-mount lenses plus A-mount and E-mount accessories. They include 70-400mm F4-5.6 G SSM II telephoto zoom, Carl Zeiss Planar T* 50mm F1.4 ZA SSM and DT 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 SAM II standard zoom lenses, compact HVL-F20M flash and RM-VPR1 wired remote. The new Sony lenses and accessories will start to become available in the UK from March 2013.

The Sony Cyber-shot HX300, WX300, TX30 are three new power-packed compact cameras. The slim and super-stylish Sony WX300 is the world’s smallest and lightest camera with a 20x optical zoom, enhanced image stabilisation and speedy autofocus. The Sony HX300 has an ultra-powerful 50x optical zoom with DSLR-style handling and manual controls. The Sony TX30 is the world’s slimmest digital compact camera that’s waterproof up to 10m and freeze- and shock-proof.

The new Sony Cyber-shot HX300 will be available in the UK from March, and the WX300 and TX30 from April 2013, pricing to be announced.

Olympus have teamed up with multi-award-winning photographer Damian “Big Dog” McGillicuddy for a mix of photographic demonstrations and “Random Acts of Photography” around Focus on Imaging. Attendees will have the chance to see the results achieved and to shoot a model wearing a one-of-a-kind OM-D dress as well as the opportunity to win a limited edition McGillicuddy print every day. Focus on Imaging will be held at the Birmingham NEC from 3 - 6 March 2013.  10am - 6pm Sunday, Monday, Tuesday. 10am - 5pm Wednesday The Olympus events will be taking place at Stand F51.

Photography education and entertainment site PhoozL has announced its first paid-entry photo contest: ‘Show the Song: Spirit of the ‘60s.’ The competition challenges entrants to interpret 1960s classic rock song titles through their photography.  The contest is open for submissions now until 24 March 2013 to all logged-in members of Phoozl.com, amateur to pro, 18+, worldwide. The entry fee is $5 and you may submit up to five photographs. Entries will be judged by Elliott Landy, the official photographer of the 1969 Woodstock Festival. For more information, visit the website below.

At this year’s Focus on Imaging trade show, Panasonic will be joining CameraWorld to provide visitors with product demonstrations, exclusive show offers and access to Panasonic experts. Panasonic’s Retail Sales Support Team will attend for the duration of the show (3rd-6th March 2013), and will be on hand to answer any questions. A selection of Panasonic’s imaging products, including the Lumix G cameras with lenses and a choice of compact cameras will be available at Stand E1.

The HTC One is a new smartphone with an “UltraPixel” camera and a 28mm (eq.) f/2 lens. Featuring a 1/3-type sensor with a pixel pitch of 2 microns, the camera module within the HTC One offers substantially better sensitivity than most camera phones, while the bright lens comes with optical image stabilisation to help users achieve blur-free shots at marginal shutter speeds. An intelligent flash, a Full HD, 468ppi 4.7” screen and 1080p HDR video recording capabilities round off the features list from the photographer’s point of view. The new HTC One will be available globally through more than 185 mobile operators and major retailers in more than 80 regions and countries beginning in March.

The Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM) has announced a powerful and thought-provoking exhibition of outstanding environmental, social and natural photographs by international photographers and filmmakers. Honouring amateurs and professionals of all ages, it provides an opportunity for photographers to share images of environmental and social issues with international audiences, and to enhance our understanding of the causes, consequences and solutions to climate change and social inequality. The exhibition will be on show at the Royal Geographical Society, 1 Kensington Gore, London SW7 2AR, from 10 April - 3 May 2013.

The Lomographic Society has announced its plans to participate in Analogue Month this year with a series of events and special offers. Analogue Month begins on 11th March and lasts until 12th April. Programmes include camera workshops in collaboration with the National Portrait Gallery, Q&A sessions with the LomoLab staff on Twitter/Facebook, live acoustic gigs in Lomography’s East Shop gallery, online competitions, and more. Click through / read on for the details.

Courtenay Studio today launched the Priolite professional studio lighting range into the UK market. Priolite is a range of highly portable, battery-powered monolights (monoblocs) and power packs designed and manufactured in Germany. “The Priolite lighting range gives the perfect combination of real innovation and performance that professional photographers need,” aaid Terry Caws, Courtenay Studio Sales & Marketing Manager. ‘This cutting-edge technology has taken us to the place where all our competitors would like to be”. The range currently includes 3 monolights, a continuous video light, 2 mobile flash power packs, a bi-directional radio remote control, reflectors, softboxes, umbrellas and a range of accessories. Pricing for Priolite products starts at £380.

Casio Europe has launched a new, 20.1-megapixel compact camera called the Casio EX-ZS30. Encased in a stainless steel body, the new model has a 26-156mm equivalent zoom lens and a beginner-friendly user interface. It is equipped with Premium Auto, which automatically analyses the scene to choose the best settings and performs optimal image processing. The Casio EX-ZS30 comes in five colour options: silver, black, purple, white, and pink. Pricing to be confirmed.

Casio has unveiled two new entry-level digital compact cameras, the Exilim EX-N5 and the Exilim EX-N50. The new models have rounded bodies that are easy to grip, and employ a CMF Design approach that considers not only colour, but also material and finish. Each of the new cameras has a CCD with an effective resolution of 16.1 megapixels and a 26-156mm equivalent lens. The Casio EX-N5 features a two–tone silver ring around the lens and comes in black, silver, white, and red. The Exilim EX-N50 sports a textured pinstripe pattern and a pearly finish. “The look changes slightly depending on the angle of the light, while the pearly shine and subdued color scheme creates an elegant impression,” the company says. The EX-N50 comes in three colors: silver, blue and red. Pricing for the new cameras has yet to be confirmed.