The 5th Annual International Loupe Awards are now open for entries. Featuring Amateur, Open and Medium Format sections, with 3, 8 and 3 categories respectively, the International Loupe Awards are open to professionals, amateurs and students, and are judged by 25 leading photographers from around the world. The deadline for entries is 31 October 2012.. Late entries accepted until 15th November (late entry fees apply).

The current president of Pentax Ricoh Imaging Americas Corporation, Ned Bunnell, will retire effective 30th September. From 1st October Noboru Akahane will be appointed President of the “Americas,” in addition to his current role as president of Pentax Ricoh Japan. “Given the market opportunity, North America is very important to our business,” Akahane explains. “There are a core group of Pentax and Ricoh fans here and we are confident to deliver high-quality products that will not only satisfy our current customers but also attract new customers through innovation and support of Ricoh’s global brand.”

The Guardian has announced a new photography masterclass entitled Photography with the iPhone. Hosted by Richard Gray - the UK’s first lecturer in mobile photography - and three other leading British iPhoneographers, the event will take place on 24th September will give participants key insights into the techniques and apps used by some of the most successful mobile phone photographers in the United Kingdom.. The tuition fee is £69 including VAT. For more information and to book your place visit the website below. (Illustration: Tube Readers by Richard Gray)

Website: Guardian Masterclasses

We have spent some quality time with the brand new Nikon D600 full-frame digital SLR camera to deliver you a hands-on preview. You can read our initial impressions below.

Update: Since publishing this hands-on report, we have completed our full review of the Nikon D600.

Nikon has released a spectacular sample movie shot on the new Nikon D600 full-frame digital SLR camera, accompanied by a “behind-the-scenes” video that was also recorded with the D600. Shot on location in various places across the globe, the sample movie demonstrates the capabilities of the camera very well; though you must remember that the average user - equipped with nothing but the camera itself, an assortment of lenses and a tripod, with no access to all the accessories (cranes, specialised mounting rigs etc.) and vehicles used by the creators of the sample movie - will hardly be able to shoot such professional videos on their vacations. Nevertheless, “Chasing the Light” is a truly enjoyable movie, available to watch at reduced resolution on the Nikon Imaging website.

Website: Nikon Imaging

Want to see exactly what the new Nikon D600 full-frame digital SLR camera looks like in the flesh? We have put together a gallery of hands-on photos for your perusal.

Nikon has posted 10 full-resolution sample photos taken with the Nikon D600, a new 35mm full-frame digital SLR camera sporting a 24.3-megapixel sensor. Captured at sensitivity settings ranging from ISO 100/21° to ISO 3200/36°, with a variety of lenses including the AF-S Nikkor .24-85mm f/3.5-4.5G ED VR, 85mm f/1.8G, 24-70mm f/2.8G ED, 200-400mm f/4G ED VR II (with teleconverter), 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II, 14-24mm f/2.8G ED, Fisheye-Nikkor 16mm f/2.8D and PC-E Nikkor 24mm f/3.5D ED; the Nikon D600 samples are all presented in JPEG format (though some of them were shot as 14-bit NEFs). To view and download the sample photographs, visit the website below.

Website:, Nikon D600 Samples

The Tamron SP 70-200mm F/2.8 Di VC USD is the most compact full-size, high-speed telephoto zoom lens. Equipped with VC (Vibration Compensation) image stabilization, and USD (Ultrasonic Silent Drive), the Tamron 70-200m F/2.8 lens is currently under development with no launch date or price set. It will be available for Nikon, Canon and Sony mounts.

The Tamron SP 90mm F/2.8 Di MACRO 1:1 VC USD is a redesigned version of the classic 90mm macro lens. Equipped with VC (Vibration Compensation) and USD (Ultrasonic Silent Drive) with completely redesigned optics, the Tamron 90mm F/2.8 Macro lens is currently under development for Canon, Nikon and Sony mounts, with price and availability to be announced.

The Nikon D600 is a new full-frame digital SLR camera featuring a 24.3-megapixel FX format sensor, newly developed Multi-CAM4800 39-point AF system, 14-bit analogue-to-digital conversion.and a glass prism optical viewfinder with 100% frame coverage. Compatible with lenses up to f/8 combined open aperture and sensitive down to -1 EV, the new AF system enables users to take well-focussed shots even in challenging light conditions. Weighing in at 760 grams without a battery, the Nikon D600 also boasts the title of the smallest FX format DSLR camera Nikon has ever crafted. Other highlights include a shutter unit designed for 150,000 actuations, an ISO range of 100–6400, extendable up to 25,600 and down to 50; dual SD card slots with SDXC and UHS-I support; a dual-axis virtual horizon; in camera HDR exposure blending; and a Multi-area D-Movie mode offering Full HD video capture at a variety of frame rates and the ability to output an uncompressed live video stream at 1080p to external recorders.

The Nikon D600 body will be available from 18 September 2012 for £1955.99 /  €2385.99 / $2,099.95. It will also be sold in a kit with the 24-85mm lens for £2443.99 / €2981.99 / $2,699.95.

The optional WU-1b Mobile Adapter is a wireless mobile adapter that allows images to be transferred directly to any smartphone or tablet, and enables the camera to be controlled remotely via the smart device. This will be available on September 18 for £64.99 / €79.00 / $59.95.

