Adobe has released final versions of Lightroom 4.3 and ACR 7.3. Previously available as release candidates, these updates add full support for the Nikon D600, Canon EOS 6D, Canon PowerShot S110, Canon PowerShot G15, Canon PowerShot SX50 HS, Casio Exilim EX-ZR1000, Casio Exilim EX-FC300S, Leica M-E (pictured), Nikon 1 V2, Nikon D5200, Olympus PEN E-PL5, Olympus PEN E-PM2, Olympus Sylus XZ-2 iHS, Panasonic DMC-GH3, Pentax K-5 II, Pentax K-5 IIs, Pentax Q10, Sony RX1, VG30 and VG900. The updates also incorporate various bug fixes and new profiles for a variety of Canon, Leica, Pentax, Sigma, Sony and Tamron. lenses.

Source: Adobe Lightroom Journal

Manfrotto Lighting has announced the release of the new Lastolite 10m Off Camera Cord.. Available in Canon or Nikon versions, the 10m Off camera Cord has a single shoe mount and retains all TTL metering. Allowing the photographer to extend to distance between camera position and his light source, the Lastolite 10m Off Camera Cord is available now at a suggested retail price of £63.

Samsung and Time Out have announced the ‘Share your Now’ contest, which encourages Londoners and New Yorkers to take pictures of their respective hometowns and challenge locals to prove they love their city the most. Created to celebrate the recent launch of Samsung’s Galaxy Camera (pictured), the competition enables entrants to upload images they have captured of New York or London to a dedicated portal on the Time Out website. Each week five participants from each city will win their own Galaxy Camera. Once the competition closes, three winners from each city, drawn from the total pool of winners from the nine week competition will be commissioned to work with Time Out magazine to share their take on their own city with their Samsung Galaxy Camera. These final images will be featured on the front cover of Time Out in their respective cities. To participate in the ‘Share your Now’ competition visit the website below.

Artensoft has released Photo Collage Maker 1.2, a software application that automatically creates mosaic collages and photo mosaics in which the constituent elements can be of different sizes depending on the selected level of detail. Photo Collage Maker 1.2 is available immediately from Artensoft’s online shop, and through its network of authorised resellers. The program sells for $79.95.

proDAD has unveiled Defishr, an automatic video fisheye correcting application for Windows. According to the company, Defishr is highly effective at removing distortions caused by very wide angle camera lenses on GoPro-type action cameras, DSLR cameras fitted with wide angle lenses, and even mobile phones with wide angle lenses. To remove fisheye from a video clip, a user simply drags a video clip into the Defishr app, selects the camera model that recorded the video from a drop-down list and the software corrects for the distortion automatically. “Finally action camera users, professional wide-angle lens users and simply ‘all videographers and photographers’ have a simple solution for removing unwanted distortion from otherwise good video” said Andreas Huber, proDAD’s Managing Director. “Defishr is by far the easiest and most effective video and photo de-warp solution currently available and it’s quite affordable too.” proDAD Defishr is currently available as an electronic download from the proDAD online shop at an introductory price of £58.

Delkin has announced its plans to build a consumer CFast card optimised for professional video applications. “CFast combines the mechanical robustness and portability of the industry standard CompactFlash card with the performance benefits of the SATA interface,” explains VP of Sales and Business Development, James Grassman. “In the Industrial space the transition from PATA to SATA ports in single board computer designs created the demand for CFast over a year ago. With the transition from 1080p capable DSLRs, camcorders, projectors and televisions to emerging 4k video capabilities, we’re excited to take our experience and knowledge of CFast and apply it to build a version optimised for these new devices.” Specifics about the new card haven’t been released yet.

Canon has launched a new 2/3” HD zoom lens called the KJ20x8.2B KRSD. The company first introduced its HDgc series of HD portable lenses five years ago to provide high optical performance at competitive prices for the then-emerging generation of lower-cost portable HD video cameras. Designed to offer high-quality performance in a compact and lightweight package, the KJ20x8.2B KRSD boasts a 1.0 second maximum speed over its entire 20x zoom range. Focal lengths range from an extra-wide angle 8.2mm (60.7 degrees angular field of view horizontal in 16:9 aspect ratio) to 164mm, combining with a f/1.9 maximum relative aperture – all in a package weighing just 1.25 kg. The KJ20x8.2B will go on sale at the end of February with a SRP of £4,090 + VAT.

Leica has released a firmware update for the Leica S2 digital SLR camera. Version 1.0.4.2 adds support for the new Leica Super-Elmar-S 24 mm f/3.5 ASPH. and Leica Vario-Elmar-S 30-90 mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH lenses and optimises the shutter priority exposure mode (T) based on user feedback. Furthermore, the installation of the new camera firmware is a precondition for the use of Leica S-Lenses with central (leaf) shutters. Registered S customers can now download the files containing the firmware upgrade and an installation guide from the owners’ area at the website below.

