Hasselblad have introduced the Hasselblad CFV-39, a 39-megapixel digital back for their classic V system cameras. “Quickly and easily, the Hasselblad CFV-39 can transform a V System film camera into a high-performance digital camera,” says product manager Peter Stig. All V System cameras operate cable-free. The 202 FA, 203 FE, and 205 FCC are fully supported. Other 200 and 2000 series models can be used with C-type lenses only. There are two selectable image formats: square (29 megapixel, 5412x5412) and rectangular (39 megapixel, 5412x7212 pixels). The sensor has double the area of a full-frame 35mm DSLR imager, and ISO speeds range from 50 to 800.

Website: Hasselblad CFV-39

The 5 lucky winners of our fantastic June 2009 Newsletter contest have been randomly selected from the PhotographyBLOG Newsletter subscriber list.

Craig Shave, Phil Sproston, Bill Durr, Will Daniel and Nicky Cockburn each win a copy of the book “Garden Photographer of the Year Collection 01”, kindly provided by International Garden Photographer of the Year.

BenVista have announced the new version of their specialised digital image enlargement software: PhotoZoom Pro 3. Over the past ten years, the BenVista PhotoZoom series has competed at the highest level of image enlarging, thanks to its patentend S-Spline technology. With PhotoZoom Pro 3, BenVista introduces the latest generation of their technology, called S-Spline Max. Furthermore, multi-processor support is added to increase speed, and PhotoZoom Pro 3 can be used not only as a standalone application, but also as an Adobe Photoshop compatible Automation plug-in and Export plug-in. Designed for both Mac and Windows platforms, PhotoZoom Pro 3 is available as of today. Free demo versions of PhotoZoom Pro 3, for both Mac and Windows platforms, can be downloaded directly from the BenVista website.

Website: BenVista

LaserSoft Imaging has announced the new SilverFast 6.6.1, billed as “the first software in the world to perfectly capture raw data from photographs and slides”. To effectively, quickly and thoroughly protect valuable memories against decay and destruction, the Kiel-based software company has developed a format that contains not only all image information, but also the dust and scratch information derived from the scanner’s infrared channel (provided it has one): the 64-bit HDRi format. The new 64-bit HDRi format by LaserSoft Imaging registers all the information of the original in its entirety while simultaneously embedding all the correction information in the image file. Instead of directly guiding the scanner, SilverFast HDRi enables the user to read the raw data at maximum speed and process it as though he had direct access to scanner images, LaserSoft claims. Note that because the HDRi feature needs information from the infrared channel of the scanner, it is necessary to make sure that iSRD is available and supported for your scanner model.

Website: SilverFast

Brushed Pixel Software has released Catapult, a plugin for Apple’s Aperture photo management software that allows Aperture users to integrate Adobe Camera Raw or Nikon Capture into their RAW workflows. Catapult automates the process of exporting RAW files for editing and importing converted JPEG or TIFF files, while stacking the versions together to keep projects organised. To support non-destructive editing, when importing Catapult can archive the associated XMP sidecar file produced by Adobe Camera Raw, or a settings file exported from Nikon Capture. Catapult is now available for $49 CAD, and a trial version can be downloaded from Brushed Pixel’s website.

Website: Brushed Pixel

Picmeta Systems have released version 5.2 of their Picture Information Extractor, which includes numerous new features such as batch editing of IPTC metadata. The new PIE 5.2 is allegedly the smallest photo browser and viewer available that integrates an editor for IPTC data with batch editing capabilities. Editing of metadata now works with all RAW formats. Many formats allow EXIF and IPTC metadata to be written directly into the file, thus no external database or sidecar file is required. The EXIFcare technology ensures that all information contained in the file is maintained. A free evaluation version of PIE 5.2 can be downloaded from the Picmeta Website. The software runs on Windows 95, 98, ME, 2000, XP and Vista. The full version costs US$ 35. Licensed users are entitled to lifetime free updates.

Website Picture Information Extractor

Bogen Imaging has just announced a free webinar titled “Adventure Sports Photography: Round Table with Adventure Photographer Michael Clark.” This webinar will be held from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. EDT, on Friday, July 17th. Topics for discussion include adventure photography fundamentals, artificial lighting, photo equipment, outdoor gear and how to shoot rock climbing, mountain biking and whitewater kayaking. Webinar participants will have access to a number of exclusive benefits, including one?on?one interaction with the guest speaker, and will be automatically entered in a chance to win one of three Gitzo Traveler Series 2 Carbon Fibre 6X Monopods. To register for the free Bogen Café webinar and for additional information, please visit http://www.bogenimaging.us/webinar/

California Sunbounce has announced the Sun-Mover pop-up reflector, which uses their Perma-Tense technology for etra permanent tension. The original design, created by John Russell Ritson in 1977, has been “dramatically improved” by the California Sunbounce design team. „Perma-Tense“ is the new name for the synergy effect of the California Sunbounce frames and the elastic material, which keeps the reflective screen under permanent tension when in use. The Sunbounce oval Perma-Tense design has a screen just small enough to hinder the frame form reverting to this relaxed and comfortable position, keeping it alert and extremely tense. The Sun-Mover is available at California Sunbounce and its dealers. Suggested retail price for the original Sunbounce silver/white screen is €79. The zebra/white screen (pictured) costs €89.

