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Fujifilm GFX 100 II Review

The Fujifilm GFX 100 II is a 100-megapixel, 8K video, 8-stop IBIS, 8fps continuous shooting, medium-format monster that is light enough to use all day, indoors and out. Find out just how good it is by reading our in-depth Fujifilm GFX 100 II review, complete with a gallery of full-size sample JPEG / Raw images and videos...

Fujifilm X-T5 Review

The Fujifilm X-T5 is the successor to the very popular X-T4 which was released in 2020, principally adding a new 40 megapixel sensor, 160 megapixel Pixel Shift Multi-Shot mode, 6.2K video recording and better auto-focusing. Can the new XT5 improve on what was already an outstanding camera? Find out now by reading our in-depth Fujifilm X-T5 review...

OM System OM-5 Review

OM System have just updated their enthusiast model for 2022 with the launch of the new OM-5, but is it any good? Find out now by reading our review of the OM System OM5 mirrorless camera, complete with full-size sample photos and videos...

Fujifilm X-T5 First Impressions

The X-T5 is the 2022 replacement for Fujifilm's popular retro APS-C sensor mirrorless camera, the X-T4 that was released two years ago. We got hands-on with the XT5 recently, so find out what we think of this new mirrorless model by reading our detailed first impressions...

Canon SPEEDLITE EL-5 GN60 Flashgun

The new Canon SPEEDLITE EL-5 is a powerful yet easy-to-use Speedlite flashgun that's smaller, lighter and cheaper than the flagship EL-1 model.

Aimed at event and wedding photographers, the ELS features a Guide Number of 60 and a fast flash recycle time of 0.1-1.2 seconds.

The Canon Speedlite EL-5 will be available in February 2023 priced at £499.99 / €569.99 / $399.99.

Fujifilm X-H2 Offers 40 Megapixels and 8K/30P Video

The Fujifilm X-H2 is a new flagship mirrorless camera that has a 40 megapixel APS-C sensor and can record 8K/30p video.

Other stand-out features include a maximum shutter speed of 1/180,000 second, 160 megapixel Pixel Shift mode, 20fps burst shooting, and 7-stops of IBIS.

The XH2 will be available in September 2022 priced at £1899 / £1999 body only in the UK and US respectively.

Fujifilm X-H2S APS-C Mirrorless Camera Offers 40fps Burst Shooting and 4K/120p Video

Fujifilm have just unleashed the X-H2S, their brand new flagship mirrorless camera for 2022. Billed as a truly professional APS-C hybrid camera, the XH2S is all about hi-speed photography.

With the very latest X-trans CMOS 5 HS stacked sensor and X-Processor 5, this camera can shoot black-out free 26.1 megapixel images at 40fps with continuous phase-detect AF and AE metering when using its electronic shutter and 15fps using the mechanical shutter.

Panasonic Lumix GH6 Review

The much anticipated Panasonic GH6 is finally here! But what does this new flagship camera offer, and can it really improve on the best-selling GH5? We find out in our review of the Panasonic Lumix GH6 mirrorless camera, complete with sample photos, test shots, videos and more...

Leica M11 Rangefinder Camera Features 60 Megapixel Triple Resolution Sensor

The new Leica M11 rangefinder camera has a unique triple resolution BSI CMOS sensor that can record 60, 36 or 18 megapixels images using the full sensor area.

Other key new features include an expanded ISO range, extended battery life, 64Gb internal storage, USB-C connectivity and a more streamlined and intuitive menu system.

The Leica M11 is available worldwide from 13th January 2022, priced at £7,500 including VAT in the UK and $8,995 in the US.

Nik Collection 4.3 Adds 35 Nature-inspired Pre-sets

Nik Collection 4.3 enhances the character of landscape and travel photographs through the addition of 35 nature-inspired pre-sets.

Nik Collection 4.3 (Windows and macOS) is currently available for a special price of £89.99 instead of £135, and £52.99 instead of £69 for the upgrade, until December 31st, 2021.

Apple iPhone 13 Review

The Apple iPhone 13 is one of four new iPhones released for 2021, released at the same time as the Mini, Pro and Pro Max models. With prices starting at around £$779, is this a good fit for keen photographers? Read our in-depth iPhone 13 review now, complete with full-size sample photos and videos...

Fujifilm Launches instax Link WIDE Smartphone Printer

The instax Link WIDE smartphone printer is the newest model in the instax line-up of instant printing devices. Link WIDE creates high-quality, wide instax instant prints from the photo roll on a smartphone.

The instax Link WIDE smartphone printer is available in two colors, Ash White and Mocha Gray, and will be available from 22nd October 2021 priced at £129.99 / $149.95. instax WIDE Black instant film will be available for purchase in late October 2021 for £9.99 / $21.99.

Ricoh GR IIIx Features New 40mm Lens and Upgraded Image Processor

The new Ricoh GR IIIx large-sensor compact camera has a 40mm F2.8 equivalent lens and an updated GR Engine 6 image processor.

Other than those two changes, the GR IIIx is otherwise identical to the GR III, which has a wider-angle 28mm lens.

There are also a number of new accessories to go with the the GRIIIx, including a tele conversion lens and external optical viewfinder.

Olympus PEN E-P7 Review

The Olympus PEN camera series is back with the launch of the beautiful new E-P7, but is it a case of style over substance? Read our detailed Olympus PEN E-P7 review complete with full-sized sample photos and videos to find out!

Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV Review

The new Olympus OM-D E-M10 IV is the successor to 2017's E-M10 III camera, principally adding a flip-down LCD screen, 20 megapixel sensor, 15fps burst shooting, better continuous auto-focusing and USB-C charging. Find out how it performs in our Olympus EM10 IV review, complete with with full-size sample photos and videos.

Canon EOS R5 Review

The EOS R5 has been the hottest full-frame camera on the block ever since Canon pre-announced it back at the start of 2020, thanks to its headline grabbing twin features of a 45 megapixel sensor and 8K video recording. We've seen it a few times since then, but now we can finally bring you our final Canon R5 review, complete with full-size sample photos and videos!

Canon EOS R6 Review

The EOS R6 is the best ever Canon mirrorless camera - there, we said it! If you want to find out why, carry on reading our in-depth Canon EOS R6 review, complete with full-size sample photos and videos.

Flashpoint XPLOR Power 1200 Pro R2 Flash

The XPLOR Power 1200 Pro R2 Flash is the flagship model of Flashpoint's renowned R2 series of wireless ‘go-anywhere’ flashes.

The Flashpoint XPLOR Power 1200 Pro flash system is available now for $1,599.

COOPH Photographers Flatcap

The new COOPH Photographers Flatcap is hand-crafted to your selected size using Cotton Canvas, protecting your eyes from the sun and sweat on your brow.

Manfrotto Chicago Camera Backpacks

The Manfrotto Chicago collection consists of two photography backpacks and is the most desirable yet. The philosophy behind this assortment is to combine exclusive quality materials, ultra-stylish design, and exceptional technical features. Chicago is a multi-purpose, modular system devised to fulfil the needs of today’s most energetic promising city-based photographers.

The Manfrotto Chicago camera backpack small is available for £182.95,

The Manfrotto Chicago camera backpack medium is available for £213.45.

Leica S3 Medium Format Camera

Over 18 months since it was first announced at Photokina 2018, Leica have finally officially unveiled the new S3 medium format camera.

The Leica S3 is a 64 megapixel medium format camera offering a 71 percent increase in resolution, a dynamic range of 15 stops and a maximum ISO sensitivity setting of 50,000. For the first time, the Leica S3 supports 4K cinema resolution video recording with 48 kHz, 16-bit stereo sound.

The Leica S3 will be available online and in-store from 6th March 2020 for RRP £16,500 / $18,995.

Nikon Coolpix P950 Review

The Nikon Coolpix P950 is a brand new super-zoom bridge camera with a whopping 83x zoom lens, which provides a focal range of 24-2000mm! The Nikon P950 also offers 16 megapixels, 4K video recording, Raw file support, an improved 2.4-million-dot electronic viewfinder, a 3-inch 921K-dot vari-angle LCD screen and 7fps burst shooting. Read our in-depth Nikon Coolpix P950 review now, complete with full-size sample images and videos.

Leica M10 Monochrom First Impressions

Photography Blog attended the UK launch of the new Leica M10 Monochrom camera in central London - find out what we thought of Leica's latest black and white camera by reading our detailed first impressions...

Nikon Coolpix P950 Superzoom Camera Pricing, Specification, Features

With an unbelievable 83x optical zoom NIKKOR lens, the 16-megapixel Coolpix P950 is a powerful new addition to Nikon’s superzoom bridge camera lineup, which delivers unprecedented image quality from extreme distances.

With 5.5 stops of VR image stabilization, 166x Dynamic Fine Zoom, Target Finding AF capabilities and 7 fps continuous, the Nikon P950 enables stargazers and birdwatchers to capture high-quality photos or 4K UHD videos at extreme distances with ease.

The new Nikon P950 also adds RAW (NRW) photo recording, an enhanced high-resolution EVF and Nikon Snapbridge to seamlessly share images or remotely control the camera.

The Nikon Coolpix 950 will be available from early spring 2020 priced at £799 / $799.95.

Add Raw Video Output to the Nikon Z7 and Z6 for £179 / $199

Nikon have released a firmware update for the Z6 and Z7 mirrorless cameras which enables 12-bit RAW video streaming to an Atomos Ninja V external recorder and adds support For CFexpress memory cards. Nikon is the first camera manufacturer to enable RAW video output direct from a full-frame mirrorless camera over HDMI.

After downloading the firmware 2.20 update, support for RAW video output can be installed on Z7 and Z6 cameras at Nikon service centres for £179 / $199.

Apple's new 16-inch MacBook Pro is the Most Powerful Ever

Apple have unveiled an all-new 16-inch MacBook Pro which features a 16-inch Retina Display, the latest 8-core processors, up to 64GB of memory, next-generation graphics with up to 8GB of VRAM and a new advanced thermal design.

The Apple 16-inch MacBook Pro is available now with pricing starting at £2,399 for the base configuration.

Fujifilm X-Pro3 Mirrorless Camera Officially Announced, Price £1699, December 2019 Launch

After an early peak at the recent Fuji X-summit event in Japan and the usual avalanche of rumors in the last few days before launch, the Fujifilm X-Pro3 APS-C sensor mirrorless camera has now been officially announced.

This is the new flagship model in the X Series range of mirrorless digital cameras, sitting above the popular X-T3 and the not so popular X-H1 models.

The X-Pro3 has the much-publicized tilting LCD screen which is actually closed against the body in normal use, in a concerted bid to promote greater employment of the electronic viewfinder, a feature that is already dividing online opinion.

Other key features include titanium top and bottom plates, 26.1 megapixel X-Trans CMOS 4 sensor, the X-Processor 4 image processing engine, an Advanced Hybrid Viewfinder, and a new Classic Neg film simulation.

The X-Pro3 will be available from December body only in three colours - Black, Dura Black and Dura Silver - priced at £1699 for Black and £1879 for the two Dura colours.

Sigma fp First Impressions

Photography Blog attended the UK launch of the new Sigma fp mirrorless camera at Brighton City Airport, UK.

Find out what we thought of Sigma's brand new camera by reading our detailed first impressions...

Panasonic LUMIX S1H Price, Specs and Availability

The Panasonic Lumix S1H is the world’s first full frame camera capable of video recording at 6K/24p (3:2 aspect ratio), 5.9K/30p (16:9 aspect ratio), and 10-bit 60p 4K/C4K.

The Panasonic S1H will be available to purchase from 19th September 2019 priced at £3,599.99 (€3999.99 Ireland).

​Affinity Designer and Photo Version 1.7

Affinity Designer and Photo have received their biggest ever updates, adding market-leading performance improvements, best-ever usability and an extensive list of new features.

The new 1.7 versions of both Affinity Photo and Affinity Designer are available now with a 20% discount ($39.99 desktop, $15.99 iPad) with no subscription. Existing users can download the updated versions free.

Fujifilm GFX 100 Price, Specs and Availability

The price, specs and availability of the Fujifilm GFX 100 medium format mirrorless camera have been revealed. As the name suggests, the GFX100 has a 100 megapixel back illuminated sensor sensor (102 megapixels to be precise) with fast and accurate AF phase detection, 4K/30p video recording and five-axis image stabilisation of up to 5.5 stops, all 'world’s first' features.

The Fujifilm GFX 100 will be available from the end of June 2019 priced at £9,999 in the UK and $9,999 in the USA.

Honor 20 Pro, Honor 20 and Honor 20 Lite Smartphones Spec, Price and Availability

Honor has launched a new smartphone collection comprising of the Honor 20 Pro, Honor 20 and Honor 20 Lite. The Honor 20 Pro and Honor 20 combine a 48 megapixel AI Quad Camera and a Dynamic Holographic design with the powerful Kirin 980 chipset and GPU Turbo 3.0.

The Honor 20 Pro will be priced at 599 Euros. More information on the UK launch will be released in the near future.

The Honor 20 can be pre-ordered now priced at £399.99 in the UK, and will be available soon.

The Honor 20 Lite is now available in the UK priced at £249.99.

Canon EOS 250D Review

The Canon EOS 250D / Rebel SL3 is a new entry-level DSLR aimed at people buying their first interchangeable lens camera. It improves on the previous EOS 200D / Rebel SL2 model principally by implementing 4K video recording, a better live view mode, more sophisticated auto-focusing, and longer battery life. Is this the best interchangeable lens camera for beginners? Find out now by reading our in-depth Canon EOS 250D review...

Lykos 2.0 Daylight and Lykos 2.0 Bicolor LED Lights

The new Lykos 2.0 Daylight and Lykos 2.0 Bicolor LED lights are esigned for professional photographers and videographers looking for a compact yet powerful lighting solution that is versatile, water resistant and reliable.

The Manfrotto Lykos 2.0 will be available towards the end of Q2 2019 with the exact date to be confirmed.

Fujifilm X-T30 APS-C Mirrorless Camera

The new Fujifilm X-T30 mirrorless camera is designed for all photographers, from beginner to advanced.

The Fujifilm X-T30 comes in three colours, Black, Silver and Charcoal Silver, and will be available from March 2019 for Black and Silver and May 2019 for Charcoal Silver, priced as follows:

  • Fujifilm X-T30 Body Only - £849 / $899
  • Fujifilm X-T30 with XC 15-45mm lens - £899 / $999
  • Fujifilm X-T30 with XF 18-55 lens - £1199 / $1299

Nikon Coolpix A1000 Review

The Nikon Coolpix A1000 is a new pocket-sized super-zoom compact camera with a 35x zoom lens offering a huge focal range of 24-840mm. Retailing for £409, the 16 megapixel Nikon A1000 has an integrated electronic viewfinder, RAW file support, 3-inch tilting touchscreen and 4K UHD movie recording. Read our in-depth Nikon Coolpix A1000 review complete with full-size sample JPEG and RAW images now...

Panasonic ​S1R and Panasonic ​S1​ 35mm Full-frame Mirrorless Cameras

Panasonic has announced two mirrorless camera models with a 35mm full-frame image sensor - the Panasonic S1R and the Panasonic S1. The 47 megapixel S1R and the 24 megapixel S1 both feature 4K 60p/50p video recording, a new Venus image processing engine, Dual I.S. image stabilisation, a double slot for XQD memory cards and SD memory cards, and a triaxial tilt LCD screen.

In a very interesting move, Panasonic are using the Leica L-Mount standard for the S1R and S1 cameras. Panasonic will release three Lumix S Series compatible lenses at the same time as the launch of the S1R and S1 cameras - the 50mm F1.4 prime lens, 24-105mm F4 standard zoom lens, and 70-200mm F4 telephoto zoom lens - and seven more by the end of 2020. Panasonic have also partnered with Leica and Sigma to develop more L-mount lenses.

Both the S1R and S1 cameras will have HLG Photo Mode and High Resolution Mode. The former mode allows images to be shot with a wider dynamic range, whilst the latter takes eight consecutive images that are automatically shot while shifting the sensor and synthesized into a single image.

Nikon Storytellers Scholarship 2019

Nikon Inc. has announced that applications are now open for the second “Nikon Storytellers Scholarship.” The program, launched in December 2017, is designed to celebrate the power of visual storytelling by supporting the education of aspiring content creators.

Polaroid RGB LED Camera and Camcorder Light System

The new Polaroid RGB LED Camera and Camcorder Light System offers photographers and videographers a professional, portable LED light system with powerful output.

Photographer’s Guide to the Nikon Coolpix P1000

The Photographer’s Guide to the Nikon Coolpix P1000 is a guide book to using Nikon’s latest superzoom camera with its 125x optical zoom range. The book is available now for $9.99 in PDF, iPad, and Kindle formats for download through whiteknightpress.com. The paperback version is available now for $28.95.

Fujifilm X-T3 Review

The Fujifilm X-T3 is the successor to our Compact System Camera of the Year 2016 award winner, the popular X-T2. Can this new model really improve on what was already an outstanding camera? Find out now by diving into our in-depth Fujifilm X-T3 review...

Fujifilm GFX 50R Rangefinder Medium Format Mirrorless Camera

The Fujifilm GFX 50R is a rangefinder-styled medium-format mirrorless camera that's smaller and lighter than the GFX 50S (145g less and 25mm thinner). The 51.4 megapixel GFX 50R rangefinder camera allows you to keep your eye on a subject while looking through the the 0.77x 3.69M-dot organic EL electronic viewfinder (EVF) with the other eye. It is the first model in the GFX system to support the Bluetooth low energy technology, while the magnesium alloy body is weather-sealed in 64 places to provide dust and weather resistance and ability to operate at temperatures as low as -10.

The GFX 50R will be available in November 2018 for $4500.

Ricoh GR III High-end Digital Compact Camera

The new Ricoh GR III 24 megapixel high-end digital compact camera is being previewed at Photokina 2018. Currently under development, the Ricoh GRIII inherits the basic GR-series concept, but it incorporates totally new devices in its main components, including a newly designed 28mm f/2.8 lens, a new 24.24 megapixel image sensor, and a new imaging engine.

The new sensor incorporates both a three-axis sensor-shift stabilization system and phase detection AF, neither of which the previous Ricoh GR II model offered, and the GR III will also feature a touchscreen LCD for the first time in the series. On the video side, 1080/60p is now supported (but not 4K) and there's a USB-C port.

The Ricoh GRIII is scheduled to be launched in early 2019.

Nikon P1000 Review

The Nikon Coolpix P1000 is a new super-zoom bridge camera with an astonishing 125x zoom lens, providing an effective focal range of 24-3000mm! The Nikon P1000 also has a back illuminated 16 megapixel CMOS sensor, 3.2-inch vari-angle LCD screen, electronic viewfinder, 4K Ultra HD movie recording, and RAW file support. Read our in-depth Nikon Coolpix P1000 review now...

Laowa 24mm f/14 2x Macro Probe Lens

The Laowa 24mm f/14 2x Macro Probe is the world’s first consumer-grade probe lens that has been developed to provide photographers and videographers with a new perspective. The Laowa 24mm Probe lens can create a Bug-Eye perspective that cannot be done by a conventional macro lens.

The Laowa 24mm f/14 2x Macro Probe lens is expected to retail at USD $1499. It is currently available to pre-order via Kickstarter at a discounted price. The earliest expected delivery date is September.

Nikon to Demo Its Full-Frame Mirrorless System at Photokina 2018

The newly announced full-frame, Nikon FX-format Z mount mirrorless cameras, lenses and lens mount adapter will be on show at Photokina 2018. Photokina takes place in Cologne, Germany and is open to the public from 26 to 29 September 2018.

Panasonic Lumix LX100 II Premium Compact Camera

The Panasonic Lumix LX100 II i a new premium compact camera with a 17 megapixel multi-aspect Four Thirds sensor, 24-75mm f/1.7-f/2.8 high-speed lens and a touch-sensitive screen.

The LX100 II will be available from 1st October priced at £849/€949. The LX100 II is an addition to the LX range and will not replace the current LX100.

PaintShop Pro 2019

PaintShop Pro 2019 now offers AI-powered Pic-to-Painting, support for 360° cameras, a streamlined user experience and new PhotoMirage Express to blur the line between photo and video.

PaintShop Pro 2019 and PaintShop Pro 2019 Ultimate are available now. Suggested retail pricing (SRP) for PaintShop Pro 2019 is $79.99 USD / €69.99 / £69.99. SRP for PaintShop Pro 2019 Ultimate is $99.99 USD / €89.99 / £89.99. SRP for PaintShop Pro 2019 and Video Studio 2018 bundle is $159.99 USD / €139.99 / £139.99.

Nikon Officially Announces Development of Full-frame Mirrorless Camera, New Lens Mount and F-Mount Adapter

Nikon has announced the development of a next-generation full-frame (Nikon FX-format) mirrorless camera and NIKKOR lenses featuring a new mount which "will enable a new dimension in optical performance".

Additionally, an F-Mount adapter is being developed that will enable the use of a wide variety of F-Mount NIKKOR lenses with the new camera.

Full details, including the release date and suggested retail prices, will be shared at a later date.

Nikon Coolpix P1000 Offers 125x, 24-3000mm Zoom

The Nikon Coolpix P1000 superzoom bridge camera features an incredible 125X optical zoom lens offering a focal range of 24-3000mm. Nikon also announced the new ML-L7 Bluetooth connected remote as another optional accessory available for the P1000.

The Nikon P1000 will have a suggested retail price of $999.95 / £999 / €1499.00 and will be available in September 2018.

Detu MAX AI 360° VR Panoramic Camera

The Detu MAX is a professional grade AI 360° virtual reality (VR) panoramic camera that is equipped with true 3D capabilities. The Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign kicks off on 13 June with a target of USD $20,000 to put the device into mass production. It has an MSRP of $3,599.

Parrot ANAFI Drone Launched

The Parrot ANAFI is a flying 4K HDR camera with a zoom lens that accompanies you every-time. ANAFI can be pre-ordered now and will be in store from July 1st, 2018 for 699€ / $699 / £649.

Nikon Coolpix A300 Review

The Nikon Coolpix A300 is an entry-level 20-megapixel digital compact camera with an 8x zoom lens and Bluetooth and Wi-Fi wireless connectivity. Available in silver, black, red or pink, the Nikon Coolpix A300 costs £129.99 / $139.95 in the UK and USA respectively - read our Nikon Coolpix A300 to find out if it's worth the asking price...

Manfrotto Pro Light Cinematic Bags

Manfrotto Pro Light Cinematic are the first carry-on size backpacks to secure and organise a complete video kit.

The new Pro Light Cinematic bags are available priced at £169.95.

Cactus RQ250 Wireless Monolight

The Cactus RQ250 Wireless Monolight is a palm-sized, bare-bulb wireless monolight that supports wireless TTL/HSS. The RQ250 is lithium-ion battery-powered, 250 Ws, and can fire 400 full-power flashes on a single charge. The extremely compact design comes with an on-axis LED modelling light, which also functions as an AF assist.

Nikon Wins Three iF Design Awards

Nikon is pleased to announce that three of its products have received an ‘iF Design Award 2018’ within the product discipline. They are the D850, D7500 and Coolpix W300 cameras.

Nikon at The Photography Show 2018

Nikon UK has announced that it will be exhibiting its product line-up and hosting a range of fantastic speakers at The Photography Show 2018.

The Nikon Storytellers Scholarship

The Nikon Storytellers Scholarship is open to undergraduate or graduate students in the United States or Canada pursuing degrees in visual arts, fine arts, journalism, film, photography and multimedia/content creation. Eligible students can apply to be one of ten individuals awarded with an academic scholarship of $10,000 USD, to help foster their growth as visual storytellers and content creators. 

Apple iMac Pro Now Available from £4899

Apple today released iMac Pro, an entirely new product line designed for pro users who love the all-in-one-design of iMac and require workstation-class performance. With Xeon processors up to 18 cores, up to 22 Teraflops of graphics performance, and a brilliant 27-inch Retina 5K display, iMac Pro is the fastest, most powerful Mac ever made. iMac Pro is available on December 14, starting at an Apple retail price of £4,899.

Luminar 2018 Now Shipping

Luminar 2018 adds a new RAW file conversion engine, new photo editing filters, major speed improvements and a forthcoming digital asset management platform. Luminar is a universal all-in-one photo app designed to offer everything a modern photographer needs for photo editing. 

Luminar 2018 is available today:

  • $49 upgrade for current Luminar users
  • $59 for Luminar for Windows Beta testers
  • $69 for new users

The Digital Asset Management platform will arrive in 2018 as a free update.

Tenba DNA 15 Backpack

Tenba today launched the DNA 15 Backpack. Stylish and discrete as a camera bag, the new DNA backpack provides lightweight (just 1.7kg) flexible protection for an array of photographic kit. With two main compartments – a roll top section for general outdoor gear, plus a removable camera insert for hardware, the backpack can also accommodate a laptop (up to 15 inch) and features an easy access front pocket perfect for accessories including batteries, media cards, phone and keys. The Tenba DNA 15 Backpacks are available now for £165.

Nikon at PDN PhotoPlus Expo 2017

Nikon will once again return to the PhotoPlus Expo in New York City, offering attendees a compelling booth experience. Throughout the show Nikon will highlight its extensive product line, headlined by the recently announced full-frame Nikon D850 DSLR (pictured). A variety of Nikkor lenses will also be on display, including the new ultra-wide zoom AF-P DX NIKKOR 10-20mm f/4.5-5.6G VR, the AF-S Fisheye Nikkor 8-15mm f/3.5-4.5E ED, the wide-angle AF-S Nikkor 28mm f/1.4E ED and the compact telephoto AF-P Nikkor 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6E ED VR. Also on display will be the popular AF-S DX Micro Nikkor 40mm f/2.8G lenses, which is paired up with the AF-P DX Nikkor 10-20mm f/4.5-5.6G VR lens as part of the new Landscape & Macro 2 Lens Kit. Show attendees will also be able to go hands-on with the Nikon D7500, Nikon D5600, Coolpix W300 cameras and a variety of other Nikon imaging products. Throughout the show, the Nikon Theater will host a variety of live presentations, plus Nikon will be sponsoring educational class sessions taught by various Nikon Photographers and Ambassadors. Click through / scroll down for a full schedule of Nikon presentations.

Detu F4 Plus 8K Virtual Reality Panoramic Camera

360° camera pioneer Detu has launched the F4 Plus an 8K Virtual Reality Panoramic Camera. Designed for professional photographers and VR content creators, the Detu F4 Plus features four multi-layered 200° fisheye lenses, and records 360° videos at a resolution of 7,680x3,840 pixels and a frame rate of 30 frames per second. Engineered to enable users to livestream with ease, the camera can connect to a computer via an Ethernet cable, or wireless live streaming is possible over 2.4G and 5G dual frequency Wi-Fi. The removable 4800mAh lithium-ion battery supports up to 120 minutes of continuous shooting. The F4 Plus carries an MSRP of $2599 and will be available on Amazon.

Beyond Words

PhotoAid Global photographer Eleonora Oleotto has teamed up with glass artist Diana Dias-Leao for a joint exhibition supporting the survivors of the Grenfell Tower disaster. Diana has been given space in two galleries in Faroe Road and Masbro Road to hold exhibitions of glass and photography works donated by artists to be sold in order to raise as much money as possible for the Grenfell Tower survivors.

Eleonora Oleotto uses therapeutic photography in her practice to help people and other professionals like coaches and psychologists, she recently joined PhotoAid Global who is supporting the project. “The 14th of June was a difficult and intense day for me too. I helped volunteers sort items and then felt the need to walk into the area to see and feel what other people were going through. It took me some hours before being able to start taking pictures. There was Silence. A deep Silence. Our eyes talked to each other. Our hands helped each other. There was a big and deep sense of humanity. As it should be always in our lives.” Click through / read on to find out about the Beyond Words exhibition dates and times.


Nikon Celebrates 30th Anniversary of Eddie Adams Workshop

From 6th to 9th October, 100 talented young photojournalists will come together for the annual Eddie Adams Workshop, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. Since its inception, Nikon has been a sponsor of the workshop that offers a unique learning environment for young photojournalists while honouring the legacy of Eddie Adams himself. The workshop, which is also known as the “Barnstorm” due to its location at a rustic upstate New York farm, continues to be the only tuition-free forum of its kind, inviting 100 students specially selected from around the world based merely on the quality of their photos. Many alumni of the programme have been awarded with the industry’s most prestigious accolades from Pulitzer Prizes, honours from the Overseas Press Club, World Press Photo, ICP and many more. In addition to sponsoring the Eddie Adams Workshop, Nikon will award one deserving-student with top-of-the-line professional Nikon equipment suited for a modern-day photojournalist. The winner will be determined by a panel of judges who will select based on the work that the students create during the four-day workshop. This year’s kit will include the new Nikon D850 DSLR, SB-5000 Speedlight as well as the AF-S NIKKOR 20mm f/1.8G ED, the AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8E ED VR, the AF-S NIKKOR 70-200mm f/2.8E FL ED VR and the AF-S NIKKOR 105mm f/1.4E ED lenses.

Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark III Review

The new Olympus OM-D E-M10 III is an evolutionary upgrade of 2015's E-M10 II camera, principally adding 4K video recording, the latest TruePic VIII processor, 121 AF points, 8.6fps continuous shooting and a revised control layout and menu system. Find out how it performs in our Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark III review, complete with full-size sample photos (JPG and Raw), test shots, videos and more...

Sigma 14mm f/1.8 DG HSM Art Review

The Sigma 14mm f/1.8 DG HSM Art is currently the fastest wide-angle prime lens for full-frame DSLR cameras, making it ideal for astro-photography. Read our expert Sigma 14mm f/1.8 DG HSM Art review to find out if it's as good as it looks on paper...

Nikon AF-P Nikkor 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6E ED VR

Nikon have announced a full-frame version of their AF-P 70-300mm ED VR lens. The new Nikon AF-P Nikkor 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6E ED VR is a third of a stop faster than the existing AF-P DX Nikkor 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3G ED VR, and projects an image circle that's large enough to cover the full frame on an FX-format DSLR. As an AF-P lens it boasts Nikon’s proprietary stepping motor, which brings subjects into focus quickly and quietly, enabling video footage to be recorded with practically no drive noise. The "E" designation means the AF-P Nikkor 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6E ED VR has an electromagnetic diaphragm delivering consistent automatic exposure control even during high-speed bursts. The lens features a minimum focus distance of 1.2m (3.94 feet) throughout the entire zoom range, and comes with Nikon's Advanced Vibration Reduction technology on board, offering up to 4.5 stops of image stabilisation and a dedicated Sport VR mode. The dust- and moisture-resistant Nikon AF-P Nikkor 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6E ED VR lens will have a suggested retail priceof $699.95 / £749.99 / € 899.00, and availability will be announced at a later date.

Sony A9 Review

The Sony A9 is a lightning-fast full-frame compact system camera that is clearly taking aim at the Nikon and Canon DSLR competition. Is this the best professional action camera on the market? Read our Sony A9 review to find out...

PhotoCross Sling Bags

MindShift Gear have announced the launch of their new PhotoCross sling bags. Built to withstand the elements yet comfortable enough to wear on long days in the field, these bags stay out of the way when scrambling but offer quick camera access when ready to take the shot. They feature weatherproof zippers and abrasion-resistant materials, plus a carrying system for tripods or jackets. The PhotoCross 10 fits an ungripped DSLR and one to two lenses, plus a 10” tablet, or a compact system camera body and three to five lenses, plus a 10” tablet. The PhotoCross 13 fits an ungripped DSLR, two to four lenses, including a 70–200mm f/2.8, and some 13” laptops. The bags are available in two colour, Orange Ember and Carbon Grey.

Manfrotto Pro Light Bumblebee Camera Bag Family

Manfrotto have unveiled Pro Light Bumblebee camera bag family. Designed for professional photographers and videographers who work outdoors, the Pro Light Bumblebee family is an assortment of high-performance camera backpacks and messenger bags with aesthetics and technical qualities that perfectly embody Manfrotto’s Italian heritage. The Bumblebee-230 PL backpack protects a gripped DSLR with a 70-200/2.8 lens attached and 10 extra lenses or an attached 400/2.8 with 5 extra lenses. In video configuration, it protects a disassembled modular camcorder like the Canon C100 with numerous lenses & accessories. It also fits a 17” laptop in its own padded compartment. The Bumblebee-130 PL backpack keeps a high-end CSC or a DSLR safe with a 70-200/2.8 lens attached and 8 extra lenses or an unattached 400/2.8 with 3 extra lenses. It also fits a 15” laptop in its own padded compartment. The removable Manfrotto Camera Protection System inserts safeguard equipment at the heart of the pack and keep it organised with the efficiency of a portable studio. The innovative AirSupport breathable harness and back panel, adjustable sternum support, shaped hip and waist support systems ensure a comfortable carry. Manfrotto has also added two new messenger bags, the Bumblebee M-10 PL and M-30 PL. Prices for the Bumblebee start from £109.95. The range will be available to pre order on the Manfrotto website.

