Bibble Labs have officially released the all-new Bibble 5 Pro Photographic Workflow application for Windows, Mac and Linux. Bibble 5 Pro includes a totally new, completely multi-threaded image processing engine, allowing it to process images faster than anything else, Bibble Labs claim. Efficient enough to be perfectly usable on netbooks and older computers, yet powerful enough to take full advantage of 4, 8, 16 or even more CPU’s, Bibble 5 Pro is allegedly designed to fully utilise all the computing power available to it. “With dual core processors now being replaced with four-core processors, and with 6- an 8- and higher core count processors on the horizon,” says Eric Hyman, founder and owner of Bibble Labs, “it’s clear that utilizing the full power of those additional CPU’s is the key to true workflow performance.” Also, Bibble 5 Pro’s Selective Editing framework allows its image editing tools to operate on the complete image or a limited portion of an image, fully integrated into a totally non-destructive workflow. Bibble 5 Pro is available immediately for Windows, Mac, and Linux computers for $199.95 from Bibble Labs. Customers who purchased Bibble 4 since September, 2006 are eligible for a free upgrade to Bibble 5 Pro. Earlier Bibble 4 Pro customers may upgrade to Bibble 5 Pro for $99.

Website: Bibble Labs

Teorex has just released Inpaint, a smart tool which allows users to seamlessly remove objects from a background. This applies to scratches, noise and all kinds of objects that do not belong to the photo or spoil the composition. Just select the object to remove, define the area to be used for generating the texture and click the Inpaint — Run command. Besides photo restoration, Inpaint can also be used for texture synthesizing for different objects. For details, visit the website below.

Website: Impaint Video Tutorials

Tonchidot Corporation has announced the global availability of the iPhone application “Sekai Camera,” a social, Augmented Reality service for browsing and sharing user-generated text, photo, voice, and other location-linked information. Launched September 2009 in Japan, Sekai Camera was recently named the Best App in 2009 by Apple Japan. Sekai Camera is now available for free outside Japan at iPhone’s AppStore worldwide. While most mobile Augmented Reality applications today are allegedly navigation oriented, Sekai Camera is social by design, giving users the ability to communicate and have fun through interaction with digital tags that float in the real world. Sekai Camera has created a completely new interface for connecting the real world to the Web, Tonchidot Corporation says.

Website: Sekai Camera

Fujifilm Professional has announced that Fujifilm Japan is to cease its manufacture of Quickload films in April 2010. In the background of the decision is a dramatic drop in demand, Fujifilm says. “Unfortunately the volume of Quickload sales has dropped off to such an extent that they are simply not viable products,” explains Russ Gunn, Fujifilm’s Senior Product Manager for Professional Film. Fujifilm has stocks of Quickload Pro 160S, Provia 100F, Velvia 100 and Velvia 50 in storage and, depending on demand, there should be sufficient quantities to last for another 12 months. Sheet film production will, however, continue. From early Summer 2010 Fujifilm’s ranges of 5"x4” and 10"x8” films will be packed as 20 sheet boxes instead of the current 10 sheet packs.

BeFunky.com, a technology company specialising in consumer-level digital media tools, has announced an enhanced service for users looking to do more with their digital artwork. The new service, called BeFunky Plus, gives members expanded rights usage, higher resolution capabilities for all digital artwork and access to a larger collection of digital photo effects. “BeFunky is an easy-to-use web application that allows anyone to create amazingly rich, professional-quality artwork from digital photos with a single click and without the need for expensive and hard-to-use graphic design software,” said Tekin Tatar, CEO & Co-Founder of BeFunky. “Our new BeFunky Plus service makes it easy for individuals and businesses to benefit from high-end, professional looking photo creativity with minimal impact on their bottom line. Anyone can create great-looking artwork from photos simply by uploading images, selecting a desired photo effect and letting BeFunky Plus take care of the rest.” BeFunky Plus costs $49.99 per year.

Website: BeFunky

NASA has just placed an order for eleven Nikon D3S digital SLR cameras and seven AF-S Nikkor 14-24mm f/2.8G ED lenses. The D3S DSLRs and AF-S NIKKOR 14-24mm f/2.8G ED lenses ordered by NASA will be carried on the Space Shuttle and used to photograph activities at the International Space Station in the future. No special modifications will be made to these products. They will be the same products available to end-users, Nikon claims. The new equipment will be used along with the Nikon D2XS digital SLR cameras, Nikkor lenses, and Nikon Speedlights already in use at the International Space Station. Nikon has been supplying NASA with cameras and lenses since 1971.

