Casio have released a firmware update for the Casio EX-Z100 and the Casio EX-Z200 digital cameras. Version 1.02 of both models’ firmware fixes a problem that causes the wrong month to appear initially when the calendar screen is displayed.

Website: Casio EX-Z100 Firmware Update Page
Website: Casio EX-Z200 Firmware Update Page
Review: Read our in-depth review of the Casio EX-Z200

The AgfaPhoto AF5135MS is a new, large digital photo frame featuring a resolution of 1280x800 pixels. The AgfaPhoto AF5135MS measures 13.3” diagonally and is less than 1” thick. It accepts SD/SDHC, xD and CompactFlash cards as well as Memory Sticks. Additionally, it has 256 megabytes of internal memory. The recommended retail price is €279.99.

Website: AgfaPhoto AF5135MS Product Page

The Leica M8 White Edition, which we wrote about last week, now has a retail price and an availability date. German photography website photoscala.de reports, based on a newsletter issued by Leica retailer Martin Meister, that the white Leica M8 is to become available mid-June at a retail price of €7,000 (including German VAT) in a bundle with a silver-coloured Elmarit-M 28mm f/2.8 wide-angle lens. Meister Camera Hamburg is already taking pre-orders.

Hitachi has released GazoPa for iPhone, an application that allows users to search for similar images on the web by uploading any photo captured with an iPhone. Since GazoPa uses image features such as colour and/or shape, users can look for images without typing any words. This gives users an easy way of searching images on the web. GazoPa for iPhone can be found by searching for ‘GazoPa’ in the iPhone App Store.

Nikon has updated the firmware of the Nikon D40 and Nikon D40x DSLRs. The D40 firmware has been upgraded to v1.1.2, and the D40x to v1.01. The updates resolve the following issue: the number of images that could be captured (battery performance) when an EN-EL9a was used was less than when an EN-EL9 was used. Upgrading maximises EN-EL9a performance, so that more images can be captured when an EN-EL9a is used than when an EN-EL9 is employed.

Website: Nikon D40 Firmware Update
Website: Nikon D40x Firmware Update

A. Stepanek GmbH has announced that the SUBAL CD5MII underwater housing for the Canon EOS 5D Mark II DSLR is now available for purchase. The SUBAL CD5MII is waterproof to a depth of up to 70 metres, weighs approximately 2.5kg with handles and measures 245x180x145mm without ports and handles.

Website: SUBAL CD5MII for Canon EOS 5D Mark II

Hama has announced a collection of fashionable camera cases from aha:. The aha: brand, known for its trendy laptop cases, is now launching its own collection of camera bags, designed to go with today’s colourful digital cameras. Prices range from €14.99 to€39.99.

Carl Zeiss today announced that its Camera Lens Division will extend their successful collaboration with Sony Corporation for a further 5 years. The partnership dates back to 1996, when the first Sony camcorder with Carl Zeiss lens was launched.

Olympus has issued a firmware update for the Olympus µ TOUGH 6000 digital camera. Version 1.1 improves colour when taking pictures in underwater modes: UNDERWATER WIDE 1, UNDERWATER WIDE 2, and UNDERWATER MACRO, and increases the sound volume during playback.

Website: Olympus µ [mju] TOUGH 6000 Firmware Updates

Apple has just updated Aperture, its pro photo management and RAW conversion application, to version 2.1.3. The Apple Aperture 2.1.3 update improves overall stability and provides fixes for issues related to database integrity and compatibility with specific file types, and is recommended for all those using Aperture 2.

Website: Aperture Updates

Contemporary Photographic Training (CPT) has announced a four-day training course for those interested in starting a photography business. The course covers business basics, brand building, digital workflow, sales know-how and the art of attracting the right clients. Additionally, it includes three live shoots with a range of models. The course takes place from 26 to 29 May. Click through / read on for details.

Website: AnnabelWilliams.com
Article: How to go from Amateur to Pro Photographer

LaCie has announced the LaCie Rugged XL hard drive with a capacity of 1TB. Suited for speed-intensive applications or for large-scale backups, the LaCie Rugged XL is compatible with both Mac and PC environments. In addition, it supports two key interfaces: Hi-Speed USB for universal compatibility, and the extreme speed of eSATA 3Gb/s. The new drive also includes a complete software bundle for easy formatting with LaCie Setup Assistant, as well as Genie Backup Assistant software for Windows users and Intego Backup Assistant software for Mac users. The suggested retail price is £139.9 including VAT.

We spent some hands-on time with the new Nikon D5000 at today’s UK launch. Although we couldn’t actually shoot any photos with the pre-production cameras on display, we have compiled a gallery of 22 images showing the D5000 from every conceivable angle.

The Nikon D5000 is a new DSLR camera with a vari-angle LCD monitor. The 12.3 megapixel D5000 also offers 720p HD movies with sound and D-Movie function, ISO 100-6400, 4fps burst shooting, and 11-point autofocus system with 3D Focus Tracking. The Nikon D5000 will be available in late April 2009 for £719.99 / €878.00 / $729.95 body only, or £799.99 / €972.00 / $849.95 with the 18-55mm VR lens. We’ll have a hands-on report on the D5000 from the UK launch event, later today…

The AF-S DX NIKKOR 10-24MM F/3.5-4.5G ED is a new ultra-wide-angle zoom lens. Compatible with Nikon DX-format DSLR cameras, the 10-24mm F/3.5-4.5 lens boasts a focal range starting at 15mm equivalent in FX/35mm format. Available from May 1st, the NIKKOR 10-24MM F/3.5-4.5G ED lens will cost £799.99 / €972.00 / $899.95.

DxOMark have released new data for the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX150, the Fujifilm Finepix S100fs and the Olympus SP-565UZ digital cameras.

Website: DxOMark

The GigaPan Epic 100 is a new robotic camera mount for capturing detailed gigapixel panoramas. The Epic 100 model fits a wider range of camera models and is compatible with almost any point and shoot digital camera. The Epic 100 also works with several smaller DSLR cameras and has a maximum weight limit of three pounds. The GigaPan Epic sells for $379 and the GigaPan Epic 100 for $449.

AKVIS Software Inc. has released version 3.5 of the AKVIS Retoucher software. The plug-in allows restoring damages photos by removing dust, scratches, stains, and by reconstructing the missing parts of a photo. The new version fixes bugs and improves compatibility with the newest versions of Photoshop CS3, CS4 on Macintosh and Windows. Upgrade for registered users is free.

Rumanian software firm Bits&Coffee SRL have released version 2.5 of their image editor, BatchPhoto. With version 2.5, BatchPhoto introduces a new major feature: raw photo development. By taking advantage of multi-core processors BatchPhoto can convert hundreds or even thousands of raw images to common image formats like JPEG or TIFF in a single session. Moreover, it can also change the often meaningless names assigned by digital cameras to custom keyword-based names, in the same operation. It comes in two editions: Home and Pro priced at $29.95(US), and $59.95(US), respectively. Do note that this program is Windows only.