Capture the Magic of Summer with Impossible

Impossible have curated a selection of vivid frames and classic Polaroid cameras to capture the magic of summer light. Offering a monochrome twist to the original Polaroid camera, Impossible’s special edition Polaroid 600 Two-Tone Black & White (pictured) elevates the playful point-and-shoot classic with a custom black & white finish (£129/€149/$179). Impossible have also created the Metallic Frame Edition colour film pack for 600-type cameras, placing your analogue instant photos in a range of shimmering foil frames. Each photo in the pack of eight film (£18.99/€21.00/$24.49) features a different coloured metallic frame, from gold and blue to purple and pink.

Nikon Coolpix W300

The Nikon Coolpix W300 is a new rugged compact camera with a 16-megapixel sensor, a 24-120mm equivalent lens, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS and 4K video recording capabilities. Built to withstand even the toughest outdoor elements, the Coolpix W300 offers a waterproof (100ft. / 30m), freezeproof (14F / -10C), dustproof and enhanced shockproof (7.9ft. / 2.4m) camera body, increased grip area and ergonomically improved shutter button placement (as compared to its predecessor, the Nikon Coolpix AW130). Additional outdoor-friendly features include the ability to go off the beaten path with Points of Interest (POI) and mapping functions, as well as an altimeter and depth gauge. The camera also has a dedicated button to activate an LED light for illumination, and a new Active Guide function to easily display location and altitude data at a glance. The Nikon Coolpix W300 will be available in Summer 2017 in orange, yellow and black for a suggested retail price of $389.95.

Think Tank Photo Upgrades its TurnStyle Sling Bags to V2.0

The updated version of Think Tank Photo's TurnStyle sling bag series offers a new stabiliser strap that holds the bag steady while actively shooting and tucks away when not in use. The TurnStyle 5 ($74.75) fits a compact system camera body plus two to four lenses, and an 8-inch tablet. The TurnStyle 10 ($84.75) fits a standard size DSLR plus one to two lenses, and an eight-inch tablet. The TurnStyle 20 ($99.75) fits a standard size DSLR plus one to three lenses, and a 10” tablet. These new version releases come in the traditional Charcoal and in a new colour, Indigo Blue. “This new version of our popular TurnStyle sling bags reinforces their reputation as the ideal ‘grab and go’ camera bag,” said Doug Murdoch, Think Tank Photo’s CEO and lead designer. “One thing we’ve learned from serving professional photographers for so long is that they always need one, pre-conformed gear kit that gives them access to their core gear. The TurnStyle is that bag.”

Canon EOS 77D Review

The new Canon EOS 77D DSLR slots in between the cheaper EOS 800D and more expensive EOS 80D, attempting to blend together the best of both cameras. Find out if it succeeds by reading our expert Canon EOS 77D digital SLR review...

Sundisc Launches on Kickstarter

The Sundisc is an ultra-portable softbox and reversible reflector that sits directly on your speedlight and fits in your camera bag. While it is essentially a compact softbox, the Sundisc can also double as a reflector with both warm and cool light. This way you can carry less gear and still get great shots. Additionally, the Sundisc flips into shape and clips to your speedlight within seconds. "We have worked with the Sundisc for over three years, testing and iterating and testing again. We have tested in the studio and we have tested in the field. We have sent the Sundisc out to be tested by other photographers and taken in feedback," the inventors say. "Now we are at a point where we are confident we have ironed out all the kinks and are ready to share the Sundisc with you." Interested readers are encouraged to pay a visit to the Sundisc project's Kickstarter page.

LaCie 2big Dock Thunderbolt 3

Today LaCie announced the next evolution of its 2big professional 2-bay RAID storage solution. Now with Thunderbolt 3 technology, the LaCie 2big Dock delivers fast speeds and up to 20TB of storage, making it a powerhouse tool for photographers and videographers. More than storage, the LaCie 2big Dock is a powerful docking station that helps photographers and videographers simplify their workflows. Front-facing SD and CF Card slots allow the pro to directly ingest files off memory cards from a drone, DSLR, GoPro and other devices into Adobe Lightroom or Premiere Pro. The USB 3.0 hub charges a phone or connects a shuttle drive or digital camera to offload footage or files. Via DisplayPort, professionals can connect the LaCie 2big Dock to high-resolution 720-1080p or even 4K displays. Dual Thunderbolt 3 ports can also power a compatible laptop while simultaneously daisy-chaining up to five additional Thunderbolt or one USB-C drive. Plus, the USB 3.1 port enables universal compatibility with USB-C and USB 3.0 computers via the included adapter cable. The new LaCie 2big Dock will be available in 12TB, 16TB or 20TB capacities through LaCie Resellers this summer. It will be showcased for the first time at the NAB Show in Las Vegas next week.

PopSpot Focusable Fresnel LED Light

Fotodiox Pro has announced the PopSpot Focusable Fresnel LED light. Roughly the size of a soda can, the PopSpot allows photographers and videographers to focus its powerful beam for a high precision, strong contrast and dramatic shadows. “The problem with most Fresnel lights is they’re typically quite bulky, heavy and fragile, and they get screaming hot to the touch,” said Bohus Blahut, marketing director for Fotodiox Pro. “But our new PopSpot Focusable Fresnel does away with those pitfalls by combining power and control in a form factor about the size of a pop can. A simple twist focuses the PopSpot's output from a 55° to 25° beam angle, and removable barn doors offer further control of the shape and direction of the light. We’ve even included a slot for a slide-in tungsten filter.” The PopSpot Focusable Fresnel LED light is available now in three configurations: the PopSpot Focusable Fresnel, the PopSpot Focusable Fresnel + Battery Module, and the PopSpot Focusable Fresnel 3-Light Kit with Rolling Carrying Case.

Nikon at The Photography Show 2017

Nikon UK will be exhibiting its product line-up and hosting a range of speakers at The Photography Show from 18th to 21st March at the NEC in Birmingham. Central to the interactive Nikon stand will be the Nikon School stage, where a host of inspirational speakers, including the current line-up of Nikon UK Ambassadors - David Yarrow, renowned for his fine-art wildlife photography, Leon Neal, award-winning news photographer, Richard Peters, known for his wildlife photography and back garden safari project, award-winning landscape photographer Jeremy Walker and Game of Thrones stills photographer Helen Sloan - will give insightful talks on a range of photography topics to inspire passionate photographers. The stand will also play host to commercial fashion photographer Dixie Dixon, internationally acclaimed photographer Joe McNally, multi-award-winning sports photographer Bob Martin, portrait, lifestyle and wedding photographer Kate Hopewell-Smith and fitness, sports and portrait photographer Tom Miles. Jeremy Gilbert, Marketing Director at Nikon UK says: “2017 is Nikon’s 100th Anniversary and we see this year’s Photography Show as the start of our celebrations in the UK. We have an amazing line-up of inspirational speakers, plus expert advice from our technical team and great product for photographers to get to grips with.”

Leica TL Review

The brand new Leica TL is a refined version of the Leica T mirrorless camera, offering an improved auto-focus system, more built-in memory, and expanded lens compatibility. Read our in-depth Leica TL review to find out if this "affordable" Leica is worth considering...

Nikon at CES 2017

At the 2017 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Nikon are exhibiting their latest products including the Nikon D5600 digital SLR, the Coolpix A300 and W100 compacts and the KeyMission line of action cameras. Visitors to the Nikon booth will have the opportunity for hands-on time with the products, as well as hear from Nikon professional photographers at the Nikon School Theatre. Other experiences on the show floor include the return of Project HeliX powered by Nikon and an interactive VR area featuring content captured with the KeyMission 360. Click through / scroll down for the full presentation schedule.

Nikon D5600 Soon Available in U.S.

Nikon has announced the upcoming U.S. launch of its D5600 digital SLR camera. First unveiled in November 2016, the Nikon D5600 is a new entry-level DSLR with a 24-megapixel APS-C sensor and a vari-angle touchscreen. Other notable features include built-in Wi-Fi, SnapBridge compatibility (which utilises Bluetooth low energy technology to let the D5600 maintain a constant, low-power link with a smartphone or tablet), a viewfinder with ~95% frame coverage and ~0.82x magnification, and a sensitivity range of ISO 100-25600. During viewfinder shooting, the refined touch Fn function offers an intuitive alternative to using the command dial or multi-selector: now photographers can operate the Auto Sensitivity control, as well as selecting the focus point or adjusting other important settings, via the touchscreen. And a frame advance bar, inherited from Nikon’s professional D5 and D500 cameras, makes it possible to quickly scroll through images in playback mode. For movie shooters, the Time-Lapse Movie function makes it simple to transform slow-moving scenes into high-speed sequences. The camera will go on sale later this month at the suggested retail price of $799.95 with the AF-P DX NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR lens. It will also be available in a two-lens kit option, including the AF-P DX NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR and AF-P DX NIKKOR 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3G ED lenses, for $1,149.95. Additionally, the Nikon D5600 will be sold as a body only for $699.95 or with a AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-140mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR lens for $1,199.95.

Nikon Coolpix A900 Review

The Nikon Coolpix A900 is a new travel-zoom compact camera with a 35x zoom lens. Retailing for around $399 / £369, the 20 megapixel Nikon A900 comes complete with built-in wi-fi connectivity, a 3-inch tilting screen and 4K UHD movie recording. Read our Nikon Coolpix A900 review to find out if this travel camera is worth considering...

Nikon Coolpix B500 Review

The Nikon Coolpix B500 is a new super-zoom compact camera with a 40x zoom lens. Retailing for around $299 / £219, the 16 megapixel Nikon B500 comes complete with built-in wi-fi connectivity, a 3-inch tilting screen and 1080p HD movie recording. Read our Nikon Coolpix B500 review to find out if this super-zoom camera is worth considering...

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 V Review

The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 V offers the World’s fastest auto-focusing speed, the World's most AF points, and the World's fastest continuous shooting speed, for a humble compact camera. Is this enough to justify the $1000 / £1000 price-tag? Find out by reading our expert Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 V review, complete with sample photos, test shots, videos and more...

Nikon Announce New KeyMission Action Cameras

Nikon today revealed a new line of KeyMission action cameras that encourage users to discover, capture and share their personal missions from an entirely new perspective. Previewed at CES 2016, the rugged KeyMission 360 is the first Nikon camera capable of full 360° video in 4K resolution, providing users a unique way to create engaging content like never before. Introduced today is the new Nikon KeyMission 170 (pictured), an adventure-ready camera capable of capturing both stills and 4K video through its UWA lens, as well as the KeyMission 80, a compact and lightweight camera for capturing the spontaneous moments of everyday life. The KeyMission 170 is waterproof (33 ft.), shockproof (6.6 ft.) and freezeproof (14°F) without a housing, and comes with a 170° lens and 8.3-megapixel imager. The KeyMission 80 has a 12-megapixel main camera with an 80° lens plus a front-facing secondary camera with a 90° lens, and is waterproof to 3.2 ft, shockproof to 6 ft and freezeproof to 14°F. The KeyMission 360, KeyMission 170 and KeyMission 80 will be available for suggested retail prices of £419.99/$499.95, £329.99/$399.95 and £249.99/$279.95, respectively.

DxO ONE Adds Wi-Fi Remote Control and Accessories

DxO have announced major updates to the DxO ONE camera, including Wi-Fi Remote Control and new accessories. Wi-Fi Remote Control will be available to all existing users free of charge via a forthcoming 2.0 software update. The new accessories include an ultra-compact Stand, waterproof Outdoor Shell and a snap-on Optical Adapter. The DxO ONE camera for iPhone and iPad retails for for £399 / 499 €.

Vivid-Pix Launches Land & Sea Software

Vivid-Pix, a software company with a focus on photography, has announced that its easy-to-use Land & Sea software is now available to purchase. The software provides users with the ability to enhance pool and snorkel photos with a single click. “In the world of seemingly unlimited apps, it is hard to imagine that something so unique and broadly needed for improving photos would just now be coming to light,” said Rick Voight, Vivid-Pix CEO.  “However, Land & Sea is here now, and it is a great way for consumers to vividly, and in great detail, re-live and share their summertime memories of camping, visiting local and distant parks and forests, or cooling off at a nearby pool or beach.” The Mac/Windows version costs $24.99, and the iOS edition is available for $4.99. Land & Sea+ for iOS provides SCUBA depth image improvement and other features with a $19.99 in-app additional purchase.

Nikon D3400

The Nikon D3400 is a new entry-level digital SLR camera with an APS-C sized 24-megapixel sensor and SnapBridge support. Using Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), SnapBridge creates a connection between a camera and a compatible smart device, making it possible to wirelessly and automatically transfer images from the camera to your smartphone or tablet. SnapBridge users can also access Nikon Image Space, a free online image sharing and storage service. The Nikon D3400's other main claim to fame is an improved battery life, which is rated to 1200 frames per charge; up from 700 in the existing D3300. The new model continues to offer an 11-point AF system, a 3" rear screen with a resolution of 921,000 dots, a continuous shooting speed of 5fps, as well as Full HD video capture at 60fps and an EXPEED 4 image processor. The Nikon D3400 will become available next month, bundled with the AF-P DX NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR lens for £489.99 / €599 / $649.99; as well as in a double-zoom kit (with the afore-mentioned AF-P 18-55mm lens plus the new AF-P DX NIKKOR 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3G ED telezoom) priced at $999.95. In the UK and Ireland, the camera will also be available in a body-only configuration for £399.99 / €489; and in an 18-55mm non-VR kit for £469.99 / €579.

Nikon Coolpix W100

The Nikon Coolpix W100 is a new shock-, dust- and waterproof digital compact camera with a 13.2-megapixel CMOS sensor. Equipped with a 30-90mm (eq.) f/3.3-5.9 lens, the Nikon Coolpix W100 is shockproof to 1.8m, cold-resistant to -10°C and waterproof to a depth of 10m. Utilising Bluetooth low energy (BLE) technology, the camera automatically transfers images to your smart device for easy storage and social sharing while on the go. Full HD movieswith stereo sound are recorded at the touch of a button, with Electronic VR keeping videos smooth and clear. The Nikon Coolpix W100 will become available on 8 September 2016, priced at £129.99 / €159.00.

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 105mm f/1.4E ED

The Nikon AF-S Nikkor 105mm f/1.4E ED is a new full-frame telephoto prime lens with a class-leading maximum aperture and electronic diaphragm control technology. The optical formula comprises14 elements in 9 groups, including three ED glass elements, and an iris diaphragm with 9 rounded blades. The lens also features Nikon’s Nano Crystal Coat technology to significantly reduce instances of ghosting and flare. The AF-S NIKKOR 105mm f/1.4E ED will be available in late August for a suggested retail price of £2,049.99 / €2,419.00 / $2,199.95.

Fujifilm X-T2

The Fujifilm X-T2 is the ultimate mirrorless digital camera that uses advanced technologies to achieve premium image quality, outstanding operability and beautiful design reminiscent of traditional cameras. The X-T2 offers outstanding image quality with FUJIFILM’s colour reproduction formulated over 80 years, advanced autofocus functions and 4K high definition video. The Fujifilm X-T2 will go on sale on September 8th 2016. In the UK, the Fujifilm X-T2 body only will cost £1399 / $1599 and the Fujifilm X-T2 with the XF18-55 lens will cost £1649 / $1899.

Bowens Mosaic2 1x1 LED Panels

Limelite by Bowens has launched its new Mosaic2 LED panels with ultra-high CRI 94/TLCI 94 light output. Available in Daylight (5600K, pictured) and BiColour (3000K-5000K) options, Mosaic2 uses 576 cutting edge high-fidelity LEDs, dimmable from 100-0%, to create 1x1 panels that have a maximum brightness of 4,000Lux at a distance of 1m. The new panels, which will have an RRP of £654 (Daylight model) and £835 (Bi-Colour model), are an ideal choice for photographers working with babies, animals or heat-sensitive subjects such as food. They are also designed for video and broadcast work both in studio and on location (with optional battery mounting accessories)

Canon EOS 80D Review

The new Canon EOS 80D DSLR camera refines the innovative Dual-Pixel CMOS AF system of its predecessor whilst upgrading the processor, sensor, auto-focusing and metering systems. Read our in-depth Canon EOS 80D review to find out if it can still compete in 2016...

COPTRZ Launches

COPTRZ is a brand new venture specialising in the sale and hire of drones. "COPTRZ are able to deliver a unique bespoke service: whether a production company needs to buy a drone, take training, or hire a commercial drone pilot - or all three! - we're able to help create a package that suits any budget," the company says. "UAVs such as the DJI Phantom 4 are not only affordable, but carry high definition cameras that rival any traditional stills or video equipment. Wide angles and panoramic views make for stunning landscape shots, and the possibilities available thanks to the versatility of drones is almost endless."

Flashpoint R2 Radio Remote Lighting System

Flashpoint today announced the new Flashpoint R2 lighting line. The Flashpoint R2  wireless radio flash system consists of five new products, compatible with Canon, Nikon and Sony cameras: the Flashpoint XPLOR 600, Streaklight TTL, R2 TTL Remote Transmitter and Receiver, Zoom Flash and Zoom Li-on Flash. Also new are Flashpoint R2 bridge units, which introduce R2 compatibility to older Flashpoint Streaklights and Zoom Li-ons. The Flashpoint XPLOR 600 TTL all-in-one HSS studio flash with built-in R2 2.4GHz Radio Remote System ($749) is a portable lighting solution with a 600Ws head and an interchangeable 11.1-volt Lithium Ion 8700mAh battery. The Flashpoint R2 Streaklight 360 TTL ($519.95, pictured) is a hot-shoe, portable bare-bulb flash available in both Canon-compatible and Nikon-compatible models. The Flashpoint R2 TTL Wireless Remote Receiver connects all strobes to any tool in the R2 family, including older Flashpoint monolights and strobe lights. The R2 TTL Transmitter attaches to the body of any Canon, Nikon or Sony camera for full lighting control as well as TTL pass-through. The R2 Zoom Li-on Flash ($179.95) is powered by an internal lithium-ion battery pack and featurs a full-power recycle time of less than 1.5 seconds. Finally the R2 Bridge Receiver ($19.95) enables users to upgrade theirexisting non-R2 Flashpoint Streaklight and Zoom Li-on Speedlights to be upgraded to receive signals from the new R2 Radio Remote System.

Polaroid LED Lights

The Polaroid LED camera/camcorder video lighting line is now available for purchase. The range includes the Polaroid 350 ultra-high-powered, dual-colour LED video light wih barndoors ($159.99, pictured), the Polaroid 312 ($139.95) and Polaroid 144 ($99.95) camcorder LED lights and the flashgun-mountable Polaroid 102 LED dimmable video light ($39.95). All four products are available from Amazon.

Nikon D5 Review

The Nikon D5 is a brand new flagship DSLR camera for professionals. Aimed at sports, press and nature photographers, the 20 megapixel D5 builds on the success of the previous D4s camera with a wealth of improvements, including a new 20.8 megapixel sensor, 4K video recording, touch-screen control, and an expanded ISO range. Can the Nikon D5 justify its £5,199.99 / $6,499.95 price-tag? Find out by reading our in-depth Nikon D5 review...

New Nikon Ambassadors

Nikon have announced the addition of four new photographers to their ambassador programme. The newest additions include wildlife photographer Joel Sartore (pictured), celebrity and portrait photographer Matthew Jordan Smith, Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist Deanne Fitzmaurice and commercial and portrait photographer Joey Terrill. “Nearly three years after the foundation of the programme, Nikon Ambassadors have worked to educate and empower photographers while continuing to celebrate their passion and love for photography through the power of visual storytelling,” said Mike Corrado, NPS Manager, pro relations and product marketing, Nikon. “These new additions all define what it takes to be considered one of Nikon’s most elite photographers, with unparalleled commitment to both their craft and the imaging industry.”

Olympus Tough TG-870 Comes to Europe

Olympus has announced the European availability of the new Olympus TG-870 rugged camera. First unveiled in January, the Olympus Tough TG-870 is a premium all-weather compact with a 21-105mm equivalent lens,180-degree tilting 920,000-dot LCD screen, customisable front button, built-in Wi-Fi, next-generation GPS and 13 Art Filters. The camera is waterproof to depths of 50 feet (15 m), freezeproof to 14℉ (-10℃), shockproof from 7 feet (2.1 m), crushproof to 220 pounds (100 kg) of force and dustproof. The customisable button on the front of the camera can be programmed for several functions, including shutter release, video recording, monitor boost, LED assist and Super Macro Mode. The Olympus Tough TG-870 will come to Europe in April, carrying a recommended retail price of £249.99/€299.00. A free 6-month warranty extension is available if you sign up online for MyOlympus membership.

Olympus PEN-F Review

The new Olympus PEN-F is a new premium compact system camera boasting a gorgeous retro design and some pro-level features, including a new 20 megapixel sensor, 5-axis image stabilisation, 10fps burst shooting, vari-angle 3-inch LCD touchscreen, 4K time-lapse movies, an electronic shutter and built-in wi-fi. Priced at £999 / $1199 body-only, is the PEN-F all style and no substance? Read our in-depth Olympus PEN-F review to find out...

Nikon DL24-500 f/2.8-5.6

The Nikon DL24-500 f/2.8-5.6 is a new superzoom camera with a 20.8-megapixel CX sensor and a 24-500mm equivalent lens. Available in black, the Nikon DL24-500 f/2.8-5.6 features Nikon's Sports VR image stabilisation, a built-in 2359k-dot OLED electronic viewfinder, and a high-resolution OLED vari-angle touchscreen. Images can be captured in either JPEG or NEF format, and the camera can record movies in 4K resolution at 30p/25p. Other key highlights include a fast Advanced Hybrid AF system, a continuous shooting speed of 60fps with fixed focus and 20fps with AF, plus an ISO 518 hot shoe, which accepts various accessories including Nikon DSLR Speedlights. Available in early Summer, the Nikon DL24-500 f/2.8-5.6 will retail for $999.95.

Nikon DL18-50 f/1.8-2.8

The Nikon DL18-50 f/1.8-2.8 is a new premium compact camera with Nikon's fastest-ever ultra-wide zoom lens and a 20.8-megapixel CX-format sensor. The lens features Nikon’s acclaimed Nano Crystal Coat for greater image clarity. Capable of shooting photos in raw (NEF) format, and 4K/UHD movies at 30p/25p, the Nikon DL18-50 f/1.8-2.8 employs Nikon’s porprietary Advanced Hybrid AF system for fast subject acquisition, plus a 1037k-dot OLED tilt touchscreen. Other features include burst shooting at 60fps (with fixed focus) or 20fps (with auto focus), Dual Detect Optical VR image stabilisation, an ISO 518 hot shoe and in-camera Perspective Control. Available in early summer, the Nikon DL18-50 f/1.8-2.8 carries an MSRP of $799.95.

Nikon DL24-85 f/1.8-2.8

The Nikon DL24-85 f/1.8-2.8 is a new premium compact camera with a 1"-type 20.8-megapixel sensor and a fast zoom lens. Capable of capturing images in Nikon's raw NEF format, the Nikon DL24-85 f/1.8-2.8 employs Nikon’s acclaimed Advanced Hybrid AF system for fast subject acquisition. An EXPEED 6A processor with no less than four CPUs enables continuous shooting speeds of 60 fps with focus fixed at the first frame, or up to 20 fps with continuous AF. Nikon’s Dual Detect Optical VR system delivers enhanced shake detection and correction. Available in black and silver, the camera also features an ISO 518 hot-shoe, a Super Macro Mode, a 1037k-dot OLED tilt touchscreen, pop-up flash, plus customisable zoom and control rings around the lens barrel. Available in early summer, the Nikon DL24-85 f/1.8-2.8 carries an MSRP of $649.95.

Nikon Coolpix A900, B500 & B700

Nikon have announced three new Coolpix compact cameras. The Nikon Coolpix A900 (£329.99/€429.95/$399.95) is a slim long zoom compact camera that packs a 35x zoom lens, a tilting 3" display and a 20-megapixel backside-illuminated CMOS sensor. Users can also capture 4K UHD video at 30fps and share their images and movies via Nikon SnapBridge. The Coolpix B500 (£219.99/€289.95/$299.95) is an ergonomically designed zoom camera powered by AA batteries. A 16-megapixel BSI CMOS sensor alongside an impressive 40x optical zoom lets users capture high quality images from near or far. The camera also offers hybrid VR to combat camera shake when shooting on-the-go. To complement still images captured, the B500 can record full 1080p HD video, while framing every shot is made easy using the high resolution tilting 920k-dot 3-inch LCD screen. Last but not least the Nikon B700 (£359.99/€469.95/$499.95) features a 60x zoom lens, a 20.3-megapixel back-illuminated CMOS imager, 5fps stills shooting, raw image capture and 4K video. The cameras will be available from April 2016.

Nikon Announce Speaker Schedule at The Photography Show

Nikon UK today announced their speaker line-up at The Photography Show, an exhibition dedicated to photography and open to all, from 19th to 22nd March 2016 at the NEC in Birmingham. Central to the Nikon stand will be the Nikon School stage, where a host of prominent photographers will be giving talks, including Nikon UK Ambassadors, Kate Hopewell-Smith, David Yarrow, Bob Martin and Leon Neal. The stand will also play host to speakers including Game of Thrones stills photographer, Helen Sloan and wildlife photographer Richard Peters. Visitors to the Nikon booth will be able to get their hands on the recently launched D5 and D500 dSLRs, as well as a range of Nikkor lenses and Coolpix cameras.

Olympus PEN-F Official Sample Images

Olympus have released 20 official sample images taken with the Olympus PEN-F compact system camera, taken by Olympus UK Visionary R.Cleveland Aaron. Click through to see the gallery of full-size JPEG photos.

Lomo Instant Wide Review

The new Lomo Instant Wide uses Fuji Instax Wide film, which is twice as wide as Instax Mini film. The Lomo Instant Wide offers advanced features like three different shooting modes,a fully programmatic shutter, a built-in flash, and unlimited multiple exposures. Read our Lomo Instant Wide review now...

Fujifilm X-Pro2

The Fujifilm X-Pro2 compact system camera features the world's only Hybrid Multi Viewfinder and a brand new 24 megapixel X-Trans III sensor. The X-Pro2 delivers the best ever results from an X-series camera thanks to an updated image sensor and processor. The X-Pro2 also offer a robust, weather resistant body, new focal plane shutter with a top speed of 1/8000 sec. and flash sync up to 1/250 sec, 77 AF points, and support for dual SD memory cards. The Fujifilm X-Pro2 will be on sale in the UK from February 2016 for £1349.

Fujifilm X-E2S

The Fujifilm X-E2S compact system camera inherits the functionality and rangefinder-style design of the original X-E2, and adds new features including an improved grip, an electronic shutter and a more intuitive GUI to enhance the user experience. The Fujifilm X-E2S will be on sale in the UK from February 2016 in both Black and Silver versions for £549.00 body only or £749 with the XF18-55mm lens.

Nikon SB-5000

Nikon today officially revealed its SB-5000 Speedlight, whose development was first announced back in November. The SB-5000 is the first Nikon flashgun to be equipped with a radio-controlled Advanced Wireless Lighting function (with a communication range of up to ~30m), and is also equipped with a cooling system that enables more than 100 continuous full-power flashes. Radio control makes wireless multiple flash photography easier in situations where conventional optical (infrared) control is difficult, such as when remote flash units are positioned behind objects or at greater distances, or when ambient lighting is very bright. The tilt-swivel flash head can be zoomed to match the angle-of-view rage of a 24-200mm lens. The guide number is 34.5 (in metres at ISO 100) in FX format and 41 in DX format, at the 35mm zoom head position. The Nikon SB-5000 AF Speedlight will be available in March for the SRP of £499.99/€659.00/$599.95.

Nikon KeyMission 360

Nikon today announced the development of a new range of action cameras. The first in the lineup will be the Nikon KeyMission 360 a rugged camera capable of recording true 360-degree video in 4K resolution. The Nikon KeyMission 360 features an image sensor and lens on opposite sides of the device, with images from each combining to create a single immersive, ultra-high-definition 360-degree video and still image. Waterproof to 100 ft/30m, and ready to stand up to dust, shock and low temperatures, the KeyMission 360 also features electronic Vibration Reduction. Nikon will exhibit reference models of the KeyMission 360 at the Nikon booth at the 2016 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) from Wednesday to Saturday in Las Vegas. The KeyMission 360, along with a variety of dedicated accessories, will officially be released in Spring 2016.

Nikon at The Photography Show

Nikon UK has announced that it will be exhibiting its product line-up at The Photography Show, held from 19th to 22nd March 2016 at the NEC in Birmingham. An interactive Nikon stand will showcase a range of DX and FX digital SLR cameras, Nikon 1 system CSCs, selected Coolpix models and Nikkor lenses. Central to the stand will be the Nikon School stage, where a host of speakers, including the current line-up of Nikon UK Ambassadors, will give talks on a range of photography topics to inspire passionate photographers. The speaker schedule will be announced in January 2016.

Booq Slimpack

Booq have just released their latest backpack for photographers: the Slimpack. Accommodating to SLRs, up to four mid-sized lenses or one large zoom lens, a 12” notebook or 10” tablet and a tripod. The spacious interior features a cushioned, non-scratch lining and densely padded dividers that can be configured to fit users’ gear of choice, while a variety of pockets with concealed interior slots keep accessories safe and organised.  The Slimpack boasts two entry points, making quick shots easy to capture, and is available now for $195.

Sony A7S II Review

The Sony A7S II is a new compact system camera that can literally shoot in the dark. Building on last year's A7S model, the new mark II version offers more video features, enhanced ergonomics, built-in image stabilisation and faster focusing. Read our in-depth Sony A7S II review now...

Nikon Coolpix L31 Review

The Nikon Coolpix L31 is the cheapest compact camera that Nikon currently offer, with a 16 megapixel CCD sensor, 5x wide-angle zoom lens, 3 inch LCD screen and 720p movies, all for just £70. Read our in-depth Nikon Coolpix L31 review to find out if it's too cheap for its own good...

Nikon Coolpix S2900 Review

The Nikon Coolpix S2900 is an entry-level, slim and stylish compact camera featuring a 5x zoom lens, 20 megapixels, 720p HD movies, 2.7 inch screen and a range of special effects. Read our in-depth Nikon Coolpix S2900 review now...

Elinchrom Quadra HS Flash Head

Elinchrom has announced a new Quadra flash head for the ELB 400 and all previous generations of Quadra packs, featuring a new Hi-Sync mode. The Quadra HS Head is a powerful, full-functioning minaturised flash head weighing only 0.28kg and integrating a daylight balanced LED modelling lamp that produces the equivalent of 50W of Tungsten light output. The HS designation denotes the unit's compatibility with High-Sync flash photography, especially in combination with the also-new EL-Skyport Transmitter Plus HS radio trigger. When used with the ELB400 battery pack (also pictured above), the Elinchrom Quadra HS can output a maximum of 424Ws of power for a guide number of 90 (in metres at ISO100/21°, with a 48° reflector fitted). Pricing for the new Elinchrom flash head has yet to be communicated.

Sony A7R II Review

The Sony A7R II is a hotly-anticipated full-frame compact system camera that promises to outclass the DSLR competition. Is this the best full-frame camera on the market? Read our Sony A7R II review to find out...

Nikon Coolpix AW130 Review

The Coolpix AW130 is Nikon's latest all-action compact camera. The 16 megapixel Nikon AW130 features a 5x zoom lens, 3 inch OLED 921K-dot screen, built-in GPS. NFC and wi-fi, 8fps burst shooting and can record full 1080p video. Read our Nikon Coolpix AW130 review to find out if it's the right tough camera for you...