Website: Leica

Canon has issued a firmware update for the Canon EOS 6D digital SLR camera. Version 1.1.2 fixes a phenomenon which prevents movie files shot using the EOS 6D from being played back on YouTube. You can download the firmware upgrade from the website below.

British photographer Craig Easton has been announced as the overall winner of the Travel Photographer of the Year (TPOTY) 2012 competition. Craig beat entrants from over 90 countries to win the world’s leading travel photography competition with four evocative, moody images of the ‘dreich’ - an old Scottish word to describe wet, miserable, dank weather - and an elegant series of four striking silhouettes of people in Paris. The New Talent award went to Alessandra Meniconzi (Switzerland), while 15-year-old Samuel Fisch (USA) has been named Young Travel Photographer of the Year.

Samsung has revealed a new range of accessories for its Galaxy Camera and many other models in the SMART range of connected cameras. The sleek Galaxy Pouch (£32.99) comes in black, white, orange and red so photography enthusiasts can match their camera case to suit their personal tastes. The leather Premium EX Case (£54.99, pictured) for the Samsung EX2F comes in black and tan, while the also-new Premium Case (£16.99) is designed to protect some of the SMART range’s high-end models including the Samsung WB150F and Samsung WB850F. For more information visit the manufacturer’s website via the link below.

Tiffen today gave a sneak peek at its new product lineup for the upcoming 2013 International CES exhibition. Innovative products going on display at the show include the Steadicam Smoothee for iPhone 5, Next Generation Domke camera bags, and the Lowel GL-1 Power LED Light. The company is inviting attendees to stop by at the Tiffen booth (31133) for a look at Tiffen technology gear and products. Tiffen ImageMakers are scheduled to appear, along with other professional photographers, giving hands-on product demonstrations and presentations.

Manfrotto has just announced a number of offers across its range of Italian photographic accessories. The Pocket, a versatile, compact tripod with legs that fold down neatly for easy storage, is available for £29.95. The Mini-24 Continuous LED light, a smartphone/compact-camera accessory for shooting stills and video (pictured), can be had for £69.95, while the Agile VII Sling Camera Bag is currently priced at £89.95. The 294 Carbon-Fibre Kit, comprising a tripod and a three-way head, is now available for £249.95. Additional holiday offers include free shipping on everything above £20 from the Manfrotto website using the promo code FREESHIP at checkout, a £30 discount on the Manfrotto MK293A4-A3RC1 290 Series Aluminium Kit, and a free ML120 LED Light on all Manfrotto UK orders £100 and above, starting tomorrow.

Panasonic has announced a delay in the launch of its new Lumix DMC-GH3 Micro Four Thirds camera (body-only version). Originally scheduled for a December 13th release, the Panasonic GH3 camera body’s launch has been pushed back to December 29th. Do note that this decision only affects the body-only configuration; two kits - one with the 12-35mm f/2.8 lens and one with the 14-140mm superzoom - are going on sale today in Japan, according to schedule.

Source: Panasonic Japan
Review: Read our in-depth review of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH3 compact system camera

Rocky Nook has published a new collection by author Bruce Barnbaum - best known for his book, The Art of Photography -, titled Tone Poems, Book 1: Opuses 1, 2 & 3 and Tone Poems, Book 2: Opuses 4, 5 & 6. “The large-format books are a visual symphony with 181 superbly reproduced black-and-white nature photographs, from the abstract and often ethereal Dune Dome of Death Valley to the corporeal lyricism of the Caineville Buttes in Capitol Reef National Park,” the publisher says. “Each book is divided into sections that represent a different theme showcasing the magnificence of our glorious universe and offering a celebration of the natural world that is sure to elicit a visceral response.” Each book contains a CD with music recorded in Seattle’s Benaroya Hall by classical pianist Judith Cohen. The music was chosen to mirror and expand on the emotional content of the imagery in each of the two volumes. Sold separately, each book is available for $79.95.

The HDRI Handbook 2.0: High Dynamic Range Imaging for Photographers and CG Artists by Christian Bloch is a new title from Rocky Nook. “The HDRI Handbook 2.0 reveals what was once Hollywood’s best-kept secret, and includes all you need to know from the basics, such as understanding the foundation of HDRI, to advanced topics such as automatic bracketing controllers, flawless ghost removal, extracting all exposure detail from a single raw file, shooting HDR video, and more,” the publisher says. Also included is a DVD containing a new breed of HDR software along with all the original photographs from the tutorials. Distributed by O’Reilly, the 672-page volume is available to pre-order for $59.95 including the accompanying DVD.