BUILT has announced the expansion of its line of stylish and protective neoprene accessories for cameras and laptops, and debuts four new accessories at IFA including the Cargo Travel Organizer, Cargo Camera Bags, and Large Soft Shell Camera Case. “Shutterbugs have a reason to rejoice with the debut of the Medium and Large Cargo Camera Bags,” the company says. “They’ll love the cool designs, but these bags don’t coast on good looks alone—they’re big enough to hold a large range of SLR cameras and accessories. The two layers of neoprene provide extra protection to keep equipment safe, and the removable Velcro dividers allow for customisation every time it’s used.” BUILT has also announced a Large Soft Shell Camera Case that provides easy access — and extra protection — for long zoom cameras. You can see the new camera bags at the upcoming IFA show in Berlin, in Hall 12, Stand 101.

The new TwinLink flash radio trigger kit from Seculine comprises a 16 channel radio transmitter and receiver, which use a combination of both radio and IR technology to ensure the reliability of the triggering mechanism, whilst also giving a range of up to 150ft indoors and 600ft outside. The system can be used with studio flash systems from most manufacturers and incorporates a facility to attach the receiver magnetically to the case of your studio flash head or generator. The receiver also has a built in flash hot shoe so that it can be used to attach and trigger your standard camera flashgun, while being mounted directly on a tripod head – or even maybe a Gorillapod. The Seculine TwinLink T2D Radio Flash Trigger will be available at the end of August at a suggested retail price of £119.99 including VAT.

Kubota Image Tools has announced the newest addition to the Kubota Lightspeed Workflow family – new Kubota RPG SpeedKeys for Lightroom 2. Kubota RPG SpeedKeys for Lightroom 2 is a wireless USB keypad with 1-button access to: essential adjustments such as brightness, exposure, fill light and more; the most popular Kubota Lightroom presets; and advanced tools such as paint with light, burn, soften skin, and hand-colour. The Kubota RPG SpeedKeys comes loaded with 29 Kubota Lightroom Presets. As a bonus, the SpeedKeys comes with the entire collection of Kubota Lightroom Presets v3, which includes develop, export, print, filter and more. The system requirements are a PC or Mac running Adobe Lightroom 2 or higher, and an available USB 2.0 port. The Kubota RPG SpeedKeys for Lightroom are available for purchase at: http://www.kubotaimagetools.com/ for $349.

In this year’s Summer Sale Pixum offers the most popular photo prints sizes, 4”, 4.5” and 5”, with up to 54% discount. The greatest novelty of this Summer Sale is that customers do not need to enter a voucher code – all prices are reduced automatically. The special Pixum Summer Sale prices are: 4” prints for 4p, 4.5” prints for 6p and 5” prints for 8p. Customers only need to upload their pictures to Pixum and order prints in the sizes they wish to receive for reduced rates. The Summer Sale ends on 31 august 2009.

Nikon Corporation has announced the winners of the Nikon Photo Contest International 2008-2009. One of the world’s largest and most prestigious photo contests, the Nikon Photo Contest International, held since 1969 and staged every other year, provides an opportunity for photographers around the world to communicate and enrich photographic culture for professionals and amateurs alike. This year’s theme was Nikon’s brand statement, “At the heart of the image.” Peter G. Allinson, M.D, of Kingsville, MD, received first place in the “My Planet” category, for his work, entitled “Friends.” The Nikon Photo Contest International also recognised Danny Ghitis, of Brooklyn, N.Y., as one of four “Emerging Talents.” The full list of winners, along with their works, can be seen on the Nikon Photo Contest International website.

Website: Nikon Photo Contest International

Several sources have confirmed that Apple now offers an antiglare option for the 15-inch MacBook Pro. Such an option has already been available for the 17-inch MacBook Pro for some time, but the 15-inch variant has hitherto been offered with a high-gloss screen only. Given that glossy monitors, while trendy, are impractical to use anywhere but a darkened room; this is definitely good news for MacBook Pro users. Moreover, matte screens are allegedly better at displaying colours accurately, which is an important point for photographers. The antiglare option for the 15-inch MacBook Pro is available as a $50 / €45 upgrade from Apple.

Via photoscala | cnet | AppleInsider

Aerial photographers and videographers will be excited to see the newest product from Draganfly Innovations Inc. - the Draganflyer X4 Unmanned Aerial Vehicle, a computer-stabilised, miniature airborne platform with a wireless video downlink and remote flight control. The four-rotor, 680 gram electric helicopter is a flying platform capable of vertical take-off and landing, and is classified as an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV). The Draganflyer X4 UAV helicopter carries a camera which captures high resolution aerial photographs and high definition video. This onboard camera features remote controlled zoom, tilt, and shutter. The viewfinder signal from the camera is transmitted wirelessly from the helicopter and received by an embedded video receiver in the handheld controller. This video can also be displayed on video glasses allowing the user to see what the helicopter sees. Availability is slated for Fall 2009.

If you’ve been craving a Panasonic GH1 ever since it came out, now’s your chance to win one by joining Panasonic’s LivingInHD community and uploading your favourite summer photos or videos that meet the weekly theme of their End of Summer Celebration. Entrants can also include a caption that provides viewers with helpful information about the content’s subject. The photos and videos uploaded to the site will spark ideas for summer weddings, roadtrips, vacations and foods, while giving members the chance to win their choice of either the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 digital camera (valued at $1,499.95) or a 50-inch VIERA G10 Series Plasma TV (valued at $1799.95). The End of Summer Celebration Giveaway contest runs through 6 September 2009.

