Electrophysics, a Sofradir Group company, has introduced a new high performance night vision module for use with Canon full-frame digital SLR cameras such as the EOS-1Ds Mark III and EOS 5D Mark II. When used with the new AstroScope 9350EOS-FF, these digital cameras deliver bright, high-resolution green images of night-time scenes. Because the night vision module fits between the camera body and SLR lens, all the lens electrical connections are maintained and important lens features such as optical image stabilisation remain fully functional even in night vision mode. The modules deliver optimum performance, sharp detail and highest quality full-frame images with no vignetting, a common problem with other night vision configurations, the company says.

Website: Electrophysics

Apparently, winning a prestigious prize might just be the beginning of something rather than an end unto itself - photographer Darwin Wiggett, winner of the Travel Photographer of the Year (TPOTY) 2008 award, talks of a ‘dramatic upturn’ in sales and commissions since winning the prize. “My career has really taken off since the announcement of my win. Although I had decent images and a strong portfolio before winning, I struggled to get noticed and people were not banging down my door to buy my images. But after winning TPOTY it was like my work suddenly had legitimacy and a large audience,” Wiggett says. Entries for the 2009 awards are open until 22 September. Entry is via print submission or online image upload through www.tpoty.com, with entry fees starting at £10.

Ben Roberts, the latest winner of The British Journal of Photography’s Project Assistance Awards, run in partnership with Nikon, is the latest photographer to be featured at Nova Gallery. Ben’s photo, ‘Glen Feshie, 6:30am’, will be available from the 14th July 2009 as a limited edition print in three sizes. The smallest size is priced at £19. The photo is from his series, ‘Higher Lands’, a project about youth culture and growing up in the unique environment of the Highlands of Scotland. Nova Gallery was launched last month, with the aim of I) helping up-and-coming photographers gain some exposure and sell prints, II) making contemporary photography more accessible and collectable and III) utilising the power of photography as a catalyst for positive social change.

Website: Nova Gallery

Sony was today announced as the UK’s leading technology brand in the 2009/10 Superbrands list. The announcement follows an independent selection process which tapped into the views of over 2,100 British consumers. The annual Superbrands survey, now in its 11th year, has become a key barometer on the strength of brands across a wide variety of sectors. The selection process was independently administered by The Centre for Brand Analysis (TCBA) on behalf of the Superbrands organisation. As a Superbrand, Sony has been recognised by the British public as representing quality, reliability and distinction.

Nick Kelsh, renowned photographer and author of eight photography books is introducing an easy-steps DVD entitled “How to Photograph Your Baby”. It is a warm, entertaining, and poignant look at common photography mistakes and offers simple, fun and effective ways to instantly improve results with a few quick tips. “How to Photograph Your Baby” DVD is available now at http://www.howtophotographyourbaby.com for $24.95.

We’ve teamed up with BluBox Software to offer you BluBox, the worlds most advanced software application for the compression and encryption of digital images…completely free of charge!

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Website: BluBox for Free!

The Samsung PL70 is a new 12 megapixel compact camera with a 5x, 28mm wide-angle optical zoom lens. The PL70 (also known as the Samsung SL720) features HD movie capture with ‘Pause and Re-record’ functionality, 3 inch LCD screen, optical image stabilisation and Samsung’s Perfect Portrait System. The Samsung PL70 is available in a range of colours including red, pink and silver and has a recommended retail price of £199 from August 2009. The SL720 will cost $229.99.

The Samsung PL55 is a new 12 megapixel family-friendly compact camera. The PL55 (also known as the Samsung SL502) features Samsung’s Smart Auto (Scene Recognition) technology, Perfect Portrait System, and Digital Image Stabilisation. Available from August 2009, the PL55 has a recommended retail price of £149 and comes in a variety of colours. The SL502 will cost $149.99.

The Samsung ES17 is a new 12 megapixel compact camera with 3x zoom lens. The ES17 also features Face Detection technology, Beauty Shot mode, and a Digital Image Stabilization system. Available in Pink, Silver, White and Black, the Samsung ES17 has a recommended retail price of £89 and will be available from August 2009.

The Samsung SMX-K40 and SMX-K44 are two new standard-definition camcorders whose output can be upscaled to “near full-HD” resolution when viewing through an HDMI output. The videos are recorded at a resolution of 720x480 pixels. The SMX-K44 offers an internal 16GB Solid State Drive (SSD), which provides up to 10h20 hours of recording, depending on the chosen mode.  The SMX-K40 does not have internal storage and requires the use of a SD/SDHC card. Samsung’s new Intelli-Zoom, which is claimed to be “significantly more reliable than a standard digital zoom”, allows users to go beyond the camcorder’s 52x optical zoom. The K-Series also features Samsung’s advanced Optical Image Stabiliser. The SMX-K40 and SMX-K44 Camcorders will be available from leading high street and online retailers from August 2009.

