onOne Software has released two fully functional Photoshop plug-ins called PhotoTools 2.5 Free and PhotoFrame 4.5 Free. Based on PhotoTools 2.5 Standard Edition and PhotoFrame 4.5 Standard Edition, these free plug-ins are compatible with Photoshop CS2, CS3 and CS4. PhotoTools 2.5 Free includes 15 effects that range from reproducing classic photographic techniques like Bleach Bypass and Cross Process, to reproducing film stock such as Kodachrome and Velvia, to modern effects including automatic skin smoothing. PhotoFrame 4.5 Free makes it easy to add the perfect finishing touch to images, with 20 professional grade edges, backgrounds, textures and adornments.

Website: onOne

PocketWizard has started testing the Nikon version of its FlexTT5 wireless transceiver. The company had Mark Wallace test the first working prototypes using a Nikon D3 with SB-800 and SB-900 flashes. PocketWizard says there is still a lot of testing and firmware tweaking to be done before the FlexTT5 becomes compatible with all key Nikon cameras and features, but the system is coming. (The illustration above depicts the existing Canon version of the transceiver.)

DxO Labs have posted detailed raw-based sensor data for the Pentax K-x digital SLR camera, which achieved the best result of any Pentax camera tested so far. With a DxOMark Sensor score of 71.9, almost the same as the Nikon D5000, the Pentax K-x finished on 19th place. Especially spectacular is the Pentax K-x’s performance in terms of dynamic range, where it is bested only by the Nikon D3X, the Fujifilm S3/S5 Pro (both built for maximum dynamic range) and medium-format backs.

Website: Detailed image quality data for Pentax K-x

RCP-Technik has announced the 12-megapixel Rollei Compactline 350 digital compact camera with 28-140mm equivalent 5x optical zoom, HD video and YouTube Ready functionality. Featuring a Rollei Apogon lens and a 2.7” rear screen, the Rollei Compactline 350 is powered by a lithium-ion battery, and records images and videos on SD(HC) memory cards. Boasting no less than 30 scene modes, the Rollei Compactline 350 is available from April for €99.95 (RRP).

Website: Rollei Compactline 350 Press Release (German)

We have half a dozen images of the LCD and menu screens of Sony’s upcoming EVIL (Electronic Viewfinder, Interchngeable Lens) camera for you.

This is the camera whose concept models were showcased at PMA 2010. Not much larger than many of the compact Cyber-shot models, the new camera will feature a new lens mount system, all designed as a compact and light weight alternative to a traditional DSLR, or the newer compact models from Olympus. Panasonic and Samsung. Boasting a newly-developed Exmor APS HD CMOS sensor, it will also support HD video recording using the efficient AVCHD format. Click through for the image gallery of the various menu screens.

BrandProtect and ImageSpan today announced that they have partnered to extend services that empower content owners to protect and expand their global brand, reach and revenues. ImageSpan’s LicenseStream will be combined with BrandProtect’s LinkWalker, which identifies where brands, company names, images, audio, video, and/or trademarks appear online. The addition of BrandProtect with LinkWalker – which visits about a billion Web pages per month – to the LicenseStream ecosystem extends the ability of users to track and respond to unauthorised uses of a full range of content. “LicenseStream and LinkWalker give customers from a range of industries both an enhanced layer of protection and the ability to move beyond content protection into monetising assets,” said Michael Kiefer, general manager, BrandProtect.

To help give artists a better way to certify their fine art prints, Paris-based Galerie Vu turned to ARTtrust, a new self-certification system developed by HP and Prooftag. Designed to put inventory control back into the hands of artists, ARTtrust is a system of unique, non-removable physical tags that are verifiable online. “ARTtrust is easy and fast,” says Xavier Soule, owner of Galerie Vu. “When you sell a product to a collector, you need to prove that it is what you say it is. An ARTtrust tag on an HP print is one of the easiest ways to do that.”

Kubota Image Tools has announced its 19th Digital Photography Bootcamp workshop. Held from 16-21 May, the 2010 Digital Photography Bootcamp is a 5-day workshop for professional photographers designed to supply all of the technical know-how to run a successful digital portrait/wedding studio. Topics covered include raw shooting, editing and archiving, workflow using Photoshop and Lightroom with Kubota RPG Speedkeys, printing, slideshow creation and business skills. The cost is $2895 including accommodation and meals. There is a $200 early bird discount for those who pay by 31 March.

Website: Kubota Image Tools

Fujifilm Professional has announced the withdrawal of three of its films, including Neopan 400 120, Superia Reala 35mm, and Pro 160S 35mm. The remaining films in the Pro 160S range are to be re-branded as Pro 160NS. The film itself remains unaltered. Fujiflm blames the discontinuance of the products on low sales volumes and, in the case of Neopan 400 (pictured), environmental concerns over one of the raw materials used in its production.