Website: LivingInHD
Review: Read our in-depth review of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1

Lowepro has introduced the latest addition to its Classified Series, the Classified Sling.  Designed to quickly rotate from back to front allowing you to work out of the roomy and deep side-entry compartment, the Classified Sling is ideal to travel with and part of the discreet Classified range of protective camera bags, the company says. There are two sizes to choose from, the 180 AW and the 220 AW. The 180 AW offers a stabiliser strap with a sliding buckle to provide extra stability when on the move. It also features a pocket that fits a 7-9” netbook, while the 220 AW includes a tuck-away waistbelt to offer extra comfort and evenly distribute weight, plus a zippered padded pocket that fits up to a 15.4” widescreen laptop. Available in black the Classified Sling can be purchased from all good stockists priced from around £100.

Verbatim announced today its new TUFF-’N’-TINY family of ultra-portable USB drives with capacities of 4GB in emerald green and 8GB in royal purple (pictured). The new TUFF-’N’-TINY drives measure about 1-inch long, one-half inch wide and are the thickness of a penny. With support for Windows (2000, XP, Vista), Mac OS (9.x or higher) and Linux (kernel 2.6x or higher) systems, the TUFF-’N’-TINY USB Drives also provide true cross-platform compatibility and a convenient way to transfer files between systems. Verbatim’s new travel-tough USB drives include a key ring lanyard that can be clipped on a key ring, PDA or cell phone to ensure that the user’s data is always conveniently at hand. The new drives are available with retail prices starting at $30 for the 4GB variant and $50 for the 8GB version.

Epson America Inc. is offering a $40 instant rebate on two of its new all-in-one devices. Those buying an Epson Stylus NX415 or an Epson Stylus NX515 printer/scanner/copier until the end of this month will get the rebate right at the point of sale. The Epson Stylus NX415 and NX515 were announced in May and are currently available through major computer, office and electronic superstores, a variety of retail stores, mail order, PC manufacturers, the Internet, and Epson’s own retail site, www.epsonstore.com.

Imatronics have launched version 3.0 of Panorama Express, designed to make it easy for anyone to create, manage and publish spectacular virtual tour packages. Users can simply open their photos (standard or panoramic) and Panorama Express automatically creates a professional virtual tour complete with transition effects, attractive skin packaging, engaging startup screens and more. A free trial version can be downloaded from the website below.

Website: Panorama Express

Tiny Prints have teamed up with the photo book expert, MyCanvas.com, to launch a premium photo books service. With the premium photo books from Tiny Prints and MyCanvas, consumers can now take their favourite snapshots and create charming, one-of-a-kind photo books using fresh and modern design templates exclusively from Tiny Prints artists, while also adding a variety of borders, embellishments and more. For more information, visit the website below.

Website: Tiny Prints

Sony Corporation today announced that it has launched a new type of lithium ion secondary battery that combines high-power and long-life performance. By combining a new olivine type lithium ion phosphate acting as the cathode material with Sony’s proprietary particle design technology that minimises electrical resistance to deliver high power output, and also leveraging the cell structure design technology Sony accrued developing its current “Fortelion series” lithium ion secondary battery line-up, Sony has realized a high power density of 1800W/kg and extended life span of approximately 2,000 charge-discharge cycles. Moreover, the new batteries can be charged to 99% of their capacity in half an hour. The new Sony batteries come in a capacity of 1,100mAh and have a nominal voltage of 3.2V.

Athentech Imaging Inc. has announced an iPhone / iPod application featuring the company’s Perfectly Clear image correction technology, which has been used successfully in retail photo kiosks, minilabs and online photo sites. Athentech Imaging’s “one click” Perfectly Clear iPhone application assures that the millions of photos being taken by iPhone and iPod users can be simply optimized for exposure, colour accuracy, sharpness and “depth” with a single touch, the company said. Perfectly Clear iPhone is available as an online download via the Apple iTunes App Store for $2.99.

Dive Photo Guide has announced a series of online underwater photo contests, organised monthly. This contest is geared to promote friendly competition, to push photographers’ skills and to give photographers specific themes or subjects to shoot on their next dive. The monthly contest is free to enter and Dive Photo Guide will be giving away valuable prizes each month and a grand prize at the end of each year. Head to the website below for the details.

Website: Dive Photo Guide’s Monthly Underwater Photography Contest Series

Wi-Pics Mobile is a new product billed as an advanced solution designed for the professional photographer that provides the ability to data associate and wirelessly transmit their images at point of capture. Wi-Pics Mobile features a small, light and compact design that mounts under the camera with a custom designed bracket that allows easy movement and does not impede the photographer or camera performance. Alternatively, you can purchase it with a quick-draw hip-mount. Click through / read on for the details.

The new Mamiya M18, Mamiya M22 and Mamiya M31 digital backs, which were announced two months ago, are now available in the United Kingdom. The M series digital backs have all been designed for compatibility with the Mamiya 645AFDIII medium-format SLR body, as well as the soon-to-be-released 645DF, which was recently show-cased at the 2009 Tokyo Photo Expo. Through use of the specifically designed digital back adapter HX701, the backs can also be attached to the Mamiya RZ Pro IID. The M18 has a resolution of 18 megapixels and a CCD size of 44.2 x 33.1mm. The M22 has a resolution of 22.1 megapixels and a CCD size of 48.9 x 36.7mm while the M31 has a resolution of 31.6 megapixels and a CCD size of 44.2 x 33.1mm. Each digital back can be purchased separately or in a system kit with the Mamiya 645AFDIII camera and Sekor 80mm F2.8 D lens (see picture). Mamiya Digital products are exclusively distributed in the UK by Johnsons Photopia.

The lucky winner of our fantastic July 2009 Newsletter contest has been randomly selected from the PhotographyBLOG Newsletter subscriber list.

Kathryn McGrath wins a Billingham Large Hadley shoulder bag in Khaki/Tan finish, worth £125.99, kindly provided by Billingham.