Kaiser Fototechnik has just introduced the Vivicap, a small accessory that helps make custom white balance quick and easy. The Vivicap white balance filters concentrate and filter incident light resulting in a neutral grey area with uniform light distribution facing the lens. This effect is achieved by a special surface structure with microprisms. The basic operation is quite easy: mount the Vivicap in front of the lens, direct it at the light source, take a custom white balance reading and store the value. Then remove the Vivicap and shoot using the stored value as a reference.  The Vivicap, which can also serve as a lens cap, has two handle bars that make it easy to attach it even when a lens hood is mounted. Available in seven sizes ranging from 52mm to 77mm, the Vivicap is priced at €24.90 to €29.90.

Website: Kaiser Fototechnik

ZINK, inventors of the unique Zero Ink Printing Technology and manufacturers of ZINK Paper, have announced the advent of the next generation of ZINK technology. ZINK Technology encompasses both the ZINK Paper, the heart of the technology, and the intelligence embedded in every ZINK?enabled device. ZINK Imaging’s development teams have made several chemistry, physics, and manufacturing process enhancements, resulting in the improved performance of the ZINK Paper. Additionally, ZINK Imaging and its partners collaborated on new hardware and image science technologies that enhance the print quality, performance, and reduce the product size of next generation ZINK printing devices. The next generation of ZINK Paper will first be available in new 3x4?inch and 4x6?inch sizes.

Website: ZINK

Nikon recently announced the results of its 2009 “Picture Yourself” survey that reveals consumer attitudes about self-image. Nikon’s survey revealed that if people could turn back time, they would choose to retake a family portrait (25 percent), a high school graduation photo (21 percent), a driver’s license photo (21 percent), a wedding photo (15 percent) and a birthday party photo (7 percent). Data also showed that whether you like having your picture taken or not, it’s practically unavoidable. Nearly every American adult (92 percent) had at least one picture taken of them so far this year. Among all American adults, 79 percent believe they looked better in person than in pictures. This data was consistent in responses from both men and women; 79 percent of women preferring the real deal to a photograph, along with 78 percent of men.

Kenro has announced the UK release of two new Marumi digital high grade filters, the Super Circular Polarising Filter, and the Super Lens Protection Filter. Both filters use a specially developed ultra-low reflection coating to minimize internal reflection off the cameras’ built-in CCD and CMOS sensors. Other anti-reflect features include a special slim frame with satin smooth finish and a black ink process on the glass edge to eliminate flare. Both new filters incorporate Hard Protection that guards the surface of the lens from scratches even with heavy duty use. They are also water and oil repellent, meaning water and oil spots simply wipe off. They also come with Anti-fouling, this keeps the lens surface clean from dust and dirt. Both filters are available in the following sizes: 49mm, 52mm, 55mm, 58mm, 62mm, 67mm, 72mm, 77mm and 82mm. Prices for the Super Circular Polarising Filters range from £83.15 to £186.82, while the Super Lens Protection Filters start at £33.06, rising to £72.79.

Website: Kenro

The Bookshop at The Photographers’ Gallery in London is celebrating one of the most iconic products of the twentieth century, the Polaroid, by displaying work by a number of renowned photographers who have taken Polaroid photographs, and also plans to sell a new Polaroid format film starting early 2010.The last instant film manufactured by Polaroid was produced in 2008, with an expiry date of October 2009. To mark its expiration, national newspaper The Observer gave eight leading contemporary photographers Polaroid film and cameras for a day - Harry Borden (USA, b.1965), Nan Goldin (USA, b.1953), Tom Hunter (UK, b.1965), Mary McCartney (UK, b.1969), Martin Parr (UK, b.1952), Rankin (UK, b.1966), Lord Snowdon (UK, b.1930) and Sam Taylor-Wood (UK, b.1967). The resulting images are on display at The Photographers’ Gallery in London, 16 – 18 Ramillies St, W1, until 31 January 2010. Some of these unique one-off prints are available to purchase from Print Sales at The Photographers’ Gallery..Also, the Photographers’ Gallery Bookshop promises to be one of the first places in the world to sell the new Polaroid format instant film developed within the framework of The Impossible Project, from early 2010.

Ricoh has announced the GR DIGITAL III x Stussy, a limited-edition collaboration model with US fashion brand manufacturer Stussy. Ricoh has never before collaborated with a brand to offer a customised camera in their GR Digital line of professional compacts. This co-branded GR Digital III, which is released as part of Stussy’s 30th anniversary special projects, features royal blue accents and body parts. Moreover, the labels of the buttons and other controls are in the Stussy font. The “XXX” logo marking the 30th anniversary is also displayed on the flash cover and the exit screen when the power is turned off. Limited quantities of the Ricoh GR Digital III x Stussy camera will be available for purchase through Stussy Chapter stores from February 2010.