Olympus OM-D E-M10 II Review

The new Olympus OM-D E-M10 II is a new entry-level mirrorless camera with some pro-level features - 5-axis image stabilisation, 8.5fps burst shooting, 4K time-lapse movies, electronic shutter - housed in a small, lightweight and stylish body. Is this the best compact system camera under £550 / $650? Read our in-depth Olympus OM-D E-M10 II review to find out...

Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark II

The Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark II is a new compact system camera with a 5-axis image stabilisation system, a brand new 4K time-lapse movie mode, and a large real-time EVF featuring a resolution of 2.36 million dots and 100% frame coverage. It also boasts an electronic shutter with a top shutter speed of 1/16,000 sec, plus a new AF Targeting Pad function that works similarly to Panasonic's venerable Touch Pad AF. This feature enables you to select and modify the position of the AF frame by touch even when using the eye-level viewfinder. The retro-styled chassis, tiltable touchscreen, Micro Four Thirds lens mount and 16-megapixel Four Thirds sensor have been carried over from the original E-M10. The recommended kit includes the M.Zuiko Digital ED 14-42mm 1:3.5-5-6 EZ pancake lens and will cost £649.99/€799.00/$799.00. The body-only configuration is available for £549.99/€599.00/$649.00.

Read This If You Want to Take Great Photographs of People

Read This If You Want to Take Great Photographs of People by Henry Carroll is a new title from Laurence King Publishing. This introduction to portrait photography covers topics such as composition, context, street photography, black-and-white versus colour, the psychology of different types of light, plus more. The book is punctuated with “technical tangents,” which provide invaluable practical guidance for basic lighting set-ups, equipment, camera modes and more. Also included is helpful advice regarding legal rights whenever taking photographs of people. The 128-page paperback will go on sale on 29 September 2015, priced at $17.95.

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 600mm f/4E FL ED VR

The AF-S NIKKOR 600mm f/4E FL ED VR is a new full-frame super telephoto lens for Nikon SLRs. With a weight of "merely" 8.3lb / 3810g (vs. the 11.5lb / 5060g of its predecessor), the lens features two fluorite lens elements and four ED elements, as well as an electromagnetic diaphragm, which helps with maintaining consistent exposure during high-speed burst shooting of fast action. The addition of fluorite lens elements to the optical formula helps reduce chromatic aberration, and plays a key role in the overall weight reduction. Additionally, the new design promises "significantly improved" AF tracking performance. The lens features the latest incarnation of Nikon’s Vibration Reduction technology, with automatic tripod detection to counteract vibrations when mounted on a tripod. For pros shooting fast and erratic moving sports or subjects, using the SPORT VR mode will yield a more stable viewfinder image whether handholding the lens. The AF-S NIKKOR 600mm f/4E FL ED VR will be available in mid-July for the SRP $12,299.95 / £9,649.99 / €12,999.00.

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 500mm f/4E FL ED VR

The Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 500mm f/4E FL ED VR is a new super telephoto lens for Nikon SLR cameras with an FX sized sensor. The 'E' designation in the product name denotes an electromagnetic diaphragm which helps maintain consistent exposure during high-speed burst shooting of fast action. The lens weighs in at 6.8lb / 3090g, which may sound heavy - but is actually significantly lighter than the 8.5lb / 3880g of its predecessor. The optical formula of this lens combines two fluorite elements and three Extra Low Dispersion (ED) glass elements to further reduce chromatic aberration while providing superior sharpness and color accuracy. Additionally, the new design is claimed to "significantly improve" AF tracking performance. For enhanced durability, the lens is gasketed against the elements and has a fluorine coating on a front protective meniscus element to make it easier to remove dirt, moisture and smudges. The supplied tripod collar boasts completely new bearings for smoother switching between horizontal and vertical orientation. To make the lens easier to carry, the tripod mount has been repositioned closer to the rear, a change that also enables the included one-piece hood to be easily reversed. The new AF-S NIKKOR 500mm f/4E FL ED VR will be available in mid-July for a suggested retail price of $10,299.95 / £8,149.99 / €10,999.00.

Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 16-80mm f/2.8-4E ED VR

The AF-S DX Nikkor 16-80mm f/2.8-4E ED VR is a stabilised 24-120mm equivalent standard zoom for Nikon cameras with DX sized sensors. The optical formula comprises 17 elements in 13 groups, and features a seven-bladed electro-magnetic diaphragm that creates a nearly circular aperture. The new AF-S DX NIKKOR 16-80mm F/2.8-4E ED VR is the first Nikon DX-format lens to wear the gold “N” emblem to indicate the presence of Nikon’s exclusive Nano Crystal Coat. This advanced optical coating significantly reduces instances of ghosting and flare for the highest quality images, the company says. The front and rear elements also integrate a fluorine coating to make it easier to remove dirt, moisture and smudges from the lens surface. For fast, accurate and quiet AF performance, the 16-80mm also features Nikon’s Silent Wave Motor (SWM) technology. The minimum focus distance lets you get as close as 0.35m. The new Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 16-80mm f/2.8-4E ED VR will be available in July for a suggested retail price of $1,069.95 / £869.99 / €1179.00. The lens is supplied with a dedicated HB-75 bayonet hood.

Photographer’s Guide to the Nikon Coolpix P900

White Knight Press have released their newest camera guide book, Photographer’s Guide to the Nikon Coolpix P900: Getting the Most from Nikon’s Superzoom Digital Camera. This book, by Alexander S. White, is a complete guide to the operation of the Nikon Coolpix P900. Explaining topics such as autofocus, manual focus, HDR (High Dynamic Range) photography, ISO sensitivity, memory cards and flash modes; it discusses techniques for using the P900’s superzoom lens to full advantage. The book also explains the camera’s features for remote control and image transfer using a smartphone or tablet with the P900’s built-in Wi-Fi capability, as well as the camera’s features for adding location data to images. The Photographer’s Guide to the Nikon Coolpix P900 is available now for $9.99 in PDF, iPad, and Kindle formats for download through the website below. The paperback version is available now for $24.95 from Amazon.

Photographer’s Guide to the Nikon Coolpix P610

White Knight Press has released its newest camera guide book, Photographer’s Guide to the Nikon Coolpix P610: Getting the Most from Nikon’s Superzoom Digital Camera. Explaining topics such as autofocus, manual focus, aperture priority, shutter priority, HDR imaging, sensitivity and flash modes; this book shows beginning and intermediate photographers how to use the camera’s many shooting options to get the results they want. Furthermore, it also includes a discussion of techniques for using the camera’s phenomenal zoom lens, with a 35mm-equivalent maximum focal length of 1440mm, to full advantage. The book also discusses the camera’s features for image transfer and remote control through the P610’s built-in wireless network, as well as its features for geotagging your photos. The paperback version is available now for $24.95 from Amazon, while the eBook editions can be downloaded from the website below for $9.99.

Fujifilm X-T10

The Fujifilm X-T10 compact system camera combines a compact and lightweight body with a new AF system that excels at capturing moving subjects. The X-T10 features an APS-C X-TransTM CMOS II sensor with built-in phase detection AF. In addition to Fujifilm’s conventional 49-point AF mode for high speed and precision focusing, the X-T10 features new Zone and Wide/Tracking modes that track subject movement across a larger 77-point area.

The Fujifilm X-T10 will be on sale in the UK from mid-late June 2015. It will be available in both Black and Silver versions. All kit lenses will be Black.

The suggested retail prices are as follows:

X-T10 Body Only - £499.00
X-T10 XC16-50mm Kit - £599.00
X-T10 XF18-55mm Kit - £799.00

Firmware Updates for Nikon D4S, D750 and D810

Nikon are developing new firmware for the Nikon D4S, D750 and D810 (pictured) digital SLR cameras. The updates will improve workflow for professional video applications by enhancing capability with third-party external recording devices. Specifically, the updates will make it possible to synchronise the start / stop commands of the Atomos Shogun and Ninja-2 external recorders with recording start/stop commands of the camera. Demonstrations of the firmware (which is currently under development) will be available at both the Nikon (#C8818) and Atomos (#C8825) booths at the NAB Show. Nikon have also announced that they are now offering a Filmmaker’s Kit for the D750 and the D810, containing the camera body, the AF-S Nikkor 35mm f/1.8G ED lens, the AF-S Nikkor 85mm f/1.8G lens and the AF-S Nikkor 50mm f/1.8G lenses, two additional EN-EL15 batteries, an ME-1 Stereo Microphone, one Atomos Ninja-2 External Recorder, and Tiffen 67mm and 58mm Variable Neutral Density Filters. In addition, the Nikon Filmmaker’s Kits feature custom foam inserts, which are ideally sized for use in a hard case for transporting equipment to the next video production.

Game of Drones - Hands On with the DJI Phantom 3

With sales of consumer orientated camera drones on the up, and the technology getting ever more affordable, Chinese manufacturer DJI has announced what it is terming the possible “future of aerial imaging and video”. It has launched not one but two updates to its Phantom series. These are the Phantom 3 ‘Professional’ – a 4K shooting unmanned aerial vehicle with gold detailing and a suggested retail price of £1,159 – plus a second model in the Phantom 3 Advanced. The latter records 1080P video, costs a more affordable £899 SRP, and is outwardly distinguishable via its silver detailing. Gavin Stoker attended the London launch and was able to get hands-on with the devices.

Sony A7 II Review

The Sony A7 II is the first full-frame compact system camera in the World to feature built-in 5-axis stabilisation. Other key improvements include better ergonomics and build quality, faster auto-focusing and startup, a wider range of video options, and greater customisability. Is this the best ever Sony full-frame compact system camera? Read our Sony A7 II review to find out...

Nikon D7200

The Nikon D7200 is a new digital SLR camera with a 24.2-megapixel CMOS sensor, increased buffer capacity, new Picture Controls, Wi-Fi and NFC. The camera also features a wide ISO range from 100-25,600 to help minimize noise in low-light situations. Courtesy of EXPEED 4, the D7200 features 30% faster image processing than its predecessor, the Nikon D7100, and provides an increased buffer capacity that now allows the camera to shoot 18 consecutive RAW 14-bit lossless compressed images, 27 12-bit compressed shots or 100 JPEG frames. This is important as the most severe criticisms levelled against the D7100 all seemed to revolve around its smallish raw buffer.  Additionally, the Nikon D7200 offers users the capability to shoot at 6fps continuously or up to 7 fps in 1.3x crop mode. In the US, Nikon D7200 will be available in early April 2015 either body only or kitted with the AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-140mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR for suggested retail prices of $1,199.95 and $1,699.95, respectively. In the UK and Ireland, the D7200 will retail for £939.99 / €1,199 (body only), and £1,119.99 / €1,449 (camera bundled with the18-105 VR lens), with sales starting on 19 March 2015.

Nikon Coolpix P900

The Nikon Coolpix P900 is a new digital superzoom camera with a record breaking 83x optical zoom. In addition to its unprecedented zoom power, the 16-megapixel Nikon Coolpix P900 comes equipped with an array of features such as Full HD video capture, built-in GPS, NFC and Wi-Fi. Whether shooting above a crowd or from the stands, users can easily frame their subjects by using the camera’s built-in EVF with an eye sensor or the high-resolution, vari-angle 3-inch 921K-dot LCD screen. In the  United Kingdom, the camera will start shipping on 19th March, priced at £499.99 / €649.00. In the US, the Nikon Coolpix P900 will be available next month for $599.95.

Nikon Coolpix P610, L840, L340, S9900, S7000, AW130, S33 Preview

We take a look at the brand new Nikon Coolpix P610, L840, L340, S9900, S7000, AW130, S33 cameras in our detailed hands-on preview...

Nikon Coolpix AW130

The Nikon Coolpix AW130 is a 16-megapixel waterproof (100ft / 30 m), shockproof (7ft / 2.1 m) and freezeproof (14F / -10C) camera with built-in NFC and Wi-Fi support. Boasting a 3-inch, 921k-dot OLED display, the Nikon AW130 also offers an integrated GPS module and a Nikkor branded 24-120mm (eq.) f/2.8-4.9 lens. The camera can even be remote-controlled over Wi-Fi, using a smartphone or tablet computer. The Coolpix AW130 will become available next month in Yellow, Blue and Black for a suggested retail price of $349.95.

Nikon Coolpix S33

The Nikon Coolpix S33 is a waterproof (33ft / 10m), shockproof (5ft / 1.5m) and freezeproof (14F / -10C) camera with a 13.2-megapixel CMOS sensor. Other highlights include a 3x optical zoom lens, a dedicated movie record button and 1080p video recording. In addition, the Nikon S33 offers creative fun for the whole family, with 16 creative styles and effects options. The Coolpix S33 will be available in March 2015 in white and blue for a SRP of $149.95.

How to Take Photos of Tattoos

In our latest technique article, we share some top tips for taking great photographs of tattoos.

Flashpoint CoolVee7

Adorama is now shipping the new Flashpoint CoolVee7 Video Light, which features seven cool-running, daylight fluorescent spiral lamps that deliver a total output equivalent of up to 760W of tungsten lighting. Available for $199.95, the Flashpoint CoolVee7 comes with two light modifiers, including ae detachable, pebble-finished reflector and an octagonal softbox. The scope of delivery also includes seven Daylight Compact Fluorescent 32W/120V bulbs. The Flashpoint 30W Spiral Fluorescent Replacement Bulb is available for $3.95. The Flashpoint 45W Spiral Fluorescent Upgrade Bulb can be purchased for $5.65.

Nikon D5500

The Nikon D5500 is a new digital SLR camera featuring a 3.2" Vari-angle touchscreen, built-in Wi-Fi connectivity and a 24.2-megapixel DX-format sensor with no optical low-pass filter (OLPF). Intuitively designed for easy menu navigation and intelligent operation, the D5500 allows the user to choose their focus point via Touch AF, pinch in to check focus and even activate the shutter with the touch of a fingertip. Additionally, a new Fn touch feature gives one-touch access to important settings like AF point selection, aperture, ISO sensitivity, AF area mode and more. The camera features a 39-point auto focus system with 9 cross-type sensors and 3D Focus Tracking, as well as continuous shooting speeds of up to 5fps. When shooting in low-light, D5500 users can also take advantage of an expanded wide-ranging ISO spanning 100-25,600. The Nikon D5500 will be available in early February, in black and red, as a body-only offering for £639.99 / $899.95 and in two different kit configurations: alongside the AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR II lens for a suggested retail price of £719.99 / $999.95 or with the AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-140mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR lens for £899.99 / $1,199.95.

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 300mm f/4E PF ED VR

The AF-S Nikkor 300mm f/4E PF ED VR from Nikon is billed as the world's lightest 300mm full-frame fixed-focal-length AF lens. Almost 30% shorter and 1.5 lbs. lighter than its predecessor, the new 300mm f/4E PF boasts Phase Fresnel optical technology to  help correct chromatic aberration and reduce the overall size and weight of the lens. The Nikon AF-S Nikkor 300mm f/4E PF ED VR features electromagnetic aperture control - hence the E designation in the product name - a VR Sport mode, VR tripod detection as well as a Silent Wave Motor for quiet AF operation, ED glass for further controlling chromatic aberrations and Nano Crystal Coat for superior image quality. The optical formula comprises 16 elements in 10 groups and a 9-bladed iris diaphragm. The lens takes 77mm filters and offers a minimum focus distance of 1.4m.  The Nikon AF-S Nikkor 300mm f/4E PF ED VR will be available in late January / early February for £1639.99 / $1,999.99.

Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED VR II

Compact and lightweight, the new retractable-design AF-S DX Nikkor 55-200mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR II telezoom presents an affordable way to get closer to the action. The optical formula comprises 13 elements in 9 groups - including one extra-low dispersion (ED) glass element -, with Super Integrated Coating and a 7-bladed iris diaphragm. The lens takes standard 52mm filters and has a minimum focus distance of 1.1m.  The AF-S DX Nikkor 55-200mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR II will be available from 5th February, priced at £279.99 / $349.95.

Nikon at The Photography Show 2015

Nikon will be exhibiting its product line-up at The Photography Show, an exhibition dedicated to photography and open to all, from 21st to 24th March 2015 at the Birmingham NEC. A fresh new interactive Nikon stand will showcase the newest Nikon gear, including the Nikon D750 and D3300 dSLRs, Nikon 1 series compact system cameras, along with selected Coolpix models and interchangeable Nikkor lenses. Central to the stand will be the Nikon School stage, where a host of inspirational speakers, will give insightful talks on a range of photography topics to inspire passionate photographers. Tickets are now on sale for The Photography Show 2015.

Alien Skin Exposure 7

Alien Skin has announced Exposure 7, the latest version of its flagship photography effects software. As a standalone program, Exposure 7 will now allow you to work on raw image files from a wide range of cameras from all manufacturers without having to convert them to a TIFF or JPEG first. Also, Exposure 7 now provides rapid folder and file browsing right within the same UI when working in standalone mode. Other highlights include non-destructive editing, new film emulation presets, textures and easy-to-use Crop and Rotate panels. Alien Skin Exposure 7 is now available for $149. Owners of any version of Exposure may upgrade for $69.

Penelope Umbrico: Sun/Screen

On show at The Photographers' Gallery from 4 December 2014 - 28 January 2015, Sun/Screen is a new project by award-winning New York based artist Penelope Umbrico. It continues her exploration into the production and consumption of photographs online, particularly focusing on the persistence of sunset imagery within popular photography. For this project, Umbrico used an iPhone to re-photograph images of the sun she cropped from thousands of sunset images shared on the web.  The process of capturing images directly from the computer screen creates a moiré pattern, which is the consequence of pixel grids, meshes or dot patterns being superimposed. Umbrico further amplifies this effect by editing the images into a single slideshow, with each shot slowly dissolving into the next. This creates a secondary moiré effect that draws attention to the materiality of the screen and further distances us from the natural sunlight source of the original images. Umbrico intends the work to operate as a dialogue between analogue and digital, natural and simulated light and the material and immaterial. The Photographers' Gallery is located at 16 - 18 Ramillies St, London W1F 7LW.

Nikon Coolpix S6900 Review

The Nikon Coolpix S6900 is a stylish point-and-shoot compact camera that makes taking selfies easy. Featuring a 12x, 25-300mm lens and a 16 megapixel CMOS sensor, the S6900 also offers a 3 inch screen, 1080p Full HD movies, built-in wi-fi and NFC and 8fps burst shooting. Read our in-depth Nikon Coolpix S6900 review now...

Epson SureColor P600

Epson today announced the Epson SureColor P600 13-inch photo printer. Designed for creative professionals, fine artists and advanced amateur and pro photographers, the SureColor P600 combines an advanced MicroPiezo AMC printhead with next-generation Epson UltraChrome HD pigment inks driven by enhanced AccuPhoto HD imaging technology to produce exhibition-quality black-and-white prints with "never before seen" pigment black density and "stunningly vivid" colour prints. The Epson SureColor P600 also offers new ease-of use features and capabilities, such as a 3.5-inch tilting colour LCD and a variety of connectivity options including USB, Wireless n, Wi-Fi Direct and Ethernet. Currently on display at PhotoPlus Expo, the new printer will be available for purchase in Q1 2015 through authorised resellers for $799.

Corel AfterShot Pro 2.1

Corel has updated its AfterShot Pro software to Version 2.1. Available free to registered users, the 2.1 update introduces a number of new features and enhancements including new HDR tools for Mac and Linux, support for more than 17 new raw camera profiles, an improved Highlight Recovery Tool, as well as various performance and stability enhancements. Newly supported cameras include the Canon SX50 HS, the Fujifilm X-T1, X-E1, X-E2, X-Pro1, X-M1, X100S and X20, the Nikon D4s, D3300, 1 V3, 1 J4, Coolpix P330 and Coolpix A, and the Pentax Q, 645Z and K-500.

Think Tank Photo Quadcopter Divider Kit

Think Tank Photo has introduced its Airport Accelerator Phantom 2 Quadcopter Divider Kit, which allows you to convert a separately sold Think Tank Photo Airport Accelerator backpack into a customised quadcopter carrying bag. "On point with the new era of photographic possibilities and needs, the adjustable dividers offer multi-compartment convenience to hold every key component and accessories of a quadcopter plus supplies for the day’s outing," the company says. "With its durable and changeable storage dividers, all of their gear and personal items are safe, organized, and at the ready." Designed to fit the DJI Phantom 2 quadcopter plus accessories, the Think Tank Photo Airport Accelerator Phantom 2 Quadcopter Divider Kit is available for $34.75 via the website below.

Nikon School 2014-2015

Nikon USA has announced the upcoming schedule for its new Nikon School programme, which will now feature a wider variety of classes and a more interactive experience for photographers of all levels. The new courses focus on specific styles and techniques and include Travel and Landscape, Creative Lighting, Action and People and Video Production.Full-day and half-day sessions will now be available to make classes more accessible for photography lovers across the US. Additionally, Nikon School will now be structured as a more visual and interactive learning experience for students, with more enhanced content that demonstrate how to get the most out of a camera. The school will host more than 50 classes from September 2014 to June 2015 in 25 locations. For more information, visit the website below.

Canon PowerShot SX520 HS Review

The Canon PowerShot SX520 HS is a bridge super-zoom camera with a 42x zoom lens. The Canon SX520 also offers 16 megapixels, a 3-inch LCD screen, full manual controls and 1080p HD movies. Read our in-depth Canon PowerShot SX520 HS review now...

Leica S (Type 007)

The Leica S (Type 007) is the new top model of the Leica S-System. With a burst frequency of up to 3.5 frames per second, full-HD video in full-frame medium-format sensor size and 4K video recording, fast Live View mode and exceptional imaging quality at all ISO settings, the Leica S (Type 007) once again documents its status as the benchmark in the medium-format segment. The launch of the Leica S (Type 007) is planned for spring 2015; £18,720.00 RRP

Leica S-E

The Leica S-E is the entry-level model in the Leica S medium-format system. The Leica S-E provides practically all technical advantages of the Leica S (Type 006) and presents an attractive alternative within the Leica S-System. The new colour scheme, with a top deck in anthracite grey paint and a silver anodised shutter speed dial, adds even more to its attraction.
The Leica S-E will retail at £12,480 RRP and will be available from September 2014 from Leica Store Mayfair, Leica Store Burlington and selected Leica dealers.

Leica M-P (Typ 240)

The Leica M-P (Typ 240) is the next generation of the Leica rangefinder camera for professional photographers. Based on the otherwise identical Leica M, the Leica M-P offers all the technical advantages of the Leica M-System and several additional features, for example an enlarged buffer memory. The Leica M-P (Typ 240) is available now from authorised Leica dealers in two different versions: a black-paint version and a traditional silver chrome version. The Leica M-P (Typ 240) complements the Leica M. Both cameras will be marketed together.

Nikon SB-500 Speedlight

The Nikon SB-500 is the company's first Speedlight with a built-in LED light. The flash head and LED light both cover a wide 24 mm angle of view in FX-format, and easy-to-understand controls on the rear of the unit ensure simple operation. The SB-500 also enables wireless control of multiple flash units. The Nikon SB-500 retails for £199.99 / €249.00 / $249.95 and will be available from 25th September.

Leica M-P

Leica has today announced a new digital rangefinder camera. Based on the otherwise identical Leica M, the new Leica M-P (not to be confused with the Leica MP film camera) offers all the technical advantages of the Leica M-System and several additional features. According to Leica, the ‘P’ in the product name indicates the "particularly discreet and enduring design concept with which the Leica M-P joins the line of Leica M-Cameras." Instead of the red Leica logo, the M-P is graced only with a "discreetly classical" Leica script, making it "noticeably unnoticeable," the company says. The full-frame, 24-megapixel Leica M-P features a 2GB buffer (upgraded from 1GB on the Leica M), a sapphire glass LCD cover and a frame selection lever with which bright-line frames for six different focal lengths can be projected into the viewfinder to simulate subject framing. The corresponding frames are shown in pairs for the focal lengths 28 and 90mm, 35 and 135mm or 50 and 75mm. The manufacturer's suggested retail price is $7949.95.

X-Rite at Photokina 2014

X-Rite have announced their full educational speaker programme at Photokina 2014. Visitors will have the opportunity to come and learn from X-Rite Coloratti, Colour Experts and leading educators from across Europe about all things photography and colour management. Additionally, on Wednesday and Thursday evening visitors will have the chance to join a free Photowalk in Cologne with two of the world’s leading photographers. X-Rite’s stand will be in Hall 4.1, Stand J029.

Nikon Coolpix S2800 Review

The Nikon Coolpix S2800 is a cheap and cheerful point-and-shoot compact camera featuring a 5x zoom lens, 20 megapixels, 720p HD movies, 2.7 inch screen and a range of special effects. Can £70 really buy you a decent camera? Read our expert Nikon Coolpix S2800 review to find out...

Nikon Coolpix S5300 Review

The Nikon Coolpix S5300 is a stylish and fully-featured compact camera. The S5300 offers 16 megapixels, an 8x zoom with 25mm wide-angle setting, built-in wi-fi connectivity, 1080p HD movies and a 3 inch LCD screen. Read our expert review of the Nikon Coolpix S5300 to find out if it's a bargain or not...

Impossible Special Edition B&W 600 'Hard Color' Instant Film

Impossible has launched a black-and-white instant film in which each pack of eight images are framed in eight different vivid colours. Designed to be used in any Polaroid 600 type camera, B&W 600 Hard Color is the latest in a series of Impossible Special and Limited Edition films that offer not just alternatives to a white frame – black, silver, gold, various colours, and even animal skins – but also different coloured film emulsions, including cyan, magenta and sepia. B&W 600 Hard Color matches frames in rich variants of red, yellow, blue, orange, purple and green with warm, high contrast black and white images. The new Impossible Special Edition B&W 600 Hard Color for Polaroid 600 cameras are now available for pre-order.

Sony A7S Review

The new Sony A7S compact system camera offers an incredible ISO range of ISO 50-409,600, 15-stops of dynamic range when shooting RAW, and 12.2 megapixels on a 35mm full-frame sensor. Add in 4K and XAVC video recording, a truly silent shooting mode, and AF performance in light as low as EV-4, and it's clear that the Sony A7S could be one of the most exciting cameras of 2014. Find out how it really performs in our in-depth Sony A7S review...

Samsung WB1100F Review

The new Samsung WB1100F is a full-featured super-zoom camera that won't break the bank. The WB1100F offers a 16-megapixel CCD sensor, 35x optical zoom (25-875mm), integrated Wi-Fi and NFC, 720p movies and a 3-inch LCD screen. Read our in-depth Samsung WB1100F review with sample photos, test shots, videos and more...

MDL Marinas 2014 Photography Competition

MDL Marinas have launched their annual photography competition. Openn to both amateur and professional photographers alike, the competition closes at midnight on Sunday 10th August, with the winning shots set to be unveiled at September’s PSP Southampton Boat Show. The winner of MDL’s Photographer of the Year will receive a boat portfolio taken by professional marine photographer Brendan Fitzgerald of Fitz Marine Photography, presented in a handcrafted, leather bound album worth £700. The runner-up will enjoy a magnum of Champagne. In the Under-16 competition, the winner will be presented with a Nikon Coolpix AW120 digital compact camera, whilst the runner-up will be awarded £50 worth of Amazon vouchers. Dean Smith, Operations and Marketing Director at MDL Marinas, said: “ We want entries to show our berth holders and visitors enjoying their boats in the marina and out and about on the water – and the more adventurous and quirky the shots, the better!”

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 III Review

Big sensor - check. Fast lens - check. Built-in viewfinder - check. Tilting LCD screen - check. Wi-fi and NFC - check. Advanced video options - check. Is the new Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 III the ultimate compact camera? Read our expert Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 II review to find out...

Photographer’s Guide to the Nikon Coolpix P600

Photographer’s Guide to the Nikon Coolpix P600: Getting the Most from Nikon’s Superzoom Digital Camerara is a new title from White Knight Press. Available in paperback and ebook formats, the book explains all shooting modes, menus, functions, and controls of this superzoom camera in clear language, accompanied by more than 300 full-colour illustrations and sample photographs. The Photographer’s Guide to the Nikon Coolpix P600 is available now for $9.95 in PDF, iPad, and Kindle formats for download through the website below. The paperback version is available now for $24.95 from Amazon and additional online sellers by late June or early July 2014.

Nikon Coolpix S9600 Review

The Nikon Coolpix S9600 is a new travel-zoom compact camera. Featuring a 22x zoom lens with a focal range of 25-550mm, the slim and stylish Coolpix S9600 has a 16 megapixel back-illuminated CMOS sensor, 3-inch screen, 8.8fps burst shooting and boasts 1080p video recording and wi-fi connectivity. Read our expert Nikon Coolpix S9600 review now...

Nikon Coolpix P530 Review

The Nikon Coolpix P530 is a new super-zoom camera with a massive 42x zoom lens. The 16 megapixel Nikon P530 also features a 3-inch 921K-dot LCD screen, full 1080p high-definition movies with stereo sound, an electronic viewfinder and PASM shooting modes. Priced at £329.99 / $449.95, read our Nikon Coolpix P530 review to find out if it's the right super-zoom camera for you...

Nikon Coolpix S9700 Review

The Coolpix S9700 is Nikon's new flagship travel-zoom compact camera. Featuring a 30x zoom lens with a focal range of 25-750mm, the slimline Coolpix S9700 has a 16 megapixel back-illuminated CMOS sensor, high-resolution 3-inch OLED screen, 7.5fps burst shooting and boasts GPS tracking and wi-fi connectivity. Read our detailed Nikon Coolpix S9700 review now...

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 400mm f/2.8E FL ED VR

The Nikon AF-S Nikkor 400mm f/2.8E FL ED VR is a new full-frame super-telephoto lens for professional photographers. Offering improved auto focus and superior exposure accuracy owing to an elecro-magnetically controlled iris diaphragm (hence the E designation in the product name), the Nikon AF-S Nikkor 400mm f/2.8E FL ED VR is almost 2lbs lighter than the company's previous 400mm f/2.8 lens. In addition, the lens features a new VR Sport mode, nine rounded aperture blades, two fluorite elements two Extra-Low Dispersion (ED) glass elements and Nano Crystal Coating. The AF-S NIKKOR 400mm f/2.8E FL ED VR lens will be available in August 2014, and will have a suggested retail price of £10,399.99 / $11,999.95.

Nikon AF-S Teleconverter TC-14E III

The Nikon AF-S TC-14E III is  a new 1.4x teleconverter for F-mount lenses. The construction of the teleconverter has been significantly upgraded for both durability and optical brilliance. Comprising 7 elements arranged in 4 groups, the outer elements feature a fluorine coating for enhanced resistance to dirt and water droplets. For added durability, the lens barrel has been designed for increased moisture and dust resistance. The AF-S Teleconverter TC-14E III will be available in August for an SRP of £449.99 / $499.95.

Nikon Brings J4 CSC to the US

Nikon has announced US availability and pricing information for the Nikon 1 J4 compact system camera. Announced in April, the Nikon 1 J4 is a new, WiFi-enabled compact system camera with an 18-megapixel CX sensor with no low-pass filter, a 1-million-dot 3" touchscreen, improved hybrid AF system and an aluminium housing. The auto focus system offers 105 focus points with phase-detection AF and 171 focus points with contrast-detect AF. The Nikon 1 J4 supports high-speed continuous shooting at approximately 20fps with AF tracking, and up to 60fps when focus is locked. Other highlights include a sensitivity range of ISO 100-12,800, Full HD 60p movies, improved Motion Snapshots and manual exposure modes. Available in May 2014 the Nikon 1 J4, kitted with the 1 Nikkor 10-30mm f/3.5-5.6 PD-Zoom lens, will be sold at $649.95, while a kit with the 1 Nikkor 10-100mm f/4.0-5.6 VR lens will also be available for $849.95. Additionally, a double lens kit including the 1 Nikkor 10-30mm f/3.5-5.6 PD-Zoom lens and 1 Nikkor VR 30-110mm f/3.8-5.6 lens will be available for $1,049.95.

DxO Optics Pro 9.1.5

DxO Labs have released DxO Optics Pro 9.1.5 for Mac and Windows. This upgrade enables DxO Optics Pro 9 to offer support for the Nokia Lumia 1020, the first smartphone capable of shooting raw (pictured). Version 9.1.5 also offers support for four additional cameras: the Canon EOS 1200D, the Olympus E-M10 and Stylus 1, and the Nikon Coolpix P340; and benefits from the addition of 472 new camera/lens combinations to the library of DxO Optics Modules. Photographers who acquired a DxO Optics Pro 8 license on or after 1 September 2014 are entitled to a free upgrade to version 9.

