Tamron has unveiled the release date of the SP AF60mm F/2 Di II macro lens, which we wrote about a few weeks ago. The Canon version of the lens will be released on 25 June in Japan, with the Nikon and Sony variants coming soon. The main features of the lens include 1:1 magnification, maximum aperture of f2, diagonal angle of view of 26 degreens and 11 minutes and a minimum focusing distance of 23cm. The lens is constructed of 14 elements in 10 groups, has 7 diaphragm blades and a filter diameter of 55mm. Other highlights include an internal focusing system, full-time manual control and a body mass of onnly 390 grams. Note that this lens is not meant to be used on full-frame DSLRs and 35mm film SLRs, because its imaging circle is smaller than that required to cover these formats.

Adobe Systems Incorporated has announced financial results for its second quarter ended May 29, 2009. In the second quarter of fiscal 2009, Adobe achieved revenue of $704.7 million, compared to $886.9 million reported for the second quarter of fiscal 2008 and $786.4 million reported in the first quarter of fiscal 2009. Adobe’s GAAP diluted earnings per share for the second quarter of fiscal 2009 were $0.24, based on 528.0 million weighted average shares. This compares with GAAP diluted earnings per share of $0.40 reported in the second quarter of fiscal 2008 based on 542.4 million weighted average shares, and GAAP diluted earnings per share of $0.30 reported in the first quarter of fiscal 2009 based on 527.8 million weighted average shares. Non-GAAP diluted earnings per share for the second quarter of fiscal 2009 were $0.35. This compares with non-GAAP diluted earnings per share of $0.50 reported in the second quarter of fiscal 2008 and non-GAAP diluted earnings per share of $0.45 reported in the first quarter of fiscal 2009.

PocketWizard has announced the development of the ZoneController, which gives the photographer control over three independent zones of light whether working in E-TTL or manual mode. The ZoneController slides into the upper hot-shoe of an on-camera MiniTT1 or FlexTT5 radio and communicates with a FlexTT5 at the flash that has been set for either zone (or group) A, B or C.  The three dials on the ZoneController independently adjust the A-B-C zones and allow for 1/3 f-stop increments of power control with a +/- three f-stop range (six stops total) when used in manual control.  When used for TTL auto flash, the ZoneController adjusts the relative light level of each zone independently. The ZoneController is in development and is planned for delivery late summer.  The retail price has not been set at this time.

Professional photographer Erick Danzer has recently started a blog with a group of fellow photographers. The new site is called Photocrati and is created specifically for professionals, though enthusiasts are also welcome. “Our mission is to foster discussion between photographers working in diverse fields and to share resources that encourage technical, artistic, and professional growth for pros and enthusiasts alike,” Danzer says. They also sponsor the Photocrati Fund, which provides grants to photographers working on important environmental and humanitarian projects.

Website: Photocrati

In a new book entitled ‘Truckers’, seasoned truck-industry trade writer Mary Richardson and her ensemble of photographers pair interviews and narratives with colour and black and white photographs. It’s an artistic, photo-based book that examines the physical, emotional, technological and environmental consequences of the trucking industry by humanizing the men, women and families that keep the engines running. Not many people know that, without these drivers, we wouldn’t have any of the daily utilities we’ve grown so accustomed to. The book includes gritty, candid photography and true tales of the road from the truck drivers themselves. The 128-page book is available now for $32.95.

Photobox.co.uk has unveiled new revenue generating tools for professional photographers.  Photobox, which bills itslef as the UK’s biggest online community for photo printing and personal publishing, now offers a new tool for marketing photobooks whereby photopreneurs can create event or portrait session photo books via photobox’s Pro Gallery service and sell to the public at the price of their choice. What’s more, photopreneurs can create Photobooks in 8 different designs and sell their Photobooks in over 70 print sizes. A PhotoBox Pro Gallery is totally free to set up and fully customisable. PhotoBox charges a 10 % commission for each sale.

Think Tank Photo is to release a new concept in camera bag, called the Multimedia Wired Up Collection, and they have produced a promotional video to show it off. In order to produce this video, Think Tank Photo co-founder and Pulitzer Prize winning photojournalist Deanne Fitzmaurice teamed up with Emmy Award winning multimedia producer Dai Sugano. The Multimedia Wired Up Collection is billed as the first integrated bag system specifically designed for those shooting still, audio, and video in the field. The promotional video is available at www.thinktankphoto.com/mmvideo

Casio has released EX-F1 Controller 1.000, a new Windows program that allows Casio EX-F1 owners to control their camera from a Windows PC via USB. This software provides the following capabilities:

- Control of your EX-F1 camera from a computer connected to the computer with the USB cable that comes with the camera.
- Computer-control of High Speed Continuous Shutter, High Speed Movie, Interval Recording, and more.

In order to enable computer-control an EX-F1 camera, you must first update the camera with special firmware (Version 2.00) included in the download file. Note that updating the firmware of your camera to Version 2.00 will cause your camera to lose its ability to display messages in Russian.

