Tokina has announced the availability of its AT-X 116 Pro DX 11-16mm f/2.8 DX zoom for Sony, which is the manufacturer’s first DX lens for the Sony Alpha mount. Years ago, Tokina used to manufacture lenses for the Minolta A mount, but this is their first-ever offering for cropped-sensor Sony DSLR cameras. Constructed of 13 elements in 11 groups, the Tokina AT-X 116 Pro DX offers an angle-of-view range of 104°-82°, similar to that of a 16.5-24mm lens mounted on a 35mm camera. Weighing in at 560 grams, the lens goes on sale on 24 February in Japan, priced at 94,500 yen. There is no word on international pricing or availability.

Website: Google Translation of Tokina Press Release

Hasselblad has announced the launch of the new, 40-megapixel Hasselblad H4D-40, which will allegedly bring “ultimate image quality to an entirely new generation of photographers”. The Hasselblad H4D-40 features a 40-megapixel medium-format sensor and True Focus AF, and comes bundled with the company’s Phocus 2.0 software. Hassleblad will be launching the new H4D-40 at special “hands-on” events in over 50 cities throughout the world starting 10 February 2010. A kit consisting of the Hasselblad H4D-40 body, viewfinder and 80mm lens will set you back €13,995 / $19,995 / £12,995, and is available now.

Website: Hasselblad H4D-40 Launch Events Around the World

The winners of the January 2010 Photography Blog Competition have been announced. The theme for January was “The Future” - you can view all of the entries in this gallery. Here are the 5 winners:

1st Place
Electric Avenue by nrshapiro

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

The National Wildlife Federation (NWF) of the U.S.A. is now accepting entries to their 40th annual contest. Contestants have until 6 July 2010 to submit their photos. There are 7 categories, and each entrant may submit up to 25 images. Winners will be published on the NWF website and a selection will appear in their December 2010 issue. There are two $5,000 grand prizes to be won, and the total amount of cash prizes offered exceeds $30,000.

Website: NWF Photo Contest

PentaxForums today launched a new photography competition entitled ‘Panoramic View’. Each registered PentaxForums user can submit one image to the official “PF 2010 panoramic view image contest” gallery, from today until 15 March, 11:59pm GMT -7. The theme of the contest can be interpreted in any way the photographer sees it, even with non-panoramic images. However, each image submission must be captured with Pentax equipment, and be created by and the sole copyright property of the PentaxForums user who submitted it. The file size is limited to 1.5 megabytes. Prizes to be won include a a Nodal Ninja 3 MKII Full Spherical Multirow Panoramic QTVR Tripod Head, a copy of the upcoming photobook “Ghost Towns of the Southwest: Your Guide to the Historic Mining Camps and Ghost Towns of Arizona and New Mexico” by Kerrick James and Jim Hinckley and a copy of Autodesk Stitcher Unlimited 2009 panoramic stitching software.

Website: PentaxForums

TangeloImages allows users to create interactive experiences through digital images. It’s not a photo-sharing site - it’s billed as “a system for creating interactive images that provide information and cause action”. TangeloImages is claimed to be ideal for enthusiasts of all kinds who want to share their knowledge, business owners who want to promote their products, and just “regular folks” who like to share information as well.

Website: TangeloImages.com

A a new website dedicated to exploring the growing world of video-enabled DSLR cameras, accessories and related software has just launched. Contributors to HDSLRreview.com include Peter iNova and Uwe Steinmueller. Reviews are graded on features for movie shooting, image quality, ease of integration into current editing software programs such as Final Cut Pro and the ergonomics of the camera in cine modes.Accessory reviews are graded in terms of usefulness, ergonomics and production values obtained with them contrasted with their costs. Tips and techniques for videographers abound, and the site has tidbits for all users at every level of proficiency, the developers claim.

Website: HDSLRreview

Nik Software today announced the Nik Summit, its first-ever multi-day educational event designed specifically to educate and empower photographers and users of the company’s award-winning software tools. Taking place from 13-16 May in San Diego, California, the Nik Summit promises to be an opportunity for attendees to learn how to improve their photographic skills by working alongside some of the world’s leading professional photographers.“The Nik Summit will be more than a photographic experience and is designed to bring our customers and photo enthusiasts together with some of the best working photographers, photo magazine editors, and top Nik Software experts,” said Michael Slater, President and CEO of Nik Software. “The Nik Summit is all about learning and sharing ideas in photography and we are bringing our product specialists and educators, top engineers, as well as Nik Software’s founder and CTO specifically to do just that.” The cost is $599, but early birds registering befor 15 March will be given a $120 discount.

Website: 2010 Nik Summit

Wedding & Portrait Photographers International (WPPI) has announced two new educational programmes, entitled WPPI Business Institute and WPPI All About Schools. Comprised of six sessions, the WPPI Business Institute focuses on the challenges that professional photographers face today and how these challenges can create unique opportunities for growth, success and creativity. The All About Schools programming includes a lineup of speakers that will cover the ABCs of breaking into school, sports and event photography. Topics will include: why professional photographers should consider offering school/sports/event portraits; how to book them; how to shoot them; how to manage volume workflow; and lastly, how to sell your work. Both of these programmes are scheduled for 6 March, and both will take place during the 30th WPPI convention held at the MGM in Las Vegas. WPPI Business Institute is offered for a standalone price of $99 or can be purchased as an additional add-on to attendees’ full-convention registration. WPPI All About Schools is offered as an add-on to attendees’ full-convention registration for free.