Nikon Adds Four New Photographers to Ambassador Programme

Nikon has announced the addition of four new photographers to the Ambassador Programme, a collective initiative dedicated to recognising the most influential leaders in modern photography. The new additions include Blair Bunting, Bambi Cantrell, Tamara Lackey and Doug Gordon. “These four photographers are an exciting addition to the program and bring with them a collective energy as well as a diverse range of talents and shooting styles,” said Mike Corrado, NPS manager, pro relations and product marketing, Nikon. “They embody the essence of the Ambassador Programme, which is to act as inspirational leaders and educators to other professional photographers, and those looking to further their craft.”

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX400V Review

The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX400V is a new premium super-zoom compact camera. A 50x zoom lens, 20.4 megapixel CMOS sensor, 1920x1080 50p Full HD video with stereo sound, tilting 3-inch screen, 10fps continuous shooting, built-in Wi-Fi/NFC/GPS, and a full range of creative shooting modes are all offered by the Sony HX400V. Read our in-depth Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX400V review complete with sample photos, test shots, videos and more...

Canon EOS 1200D Review

The Canon EOS 1200D (called the Canon EOS Rebel T5 in North America) is a new DSLR camera for beginners. The Canon 1200D / T5 offers an 18 megapixel sensor, 3 inch LCD screen, 1080p movies, 63-zone metering, and 9-point auto-focus system. Available body only from £349 and with a zoom lens from £449 / $549, read our Canon EOS 1200D / T5 review to find out if this brand new budget DSLR is a bargain or not...

Reflecta VisiLux StudioKit 300

Kenro, the UK distributor of Reflecta photo products, has launched a new studio flash kit - the Reflecta VisiLux StudioKit 300. Weighing in at just 8.5kg, the VisiLux StudioKit 300 comprises two 300Ws flash heads - each featuring an LED display, stepless controls, cooling, overheat protection and five sync modes -, two 220cm light stands, two 50x70cm softboxes with intermediate diffusers, one 84cm transparent umbrella, one 84cm silver-reflection umbrella, one wireless remote control, two synchro-cables (3.5m each) and a carrying bag. Optional accessories include a barn door kit with filters, beauty dish with honeycomb grid, snoots, a wireless remote control with AC plug, and spare lamps. The VisiLux StudioKit 300 is available now with an SRP of £543.

Fotodiox Expands GoTough Accessory Line

Fotodiox Pro has announced the expansion of its GoTough line of GoPro camera accessories. New products include a range of neutral density filters, close-up lenses, step rings and a few totally unique offerings such as the GoTough WonderPana GO 3+,  GoTough WonderPana GO Naked and GoTough Talon accessories as well as the GoTough DB Strut metal extension arm. The entire line will be on display during the upcoming NAB Show in Las Vegas at the Yuyao Fotodiox booth (#C7532).

Nikon Coolpix P340 Review

The Nikon Coolpix P340 is a new compact camera for the keen enthusiast. The Nikon P340 features a 12.2 megapixel BSI CMOS sensor, full manual controls, lens control ring, 1080p HD video recording, a 5x wide-angle zoom lens with a fast maximum aperture of f/1.8, a high-resolution LCD screen, built-in wi-fi and 10fps burst shooting. Read our in-depth Nikon Coolpix P340 review to find out if it's the perfect pocket camera...

HTC One (M8) Review

The HTC One (M8) is a new flagship smartphone with not one, but two cameras, using the second one as a depth sensor that allows you to change the point of focus after taking a photo and achieve DSLR-like shallow depth-of field effects. Does this make the HTC One (M8) the best smartphone for avid photographers? Read our HTC One (M8) review to find out..

Olympus OM-D E-M10 Review

Building on the runaway success of the enthusiast E-M5, and inheriting some of the key features of the professional E-M1, the new O-MD E-M10 is attempting to bring Olympus' retro-flavoured mirrorless camera system to a wider audience. But can it retain the same levels of build quality, speed and image quality at a lower price-point? Read our expert Olympus E-M10 review to find out...

Panasonic Joins The Big Photo Show

Panasonic has joined the list of exhibitors at The Big Photo Show, which will take place in Los Angeles from 17-18 May. At the show, Panasonic will be presenting its entire line-up of Lumix camera products, including the new Lumix GH4 (pictured), as well as the company’s complete line of Micro Four Thirds compatible lenses for Lumix cameras. “Panasonic is excited to be exhibiting at The Big Photo Show and presenting our line of Lumix cameras and lenses, as well as our entire line of Adventure products,” said Thomas Curley, Business Development Manager for Panasonic North America. “Our camera products are of interest to professionals looking for the latest in hybrid imaging or video production gear, as well as photo enthusiasts seeking a great picture taking solution for family or fun – and we think the Big Photo Show is the perfect place to be.”

Stretcher Print

Co2nscience.com have created a unique wall art product that promises to "showcase your photographs to dazzling effect." ‘Stretcher Prints’ are made of up to 22 recycled 50cl plastic bottles, making them flexible, durable and washable. The flexibility of the fabric means that Stretcher Prints are not constrained by rigid wooden frames, and can be formed into some really unique and unusual shapes. The recycled fabric is printed on using the latest textile printing processes, to create a print finish that is vibrant and "extraordinarily sharp." To view Co2nscience’s ‘Stretcher Print’ project on Kickstarter, visit the webbsite below.

Presidential Picture Stories

Presidential Picture Stories: Behind the Cameras at the White House is a new book by veteran White House photographer Dennis Brack. From JFK to today, Dennis Brack has photographed the presidents of the United States for Life, Newsweek and Time. "I've worked the White House as a news photographer for about 50 years," he says. " It was time to write the old stories down." And the stories are extraordinary indeed: from coating the wet plates of Mathew Brady to blowing up a brand new hotel with flash powder to using pigeons to carry film; Dennis Brack has a lot to say about how photographers handled the tools of their day. Presidential Picture Stories is available from Amazon priced at $21.24.

Nikon D4S

Nikon today officially announced the Nikon D4S professional digital SLR camera. Featuring a 16.2-megapixel FX sensor, 11fps continuous shooting with autoexposure and autofocus, 1080/60p Full HD video recording capability, 30% faster processing and a long-awaited  'Raw Size S' option for extended continuous raw shooting and accelerated image transfer; the Nikon D4S is an important evolutionary upgrade to the well-received Nikon D4 (read review). Other highlights include an expanded ISO range of 100–25600, extendable up to an industry-leading 409600 (equivalent); improved AF acquisition; and full control over gain, shutter speed, aperture and audio levels during movie recording. Offering a remarkable battery life of 3020 shots (as per CIPA standards), the Nikon D4S will be available in March for £5199.99.99 / €6,199.00 / $6499.95.

Nikon Capture NX-D Beta

Nikon today released a beta version of Capture NX-D, a new application for processing and adjusting raw image files generated by Nikon digital cameras. Intended to replace the current Capture NX 2 software, Nikon Capture NX-D will support many functions needed by professional photographers, including batch image processing, filtering and an enhanced user interface with a variety of displays and floating palettes that are ideal for multiple monitors. During the period that Capture NX-D is available as a beta version, Nikon will invite users to try the software, and will collect feedback about the user experience and the application from those using it. To download the beta version of Nikon’s Capture NX-D, visit the website below.

Cool Photo Effects for Windows 8

Cool Photo Effects for Windows 8 is a new application that allows you to apply 300 different effects to photos. The range of effects/filters includes black and white, bi-colour, cinema, cross processing, old film, and much more. Cool Photo Effects for Windows 8 is available for $2.99.

Nikon Coolpix P600

The Nikon Coolpix P600 is a new digital superzoom camera with a 24-1440mm equivalent 60x zoom lens and on-board Wi-Fi. Other key features include lens-shift Virbration Reduction, a 7fps continuous shooting mode, Full HD 60i video recording capability, a large vari-angle high resolution (921k dots) LCD screen with bright RGBW technology and a customisable function button. The Nikon Coolpix P600 will be available in black and red for £429.99 / €519.00 / $499.95, starting 27 February 2014.

Replichrome Gets an Update

Totally Rad! has released an update to Replichrome, a collection of 134 colour and black-and-white film emulation presets for Adobe Lightroom and Adobe Camera Raw. Now supporting raw files from twenty new camera models from Canon, Nikon, Fuji, Olympus, Sony, and more. “Replichrome continues to meet the needs of professional photographers who want their digital images to accurately emulate the subtle tones and classic color palette of the most popular types of film,” said Doug Boutwell, CEO, Totally Rad!. “This latest update will allow more photographers to benefit from Replichrome by providing the ability to work with the most popular cameras on the market.” The update is available now as a free download for current Replichrome users.

Nikon D4S to be Shown at The Photography Show

Nikon will be exhibiting its new flagship digital SLR camera, the Nikon D4S, for the first time in the UK at The Photography Show from 1st – 4th March 2014 at the NEC in Birmingham. The company has invested in an interactive stand that will host the complete camera line-up, including the new Nikon Df, D3300 and the latest Coolpix cameras, as well as its range of lenses. The D4S will also be on display at the show before it officially goes on sale, following a development announcement at the Consumer Electronics Show earlier this year.

Fujifilm FinePix S4800 Review

The new Fujifilm FinePix S4800 is an affordable super-zoom camera that boasts a 30x zoom lens. Other standout features include a 16 megapixel sensor, a 3 inch LCD screen, manual controls and 720p movies, all for under £150 / $175. Read our in-depth Fujifilm FinePix S4800 review now...

Total Production of Nikkor Lenses Reaches 85 Million

Nikon has announced that total production of Nikkor and 1 Nikkor lenses for interchangeable-lens cameras has surpassed the 85-million mark. As the 80 millionth interchangeable Nikkor lens was manufactured in June, this means that Nikon produced no less than 5 million interchangeable lenses in a bit more than half a year. In August 2013, Nikon announced the AF-S DX Nikkor 18-140mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR lens, a versatile 7.8x high-power zoom lens compatible with DX-format DSLR cameras, while in November, Nikon introduced the AF-S Nikkor 58mm f/1.4G, a fast FX-format offering capable of elite low-light performance, earning accolades for its ability to minimize sagittal coma flare. Also introduced was another addition to Nikon’s f/1.8 lens lineup, the AF-S Nikkor 35mm f/1.8G for FX and film cameras. Additionally, Nikon has released the world’s first waterproof and shockproof 1 Nikkor lenses, the 1 Nikkor AW 11-27.5mm f/3.5-5.6 (read review) and the 1 Nikkor AW 10mm f/2.8, alongside the Nikon 1 AW1 camera.

Flashpoint Budget Studio Monolights and Lighting Kits

Adorama has recently released its new Flashpoint Budget Studio family of monolights and lighting kits. With options of 120, 160 and 300 watt-seconds, the AC-powered monolights recycle rapidly with little amp draw. The lightweight monolights can be used on household circuits without blowing fuses, and are compatible with Adorama’s new Flashpoint Power Station, making them the ideal on-the-go lighting solution for any photographer, the company says. All Flashpoint Budget Studio lighting kits come with the monolight with watt-seconds of your choice, a 40” white/black umbrella with removable black layer from Glow by Flashpoint, and a 6’ Flashpoint three-section light stand. Both the Flashpoint Budget Studio monolights and Flashpoint Budget Studio lighting kits include free shipping in the US as an added bonus. Flashpoint Budget Studio monolights and lighting kits are now available online at Adorama.com.

Nikon Coolpix L830, L29, L30 and L330

Nikon has refreshed its Coolpix L ("Life") range of digital compact cameras with four new models. Leading the pack is the Nikon Coolpix L830 ($300, above), which features 34x optical zoom, a 16-megapixel BSI CMOS sensor with Hybrid VR image stabilisation, Full HD video recording and a titlable LCD screen. The considerably smaller Coolpix L29 (£69.99 / €84.00) offers 5x optical zoom, a 16-megapixel CCD and an anti-reflection 2.7” LCD screen. The similarly styled Coolpix L30 (£89.99 / €109.00 / $119.95) comes with a 20-megapixel CCD, 3" monitor and 5x optical zoom. Finally, the classically styled Nikon Coolpix L330 (£179.99 / €219.00) packs a 20-megapixel sensor and a 26x zoom lens with lens-shift Vibration Reduction for blur-free images.

Fujifilm FinePix S1

The Fujifilm FinePix S1 is the world’s first weather-resistant bridge camera. The Fujifilm S1 offers everything you could want from a bridge camera, including a powerful 50x image-stabilised optical zoom lens, wireless communication, Full HD movie function - all wrapped in a robust dust and water-resistant body. The Fujifilm FinePix S1 will be on sale from January 2014 for £399.99.

Fujifilm FinePix XP70

The Fujifilm FinePix XP70 is a new all-weather digital compact camera. The 16.4 megapixel waterproof, shockproof, freezeproof and dustproof Fujifilm XP70 features wireless connectivity for simple sharing with a smartphone or tablet along with a host of powerful picture taking features. The Fujifilm FinePix XP70 will be on sale from February 2014 for £169.99.

Photo Cruises Launched

Photo Cruises are a new company specialising in educational photographic holidays. There will be expert tuition from a variety of onboard workshops, lectures and seminars, as well as hands-on tuition on location, and photography excursions. Their 2014 cruises will include two 7-night Mediterranean voyages, a week-long Norway cruise, a 7-night Baltic voyage and a 3-night taster cruise to Bruges and Paris from Southampton. These photo cruises are available to book now and if you book a place by the end of January you will get £50 off.

Ilford Photo Announces New Photographic Papers

UK-based Ilford Photo has announced a new range of variable-contrast Baryta Fibre Base papers, a completely new and improved Multigrade FB and a new Cooltone FB paper to complement the existing Multigrade FB Warmtone offering. The new paper is available in Glossy and Matt surfaces and offers sharper images, improved maximum density and shorter exposure times. The new Multigrade FB Classic has also been developed to better respond to traditional toning techniques.

Sony A7 Review

The Sony A7 is the second mirrorless camera in the World to offer a full-frame sensor, but this time it's a slightly more modest 24 megapixels, rather than the A7R's 36 megapixels. The cheaper Sony A7 also offers a more innovative and potentially quicker hybrid AF system, faster flash sync and burst shooting speeds, and a quieter electronic shutter. Is the Sony A7 just as good as its big brother? Read our Sony A7 review to find out...

Sony A7R Review

Big sensor in a small body - that's the USP of the new Sony A7R camera. Offering a 35mm full-frame sensor inside a relatively compact body that takes interchangeable lenses, the A7R is a truly unique and genuinely exciting proposition. Is the Sony A7R the ultimate fusion of DSLR technology and compact system camera size? Read our Sony A7R review to find out...

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM1 Review

At first glance the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM1 looks like an up-market compact camera, but it's actually a tiny interchangeable lens model. Small enough to fit into a coat pocket yet still offering a large Micro Four Thirds image sensor, the diminutive Panasonic Lumix GM1 is taking aim at not just the obvious CSC competition, but also the growing premium compact market too. Read our full Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM1 review, complete with full-size JPEG and RAW sample images...

New Accessories for the Lomography Konstruktor

The Lomographic Society has introduced a range of accessories for the Lomography Konstruktor, its DIY film SLR. The £12.90/$14.90 Konstruktor Magnifying Chimney Hood provides a magnified viewfinder image for more precise focusing, and allows dioptre correction. The £16.90/$19.90 Konstruktor Close-Up & Macro Lens Kit expands the capabilities of the Konstruktor DIY Camera and allows users to discover the world of macro photography. The kit includes a close-up lens with a close-focus point of 15cm and a macro lens with a minimum focus distance of 5cm. Both accessory lenses are made of plastic. Meanwhile Lomography has also announced a non-working, transparent Collector's Edition of the Konstruktor, which allows anyone to see what's inside a basic 35mm film SLR.

Mastering the Nikon Coolpix A

Mastering the Nikon Coolpix A by Darrell Young is a new ebook from Rocky Nook. Exploring the features and capabilities of the camera in a way that far surpasses the user’s manual, this ebook guides readers through the camera features with step-by-step setting adjustments, colour illustrations and detailed explanations for each option. The 375-page ebook is available for $12.95.

Datacolor Announces Month-Long Holiday Giveaway

Datacolor will be hosting a month long holiday giveaway during the month of December. Beginning 1st December, daily prizes will be awarded through the Datacolor website with a new door opening each day to reveal the featured prize. “For the second year in a row, we’re partnering with some of the industry’s most recognisable brands in an effort to make the holiday season for many imaging professionals even brighter,” said David Tobie, global product technology manager for Datacolor. “Not only is this a fun way for us to close out the year, but it provides digital imaging specialists of all skill sets the opportunity to start the New Year with a gear bag full of cool new gadgets.” Photographers are encouraged to enter the Datacolor Happy Holidays Giveaway by visiting the website below.

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 Review

The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 is a new premium super-zoom camera. Featuring a 28-200mm lens with a constant aperture of f/2.8, a 20.2 megapixel 1.0-type CMOS sensor, Full HD 60p/50p/25p/24p video recording, wi-fi and NFC connectivity and support for the Raw format and full manual controls, the Sony RX10 certainly seems to have every box ticked. Is this the best ever superzoom camera? Read our expert Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 review to find out...

Nikon 1 AW1 Review

The Nikon 1 AW1 is the World's first ever water-, freeze-, dust- and shockproof compact system camera. The AW1 is waterproof to 15 metres, freezeproof to -10°C and shockproof from heights of up to 2m, and comes with a new all-weather 1 Nikkor AW 11-27.5mm f/3.5–5.6 lens. Is this the perfect action camera for all the family? Read our Nikon 1 AW1 review to find out...

Triggertrap Redsnap

Triggertrap's Redsnap accessory, a modular camera trigger for high-speed, camera-trap and time-lapse photography, has exceeded its funding goal of $50,000 on Kickstarter by nearly 6 times. Billed as "one of the fastest, easiest to use, and most affordable high-speed flash- and camera triggers money can't yet buy," Triggertrap Redsnap uses interchangeable sensor modules that you can snap on when you need them, and tuck away in your camera bag when you don't. It has three outputs, so you can hook up three cameras, three flashes, or a combination of both. It also has a special connector allowing it to talk to the Triggertrap Mobile App for iOS and Android. With over £288,000 pledged, Triggertrap Redsnap has exceeded all of its stretch goals, and will go into production in the first half of 2014.

Kenro Launches New Range of Benro Messenger Bags

Kenro, the UK and Ireland Distributor of Benro products has launched a new range of Cool Walker Messenger Bags. The bags open quickly allowing rapid access to photo gear and small pockets at the front of the bag are great for the easy retrieval of mobile phones, wallets and other small accessories. The front and back pockets are large enough to store books, papers or magazines and the centre storage compartment is removable, allowing the bag to be used as a regular shoulder bag if required. This series comes in two variations, the M100N with a price of £82.20 and the M200N costing £88.68.

DxO Optics Pro 9.0.1

DxO Labs have just released DxO Optics Pro 9.0.1 which adds supports the new Nikon Coolpix P7800 and Nikon D610. In addition, DxO Optics Pro v9.0.1 benefits from 250 new DxO Optics Modules, which contain copious information about the characteristics of each camera and lens, allowing the application  to automatically correct distortion, vignetting, chromatic aberrations, and lens softness.

Nikon Df

Nikon today unveiled the Nikon Df, a digital SLR camera that boasts looks inspired by the company's iconic 35mm film cameras. At the heart of the Df is the same 16.2-megapixel FX-format CMOS sensor found in Nikon’s professional flagship camera, the D4. Other highlights include elegant mechanical dials, a 39-point AF system, a sensitvity range of ISO 100/21° to ISO 12,800/42° - extendable up to ISO 204,800/54° -, compatibility with non-Ai (pre-Ai) lenses, continuous shooting at up to 5.5 frames per second, a self-cleaning sensor unit and a shutter tested to 150,000 actuations. Featuring a pentaprism finder with 0.7x magnification and 100% coverage, the Nikon Df will go on sale at the end of this month at a recommended retail price of £2749.99 / $2,999.95 / €3350.00 including an AF-S Nikkor 50mm f/1.8G lens.

Amateur Photographer Wins $10,000 in Scoopshot Competition

Tony Cork has won $10,000 in a photography competition organised by Scoopshot – a service for buying and selling photos captured using the Scoopshot app for iOS, Android and Windows Mobile. Cork’s photo of his son and granddaughter playing in the ocean beat more than 18,000 other entries to bag the $10,000 prize in the competition, which asked photographers to share photos summing up their summer. The photograph was taken using the Scoopshot app on a Samsung Note 2 smartphone while enjoying a quiet day on the beach by the Atlantic Ocean with his wife, two sons, daughter-in-law and two granddaughters.

Mitsubishi CP-K60DW-S Photo Printer

Mitsubishi Electric Visual Solutions America has announced its new, economical dye sublimation photo printer, the CP-K60DW-S. The Mitsubishi Electric CP-K60DW-S features a ribbon rewind function that is unparalleled in the industry, maximizing the number of prints per roll when switching between print sizes and/or print counts. This unique rewind function allows the CP-K60DW-S to print on an unused portion of the media, which helps users save money. “Unlike other printers in its price category, this new CP-K60DW-S rewind feature lets photographers use every inch of the ink ribbon media and still produce the best quality print for its price,” said Ed Najera, product manager, Mitsubishi Electric Visual Solutions America. “It can add up to real savings.” The CP-K60DW-S will be available in November 2013 and will be shown for the first time in Booth #1211 at PhotoPlus, the largest photography and imaging show in North America, October 24-26, 2013, Javits Convention Center in New York City.

Nikon D610

The Nikon D610 is a new 35mm full-frame digital SLR camera with a 24-megapixel FX sensor and a new Quiet Release Burst mode. In regular continuous shooting mode, the Nikon D610 can capture up to six frames per second (up from 5.5fps in the Nikon D600), while in the new Quiet Release Burst mode - which reduces the sound of the camera’s mirror return mechanism - the maximum shooting speed is 3fps. In virtually all other respects, the Nikon D610 is essentially the exact "replica" of the D600, with headline features such as a 24.3-megapixel full-frame sensor, sensitivity range of ISO 100-6400 (extendable up to 25,600), lockable mode dial, pentaprism viewfinder with 100% coverage and 0.7x magnification, a (mostly) magnesium alloy body shell, a 39-point auto focus module, in-camera HDR exposure blending and Full HD video recording capabilities. The Nikon D610 will go on sale later this month, priced at £1799.99 / €2199.00 / $1999.95 for the body only. A kit consisting of the camera and the AF-S Nikkor 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5G ED VR FX lens will be available for £2299.99 / €2799.00 / $2599.95.

Inspire Me: Damian McGillicuddy

In the fourth of a new series of interviews with professional photographers, Damian McGillicuddy reveals what has inspired him during his career.

Reflecta RPL 306 LED Studio Lighting Kit

Kenro has just launched the Reflecta RPL 306 LED studio lighting kit in the United Kingdom. Named after the number of LED lights in each unit, the 306 features dimmable LEDs with stepless light power control and an external power adapter. The LEDs have a colour temperature of 6.500 degrees Kelvin and provide an illumination of 320 lux at a distance of two metres without a filter attached. Each LED panel measures 30x31cm and weighs 1,200 grams, with the total weight of the set - including two RPL 306 lights, power adapters, stands, filters and carrying bag - being 7,950 grams. The Reflecta RPL 306 Studiokit is available now with an SRP of £432.

Nikon 1 AW1

The Nikon 1 AW1 is a water-, freeze-, dust- and shockproof compact system camera with a 14.2-megapixel CX-format CMOS sensor. Waterproof to 15 metres, freezeproof to -10°C and shockproof from heights of up to 2m, the Nikon 1 AW1 features rubber seals at all critical points on the camera as well as an O-ring for the lens mount. The advanced hybrid AF system boasts fast phase-detection AF for high-speed movement, and contrast-detect AF for precision focusing. The Nikon 1 AW1 also offers continuous shooting speeds of up to 15fps with AF and 60fps with fixed focus, while the sensitivity range goes up to ISO 6400/39°. A dual altimeter/depth gauge tracks altitude or depth underwater with data recorded in 1 m increments and an electronic compass confirms orientation and can record the direction the camera is pointing when you take the shot. In addition to capturing high-resolution stills, the Nikon 1 AW1 is also capable of recording Full HD movies with manual exposure settings. The Nikon 1 AW1 will be available in a single-lens kit with the new all-weather 1 Nikkor AW 11-27.5mm f/3.5–5.6 lens for £749.99 / €899.00 / $799.95 and a double-lens kit that includes the camera body plus new 1 Nikkor AW 10mm f/2.8 and 11-27.5mm f/3.5–5.6 lenses for £949.99 / €1149.00 / $999.95.

Nikon Coolpix AW110 Review

The Coolpix AW110 is Nikon's second all-action compact camera. The 16 megapixel Nikon AW110 has a 5x zoom lens, 3 inch OLED screen, built-in GPS and wi-fi, and can record full 1080p video. Read our Nikon Coolpix AW110 review to find out if this is the tough camera for you...

Canon EOS 70D Review

The new Canon EOS 70D is not just another DSLR camera, thanks to its innovative Dual-Pixel CMOS AF system. This new technology aims to deliver much better Live View and Movie shooting than any other DSLR on the market. Read our in-depth Canon EOS 70D review to find out if it delivers on its promise...

Nikon Coolpix P7800

The Nikon Coolpix P7800 is a new premium compact camera wth a 12-megapixel CMOS sensor, 7.1x optical zoom, a 921,000-dot EVF, 3” RGBW LCD vari-angle monitor and second-generation Vibration Reduction. Other highlights include a maximum continious shooting speed of 8 frames per second (fps), raw (NRW) image capture, Full HD video recording capability at 25 or 30fps and a Custom Movie Mode that allows users to set the shutter speed, aperture, ISO setting, picture control, manual focus, optical zoom and white balance for creative control. The Nikon Coolpix P7800 will be available in black from 26 September 2013, at a recommended retail price of £499.99 / €599.00 / $549.95.

When the Night Comes

The Photographic Museum of Humanity (PMH) has launched its newest online exhibition When the Night Comes. Arranged in 5 galleries the exhibition features the works of award-winning photographers like Alejandro Chaskielberg, Valentina Quintano and Szymon Roginski. When the Night Comes is on show until 8 October 2013 at the website below.

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 II Review

Last year's RX100 premium compact camera proved to be a runaway success for Sony - can the new Mark II version improve on the original? Read our expert Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 II review to find out...

TurnStyle Sling Bags from Think Tank Photo

Think Tank Photo have released a new sling camera bag collection, the TurnStyle. The range comprises three models, including the TurnStyle 5, the TurnStyle 10 and the TurnStyle 20. The Think Tank Photo TurnStzle 5 sling bag ($74.75) fits a compact system camera with two to four lenses plus a small tablet, the TurnStyle 10 ($84.75) accommodates a standard SLR body with one to three lenses and a small tablet, while the TurnStyle 20 ($99.75) holds a standard-sized SLR camera with one to four lenses plus a large tablet.

Tyra Banks Invests in Flixel Photos

Flixel Photos have announced that supermodel and businesswoman Tyra Banks  has invested in the company through Fierce Capital, the investment arm of The Tyra Banks Company. Flixel photographic images add an innovative element to traditional photographs by incorporating a seamless element of motion across an otherwise still image known as a “cinemagraph.” As a result of the new relationship, Flixel-branded cinemagraphs will be seen during Cycle 20 of ANTM, which premiered August 2 on the CW Network. "“Cinemagraphs combine the best of both worlds – the passive-viewing aspects of photography and the captivating aspects of video,” said Philippe LeBlanc, Flixel’s CEO. “We are very excited to partner with Fierce Capital and The Tyra Banks Company to introduce this exciting artform to... the millions of amateur and professional photographers and others worldwide who will create extraordinary works of art using Flixel technology.”

Nikon Coolpix S6500 Review

The Nikon Coolpix S6500 is a point-and-shoot travel-zoom camera, featuring a 12x, 25-300mm lens and a 16 megapixel backlit CMOS sensor. The S6500 also offers a 3 inch screen, 1080p Full HD movies, built-in wi-fi and 10fps burst shooting. Read our in-depth Nikon Coolpix S6500 review now...

Fujifilm FinePix XP200 Review

The Fujifilm FinePix XP200 is an all-action water, freeze, shock and dust proof 16 megapixel compact camera. The XP200 also offers 1080i HD movies at 60fps, a 5x zoom lens, a 3 inch LCD screen and built-in wi-fi. Read our expert Fujifilm FinePix XP200 review to find out if this is the best rugged camera for you...

Olympus PEN Art Edition

The Olympus PEN Art Edition is a luxury kit including two Olympus PEN E-P5 camera bodies (one custom painted), half a dozen Micro Four Thirds lenses, an FL-600R flash, a leather body jacket, neck strap, large PEN street case and... a hand-painted Vespa LX-50 scooter with matching hand-painted helmet! "By twinning a stunning high-end camera with an effortlessly cool custom painted white Vespa, this project sumptuously succeeds in being a true ‘one off’," Olympus says. "It’s a uniquely collectable first collaboration between urban artist Susie ‘Suzko’ Lowe and fashion photographer Jay McLaughlin."  Jay has documented the whole customisation process of the first Art Edition Kit for a limited edition perfect bound catalogue available on request in store. The luxury kit is available for £16,000 exclusively at Harrods Technology.

Triggertrap Launches Primelapse

Triggertrap has launched a new website where users can view, upload and share timelapse videos shot all around the world. The new platform, called Primelapse, was born from the first annual Triggertrap Hackathon held in May 2013. “For our inaugural Triggertrap Hackathon, we envisioned a day where we put aside our day-to-day routines and concentrate on individual Triggertrap-themed projects that would stretch our imaginations and maybe germinate into the next generation of Triggertrap awesomeness,” said CEO Haje Jan Kamps. “We had lots of cool things happen, but the first one we’re ready to launch to the world is Primelapse.com."

Diddipix Inspires Children to Take Photos and Win Prizes

Diddipix, a children-focussed website recently launched by photographer Kirsten Harvey, has announced a range of new competitions. Children can upload their photos onto their own gallery pages with the possibility of winning awards and prizes including Nikon cameras and the opportunity to have their photos published in a Diddipix yearbook. "Children are very receptive to new ideas, particularly if it is about being creative," Kirsten says. "They don’t have the same inhibitions as adults and tend to explore their world organically, with no pre-conceived views and opinions."

My Nikon World for Facebook

Nikon has just launched My Nikon World, a Facebook application that awards users for taking and uploading photos. User participation will be rewarded with community points and digital badges for uploading photos and participating in the community. With a strong focus on social sharing and engagement, participants will also have the option to include links to their personal social profiles on Facebook, Twitter and other social networks so they can interact with fellow photographers. To visit the site and become a fan of Nikon, visit the official Nikon Facebook page.

Olympus E-P5 Review

The Olympus E-P5 is a new compact system camera that's both old-fashioned and cutting-edge, with a gorgeous retro design that harks back to the 1950s and the very latest digital technologies. Read our expert Olympus E-P5 review to find out if this is the best PEN camera yet...

Richard Heeps: Man's Ruin

Lomography UK’s July exhibition, opening this Thursday, will feature work from analogue photographer, Richard Heeps. In his Man’s Ruin collection, Heeps explores retro Americana imagery in vibrant, immediate photos. Working largely with rare, end-of-line films, Heeps travelled the US, capturing this collection on his Mamiya RB67 and Nikon FM2 cameras. On show until 26th July, the exhibition will be hosted by Lomography's East London gallery located at 117 Commercial Street, London, E1 6BG. Open daily from 11am-7pm.

Nissin MG8000 & PS 8 Power Pack Bundle

Kenro is offering photographers an exclusive deal when purchasing the Nissin MG8000 Extreme Flash Gun together with the PS 8 Power Pack. Compatible with the E-TTL, E-TTL II (Canon) and i-TTL (Nikon) systems, the Nissin MG8000 Extreme features the world's highest "Machine Gun" strobe, and boasts an impressive recycle time of just three seconds for the first 200 shots, and then five to seven seconds for subsequent frames. The Nissin PS 8 Power Pack (pictured) features a redesigned core circuit that reduces the heat produced, and an exclusive battery cartridge design, which greatly increases the battery capability whilst also helping to decrease its overall weight to 761 grams. The Nissin MG 8000 and PS 8 Power Pack bundle deal is available now and has a suggested retail price of £570 (incl VAT), in comparison to an SRP of £621 combined (incl VAT) when purchasing both items separately.