Ricoh is showcasing prototypes of the recently announced P10 28-300 mm F3.5-5.6 VC and A12 28 mm F2.5 modules for the GXR sytem at the CP+ photography trade show in Japan. DCWatch is reporting that Ricoh has also developed an adapter for the A12 module that allows it to be attached to a spotting scope. Mock ups of two other adapters, which would allow GXR users to mount Leica M and Hasselblad lenses, are also on display.

Source: DCWatch via 1001 Noisy Cameras

RCP-Technik GmbH has bought the Rollei brand, which it had been using under licence for almost three years. Photoscala is reporting that the transaction has been completed with retrospective effect from 1 January 2010. Also, RCP-Technik has just opened its first international subsidiary in Hungary, with a Turkish office scheduled to open on 1 April 2010 in Istanbul. These moves indicate that the purchase of the Rollei brand is part of the company’s strategy of worldwide expansion. Photoscala has been informed that DHW Fototechnik, a company that manufactures limited-edition batches of Rolleiflex TLRs and medium-format Rolleivision slide projectors, has been granted the right to continue using these derivative brand names into the future.

Via Photoscala

Manfrotto Distribution has teamed up with Datacolor for a free colour management webinar, which will offer tips on controlling colour accuracy as well as highlight the benefits of using Spyder3 products. The webinar will feature a variety of Spyder3 products, including tools for monitor calibration, printer profiling and colour balancing. Topics covered include monitor calibration, printer profiling and the various benefits of colour calibration solutions for digital workflow.. The free webinar will take place on Wednesday, 17 March, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. EDT.

Website: Webinar Registration

Western Digital has introduced its new My Passport AV portable media drives, designed specifically for video storage and playback. With their small footprint, the My Passport AV portable media drives fit neatly in a home entertainment centre. The included stand and extra long cable makes it easy to position the drive neatly in entertainment centres, maximising the airflow and minimising heat around the drive.Operating seamlessly with the Direct Copy feature offered in Sony’s new Handycams, the new My Passport AV portable media drives feature a 2-year limited warranty and are available now at select retail stores and WD’s online store. MSRP for the My Passport AV portable media drive with 320 GB is $109.99.

Ninette Murk, former fashion journalist and founder of Designers Against AIDS is inviting creatives to submit photos, cartoons and other imagery using elements of pop culture in order to help bring back the sexiness of safe sex. This Creative Challenge is hosted by Talenthouse, a purpose-built online platform for all artists and creatives. The winner will have their piece of visual design selected to be used in future campaigns initiated by Designers Against AIDS.

Website: Talenthouse

John Freeman Photours has launched a series of photography prints and gift vouchers in time for Mother’s Day. The prints feature John Freeman’s award-winning photography of nature and landscapes, still life, world architecture and more. They are available on paper or canvas and can be purchased as print-only - starting at £45 - or in one of several high-quality frames. For mothers who are keen photographers themselves, vouchers can be purchased for John Freeman Photours studio workshops and luxury photography holidays to locations in the UK, further afield in Europe, or as far-flung as Namibia, South Africa and India. Gift vouchers start from £50 and are presented in specially designed gift cards featuring John Freeman’s own photography.

Website: John Freeman Photours

Easy Release by ApplicationGap is an iPhone app designed to replace paper-based model releases with a slick, streamlined application. Founder Robert Giroux, a commercial and editorial photographer who has been working for Getty Images for years, conceived the idea of Easy Release as a way to bring the model- and property-release process into the digital age. “Back then there wasn’t a suitable mobile platform for it. I thought of using bio-metric signatures on an HP device or other PDA, but the bio-metric readers were expensive and uncommon. When it arrived, I knew the iPhone was the exactly right platform”, says Giroux.

Mastering Canon EOS Flash Photography is a new book on the subject of flash photography using Canon Speedlites. The book covers the fundamentals of flash metering, discusses key lighting concepts, and documents a wide range of Canon and third-party equipment. The book, written by Canadian photographer NK Guy, is lavishly illustrated with diagrams that demonstrate important functions and lighting arrangements, and inspiring photos that show sophisticated flash techniques. Though tailored for users of Canon EOS cameras, owners of other camera systems will find much valuable information as well. With a foreword by David Hobby, founder of strobist.com, Mastering Canon EOS Flash Photography sells for $44.95 and is available from O’Reilly.

Paragon Software has released Hard Disk Manager 2010 for home users. Available in two editions, Suite and Professional, the software provides all the tools you need to manage today’s hard drives, including partitioning, backup & restore, migration, optimisation & defragmentation, hard drive disposal, boot management and system recovery. The Professional Edition includes all the functionality of Hard Disk Manager 2010 Suite plus full maintenance for virtual drives, seamless migration to virtual environments and a built-in scripts language to automate standard maintenance routines. Paragon Hard Disk Manager 2010 is available for £29.95 (Suite edition), £69.95 (Pro edition).

Website: Paragon Hard Disk Manager Versions Comparison