Photographer and author Jason P. Odell, Ph.D. has announced the immediate release of “The Photographer’s Guide to Silver Efex Pro”, a comprehensive resource for making black and white images with the popular plug-in module by Nik Software, Inc. This 218-page PDF tutorial includes 15 instructional videos narrated by Dr. Odell, each of which reinforces concepts illustrated in the pages of the eBook. The instructional videos are embedded directly in the PDF file, which means that users don’t need to worry about separate video files or media players; as long as they are using Adobe Reader 9 or later, the videos will play directly from the eBook. The Photographer’s Guide to Silver Efex Pro is available directly from the publisher, Luminescence of Nature Press, as a digital download for $19.95 USD.

Delkin have added a smaller version of their award winning Fat Gecko to its line of camera mounts, the Fat Gecko Mini. It uses one suction cup to attain a powerful suction that makes video and photography capture possible from almost any smooth surface.  With an incredibly strong locking suction and a universal mounting screw the Fat Gecko Mini can be attached almost anywhere and use any standard camera or camcorder. The small footprint of one suction cup allows users to capitalize on the versatility of mounting a camera in tight situations, such as on surfboards, motorcycles, wakeboards, ATVs, helmets, windows and any other smooth non-porous surface. The Fat Gecko Mini camera mount is available now and can be purchased at an array of digital camera shops and other camera accessory retailers worldwide for $39.99.

iPhone developer appMobi LLC has announced the availability of “PhotoBeamer 1.1” on the Apple App Store. “Intuitively, people hand their phones to friends so they can see the photos better, and invariably, friends begin flicking through their entire photo libraries, looking at all photos whether the owner want them to or not,” appMobi says. “PhotoBeamer was created to solve this problem by allowing users to use the iPhone’s built in Bluetooth wireless technology to allow viewers to see (and optionally save) on their own devices only the photos that the sender wants them to see.” PhotoBeamer is available in the Apple App Store for $0.99. The receive-only BeamCatcher app is free.

NewBay Media has announced new features, a new location, and new dates for its 13th annual Digital Video Expo. The expo is to be held at the Pasadena Convention Center on September 22-24, 2009. Thousands of professionals in the content creation industry are expected to gather at the show for three full days of intensive education, training, and networking events, as well as the unique opportunity to test drive the latest products and services from over 100 key industry innovators, including Panasonic, Sony, JVC and Matrox Video.

Legndary camera designer and engineer Yoshihisa Maitani, creator of the original Olympus PEN and Olympus OM-1, OM-2 and other cult cameras, passed away on 30 July 2009. Born in 1933, Maitani built his first box camera at age 10, and by the time he turned 16, he already held four design patents. He joined Olympus in 1956, and two years later he was commissioned to develop a camera that could be purchased for under 6,000 yen, the average monthly wage in Japan at the time. The result was the Olympus PEN (pictured). The PEN was a huge success and evolved into a whole series of half-frame cameras, including the PEN F, FT and FV interchangeable-lens SLRs. Maitani then went on to design the Olympus OM-1, a legendary 35mm SLR, the starting point of the OM system noted for its compactness, high-quality optics and a series of innovations. Maitani received the PMA Hall of Fame Award in 1992, and retired in 1996. As the 1001 Noisy Cameras blog points out, he “lived to see his Pen re-born into the digital world with the E-P1”.

Source: DCWatch via 1001 Noisy Cameras

Kodak has introduced a family of new portable power-charging solutions that enable fast and convenient charging of multiple devices, including a solar-powered charger that harnesses the sun’s power to charge gadgets while on the go. The Kodak Solar Charger KS100-C+2 produces enough power to deliver 1.5 charges to a cell phone, or run a music player for an additional 33 hours, or capture up to 200 digital camera pictures (actual results will vary by device). When light is scarce, consumers can use the included USB cable to recharge from a computer or other USB power source. The Kodak Solar Charger KS100-C+2 will retail for US $39.95 MSRP beginning in September, 2009.

Ilford Photo’s traditional black and white processing service has a new online presence and new identity. The Ilford Lab Direct printing service draws on 130 years of Ilford Photo expertise, producing the finest quality black and white prints; achieved using traditional Ilford black and white chemistry and genuine Ilford silver gelatin photographic paper, Ilford says. The new online resource at www.ilfordlab.com not only provides secure payment and digital file upload, but customers can also create an account with Ilford Lab Direct and go through the digital upload tutorial. For customers who prefer the traditional approach, Ilford Photo continues to sell process paid films and mailers through popular photographic dealers. Further still, order forms for 35mm and 120 film processing can be downloaded from the website for the direct mail order service. Ilford Lab Direct normally operates up-to a maximum of 5 working days in the lab for UK distribution. The service is available for UK and European customers.

Website: Ilford Lab Direct

Canon has issued a firmware upgrade for the Canon EOS 50D digital SLR camera. Version 1.0.7 corrects a phenomenon where captured images may tend to appear somewhat magenta depending on the shooting scene. Plus, it also fixes incorrect indications on the Arabic, Romanian, Spanish, and Ukrainian menu screens.