For the first time ever, Panasonic will attend the Focus on Imaging show held at the NEC, Birmingham from 7th-10th March. The company will be showcasing its full range of imaging products, including its Lumix G Micro System and accompanying lenses, its Lumix compact camera range, its HD camcorders and its extensive portfolio of imaging media and accessories. Panasonic’s expert team will also be on hand throughout the event to answer any questions. Visitors to the show will also have the chance to check out Panasonic’s “HD Everything” strategy and ground breaking new 3D technology. Look for Panasonic’s stand in Hall 10.

STOIK today announced the availability of the final release of PanoramaMaker for Mac. STOIK PanoramaMaker is automatic panorama software that turns any group of overlapping photos into high quality panoramic image. You can create panoramas either automatically with just few clicks, or assemble and stitch pictures manually if the automatic procedure fails to perfectly match images in complicated cases. Also, STOIK PanoramaMaker for Mac has a special algorithm (Object-Preserving Blending) to tackle any problems with moving subjects that appear in multiple images. Priced at $39, STOIK PanoramaMaker for Mac OS X 10.4 and higher is available now from the website below.

Website: STOIK PanoramaMaker for Mac

PocketWizard’s US Distributor, MAC Group, is now offering a 30-day Satisfaction Guarantee on the new MiniTT1 and FlexTT5. The MiniTT1 is a tiny transmitter that slides into the camera’s hot shoe. The FlexTT5 is also a low-profile, but slightly larger transceiver. US photographers can now purchase the system, try it out for 30-days and if not completely satisfied, simply return it to their dealer for a full refund. The 30-day Satisfaction Guarantee offer applies to purchases made within the USA, and runs from 1 February to 30 April 2010.

Continuing the series of free Photoshop plugins, Filter Forge has released Filter Forge Freepack 3 - Frames for Mac OS X. As its name suggests the theme of the third Filter Forge freepack is frames—the plugin comprises seven effect filters, each capable of framing any photo in a creative way. All Filter Forge freepacks, both for Windows and Mac OS X, are available for download at the website below. Also, the company’s flagship product, Filter Forge, is currently available at a time-limited 50% discount. The offer ends on 4 February.

Website: Filter Forge Downloads

Varioptic, a manufacturer of liquid lenses, has announced that it has developed its first liquid lens to bring optical image stabilisation functionality to camera phones. With no moving parts, the new liquid lens, codenamed A316S, is very robust and uses very limited power. The A316S liquid lens actuator features both OIS and silent/smooth AF. The new-generation liquid lens has a multi- electrodes design, allowing to tilt the light in all directions of space and, at the same time, to refocus the light. The ability to tilt the light enables camera module manufacturers to use Varioptic’s liquid lens to activate optical image stabilisation by measuring the handshake and compensating in real time.

Website: Varioptic’s Technology Overview

Annabel Williams Contemporary Photographic Training (CPT) are about to launch a new programme of digital seminars, one of the first being a day full of 5 minute essential Photoshop and Lightroom tricks. Conducted by Dave Wall, this one-day seminar will take place on 19 February 2010. The course will be run in Photoshop CS3 but the organisers promise that every technique covered will work in CS2 or CS4 in exactly the same way. Topics covered include setting up Photoshop for quick and easy retouching, skin and eye retouching, total facelift, face and head swapping, face contouring, digital makeup, white backgrounds and more. Some existing knowledge of layers and masks is required. The course fee is £150 + VAT.

Website 5-Minute Photoshop Techniques with Dave Wall

PhotoShelter have released Social Media for Photographers, a free 55-page e-book that provides essential internet marketing guidance for professionals looking to grow their photography business online. The new e-book includes tips on: the ground rules for social media, choosing where to participate, smart strategies to stand out, generating social sharing and quality links, suggestions for measuring progress, and a listing of tools to save time and make participation more effective. The guide is designed to benefit photographers new to social media as well as those who wish to generate more results from their current efforts. “Many photographers already have a website, photo blog, a Twitter account and a Facebook page, but we don’t see many using these tools to effectively market and grow their photography business. By giving photographers the information they need to grow their social media presence, set goals, and measure their efforts, we are providing them with new strategies to promote their work and ultimately generate more revenue from their photography,” said PhotoShelter CEO Allen Murabayashi.

Website: Social Guide for Photographers

The 50 millionth Canon EF lens has just gone into production. This landmark was achieved during the manufacture of the EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM lens. Canon has produced over 10 million lenses in just under two years.

Bibble Pro 5.0.1 includes support for the Canon EOS-1D Mark IV and Olympus E-P2 cameras and 13 calibrated lenses. Version 5.0.1 also adds a one-click tool to set black / gray / white points, and includes Andrea, the Film Simulation plug-in. Version 5.0.1 is a free upgrade for all Bibble 5 customers.

Magnum photojournalist Jonas Bendiksen’s exhibition, The Places We Live, recreates the living rooms of 20 families from the slums of Jakarta, Mumbai, Nairobi, and Caracas. By taking a photograph of each of the four walls of a room inside people’s homes and using the resulting large-format prints to build 3-D, life-size replicas of the rooms, Bendiksen creates for viewers a virtual experience of visiting the families.