Samsung have announced the HMX-U10 ultra compact camcorder that records in full-HD and also allows users to take 10 mega-pixel still photos. A one-touch “upload” button provides a direct connection to YouTube for fast and easy video sharing. At 56mm x 103mm x 15.5mm, and weighing just 95g including the battery, the HMX-U10 is ultra-compact with an ergonomic design that breaks free of the traditional look and feel of pocket-sized camcorders. Its sleek frame is accentuated by a wave-design that angles the body of the camcorder at seven degrees, allowing users to grip the camcorder more comfortably, reducing stress on the wrist or arm. The HMX-U10 Camcorder will be available from leading high street and online retailers from September 2009.

Nik Software announced today its Summer 2009 Webinar schedule. The Nik Software webinars have been developed to address specific types of photographic styles and are designed to appeal to everyone. Both current Nik Software customers and those who have not yet purchased a Nik Software product will learn more about how these software plug-ins can simplify their digital photography workflow and create extraordinary images. Participants only need to log in from their computer to access these free educational webinars. To register for any of these webinars, please visit: http://www.niksoftware.com/webinar. Click through / read on for the details.

Attendee and media registration is now open for PDN PhotoPlus Expo 2009.  The annual trade show will be held at the Jacob Javits Convention Center from October 22-24. In addition, PPE09 has refreshed its Facebook page and will post updates and news regarding the trade show—and other events surrounding the show—on a regular basis.

Go to http://www.facebook.com/pdnphotoplusexpo to become a fan and see what’s new about the show.

Website: PDN PhotoPlus Expo Attendee Registration

Charlie Waite and Amateur Photographer editor Damien Demolder are combining their expertise with that of five other UK photographers in a major landscape exhibition to be held in Southwell Minster, the Cathedral of Nottinghamshire. The exhibition opens on 1 August and runs throughout the month. The joint showing brings together established and emerging talents, as well as a wide range of photographic styles. Both Charlie Waite and Damien Demolder will be giving talks during the exhibition. Damien’s talk, ‘Seeing and Taking Great Pictures’, will be held on the evening of the first day of the exhibition, Saturday 1st August, at 7.30pm, and Charlie’s ‘Landscape Photography Seminar’ will be held on the evening of Thursday 13th August. Tickets for the talks cost £10 and can be booked at http://www.mastersofvision.co.uk/talks.html

Pacifico beer is asking its fans to upload photos of their adventures for the chance to live the Pacifico lifestyle and win an “Epic Adventure” of their own. The contest, which launched July 8 on www.MexicoViaPacifico.com, enables consumers to submit photos from July 8 to September 30, 2009, for the opportunity to win a surf trip for four with professional surfer Joel Tudor, along with other great prizes.  Photos will be judged on aesthetics as well as the degree of “epic-ness” of adventure, but Pacifico is leaving it up to consumers to decide what they consider an epic adventure. You must be over the age of 21 and a resident of the U.S.A. to enter the contest. Due to legal restrictions, residents of California and Utah are not eligible to participate.

Zipix Lite is a new iPhone app that allows consumers to instantly and automatically enhance their photos. Available exclusively from the iPhone Application Store, the new edition of Zipix Lite provides a variety of features that make it easy to improve photo quality on-the-go. Some of these include the automatic correction of over- or underexposure, contrast adjustments, cropping and comparison of the enhanced photo with the original so that you can decide which one you would like to keep. Zipix Lite is available free for a limited time only. The program can be found under the Photography category in the Free Applications section of the iPhone App Store. Zipix Lite is compatible with the original iPhone 3G and the new iPhone 3GS.

Hitachi Global Storage Technologies today unveiled the SimpleTOUGH portable USB drive, the stylish and colourful SimpleDRIVE Mini portable USB drive; and the SimpleNET network storage adapter. The SimpleTOUGH is billed as the “industry’s only water-resistant and shock-resistant external hard drive from a global hard drive manufacturer”. The MSRP is $99.99 for 250GB, $119.99 for 320GB, and $149.99 for 500GB. The SimpleDRIVE Mini comes in a choice of three colours and is priced at $89.99 for 250GB, $109.99 for 320GB and $139.99 for 500GB. The Hitachi SimpleNET is a small network adapter that allows you to share and access existing USB hard drive content over a home or small business network. The price of this adapter is $79.

The Royal Photographic Society and International Garden Photographer of the Year are joining forces to create a new award for the International Garden Photographer of the Year (IGPOTY) competition 2010. The award for the Best Portfolio will be known as the Royal Photographic Society award for Best Garden Portfolio. The winner will receive a Gold Medal. Runners up will receive silver and bronze medals. Winners will also receive £2,000 in cash and free RPS membership. The 2010 competition is now open at www.igpoty.com. There are seven categories, plus awards for single images as well as portfolios. The 2009 exhibition is currently on show at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew until September 13th 2009. After this date it will be at Kew’s country garden, Wakehurst Place, Sussex.