Profoto today announced the Pro-B4 1000 Air battery generator, featuring flash durations down to 1/25,000 of a second. “Profoto’s new Pro-B4 1000 Air is the fastest, toughest and most versatile battery generator on the market today,” said Mark Rezzonico, VP Product Group. “With its unprecedented flash duration and world’s fastest recycling time, this new portable unit provides a world of creative possibilities for today’s fast-paced professional digital photographers.” At lower power settings the Profoto Pro-B4 1000 Air is capable of firing up to 30 flashes per second, while the maximum recycle time after a full-power discharge is less than a second. The unit’s energy setting can be adjusted with precise control in 1/10 f-stop increments. The Pro-B4 will be officially introduced at this year’s Photokina trade show. Pricing and availability to be confirmed.

Jobo has unveiled its new action camera, the JIB 4, which can capture Full HD movies (in both 30p and 60i formats) as well as eight-megapixel stills. Equipped with a 170-degree lens and a detachable monitor, the Jobo JIB 4 is powered by a rechargeable and replaceable lithium-ion battery good enough for two hours of continuous recording. A built-in laser pointer allows precise aiming even if the monitor is not visible to the user. The included waterproof housing enables underwater operation down to a depth of 60 metres. The Jobo JIB 4 carries an MSRP of €349. An optional remote control is available for €29.

Landscape Photography Magazine has relaunched its website with new features and improved core functionality. In celebration of the relaunch, the magazine has also announced a special offer - get the current issue plus the next two issues for just $1. The promotion runs until 15th September.

GIMP Magazine, a brand new, free publication featuring works created by the worldwide community of GIMP users, is launching on 5th September. “Photography, digital arts, graphic arts, web design, tips & tricks, step by step tutorials, master classes, help desk questions, product reviews and so much more are showcased and explored in this quarterly publication,” says Steve Czajka, Managing Editor, GIMP Magazine. “We will be hosting a launch party on the popular Canadian Technology and Pop Culture Podcast called Dyscultured.  Everyone is invited to attend this event and meet some of the GIMP Magazine team members, ask questions, and provide suggestions for upcoming issues!  The event will be LIVE to the world!” The launch event is taking place from 10pm EST on 5 September 2012.

The Lomographic Society has unveiled the Diana Baby 110, the second member of the Lomography 110 Camera Family. With this tiny 110 format film camera you can choose between two lens options; shoot wide-angle square shots with the 12mm lens or switch to the 24mm lens for standard square photos. The PC flash adapter allows Lomographers to use any hot-shoe flash including the Colorsplash Flash or Diana F+ Flash. The Diana Baby 110 is available in two kits - choose between the standard Diana Baby 110 with 24mm Lens (£39) or the all-in-one Diana Baby 110 + Lens Package (£49), which includes both the 12mm and the 24mm lenses. Both bundles can be ordered through the website below.

Akvis has released version 14 of Akvis Sketch, a program that digital photos into pencil sketches and watercolour, charcoal, and pastel drawings. This update introduces a new Timeline feature to the Business and Deluxe editions, adds compatiblity with MacOS X 10.8, and fixes bugs.

Kodak has announced its plans to sell off its Personalised Imaging and Document Imaging businesses. The Personalised Imaging business includes still camera film products, photographic papers, retail print solutions and souvenir photo products sold at theme parks and other venues. The Document Imaging business provides a portfolio of scanners, capture software and services to enterprise customers. In future, Kodak intends to focus on its commercial, packaging and functional printing solutions and enterprise services, while retaining its Consumer Inkjet, Entertainment Imaging, Commercial Film and Specialty Chemicals businesses. Discussions continue on the company’s digital imaging patent portfolio, which may be sold or retained

On November 11 2012 screens in town halls, universities and village squares will play host to the worldwide première of the 11Eleven project’s feature film. Last year, when the calendar read 11.11.11, the project began with photographers, filmmakers, musicians and bloggers joining forces to create a truly global narrative - a snapshot of our world on that day. The full-length feature film that will make its debut in November is only one of the fruits of this worldwide collaboration - it will soon be followed by a photographic book and a world music collection, with all proceeds divided equally between six different charities. Interested readers are encouraged to visit the project’s website for more information.

Nikon has released a firmware update for two of its 1 System lenses, including the 1 Nikkor VR 10-30mm f/3.5-5.6 L and the 1 NIKKOR VR 30-110mm f/3.8-5.6 L. Version 1.10 adds the following feature: when these lenses are used with Nikon 1 cameras released in, or after, August 2012, the camera can be turned off by locking the lens barrel (retractable lens barrel button), even if the monitor has turned off and the camera has entered standby mode.

Website: 1 NIKKOR VR 10-30mm f/3.5-5.6 L Firmware Update 1.10
Website: 1 NIKKOR VR 30-110mm f/3.8-5.6 L Firmware Update 1.10

Jobo has recently unveiled the Pure 10 media HD digital picture frame featuring a 10-inch IPS panel with a resolution of 1280x800 pixels and an aspect ratio of 16:10. The frame can play back HD video files directly from any compatible flash media, without the need to transcode the data on a computer first. In addition the Jobo Pure 10 media HD offers an HDMI output in order to connect the photo frame with a TV by HDMI cable – transforming the photo frame into a media player. The Jobo Pure 10 media HD 10 media HD is available in black and white for an MSRP of €149.