The Big Photo Show Returns to Los Angeles

After the success of the first Big Photo Show event in Los Angeles this past May, PMA has announced that The Big Photo Show will return to the Los Angeles Convention Center in 2014, on May 17-18. “The purpose of The Big Photo Show is to grow the imaging industry by increasing people’s passion and enthusiasm for photography,” said PMA President Allen Showalter. “We accomplished that goal in a major way with the first Big Photo Show in LA this year. PMA is excited to build on that great momentum with another LA show in May of 2014, with additional Big Photo Show events and locations yet to come.”

Bowens Offers New £900 Trade-in Deal on Creo Pack

Bowens is offering photographers the chance to save over £900 when they buy a new Creo 2400Ws generator pack. At participating dealers, photographers can trade in their old generator and purchase a Creo 2400Ws at over 20% discount from the typical UK retail price of £3,999.95. The Creo offers ultra-fast recycling (0.9 seconds at full power!), supports flas durations as short as 1/7700th of a second, a 9-F-stop range with 1/10th-stop control, and much more.

Fotodiox Pro LED 100WA

Fotodiox has launched the LED100WA high-intensity LED lights, a constant light source modelled after a familiar strobe form. Available in 5600K (Daylight, pictured) or 3200K (Tungsten) colour temperatures, these new lights are equipped with a standard Bowens (S) bayonet mount allowing the use of standard strobe accessories like soft boxes, snoots, grids, and more. “While not a traditional strobe in definition, the LED100WA lights are styled after strobe lighting, giving photographers a familiar format for a constant light source with high light output,” said Drew Strickland, vice president of Fotodiox. “Photographers looking for powerful yet cost-effective lights have been turning toward efficient LED lighting. By offering more options in LED lights we aim to provide photographers with top-of-the-line technology that can meet their needs while also keeping down both equipment and energy costs.” The LED100WA lights are priced at $324.95 and are available now at the website below.

DxO Optics Pro 8.1.6

DxO Labs have released version 8.1.6 of DxO Optics Pro. This update adds support for the Leica M (in the Elite edition only), the Canon EOS 700D / Rebel T5i (pictured), the Nikon Coolpix A, the Nikon Coolpix P330, the Pentax MX-1, and the Sony NEX-3N. This upgrade is free for all owners of DxO Optics Pro 8, as well as for photographers who purchased a DxO Optics Pro 7 license on or after 1 September 2012.

Nikon 1 Nikkor 32mm f/1.2

The Nikon 1 Nikkor 32mm f/1.2 is an ultra-fast short telephoto lens for Nikon 1 System cameras. The 85mm equivalent lens, whose development was announced last October, is ideal for portraiture and boasts a compact, contemporary design as well as a silent-wave auto focus motor. A seven-blade rounded diaphragm promises a pleasing bokeh, and this is the first 1 Nikkor lens to feature Nikon’s Nano Crystal Coat, which is claimed to "greatly reduce" ghosting and flare even in backlit situations. Available in June, the 1 Nikkor 32mm f/1.2 lens can be yours for $899.95.

Adobe MAX Sneak Peeks

Adobe presented a behind-the-scenes look at cutting-edge design and interactive technologies at Adobe MAX, The Creativity Conference. MAX Sneak Peeks offer a unique opportunity to see inside Adobe’s engineering labs and to preview new features during their early stage of development. Videos of the technology explorations spotlighted during the MAX Sneak Peeks, hosted by Rainn Wilson and special guest Mary Lynn Rajskub, with Ben Forta, director of Evangelism, Adobe, are available on YouTube.

Photographer’s Guide to the Nikon Coolpix P520

White Knight Press has released its newest camera guide book, Photographer’s Guide to the Nikon Coolpix P520: Getting the Most from Nikon’s Superzoom Digital Camera. This 402-page book is a complete guide to the operation and features of the Nikon Coolpix P520. The book explains all shooting modes, menus, functions, and controls of this superzoom camera in clear language, accompanied by more than 300 full-colour illustrations and sample photographs. In addition, the book goes beyond the realm of everyday photography, and provides introductions to more advanced topics such as infrared photography, street photography and macro photography. The book is available now for $9.95 in PDF format for download through the website below. A paperback version will be available for $24.95 from Amazon by early May.

Photo Studio Templates from SF Photo School

SF Photo School has just launched a new product called Photo Studio Templates. "We're very proud to launch Photo Studio Templates for photographers who are struggling to brand and market their business," says Uzair Kharawala, creator of Photo Studio Templates. "These templates are affordable & inexpensive and any photographer can customise the templates with their logo, company information, colours, fonts & images." The recommended retail price is £225. Photographers can get started by downloading two free templates and a 80-minute video on branding & marketing. For more information, visit the website below.

Nikon Coolpix P330 Review

The Nikon Coolpix P330 is a new compact camera aimed at prosumers. The Nikon P330 features a 12.2 megapixel BSI CMOS sensor, full manual controls, 1080p HD video recording, a 5x wide-angle zoom lens with a fast maximum aperture of f/1.8, a high-resolution LCD screen, built-in GPS and 10fps burst shooting. Read our in-depth Nikon Coolpix P330 review to find out if this is the perfect pocket camera for the keen enthusiast ...

Kenro Launches Benro Cool Walker Range

Kenro has launched a new range of Benro camera bags. Specifically designed to meet the needs of the travel and sports photographer, the new ‘Cool Walker’ range consists of 13 variants of backpacks, shoulder bags and zoom bags. The Cool Walker Backpack is available in six sizes, the smallest being able to carry one SLR, two lenses and one flash and the largest designed to carry two SLRs, six or eight lenses, two flashes and a 15 inch laptop. Also available within the Cool Walker range are a choice of modern shoulder bags (pictured) which come in three sizes; the smallest size being able to fit one SLR and one lens, to the largest size fitting one SLR, two lenses and one flash. The range also includes a zoom bag, available in four sizes. The Cool Walker Backpack’s SRP (including VAT) ranges from £101.94 to £154.20, the Cool Walker shoulder bags are priced between £37.80 to £47.40 and the Cool Walker zoom bag starts at £36.60, rising to £57.

Hasselblad Releases VICTOR - Photography Book Two

The newest issue of Hasselblad’s VICTOR magazine is now available for purchase. This edition has David Hockney revealing a word-exclusive triptych, stylishly reproduced as a complex multiple gatefold, while there’s also an exclusive edit from Steve McCurry of the Pirelli 2013 Calendar, which he photographed in Rio de Janeiro. Also featured in VICTOR - Photography Book Two is Alec Soth, a photographer known for his monochrome exploration of Americana; Guido Argentini, showcasing his exceptional nude studies; and London-based photographer Perou, who has photographed every celebrity in modern culture from Bill Clinton through to Justin Bieber. VICTOR - Photography Book Two is a large-format, hardback, cloth-bound print title priced at £15/€20/US$25. VICTOR is stocked by exclusive magazine shops around the world, and will be available in the EU from 22nd April and the rest of the world from 6th May.

Nikon Coolpix L28 Review

The Nikon Coolpix L28 compact camera has a 20 megapixel CCD sensor, 5x wide-angle zoom lens, 3 inch LCD screen and 720p movies, yet costs just £109.99 / $119.95. Read our in-depth Nikon Coolpix L28 review to find out if this is the right point-and-shoot camera for you...

Leica X2 Review

The Leica X2 is a pocket camera for professionals, offering a 16 megapixel APS-C sensor, fast f/2.8, 36mm lens, improved autofocusing and the usual superlative Leica handling and build quality. Is that enough to justify the Leica X2's £1575 / $1995 price tag? Read our in-depth Leica X2 review to find out...

DxO Optics Pro 8.1.4

DxO Labs have released version 8.1.4 of DxO Optics Pro for Windows and Mac. This update to DxO Optics Pro 8 brings support for four additional new cameras: the Nikon Coolpix P7700 (pictured), the Nikon 1 J3, the Olympus XZ-2 iHS, and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH3. Furthermore, over 200 new camera/lens combinations have been added to the library of DxO Optics Modules, offering support for additional Canon, Nikon, Olympus, Panasonic, Pentax, Sigma, Tokina, and Zeiss lenses for numerous Canon, Nikon, Olympus, Panasonic, and Pentax camera bodies. This upgrade is free for all owners of DxO Optics Pro 8, as well as for photographers who purchased a DxO Optics Pro 7 licence on or after September 1, 2012.

Special Edition X-Rite-Sekonic ColorChecker Passport and Sekonic Grey Balance Card

Sekonic and X-Rite have launched the Litemaster Pro L-478D and L-478DR light meters bundled with the new special edition X-Rite-Sekonic ColorChecker Passport with Sekonic Grey balance Card. Using free software from Sekonic and X-Rite, this new bundle enables photographers and cinematographers to quickly and easily create an exposure profile of their cameras, calibrate their meters and create colour profiles. Incident-only calibration of Sekonic’s Data Transfer System enables creating exposure profiles for precise metering without the need for additional accessories. Incident and Reflected-light calibration requires the L-478 series View Finder 5°, available as a separate purchase, to read the Passport’s Sekonic grey card for calibrated reflected-light readings. Retail pricing is $512 for the Sekonic L-478DR and $438 for the Sekonic L-478D. Current Sekonic L-478D/DR owners can purchase this special edition of the X-Rite ColorChecker Passport with Sekonic Gray Balance Card at the special introductory price of $49.

Nikon Coolpix A and P330

The Nikon Coolpix A is a premium compact camera for professionals. Featuring the same DX-format 16.2-megapixel CMOS sensor as the Nikon D7000 DSLR but with no optical low-pass filter, the Nikon A has a fixed wide-angle 18.5 mm f/2.8 lens (28mm equivalent). The Coolpix A also offers an ISO range of 100-25,600, an optional optical viewfinder (DF-CP1), 14 bit compressed RAW files, 3-inch 921k dot LCD monitor, Full HD (1080p) movie recording, and 4fps burst shooting. The Nikon Coolpix A will be available in the UK on 21st March 2013 for £999.99 / €1199.00. In the US it will be available for a suggested retail price of $1,099.95 in March 2013.

The Nikon Coolpix P330 is an advanced compact with a 1/1.7-inch back-illuminated 12-megapixel CMOS sensor, /1.8 NIKKOR 5x optical zoom lens, Full HD movie recording, RAW (NRW) data processing and Wi-Fi compatibility. The Nikon P330 also features a a built-in Global Positioning System, ISO range of 100-6400, 10 fps burst shooting, and a 99-point autofocus system. The Nikon Coolpix P330 will be available in the UK on 21st March 2013 for £349.99 / €419.00. In the US it will be available for a suggested retail price of $379.95 in March 2013.

Nikon Coolpix L320

The Nikon Coolpix L320 is a new super-zoom camera with a 26x lens. The L320 also offers a 16-megapixel CCD image sensor, 720p movie recording, four different automatic anti-blur functions, and is powered by convenient AA batteries. The Nikon L320 goes on sale in the UK on 21st March 2013 for £199.99 / €239.00.

Nikon Coolpix L26 Review

The Nikon Coolpix L26 compact camera has a 5x wide-angle zoom lens, 3 inch LCD screen, 720p movies and a 16 megapixel CCD sensor, yet costs just £89.99 / $99.95. Can you really can get a capable camera at this price-point? Read our in-depth Nikon Coolpix L26 review to find out...

Oloneo Updates PhotoEngine & HDRengine

Oloneo have updated their HDRengine and PhotoEngine applications to include support for 28 new camera raw formats. Newly supported cameras include the Canon EOS 6D, EOS 650D, EOS M, PowerShot G15, PowerShot S110 and PowerShot SX50 HS, the Fuji X-E1, XF1 and F800EXR, the Nikon D600, 1 J2, 1 V2 and Coolpix P7700m the Olympus E-PL5, E-PM2 and XZ-2, the Panasonic FZ200, G5, GH3 and LX7, the Pentax K-5 II, the Samsung EX2f and NX1000, as well as the Sony RX1, RX100, NEX-5R, NEX-6 and A99. Those who buy PhotoEngine today are entitled to a $30/€26 discount.

Fujifilm FinePix SL240 Review

The Fujifilm FinePix SL240 is an affordable new super-zoom camera sporting a 24x zoom lens. The SL240 also features a 14 megapixel sensor, 3 inch LCD screen, 720p movies, and an attractive street price of under £150. Read our in-depth Fujifilm FinePix SL240 review now...

Nikon Coolpix L820 and P520

Nikon has refreshed its Coolpix L and P ranges with the Nikon Coolpix L820 and P520 models. The Nikon Coolpix L820 ($279.95) is an easy-to-use, AA battery operated 16-megapixel digital superzoom camera with 30x optical zoom and Full HD video capture. Other highlights include Vibration Reduction, Eye-Fi memory card compatibility, a 3-inch rear screen and a “smart portrait system.” The 18-megapixel Nikon Coolpix P520 (£399.99 / €479.00 / $449.95, pictured) is a more serious proposition offering 42x optical zoom, a vari-angle, 3.2-inch, 921k-dot display and full manual control over the shooting settings. An optional Wi-Fi dongle can instantly transfer images and movies to virtually any smart device. Other key features include an auto HDR mode, a customisable function button, a 1cm macro mode, Easy Panorama and 3D shooting modes, 7fps continuous shooting at full resolution, and the ability to use the optical zoom while recording a full HD movie.

Nikon Celebrates 80th Anniversary of Nikkor Brand

This year, Nikon is celebrating the 80th anniversary of the Nikkor brand. The brand’s history began in 1933 with the first shipment of Nippon Kogaku’s Aero-Nikkor aerial photographic lenses. Twenty-six years later, the company released its first SLR camera, the Nikon F as well as its first lens for Nikon SLR cameras, the Nikkor-S Auto 5cm f/2. Since then, Nikon has been at the forefront of lens development. The OP Fisheye-Nikkor 10mm f/5.6 fisheye lens for SLR cameras, released in 1968, was the world’s first lens to incorporate aspherical lens elements. The Ultra Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8, released in 1962, served as the template for projection lenses employed in Nikon IC steppers and scanners. Total production of Nikkor lenses for cameras with interchangeable lenses reached 75 million in November 2012.  Nikon’s lineup of lenses for cameras with interchangeable lenses currently consists of more than 80 types of lenses, including fisheye lenses, ultra wide-angle lenses, super-telephoto lenses, zoom lenses, micro lenses, PC-E lenses, and 1 NIKKOR lenses.

Nikon Announces US Availability of New D5200 DSLR

Nikon has announced the US availability of the new Nikon D5200 digital SLR camera.  The 24.1 megapixel Nikon D5200 succeeds the D5100, featuring a new EXPEED 3 image processor, ISO range of 100-6400 which is extendable to 25600, 3-inch vari-angle LCD monitor, Fulll 1080p HD movies, 5fps burst shooting, 39-point AF system, 2,016-pixel RGB metering sensor, the Scene Recognition System and a new generation GUI Design. Priced at $899.95 with the AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 VR lens, the Nikon D5200 will be available in late January in three colours (black, red and bronze).

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Nikon D5200 Sample Photos

Nissin MG8000 Extreme Flash Now Available

The Nissin MG8000 Extreme flash is now available in the United Kingdom. Offered in both Canon and Nikon fit, the Nissin MG8000 Extreme sparked mass interest amongst the industry when shown for the first time at Focus-on-Imaging in March 2012 due to its unique quartz-based flash tube which ensures the unit remains cool, even in extreme-use conditions. When tested, the Nissin MG8000 can produce over 1000 full flashes without any fear of overheating, the company claims. The Nissin MG8000 Extreme boasts a recycle time of just 3 seconds for the first 200 shots, and then 5 to 7 seconds for subsequent frames, maintaining its guide number throughout the burst. Other highlights include an included external diffuser, tilt-swivel head, guide number of 60 (in metres at ISO 100/21° with the head zoomed to the 105mm position), full support for Canon’s and Nikon’s wireless TTL flash control systems, high-speed synchronisation and a stroboscopic flash mode. Weighing in at 400g, the Nissin MG8000 Extreme has a guide price of £545.40.

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX20 Review

The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX20 is a small and stylish camera that's freeze, shock, water and dust proof. The Sony TX20 has a 16.2 megapixel back-illuminated Exmor-R sensor, 10fps burst mode, 3 inch touch-sensitive LCD screen, a 4x zoom lens and full 1080i HD movies. Read our Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX20 review to find out if it's worth the £280 / $330 asking price.

2012 Travel Photographer of the Year Winners Announced

British photographer Craig Easton has been announced as the overall winner of the Travel Photographer of the Year (TPOTY) 2012 competition. Craig beat entrants from over 90 countries to win the world’s leading travel photography competition with four evocative, moody images of the ‘dreich’ - an old Scottish word to describe wet, miserable, dank weather - and an elegant series of four striking silhouettes of people in Paris. The New Talent award went to Alessandra Meniconzi (Switzerland), while 15-year-old Samuel Fisch (USA) has been named Young Travel Photographer of the Year.

Perfect Effects 4

onOne Software has released Perfect Effects 4 Premium Edition and Perfect Effects 4 Free Edition. Both programs offer a library of photographic effects and tools for image enhancement and creative stylisation. Each may be used as a standalone application, as an external editor for Apple Aperture, Adobe Lightroom, or as a Photoshop plug-in. The main difference between the two editions is that Perfect Effects 4 Premium Edition provides photographers with more than 400 photographic effects sorted into more than 40 categories, whereas the free version includes 70 photographic effects while maintaining core functionality and usage without the restrictions of a traditional 30-day timed trial or the addition of watermarks to images. Both Perfect Effects 4 Premium and Free Editions are now available from onOne Software. New users may purchase Perfect Effects 4 Premium Edition for $99.95. Owners of Perfect Effects 3 or PhotoTools 2.6 and earlier may upgrade for $69.95.

Lytro Introduces Perspective Shift and Living Filters

On 4th December, Lytro will unveil a new light field technology capability for the Lytro camera, featuring Perspective Shift as well as new creative tools called Living Filters.  Perspective Shift lets Lytro photographers interactively change the point of view in a picture after it has been taken. When pictures are shared to the web, Facebook and Twitter, friends can experience Perspective Shift without needing any special software. Perspective Shift also works retroactively on any light field pictures previously taken with a Lytro camera. Living Filters enable Lytro photographers to apply one of nine interactive filters to their pictures and change the look of the picture based on light field depth. Unlike traditional digital photo filters, Living Filters create additional effects as viewers interact with a picture. These features will be available to customers via a free Lytro Desktop software update.

Alt Photo for iPhone

Alien Skin Software today released Alt Photo, an iPhone app that applies a wide range of analog looks to photos. Alt Photo reproduces effects from throughout the history of photography, offering numerous black and white styles that cover everything from scratched Daguerreotype to grainy modern film. “It’s fun to give iPhone photographers cool results from our work on professional photography tools,” said Tom Welsh, creator of Alt Photo. “We stripped away all the geeky controls and made complex effects easy to apply.”Alt Photo is available through the iPhone App Store for the introductory price of $0.99.

Nikon Photo Contest 2012-2013

Nikon has issued a call for entries to the 2012-2013 Nikon Photo Contest. Held since 1969, the Nikon Photo Contest (NPC), formally known as the Nikon Photo Contest International (NPCI), was created with the goal of “contributing to the development of photographic culture by providing a venue of communication among photographers from around the world, be they professionals or amateurs.” For this year’s contest, Nikon is seeking entries in four categories including single photo, composite photo, video and Motion Snapshot. The entry period begins on 1 December 2012 and runs until 28 February 2013. To submit your work, visit the Nikon Photo Contest 2012-2013 website, complete the entry form and submit your work.

Polaroid at PDN Photo Plus Expo

Polaroid is showcasing a wide range of photographic accessories at Photo Plus Expo. Offered by C&A Marketing, an authorised Polaroid licensee, the Polaroid line of photo accessories on display at Photo Plus Expo feature LED lighting solutions, tripods, flash units and filters. The products on display at Photo Plus Expo inclde a 112-bulb LED light bar ($79.99), a dual flash-LED combination ($129.99), a variable neutral density filter ($49.99)and a carbon fibre tripod ($149.99).

Lowel GL-1 Power LED Light

Tiffen has unveiled the new Lowel GL-1 Power LED Light at the 2012 PDN PhotoPlus Expo (booth 545), held at the Jacob K. Javits Center in New York City. The Lowel GL-1 Power LED is a battery-powered, focusable and dimmable, photo-quality tungsten colour (3000-Kelvin) LED light. This means users can control the diameter of the light beam, focusing from a tight spot to a wide flood. The beam is very even, from edge to edge, with no hot spots. A “what you see is what you get” lighting tool, with the Lowel GL-1 shooters always know exactly what their image will look like. With an MSRP of “less than $800,” the Lowel GL-1 Light will be released in Q4 2012

Zoner Photo Studio 15

Zoner Software has just released a new version of its photo software Zoner Photo Studio. New features in Version 15 include Quick Search, Folder Synchronisation, an all-new Import Module, Quick Edits, automatic backups, Quick Filters and a new tool that helps users emulate one of the effects achievable with a tilt-shift lens. Zoner Photo Studio is available for $69.99 and can be extended to all computers in a household for an additional $29.99.

Canon PowerShot SX160 IS Review

The brand new Canon PowerShot SX160 IS is one of the more affordable travel-zoom cameras on the market. For less than £150 / $200, the Canon SX160 offers a 16x optical zoom lens, 16 megapixel sensor, 3 inch LCD screen and 720p movies. Read our in-depth Canon PowerShot SX160 IS review to find out if this is the right travel zoom camera for you.

Nikon Coolpix S4300 Review

The Nikon Coolpix S4300 is a point-and-shoot compact camera that aims to take on the all-conquering smartphone. Featuring a 6x, 26-156mm lens and a 16 megapixel CCD sensor, the S4300 also offers a 3 inch touch-screen LCD, 720p HD movies and a range of special effects. Read our in-depth Nikon Coolpix S4300 review now to see if it deserves a place in your pocket.

Photocrafty

Photocrafty by Sue Venables is a new fun and quirky ‘how-to’ book aimed at digital SLR camera users who have yet to venture away from their auto setting. Available from 8th October, the book offers new and exciting ways of making the most of a DSLR, like a photography course which can be taken at the reader’s own time and pace. “What excites me about photography,” says Sue “is that the possibilities are endless – yet most people don’t even begin to explore beyond the basics. I see Photocrafty as an approach, rather than just a book. It’s about embracing the unknown and being a bit experimental. I want people to be saying ‘what would happen if I try that?’ rather than being stuck with the ‘point-and-shoot’ approach to photography.” Published by Punk Publishing, the 224-page paperback is available to pre-order from Amazon UK for £14.95.

Sigma 17-70mm, 35mm, 120-300mm

Sigma has announced three new lenses - the 17-70mm F2.8-4 DC MACRO OS HSM, 35mm F1.4 DG HSM and 120-300mm F2.8 DG OS HSM. Sigma has also organized all of its lenses into one of three product categories: Contemporary, Art and Sports. New Sigma Optimization Pro software and USB Dock are designed exclusively for the new lenses within the new product lines. The price and availability of the Sigma 17-70mm, 35mm, 120-300mm has yet to be announced.

Fujifilm X-E1

The Fujifilm X-E1 is a sixteen-megapixel compact system camera with a 2.36-million-dot EVF, fast auto-focus and a built-in flash. Other highlights include in-camera raw conversion, a range of film simulation modes, multiple exposure and panoramic shooting modes, a number of auto bracketing options and Full HD video recording capabilities. Featuring the same Fujinon XF lens X mount as the X-Pro 1, the Fujifilm X-E1 is compatible with the 3 existing XF lenses available, with 2 more arriving this year and 5 further additions in 2013. In the US, the Fujifilm X-E1 will be available in November for around $1,000 (body only) and ~$1,400 in a kit with the new 18-55mm f/2.8-4 OIS lens. In the UK the Fujifilm X-E1 will cost £749.00 body only and will be on sale at the end of October.

The London Look Exhibition

The London Look is an exhibition of the finalists of The London Look photography challenge. The challenge, a collaboration between the Horniman Museum and Gardens and lifestyle and culture website Londonist, attracted over 350 entries. The images offer a diverse view of contemporary London seen through the eyes of both professional and amateur photographers. Participants were asked if there was a definitive ‘London Look’, to consider the varied style of Londoners, and capture the essence of the city through street photography, either spontaneous or posed. The London Look exhibition runs from Saturday 1st until Sunday 30th September.

Nikon 1 J2

The Nikon 1 J2 is a new, 10.1-megapixel compact system camera offering a novel Creative Mode, a metallic body and high-resolution LCD screen. Retaining the headline features of its predecessor, the Nikon 1 J2 comes with a CX-format CMOS sensor, Advanced Hybrid Autofocus system, EXPEED 3 image processing engine, 10fps continuous shooting with AF (and 60fps without), plus Full HD movie recording. Priced at $549.95 including a 10-30mm kit lens, the Nikon 1 J2 will be available in white, black, silver, pink, red and orange starting September 2012.

Nikon Coolpix L610

The Nikon Coolpix L610 is a new AA battery powered, 16-megapixel travelzoom camera with 14x optical zoom and Full HD video recording capabilities. Featuring a back-illuminated CMOS sensor, 25-350mm equivalent lens with two ED glass elements and Vibration Reduction, the Nikon Coolpix L610 comes with a dedicated movie record button, mini HDMI port and a 3-inch rear screen boasting a resolution of 460,000 dots. Priced at $249.95/£199.99/€249.00, the Nikon Coolpix L610 will be available in red, black and silver beginning September 2012.

BX2 Camera Collection

Brenthaven has launched the BX2 Camera Collection, a new line of camera bags designed with input from professional photographers. The BX2 Collection features various styles and designs from over the shoulder cases, to high capacity backpacks and messenger bags that fit both laptops and DSLR cameras. The cases are made with a durable and water resistant exterior body material that stays cool in direct sunlight during a long shoot.All BX2 items incorporate Brenthaven’s proprietary extreme foam protection technology to ensure the photography equipment is safe from damage. The BX2 cases and bags are available now, priced from $39.95-$179.95.

Nikon Coolpix L810 Review

The Nikon Coolpix L810 is an affordable super-zoom compact camera sporting a 26x zoom lens. The 16 megapixel bridge-style Nikon L810 has a 3-inch 921K-dot LCD screen, 720p movies and uses AA batteries. Read our Nikon Coolpix L810 review to find out if the budget price-tag is too good to be true...

Photographer’s Guide to the Nikon Coolpix P510

White Knight Press has just released the Photographer’s Guide to the Nikon Coolpix P510: Getting the Most from Nikon’s Superzoom Digital Camera ebook, with a paperback edition scheduled to hit the market on 20th July. This book, a complete guide to the operation and features of the Nikon Coolpix P510, is a follow-up to the author’s earlier guides to advanced compact digital cameras, including the Coolpix P500, the Fujifilm X10 and the Canon PowerShot S100. The new book, like the earlier ones, explains all operations, features, menus, and controls of this superzoom camera in clear language, providing guidance to beginning and intermediate photographers not only about how to accomplish things with the Coolpix P510, but when and why to use certain features. The book is available now for $9.95 in PDF format. The paperback version will be available for $28.95.

Wacom Cintiq 24HD touch and Cintiq 22HD

Wacom has unveiled two Cintiq pen displays, the Cintiq 24HD touch and Cintiq 22HD. The Cintiq 24HD touch closely replicates the experience of working with two hands when using traditional materials such as paints, markers and clay and provides a natural input experience for all related activities including concept sketching, illustration and especially 3D activities. The Cintiq 22HD, on the other hand, offers a pen-on-screen experience that delivers the natural feel, response and results derived from working with traditional brushes, pencils and pens. Both the Cintiq 24HD touch and Cintiq 22HD support Wacom’s Art Pen and Airbrush accessory pens to deliver natural brush effects within Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator (CS3 and above) as well as Corel Painter (10 and above). The Cintiq 22HD ($1999) will be available in the latter part of July and the Cintiq 24HD touch ($3699) is expected to ship in August.

Nikon Celebrates 20 Years as Patron of The Open Championship

Nikon has announced a milestone in its company history as it celebrates its 20th year as patron of The Open Championship. To mark this anniversary Nikon will be hosting number of local activities during the event, including the PGA Coaching Area which invites keen golfers to have their putting stroke analysed by a PGA professional. A Nikon COOLPX P310 compact camera, fast enough to capture 120fps, will be used to record your movement and which will then be evaluated by the coach in order to suggest improvements to your technique. Additionally, Nikon will be hosting the Time Challenge Gallery competition, giving entrants the chance to win a share of £6500 worth of Nikon prizes.

Sony XQD S Faster Than Compact Flash

The new Sony XQD S Series memory card is faster than the maximum speed limit of Compact Flash. Offering actual sustained read/write transfer speeds of 168MB/s, XQD surpasses the 167 MB/s maximum interface speed limit of Compact Flash. On the Nikon D4 DSLR, the XQD S Series captures a non-stop burst of 108 RAW frames at 10fps, enough to record the men’s 100m final from start to finish in one burst. The XQD S Series memory card will be available in 64GB capacity from July 2012. A 32GB card will also be available later in 2012.

Nikon Launches Small Moments are Huge Gallery

Nikon has launched the Small Moments are Huge online community photo gallery to encourage digital camera users to celebrate meaningful, everyday moments. The new community, which will be hosted on the Nikon USA page on Facebook, kicked off with the help of some of today’s most influential personalities in television, film, music and technology. Fans can join the Guest Stars and upload their own “small moments” to the community gallery throughout 2012. Additionally, for every photo uploaded, Nikon will donate $1 to The Ronald McDonald House of Long Island up to $50,000.

PromarkBRANDS Launches Promotions to Celebrate National Photography Month

PromarkBRANDS is celebrating National Photography Month during May on the company’s Facebook and Twitter pages. The company’s five brands, Photogenic Professional Lighting, Speedotron, Norman, Cool-Lux, and Smith-Victor, are featuring a tip-a-day on their social media pages and are holding five different Facebook contests for the chance to win kits and lights in honour of the month. Contests vary from submitting photographs and explaining the lighting techniques used, submitting top photography lighting tips, to a Photography Challenge, where photographers are asked to shoot and post a specific image every day. Entries will be judged by photographers and lighting professionals and the best two entries for each brand win the prizes.

Olympus OM-D E-M5 Review

Olympus have expanded their Micro Four Thirds family with the launch of the OM-D E-M5. Boasting the World's fastest autofocus system, the E-M5 brings the original design ethos of the 1970's film OM series kicking and screaming into the 21st century. Read our expert Olympus E-M5 review to find out if it's the best compact system camera on the market.

Fujifilm FinePix F770EXR Review

The FinePix F770EXR is the latest travel-zoom camera from Fujifilm, sporting a 20x lens with a versatile focal range of 25-500mm. The 16 megapixel F770 EXR features a fast auto-focus system, full 1080p movies, enhanced GPS, high-contrast 3 inch LCD screen and 8fps continuous shooting. Read our in-depth Fujifilm FinePix F770EXR review to find out if this is the ultimate travel camera...

Think Tank Photo to Release Three Travel-Specific Backpacks

Later this month, Think Tank Photo will be releasing the Airport series, a new line of travel-specific, high-capacity camera backpacks. The three backpacks – the Airport Accelerator, Airport Commuter, and Airport Essentials— integrate quick access pockets for a laptop and tablet, a top pocket for boarding passes, and three robust handles to ensure easy placement and retrieval from overhead bins. The three sizes allow photographers to select the best fit for their needs. The largest of the three, the Airport Accelerator accommodates two pro-size SLRs, 6 to 8 standard zooms, a 500 f/4.0, a tablet, and up to a 17” laptop. The smaller Airport Commuter fits one pro-size SLR, 4-6 zooms, a tablet and a 15” notebook, while the even smaller Airport Essentials accommodates a standard DSLR, 4 to 6 standard zooms, a tablet, and up to a 13” laptop.

