Benro has announced the availability of its new video camera support systems. The lightweight and compact customisable Benro Video Tripod Kits feature S-Series Video Heads available in three weight load capacities, matching Quick-Release Plate, Panning Handle, aluminium alloy or carbon fiber legs and a padded travel case for added protection. Each Benro Video Tripod Kit is based on an eighth-generation design of single leg tubes and flip-lever leg lock mechanisms for rapid access and tear-down. In addition, a sliding centre column with an integral 60mm bowl allows fine camera positioning on vertical and angular axis for properly located and level panning. These tripod kits are available now in prices ranging from $200 - $465.

ColoRotate, originally a 3D colour picker and editor plug-in for Adobe Photoshop CS4, is now available for the Apple iPad. Designed for swiftly creating and editing custom colour palettes, the app is claimed to work “great alone, or connected to Photoshop CS5 or CS6.” ColoRotate for iPad currently sells for €3.99 on iTunes.

RigWheels’ new assortment offers increased flexibility in allowing videographers to scale their camera movement and mounting solution from DIY to complete system. The new products and tools are designed for moving and mounting your camera in unique and versatile ways. One of the most interesting and original items in the line is the RigMount, a high-powered rare-earth magnet with surprising strength in mounting applications for video as well as still photography. For more information, visit the website below.

Adobe has posted updates to Adobe Camera Raw (ACR), DNG Converter and Lightroom, including preliminary support for the Nikon D600 digital SLR camera (pictured), allowing you to play with the raw files provided in our Nikon D600 review. The updates also add support for 21 other cameras ranging from the Canon EOS 650D / Rebel T4i to the Sony DSC-RX100 and profiles for over 40 Canon, Carl Zeiss, Hasselblad, Leica, Nikon, Pentax, Sigma and Tamron lenses. The Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 4.2 and Adobe Camera Raw 7.2 updates additionally incorporate a number of bug fixes.

Olympus UK has announced an upcoming consumer promotion. Those purchasing an Olympus OM-D E-M5 compact system camera between 15th October and 31st December can claim a 45mm (90mm eq.) f/1.8 short telephoto lens absolutely free by redemption. This offer will only be valid for the UK and the Republic of Ireland and only through authorised stockists. You will need a valid UK/ROI VAT receipt to claim your free lens, subject to the promotion’s Terms and Conditions, which will be posted at the website below, starting 15th October.

Website: Olympus United Kingdom | Sales Promotions
Reviews: Olympus O-MD E-M5 | M.Zuiko Digital 45mm f/1.8 | Olympus OM-D E-M5 vs Nikon D7000

Akvis has updated its ArtSuite to version 9.0. ArtSuite is a collection of versatile effects for decorating photos. The effects are grouped in two categories - Frames and Artistic Effects. Version 9.0 adds a new Halftone effect which turns a photo into a halftone picture giving it a retro comic book look. Also, in the new version the list of the ready-to-use Presets has been added to the Effects. Additionally, in both groups, Frames and Effects, it’s possible to save a preset to a file and load it from the file using the buttons in the top panel.

Burrard-Lucas Photography has launched a new travel photo competition. They are looking for striking, original and beautiful travel photographs that reveal the wonders of our planet. You are not limited to any subject matter in particular; travel photography can portray many things including an area’s people, cultures, customs, history or landscape. The grand prize is a Canon EOS 60D digital SLR camera (pictured). The winner also receives a 16x24” framed print of his/her winning photograph. The submission deadline is 31 December 2012.

Photoshop Elements 11: The Missing Manual by Barbara Brundage is a new title from O’Reilly Media. “With candid, jargon-free advice and step-by-step guidance, you’ll get the most out of Elements for everything from sharing and touching-up photos to fun print and online projects,” the publisher says. The 656-page volume is available for $44.99 in printed format or $35.99 as an ebook. You can buy both versions in a bundle for $49.99.

Photographing Shadow and Light by Joey L. is a new title from Amphoto Books. In this book, Joey lifts the curtain on his approach to portraiture, sharing his personal philosophy and a behind-the-scenes look at 15 different photo sessions. “Featuring more than 85 stunning portraits, detailed lighting diagrams, and a foreword from industry icon David Hobby (aka Strobist), Photographing Shadow and Light shares the creative process behind one of today’s most exciting photography talents, providing serious amateurs and professionals a fresh perspective on creating compelling, professional quality portraits,” the publisher says. Scheduled for a 4th December release, the 176-page paperback carries a list price of $29.99 and is currently available to pre-order from Amazon for $19.39.

Corel today launched an exclusive cashback promotion on CorelDRAW Graphics Suite X6.  Customers purchasing a full standard version either through one of Corel’s authorized resellers or from Corel’s eStore are entitled to claim £90 cashback. The promotion runs from 1 October 2012 to 31 January 2013 (inclusive). Countries included in the offer are: UK, France, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Poland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Finland, Sweden, and Ireland.

