Kenko Tokina has announced yet another mirror lens for Micro Four Thirds. Measuring only 66x66mm (length x diameter) and weighing in at only 300 grams, the Tokina 300mm f/6.3 is a lot more compact than the longer but slower Kenko 400mm f/8, which was also announced recently. Like its bigger brother - and the vast majority of mirror lenses -, the Tokina 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. The recommended retail price has not been revealed yet.

Source: Kenko Tokina

From 17th February until 31st March, Daniel Blau’s London gallery will host an exhibition entitled, Photographer’s Own - Paper Negatives from the 1850s. “The paper negative had its heyday for a brief period in the early days of photography until c. 1860,” the organisers say. “For their beauty, zeitgeist, rarity and provenance they rank amongst the greatest treasures of photography.” The Daniel Blau gallery is located at 51 Hoxton Square, London N1 6BP and is open from Tuesday to Saturday 11 to 6pm.

Mod, a manufacturer of stylish camera straps and accessories, has announced several new product lines for compact and SLR cameras. The new product ranges include ECO straps, compact camera straps and bags, drop-in pouches for SLR cameras, strap wraps, neck pads and quick release adaptors. Made from recycled billboard vinyl, the environmentally friendly ECO straps are available for $19.95-$47.50 depending on model. The compact camera pouch and strap is $22.50, the drop-in pouch sells for $26.50,  the strap wrap - which keeps your extra batteries, memory cards etc. on hand - costs $19.95, the neck pad - which provides extra padding for your basic camera strap - can be yours for $9.95, while the quick release adaptor retails for $12.95.

The Light of Venice by photographer Jean-Michel Berts is the fifth volume in Assouline’s popular The Light of.. series. This time Berts guides readers through Venice, relating through black-and-white images and journal entries the emotions the city evokes. The 132-page hardback is available through the publisher’s website for $65/€50/£40.

Hama has introduced two newly designed metal camera cases for digital compact cameras. The eye-catching “Hama Metal Style” hard cases are available in black or grey and provide sturdy protection for all cameras up to 65x105x30mm in size. The cases retail for €12.99 apiece.

Fujifilm USA has announced the recommended retail price of the new Fujifilm X-Pro1 compact system camera and three Fujinon XF lenses. The body-only price of the X.Pro1 camera is $1,699.95, the Fujinon XF 18mm f2 and 35mm f/1.4 lenses will cost $599.95 each, while the Fujinon XF 60mm f/2.4 Macro will set you back $649.95. The Fujifilm X-Pro1 camera body and lenses will be available at the end of February.

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

1st Place
Always Keep In Touch by Barry John

Prize: X-Rite ColourChecker Passport
Kindly donated by X-Rite
http://www.xritephoto.com/

The new Tokina AT-X 17-35mm f/4 Pro FX full-frame wide zoom is now on sale in the United Kingdom. Available in Canon and Nikon fit, the Tokina AT-X 17-35mm f/4 Pro FX has an optical formula that comprises 13 elements arranged in 12 groups, and comes with a nine-bladed iris diaphragm. Notable features include an angle-of-view range of 103.96° -64.74°, a rubber seal around the lens mount, and Tokina’s exclusive one-tocuh focus clutch mechanism that allows the photographer to switch between AF and MF simply by snapping the focus ring forward for AF and back toward the camera to focus manually. Both the Canon and the Nikon versions come with a silent, high-precision AF motor. The Tokina AT-X 17-35mm f/4 Pro FX lens is available from Kenro for £829.99.

The Casio Exilim EX-ZR20 is a 16.1-megapixel compact camera with a 25-200mm equivalent lens, Rapid Shutter technology and 0.13-second high-speed auto focus. The camera’s Rapid Shutter allows for shot-to-shot times as short as 0.26 seconds, while Casio’s Exilim Engine HS image processor delivers advanced functions such as continuous shooting at a speed of 30 shots per second, and high-speed in-camera HDR exposure blending. Additionally, the Casio EX-ZR20 is capable of combining shots taken with high-speed continuous shooting when the user is moving the camera, enabling super-wide-angle photography. Users can choose wide-angle shooting modes equivalent to 15mm or 19mm. In addition to capturing sixteen-megapixel stills, the Casio Exilim EX-ZR20 can also record Full HD movies with stereo sound. In Europe, the EX-ZR20 will be available from April for €279.

Want to see exactly what the new Pentax K-01 compact system camera looks like in the flesh?

The Pentax K-01 is a CSC camera that’s been developed in collaboration with Australian designer Marc Newson, sporting a unique design that’s unlike anything else currently on the market.

We tried the K-01 out with the new super-slim 40mm panake lens and a variety of existing K-mount lenses.

The K-01 is available in three colours - black, yellow and white - with the first two versions only being released in the UK.