Website: EX-F1 Controller 1.000 Software Download

The makers of Flip Video have announced the latest version of their on-board FlipShare software that allegedly makes sharing personal video easier than ever before. FlipShare now gives users the ability to publish personal video channels online with Flip Channels, in addition to easy uploading to popular sites like MySpace and YouTube. The new version of FlipShare software will begin shipping as the on-board software for all Flip Video camcorders as of June 16, 2009. The software can also be downloaded for free by visiting www.theflip.com.

Shutterfly has announced the launch of Shutterfly Video, which makes it easy to share video privately and safely with friends, family members and groups on Shutterfly Share sites. With Shutterfly Video, users can upload and post up to 10 free video clips to their personalised websites. Users have the option to upgrade to a Premium video account, which gives them unlimited video sharing and storage at an introductory annual subscription fee of $29.99.

Website: Shutterfly Video

Nik Software today announced that its Complete Collection, which bundles all of the company’s digital imaging software tools, is now also available as a Lightroom Edition. The Complete Collection for Photoshop has been updated to include Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 2 support as well and also includes installers for Adobe Photoshop and Apple Aperture. Current registered owners of the Photoshop versions of Nik Software products can download and install the Lightroom compatible versions free of charge at www.niksoftware.com/lightroom. For new users the bundle costs €299-95 incl. German VAT and is available from Nik Software and through specialty camera retailers..

The Olympus E-P1 is the first Micro Four Thirds camera from Olympus, featuring a 12.3 megapixel DSLR sensor in a compact and retro-styled body with interchangeable lenses. Inspired by the Pen series of cameras which were launched in 1959, the ultra-compact hybrid Olympus EP1 has been unveiled here at the European press launch in Berlin, Germany. The EP 1 offers the same 6 Art Filter effects familiar from the E-620 DSLR camera, and can record HD 720p quality movies with continuous auto-focus and control over depth of field. The Olympus EP1 is compatible with all Micro Four Thirds lenses and, via an adapter, the full range of existing Four Thirds lenses. Adapters are also available for OM lenses and those made by other manufacturers. Available in silver and white, the Olympus E-P1 will be available in July. Two new lenses, the 17mm 1:2.8 Pancake (34mm*) and 14-42mm 1:3.5-5.6 (28-84mm*), have also been announced, with a total of 6 different camera kits available on launch.

In the UK the Olympus E-P1 standard kit is priced at £699.99 with the 14-42 lens. In the US the E P1 is $749 body only, $799 with the 14-42mm lens, and $899 with the 17mm lens and VF-1 external viewfinder.

We’ll bring you a selection of full-size sample images and videos from a production Olympus E-P1 camera later today, rainy German weather permitting…

Kodak has announced that NASA’s soon-to-be-launched Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) will have three custom-built cameras on board, each equipped with a Kodak CCD image sensor. “The selection of KODAK CCD Image Sensors for this mission is a testament to the Kodak teams who design and manufacture all of our CCD devices, making them suitable for use in the demanding environment of space,” said Michael Miller, manager of Kodak’s CCD Image Sensor Business. The orbiter’s Wide Angle Camera will provide a “big picture” view of the moon by capturing images with 100-metre resolution. Two Narrow Angle Cameras on the orbiter will capture high-resolution images of the moon’s surface at 0.5 metre-per-pixel using KODAK KLI-5001 Image Sensors, providing the same level of detail as the highest resolution satellite images of Earth commercially available today. As it fulfills its primary mission to map the surface of the moon, the LRO will also fly over landing sites from the historic Apollo missions, allowing these high-resolution cameras to capture the first images of Apollo-era artifacts from lunar orbit.

Panasonic has issued an important notice to the owners of numerous Panasonic digital still cameras. These include a number of FX, FT, TZ and ZS models as well as the G1 and GH1 interchangeable-lens digital cameras. Panasonic claims that if you use third-party batteries instead of genuine Panasonic battery packs, overcharging, internal heating or short circuit may occur, possibly leading to personal injury. The company has therefore issued a firmware update to all of these cameras that enables them to tell if a non-genuine battery is inserted, and to refuse drawing power from it. This of course means that after updating your camera’s firmware, you will not be able to use third-party batteries any more.

Website: Panasonic Firmware Downloads

Kingston has just announced the world’s first 128-Gigabyte USB Flash drive. It is a member of the new DataTraveler 200 family, which also includes 32GB and 64GB models. The large capacity along with password protection gives users the flexibility to carry critical data with them at all times in a very small form factor, the company says. The Kingston DataTraveler 200 features a capless design to protect the USB connector when not in use and is enhanced for Windows ReadyBoost™. It is available in 32-, 64- and 128GB capacities. The 128GB drive is build-to-order only. Customers who wish to purchase it can place an order through normal channels (e.g., e-tailers or resellers). The DataTraveler 200 pen drives are backed by a five-year warranty and 24/7 tech support. The 32GB version retails for $120, the 64GB variant costs $213, while the made-to-order 128GB DataTraveler will set you back $546. These are MSRPs and are valid in the U.S.A. only.