Phase One will be demonstrating their range of Digital Backs and Capture One software at this year’s Focus on Imaging show. There will also be seminars and presentations running all day on stand Q10 featuring Walter Borchenko, Drew Gardner and Adrian Weinbrecht. The exhibition takes place at the Birmingham NEC, UK from February 22th - 25th 2009.

Nik Software are exhibiting their new software products at this year’s Focus on Imaging show. There will also be daily live presentations of their products shown by Nik experts, live shootings and presentations by Robin Preston at the HP stand, and an advanced Capture NX 2 speech at the Nikon stand. The exhibition takes place at the Birmingham NEC, UK from February 22th - 25th 2009.

The Profoto D1 Monolight System is a new range of digital compact electronic flashes. Available in 250, 500 or 1000 watt-second versions, the Profoto D1 monolight system can be adjusted from full to 1/64th power in 1/10th stop intervals, offering a range of seven f/stops in precise, repeatable and consistent output. The Profoto D1’s also have quick recycling time (0,1- 0,8 second), short flash duration (1/100th – 1/2600th sec) and compact sizes. Five different Profoto D1 Studio Kits are available.

The Fujifilm FinePix S1500fd is a new 10 megapixel camera with a 12x optical zoom. Offering a focal length of 33-396mm, the Fujifilm S1500fd is an SLR-styled digital camera with Dual Image Stabilization, Automatic Scene Recognition, 2.7 inch LCD screen, electronic viewfinder and ISO up to ISO 1600 at full resolution. The Fujifilm FinePix S1500fd will be available in March 2009 for $249.95.

The Fujifilm FinePix Z33WP is a new waterproof digital camera that can be used up to 3m underwater. The 10 megapixel Fujifilm Z33WP features a 2.7 inch LCD screen, 3x optical zoom lens, Automatic Scene Recognition mode, Face Detection and one-touch movie button. The Fujifilm FinePix Z33WP will be available in late March for $199.95.

The Fujifilm FinePix Z30 is a new 10 megapixel digital camera designed specifically for the younger generation. The Fujifilm Z30 is even sleeker than its predecessors, the Z10 and Z20, and additionally features Automatic Scene Recognition mode, a 2.7 inch LCD screen and a 3x optical zoom lens. The Fujifilm FinePix Z30 will be available in pink, orange and black in March for $179.95.

The Fujifilm FinePix J250 and J20 are new digital cameras aimed at budget-conscious buyers. The Fujifilm J250 offers a 3.0 inch LCD, 5x wide-angle zoom lens (28mm-140mm), Automatic Scene Recognition mode, mechanical and ISO-based stabilization. The Fujifilm J20 is just 17.4mm thick and houses a 10 megapixel CCD sensor, 3x optical zoom lens and a 2.7 inch LCD screen. The Fujifilm FinePix J20 will be available in black and silver in February 2009 for $129.95, and the Fujifilm FinePix J250 in black in March 2009 for $199.95.

PocketWizard ControlTL is a new easy-to-use remote flash system. You can simply slide-in, turn-on and shoot with the new PocketWizard MiniTT1 and FlexTT5, regardless of flash positioning or daylight. The MiniTT1 Transmitter is a tiny, low-profile unit that slides into the camera’s hot shoe. The FlexTT5 Transceiver is also a low-profile but slightly larger transceiver. Both PocketWizard ControlTL solutions take the complex TTL data being sent through the camera’s hot shoe and digitally transmit it in a reliable radio signal. Photographers can now place TTL (or manual) flash units anywhere to illuminate the scene. Changes in ISO, aperture and shutter speed are seamlessly passed along for reliable, flawless flash. You can even use your flash compensation controls to make changes in flash output. PocketWizard ControlTL versions for Canon are available March 1st, Nikon in 2Q, 2009. Prices are $199 for the MiniTT1 and $219 for the FlexTT5 in the US and Canada. The MiniTT1 and Flex TT5 for Canon will be available in April 2009 the UK through JP Distribution (prices to be confirmed).

Anthony Suau’s image of an armed officer moving through a home in Cleveland, Ohio, following an eviction is the winner of World Press Photo of the Year 2008. This year, a record 5,508 professional photographers from 124 countries submitted a total of 96,268 images. The winning image was taken in March 2008 as part of a story commissioned by Time magazine.  Anthony Suau will receive a cash prize of €10,000 from World Press Photo at an awards ceremony in Amsterdam on 3rd May.

Win a share of £5,000 worth of Nikon equipment in the WWT Nikon Photography Competition 2009. Just take a photo at one of the nine WWT wetland centres in the UK and capture any aspect of the WWT experience, from the people to the wildlife to the landscape. The competition is now open and the closing date for entries is Monday 7th September 2008.

