The Fujifilm GFX 50R is a rangefinder-styled medium-format mirrorless camera that's smaller and lighter than the GFX 50S (145g less and 25mm thinner). The 51.4 megapixel GFX 50R rangefinder camera allows you to keep your eye on a subject while looking through the the 0.77x 3.69M-dot organic EL electronic viewfinder (EVF) with the other eye. It is the first model in the GFX system to support the Bluetooth low energy technology, while the magnesium alloy body is weather-sealed in 64 places to provide dust and weather resistance and ability to operate at temperatures as low as -10.

The GFX 50R will be available in November 2018 for $4500.

Fujifilm have added three new lenses to their GFX medium format camera lens roadmap. Added to the roadmap are the GF 100-200mmF5.6 R LM OIS WR telephoto zoom, GF 45-100mm F4 R LM OIS WR medium telephoto zoom (hereinafter “GF45-100mmF4 R LM OIS WR”) and a compact and lightweight lens, the GF 50mmF3.5 R LM WR standard lens.

Capture One has significantly expanded its Fujifilm camera support, with full Fujifilm RAW file and basic tethered support for select cameras. Future development will integrate Fujifilm Film Simulations with Capture One and provide enhanced tethered support for select professional Fujifilm cameras.

Capture One Express Fujifilm is free for all Fujifilm camera owners.

Capture One Pro Fujifilm is priced at $159 for 12 months pre-paid; $16/month for monthly subscription; and $23/month for a three-month subscription.

Panasonic has announced the development of the LEICA DG VARIO-SUMMILUX 10-25mm F1.7, the world’s first F1.7 wide-angle zoom lens for the Micro Four Thirds system.

Panasonic has announced the launch of LUMIX PRO, a hub for its LUMIX professional users that will provide an extensive support and service network while developing the needs of creative professionals. LUMIX PRO is an expansion of the Lumix Professional Services programme currently running in Japan. LUMIX GH4, GH4R, GH5, GH5s and G9 customers will be able to register for LUMIX PRO services within the US, Germany, UK, France, Italy and Spain

Vitec will present its four class-leading consumer brands together for the first time at the 2018 edition of Photokina: Manfrotto, Lowepro, Gitzo and Joby. Gitzo will launch the most compact and lightweight professional carbon fibre tripod ever crafted, the Mini Traveler (pictured), and Manfrotto is launching a new product designed for Sony α cameras, the Befree GT α, a high-end travel tripod made to meet the needs of the professional segment.

The ‘L-Mount Alliance’ between Leica, Panasonic and Sigma is a previously unparalleled form of collaboration that will particularly benefit the customers of all three partners. The collaboration enables Panasonic and Sigma to make use of the L-Mount standard developed by Leica for their own developments and to offer both cameras and lenses utilising this lens mount.

The three companies have also launched a dedicated L-Mount Alliance website.

Leica's press conference at Photokina starts in 20 minutes, and they've already given the gathered journalists a taste of what's to come with the pictured business card.

The image of two lenses on the front has the strapline "UNLIMITED", whilst on the back there's the instruction "For more information: www.l-mount.com". This seems to strongly hint at the recent rumours of an official L-mount alliance between Leica, Panasonic and Sigma.

Leica Camera have made five exciting announcements at Photokina 2018, including a groundbreaking, industry-setting L-mount, a new mobile application, Leica FOTOS, the Leica S3, firmware updates and a new color option for the Leica CL.

• Leica L Mount: A first-of-its-kind pioneered by Leica in strategic alliance with Panasonic and SIGMA, the Leica L-Mount allows for a nearly limitless array of creative options by combining different interchangeable lenses with cameras featuring different sensor formats.
• Leica S3: The brand new Leica S3 medium format camera features a striking increase in resolution and impeccable performance in any lighting situation.
• Leica FOTOS: New mobile application Leica FOTOS enables Leica photographers to instantly transfer photos from a camera to a phone, as well as features an immersive viewing experience that allows photographers to assess and edit every detail of a raw image, including exposure.
• Leica CL Silver: The Leica CL, a versatile, fast and compact system camera, is now available in a sleek silver finish.
• Exciting Firmware updates are now available for Leica SL-System, Leica S (Typ 007), Leica M10 and Leica M10-P.