The Nikon 1 Nikkor 18.5mm f/1.8 is a fast, 50mm equivalent “standard prime” for Nikon 1 System cameras. Compatible with the Nikon 1 J1, J2 and V1 compact system cameras, the 1 Nikkor 18.5mm f/1.8 is currently the fastest CX-format lens in Nikon’s line-up. Equipped with high-quality glass, including an aspherical glass element, this 1 Nikkor lens delivers edge-to-edge sharpness even at maximum aperture, the company claims. Supplied with a front and rear lens cap, the Nikon 1 Nikkor 18.5mm f/1.8 lens is available from 1 November 2012, priced at £179.99/ €219.00. A lens hood and a soft case are available as optional extras.

Apple has posted half a dozen full-resolution sample photos taken with the new Apple iPhone 5. The images are 3264×2448 pixels each and depict subjects as varied as landscapes, children, and macro. You can download all the iPhone 5 samples from the website below.

Website: Apple

The Apple iPhone 5 is a new smartphone with a 4-inch, not-quite-HD (1136x640-pixel) Retina display, 8-megapixel sensor, f/2.4 lens with sapphire crystal cover and a new “dynamic low light” mode. Weighing in at 112 grams, the Apple iPhone 5 is 20% lighter and 18% thinner than the iPhone 4S. It’s also claimed to be “40% faster” at capturing photos, and its screen offers “44% more colour saturation.” The iPhone 5 features Apple’s version of a “sweep panorama” mode, which enables users to capture a 28-megapixel panoramic image with ease. Other photo/video related highlights include a new Shared Photo Stream feature, improved face detection, enhanced movie stabilisation and the ability to take photographs while recording a video clip. The Apple iPhone 5 will be available in 16GB, 32GB and 64GB versions, priced at $199, $299 and $399, respectively, all on a 2-year contract. The first 9 countries/markets - including the UK, the US, Canada, Australia, France, Germany, Japan, Singapore and Hong Kong - will get the iPhone 5 on 21st September, with pre-orders starting as early as this Friday.

Want to see exactly what the new Sony A99 full-frame DSLR camera looks like in the flesh?

Check out our hands-on gallery of photos of the Sony A99 SLT camera, including a break-down of the camera’s components and with the new 300mm F2.8 G SSM II lens (which costs a cool £6700).

Want to see exactly what the new Sony RX1 compact digital camera looks like in the flesh?

Check out our hands-on gallery of photos of the full-frame Sony RX1 compact digital camera, including a break-down of the camera’s components and a side-by-side comparison with the Cyber-shot RX100.

Want to see exactly what the new Sony NEX-6 compact system camera looks like in the flesh?

Check out our hands-on gallery of photos of the Sony NEX-6 mirrorless camera and the innovative 16-50mm Power Zoom lens.

The World Photography Organisation (WPO) has announced the inaugural Student Focus conference dedicated to the subject of photography education, The World Photo Educators’ Symposium. Taking place at Photokina, Cologne, Germany from the 22-23 September, the conference will bring together leading professors of photography from across Europe and the US to discuss the future of photography education. Executive Director of the US-based Society of Photographic Education (SPE), Virginia Morrison, commented: “We are looking forward to a rich conversation that will include such topics as students, teaching and making art; online learning; thinking digital; curriculum; the Internet; impact of photographic imagery; and community and collaboration.”

The Sony Alpha SLT-A99 is a 35mm full-frame camera with a Dual AF system and pro-style video features. The Sony A99 has a newly developed 24.3 megapixel full-frame Exmor CMOS sensor, Dual AF System with 19 sensors (including 11 cross sensors) and 102 AF point system (focal plane), ISO 50-25600, Full HD 50p progressive movie shooting with non-stop Continuous AF and pro audio, and an XGA OLED Tru-Finder with 100% frame coverage. The Sony SLT-A99 is available from early November 2012 priced at around £2500.

The new 300mm F2.8 G SSM II (SAL300F28G2) lens is designed for demanding sports and wildlife applications. A new wide-aperture Carl Zeiss A-mount prime lens is now under development. Optimised for superb results with the camera’s 35mm full frame image sensor, the Planar T* 50mm F1.4 ZA SSM will be available in Spring 2013.

The Sony NEX-6 is a new enthusiast compact system camera. The NEX-6 features a 16.1 megapixel Exmor APS HD CMOS sensor, ISO 100-25600, Fast Hybrid AF for optimal fast and precise autofocus, 10fps burst shooting with continuous focusing, XGA OLED Tru-Finder, wi-fi connectivity, PlayMemories Camera Apps, a built-in flash and new Multi Interface Shoe. The Sony NEX-6 will be available from mid-November 2012 priced at around £710 body only, £830 with the new 16-50mm Power Zoom lens, and £1030 with the 16-50mm Power Zoom and the 55-210mm lenses.

The SELP1650 is an extremely light, compact 16-50mm F3.5-5.6 powered zoom lens, priced at £310 / $350. The SEL35F18 is a fast 35mm prime / fixed focal length lens with a bright maximum aperture of F1.8, costing £400 / $450. The SEL1018 is a super-wide angle zoom with a maximum aperture of F4 right across its 10-18mm range, retailing for £750 / $850. All three new lenses have Optical SteadyShot image stabilisation built-in.

The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1 is the world’s first compact camera with a 35mm full-frame sensor. Featuring an Exmor CMOS sensor with 24.3 effective megapixels, the Sony RX1 has a Carl Zeiss Sonnar T* 35mm F2 prime lens, ISO range from ISO 100-25600, 5fps burst shooting, 14-bit RAW, and Full HD movies at 50p/60p or 25p/24p. The Sony DSC-RX1 will be available in December 2012 for around £2600 / $2800.