X-Rite have released a new software update for the ColorMunki calibration device. Version 1.0.5 adds a number of new features and improvements, including the option of selecting the Tone Response Curve shape for the display profile, improved projector profile quality, and improved strip measurement error detection when building printer profiles.

Pentax have launched a Christmas cashback promotional offer, with up to £100 discount available. There’s £30 cashback available on the brand new Pentax K-m (pictured), £50 on the K200D, and £100 on the K20D, with £25-50 off lenses. The cashback can be claimed on all purchases made between 1 November 2008 and 31 January 2009 from an official Pentax dealer.

The Olympus E-30 is a new 12.3 megapixel Four Thirds Standard DSLR camera. Positioned between the pro E-3 and consumer E-520 models, the mid-range Olympus E30 offers Live View framing via the free-angle 2.7” LCD screen, 11-point autofocus, 5fps sequential shooting, shutter speeds of up to 1/8000th sec, Supersonic Wave Filter dust reduction system and built-in image stabilisation. The E30 offers six Art Filters (Pop Art, Soft Focus, Pale & Light Colour, Light Tone, Grainy Film and Pin Hole), and there’s also a Multiple Exposure mode and nine separate aspect ratios. An integrated Level Gauge appears on the LCD, in the viewfinder, and on the Control Panel on the back of the camera, so your horizons should always be straight. The Olympus E-30 will be available from mid-January 2009 and retail for $1300 / £850 body only or £1200 with the 14-54 lens.

The new Olympus 14-54mm 1:2.8-3.5 II lens adds high-speed imager AF support. In combination with the brand new Olympus E-30 D-SLR, the new lens’ High-Speed Imager AF lets photographers preview the E-30’s new Art Filter effects in real-time. It also features a circular aperture mechanism for higher imaging performance and a minimum focusing distance of just 22cm. The ZUIKO DIGITAL 14-54mm 1:2.8-3.5 II (28-108mm)* will become available in mid-January 2009 for $600.

Outdoor photographer Andy Biggs has launched Gura Gear, a new range of lightweight and comfortable camera bags. The Kiboko bag is the first bag from the Gura Gear line, and can hold a pro level SLR camera body and up to a 500mm and 600mm lens simultaneously. Weighing in at only 4 pounds, the Kiboko is the lightest bag in its class. The Kiboko bag can be carried either as a backpack with a retractable harness system or as a shoulder bag using ergonomically placed handles. The Gura Gear Kiboko is available now for $399.

Sigma have released a new firmware update, version 2.00, for the DP1 compact camera. The new Sigma DP1 firmware version offers the following improvements:

- It is possible to allocate different functions to each of the Digital Zoom buttons.
- When the image is magnified in the review display, the magnification ratio will appear.

Website: Sigma DP1 Firmware Update 2.00

Apple have just released the Digital Camera RAW Compatibility Update 2.3 for Mac OS X 10.4.11 and OS X 10.5.2. This update extends RAW file compatibility for Aperture 2 and iPhoto ’08 for the following cameras:

Canon EOS 50D, Nikon D90, Sony DSLR-A900, Nikon Coolpix P6000

It also addresses issues related to specific cameras and overall stability.

Website: Apple Digital Camera RAW Compatibility Update 2.3

Canon have launched a new ad campaign, Make Photography New Again, for the new 5D Mark II and 50D DSLR cameras. Photographer Rick Guest was creatively challenged to explore new ways of interpreting four photography themes (light, detail, speed and motion), shooting in and around London, UK. Gregory Kukolj, Marketing Communications Director Canon Europe commented: ”The driving force behind ‘Making Photography New Again’ is the pursuit of powerful images through natural exploration and experimentation of light, detail, speed and motion without post production touch ups.”

Two new titles have just been added to the Calumet Imagemaker DVD Series. In The Power of Light, acclaimed photographer, lighting expert and photo educator Tony Corbell teaches the techniques necessary to compete in professional photography. Black & White Film Photography: Fred Picker’s Classic Trilogy is a compilation of three timeless videos about traditional black-and-white photography produced by the late Fred Picker from 1989 to 1992. Both DVDs cost $39.99 and are available now.