Nikon Wins Three TIPA & Four Red Dot Awards

Nikon has announced that three of its products have won accolades in the TIPA 2012 awards, and four products have been given the prestigious “red dot award: product design 2012”. The TIPA honours have been awarded to the Nikon D5100 (Best Entry-Level DSLR), the Nikon D800 (Best Expert DSLR), and the Nikon SB-910 (Best Professional System Flash). Meanwhile, the “red dot award: product design 2012” was given to the Nikon 1 system, the Coolpix AW100 rugged camera, the Coolpix P310 premium compact, and the PROSTAFF 5 laser rangefinder.

Nikon Coolpix P310 Review

The Nikon Coolpix P310 is a new pocket camera for professionals. The Nikon P310 features a 16 megapixel BSI CMOS sensor, full manual controls, 1080p HD video recording, a fast maximum aperture of f/1.8, a high-resolution LCD screen and 5fps burst shooting. Are these features enough to elevate the P310 above its main rivals? Read our in-depth Nikon Coolpix P310 review to find out...

PicShop Lite for iOS

esDot Development Studio has announced the free “Lite” version of PicShop - Photo Editor, a mobile editing suite for iOS devices. Also available for Android, PicShop - Photo Editor offers a user interface created with Adobe AIR. Some of the more interesting features include the ability to emulate a shallow depth of field effect, replicate some of the results achievable with a tilt lens, remove blemishes from a portrait, change the saturation/brightness/contrast of an image, and more. PicShop Lite - Photo Editor is available from iTunes, with the Android edition being downloadable from the Google Play Store.

Nissin MG8000 Extreme

Kenro has announced the UK launch of the Nissin MG8000 Extreme flash. Nissin has developed a new ceramic insulation for the inside of the gun as well as a unique quartz-based flash tube which ensures the unit remains cool, even in extreme use conditions. When tested, the Nissin MG8000 can produce over 1000 full flashes without any fear of overheating, the company claims. The Nissin MG8000 Extreme boasts a recycle time of just 3 seconds for the first 200 shots, and then 5 to 7 seconds for subsequent frames, maintaining its guide number throughout the burst. Other highlights include an included external diffuser, tilt-swivel head, guide number of 60 (in metres at ISO 100/21° with the head zoomed to the 105mm position), full support for Canon’s and Nikon’s wireless TTL flash control systems, high-speed synchronisation and a stroboscopic flash mode. Weighing in at 400g, the Nissin MG800 is compatible with the E-TTL, E-TTL II (Canon) and i-TTL (Nikon), and features a USB connector enabling the flash to receive firmware updates.

The Warner Sound Captured by Nikon

Nikon and the Warner Music Group have unveiled details of their cooperation at the upcoming South by Southwest Music & Media Conference (SXSW) in Austin, Texas. “The Warner Sound Captured by Nikon” will make its home at Austin’s famed La Zona Rosa, with two days and three nights of performances slated for 13-15 March. Nikon’s activities at SXSW include an HD-SLR Workshop with The Bui Brothers on the 13th, Nikon Shooting Opportunities with Robert Knight and the Your 1 Shot contest, which gives up-and-coming bands an opportunity to play in front of WMG executives and win Nikon gear. Additionally, the whole event will be broadcast online with the help of Nikon’s latest video-enabled digital SLR cameras. Click through / scroll down for the detailed evening and daytime schedules.

New Limited Edition Nikon Gold DSLR Rigs from Redrock Micro

Redrock Micro has announced a new line of Limited Edition Nikon Gold DSLR rigs. Designed in response to the new generation of Nikon HD video DSLRs, including the D4 and D800, the Nikon Gold rigs have the same configuration and quality as their standard Redrock counterparts, but with Nikon Gold and Midnight Black accent colors replacing the classic Redrock blue. The three rigs offered in Nikon Gold include Captain Stubling, a compact, action-style hand-held rig including support and focus control with the microFollowFocus; the ultra-compact runningMan; and the Field Cinema Deluxe V2 Bundle. Pricing for these rigs depends on configuration, and starts at $514.

10 Tips for Better Sports Photography

Professional sports photographer, Jordan Weeks, shares his top tips for taking better sports photos.

Artensoft Tilt Shift Generator for Windows

Artensoft has announced Tilt Shift Generator, a Windows program that allows users to simulate the tilt effect achievable with a tilt-shift lens. The application uses a special algorithm to blur specific areas of the image by the right amount, and provides a number of control options and settings to achieve the desired effect. Tilt Shift Generator licences are available from $49.95 through the website below.

Canon PowerShot SX240 HS & SX260 HS

Canon has announced two new PowerShot SX models, including the Canon PowerShot SX240 HS and SX260 HS, both of which come with 25-500mm equivalent zoom lenses and 12.1-megapixel sensors. Other features the two cameras have in common include high-speed shooting; Full HD video recording; advanced Multi-area White Balance; Manual, Tv and Av shooting modes; a Smart Auto mode that can recognise up to 58 different scenes; Intelligent IS and a 3” PureColor II G LCD screen. The Canon PowerShot SX260 HS additionally features a built-in GPS module with included Map Utility software and GPS logger function. The SX240 HS will be available from March at a price of £299.00/€349.00. The SX260 HS is also expected to start shipping in March, priced at £329.00/€379.00/$349.99.

Nikon Coolpix P310 and P510

Nikon has announced a pair of P series cameras, including the Nikon Coolpix P510 with a record-breaking 42x optical zoom. Alongside its 24-1000mm (eq.) f/3-5.6 lens, the Nikon P510 packs a built-in GPS module, Vibration Reduction technology and a 16.1-megapixel back-illuminated CMOS sensor. A 3-inch high-resolution (921,000-dot) vari-angle monitor makes it easy to compose images and movies from difficult angles. The other new P series camera, the Nikon Coolpix P310, offers a less ambitious 24-100mm equivalent focal range but boasts a fast f/1.8 maximum aperture at the wide end. Both cameras feature a mode dial with P, A, S and M modes, and both will be available in February/March (US/UK). The Nikon Coolpix P510 carries an MSRP of $429.95 / £399.99 / €471.00, while the Coolpix P310 has a suggested retail price of $329.25 / £299.99 / €354.00.

Nikon Coolpix S30 / L26 / L810

Nikon has announced three new, AA battery operated Coolpix models, including the simple but rugged Nikon S30, the easy-to-use Coolpix L26 and the long-zoom L810 (pictured). The 10.1-megapixel Coolpix S30 boasts a shock- and waterproof body and a wide-angle lens with 3x optical zoom ($119.95 / £99.99 / €118.00). The sixteen-megapixel Nikon L26 offers a 26-130mm equivalent lens and a 3” rear display (but no waterproofing) for the same amount of money. Finally, the Nikon Coolpix L810 comes with a remarkable 22.5-585mm equivalent lens, 16-megapixel CCD, Vibration Reduction, a Sports Continuous Shooting mode and a 3”  screen with 921,000 dots ($279.95 / £229.99 / €271.00). All three cameras can shoot 720p movies and all come with Nikon’s Smart Portrait System on board.

Nikon Coolpix S3300 / S4300 / S6300 / S9300

Nikon has updated its S series of digital compact cameras with four new 16-megapixel models. The range-topping Coolpix S9300 ($349.95 / £299.99 / €354.00) features a 25-450mm equivalent VR lens, a built-in GPS module and Full HD video recording. The slim Nikon S6300 ($199.95 / £179.99 / €212.00) bundles a 10x optical zoom with a compact body and VR technology, Easy Panorama mode and Full HD movies. The Nikon S4300 ($169.95) is a touchscreen model with a 26-156mm equivalent lens, Vibration Reduction and Nikon’s Smart Portrait System on board. Finally, the Nikon Coolpix S3300 ($139.95) is the most affordable model in the range, with 6x optical zoom, Vibration Reduction, 19 scene modes and 720p video.

Nikon Coolpix L310

Nikon UK has just announced the AA battery powered, 14-megapixel Nikon Coolpix L310 with 21x optical zoom. Apart from its remarkable 25-525mm equivalent zoom lens, the Nikon L310 also offers a high-resolution 3” display, and 720p HD movie recording with optical zoom and auto focus. In addition, the camera features 17 scene modes and Nikon’s Smart Portrait System with Smile Timer, Blink Proof and Red Eye Fix and Skin Softening technologies. The Coolpix L310 will hit the shelves on 15th March at a recommended retail price of £199.99 / €236.00.

Fantasea Line FP7100

Fantasea Line has announced the FP7100 underwater housing for the Nikon Coolpix P7100 high-end compact camera. Ergonomically designed and fully functional, the shock-resistant FP7100 housing features easy-to-use and clearly labelled controls and is depth rated to 60m. The housing is compatible with the complete FP7000 dedicated accessory line, including wide angle and macro lenses. Additional accessories include a variety of colour correction filters and lighting sets, which enable photographers to further enhance the quality of their images and videos.

Nikon Coolpix S6150 Review

The Nikon Coolpix S6150 is a new point-and-shoot compact camera, featuring a 7x, 28-196mm lens and a 16 megapixel CCD sensor. The S6150 also offers a 3 inch touch-screen LCD, 720p HD movies and a range of special effects. Read our in-depth Nikon Coolpix S6150 review now.

Fujifilm FinePix F600EXR Review

The FinePix F600EXR is the latest travel-zoom camera from Fujifilm, sporting a 15x lens with a versatile focal range of 24-360mm. The 16 megapixel F600 EXR features a quick auto-focus system, full 1080p movies, built-in GPS, 3 inch LCD screen and 8fps continuous shooting. Read our in-depth Fujifilm FinePix F600EXR review to find out if this is the ultimate compact camera...

Fujifilm FinePix X10 Review

The Fujifilm FinePix X10 is a gorgeous new compact camera that boasts impeccable build-quality, intuitive handling and a long-list of photographer-friendly features. Find out if it can deliver the goods in our in-depth Fujifilm FinePix X10 review, complete with full-size sample JPEG and raw images, videos and more...

Nikon Launches iP-PJ Transfer App for iOS

Nikon’s iP-PJ Transfer App enables users of the Nikon Coolpix S1200pj digital compact camera to project content stored on an iPhone or iPod touch using the camera’s built-in projector. Until now, content that could be projected using an iOS device and the Coolpix S1200pj was limited to slideshows and the streaming of YouTube videos but the iP-PJ also enables projection of individual photos and thumbnails. Available now, the app is a free download from the iTunes App Store.

Nikon Coolpix AW100 Review

The Coolpix AW100 is Nikon's first all-action compact camera, designed to handle life's hard knocks, and thanks to its GPS features, able to plot your journey's too. The 16 megapixel Nikon AW100 also has a 5x zoom lens, 3 inch screen and can record full 1080p video. Can this new pretender take the weatherproof crown? Read our Nikon Coolpix AW100 review to find out...

Canon EOS C300

The Canon EOS C300 is an all-new interchangeable-lens digital video camera equipped with a newly developed Super 35 mm-equivalent 8.29-megapixel CMOS sensor. The sensor reads Full HD video signals for each of the three RGB primary colours, decreasing the incidence of moiré while realising high resolution with 1,000 horizontal TV lines.Supported by a heightened signal read-out speed, the CMOS sensor reduces rolling shutter skews, and employs 4:2:2 colour sampling for high-resolution performance that minimises the appearance of “jaggies” at chroma edges. In addition to frame rates of 59.41i, 50.00i, 29.97P, 25.00P and 23.98P, the EOS C300 features a 24.00p mode, matching the 24 frame-per-second frame rate of traditional motion picture cameras. The Canon EOS C300 comes in two versions, an EF-mount model compatible with Canon’s current line-up of interchangeable EF lenses for EOS single-lens reflex cameras and new EF Cinema Lens line-up (available from January); and the EOS C300 PL Digital Video Camcorder, with a PL lens mount for use with industry-standard PL lenses (slated for a March release). The list price of the EOS C300 - in either mount - is $20,000. UK pricing to be confirmed.

Rankin: THE HUNGER

Rankin has announced the launch of his brand new biannual, THE HUNGER and its live, digital embodiment, THE HUNGER TV. The magazine will feature a selection of individuals from the worlds of art, design, fashion, drama, music and more, who have also pushed at the cultural boundaries in their own fields. “The Hunger is an idea that was born from the realisation that, more than two decades into my career as a photographer, I am still inspired by what I do every day,” .Rankin said “I named my first retrospective exhibition Visually Hungry – that’s how I felt. In a lot of ways, it is how I think I’ll feel until I die.” The first issue of the magazine will be available on 17th November.

Nikon Coolpix P7100 Review

The Nikon Coolpix P7100 is a new compact camera for the aspiring photographer, offering most of the functionality of a DSLR without the associated bulk. A more responsive and more intuitive version of last year's model, the P7100 is an even more serious rival to the market-leading Canon Powershot G12. Read our in-depth Nikon P7100 review to find out if this really is a serious challenger.

Photo Essentials 4 for Adobe Photoshop Elements 10

onOne Software has just announced a new version of Photo Essentials for Adobe Photoshop Elements. Supporting the new Adobe Photoshop Elements 10, onOne’s Photo Essentials 4 offers five tools to improve your photographs including “Make It Better”, a colour, brightness and contrast adjustment tool; “Cut It Out”, a solution for isolating complex subjects and removing unwanted backgrounds; “Make It Cool”, a complete library of one-click effects; “Frame It”, a collection of over 1200 professionally-designed textures, adornments, edges and frames; and “Enlarge It”, an upsizing tool that maintains sharp edges and crisp details in interpolated images. onOne Software’s Photo Essentials 4 is available for $69.95 and upgrades are available for $39.95.

Nikon Coolpix S100 Review

The Nikon Coolpix S100 is a brand new, stylish digital camera that sports a massive 3.5 inch OLED touch-screen. The 16 megapixel S100 is controlled almost entirely by interacting with its multi-touch control system, while the 5x optical zoom, full 1080p video and 3D stills are also worthy of your attention. Read our in-depth Nikon Coolpix S100 review complete with sample images, video and more to find out if this is the right pocket camera for you.

Wanderlust Travel Photo of the Year

Wanderlust Magazine is reminding interested photographers that the submission deadline for its sixteenth annual Travel Photo of the Year competition is 21st October 2011. The winning images, plus a selection of shortlisted shots, will be featured on the Wanderlust website, printed in Wanderlust Magazine and The Independent, and showcased in an exhibition at Destinations 2012, the UK’s top holiday and travel show. The four winners of the Photo of the Year Amateur category will be whisked away (along with a companion) to photogenic Colombia, while runners-up will receive a Nikon D3100 camera. The top prize in the Portfolio category, open to both amateur and professional photographers, is £3,000. For more details – including full terms and conditions –, check out the website below.

Samsung NX200

The Samsung NX200 is a new compact system camera that delivers professional standard photography. The NX200 features a 20.3 Megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor, high speed capture (including 100ms Advanced Auto Focus), wide range ISO (100-12800), HD movie recording, and Samsung’s unique i-Function lens. Samsung have also unveiled four new lenses, which are the 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 ED OIS superzoom, 16mm F2.4 pancake, 60mm F2.8 Macro ED OIS SSA, and 85mm F1.4 ED SSA portrait lens.

The Samsung NX200 will cost £699 in a kit with the 18-55mm lens or the 20-50mm lens (there’s no body only option), and will be available in September. The 16mm pancake will cost £299, available imminently, and the 18-200mm retails for £699 and is available now. The 85mm and 60mm lenses will be released in October, pricing to be announced.

National Geographic Kids Magazine Launches Photo Competition

The British Isles edition of National Geographic Kids magazine has launched the National Geographic Kids International Photography Competition 2011. With four categories to enter – People, Scenery, Animals and Humour – children aged 14 and under are invited to submit their photographs for judging by a panel which includes National Geographic explorers-in-residence, Dereck and Beverly Joubert, and children’s TV presenter, Andy Akinwolere. The overall British Isles winner will scoop an 11-day family adventure holiday to India, where they’ll visit the Taj Mahal, camp out in the desert, explore Delhi by rickshaw and go on a tiger safari, courtesy of adventure travel experts Explore. They will also win a Nikon D3100 digital SLR camera, while the other category winners will each receive a Nikon Coolpix S3100. The competition closing date is 31 October 2011.

Olympus E-PL3 Review

The Olympus E-PL3 is a stylish new addition to the ever-growing compact system camera market. Also known as the PEN Lite, the EPL3 boasts the World's fastest autofocus system, a 3 inch tilting LCD display, new 12.3 megapixel Live MOS sensor, full 1080i HD movie mode with stereo sound, and an extensive range of creative filters. Read our in-depth Olympus E-PL3 review.

Nikon P7100 Preview

Nikon build on the success of the Coolpix P7000 with the release of the P7100, featuring a 10.1 megapixel 1/1.7 inch CCD sensor, EXPEED C2 processor, 7.1x (28-200mm) optical zoom through a NIKKOR ED lens, 3 inch tilting screen, Raw shooting, twin control dials and more buttons than you can shake a stick at. The Nikon Coolpix P7100 has an RRP of £499.99 (580 Euros) and will be available in late September 2011.

The Nikon Coolpix P7100 is designed to span the gap between a compact camera and a DSLR. It provides the features and functionality of a DSLR without the bulk. In profile, it looks a simple camera with the lens and optical viewfinder on the front but with the addition of a control wheel which will operate the aperture in manual mode. Another wheel on the back will operate the shutter speed.

The improvements come from Nikon listening to feedback from users of the P7000 and adding all the bits that they asked for.

How to Go Pro - Part 1

One of the UK's leading landscape and travel photographers, David Noton, explores what it takes to become a professional photographer.

Olympus E-P3 Review

Olympus have further expanded their Micro Four Thirds family with the launch of the E-P3. Boasting the World's fastest autofocus system, the E-P3 also adds a 3-inch OLED touchscreen display, new 12.3 megapixel Live MOS sensor, full HD movie mode with stereo sound, and an extensive range of creative filters. Read our expert Olympus E-P3 review to find out if this is the best PEN camera yet...

Lensbaby Portrait Kits & Photography Competition

Lensbaby has announced two new portrait kits and a Senior Style Portrait Photo Contest. The standard Lensbaby Portrait Kit ($470, pictured) includes a Lensbaby Composer with a Double Glass Optic and a Soft Focus Optic, wide-angle and telephoto conversion lenses, Creative Aperture Kit 2 and a Lensbaby System Bag. The Ultimate Portrait Kit ($590) includes everything listed above, plus a Lensbaby Scout. The Lensbaby Senior Style Portrait Photo Contest, which opens for submissions on 1st September, challenges US photographers to enter their best high-school senior portraits shot with one of the seven creative optics in the Lensbaby Optic Swap System. The submissions gallery will be hosted by SmugMug.

New Photogenic Professional Lighting Kits

Photogenic Professional Lighting has announced a full line of new lighting kits, including the Solair, PowerLight, and StudioMax III series. Each kit includes at least one monolight with reflector and a softbox, while multi-light kits also include an Eclipse umbrella. Many Solair and PowerLight kits come with PocketWizard receivers built into the monolight housing, and all Solair and PowerLight kits include Photogenic Heavy Duty Air-Cushioned Stands. There are six new Solair kits, eight new PowerLight kits and ten new StudioMax kits in total.

Olympus SP-610UZ Review

The Olympus SP-610UZ is a new budget-concious ultra-zoom compact camera, featuring a 22x zoom lens that provides a focal range of 26-616mm. Other key features offered by the SP-610 UZ include a 14-megapixel sensor, 720p HD video recording, sensor-shift image stabilisation and a range of Art Filters. Priced at £160/$200, we find out if the Olympus SP-610UZ super-zoom is all the camera you'll ever need...

“Seeing the Light” Photo Contest

Photogenic Professional Lighting has announced it is sponsoring Rangefinder’s Seeing the Light Lighting Photo Contest. The contest offers professional and novice photographers the opportunity to showcase their best images. The three entry categories include available light, studio and small flash. Entries will be judged on the basis of creativity, photographic quality and effectiveness in expressing the contest theme. Each of the three category winners will receive the new Photogenic PowerLight PL625DR 250 Ws Monolight with a PLIRC-2 Wireless Remote Control and a PLDIR-2 Infrared Receiver. The contest deadline is 1st July. For more information on the contest or to submit an entry, visit the website below. Note that entry fees apply. As always, we suggest that you read the rules before entering your work.

Samsung SH100 Review

The Samsung SH100 is an affordable compact camera offering built-in Wi-fi for easy connectivity to a variety of devices. The SH100 also has a 14 megapixel sensor, 3 inch touch-screen LCD, wide-angle 5x zoom lens and 720p movie recording. Read our Samsung SH100 review to find out if this is the right compact for you...

Brian Duffy Retrospective

The first ever full-career retrospective of the legendary British photographer Brian Duffy will open July 8th at Idea Generation Gallery. Together with Terence Donovan and David Bailey, Duffy is recognised as one of the innovators of “documentary” fashion photography, a style that revolutionised the fashion industry. He produced an extraordinary body of work but destroyed most of his negatives and transparencies in 1979. “Featuring more than 160 images painstakingly rediscovered by Duffy’s son after years of searching through archives and publications around the world, this exhibition has truly risen from the ashes,” the organisers say. Running until 28th August, the Duffy exhibition is presented by Idea Generation Gallery, 11 Chance Street, London E2 7JB. Admission is free.

Fuji X100 Wins Camera Grand Prix Editors' Choice Award

Having recently won the TIPA Award for Best Premium Camera, the Fujifilm Finepix X100 now received the prestigious award of Editors’ Choice from the 2011 Camera Grand Prix of Japan. Adrian Clarke, Director of Fujifilm’s Digital Products said “To win two of the camera world’s most prestigious awards is a fantastic achievement… The Awards are the highest recognition that with the X100, Fujifilm has created a camera with truly outstanding qualities”.

Review: Read our in-depth review of the Fujifilm FinePix X100 camera

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS37 Review

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS37 (also known as the DMC-FH27) is a new touch-screen compact camera with an appealingly versatile 8x zoom lens. Costing £199 / $229, the FS37 / FH27 is aimed at the beginner end of the market, yet still offers some advanced features including 720p HD movies and Panasonic's reliable intelligent Auto mode. Read our expert Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS37 review now.

Leaf Capture 11.5 Brings New GUI

Leaf today announced that its latest release of Leaf Capture software delivers a newly designed touch screen GUI (Graphic User Interface). Designed with the needs of professional photographers in mind, it offers improved workflow processes and quicker access to important tools through its new menu. The new Leaf GUI’s outdoor theme also makes exterior shooting much easier by improving visibility in high glare and reflection situations. The new Leaf GUI is available for all models in the Leaf Aptus-II series.

Aerial Photography - With a Camera Phone!

Renowned aerial photographer Jason Hawkes takes to the skies armed only with a Nokia N8 camera phone...

Fujifilm FinePix F550 EXR Review

The Fujifilm FinePix F550 EXR is the latest travel-zoom camera, sporting a 15x lens with a versatile focal range of 24-360mm. The 16 megapixel F550EXR features a lightning quick auto-focus system, full 1080p movies, built-in GPS, and 8fps continuous shooting. Read our in-depth Fujifilm FinePix F550EXR review to find out if this is the ultimate compact camera...

Royal Wedding: Love through a Lens

To celebrate the Royal Wedding, Nikon has teamed up with Arthur Edwards, royal photographer at The Sun, to give some expert tips and tricks on how to capture the big day. According to research commissioned by Nikon, a staggering 327 million Royal Wedding-related photos will be taken on digital cameras on Friday 29th April. Arthur has put together a list of 10 useful tips you can use to capture the event - you can read them all below.

Filter Forge 2 Review

Filter Forge 2 is a Photoshop plugin that enables novice and expert users to create a wide variety of effects. With a strong community and over 8,000 filters, Filter Forge could be the only effects program that you need. We take a look at the photographer-friendly effects in our Filter Forge 2 Review.

Two TIPA Awards for Nikon

Nikon won two TIPA awards this year, one for the Nikon D7000 digital SLR camera, and one for the Nikon Coolpix P300 prosumer compact. The Nikon D7000 (read review) has been named the best advanced DSLR in 2011, while the P300 (read review) has won the accolade of Best General Compact Camera. “The Nikon D7000 impressed us as the definition of a state-of-the-art DX-format DSLR,” the jury said. On the P300, they commented: “[T]his camera gives excellent image quality even in dim lighting conditions.”

Nikon Coolpix S9100 Review

The Nikon Coolpix S9100 is a new travel-zoom compact camera sporting a whopping 18x zoom lens with a focal range of 25-450mm. Also featuring a sensible 12 megapixel back-illuminated CMOS sensor, high-resolution 3-inch screen and 1080p Full HD movies, the Nikon S9100 certainly offers a lot on paper, but how does it shape up in reality? Read our in-depth Nikon Coolpix S9100 review to find out.

Alphabetography Photo Challenge: Spring

Photo-games site Phoozl.com has launched the Spring edition of the “Alphabetography Photo Challenge: the Four Seasons” contest on Facebook. The challenge runs for approximately 45 days to its conclusion on May 22. The concept is the following: photo enthusiasts submit photos that apply or relate to the current letter that’s in play. So during the “S” letter period, for instance, participants upload photos that are associated with a word starting with the letter “S”. When the gameplay moves to “P”, “P” photos are submitted. And so on through the six letters of the word “Spring”. Contest participants need only a Facebook account to enter, and they must be at least 18 years old. Photo submissions are acceptable from anywhere in the world, and there are no restrictions on when photos are taken or if they have been manipulated.

White Balance Settings for Landscapes

One of the UK's leading landscape and travel photographers, David Noton, explains how to set a camera's white balance for landscapes.

Nikon Produces 60 Millionth Nikkor Lens

According to Nikon, the total production of Nikkor interchangeable lenses for its SLR cameras reached 60 million this March. As the 55 millionth Nikkor was manufactured in August 2010, this means that Nikon produced no less than 5 million lenses in barely more than half a year. Many of these were completely new lenses launched in Fall 2010, such as the AF-S Nikkor 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR (read review), the AF-S Nikkor 35mm f/1.4G, (read review), or the AF-S NIKKOR 24-120mm f/4G ED VR (review coming soon).

Nik Silver Efex Pro 2 Review

Nik Silver Efex Pro 2 is a powerful black-and-white conversion software application for Photoshop, Lightroom and Aperture. Silver Efex Pro 2 includes new features such as the History Browser, Dynamic Brightness, Amplify Blacks, Amplify Whites, Soft Contrast, Fine Structure, Image Borders, and selective colorization, as well as a variety of speed and quality improvements. Read our Nik Silver Efex Pro 2 Review to discover if this is the best black and white software on the market.

Nikon Coolpix P300 Review

Not everyone wants to carry a camera on their shoulder, something that Panasonic, Canon, and now Nikon have recognised with the release of the Coolpix P300. All three manufacturers offer a pocket compact with full manual controls, pro-level features and good image quality, with the Nikon P300 also adding full 1080p HD video, fast maximum aperture of f/1.8, high-resolution screen and 7fps burst shooting. Are these features enough to elevate the P300 above its main rivals? Read our Nikon Coolpix P300 Review to find out...

ExpoImaging Launches 3-in-1 Rogue Grid

ExpoImaging today announced availability of the Rogue Grid, the newest addition to its Rogue FlashBender product line. Weighing just 3.5 ounces, the Rogue Grid is uniquely designed to produce three different honeycomb grid angles. A 25? grid and a 45? grid align and stack to create a 16? grid, producing three distinct levels of spot lighting control in a compact and lightweight package. The Rogue Grid is available now for $49.95.

Intentional Camera Movement Photography

Photographer and filmmaker Armand Dijcks explains how to capture light in motion through Intentional Camera Movement photography.

Nikon Coolpix L120 Review

The Nikon Coolpix L120 is a brand new super-zoom compact that won't break the bank. $279.95 / £249 buys you the 14 megapixel L120 complete with 21x optical zoom, high-res 3 inch screen and 720p HD movie recording. Read our Nikon Coolpix L120 review to find out what this budget super-zoom is capable of.

Nikon Takes a New Stand at Focus

Nikon UK will be unveiling a brand new exhibition stand at the annual Focus-on-Imaging photography show. The announcement comes hot on the heels of Canon’s decision to skip the show due to a “reassessment of its European marketing plans” for 2011. The new Nikon stand - D40, Halls 9 and 10 - has been especially designed to give visitors an opportunity to try out the entire Nikon range, including the Nikon D7000 digital SLR camera (pictured) and recently announced Coolpix line-up, as well as get advice from the company’s team of experts. Visitors to the Nikon stand will also have the chance to win a D7000 kit as well as other prizes by entering a prize draw, with all proceeds going to Nikon’s corporate charity, Born Too Soon.

PowerLight PL625DR / PL625DRC

Photogenic Professional Lighting has launched two new monolights called PowerLine PL625DR and PowerLine PL625DRC. The PL625DR has a 6 f-stop flash output range from 7.8 to 250Ws, a built-in optical photo slave cell with infra-red triggering capability, a 250W modelling light and a quick, 1.25-second recycle time at full power. The PL625DRC has the same features as the PL625DR and also includes a UV Coated Flash Tube. Photogenic will feature these new products in the Promark booth (#630) at WPPI.

Nikon Coolpix P500 and P300

The Nikon Coolpix P500 and P300 are two new high-end compact cameras. The P300 is a brand new model for the P-series, aimed at those who are passionate about photography and want to use the full capacity of a superior compact camera. The specially crafted NIKKOR lens offers a fast f/1.8 aperture, starts at an ultra-wide 24mm and has 4.2x zoom. The P300 also has a 12.2 megapixel back illuminated CMOS image sensor, 3 inch monitor and Full 1080p HD movies. The P500 replaces the highly-acclaimed P100 advanced bridge camera, and packs in an even more impressive 36x zoom range, tiltable high resolution 921K dot LCD monitor and Full 1080p HD movie recording. The Nikon Coolpix P500 and P300 will be available in March for £399.99/$399.95 and £299.99/$329.95 respectively.

We’ve got an exclusive hands-on photo gallery of the Nikon Coolpix P500 and P300 - click “Read the story” to see it…

Nikon Coolpix S9100

The Nikon Coolpix S9100 is a new travel-zoom compact with an 18x lens. Offering a focal range from 25mm to 450mm, the S9100 also features a back illuminated 12.1 megapixel CMOS image sensor, full HD 1080p movie recording, and a 3 inch high resolution 921k-dot LCD screen. The Nikon Coolpix S9100 will be available in March for £299.99 / €348.00 / $329.95 .

We’ve got an exclusive hands-on photo gallery of the Nikon Coolpix S9100 - click “Read the story” to see it…

Nikon Coolpix S6100, S4100, S3100

The Nikon Coolpix S6100, S4100 and S3100 are three new stylish compact cameras. The trio consists of the S3100, the ultra-slim and stylish successor to the popular S3000, the S4100 with smart touch operation, and the 16 megapixel S6100 compact shooter with 7x zoom lens. The Nikon S3100 costs £129.99 / €151.00 / $139.95, available in March, the Nikon S4100 is £149.99 / €174.00 / $179.95, available in February, and the Nikon S6100 retails for £199.99 / €232.00 / $199.95, again available in February.

We’ve got an exclusive hands-on photo gallery of the Nikon Coolpix S6100, S4100 and S3100 - click “Read the story” to see it…

Nikon Coolpix L120, S2500, L23

The Nikon Coolpix L120, S2500 and L23 are three new easy-to-use and stylish compact cameras. The L120 has a 21x zoom lens, 14.1 megapixel CCD sensor, unique side control lever for zooming, and 3 inch 921k-dot high-resolution LCD monitor. The L120 retails for £249.99 / €290.00 / $279.95. The S2500 has a slim 20mm aluminum body, 4x wide-angle zoom lens and 12 megapixel image sensor, and costs £99.99 / €116.00. The L23 features a 5x wide-angle zoom lens, 2.7 inch LCD monitor, and takes regular AA batteries, costing £69.99 / €81.00. The Nikon Coolpix L120, S2500 and L23 are all available from 24th February.

We’ve got an exclusive hands-on photo gallery of the Nikon Coolpix L120, S2500 and L23 - click “Read the story” to see it…

Fujifilm X100 Full Specification

Fujifilm has announced the final details of the highly anticipated FinePix X100 camera. The X100 is a high-grade digital compact camera featuring an APS-C CMOS sensor (12.3 megapixel), a Fujinon 23mm fixed focal length F2 lens and a newly developed Hybrid Viewfinder. The Fujifilm X100 will be available in March for £999 / $1299.

