Lehmann Aviation today launched a totally new product - the LA100, a fully automated Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) which, when outfitted with a GoPro camera, enables amateurs to easily capture aerial images and video. Aimed at users with no piloting background, the Lehmann LA100 follows a pre-programmed flight path, so the only thing to do is literally to mount a GoPro Hero, Hero2 or Hero 3, switch on the engine and launch the vehicle. After 5 minutes of capturing footage from a height of 80 to 100 metres, the hand-launched aircraft returns to the launch site with HD aerial videos or photos on the SD card. The LA100 is priced at €990 (around $1,290). Lehmann Aviation says it plans to release hardware and software upgrades for the LA100 on a regular basis.

This month we’re giving away 3 copies of Cyberlink Power Director Ultimate 11!

The lucky winners are Christopher Powell, Sergio Garcia, and Edward Mackiewicz. Congratulations!

Cyberlink is pleased to offer 3 lucky Photography Blog readers the chance to win the new Power Director Ultimate 11, the perfect software for enhancing photos and videos.

Power Director Ultimate 11 is award-winning software designed for Photo-Enthusiasts. It combines powerful pro-level features and intuitive functionality in a complete post-production video editing solution. It can be easily installed on a home PC allowing photographers of all abilities the chance to edit their masterpieces. From the novice shooting family movies on a smartphone up to a professional making a music video or a short film with high-end digital equipment Power Director Ultimate allows them to truly create. It can import over 50 different RAW formats onto the timeline and create 4k/2k quality photo slideshows, the slideshows can then be burnt to CD/DVD and Blu-ray for sharing with friends and enjoying for years to come. Power Director Ultimate is award-winning software that is 38% faster than the previous version.

This month we’re giving away a Capdase mKeeper camera backpack!

The lucky winner is Keith Pollard. Congratulations!

The Capdase mKeeper is a ultra portable sling style back pack which allows you to get instant access for your SLR camera and any accessories. You can simply swing it around and you’re ready to shoot. The unique sling design means that you can swivel the back round to your front to gain instant access to your camera, rather than having to take the backpack off and removing your camera, saving you time and making sure you’re ready for that perfect shot.

The mKeeper features a large compartment which easily houses any lenses, flash, or any other accessories which you need to carry around with you. The compartment features a zipper which ensures that all of your accessories are protected when they’re not in use.

Sponsor LoveCases also sell iPod Touch 5G cases.

We’ve now announced all of our award winners for 2012. Just in case you missed any, here’s the full list:

Camera of the Year 2012
Olympus OM-D E-M5

DSLR Camera of the Year 2012
Nikon D800

Compact System Camera of the Year 2012
Olympus OM-D E-M5

Compact Camera of the Year 2012
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100

Lens of the Year 2012
Panasonic LUMIX G X VARIO 12-35mm F2.8 ASPH

Printer of the Year 2012
Epson Stylus Photo R2000

Accessory of the Year 2012
Spyder4Elite

Software of the Year 2012
Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 4

ONE, a 3 million-strong global advocacy organization that fights extreme poverty and preventable disease, and iStockphoto have launched the “ONE Thing We Agree On” contest. Hosted on Zooppa.com, the contest will run through 26 February 2013. It is a challenge for creative minds to develop a video or print piece that showcases rivals uniting to fight issues such as poverty, famine and disease. Videos must be short and the message conveyed in three minutes or less. Twelve winners in total – six video winners and six print winners – will share $20,000 dollars and 35,000 free credits from iStockphoto. Winners will also be featured at ONE’s live events, on its website and social media platforms.

Scottish pet photographer Paul Walker scooped up the coveted Photographer of the Year 2012 title at The Societies’ Convention Awards Dinner in London on Saturday 12th January. In addition to receiving his trophy Paul also walked away with a VIP trip to The Societies’ 2014 Convention, set to take place in the Hilton London Metropole hotel in January next year. Paul commented, “Shocked, delighted, speechless, in that order.  I’m going to buy the dog a juicy bone for at least paying attention for that split second - most have selective hearing!”

Wilkinson Cameras have launched a new website called WeBuyAnyCamera.com where you can upload details of any camera kit and lenses which you no longer require and turn them in to cash. After uploading details of the kit you’d like to sell, one of the team at Wilkinson Cameras will get back to you with an offer for your old gear. There are two sale options available – a straight cash sales price, or cash price plus 10% extra if you request payment in Wilkinson Camera online vouchers. David Parkinson, MD at Wilkinson Cameras said: “We’ve seen a huge increase in the demand for quality second hand equipment – and we’ve also seen an increase in people who want a fast, simple process – instead of the risks associated with online auction sites and classified ads.” For any equipment purchased worth £500 or more, Wilkinson will even arrange collection, completely free of charge.

Madbits have just released its new iPhone photo app, Momentsia. The app’s simple-to-use features are “designed to let creativity flow naturally, allowing iPhoneographers to artfully express their experience through beautiful collage compilations,” the company says. Users simply select one of Momentsia’s colorful “Mondrian”-style collage layouts and snap photos into position by either tapping directly on the screen to capture the current moment or browsing their iPhone Camera Roll library to pair moments from yesterday with those of today. The free app is available now from the iTunes App Store.