G-Technology has released the second part of the G-Academy educational series with Sébastien Montaz-Rosset. The programme consists of a series of video workshops that captures filmmakers and photographers at their work and provides behind-the-scenes views of the process. In the second episode of the series, Sébastien Montaz-Rosset takes us through the edit of “Summits of My Life” and explains his creative philosophy. You can watch the full video at the website below.

The new Phottix Atlas II system can be used to trigger cameras, flashes and studio lights over distances of up to 350 metres. Being a transceiver, the Phottix Atlas II can either transmit or receive signals, and you can toggle between the two functions with a flick of a switch. Fitting in with Phottix’s existing line-up, the Atlas II is compatible with Phottix Strato and Odin series TTL triggers (but incompatible with the original Atlas). Now featuring a two-stage shutter button, it can also be used, with Phottix Accessory Cables, as a wired or wireless shutter release. The Phottix Atlas II will be available in single or twin packs with MSRPs of $84.99 and $149.00, respectively.

Nik Software has launched a special offer for all users of its plug-ins. Until the end of this month, the Complete Collection Upgrade is available for €379,95 only. “The older product generations cannot be installed correctly anymore, unless extensive work-arounds are employed,” says Boris Bergman, Teamlead Support with Nik Software in Hamburg.  “Also, with regard to the gatekeeper function under Mac OS 10.8 and the upcoming Windows 8 release, we strongly recommend to upgrade. This offer is designed to make the upgrade decision more attractive, especially to owners of older generations of Color Efex Pro, Viveza or Silver Efex Pro.” The registration can be completed at the website below.

Innova Art has unveiled two new additions to its award-winning Olmec brand of resin-coated papers. Launching at Photokina, the all-new 190gsm Photo Gloss and Lustre Lightweight papers offer photographers exciting new weights and finishes. Both new papers are bright white, water resistant and single-side coated.

UK-based camera accessories store Rigu is now stocking the latest camera straps from !mo. “The straps are quite a bit more colourful than most standard camera straps, but they are also very functional, the ‘normal’ style straps have been stress tested to 180lbs of weight and the quick release straps (which are backed by neoprene for extra comfort) can take 120lbs of weight, so they can handle pretty much any camera and a lot more whilst being more comfortable than the standard strap that is supplied with a camera,” store owner Andrew Bowness says. “The regular cotton straps are £14.99 each, the neoprene backed are £16.99 each, and all UK orders have free postage with cheap flat rate postage for Europe and the rest of the world.”

The Terry O’Neill Award is now open for entries. Running since 2007, the Terry O’Neill Award is aimed at finding new talent and creating a platform for up-and-coming photographers. It is a unique competition in that it is based around the series or the narrative — photographers must enter a minimum of 3 (maximum of 6) pictures that tell a story. The entry fee is £5 per picture for students and £7 per picture for non-students. The closing date for entries is 22nd November. The top ten shortlisted series will be exhibited at The Strand Gallery in London from 17-31 January 2013. The overall winner will receive £3000, with the second and third prizes being £1000 and £500, respectively.

Fotodiox has launched its new PRO line of ten neutral density filters and the WonderPana 145 and WonderPana 66 Filter Systems. Claimed to be ideal for panorama, nature, architectural, fashion and event photographers as well as analogue and digital filmmakers, Fotodiox’s WonderPana lens hood systems are designed for Super Wide Angle (SWA) and Ultra Wide Angle (UWA) lenses. “By introducing the WonderPana Systems, we are offering photographers and cinematographers the ability to capture images with the right lighting balance and skip the HDR software post production process,” said Drew Strickland, vice president of Fotodiox. “With the new Wonder line, we are bringing more innovative, quality products to the market and giving photographers the tools they need to capture amazing shots.” Click through / read on for a list of compatible lenses.

Kenro has announced the UK availability of the Tokina Reflex 300mm f/6.3 mirror lens. The 600mm equivalent Micro Four Thirds lens measures only 66x66mm (length x diameter) and weighs in at less than 300 grams, making it remarkably small and lightweight for a super-telephoto optic. Like the vast majority of mirror lenses, the Tokina Reflex 300mm f/6.3 is a manual-focus lens with a fixed aperture. The lens takes 55mm filters, focuses down to 0.8m and offers a maximum reproduction ratio of 1:2. In the UK, the Tokina 300mm f/6.3 Compact Super Telephoto lens is available for an RRP of £339.00 (excluding VAT).

Mastering the Nikon D800 by Darrell Young is a new title from Rocky Nook. Published in the Nikonians Press series — a joint venture with the Nikonians community —, this book explores the features and capabilities of the Nikon D800 (read review) in detail, surpassing basic user manuals by providing step-by-step menu setting adjustments coupled with illustrations and logical explanations for each option. The 576-page volume is distributed internationally by O’Reilly Media and costs US$39.95.

The Pentax X-5 is a digital bridge camera with a 26x optical zoom lens. Offering focal-length coverage from 22.3mm ultra-wide angle to 580mm super telephoto, the Pentax X5 also features a 16 megapixel BSI sensor, 3-inch tilting LCD screen, electronic viewfinder, full 1080p HD video, and 10fps burst shooting. Price and availability of the Pentax X-5 are to be confirmed.