Website: Canon EOS 50D Firmware Update
Review: Read our in-depth review of the Canon EOS 50D

5.11 Tactical, a leader in high endurance tactical clothing and gear, has a range of bags that are perfect for photographers. The DC Roller Travel Bag (pictured) is just the right size to fit in an overhead compartment when traveling on a airplane and is easy to transport even when fully loaded and is designed to allow quick access. The Side Trip Briefcase is a multi-functional, medium sized gear bag that can hold a laptop and accommodate a lot of your day-to-day gear. The Practical Utility Shoulder Hold Pack, is a rugged yet modern version of the traditional belt pack. This versatile bag is great for on location photo shoots where photographers need to be as mobile as possible. Read on / click through for the details.

Leica is joining many other premium brands and launching its own UK store in September 2009. The Leica facility will comprise a ground floor retail store showcasing and selling the full Leica range of products, first floor offices, a ‘Leica Akademie’ training and demonstration centre and a Leica S-System studio. The location will be in Bruton Place, Mayfair, situated between Old Bond Street and Berkeley Square, London W1. Opening hours of the store will be 10.00 to 18.00 Monday to Friday, and 10.00 to 15.00 on Saturdays. Office, training facilities and studio will be by appointment only.

The UK pricing and availability of the Leica S2 and a number of S system lenses have been unveiled! OK, sit down if you are not seated yet, take a deep breath… here we go: the body-only price is £15,996! And if you want a sapphire glass screen plus Platinum Service (whose details are to be announced), then expect to pay £19,092. The suggested retail prices of four Summarit-S lenses and their Central Shutter versions - which enable flash synchronisation at higher shutter speeds - have also been announced: they range from £3,096 to £5,160; with availability slated for October 2009. Read all the details after the break.

Website: Click here for our brief hands-on report and exclusive shots of the Leica S2

The Nikon D300S is a new 12.3 megapixel DSLR camera that can record HD movies. Based upon the D300, the D300S also adds a continuous shooting speed of 7fps and dual CF and SD memory card slots. The D300S also features a Quiet release mode for discrete photography, the same multi-selector to that used on the D3 series and D700, and built-in pop-up flash that covers 16mm wide-angle field of view. It incorporates the same DX-format 12.3 megapixel CMOS sensor, 51-point autofocus system, 3 inch 920K dot LCD screen and EXPEED image processing of the D300. The Nikon D300S will cost £1499.99 / €1821.00 / $1799.95 body only, available from 28th August 2009.

The Nikon D3000 is a new entry-level DSLR camera designed to be simple and accessible. Based on the D5000, the D3000 is designed for anyone who wants to take pictures without worrying about settings. The new intelligent Guide mode recommends the appropriate settings for the current subject or scene. The D3000 also features a 10.2 megapixel sensor, EXPEED processing system, 3-inch LCD screen, 3 fps continuous shooting and 11-point autofocus system. The Nikon D3000 will be available on 28th August 2009 for £429.99 / €522.00 body-only or £499.99 / €607.00 / $599.95 with the 18-55mm VR lens.

The AF-S NIKKOR 70-200MM F/2.8G ED VR II is a new professional telephoto lens. Featuring a brand new optical design and extended Vibration Reduction capability, the Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 lens implements Nikon’s anti-reflection Nano Crystal coat and seven ED glass elements. Three focus modes are incorporated, A/M; M/A and M, and two Vibration Reduction modes. The AF-S NIKKOR 70-200MM F/2.8G ED VR II will cost £1999.99 / €2430.00 / $2399.95 when it launches in November 2009.

The AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200MM F/3.5-5.6G ED VR II is a new superzoom lens. Offering 11.1x zoom, the Nikon 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 improves functionality and image quality.It features a new zoom lock switch, improved Super Integrated Coating and Vibration Reduction II system to shoot at shutter speeds up to four stops slower than would otherwise be possible. The AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200MM F/3.5-5.6G ED VR II will cost £729.99 / €887.00 / $849.95 and be available from 4th September 2009.

Bogen Imaging has announced that Litepanels will be awarded a Technology & Engineering Emmy Award from the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences for its proprietary lighting systems. Litepanels fixtures are used on a variety of network television productions including high profile programs such as Desperate Housewives, Fox’s 24, and Without a Trace. The Emmy award is the first in the Academy’s 61 year history to be awarded for television lighting technology, and will be presented on Saturday, 22 August, at the Renaissance Hotel in Los Angeles.

Eye-Fi Inc. today unveiled the Eye-Fi Geo card, a new wireless SD memory card exclusive to Apple that allows users to automatically upload photos from a digital camera to a computer and offers lifetime geotagging service. The Eye-Fi Geo wirelessly uploads photos straight to a folder on your computer or Apple’s iPhoto gallery where they arrive automatically geotagged with location information about where the image was captured. The 2GB Eye-Fi Geo card is available exclusively at Apple stores and Apple.com for $59.99.

Jessops have announced their latest line in camera accessories – the 2AM range of camera bags, sleeves and pouches by Acme Made. These include the Bowler, a feminine alternative to the standard DSLR camera bag, the Sexy Little Pouch (pictured), a sleek way to protect your digital compact camera, the Sexy Little Protective Sleeve, the slimmest form of protection for your DSLR and the Sleek Case featuring a molded clamshell design. The Acme Made range of accessories are available online at www.jessops.com and are available in selected Jessops stores.

Pentax have released a firmware update for their Pentax K-7 digital SLR. Version 1.01 improves the overall operational stability of the camera, and allows users to give priority to auto-focus selection by way of the four-way controller.

Website: Latest K-7 Firmware Update
Review: Read our in-depth review of the Pentax K-7