Kata has launched its Auxiliary System, a new kit carrying system for photographers who are selective about the precise kit they take on shoots, and want everything close to hand when they need it most. The Auxiliary System is a collection of individually specified pouches that can be used alone or combined using Kata’s Auxiliary Belt and Harness to carry a combination of kit. With Kata’s new system, extending the capacity of a kit bag is as simple as selecting a new pouch and adding it to the existing set-up. Auxiliary System pouches can be configured in any way to suit personal needs, making them fully customisable and helping photographers, whatever their subject, ensure their favourite gear is always right at hand. To select the best set-up for them, photographers can visit the Kata bag chooser at the Kata Bags website.

Website: Kata Bags

FinerWorks.com has announced “My Licensed Images”, a web-tool designed to increase earning potential for registered photographers and other artists. James Theopistos, graphic artist and owner of FinerWorks.com states, “I think that our members will be very pleased with this new feature because it will allow them to batch upload their images without forcing them to create a print or gift product in order to profit. It is a big time saver on one hand, but on the other, it actually increases their potential to profit, because it essentially increases their number of available products.” Though it is scheduled for release late this month, a beta version may become available within the next week. Registered members will be able to access “My Licensed Images” through their account management systems and will not be limited to the number of images they may display in their galleries.

Website: FinerWorks

I’m a Photographer, Not a Terrorist! (PHNAT) invites all UK-based photographers to a mass photo gathering in defence of street photography. “Following a series of high profile detentions under s[ection ]44 of the terrorism act including 7 armed police detaining an award winning architectural photographer in the City of London, the arrest of a press photographer covering campaigning santas at City Airport and the stop and search of a BBC photographer at St Pauls Cathedral and many others, PHNAT feels now is the time for a mass turnout of Photographers, professional and amateur to defend our rights and stop the abuse of the terror laws,” the campaign group writes on its website. The rally will take place on Saturday, 23 Januyary 2010, on Trafalgar Square. PHNAT expects over a thousand participants.

Website: PHNAT

ViewBug has announced the winning photos of the “Black and White American Photo Magazine Publishing Contest”. The black and white photo contest was first announced in the November/December 2009 issue of the American Photo Magazine. There were over 200 entries and over 6,000 votes on the photos. Winners were selected by ViewBug members and approved by the judging panel. The winners’ photos will be published in the March/April 2010 issue of AmericanPhoto Magazine. The first prize goes to Thomas Hocker for his work featured above.

Sony has launched an 8GB Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo memory card with TransferJet technology, which allows wireless data transfer from the card to another TransferJet device. Right now, only two compatible products are listed on SonyStyle.com, including the new Sony Cyber-shot HX5 and TX7 camera models. Also introduced is a Sony TransferJet Station and a TransferJet enabled Sony VAIO F series notebook. The new card and transfer station are now available for pre-order priced at $99.99 and $149.99, respectively.

Website: SonyStyle

Via Imaging Resource

Iridient Digital have released RAW Developer 1.8.8, which brings support for two the Canon EOS 1D Mark IV and the Fujifilm Finepix S200EXR. It also comes with an improved default camera ICC profile for the Canon EOS 1D Mark III, and fixes a bug related to the Canon EOS 20D. This release is a free update for all currently registered users and should automatically recognise your existing registration information. New licenses can be purchased for $125.

Website: Iridient RAW Developer 1.8.8

Cosina has just released a new, Voigtländer branded ultra-wide lens for the M mount. The Heliar 12mm f5.6 Aspherical II is a rectilinear lens that has an angle of view of 121° when mounted on an M series Leica - except for the cropped-sensor M8 and M8.2 - or any other rangefinder camera that uses the M mount (except for the Epson R-D1xG and its predecessors sporting APS-C sized imagers). The new version offers more precise focusing and accepts filters without a filter adapter. Consturcted of 10 elements in 8 groups, the Heliar 12mm f5.6 Aspherical II will retail for 85,000 yen without taxes. The separately sold 12mm auxiliary viewfinder will set you back another 34,500 yen. There is no word on international availability just yet.

Via 1001 Noisy Cameras

Update: Photoscala reports that the new lens shall be available in the German market in the early summer, for about €1,000. The external finder will cost approximately €450.

Samsung UK’s press launch for their extensive range of 2010 cameras gave us the opportunity to get all hands-on with the jewel in their crown, the NX10. Modestly billed as the “Evolution of camera”, the Samsung NX10 is targeted at the so-called “Wannabe” user, who’s apparently looking for perfect image quality from a smaller camera than a traditional DSLR. Therefore the NX10 is up against the likes of the Olympus Pen range and the Panasonic G1 - indeed, we have a few side-by-side comparison shots with the G1 in our photo gallery. Find out just what Samsung UK are going to spend £1million promoting by reading the rest of this article.