The new LaCie Internet Space is a network hard disk that is accessible through the Internet anywhere, anytime. Users can interface with the LaCie Internet Space, powered by HipServ, through any internet connection. This exclusive web portal allows authorised users to access stored content, download it or even upload new files from anywhere. The Internet Space’s 500 gigabytes or 1 terabyte of storage capacity allows users to centralise their entire multimedia library. “Whether you are looking for a quick and painless way to access your photo collection securely from your friend’s house or to share your last vacation photos with family, friends or colleagues, this device is a perfect NAS solution for remote use.” said Christa Dabilly, LaCie Product Manager. The LaCie Internet Space will have a starting suggested retail price of £129.

Akvis Magnifier 2 enlarges digital pictures to super-high resolution enlargements. Now available as a plugin to a photo editor, as well as a standalone edition, Magnifier 2 adds support for image editing in Lab mode, a print dialog, and three new interface languages. Akvis Magnifier 2 is available for both Windows and Mac and costs $129 USD / 99 Euro.

Adobe Photoshop is the undisputed heavyweight of the imaging software world, but for a lot of photographers, its multitude of features can prove to be a hindrance rather than a help. Enter Photoshop Elements 7, the latest version of Adobe’s best-selling consumer photo-editing software that aims to offer the things that you really need at a fraction of the price of its big brother. With a wallet-friendly price of £65 ex Vat / $99.99, is Elements 7 the right photo editor for these troubled financial times? Jon Canfield takes you on a guided tour of all the new additions.

Website: Adobe Photoshop Elements 7 Review

Canon USA’s camera evangelist Chuck Westfall has kindly agreed to answer your questions about all things Canon-related. Simply post your question in the Comments section (click the Comments link below) and keep them on-topic. You have until this Sunday (26th October) to ask what you’ve always wanted to know, and then Chuck will answer them next week.

Update: Chuck has now answered all 84 questions that you submitted; his answers have been added to the end of each comment. Please join me in thanking Chuck for taking part in this question and answer session.

The winners of the October 2008 PhotographyBLOG Competition have been selected by a panel of judges. The theme for October was “Hands” - you can view all of the entries in this gallery. Here are the 5 winners:

1st Place
generations by smarti77

Prize: 1 copy of Powerretouche Full Pro Pack
Kindly donated by Powerretouche.
http://powerretouche.com

The BenQ M2400HD is a new 24 inch, High Definition widescreen LCD monitor. The new M2400 HD features 1080p, 2ms response time, 10,000:1 contrast ratio, 2.0M webcam, integrated speakers, and a built-in microphone. Price and availability of the BenQ M2400HD to be announced.

Mastering the Nikon D300 is a new book that explores the features and capabilities of the powerful new Nikon D300 camera. Author Darrell Young provides step-by-step menu setting adjustments coupled with illustrations and logical explanations for each option. Mastering the Nikon D300 also covers additional Nikon equipment, such as the use of optional Speedlights. Mastering the Nikon D300 is published by Rocky Nook and costs $39.95.

Digital Railroad customers will receive a 15% discount during November on a Lightbox Photo account. Following the collapse of Digital Railroad last week, Lightbox Photo is the latest company to offer its photo gallery software as the alternative solution. Lightbox Photo allows users to create their own stock photo libraries or online proofing systems. Lightbox Photo is available as a Standard, Professional or Enterprise Version priced from $399 (approx. £200).

Modern Virtues & Modern Vices is a new competition from the Royal Photographic Society that aims to recreate a forgotten scandal of Victorian photography. Printed from 32 separate negatives, combined in the darkroom to make a single image, Oscar Gustav Rejlander’s controversial work juxtaposed images of piety and debauchery to dramatic effect, and caused a public sensation in 1857. Competition entrants will be asked to digitally combine and alter images to create a modern version of ‘Two ways of life’. The winning entry will receive a prize of £500 and a free year’s membership of The Society. The closing date is 30th April 2009.

Photo Expo West is the largest photo show on the West coast of the USA. 13 of the world’s most famous photographers will lead 38 seminars over the two day show, which also brings 30,000 square feet of discounted photography gear. Held at the Del Mar Fairgrounds, Photo Expo West will be open to the public from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm on Saturday 8th November and 9:00 am to 4:00 pm on Sunday 9th November.

Get Capture NX2 software free when you buy a Nikon D700 camera. UK customers purchasing a D700 from 1st November to 31st December 2008 can claim Capture NX2 for free. Claims must be received by 31st January 2009 to qualify, and the promotion is available on UK stock only.