Cosina has announced a new Voigtländer lens for M-mount cameras. Constructed of 6 elements in 3 groups, this fast short telephoto lens is designed to provide shallow depth of field with excellent bokeh. The Voigtländer Heliar Classic 75mm f1.8 has a 52mm thread for screw-on filters and comes with a reversible lens hood. Although it has an imaging circle large enough to cover the full frame on 35mm film or the similarly sized sensor of the Leica M9, it seems best suited to sub-frame digital rangefinder cameras such as the Leica M8 and M8.2, on which it makes for a perfect portrait lens. Scheduled for release in September, the lens is priced at 75,000 yen.

The Nikon version of the Sigma APO 70-200mm F2.8 EX DG OS HSM is now available in Japan. Constructed of 22 elements in 17 groups, the lens has a filter thread size of 77mm and has an iris diaphragm with 9 rounded blades for smooth bokeh. Two FLD (“F” Low Dispersion) glass elements, which have the performance equal to fluorite glass, and three SLD (Special Low Dispersion) glass elements provide excellent correction of colour aberration, the company says. Supplied with a petal-type lens hood (and a hood adapter for use when the lens is attached to a DX body), the Sigma APO 70-200mm F2.8 EX DG OS HSM is priced at 200,000 yen.

Manfrotto Distribution has announced a new free webinar titled “Impact & Information: Understanding and using the visual language to create compelling, intentional photographs that express your vision”. The free webinar will take place on Wednesday, September 1st from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. EDT. The host, Canadian photographer David duChemin, will discuss how to go beyond the technicalities of photography to create effective and unique stories with a camera. Topics for discussion include finding inspiration, vision, photographing people, places and culture, and utilising camera technology to tell your story. To register for this free webinar, visit the website below.

Website: Manfrotto School of Xcellence

tiltShifted.com is a new online showcase for tilt-shift photographers from all over the world. The website is divided into artist showcases and image categories like “landscape”, “sport” and “urban”. You can discuss images using the comment option, submit work if you are a tilt-shift artist. Registered users may register to create a tiltShifted profile and share images they like using the Share/Save option for their favourite social network.

Website: tiltShifted

Webshots.com has been enhanced with a greater focus on photography and more options for photo enthusiasts to interact. The site redesign features larger images, easier navigation, and new opportunities to discover the professional and member photographers that make up Webshots’ community. The site’s redesign puts an added emphasis on picture quality by moving to a sleek, dark background to make the images really stand out, and introducing even more spotlights of its outstanding member and professional photographers. Webshots is also introducing more ways to enjoy the images. Members can now share photos on their or their friends’ Facebook wall, and soon they can send their favorite images as e-cards.

Website: Webshots

Kodak has introduced the newest addition to its innovative line of All-in-One (AiO) Inkjet Printers. The Kodak ESP 9250 features Kodak’s proprietary pigmented inks which are designed to deliver richer, more vibrant colours that bond more effectively with paper for superior fade resistance. Prints dry instantly, don’t smear or smudge and are water resistant, even when using a highlighter on documents, the manufacturer claims. With the latest Wi-Fi and networking capabilities on board, users of the Kodak ESP 9250 AiO Inkjet Printer can effortlessly print from anywhere in their home or even from an iPhone (OS 2.2 or later required), iPod Touch (2nd generation) or iPad. Available now, the Kodak ESP 9250 retails for $249.99.

The International Guild of Visual Peacemakers (IGVP) - a group of acclaimed humanitarian and cultural photographers - has just launhced its website. The site features galleries and profiles, photo documentaries and a forum, among other things, including information on how to join the exclusive Guild or broader Visual Peacemakers Community. “Through visual peacemaking efforts, our common humanity can become visually seared into the minds of millions, inspiring more compassion worldwide,” said Mario Mattei, cultural photographer and president and co-founder of IGVP. “Many unwarranted fears would evaporate, preemptively subduing fear-based reactions.”

Website: Visual Peacemakers

Eye-Fi has launched its Summer Sweepstakes with prizes including a Sony NEX-3, an iPad and various Eye-Fi memory cards. To participate, simply join Eye-Fi’s Facebook community, “like” it and enter your information. Plus if you invite friends to join the sweepstakes, you also have another chance to win: if your friend wins a prize, so do you. Sweepstakes run until 6th September 2010, 11:59:59pm PDT.

Website: Eye-Fi | Facebook

The Kata Owl-272 DL is a versatile photo backpack which can also be converted into a useful daypack for general outdoor use, and even a rolling bag for easy transportation. Featuring super-light yet durable RipStop fabrics and Kata’s unique weight-saving Aeriform foam, the Kata Owl-272 has a 3D moulded foam back enabling good ventilation and Spider Webbing straps. The new backpack is a suitable size for carry on for most airlines and can also be turned into a rolling bag with the addition of a Kata Insertrolley (optional). The Kata Owl-272 will be available from the end of September priced at £159.95.

Yobi.tv has launched a photography contest for residents of the US and all countries with diplomatic relations with the United States. The contest structure comprises 35 weekly rounds, organised into five sets of seven weeks each. During each weekly round, members will be able to vote for each eligible contest entry. At the end of each weekly round, the 3 entries with the most votes will proceed to a Semi-Final Round. After the seventh week of each weekly round set, a semi-final round will take place. Thus, there will be five semi-final rounds, with one semi-final round occurring after each of the five weekly round sets. Each semi-final round will last for one week and will feature the 21 semi-finalists chosen during the previous weekly round set. At the end of the semi-final round, the 3 contestants receiving the most votes will advance to the Final Rounds. The Grand Prize is $15,000. As always, we suggest that you read the rules before entering your work.