Via DCVIEWS

Mamiya has announced an iPhone app that transforms an Apple iPhone or iPod Touch into a remote image viewer for users of the new Mamiya DM system. Now, while the photographer is shooting in a tethered mode, other people on set – the creative director, client, stylist, etc. – can watch via a standard Wi-Fi network, without hindering the movement of the photographer or crowding around one monitor. The images are hi-res and the software allows viewers to pan and zoom using their compatible Apple device. Note that this app is essentally the same Leaf Capfure Remote application that has recently been released by Leaf Imaging for users of Leaf digital backs and camera systems.

Likno Software has released a new Adobe Air version of its software, Photo Frame Show. Photo Frame Show is an intuitive program that allows people who wish to enhance their digital photos to do so by adding original and impressive frames to them in a fast an easy manner. The new version offers more advanced features, faster rendering, support for a wider range of operating systems, and a more user-friendly functionality, the company claims. The AIR application can be downloaded from the website below.

Website: Photo Frame Show

A new, 26-gigapixel panoramic image of Dresden, Germany, is now the world’s largest-resolution photograph. Taken from the rooftop of the “Haus der Presse” building, the giant panorama is made up of 1,665 individual shots captured with a Canon EOS 5D Mark II camera and a 400mm lens. This massive number of shots were taken with the help of a photo-robot, in the course of less than three hours, but the processing took 94 hours using a computer with 16 processors and a main memory cache of 48 Gigabytes.

Website: Gigapixel-Dresden.de

Almost exactly a month after the release of Lightroom 2.6 and Adobe Camera Raw 5.6 Release Candidates, Adobe posted the final versions. ACR 5.6 adds support for a range of new cameras, and replaces the original one that was installed with Adobe Photoshop CS4, Adobe Photoshop Elements 8, and Adobe Premiere Elements 8 software. Adobe Lightroom 2.6 also provides support for new cameras such as the Canon EOS 7D and the Nikon D3s, and includes corrections for issues introduced by previous Lightroom 2 releases.

Website: Adobe - Latest Product Updates

Imikimi has launched a new iPhone app that lets you frame your photos using over a million user-created frames, and then e-mail them or post them on Facebook or Twitter. You can frame photos from the Apple iPhone camera, your Photo Library or your Facebook account. Imikimi for iPhone offers excellent Facebook integration including friend tagging, the developer says. The app is available at the iPhone App Store.

Website: Imikimi for iPhone

ForestWander Nature Photography has partnered with hundreds of affiliates to offer thousands of extreme nature photography adventure gear products. This grand opening of the ForestWander Extreme Nature Photography Adventure Gear Store is seeking to help nature explorers and adventurers be prepared to not only survive their expedition, but to document it in high resolution digital detail, the company says.

Website: ForestWander Store

The innovative Don Zeck lens caps for long telephoto lenses, which used to be manufactured for Canon lenses only, are now available for most high-end AF-S / VR Nikkors. Don Zeck lens caps have been engineered for superior protection from scratches, dust, rain and other hazards. The lens caps are equipped with a collapsible low-profile handle, so that the cap can easily be mounted or removed while the hood is in either the shooting or stored position. The Don Zeck lens cap is now available for the 200mm F2.0 VR, 300mm F2.8 VR, 300mm F2.8 AF-S, 400mm F2.8 VR, 400mm F2.8 AF-S, 500mm F4 VF, 500mm F4 AF-S, 600mm F4 VR and the 200-400mm F4 VR Nikkors, in addition to a number of large Canon EF lenses. The “Don Zeck Lens Cap” sells for $54.95 and comes with a 30 day money back guarantee as well as a lifetime warranty for materials and workmanship.

Website: Don Zeck

LaCie has announced what appears to be the industry’s first dual hard disk RAID storage solution based on the new SuperSpeed USB (3.0) standard. LaCie’s 2Big USB 3.0 will be available in up to 4TB capacities and is bundled with backup software for both Mac and PC users. Developed for users that require sizeable data flow and fast storage products – such as video professionals who needs high bandwidth, the 2Big USB 3.0 will let users transfer a high-definition uncompressed video at speeds up to 275MB/s burst read transfer speed, or perform real time streaming and editing of multiple HD files simultaneously, the company says. The LaCie 2big USB 3.0 will be available in early 2010 and will be showcased at CES 2010, January 7-10, 2009 in both the USB-IF Pavilion (South Hall #30769) and Symwave’s private suite at the Las Vegas Hilton (Suite #2900).

Website: LaCie