Fujifilm has released a firmware update for its ruggedised FinePix XP150 digital compact camera. Version 1.02 improves performance when shooting underwater. You can download the firmware update from the website below.

Website: Fujifilm

MoreVibrant.com has launched a Jubilee photographic competition. Entrants are asked to submit a photograph showing either their favourite “jubilee themed” product packaging, the most vibrantly coloured items they use at home, or how they decorated their home for the jubilee weekend. The deadline is 5th June and only two pictures per person can be submitted. The results will be announced after the Jubilee weekend. Three lucky winners will receive £50 of Marks and Spencer vouchers.

The PluginSite has released its ColorStyler software, which is the seventh product in the PhotoWiz series. According to the software developers, ColorStyler reproduces the whole workflow of colour film photography, recreating traditional film effects and giving photos a special style. It features more than 20 effect types, 600 presets and plenty of masking options for applying the effect only to selected areas of a photo. Priced at $69.95, ColorStyler is currently available as a Photoshop-compatible plugin for Windows as well as a standalone application. A plugin version for MacOS X will follow soon.

The lucky winner of a great Tamrac DSLR bag, courtesy of Lovecases.co.uk, is Robin Stanford.

The Tamrac Rally 5 will comfortably accommodate your DSLR with up to a 6” lens attached, 1 long tele photo lens and one mid size zoom lens plus a flash and all your accessories. There is also space for your iPad, small laptop or Tablet PC.

Check out Lovecases’ camera cases and dslr camera bag range.

This contest closed on Tuesday 22/05/2012.

The five lucky winners of Photo Director 3, courtesy of CyberLink, are mr eastwood, barry wolohan, Moby M Xavier, Hitesh Rathod and Lutz Froenicke.

PhotoDirector 3 is designed to provide all the features photographers need to manage large batches of photos, adjust images to the best quality and showcase work in their own unique style, in a single application. Now featuring People Beautifying tools and a complete range of cutting edge processing features, PhotoDirector 3 not only enables customers to perfect every detail of scenery photos, but also create professional portraits.

This contest closed on Tuesday 24/05/2012.

The high-end Sigma DP2 Merrill compact camera has been delayed until July. Originally slated for release this month, Sigma have explained that “the preparation for this release is taking longer than our original expectation” and “will be announcing further details on our official website when a definite release date is determined.” Given Sigma’s somewhat patchy track record of delivering new cameras on time, we may be waiting for the Sigma DP2 Merrill a little while longer yet.

Website: Sigma Japan

Pentax Spain are teasing a gift-wrapped mystery product on their Facebook page. The opening of a Pentax coloured box is promised for this Friday, 1st June, on Pentax.es. We haven’t heard anything as yet from the UK or US Pentax divisions.

Panasonic have released a new firmware update for the Lumix DMC-FX90 compact camera. With this firmware update, zoom and shutter control of the LUMIX DMC-FX90 will be available while displaying live view image on the smartphone using the apps “LUMIX remote”. The following functions will be available:

- [Wireless Live View] Displaying live view image through the camera on the smartphone
- [Wireless Live Control] Adjusting zoom magnification with the smartphone and releasing the shutter
- [Self-shot Mode] Live view image will be mirror-reversed

Download the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX90 Version 2.0 Firmware Update

Olympus Japan has posted three full-resolution sample photographs captured wit the brand new M.Zuiko Digital ED 75mm f/1.8 lens mounted to an Olympus OM-D E-M5 body. All three sample images were shot with the lens wide open, i.e. at the f/1.8 setting. You can download the M.Zuiko Digital ED 75mm f/1.8 sample images from the website below.

Website: Olympus Japan

Documentary photographer Juliana Edwards (pictured) has published a powerful photographic record of the east London site that will house the 2012 Olympics. She set out to document the human traces before the future Olympic site was vacated in preparation for construction work to begin. Many of the locations photographed have since been razed to the ground, making the book an important historical record. Juliana Edwards says: “I had a sense of elation when London won the 2012 Olympics and immediately wanted to capture the area as it was. I have an intimate connection with the Olympic site, having lived in housing in Temple Mills Lane and Clays Lane which has now been demolished to make way for the Olympic Village. People’s idea of permanence is usually based on the premise that bricks, mortar and concrete will be there forever, but here in this part of east London, all of a sudden they are not.” Copies of ‘2012: The Place That Was’ can be ordered from Amazon UK for £30.

Manfrotto Distribution has announced the Lino Apparel Collection women’s line. Comprising a field jacket, a poncho, a soft shell jacket, a waistcoat and an Air Jacket, this is the first line designed specifically for women. “Each piece allows for active movement and flexibility under various working conditions in the field,” said Kayla Murata, Product Manager Manfrotto Bags and Apparel.  “The entire collection is made from high quality materials and is designed to last for years.” The items are priced from $149.99 to $349.

Facebook has released a free photo editing and sharing app for iOS devices. Billed as “a new mobile app that makes using Facebook photos faster and easier,” Facebook Camera lets users share multiple shots all at once instead of having to post one at a time. A few basic editing tools - such as cropping, rotating and a suite of creative filters - are also included. Facebook Camera is available now on iTunes.

The Olympus M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 75mm F1.8 is a new telephoto portrait lens for the Micro Four thirds system. Offering an effective focal length of 150mm in 35mm terms, the all-metal Olympus 75mm lens is perfect for portraits, high-speed indoor sports and stage shooting in low light. The Olympus M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 75mm F1.8 lens will be available from July 2012 for £799. The optional LH-61F lens hood costs £69.90 and the LC-61 lens cap £39.90.

Lastolite has launched its new TriGrip Warm Tone Difflector. Billed as the world’s first dual purpose reflector panel which can be used both as a diffuser and as a soft bounce reflector, the Lastolite TriGrip Difflector features a unique fabric which allows light to pass through one side and bounce off the other side. Now, in addition to the existing cool soft silver, it is available in warm soft gold finish, in three sizes, 18”, 30” and 48” for £50, £65 and £80, respectively.

On 7th June, Manfrotto School of Xcellence will be hosting renowned filmmaker and photographer Phil Coates for a webinar entitled “Adventure Film & Photography From Pole To Pole.” Phil Coates will share stories from a life behind the lens filming and photographing explorers and adventurers in some of the most remote and hostile parts of our planet. Taking place from 4pm to 5pm, the webinar is free and open to all. For more details and to registe visit the website below.

Single malt whisky brand The Macallan has commissioned Annie Leibovitz for the third edition of its Masters of Photography series. The Macallan Masters of Photography series features exclusive collaborations, conjoining the art of whisky making with the artist’s interpretation of the world of The Macallan.  Previous editions were authored by iconic photographers Rankin and Albert Watson. “This year, Annie Leibovitz, chosen for her exceptional skill and inimitable style, has interpreted four single cask variants released for the first time, resulting in four powerful images,” the company says. “Shot against dramatic backdrops in and around New York City, Annie Leibovitz captures the brilliance of a moment where everything comes together, showcasing the stature of whisky as an icon of taste and masculinity.”