Pentax has updated its roadmaps for Q-mount, K-mount and 645 format lenses. Published on Pentax’s Facebook fan page, the updated roadmaps indicate three new Q-mount lenses, four new K-mount optics (plus a teleconverter) and three new zooms for the Pentax 645 system. The Q-mount lens range shall be expanded with a wide-angle optic, a telephoto macro and a body cap lens. The four new K-mount lenses planned for 2013 and later include a DA wide zoom, a DA telezoom, a DA Limited zoom and a DA* standard zoom (possibly a 16-80mm). For its medium-format system, Pentax is planning to release new wide, telephoto and standard zoom lenses that will more or less complement each other.

Pentax Ricoh have posted a firmware update for its Pentax K-5 II and Pentax K-5 IIs digital SLR cameras. Version 1.01 enables users to adjust the contrast of the cameras’ rear displays, and improves overall operational stability. You can download the firmware upgrade from the website below.

Website: Pentax Japan

The new Pentax Efina is a 14-megapixel digital compact camera with 5x optical zoom. The name harks back to the days of film photography when Pentax had two APS cameras with a similar designation (the Pentax Efina and the Pentax Efina T). The digital version comes with a 26-130mm equivalent zoom lens sporting 6 elements in 5 groups including 3 aspherical elements; a 1/2.3-type CCD sensor, a “self-portrait mirror” and 720p HD movie recording capabilities. According to Pentax Japan, the floral design on the front panel “appeals to young women photographers.” The digital Pentax Efina will be available in selected markets only.

Our eight and final award is for Camera of the Year 2012, which goes to the Olympus OM-D E-M5.

“Image quality is where Micro Four Thirds cameras have traditionally lagged behind their APS-C sensor rivals, but the OM-D E-M5 is the first MFT model to equal the results from leading cameras like the Sony NEX-7. Noise doesn’t rear its ugly head until ISO 3200 for JPEGs and even the faster settings prove eminently usable, although the E-M5 does apply some pretty aggressive noise reduction to keep the files clean as shown by the much noisier raw images. We never longed for a camera with a bigger sensor, and you’d have to step up to a full-frame DSLR to see an appreciable leap in image quality.”

Read the Full Review

Congratulations to Olympus and the OM-D E-M5!

Canon USA has rolled out a “consumer-safety initiative” that will promote awareness of the risks of using counterfeit accessories - especially batteries and chargers - for digital cameras and camcorders. “Counterfeit products are fake replicas of the real products, designed to take advantage of the superior value of the real product,” the company said in a statement. “Purchase of these products can lead to potentially dangerous results. Unlike genuine Canon products, counterfeit accessories may not meet government and industry safety standards and may overheat, smoke, melt, ignite and may cause bodily injury and property damage.” In support of this initiative a digital campaign, with the tagline, “Play it safe. Power your Canon with Canon Power” was launched on 8th January, advising consumers to avoid counterfeits by purchasing products through established retail channels. In addition, the Canon USA Website has been enlisted to educate consumers on the Canon batteries and chargers most frequently counterfeited and to provide helpful tips to spot them.

Velbon has just announced a range of tripods aimed at the budget-conscious photographer. Comprising three models, the Velbon DF range is claimed to offer “outstanding quality at a very affordable price.” Each of the three models features a 3-way pan-tilt head with quick release plate and 3 section, braced, aluminium legs with quick release leg locks and non-slip rubber feet. The £29.99 Velbon DF-41 is a lightweight (1.15kg), compact tripod, ideal for travelling. The £39.99 Velbon DF-51 (pictured) is a fully featured standard tripod weighing 1.38kg and the top of the range, £49.99 Velbon DF-61 is a “deluxe” heavy-duty tripod with a weight of 1.75kg.

DxO Labs have announced the the immediate availability of DxO Optics Pro v8.1.2 for Mac and Windows. This update allows DxO Optics Pro 8 to support the Canon EOS 6D and the Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-RX1 full-format cameras (Elite Edition only), as well as the Nikon 1 V2. Furthermore, more than a hundred new camera/lens combinations have been added to the library, supporting additional Canon, Nikon, Sigma, Sony, Tamron and Tokina lenses for Canon, Nikon and Sony cameras. This upgrade is free for all owners of DxO Optics Pro 8, as well as for photographers who purchased a DxO Optics Pro 7 licence on or after 1 September 2012.

Digital Capture After Dark by Amanda Quintenz-Fiedler and Philipp Scholz Rittermann is a new title from Rocky Nook. This guide goes beyond the “how to” of capturing digital images at night and addresses the “why to” of long-exposure photography, including the importance of understanding how we think and see at night compared with during the day. Detailed descriptions cover colour balancing, expanding dynamic range, controlling flare, dealing with noise, converting to black-and-white, toning, and much more. The 192-page volume sells for $39.95, with an e-book version available at $16.95.

The HydRemote Remote Cable System allows the waterproof connection of hundreds of remote controllers to GoPro HD Hero and Hero2 cameras. According to HydRemote’s creator, Ethan Janson, “this new system leaves the GoPro powered off until triggered, thus extending battery life by many hours or even days.  Now you are only restricted by the battery life in your remote or receiver.” The HydRemote Cable System is available on Amazon at an introductory price of $45.99

Canon Canada has announced the opening of Image Square, the Canon Experience Centre - a unique destination where visitors can interact with the latest Canon technology. Located at Eighth Avenue Place in downtown Calgary, Alberta, Canon Image Square is a “technologically-advanced space specifically designed to encourage exploration and discovery,” the company says. Occupying approximately 6,600 square feet, Canon Image Square is accessible off 8th Avenue as well as through the building’s main concourse.