Website: YOBIPics

Jessops is offering customers a free Nikon camera bag and a 4GB SD card with every pre-order on the new Nikon D3100 dSLR camera. The Nikon D3100 is a 14.2-megapixel model with 11 AF sensors, Full HD video and full-time AF in Live View and D-movie modes. Using contrast based AF, the D3100 automatically focuses on subjects when Live View is activated to aid shooting when using the LCD. In comparison to the Nikon D3000, the new Nikon D3100 also gains a Quiet Shutter Release mode, which substantially reduces the sound of the mirror return, and an enhanced Guide Mode that now features sample assist images that change with camera settings to inspire users to achieve a desired look and feel to their images. The Nikon D3100 digital SLR camera will start shipping in September, but is already available for pre-order at Jessops, priced at £579.

Website: Jessops

The Irish branch of CameraInsurance (camerainsurance.ie) has announced a special 10% discount for customers who receive quotes and then insure from Photovision 2010. irector Stephen Brack said, “We are very pleased to have arranged this additional 10% discount with Insurers. Our cover is already wide offering a standard €7 million for Public Liability and €150,000 for Professional Indemnity as well as full theft cover for all equipment and this just makes it a little more affordable in these turbulent times.”

Website: CameraInsurance

Wacom will demonstrate the potential of digital imaging tools at Photokina 2010, with special focus on the Intuos4 and Cintiq ranges and the Bamboo Fun (read review). Experienced imaging specialists will be present on the stand to share valuable tips and techniques around digital image processing with visitors. You will find Wacom in Hall 4.1 at Stand I-019 as well as in the CHI-Area on Stand A-030.

Paul Coghlin has been announced winner of the prestigious Black & White Photographer of the Year. The competition, run by Black & White Photography magazine, attracted entries from around the world – including America, China, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Spain, France, Italy, Germany, Czech Republic, Norway, Ireland and the UK. Categories included best portrait, landscape, still life, single image, travel, reportage, under-25, digital printer, silver printer and the overall prize of Black & White Photographer of the Year. The winning entries will be featured in a special exhibition at London’s Hoopers Gallery – from 3 to 10 September. The pictures will also be featured in a special supplement which comes free with Black & White Photography issue 116

The LaCie Rikiki Go is billed as the smallest one-terabyte metal hard drive. Outfitted with an embedded USB 2.0 cable, Rikiki Go connects instantly with your PC or Mac. “We are thrilled to introduce 1TB capacity in this ultra-small, durable form factor,” said Quitterie Lescarret, Consumer Product Manager, LaCie. “Today’s on-the-go consumers need to access vital media quickly and dependably. With its industry-leading capacity, Rikiki Go provides users with the ultimate data storage and mobility, at a competitive price.” The LaCie Rikiki Go is available in 500GB and 1TB capacities through the LaCie Online Store, LaCie Corner, and LaCie Reseller+ starting at £89.90 including VAT.

Website: LaCie

Kubota Image Tools has launched a range of Vintage Delish Lightroom presets. Fully compatible with the recently-released Lightroom 3, the Kubota Lightroom Presets help professional photographers save time in their existing work. This latest edition of the Kubota Lightroom Presets includes 42 custom Develop Presets for Lightroom 3. Evoking nostalgia from decades spanning as far back as 100 years, these presets will “transport images with fashionable, highly sought-after looks that consumers desire”, the company promises. Available now for $39.00, the Vitage Delish Lightroom presets can be downloaded from the website below.

Website: Kubota Lightroom Presets - Vintage Delish

Manfrotto School of Xcellence, a free resource for anyone who wants to learn more about photography, has announced a free webinar titled “The Right Exposure and the Proper Lens”. Taking place today from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. EDT, the webinar will be hosted by Italian photographer Marc de Tollenaere. Topics covered include wide-angle lenses versus telephoto lenses, secrets behind a camera’s metering systems as well as the ins and outs of different camera modes. To register for the free Manfrotto School of Xcellence webinar and for additional information, visit the website below.

Website: Manfrotto School of Xcellence

Samsung are set to unveil a new NX-series digital camera that will “change the lives of creative consumers around the world”. In an invitation sent out to members of the press, the as yet un-named Samsung NX camera will make its debut on September 20th at the World’s biggest photo fair in Cologne, Germany. Introduced by Samsung’s Digital Imaging President, SangJin Park, the new product will boldly “take the camera industry by storm”. Samsung released the first model in the NX-series, the NX10 camera, earlier this year, to widespread critical acclaim.

In a surprise announcement, Cosina today unveiled the Voigtländer Nokton 25mm f/0.95, a new, ultra-fast standard prime for Micro Four Thirds cameras. The Nokton 25mm f/0.95 - which is not to be confused with the Noktor 50mm f/0.95, a longer and altogether completely different lens made by another company - is a genuine Micro Four Thirds lens that does not require the use of an adapter. Like other current Voigtländer lenses, the Nokton 25mm f/0.95 is manual-focus only, and comes with a distance scale complete with depth-of-field marks; something unique among MFT lenses. Constructed of 11 elements in 8 groups, this new 25mm lens has a diagonal angle of view of 47.3°; essentially the same as that of a 50mm lens on a 35mm camera. Outfitted with a 52mm filter thread and shipping with a hood, the Voigtländer Nokton 25mm f/0.95 will be released in October priced at 95,000 yen.

Website: Cosina Japan
Website: Olympus’ press release welcoming Cosina on board