In addition to the NX10, Samsung have also unveiled a veritable deluge of new compact cameras for 2010. Top of the tree is the exciting WB650 / HZ35W, which packs in a veritable smorgasbord of features into its small frame, including a 15x ultra-wide-angle lens, 3” AMOLED screen and even built-in GPS. The WB650 / HZ35W really should give Panasonic’s popular TZ-series a run for its money. We also grabbed a few moments with 4 other Samsung compacts of interest which feature some clever new design touches, so click-through to see the photo gallery.

Almost exactly one month after the announcement of the Windows version, Nikon has released Capture NX 2.2.4 for Macintosh. The new version adds compatibility with Mac OS X version 10.6.2, and fixes a few bugs.

Windows Nikon Capture NX 2.2.4 for Macintosh

The new 76cm x 76cm (30” x 30”) Ezybox Hotshoe softbox is the largest in JP Distribution’s range offering the photographer a greater spread and a softer light when using their off camera flash. It will be available as the softbox only, bundled with the Ezybox Hotshoe plate and as part of a kit including: 76cm Ezybox Hotshoe, Ezybox Hotshoe plate, 4 section stand, tilthead bracket, extending handle and a padded shoulder bag and circular carry case. The softbox only price is £108, the same thing with the Ezybox Hotshoe plate costs £133, whereas the kit retails for £211.

Website: JP Distribution

JP Distribution has announced a new extending handle for the Ezybox Hotshoe.The new handle extends from 73cm to 221cm and weighs only 700g. The Ezybox Hotshoe converts your battery operated flash gun from a harsh directional light into a much softer diffused light. The new handle will be offered in addition to two smaller handles already available from Lastolite. Featuring two sponge grips, the extending handle offers an even greater reach for an extra firm hold for the photographer when positioning their off camera light source. The top of the handle includes a standard spigot connector making it easy to fit the Ezybox hotshoe, the tilthead hotshoe, the tilthead spigot or the TriFlash brackets..The new extending handle is available from JP Distribution for a suggested retail price of £45.

Website: JP Distribution

Start 3D is a new website that’s all about getting people started taking 3D photographs and sharing them online. Currently in beta phase, Start 3D supports the Fujifilm FinePix Real 3D W1 camera, but you can also upload a pair of jpegs taken with any camera and they will be converted into an animation with a 3D effect. Behind all this wizardry is a patent-pending technology called Piku-Piku, which animates your 3D photo to reveal the depth on a 2D monitor. Check out the “Featured 3D photographs” at the website below.

Website: Start 3D

Several photographers, including photojournalists, have donated photos to help create Haiti: Onè Respe, a collection of captivating images to benefit the people of Haiti. All proceeds from the sale of this publication go to the American Red Cross International Response Fund for Haiti earthquake relief. The photographers who have donated their work include Chet Gordon, Kari Hartmann, Mary Ellen Mark, Peter Pereira and Lindsay Stark. The purchase price of Haiti: Onè Respe is $12.

Website: Onè Respe

Via 1001 Noisy Cameras

Internationally renowned landscape and travel photographer David Noton has announced two brand new photographic workshops in the beautiful Languedoc region of south-west France. ‘With our 4x4 vehicles on hand, we can whisk guests off to the very best locations for dawn and dusk shoots as well as for informative tutorials in the field,’ David says. Staying in the 3 star Abbaye Ecole de Soreze, non-photographic partners are positively encouraged to come along too. There’s plenty to do and see - including spa facilities within the hotel itself and hiking, horse riding, golf, mountain biking, water sports, crafts and markets all nearby. The workshops run Friday to Tuesday on 10-14 & 17-21 September. For full details, visit www.davidnoton.com or contact David Noton Photography on 01963 250061.

Recommended Reading: Articles by David Noton on PhotographyBLOG

Bideo.com is a new online media exchange where creators of breaking news video and still images can manually protect and sell their content directly to publications in an auction setting. The Bideo message to creators is simple: stop giving away newsworthy videos and photos, and start selling them. For buyers, Bideo serves as a central, organized source for newsworthy user-generated content that is otherwise difficult or impossible to obtain. Founder and CEO, Pike Barkerding, sees demand for a service like Bideo.com rapidly increasing. ‘Everyday more and more breaking images are published by citizen journalists who are not properly recognized or compensated for their work,’ says Barkerding. ‘Bideo seeks to empower this growing army of “right-place-right-time” creators by giving them a simple, secure and profitable way to promote their content to interested buyers.’ Bideo will officially launch next week.

Website: Bideo

Wedding & Portrait Photographers International (WPPI) is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. WPPI is the largest annual expo and conference in the U.S. for professional photographers. Each year more than 11,000 professional photographers gather in Las Vegas, NV, to learn from the best and see the latest and greatest products from the hundreds of exhibitors that participate in the trade show. All WPPI 2010 classes, events and the trade show will take place at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, NV, from March 4–11, 2010. Registration for WPPI 2010 is available via its newly redesigned convention and trade show website.

Website: WPPI Online