After 25 minutes, the Sony Photokina press conference has finished, and Sony have announced...animal Eye AF. Nature photographers rejoice, as Eye AF for the bird animal world will be released sometime in the near future (early 2019).

The Vuze XR Camera makes immersive content creation possible in 360° and VR180, both in 5.7K, all from one compact device, for just $439 / £399. Shipping in late November, the Vuze XR Camera enables consumers and prosumers to create and share immersive experiences in 360° (2D) or VR180 (3D) formats, both in 5.7K resolution.

The new Ricoh GR III 24 megapixel high-end digital compact camera is being previewed at Photokina 2018. Currently under development, the Ricoh GRIII inherits the basic GR-series concept, but it incorporates totally new devices in its main components, including a newly designed 28mm f/2.8 lens, a new 24.24 megapixel image sensor, and a new imaging engine.

The new sensor incorporates both a three-axis sensor-shift stabilization system and phase detection AF, neither of which the previous Ricoh GR II model offered, and the GR III will also feature a touchscreen LCD for the first time in the series. On the video side, 1080/60p is now supported (but not 4K) and there's a USB-C port.

The Ricoh GRIII is scheduled to be launched in early 2019.

The new Fujifilm Instax Square SQ20 will replace the SQ10 hybrid instax/digital camera. The Fuji SQ20 adds a selfie screen on the front, has a 33.4 mm F/2.4 lens, can focus as close as 8cms from the subject, and comes in Beige or Black colourways.

The Fujifilm Instax Square SQ20 will be available in Beige or Matt Black for £179.99 from October 20th, 2018.

Nassari360 is a revolutionary new on-line software tool which allows you to produce immersive and exciting stories by embedding your photographs, video and audio into a 360 image, to create an interactive experience.

The Instant Print Camera for iPhone is a printer case that actually attaches to an iPhone and turns it into an instant printing, photo-making marvel. The Lifeprint Instant Print Camera for iPhone will be available for sale beginning Sept. 25, 2018, at $149.99 exclusively at Apple.com and Apple Stores worldwide.

The Phottix Juno TTL Flash has a Guide Number of 60 with TTL, Manual and Stroboscopic modes, and an adjustable flash head that can zoom to 200mm. The Phottix Juno TTL Transceiver Flash for Canon will debut in October, followed by Sony and Nikon models in the coming months.

Phottix have also announced the new Odin Z Operating System which adds cutting-edge options and technologies such as auto-switching to their flashguns. The Odin Z Operating System will be available for download in mid-October for Canon and Nikon compatible Phottix products.

ProGrade Digital has introduced professional grade microSDXC memory cards, plus two additional USB 3.1, Gen. 2 dual-slot workflow readers, at Photokina 2018.

Kodak have today announced that one of its most iconic film stocks - Ektachrome - is now shipping, 18 months after it was first announced. Ektachrome film, available from Kodak Alaris, will immediately begin shipping to distributors and stock house dealers worldwide. The new film will initially be available in 135/36x camera format and is expected to be a favorite among professional and enthusiast photographers alike.

Skylum have posted a short video showcasing Luminar with its upcoming image catalog (DAM), which will be released in December 2018. The video demonstrates how quickly the image browsing works in Luminar, which could become a serious rival to Adobe Photoshop Lightroom with the addition of digital asset management.

"Here’s a quick speed test of the new Luminar with the support of image browsing. Stay tuned for more news. The new update is coming later this year for both Mac and PC, and will be free for all the current owners of Luminar 2018. More updates are coming soon…"

This update is free for all Luminar 2018 users. There will be NO paid upgrade to Luminar 2019.

The Photokina 2018 photographic show takes place this week in Cologne, Germany, and Photography Blog is here to cover all the latest news.

Sony, Leica, Panasonic, Fujifilm, Nikon, Canon and Olympus all have press conferences scheduled for tomorrow, and there are rumors of new products from several other major manufacturers too, so stay tuned and make sure to visit Photography Blog for the latest developments.

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