The Asian Wedding is a new seminar from Annabel Williams’ Contemporary Photographic Training. The seminar is hosted by guest speaker Tushar Shah, who has established one of the most successful Asian Wedding Studios in the UK. The first seminar is on 30th April 2009, priced at £250+VAT, with further dates planned for later in the year.

National Geographic photographer Reza will talk about his new book new book War + Peace at the Frontline Club in London. Reza has covered most of the globe for National Geographic and other major international publications. War + Peace conveys torment and upheaval, but also the art, culture, and traditions of Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, and other areas. This event will take place on March 2nd at 7:00pm.

Website: Frontline

Four 8ft prints by professional photographer David Osborn of Britishpanoramics.com, taken with the 160 megapixel Seitz 6x17, are about to be shown for the first time. ‘There isn’t another camera anywhere in the world that takes larger digital pictures than the 160 mega pixel Seitz, and the files produce incredible results,’ says Osborn. You can judge Osborn’s prints for yourselves on the Innova Art stand at Focus on Imaging at the NEC from 22-25 February.

Epson’s Traditional Photo Paper, a professional quality inkjet media with a nostalgic smooth and glossy finish, is now available in roll format. It is available in 15m roll lengths with widths of 17”, 24”, 44” and 64”. Prices start at £78.51 (Ex. VAT). Epson is also offering 50% off its traditional photo paper sheet media range until the end of March, including A2 Premium Lustre Photo Paper, Premium Glossy Photo Paper and Premium Semigloss Photo Paper.

The Billingham PhotoVest is designed to securely carry a serious amount of equipment. An updated version of the 10 year old original PhotoVest, the new Billingham Photo Vest is comfortable, lightweight, fully lined, using advances in materials technology and feedback from photographers. Available in 5 different sizes, the Billingham PhotoVest retails at £185.

The Sanyo Xacti HD2000 is the first camera in the world to shoot progressive, Full HD 1920x1080 video at 60fps. This dual stills / video model also features a flip-out 2.7-inch LCD screen, 8 megapixel CMOS sensor, 10x optical zoom, 12fps burst mode, and Face Chaser technology, all in a pocketable up-right body. The Sanyo HD2000 is the most advanced offering in the new Xacti range, and has a launch price of £549. Gavin Stoker braved the deep snow and arctic conditions of the wintery UK to bring you our 315th review.

Website: Sanyo Xacti HD2000 Review

Canon USA are offering $200 off the purchase of an EOS DSLR, EF lens and a Speedlite flash. Purchases must be made between February 11, 2009 - March 1, 2009. Qualifying Products:

Cameras - EOS-1Ds Mark III, EOS-1D Mark III, EOS 5D Mark II, EOS 50D, EOS 40D

Lenses - EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM, EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM, EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM, EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM

Flash - Speedlite 580EX II

Website: Canon $200 Mail-In Rebate

Olympus have released new firmware updates for the mju 1060 (pictured) and FE-370 compact cameras. Version 1.2 improves the sound quality of movies edited on the camera.

Website: Olympus Download Files

Autodesk Stitcher Unlimited 2009 is a photo stitching software program that quickly creates wide-angle images and panoramas. Formerly known as RealViz Stitcher, Autodesk Stitcher Unlimited‘s intuitive user interface, five-step workflow, and powerful image stitching technology enables you to merge your images in just a few clicks. It also offers support for industry-standard image, web, and video file formats, including high dynamic range images (HDRI). Jon Canfield found out if Autodesk Stitcher Unlimited 2009 is worth the $350 / £300 asking price.

Website: Autodesk Stitcher Unlimited 2009 Review

Canon have unveiled five new printing and scanning products, including the Pro9500 and Pro9000 Mark II professional A3+ printers. The Canon Pro9500 Mark II is a 10-colour A3+ photo printer with 3 monochrome inks, built-in Ambient Light Adjustment and DVD/CD direct print. The Canon Pro9000 Mark II offers sinilar features but uses an 8-colour ink system with additional red and green inks for enhanced color reproduction. The Canon MP868 and MX328 are new all-in-one photo printers, and the LiDE 700F Film Scanner offers 9,600 x 9,600dpi optical resolution for high quality film scanning. All five products were originally announced by Canon Hong Kong.

In the US, the Canon PIXMA Pro9000 Mark II will be available in May for $499.99, the Canon PIXMA Pro9500 Mark II for $849.99, and the LiDE700F scanner in April for $129.99. In the UK and Europe, the Pro9000 Mark II will be available from June 2009 priced at £499.00 / €559.00 RRP inc. VAT., and the Pro9500 Mark II is available from June 2009 priced at £729.00 / €819.00 RRP inc. VAT.