Canon EOS 600D / Rebel T3i

The Canon EOS 600D / Rebel T3i is a new compact, lightweight DSLR that sits at the top of Canon’s entry-level EOS line-up. The Canon 600D has an 18 megapixel sensor, full 1080p HD movies, 1,040k-dot vari-angle 7.7cm (3.0”) screen, and 3.7fps continuous shooting. The Canon 600D / Rebel T3i is available from early April 2011, priced at £679.00/€819.00/$799.99 body only, £769.00/€929.00/$899.99 with the new EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II lens, and £949.00/€1,149.00/$1099.99 with the 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS lens.

Casio EX-H20G Review

The new Casio EX-H20G is the latest travel-zoom camera to offer built-in GPS, tracking and logging the location of your photos even without a satellite signal. Other key features of the Casio H20G include 14 megapixels, a 3 inch screen, 720p HD video and 600-shot battery life. Read our Casio EX-H20G review to find out if it can beat the Panasonic TZ10 and Samsung WB650...

How to Travel with Photo Gear

One of the UK's leading landscape and travel photographers, David Noton, explains how to pack your camera bag.

Epson R3000 13-Inch Printer

The Epson Stylus Photo R3000 is a new 13-inch / A3+ printer. Designed for professional photographers and fine artists, the Epson R3000 delivers gallery-quality black-and-white output and vivid color prints. The R3000 features high-capacity individual ink cartridges, advanced media handling to support a wide range of paper types, and Ethernet and wireless-N connectivity. The Epson Stylus Photo R3000 will be available in March for $849 / £699.99.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2 Review

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2 is the latest interchangeable lens camera to offer both high quality still and moving images. The exciting GH2 features Full 1080p HD video with continuous autofocus, a new 16 megapixel sensor, amazingly fast auto-focusing, a 3 inch swivelling touchscreen LCD, and an extensive ISO range of 160-12800. Read our Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2 review to find out if it's the most complete video/stills camera yet...

Adobe Camera Raw 6.3 & Lightroom 3.3 Released

Adobe has posted the full versions of Adobe Camera Raw (ACR) 6.3 and Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 3.3, adding raw file support for 15 new cameras and distortion profiles for a number of lenses. Previously available as Release Candidates only, ACR 6.3 and Lightroom 3.3 add support for the Canon PowerShot G12, Canon PowerShot S95, Nikon D3100 (pictured), Nikon D7000, Nikon Coolpix P7000, Olympus E-5, Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2, Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2, Pentax K-5, Pentax K-r, Ricoh GXR & GR LENS A12 28mm f/2.5, Samsung NX100, Samsung TL350 (WB2000), Sony A560 and Sony A580 models. Adobe has also released the free Lens Profile Downloader 1.0 for Camera Raw 6, Lightroom 3 and Photoshop CS5. This companion application allows customers to search, download, rate and comment on over 300 lens correction profiles provided by the Adobe user community.

PhotographyBB Online Magazine Issue #34

PhotographyBB has released the 34th edition of the free PhotographyBB Online Magazine. In this issue, PhotographyBB Magazine examines sell sites, techniques involving high speed flash photography and the process of creating a web gallery. Their “Around the World” feature looks at the interesting history and true elegance of the Moscow Metro subway system, including a very interesting story on how the design of the system was believed to have come about. The usual Photoshop tutorial is also there, this time aimed at readers who will be making their own Christmas cards this holiday season. PhotographyBB Online Magazine is available as a free download at the website below (after registration).

Samsung ST100 Review

The Samsung ST100 is a new Dual View camera with not one but two LCD screens, the usual one on the back and a smaller one on the front that makes it easy to get everyone in the picture. The 14 megapixel ST100's rear LCD is a large 3.5 inch touch-screen affair with a Smart Gesture User Interface, and it also offers a 5x optical inner zoom lens and 720p video recording. Read our Samsung ST100 review to find out if two screens really are better than one...

iStop Motion 2.5 for Mac OS

Boinx Software today announced the availability of iStopMotion 2.5, a stop-motion animation and time-lapse capture application that now features a brand new tilt/shift filter. A bit of a misnomer, the “tilt-shift” filter helps users achieve a miniature-scale model effect in their time-lapse sequences. (To clarify, you can achieve a similar effect with a tilt lens, but a tilt/shift lens is a more complex tool that can be used for other purposes too, including perspective control.) Additional product updates include full support for new Canon DSLR camera models and HDV camera support in iStopMotion Pro when Logic Studio or Final Cut Studio is installed. Version 2.5 also boasts a new ‘Send to iMovie’ functionality in the file menu, for quick and easy export of your stop motion animations to iMovie 8 or later. iStopMotion 2.5 is available now via the website below. The update to version 2.5 is free for all current owners of a valid iStopMotion 2 licence.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2 Review

The hot-off-the-press Lumix DMC-GF2 takes Panasonic's range of Compact System Cameras into uncharted territory. The GF2 is clearly reaching out to frustrated compact camera users by combining a mature touch-screen interface with a simplified control layout, tiny body and DSLR-like image quality and features. Does the GF2 achieve the perfect balance between the portability of a compact and the professionalism of a DSLR? Read the World's First Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2 Review to find out...

Samsung NX100 Review

The new NX100 is Samsung's answer to the Panasonic GF, Olympus PEN and Sony NEX - a mirrorless, compact system camera with interchangeable lenses and the attraction of a large APS-C sensor. As well as being smaller and lighter than the more DSLR-like NX10 model, the NX100 offers an innovative i-Function button which allows you to change the camera's key settings simply by pressing a button and turning the focus ring of the lens. With a retail price of around £449.99 / $599.99 with the new 20-50mm kit lens, the Samsung NX100 also offers fantastic value for money. Read our Samsung NX100 review to find out if it's the real deal...

Holiday Gift Guide 2010

We've selected our top picks for this year's Holiday season, all the way from the cheapest digital compact up to the most expensive DSLR and everything in between. So no matter what your budget, make sure that you consult the Photography Blog Holiday Gift Guide for 2010 before splashing out your hard-earned cash.

Sixtyone North Announces Aurora & Winter Landscapes Photo Tour

Sixtyone North founder Dave Taylor has just announced a new photo tour to the heart of the Alaskan wilderness. The tour, titled “Aurora Borealis, Winter Landscapes & Wildlife” will kick off on 26 March 2011 and end on the 31st. Participants will be staying in a lodge deep in the wilderness of Alaska, just south of the Alaska Range. As the name of the tour suggests, the northern lights will be the main focus of the tour, in addition to landscapes and Alaskan wildlife. The cost per participant is $2250; which covers 5 nights of accommodation in the lodge, meals and transportation while on tour, and tuition. Transportation to Anchorage is not included. The first $1150 is payable upon registration, while the remaining $1100 is due on 1 February 2011.

Nikon Coolpix S5100 Review

The Nikon Coolpix S5100 is a stylish new budget point-and-shoot camera. The S5100 offers a compact body, 12 megapixels, a 5x zoom with 28mm wide-angle setting, 720p HD movies and a 2.7 inch LCD screen. Read our expert review of the Nikon Coolpix S5100.

Simply Postcards

Simply Postcards is a free iPhone app that lets users mail their photos as real postcards from their mobile device to anyone in the world.“Our customers are snapping photos from the Great Wall of China and having their printed postcards arrive in three days,” says CEO Adam Fried. “It’s a really cool technology that we are extremely excited to offer consumers.” The app itself is a free download fromt hte App Store, and every user’s first postcard is also free. Additional postcard credits can be purchased within the app using a major credit card or PayPal.

PhotoBox for iPad

Boinx Software has announced PhotoBox for iPad, an applicationthat analyses the technical quality of photos imported from a camera to iPad via the iPad Camera Connection Kit. The app provides photographers with an on-the-spot analysis of images in terms of exposure, focus, color, and overall look and composition. PhotoBox is available now as a free download at the website below.

New Products from Craig's Actions

Craig’s Actions today announced a number of new Photoshop action sets and presets, and introduced its “WalkAway WorkFlow”. The new products include the Beauty Bar, an action set consisting of “amazingly simple” skin softening and make-up actions; a new collection of Preset Fx for Lightroom and Photoshop comprising the Editorial Fx Presets, Craig’s Fx Essentials Presets and Craig’s Vintage Boudoir Fx Presets. Beauty Bar Actions are available at an introductory price of $97, whilst each of the three Fx Presets can be had for $79.

Fantasea FL-22

The new Fantasea FL-22 is an underwater housing for the Nikon Coolpix L22 digital compact camera. Depth rated to 60 metres / 200 feet, the Fantasea FL-22 housing provides photographers with access to all camera controls and functions. The housing consists of double O-ring seals on all controls, anti-glare hood over LCD screen, removable flash diffuser and a 46mm threaded lens port, designed to be compatible with a wide range of lens accessories. The FL-22 underwater housing costs $240.95 and is also available in a bundle with the Nikon L22 camera for $325.95.

Nikon Coolpix S80 Review

The Nikon Coolpix S80 is a new 14 megapixel camera featuring a very interesting OLED touchscreen. The S80's large 3.5 inch monitor offers a touch-sensitive interface, featuring a Touch Shutter function that allows you to focus on and photograph a subject by simply touching it on the camera’s display. Other key features of the Nikon S80 include 720p movies with stereo sound, a 5x zoom lens, slim and stylish design and a range of creative filters. Read our detailed Nikon Coolpix S80 review to get the full low-down on Nikon's new touchscreen compact.

How to Take Great Autumn Photos

Jeff Cable, Director of Marketing for Lexar Media, shares some great tips for capturing fantastic Fall / Autumn photos.

Canon EOS 60D Review

The EOS 60D is a new kind of DSLR camera from Canon, blending features from the cheaper 550D / / Rebel T2i and the more expensive 7D to exactly occupy the middle ground between the two. Aimed at the well-heeled amateur with a penchant for video, the 60D is the first EOS camera to offer an articulated LCD screen, making it easier to shoot both stills and importantly video. Read our expert Canon EOS 60D Review to find out if Canon's new prosumer DSLR is a worthy addition to the EOS range.

Nikon to Support 100 Promising Young Photojournalists

From October 8-11, Nikon will sponsor 100 of the world’s most promising young photojournalists in upstate New York for the 23rd Eddie Adams Workshop, also known as “Barnstorm.” During the workshop, the Barnstorm students are divided into 10 teams, with each team paired with a photographer, an editor and a researcher. Each day consists of hands-on activities such as shooting and editing, as well as speeches and panel discussions from industry veterans. At the workshop, students will have the opportunity to use Nikon’s professional digital SLR camera system, including the Nikon D3S, D3X and D300s cameras and a full complement of Nikkor lenses.

IPA Photo Contest

The International Press Association (IPA) has announced a unique photo contest to help launch their new Member Support Blog on their website. There are no fees to enter, no contributions to the contests favourite charities, no restrictions on the subject matter, two levels of entry - pro and amateur - and “so many prizes that the chances of winning are quite good”, the Association says. First place winners will receive over $1800 in prizes each, second place winners receive over $500 in prizes and ten Honourable Mention winners will receive over $150 in prizes each. The contest will be using the viewer votes (25%) and the judges’ votes (75%) to determine the final winners. The submission deadline is 30th November.

Kingston Digital Launches Autumn Photo Competition

You can win one of three Nikon Coolpix L22 cameras and a Kingston 4GB SDHC memory card by participating in Kingston Digital’s autumn photo competition. The theme is simply “autumn” and is open to individual interpretation. The competition, which is open to residents of the European Union aged 12 and above, closes 15th November 2010.

Website: Kingston Autumn Competition

PhotographyBB Online Magazine 32nd Edition

The 32nd edition of the downloadable PhotographyBB Online Magazine is now available. The month’s edition examines the origins of noise in digital images and how best to minimize the effects of digital noise. This release also explores lighting techniques for product photography using a single light source, travel photography tips for protecting both the photographer and equipment, and a look at how photographers can make use of YouTube for learning, networking, and self-promotion.

Highlights of the Show - Photokina 2010

Photokina is over for another 2 years, so we’ve looked back at some of the most notable products we have seen at the world’s biggest photography show.

Nikon Gears Up for Photokina

Nikon says it has created its most spectacular booth ever for this year’s Photokina. Located in Hall 2.2, the Nikon booth will play host to a series of talks from the world’s leading photo visionaries including award-winning commercial photographer, Chase Jarvis, who will be making a keynote speech on the first day of the show. The company’s new star products ranging rom the D3100 to the D7000 digital SLR cameras will be on display, while a daily programme of movies, stills and product films will be playing on the Nikon Video Wall, showcasing work by Nikon Pros from all over the world including Vincent Munier and Bill Frakes. At the heart of the stand will be a giant, interactive installation which enables people to get hands-on with Nikon’s latest products and innovations. Called the Nikon Key Cube, this installation symbolises the past, present and future of the company.

Fantasea FP7000

Fantasea Line has announced an underwater housing for the Nikon P7000 digital compact camera. Featuring a double O-ring seal and a special mount for accessories, the Fantasea FP7000 housing is shock resistant, depth rated to 60m/200 feet and is fully functional with ergonomically designed and labelled controls. Availability is slated for early 2011.

Nikon Coolpix S3000 Review

The Nikon Coolpix S3000 is a budget digicam with a sense of style thanks to its all-metal body that's available in a wide variety of colours. Costing just £110 / $150, the S3000 ticks all the right boxes - 12 megapixels, 4x wide-angle lens, 2.7 inch screen, range of do-it-all auto modes - at a price that won't break the bank. Read our in-depth Nikon Coolpix S3000 review complete with sample images, video and more to find out if this is the right point-and-shoot camera for you.

Nikon Coolpix P7000

The 10-megapixel Nikon P7000 is a premium compact with 7.1x optical zoom, Vibration Reduction (VR), manual exposure control and a 3-inch, 920,000-dot LCD screen. The 28-200mm equivalent f/2.8-5.6 zoom lens is constructed of 11 elements arranged in 9 groups, including two ED and four aspherical lens elements plus a built-in neutral density filter. A sensitivity range of ISO 100 to 3200 (expandable to ISO 6400), a variety of bracketing options, D-Lighting and a Virtual Horizon are all on board to expand the possibilities of the camera. Raw support is provided in the form of NRW+ raw files, which are compatible with Nikkon’s bundled ViewNX 2 software as well as the separately sold Nikon Capture NX2 program. Still image capture is complemented by an HD video recording option (720p/24fps) with stereo sound. The Nikon Coolpix P7000 will hit the shops on 23 September, at a price of £489.99 / €580.00 / $499.95.

Update: We have just added a gallery of large product images supplied by Nikon Europe.

Nikon Coolpix S8100

Nikon USA has just announced the 12-megapixel Nikon Coolpix S8100, a 10x zoom digital compact camera that can capture photos at up to 10 frames per second. Equipped with a back-illuminated CMOS sensor and a 30-300mm equivalent zoom lens that can be used even while recording 1080p Full HD videos, the Nikon Coolpix S8100 also features in-camera HDR imaging, whereby several different exposures are taken in rapid succession, to be immediately blended in-camera for a single HDR photo rich in tonal gradations. Additionally, the S8100’s advanced Night Landscape mode combines a series of five consecutive shots taken at a fast shutter speed into a single image with reduced noise for when taking handheld shots. In the US, the Nikon Coolpix S8100 will hit the shelves late September 2010 for $299.95 MSRP, but will not be available in Europe.

How to Achieve a Speedy Workflow - Part 3

In this three-part series Stewart Randall shares the workflow and digital editing techniques he uses to produce consistent, professional results with minimal effort and maximum speed. In this third and final instalment Stewart shows you how to quickly create images for your blog, watermark your photos, and make a video slideshow.

PhotographyBB Online Magazine Issue #31

The 31st issue of PhotographyBB Online Magazine is available for download. This edition features an in-depth look at lighting techniques for corporate and industrial photography, along with an exploration of light modifiers and their uses in portrait photography. Additionally, this issue looks at how and when to break photography’s “sacred” composition rules. PhotographyBB Online Magazine is available as a free download at the website below.

Website: PhotographyBB Online Magazine

Nikon D3100

The Nikon D3100 is a new, 14.2-megapixel digital SLR camera with 11 AF sensors, Full HD video and full-time AF in Live View and D-movie modes. Using contrast based AF, the D3100 automatically focuses on subjects when Live View is activated to aid shooting when using the LCD. Live View is activated at a single flick of a dedicated switch, and HD video recording is achieved by a simple press of a button. In comparison to the Nikon D3000, the new Nikon D3100 also gains a Quiet Shutter Release mode, which substantially reduces the sound of the mirror return, and an enhanced Guide Mode that now features sample assist images that change with camera settings to inspire consumers to achieve a desired look and feel to their images. Unusually for an entry-level camera, the Nikon D3100’s shutter is rated for 100,000 actuations. The Nikon D3100 DSLR camera will be available from mid-September, at an estimated selling price of £579.99/€687.00/$699.95 including a kit zoom. The body-only prices are £499.99/€593.00.

PhotographyBB Online Magazine 30th Edition

The 30th edition of the PhotographyBB Online Magazine has just been released. Editor in Chief, Dave Seeram, commented “We’ve got another superb issue filled with photography tips for the nature photographer, a thought provoking look at where digital art sits in the world of ‘art’, and a tutorial on how photographers can make use of some cool Facebook automation features to better share their photos with the world.” PhotographyBB Online Magazine is a free publication with the goal of educating beginner to intermediate level photographers.

ToonIt! Photo Plugin Updated for Adobe Photoshop CS5

Digital Anarchy has announced a free update to their ToonIt! Photo cartooning plugin. ToonIt! 2.6 adds compatibility for Adobe Photoshop CS5 and 64-bit operation on Mac systems. The 2.6 update also adds many behind-the-scenes improvements, like background rendering, to make ToonIt faster and more responsive.ToonIt! Photo for Photoshop is regularly priced at $159, but will be on sale for $89 until 15 July 2010. The plugin works in Adobe Photoshop CS–CS5 and Photoshop Elements 6.0–9.0. A separate version for use in Apple’s Aperture is on sale for $79 USD, normally $129. ToonIt! Aperture is also updated to version 2.6 for the render improvements.

Website: Digital Anarchy

NikonLIVE

Nikon has jsut launched NikonLIVE as part of its sponsorship of the Nikon at Jones Beach Theater with Live Nation. Fans will be able to view images taken by performing artists in the site’s “Sound Check” area, and view professionally photographed images in the “Rock and Roll Picture Show” area. Nikon’s professional photographers will give fans an exclusive, behind the scenes look at their favorite music acts, as well as provide fans with advice and tips on how to shoot great images and video with their digital cameras. In addition to visiting nikonlive.com, fans will be able to follow updates from other fans along with bloggers, photographers and participating artists by using the Twitter hashtag #NikonLive and by visiting the Nikon Facebook Fan Page.

WD My Book Studio LX Drive

WD today introduced its new high performance My Book Studio LX external hard drive, which offers a high-speed FireWire 800 interface and features a sleek new, cool-to-the-touch aluminium case. In addition to FireWire, the My Book Studio LX drives also support USB 2.0. Offering automatic, continuous backup and 256-bit hardware-based encryption, the WD My Book Studio LX is available in capacities of 1TB and 2TB, with the manufacturer’s suggested retail price ranging from $199.99 to $269.99 depending on the model.

Scott Kelby Hosts Third Annual Worldwide Photo Walk

Scott Kelby has announced his Third Annual Worldwide Photo Walk scheduled for Saturday, 24 July. Billed as “the world’s largest global social photography event in the history of photography itself”, Scott Kelby’s Worldwide Photo Walk takes place on the same day around the world where photographers of all walks of life and skill levels gather together, usually in downtown areas to socialize, learn new tips from each other, and explore their corner of the world through photography. There is no fee to participate but pre-registration is required.

Website: Worldwide Photo Walk

Energizer Ultimate Photo Contest

National Geographic and Energizer have teamed up for the third annual Energizer Ultimate photo contest. Through Wednesday, 30 June, aspiring photographers can visit the website below to enter one photo in each of six thematic categories: animals/wildlife, nature, travel, people/cultures, weather and action/energy. The winner will have their photo featured in the December issue of National Geographic magazine in an ad for Energizer Ultimate Lithium batteries, and they’ll also be awarded the trip two to the Greek Isles.

Website: Energizer Ultimate Contest

Induro PHQ 5-Way Panheads

Induro has announced a new series of panheads that provide photographers “with freedom for camera positioning never before available in a single product”. Offering dual tilt, base and top plate rotation and an Arca-Swiss style quick release system, these panheads allow photographers to have full repeatable indexing on five axes for maximum control and flexibility. Available in two sizes, the new PHQ panheads have load capacities of 11.5kg and 16kg. In Europe, the two versions are priced at €379 and €479, respectively. For more details or to find a dealer, visit the website below.

Website: Induro

15 Reasons to Go On a Photography Workshop

Our regular columnist, acclaimed landscape photographer <b><a href="http://www.charliewaite.com" title="Charlie Waite" target="_blank">Charlie Waite</a></b>, explains why you should go on a photography workshop.

Gitzo Basalt Collection

Gitzo’s new Basalt Collection of tripods, heads, monopod and microphone boom is now available in the UK. With the new collection Gitzo introduces a High Performance basalt fibre tube, created from a radical innovation of the aerospace technology used to manufacture its composite tubes, starting from the raw fibres. The new technology boosts a higher level of resin into the raw basalt fibres to increase the tube performance by up to 22 per cent depending on the tube diameter. The new high performance basalt tubes are 20 per cent lighter than aluminium and offer intermediate performance between aluminium and carbon 6X tubing. The new Gitzo Basalt Collection tripods are available from Gitzo stockists priced from £339.95 to £469.95 depending on model. The Gitzo Basalt Collection monopod GM3860C is £179.95, while the microphone boom costs £159.95. The prices of the new Gitzo centre ball heads have not been confirmed yet.

Website: Manfrotto Distribution

AF-S Nikkor 200-400mm f/4G ED VR II

Nikon has just announced the new AF-S Nikkor 200-400mm f/4G ED VR II lens. Incorporating Nikon’s VR II image stabilisation technology, the AF-S Nikkor 200-400mm f/4G ED VR II features Automatic Panning Detection and an Active VR Mode to help compensate for movement from an unstable position such as a moving vehicle.  Additionally, VR is always engaged when shooting in the D-Movie mode on select Nikon D-SLRs, helping to stabilise HD video capture. Other highlights include Nikon’s exclusive Nano Crystal Coat for reduced ghosting and flare, and a new a/M autofocus mode that enables autofocus priority even if the focus ring is being handled during shooting. The lens projects an imaging circle that is large enough to cover FX sensors, but can of course also be used on DX bodies. The AF-S Nikkor 200-400mm f/4G ED VR II lens is scheduled to be available at authorised dealers in late May 2010 with an estimated selling price of $6,999.99 in the USA, and recommended retail prices of £6249.99 / €7400.00 in the UK and the euro zone, respectively.

Mastering HD Video with Your DSLR

Mastering HD Video with Your DSLR is a new book from Rocky Nook. The book teaches readers about capturing and editing video footage, and about the effects that weren’t possible with standard digital video equipment. Topics covered include mastering video concepts, specific video features of DSLRs, and equipment needed to shoot video; as well as the restrictions, problems, and pitfalls of shooting video with a DSLR. The authors use an easy-to-follow approach of introducing concepts, thoroughly explaining the process of shooting video, and finally, presenting step-by-step projects that take the reader from capture to editing. The 240-page book is available from ‘Reilly, priced at $34.95.

Canon PowerShot SX210 IS Review

The Canon PowerShot SX210 IS camera is the latest travel-zoom model to hit the market, sporting a 14x lens and a 14 megapixel image sensor. Other key features of the Canon SX210 include a 3 inch LCD screen, 720p HD movies with stereo sound, a range of hand-holding modes for beginners, and full manual controls for experienced snappers. Gavin Stoker finds out if this is all the camera that you need in our Canon PowerShot SX210 IS in-depth review.

Joy of Sound Photography Competition

The first ever Hear the World photography competition, entitled “Joy of Sound”, is now open to amateur and professional photographers with a prize package worth over £2,000. Hear the World educates on the consequences of hearing loss and informs people about the solutions that are available. To celebrate hearing, and to illustrate how essential it is to our experience of the world around us, judges from Hear the World and Digital SLR Photography Magazine are looking for an original photograph that best depicts The Joy of Sound. As always, we recommend that you read the rules before applying via the website below.

Website: Hear the World

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP3 Review

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP3 is a new ultra-slim camera with touch-screen technology that won't break the bank. Featuring a clever 4x folded-optics zoom lens and large 3 inch touch screen LCD, the 14 megapixel Panasonic FP3 could be your for just £179 / $230. Gavin Stoker discovers if Panasonic have delivered a winning combination of features and value for money in our Lumix DMC-FP3 review.

Free Aperture 3 Compatibility Update for ToonIt! Photo Plug-In

Digital Anarchy today announced a free update to its ToonIt! Photo plugin for Apple Aperture. ToonIt! automatically takes photos and gives them a variety of cartoon and illustrated looks. Version 2.5 is now fully compatible with the 64-bit mode introduced by Apple’s Aperture 3, while still supporting 32-bit architectures and Aperture 2. ToonIt! Photo 2.5 for Aperture is regularly priced at $129, but will be on sale for $99 until 26 March 2010. A separate version for use Photoshop and Elements is on sale for $129, normally $159.

WPPI Announces First-Ever 'Photographers Ignite' Presentations

Wedding & Portrait Photographers International (WPPI) has announced that the first-ever ‘Photographers Ignite’ presentations will take place on Thursday, March 11th from 9am to 11am at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Hosted by professional photographer Kevin Kubota, the premiere of Photographers Ignite at the WPPI 2010 trade show will feature 15–20 experienced and upcoming photographers sharing their cool techniques, trends, ideas and inspirations as they relate to photography as a profession.  During Ignite Presentations, a speaker shares ideas by showing exactly 20 slides that automatically advance every 15 seconds—so each presentation lasts five minutes. Presentations are designed to be concise, creative and educational. Registration for WPPI 2010 is available via WPPI’s newly redesigned convention and trade show website.

Travel the World with Neovoyage

Neovoyage is a new photography tour company. Neovovage focuses on a single purpose, to let photographers do what they enjoy while taking care of the logistics, planning and research needed to find the most photogenic sites and to be there when photo opportunities are among their best. As part of the launch, Neovoyage has prepared an amazing 2 week journey to Ecuador from August 9th-22nd 2010. The cost is $3350 USD per person based on double occupancy.

Olympus Mju Tough 6010 Review

The Olympus Mju Tough 6010 is the latest nigh-on-indestructible camera to find its way onto the Photography Blog test-bench. On paper the freeze, shock and water -proof Olympus 6010 makes a great choice as a one-size fits all camera for the entire family. It's also a capable model too, with 12 megapixels, a 2.7 inch screen, and 3.6x wide-angle zoom lens. Find out if it makes the grade in our Olympus Mju Tough 6010 review.

Nikon Festival Winner Announced

Nikon has just announced the winners of its Nikon Festival, launched in November to celebrate, inspire and harness the current popularity of D-SLR video creation and social media. The Nikon Festival Judges’ Award Winner is Marko Slavnic, a 2006 graduate of the University of Texas Austin, and he will receive $100,000 and Nikon equipment to further his film career. “So many people see filmmaking as this elite thing and that you need a big crew to produce a quality film,” said Marko Slavnic. “I was excited when a friend told me about the Festival, and Nikon has shown people that you don’t have to be a professional to create a film and be seen by a huge audience.” Drawing from his own experiences as a shy teenager, Marko Slavnic’s video submission entitled “Chicken vs. Penguin” is a unique short film that shows a funny, physical story of unexpected love brought to life through a fast food mascot rivalry between a boy and girl. It was shot over two days on Congress Street in Austin, Texas.

PhotographyBB Magazine Issue #24

PhotographyBB announced today the release of the 24th edition of the PhotographyBB Online Magazine. The January 2010 edition examines the merits of keeping a strong and tidy photo portfolio, be it physical or an online gallery. Additionally, this issue explores composition techniques, and how negative space can strengthen a photo while drawing the viewer deeper into the image. This month also looks at the Lightroom 3 Beta release in-depth, featuring the new Publish Services and Watermarking tools. In their Photography Around the World feature, they take you to India for a colorful look at Pushkar’s annual fair. PhotographyBB Online Magazine is available for free download through the PhotographyBB website

Website: PhotographyBB

American Photo Magazine Publishing Contest Winners Announced

ViewBug has announced the winning photos of the “Black and White American Photo Magazine Publishing Contest”. The black and white photo contest was first announced in the November/December 2009 issue of the American Photo Magazine. There were over 200 entries and over 6,000 votes on the photos. Winners were selected by ViewBug members and approved by the judging panel. The winners’ photos will be published in the March/April 2010 issue of AmericanPhoto Magazine. The first prize goes to Thomas Hocker for his work featured above.

Samsung TL105 & TL110

Samsung have announced two new additions to their TL line of ultra-thin digital compact cameras. At just 0.65 inches thin, the 14.2 megapixel Samsung TL110 and 12.2 megapixel Samsung TL105 are each equipped with a 2.7-inch LCD and feature a 5x optical zoom and a 4x optical zoom respectively. Also, Samsung’s new models feature an improved 27mm wide-angle lens (TL110) and 27.5mm wide-angle lens (TL105) when compared to their predecessor, the TL100. The Samsung TL110 also boasts optical image stabilisation. New image effects available with the Samsung TL110 and TL105, such as Fisheye and Lomo, let photographers easily add a touch of creativity to their photos. Both new cameras offer 720p HD video recording capabilities. Unlike the more advanced HZ30W and HZ35W models - also announced today -, the TL105 and TL110 do not feature a full manual exposure mode. The TL105 and TL110 are called ST60 and ST70 in Europe, and will be available from February priced at £149.99 and £179.99 respectively.

CoolerBot

CoolerBot is an interesting outdoor telepresence robot built for nature photography. Created by Steve Norris of Norris Labs, CoolerBot sports an infrared video camera, a Nikon digital SLR camera and two solar panels used to recharge the batteries. Rugged, waterproof and designed to stay outdoors for long periods of time, the robot is remote controlled through a 912 MHz transceiver. Norris’ CoolerBot certainly looks like it has a great potential in aiding photographers wishing to photograph timid or potentially dangerous wildlife. For more information and to see a video of CoolerBot in action, head to the website below.

Website: Norris Labs

Nikon Publishes Results of Its 'Picture Yourself' Survey

Nikon recently announced the results of its 2009 “Picture Yourself” survey that reveals consumer attitudes about self-image. Nikon’s survey revealed that if people could turn back time, they would choose to retake a family portrait (25 percent), a high school graduation photo (21 percent), a driver’s license photo (21 percent), a wedding photo (15 percent) and a birthday party photo (7 percent). Data also showed that whether you like having your picture taken or not, it’s practically unavoidable. Nearly every American adult (92 percent) had at least one picture taken of them so far this year. Among all American adults, 79 percent believe they looked better in person than in pictures. This data was consistent in responses from both men and women; 79 percent of women preferring the real deal to a photograph, along with 78 percent of men.

Pre- Christmas Bargains At Jessops

Jessops have announced a number of pre-Christmas offers across its product range. The Fujifilm FinePix J30 in blue colour now costs £79, £50 less than its introductory price of £129; the FinePix F72 EXR (pictured) is £179, down from £249. Those wishing to purchase the Nikon Coolpix S225 can now get it for £89, saving £10. Finally, the pink version of the Canon Ixus 95 IS digital camera can be had for £149.

Website: Jessops

Nikon Coolpix S70 Review

The Nikon Coolpix S70 is a new 12 megapixel compact camera with a very interesting OLED screen. The S70's large 3.5 inch monitor offers a touch-sensitive interface, featuring a Touch Shutter function that allows you to focus on and photograph a subject by simply touching it on the camera’s display. Other key features of the Nikon S70 include a 5x zoom lens with optical vibration reduction, Subject Tracking, Scene Auto Selector Mode and Nikon’s Smart Portrait System. The Nikon Coolpix S70 officially costs £339 / €379 / $399.95 - we find out if it's worth it in our latest expert review.