Website: California Sunbounce

Chris Golson’s Photography Adventures have announced a new photo workshop set in the San Francisco Bay Area that will include a photo shoot aboard a Zeppelin in flight. This three day luxury immersion programme takes place September 27 - 30 in Half Moon Bay, a small coastal community located 24 miles south of San Francisco. Leading the three-day shoot will be acclaimed Dutch photographer Dirk Karsten and noted Silicon Valley technologist and photographer Chris Golson. The workshop is designed to deepen the practical skills and artistic groundings of the aspiring beginner and intermediate photographer, and will include a mix of interactive classroom seminars and outdoor photo shoots. Foremost among the assignments will be the airborne safari from a Zeppelin. This luxury comes at a price though: the course fee is $3,600 per person.

Mvix has announced the worldwide launch of the Mvix Ultio, a hard-disk based media centre capable of HD digital media playback with video output as high as 1080p. Ultio’s high-end video processing not only plays Blu-Ray quality video, it allows to store entire Hi-Definition media on its internal hard drive, plug it into a TV via HDMI and enjoy movies, digital music and family photos on large LCD or Plasma. It is also capable of playing AVCHD format (normally used in camcorder footage but also offered by new digital cameras such as the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1). Other supported codecs and formats include, but are not limited to, H.264, MKV, Dixv HD, MOV, VC-1 and FLV. Mvix Ultio is being launched in 2 flavours: the regular version (without a HDD) is priced at $169, whereas the premium version (bundled with a 1TB hard drive) will be available at $259.

Bits&Coffee, the creators of batch image converter program BatchPhoto, have launched an online application designed to perform common image processing operations on pictures.  The tool is designed to be easy to use and easily accessible from any computer connected to the Internet. This is a free, no-frills service offered by Bits&Coffee as a complement to its commercial image converter program, BatchPhoto.

Website: online.batchphoto.com

Zacuto has introduced the Zgrip iPhone PRO, a completely adjustable and quick releasable handgrip system for shooting stable video using the iPhone 3Gs. The iPhone 3Gs snaps into the Zgrip and you are ready to shoot. The handgrip fully articulates, and all of the red levers allow you to adjust every angle to get those interesting, creative and smooth shots. The Zgrip iPhone PRO is available now from the Zacuto Store, priced at $295.

The American Society of Media Photographers (ASMP) has announced that it has launched a newly designed website with expanded resources available for all members of the photographic community. ASMP’s recently expanded web business resources, available free-of-charge, provide a forum for training in important skills. These include an updated copyright tutorial “Best Practices Guide for Registering Your Images;” access to the ASMP daily blog, a forum for timely idea exchange and comments; and educational videos covering topics such as pricing, negotiating, copyright and marketing.

Website: ASMP

Jobo AG has unveiled two new, “entry-level” digital photo frames, the Jobo Curve 7 and the Jobo Curve 8. The numbers in the product names refer to the approximate length of the screen diagonal in inches. The 7” variant has an elongated 480x234-pixel display, whereas the 8” version features a conventional 4:3 aspect ratio with a resolution of 800x600 pixels. The Jobo Curve 7 has full-screen and thumbnail modes and can display the images as a slideshow with a limited set of transitions. The Jobo Curve 8 offers numerous extra image transition effects and user-selectable intervals, and features a clendar / clock function too. Both Jobo Curve frames have an SD card slot plus a USB OTG interface, and come in a choice of black or white. The Jobo Curve 7 costs €59, while its bigger brother is available for €89.

Updated with the English-language press release.

Viewbook PhotoStory, a new contemporary photography contest opened its submissions today, encouraging all photographers around the world to submit their most compelling series of photographs. Viewbook PhotoStory 2009 challenges documentary and conceptual photographers around the world to create compelling stories with a linear series of photographs in an online gallery. Every professional photographer or emerging talent can easily submit their series free of charge using a 60 day, no obligation, Viewbook Pro account. The first prize winners receive international publications & lifelong subscriptions with a value exceeding $12,000. The best photo series get published in the Viewbook PhotoStory 2009 book. You must be 18 years of age or older to enter.

Website: Viewbook PhotoStory

Nikon Systems, a subsidiary of Nikon Corporation, and Fujitsu Broad Solution & Consulting have established a new joint company, named “Nikon Imaging Systems Inc.”.The company will be solely responsible for the firmware development in Nikon digital cameras. Nikon Imaging Systems Inc., in which Nikon Systems holds 70%, will initiate operations in August 2009.

The winners of the June 2009 Photography Blog Competition have been selected by a panel of judges. The theme for June was “Texture” - you can view all of the entries in this gallery. Here are the 5 winners:

1st Place
mud pack man by danielle_t

Prize: ColorMunki Photo
Kindly donated by X-Rite
http://www.colormunki.com

VSO Software has released PhotoDVD 3, a major new version of its award-winning DVD slideshow software. With a new design, playlist management, menu and chapter creation PhotoDVD 3 offers features like a wizard-style interface to guide user through the steps of slideshow creation, photo enhancement tools, transitions, panning and zooming effects, three channels of text and music and a live preview to see the slideshow during creation. The software creates a DVD-like video of your pictures and music, with a menu complete with chapters, audio and subtitles selection. The complete version costs $25.99.

Website: VSO Software