Check out our extensive hands-on gallery of 51 photos of the new Pentax K-01 camera.

As well as unveiling the new K-01 compact system camera and new 40mm pancake F2.8 lens, Pentax have also unveiled their K-Mount lens roadmap for 2012 and 2013.

Shown at today’s UK K-01 press launch, the roadmap predicts that 3 new lenses will be released in 2012 - a DA Standard lens, DA High Magnification Zoom lens, and a DA Telephoto lens.

In 2013 4 new lenses will make an appearance - the DA Zoom Limited, DA Tele Zoom, DA Wide Zoom and DA Zoom, with a new DA AF RC 1.4x teleconvertor too.

A Pentax UK spokesperson was keen to point out this roadmap is subject to change.

The Pentax K-01 is a compact system camera with a Pentax K lens mount and a 16.28-megapixel, APS-C sized CMOS sensor. Designed in collaboration with Marc Newson, the Pentax K-01 features sensor-shift shake reduction, a dust removal mechanism, a new-generation HDR mode, continuous shooting at 5fps, 19 digital filters and full HD video capture at either 24, 25 or 30 frames per second. Also introduced today is a new K mount “pancake” optic, the smc Pentax-DA 40mm f/2.8 XS, which is billed as the world’s thinnest interchangeable lens. The Pentax K-01 will be available for £629.99/$749.95 body only or £679.99/$899.95 with the DA 40mm f/2.8 XS. Other configurations include a bundle with the DAL 18-55mm lens for £679.99 and a double-zoom kit with the 18-55mm and the 50-200mm DAL lenses for £799.99.

Switronix have announced their new Recon Wireless Transmission system that allows users to transmit uncompressed, HD video over a distance of 150 feet. Designed from the ground up for the wireless transmission of HD footage from any camera to field monitors, the Recon system can be powered by way of a V-type or 3-stud battery or by DC input via XLR-4p connector. Available through the Switronix Authorised Dealer network, the Recon Wireless retails for around $3,000.

The Ricoh Lens A16 24-85mm f3.5-5.5 is a new lens/sensor module for the Ricoh GXR system, featuring a 15.7-55.5mm (24-85mm equivalent) lens and a sixteen-megapixel APS-C sized CMOS sensor. The newly developed lens features a 9-group, 11-element configuration, including three double-sided aspherical elements (as well as high-refraction lens elements) designed to reduce various types of distortion across the entire zoom range. Additionally, the A16 has an iris diaphragm with nine rounded blades for a pleasing rendering of the out-of-focus areas. Other highlights include dynamic range compression, ISO bracketing, an improved two-axis electronic level gauge and two different manual focusing aids. Pricing and availability to be confirmed.

Want to see exactly what the new Nikon P510 and P310 compact cameras look like in the flesh?

The Nikon P510 has a massive 42x zoom lens (yes, 42x) that provides a focal range of 24-1000mm. Unfortunately the early prototype that we got our hands-on was battery-less, preventing us from seeing just how far the lens extends at full zoom.

The Nikon P310 is a small and serious compact with a 24-100mm lens and full manual controls (although still no RAW format support). Again this was an early model with no battery.

Check out our extensive hands-on gallery of photos of Nikon’s new P510 and P310 cameras.

Want to see exactly what the new Nikon L810 and L310 super-zoom compact cameras look like in the flesh?

The 16 megapixel Nikon L810 comes with a 24x, 22.5-585mm equivalent lens, while the 14 megapixel Nikon L310 has a slightly more modest 21x optical zoom.

Check out our extensive hands-on gallery of photos of Nikon’s new super zoom cameras.

Want to see exactly what the new Nikon S9300, S6300, S4300 and S3300 compact cameras look like in the flesh?

These new models have 18x, 10x and 6x zoom lenses respectively.

Then check out our extensive hands-on gallery of photos of Nikon’s new compact cameras.

Want to see exactly what the new Nikon S2600, S30, L26 and L25 compact cameras look like in the flesh?

The 10.1 megapixel Coolpix S30 is an interesting new model that aimed specifically at children, sporting a shock- and waterproof body, a wide-angle lens with 3x optical zoom and a simplified control layout.

Check out our extensive hands-on gallery of photos of Nikon’s new compact cameras.

The Canon Pixma MG4150 is a new compact, Wi-Fi and Web-enabled, All-in-One printer, copier and scanner. Capable of printing a quality 10x15cm borderless photo in approximately 44 seconds, the Pixma MG4150 features FINE print head technology with a minimum 2pl droplet size and maximum 4800dpi print resolution, and comes with a 6cm LCD display for easy operation. Bundled with a comprehensive suite of scanning, document and photo printing software, the Canon Pixma MG4150 is available from March 2012, priced at £119/€139.