The winners of the September 2012 Photography Blog Competition have been announced. The theme for September was “My Camera” - you can view all of the entries in this gallery. Here are the 5 winners:

1st Place
my Canon Powershot Sx 110Is by raznicu2010
Prize: X-Rite ColourChecker Passport
Kindly donated by X-Rite
http://www.xritephoto.com/

Photography Blog and HiFi-Tower have teamed up to launch a brand new giveaway. The prize is a Klarstein Mini Projector, and we’ve got ONE to give away to a lucky reader!

This contest has now closed - the lucky winner is Alan Newington.

The Klarstein YX4B is a compact mini projector that beams images up to 60” in size. The projector is perfect for photo slideshows at home or on the go. It has an AV jack input for connecting a range of typical devices, as well as a USB port and micro-SD slot, so there’s definitely no lack of input options! For photographers, the Klarstein YX4B handles JPEG files with ease, along with audio/video files like MPEG4, FLV, MP3, and FLAC. The projector comes equipped with a long-lasting LED lamp, ensuring you’ll be proudly projecting your photos for years to come. The Klarstein YX4B and a selection of LED, LCD, and HD projectors are available online at hifi-tower.co.uk.

Hall Place, situated in Bexley, Kent, is this autumn welcoming a unique photography exhibition; Illuminated World. Opening October 6, it showcases local man, Arthur Boswell’s (1880-1966) rare collection of early Victorian photography. Visitors will be taken on a fascinating journey of people and places from African plains, Norwegian fjords to Italian cities, contrasted with Bexley and the local area all as they were a century ago. Illuminated World will provide a magical encounter of life in Victorian times and an appreciation of the customs and cultures that would have enchanted observers during an era when people were travelling more than ever before. Visitors can also learn about photographic techniques of the time with original apparatus on display. Unearthed from the town’s local archive, this is the first time the images created from original glass lantern slides have been on show to the public and the selection represents only a fraction of the total of some 14,000 images. Admission is £7 for adults, £5 for under 16s and £20 for families.

Benro today announced its new MeFOTO Transfunctional Travel Tripod Kits. This new tripod provides photographers with a reliable camera support for sharp photos while allowing them to express their individual style when choosing from a selection of red, green, blue, gold and titanium metallic colours. “These colourful, well-built and modern new Transfunctional Travel Tripods are the perfect addition to the MeFOTO product line,” said Jan Lederman, President of MAC Group. “While the Compact MeFOTO Travel Tripods are ideal for any general picture-takers using lightweight point-and-shoot digital cameras and compact interchangeable lens digital camera systems, this new Transfunctional model provides photographers with dependable support for larger camera bodies and lenses.” Utilising a reverse folding leg system based on the Benro Travel Angel kits, the new MeFOTO Transfunctional Tripods are only 15.4” when folded yet 61.6” extended. The MeFOTO Transfunctional Travel Tripod weighs 3.6 lbs. and can securely support up to 17.6 lbs, the manufacturer claims. Suggested retail price for the new Tripod Kit is $229.

Issue 20 of Landscape Photography Magazine is now available to download. This edition includes a guide to shooting the aurora with Lee Pengelly, a review of David Noton’s book “Full Frame” by David Hay, the portfolios of Anld Heitmann, Jose Sanchez Figueras and Andy Fox, an interview with Jonathan Chritchley, and more. Also, starting this month, LPM will accommodate regular columns from Jonathan Chritchley and Keith Wilson - the latter is the founder of both Outdoor Photography & Black+White Photography magazines. Do note that the full contents of Landscape Photography Magazine are available to subscribers only.

Photocrafty by Sue Venables is a new fun and quirky ‘how-to’ book aimed at digital SLR camera users who have yet to venture away from their auto setting. Available from 8th October, the book offers new and exciting ways of making the most of a DSLR, like a photography course which can be taken at the reader’s own time and pace. “What excites me about photography,” says Sue “is that the possibilities are endless – yet most people don’t even begin to explore beyond the basics. I see Photocrafty as an approach, rather than just a book. It’s about embracing the unknown and being a bit experimental. I want people to be saying ‘what would happen if I try that?’ rather than being stuck with the ‘point-and-shoot’ approach to photography.” Published by Punk Publishing, the 224-page paperback is available to pre-order from Amazon UK for £14.95.

Manfrotto has just launched KLYP, a special iPhone case equipped with two adaptor clips ready to host its pocket tripods and LED video lights. KLYP will be available in-store from 1st October in John Lewis, selected Selfridges, Calumet, Dixons Travel, Warehouse Express, Amazon and will come in five distinctive kits. including 1) the case with the two adaptor clips, 2) the case complete with ML240 LED light, 3) the case complete with ML240 LED light and Manfrotto POCKET tripod, 4) the case complete with compact ML120 LED light and 5) the case complete with ML120 LED light and Manfrotto POCKET tripod. Prices for KLYP start from £24.95.