Annual International Photography Prize on Display from February

Anna Fox, Zoe Leonard, Sophie Ristelhueber and Donovan Wylie have been nominated for the Deutsche Börse Photography Prize 2010, and their work will be on display in The Photographers’ Gallery, London, from February. The exhibition opens on 12 February 2010 and runs until 18 April. The winner of the £30,000 annual award wil be announced on 17 March. The Deutsche Börse Photography Prize 2010 rewards a living photographer of any nationality, who has made the most significant contribution, in exhibition or publication format, to the medium of photography in Europe between 1 October 2008 and 30 September 2009.

Canon PowerShot S90 Review

The new Canon PowerShot S90 compact camera offers a lot of DSLR functionality in a pocketable format. Support for the RAW format, full range of manual shooting modes, and a fast f/2.0 lens should grab any keen photographer's attention, especially as the Canon S90 can easily slip inside a shirt pocket. This seemingly winning combination of size and features doesn't come cheap though - £449.00 / €519.00 / $429.99 is an awful lot to ask for what is after all still a camera with a tiny image sensor. Gavin Stoker sizes up the Canon PowerShot S90 in our latest expert review...

Nikon Festival

Nikon Inc. today announced the launch of a new integrated marketing campaign that includes the first ever “Nikon Festival” to celebrate, inspire and harness the current popularity of content creation shared through social media. Nikon is challenging budding filmmakers to upload 140 second short-form video with the theme “A Day through Your Lens” to the festival’s website. As videos are uploaded, they can be automatically shared with entrants’ social networks, including Twitter and Facebook, allowing instantaneous campaigning for views and votes. Festival entrants will have the opportunity to win one of two awards: an audience award and a judges’ award. The winning video selected by the Festival judges will be awarded $100,000 and Nikon equipment.  Additionally, the video getting the highest average rating and most audience views will be awarded the $25,000 Audience Award and Nikon equipment.

Website: Nikon Festival

Olympus E-P2

Olympus have announced their second Micro FourThirds camera, the Olympus PEN E-P2. Essentially a modified version of the existing Olympus E-P1, the new E-P2 retains the basic specifications and control interface, but adds an accessory port for optional extras such as a detachable electronic viewfinder (EVF) and microphones, AF tracking, two additional Art Filters (Diorama and Cross Process), a colour-boosting i-Enhance function, remote slideshow control via HDMI, and an option to shoot high-definition movies in M (full manual) mode. Another point of difference is that the E-P2 is finished in black rather than silver or white. The Olympus E-P2 will become available in January 2010. The recommended retail price of the E-P2 kit (including a 14-42mm lens and a high-resolution external EVF) is expected to be £849. The US MSRP for the same kit is $1,099.99.

Update: Ian Burley has posted a hands-on preview of the Olympus E-P2 over at Four Thirds User.

Jessops Launches "New Look" Kingston Store

This weekend, Jessops is celebrating the launch of its Kingston store and dedicated Nikon area. The Kingston store builds on the success of Jessops’ newly redesigned stores in London - New Oxford Street and The Strand, Guildford and Cambridge, where live product displays have been introduced to encourage customers to interact and engage with products in advance of purchase, the company says. To kick off the celebratory weekend, Jessops are offering a number of discounts across their range of Nikon products, available in-store from this Friday 23rd October through to Sunday 25th October.

Film Light for iPhone

Film Light is a customizable and portable light table for mobile film photographers and archivists. Resizable templates allow users to achieve a focused review of their film, without peripheral light interference, through precise backlight positioning. To resize a template simply touch anywhere in the main view, then drag while observing the screen’s center as the anchor point. The Film Light runs under iPhone OS 3.1 or higher, and is available on Apple iTunes.

Nikon to Sponsor "Barnstorm"

From October 9-12, Nikon will sponsor 100 promising young photojournalists in upstate New York for the 22nd Eddie Adams Workshop, also known as “Barnstorm.” At the workshop, students will have the opportunity to use Nikon’s professional digital SLR camera system, as well as the new D300s (pictured above, and recently reviewed here on PhotographyBLOG). Nikon technical experts will also be available onsite to offer advice and guidance. Barnstorm participants will benefit from the experience and advice of legendary professional mentors such as Bill Eppridge, Stacy Pearsall and Tim Rasmussen. In addition to sponsoring the Barnstorm, this is the sixth year that Nikon will award a $10,000 scholarship to the top student from the Barnstorm XXII Workshop. A panel of judges selects a student based on the work he or she presents during the workshop. The scholarship money must be used by the winning student to further his or her education in the photographic arts field, and will be applied towards their tuition and/or housing at the college of his or her attendance.

Kubota's Fall 2009 Digital Photography Bootcamp Workshop

Kubota Image Tools has announced its 18th Digital Photography Bootcamp workshop. Bootcamp, taught by renowned photographer Kevin Kubota (pictured), is a 5-day workshop for professional photographers designed to supply all of the technical know-how to run a successful digital portrait/wedding studio; at the same time, it encourages continued development of a photographer’s unique style and creativity. The Fall 2009 workshop will take place from Sunday, 8 November through to Friday, 13 November in the FivePine Lodge, Oregon. The cost is $2,895 including lodging and gourmet meals.

X-Rite ColorChecker Passport

X-Rite has announced ColorChecker Passport, an all-new solution for digital photographers working in a raw workflow to quickly and easily capture accurate colour, instantly enhance portraits and landscapes, and maintain colour control from capture to edit. The new ColorChecker Passport includes the Classic Target, a white balance target, a Creative Enhancement Target, a piece of software for camera calibration and a protective case. “With ColorChecker Passport, you can expect much faster image processing time, improved quality control, all in a cool little package that you can take anywhere,” said X-Rite Senior VP of Sales and Marketing Iris Mangelschots.

Website: X-Rite Photo

Rogue ICON Flashlights

The ICON line of compact LED flashlights for photographers is now available. The new line comprises two models, both of which have two lumen settings, bright enough to paint and low enough to search your bag without ruining the frame. Ergonomically designed, the ICON lights have an open-architecture structure, allegedly never before seen in the consumer flashlight market. This design provides a solid grip, leaving hands cool and dry. The aerospace-aluminium body means it can be dropped, thrown and rattled around without any damage. The Rogue 1 design is smaller (4.5 inches), requiring only one AA battery, while Rogue 2 is longer (6.5 inches), and requires two AA batteries. The ICON line is available at www.opticsplanet.com and at Fry’s Electronics.

New Creative Alliance Tour

Adobe Systems, Apple, Hewlett Packard, Nikon, Nik Software, Wacom and X-Rite have joined forces for a unique, nine-city Creative Alliance Tour. The tour has been set up to provide creative professionals with a comprehensive insight into a complete digital workflow. A full-day seminar will take place at each city stop, hosted by renowned photo professionals and evangelists - Robin Preston, Boudewijn Krijger and Guy Gowan, among others. The seminars will consist of inspirational presentations and in-depth technical workshops, with the opportunity to share questions and experiences with the experts. The Creative Alliance Tour will begin in autumn 2009, with stops in the Netherlands, UK, Spain, France, Germany and Italy. The next stops will be in Manchester on September 15 and in London on September 17.

Important Update:

Between 10.30am GMT on 14 September 2009 and 10.30am GMT on 16 September 2009, PhotographyBLOG readers can sign up for FREE for the London event by going to www.thecreativealliancetour.com and visiting their special London page.

Nissin Di866 Professional Speedlite

The Nissin Di866 Professional Speedlite flashgun is now available in either a Canon or Nikon fitting. The Canon version is compatible with Canon Digital SLR and Powershot hotshoe cameras using ETTL and ETTL-2 systems, while the Nikon model fits Nikon Digital SLR and Coolpix hotshoe cameras using i-TTL. With a guide number of 60m (ISO 100 @ 105mm) the Di866 features Nissin’s original ‘My TTL’ user adjustable TTL light output level and is firmware upgradable thanks to an onboard USB port. The Nissin Di866 Professional Speedlite costs £369.95 in the UK including VAT.

Photogra & myPhotopipe Partner for Online Ordering Platform

Photogra and myPhotopipe have announced a multi-year partnership for the provision of certain new online digital imaging services via an ordering platform developed by Photogra.com. Per the terms of the agreement, myPhotopipe.com has the exclusive use of certain new online toolsets developed by Photogra.com. “It makes it less confusing, more accurate, and easier to order the photos, prints or other products customers want,” stated Darren Schiff, Chief Operating Officer of myPhotopipe.com, Inc.

Website: myPhotopipe

Prestigio International Photographic Award 2009

Prestigio has announced the return of its International Photographic Award. The contest is open to amateur and professional photographs from all backgrounds, ages and levels of experience, and will be held from September 15th until November 30th 2009. To be eligible, all pictures must illustrate one of Prestigio’s brand values: Elegance, Performance or Inspiration. All pictures will be evaluated by a panel of professionals, and the most creative work will receive the Prestigio Grand Prix, $1000 cash prize. The Prestigio Corporate team will also decide upon the best picture in each category, and each winner will be awarded with $300 cash prize and a selected Prestigio product.

Last Chance to Enter the WWT Nikon Photo Contest

The Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust is calling all budding photographers to get snapping at their local WWT Wetland Centre before the end of August for the chance to win Nikon equipment worth over £,1000 in the WWT Nikon Photography competition 2009. The competition aims to capture the variety of WWT’s nine centres across three categories: ‘WWT Nikon Photo of the Year’, ‘WWT Nikon Junior Photo of the Year’ and ‘WWT Nikon Digiscoping Photo of the Year’. The main rule of the competition is that all photos submitted must have been taken at one of the nine WWT centres in the UK. WWT is hoping that the competition will encourage people to visit a WWT centre and even help support the charity by joining as a member. Closing date for entries is Monday 7 September 2009.

Nikon Photo Contest International 2008-2009 Winners

Nikon Corporation has announced the winners of the Nikon Photo Contest International 2008-2009. One of the world’s largest and most prestigious photo contests, the Nikon Photo Contest International, held since 1969 and staged every other year, provides an opportunity for photographers around the world to communicate and enrich photographic culture for professionals and amateurs alike. This year’s theme was Nikon’s brand statement, “At the heart of the image.” Peter G. Allinson, M.D, of Kingsville, MD, received first place in the “My Planet” category, for his work, entitled “Friends.” The Nikon Photo Contest International also recognised Danny Ghitis, of Brooklyn, N.Y., as one of four “Emerging Talents.” The full list of winners, along with their works, can be seen on the Nikon Photo Contest International website.

Website: Nikon Photo Contest International

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP8

The new Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP8 camera features a futuristic flat body and retracting lens with folding optics. Built of high-quality aluminum, the 12.1 megapixel Panasonic FP8 uses blue LED cursor buttons that light up when pressed. A total of 27 scene modes are available with the DMC-FP8, including the new High Dynamic mode which helps to capture a scene with moderate exposure even if it contains both bright and dark areas. The FP8 can also record high definition 1280 x 720, 30 fps motion jpeg movies. Available in early September, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP8 is priced at £249.99 / $299.95.

Mystical Tint Tone & Color 2.0

Mystical Tint Tone and Color 2.0 is a suite of 60 production oriented filters that enhance the look and feel of a photo. Mystical Tint Tone and Color 2.0 includes unique Portrait Filters that improve skin colour, eliminate wrinkles and skin blemishes, enhance eyes, lips and hair and reshape facial features to accentuate natural attributes. New lens filters simulate graduated filters and polarisers. Mystical Tint Tone and Color 2.0 is available for Mac OS and Windows from autofx.com. The downloadable version costs $249, while the complete retail version is $269.

LensFlare35 Podcasts Launched

Photographer and Podcast Producer, David E. Warner, recently launched LensFlare35 to link the community of Canon professional photographers. Warner’s initial concept of a simple networking community quickly evolved into an all-out quest to interview today’s top Canon photographers. Their unique stories, tips and techniques are shared with other photographers through his LensFlare35’s weekly podcast episodes. For a list of upcoming episodes, visit LensFlare35.

Website: LensFlare35

ExpoImaging Expands Honl Photo Speed System Product Line

Expoimaging has announced the expansion of the Honl Photo Speed System line of professional products. The expanded line, which includes new colour correction filters, colour effects filters, and a Honl Photo products carrying bag, provides photographers with enhanced options for creating studio-quality lighting effects in the field. The Honl Photo Color Correction Filter Kit is designed to match the colour temperature of the light emitted by flash units with a range of lights, including tungsten, fluorescent or cool daylight lighting. The kit retails for $29.95, and contains two of each of the following filters: 1/2CTB, full CTO, 1/2CTO, 1/4CTO, and Full+Green. The Honl Photo Color Effects Filter Kit can be used to add artistic and theatrical colour to images, whether lighting a subject or a background. This kit also retails for $29.95, and contains two of each of the following filters: Yellow, Bright Red, Just Blue, Moss Green, and Heavy Frost. Finally, the Honl Photo Speed System Bag is made to carry the entire line of Honl Photo flash tools and again, retails for $29.95.

Fantasea FL-19/20

Fantasea Line has released a new housing specifically designed for the Nikon Coolpix L19 and L20 digital cameras. The FL-19/20 Housing, depth rated to 60 meters/200 feet, is fully functional providing photographers with access to all camera functions. Like the simultaneously announced FA-480, the FL-19/20 has a double O-ring seal on all controls, anti-glare hood over LCD screen, removable flash diffuser and a 46mm threaded lens port. The FL-19/20 protects the Nikon Coolpix camera from water, sand, dust, and other damaging elements. It can be yours for $279.95.

My Book Studio Edition II

Western Digital has introduced its new 4 terabyte capacity My Book Studio Edition II dual-drive storage systems, which are designed to seamlessly work with Mac® computers. Compatible with Apple® Time Machine automatic backup feature and formatted for Mac computers, the new 4 TB My Book Studio Edition II external storage system’s dual-drive RAID 0 configuration and high-speed interfaces are said to deliver high performance for creative professionals, workgroups, small offices and anyone looking for fast data transfer. My Book Studio Edition II dual-drive storage systems are available now at select retailers and WD’s online store (www.shopwd.com). MSRP for My Book Studio Edition II with 4 TB is $649.99 USD.

Nikon Coolpix P90 Review

The Nikon Coolpix P90 is the latest entry in the competitive super-zoom camera market, offering a 24x optical lens with a 26-624mm focal length. Nikon's Vibration Reduction image stabilisation system helps to avoid the inevitable effects of camera-shake when using the longer focal lengths or in low-light, while the P90's new 3 inch tilting LCD screen makes image composition more versatile. Other key features include a 1cm macro mode, electronic viewfinder, PASM shooting modes, and an extensive ISO range of 64-6400. With an official price of £379.99 / €449.00 / $399.95, can the Nikon Coolpix P90 challenge the likes of the Panasonic DMC-FZ28, Olympus SP-590UZ, and Canon PowerShot SX1/10 IS?

Fashion 360, Powered by Nikon

The Fashion 360, Powered by Nikon is an intricate technical rig of fifty D700 cameras timed at different intervals to capture celebrities on the red carpet from an innovative visual “surround sound” perspective. In collaboration with production company Big Freeze, the Fashion 360, Powered by Nikon will allow viewers at home to experience a 360-degree view of their favourite celebrities. Many of the Fashion 360, Powered by Nikon images will appear throughout the broadcast and online in an exclusive photo gallery on http://movieawards.mtv.com, offering viewers at home an opportunity to check out the latest in Hollywood fashion trends up close.

Website: Watch the making of Fashion 360

Creative Alliance Tour

Adobe Systems, Apple, Hewlett Packard, Nikon, Nik Software, Wacom and X-Rite have joined forces for a unique, nine-city Creative Alliance Tour across Europe. The tour has been set up to provide creative professionals with a comprehensive insight into a complete digital workflow. A full-day seminar will take place at each city stop, hosted by renowned photo professionals and “evangelists” - Robin Preston, Boudewijn Krijger and Guy Gowan, among others. The seminars will consist of inspirational presentations and in-depth technical workshops, with the opportunity to share questions and experiences with the experts. The Creative Alliance Tour will begin in autumn 2009, with stops in the Netherlands, UK, Spain, France, Germany and Italy.

Website: Creative Alliance Tour

Nikon Coolpix L100 Review

The Nikon Coolpix L100 super-zoom camera has a 15x, 28-420mm zoom lens and is designed to be easy to use for beginners. Scene Auto Selector and Easy modes take the guesswork out of capturing the moment, Sensor-shift Vibration Reduction should keep your shots sharp, and the L100's large 3 inch screen is great for sharing with friends and family. The Nikon L100's is available now in black for a wallet-friendly price-tag of £239.99 / €269.00 / $279.95. Read our expert review to discover if this is the right digital camera for you.

Sony Ericsson Smile Hunt

Sony Ericsson has announced an “international smile hunt”, in which participants are asked “to capture as many smiles as possible on their mobile camera phone”. Forty-four countries are taking part and only a select few from each country will be chosen as official Smile Hunters. They will get to go to the most prestigious events, exclusive parties, meet new people and travel to exciting places as a Sony Ericsson VIP – for free. Anyone who thinks they could be a Sony Ericsson Smile Hunter must first apply online at www.sonyericsson.com/smilehunter. If you find yourself among the lucky few, you will receive a ‘Smile Hunting Kit’ including a new Sony Ericsson Cyber-shot™ C510 or C905 Plus camera phone with Smile Shutter technology, gig tickets, VIP passes to exclusive events, trips for you and your friends, festival tickets and entrance to exclusive club nights.

Website: Smile Hunt

David Noton's Room With a View

Our regular columnist, one of the UK’s leading landscape and travel photographers, <a href="http://www.davidnoton.com/">David Noton</a>, photographs one view four times at dawn and dusk, with vastly different results.

Creating Sense5

VICE magazine has launched a competition to find find five creative talents for The Creating Sense5 party. The winning talent will be selected by award winning band Hot Chip. Enter the competition and you could be personally chosen by Hot Chip and other judges, to show off your talent at an exclusive event on the 4th of June. The competition hopes to uncover creative talent that can cleverly stimulate the 5 senses with flair, imagination and individuality. One of the senses is of course sight, so photographers are welcome!

Website: Creating Sense5

FSD-770 Housing for Canon Digital IXUS 95 IS

Fantasea Line has announced the FSD-770 underwater housing for the Canon Digital IXUS 95 IS digital camera. Depth rated to 60 metres, the FSD-770 is also compatible with the Digital IXUS 85 IS and 80 IS. The Fantasea FSD-770 housing has a double O-ring seal on all controls, anti-glare hood over the LCD screen, removable flash diffuser and a 46mm threaded lens port.

Out of Africa with David Noton

Our new regular columnist, one of the UK’s leading landscape and travel photographers, <a href="http://www.davidnoton.com/">David Noton</a>, takes us behind-the-scenes on safari in Africa.

Nikon Coolpix S225

The Nikon Coolpix S225 is a new digital camera exclusive to UK retailer Jessops. Offering a very similar specification to the recently announced S220 model, the entry-level Nikon S225 has 10 megapixels, 3x optical zoom and a 2.5 inch LCD screen. Other key features include Electronic Vibration reduction to reduce camera shake, 4x anti-blur technology, Smile and Blink Proof Mode, Face Detection, Auto scene selector, and Best Shot Selector (BSS). The Nikon Coolpix S225 is available now in silver, priced at £149.

Nikon DTOWN Launches

Nikon DTOWNNikon DTOWN is a new weekly show focusing on Nikon products. Brought to you by Scott Kelby and Matt Kloskowski with KelbyTraining.com, Scott and Matt will share their photography knowledge along with the coolest tips and tricks for Nikon’s digital SLR cameras.

Website: Nikon DTOWN

Nikon Increases Prices Again

Nikon D3XNikon UK is set to increase its prices for the second time in 2009. Effective from 1st March, the price increase is being blamed on “the relative weakness of Sterling and the continued strength of the Yen”. Better news for photographers is that Nikon’s Coolpix compacts and some DSLRs won’t see an increase.

Profoto D1 Monolight System

Profoto D1 Monolight SystemThe 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.

Fujifilm FinePix S1500fd

Fujifilm FinePix S1500fdThe 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.

Fujifilm FinePix Z33WP

Fujifilm FinePix Z33wpThe 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.

Nikon Coolpix S710 Underwater Housing

Fantasea Line FS-710The Fantasea Line FS-710 is a new underwater housing for the Nikon Coolpix S710 compact camera. The FS710 has a depth rating to 60 meters/200 feet, double O-ring seal on all controls, anti-glare hood over LCD screen, and built-in diffuser. It also features a 46mm port ring thread for easy attachment of accessory lenses and filters. As with all other Fantasea Camera Housings, in the event of accidental water leakage, the Coolpix camera inside is insured and will be replaced. The Fantasea Line FS-710 will cost $198.95.

Better Photography - Portraits in Natural Light DVD

Better Photography - Portraits in Natural Light DVDBetter Photography - Portraits in Natural Light is a new DVD from former Sunday Times photographer Philip Dunn. This 60 minute DVD is aimed at photographers of all levels wanting to improve their portraits using natural light. Dunn explains “I demonstrate that with a little understanding of light, lenses and poses, you can create really powerful and interesting portraits without the expense and trouble of using photography studio lights.” The Better Photography - Portraits in Natural Light DVD costs £14.95 including postage in the UK.

DxO FilmPack 2

DxO FilmPack 2DxO FilmPack 2 adds new films, color filters and interface improvements. FilmPack simulates silver halide films, allowing you to recreate in one click the “magic” look of film on your digital images. Among the 27 new film profiles added to DxO FilmPack v2, 7 simulate Instant film profiles (Polaroid and Fuji) and 3 Infrared film profiles (Kodak and Rollei). DxO are also offering an introductory discount of 47 € (instead of 79 €), representing a 32 € discount, valid until December 31st 2008.

Fantasea FS-610 Underwater Housing for Nikon Coolpix S610 / S610c

Fantasea FS-610The FS-610 is a new underwater housing for the Nikon Coolpix S610 and S610c digital cameras. Fantasea’s new housing design and improved construction, together with a depth rating to 60 meters/200 feet, makes the FS-610 ideal for outdoor and underwater photographers. The Fantasea FS-610 housing has a double O-ring seal on all controls, anti-glare hood over LCD screen, 46mm port ring thread and built-in diffuser. The Fantasea FS-610 is currently available for $198.95.

Kubota Image Tools Dashboard

Kubota Image Tools DashboardThe Kubota Image Tools Dashboard is a new quick-launch interface for more than 280 Kubota Photoshop Actions. Users can now quickly and easily launch and apply selected Kubota Actions. “For me,” says Kevin Kubota “the most exciting feature of the new, more powerful Dashboard is that it is intuitive. For example, some images I want to appear ‘romantic’, others, ‘edgy’ or ‘funky’. I can type these words into the search bar of the Dashboard and a list of Kubota Actions will show up that will enhance my image to create the feeling I wanted to capture when I took that photograph.” Each individual Kubota Action Pak, with approximately 50 Actions each, is sold separately for $179.

Lightroom 2.1 and Camera Raw 5.1

Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 2Adobe has added RAW file support for 15 digital cameras to Lightroom 2.1 and Camera Raw 5.1, including the Nikon D90 and Canon EOS 50D. The Lightroom 2.1 update also includes improvements to Photoshop integration, Web module stability for Microsoft Windows Vista 64-bit operating systems, performance with 64-bit Mac OS X 10.5 Macintosh computers, and Keyword migration from Lightroom. In addition, Adobe has released a new set of camera profiles available on Adobe Labs.

A Hands-on Guide to Creative Lighting DVD

A Hands-on Guide to Creative LightingA Hands-on Guide to Creative Lighting is a new instructional DVD about Nikon’s Creative Lighting System. National Geographic Traveler photographer Bob Krist and photojournalist and lighting expert Joe McNally guide viewers on advanced creative lighting techniques. Krist and McNally teach viewers how to get the most from their Nikon Speedlights. “A Hands-on Guide to Creative Lighting” presented by Nikon School will be available from November 1st 2008 for $39.95.

AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.4G

AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.4GThe AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.4G is a new Nikon standard prime lens. Helping to celebrate 75 years and 45 million lenses, the Nikon 50mm f/1.4 includes an ultra-compact Silent Wave Motor to ensure fast, whisper-quiet operation, ultra-fast f/1.4 maximum aperture and the ability to focus as close as 1.5 feet. The Silent Wave Motor also enables autofocus in cameras without a built-in motor such as the Nikon D40 and Nikon D60. The AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.4G lens will be available at the beginning of December 2008 for $439.95 / £279.99 / €383.00.

Free Geotagging with Eye-Fi and SmugMug

Eye-Fi ShareEye-Fi and SmugMug have teamed up to provide free geotagging and hotspot access for SmugMug members using an Eye-Fi memory card. For a limited time, Eye-Fi Share and Eye-Fi Card users who choose SmugMug for photo sharing will receive one year of free hotspot access and geotagging. “Our photo map has become extremely popular and sets us apart from other online sharing sites,” said Chris MacAskill, president and co-founder of SmugMug.  “This opportunity makes it even easier for people to spend more time enjoying their photos, and less time uploading and tagging their images.” SmugMug are also offerring new and existing members a 20% discount on their membership plans until the end of 2008.

Fantasea Line FSD-770 Underwater Housing

Fantasea Line FSD-770The Fantasea Line FSD-770 is a new underwater housing for the Canon PowerShot SD770 IS / IXUS 85 IS and SD1100 / IXUS 80 digital cameras. Depth rated to 60 meters / 200 feet, the FSD770 provides access to all camera functions, and has a double O-ring seal on all controls, anti-glare hood over LCD screen, removable flash diffuser and a 46mm threaded lens port. As with all other Fantasea Camera Housings, in the event of accidental water leakage, the camera inside is insured. The Fantasea Line FSD-770 will be available in September.

Eye-Fi Adds Photoshop Express and myPicturetown

Eye-Fi Wireless Memory CardEye-Fi have added two new online sites where users can upload their photos - Adobe Photoshop Express and Nikon’s myPicturetown. In addition, you can also now purchase Eye-Fi Cards from any Circuit City store in the USA. “The integration of Adobe Photoshop Express and my Picturetown adds two rich online photo options – from two of the best brands in digital photography – to the Eye-Fi Service.  And, the addition of Circuit City stores is a major step in the expansion of this new category being created by Eye-Fi.” said Jef Holove, CEO of Eye-Fi.  The Eye-Fi family of products range in price from $79-$129.

50 Megapixel Hasselblad H3DII-50

Hasselblad H3DII-50The Hasselblad H3DII-50 is a new 50 megapixel DSLR camera system. The H3DII-50 uses Kodak’s 50 megapixel 36x48mm CCD sensor, which is twice the size of the largest 35mm DSLR sensors. The H3DII50 also provides improved controls and functionality, better sensor cooling, a new and more intuitive user interface, and a bright, 3 inch LCD display. Hasselblad has also announced the HTS 1.5 tilt/shift lens adapter, which by enlarging the image circle makes room for +/- 18mm shift and +/-10 degrees of tilt. The H3DII-50 camera will be available from October 2008 at a price of $39,995 excluding tax.

Fantasea FSD-1100 Underwater Housing

Fantasea FSD-1100 Underwater HousingThe FSD-1100 from Fantasea Line is a new underwater housing fro the Canon PowerShot SD1100 IS / IXUS 80 IS camera. Depth rated to 60 meters/200 feet, the FSD-1100 housing provides access to all camera functions. The Fantasea FSD-1100 housing has a double O-ring seal on all controls, anti-glare hood over LCD screen, removable flash diffuser and a 46mm threaded lens port. As with all other Fantasea Camera Housings, in the event of accidental water leakage, the camera inside is insured.

WD My Book Mirror Edition

WD My Book Mirror EditionThe new WD My Book Mirror Edition hard drive automatically stores valuable personal content twice to maximize data safety. Available in 1 TB and 2 TB capacities, the My Book Mirror Edition automatically uses RAID 1 mirroring for extra protection, making it an ideal storage solution for photographers. The full capacity of the drive can be utilized by converting the drive to RAID 0 (Striped). WD’s My Book Mirror Edition dual-drive storage systems are available now, priced at $289.99 for the 1TB version and $549.99 USD for the 2TB version.

Picaholic Relaunches

PicaholicPicaholic offers photographers a cutting edge website that marries design, web standards, and usability. The newly re-designed service offers full screen video backgrounds, streaming audio and large images, all without compromising speed. For a low monthly fee, Picaholic members gain unlimited access to their CMS (content management system) and have full control over their site. Founder Avishai Ungar said, “A good flash website requires a graphic designer, a flash action-scripter and a backend developer. We have built a modular application, which enables us to add new features and technology on a daily basis. This means our clients sites are always using the latest and best of breed technology.”

Underwater Housing for Nikon Coolpix S600

Fantasea Line FS-600The Fantasea Line FS-600 is a new underwater housing for the Nikon Coolpix S600 digital camera. The FS-600 housing is depth rated to 60 meters/200 feet and features a double O-ring seal on all controls, anti-glare hood over LCD screen, removable flash diffuser and a 46mm threaded lens port. In the event of accidental water leakage, the Nikon Coolpix S600 inside is insured.

Fujifilm FinePix Z200fd

Fujifilm FinePix Z200fdThe Fujifilm FinePix Z200fd is a new, 19.8mm thick, 10 megapixel compact digital camera with a 5x zoom lens. The Z200fd also features Face Detection technology, intelligent red-eye removal and Dual Image Stabilisation, and two self-timer modes: Couple Timer and Group Timer. The Fujifilm FinePix Z200fd will be available from UK retailers from August. Pricing will be announced nearer to the date of the launch. In the US, the FinePix Z200fd will debut in September at a retail price of $299.95.

Fujifilm A850

Fujifilm A850The Fujifilm A850 is a new entry-level digital camera offering 8 megapixels, a 3x zoom lens and ISO 800 sensitivity at full resolution. Image Intelligence processing, 14 selectable scene modes, icon-based Graphical User Interface and complete the major specifications. The Fujifilm A850 will be available from retailers from July. Pricing will be announced nearer to the date of the launch.

Nikon Coolpix S52 and S52c Underwater Housing

Fantasea FS-51Fantasea’s FS-51 underwater housing is compatible with the new Nikon Coolpix S52 and S52c digital cameras. The FS-51 Housing is depth rated to 60 meters/200 feet, has a double O-ring seal on all controls, anti-glare hood over LCD screen, built-in flash diffuser and a 41mm lens port. As with all other Fantasea Camera Housings, in the event of accidental water leakage, the Coolpix camera inside is insured. The Fantasea FS-51 housing costs $245.

Nikon Upgrades my Picturetown

my PicturetownNikon is introducing the latest version of my Picturetown, a smart and state-of-the-art photo sharing and storage service. New features include the ability to upload RAW (NEF) files viewable as JPEGs, a new rating system, and full-screen slideshows. My Picturetown’s new features will launch end of April 2008. Two gigabytes of storage will be free with the option to purchase up to 200GB through a my Picturetown Gold Account.

Ray Flash Ring Flash Adapter

Ray FlashRay Flash: The Ring Flash Adapter is a portable and lightweight adapter for a hot-shoe flash unit which creates ring light lighting effects. The Ray Flash a virtually shadowless look on the front of the subject, while leaving a soft, even shadow around the edges. “Lightweight and portable, the Ray Flash is the only product of its kind. It’s a great accessory tool for your strobe because it enables the photographer to easily achieve a high fashion, studio portrait look while on location.” said Erik Sowder, president of ExpoImaging, Inc. Current models of the Ray Flash are designed to fit the Canon 580EX (MKI & MKII) and Nikon SB800 flash units and retails for $299.

Rolleiflex MiniDigi AF5.0

Rolleiflex MiniDigi AF5.0The new Rolleiflex MiniDigi AF5.0 is a 3 inch, fully functional replica of the classic twin-reflex camera. The new MiniDigi AF 5.0 has been given some significant performance upgrades, including a 5MP image file, auto focus (between 10CM and infinity), and a clear 1.1 inch TFT screen. The original replica MiniDigi was first introduced in 2006. The Rolleiflex MiniDigi AF5.0 will be available through specialty retailers for $399.

New Look for PhotoShelter

PhotoShelterPhotoShelter has introduced a new brand logo to coincide with the end of the beta period for its open-but-edited image marketplace, the PhotoShelter Collection. The new PhotoShelter icon represents the company’s established position as a trusted partner within the photography community. Approximately 2,000 new photographers and 2,000 new image buyers are joining the PhotoShelter Collection every month, with over 100,000 new images uploaded monthly from photographers in 120 countries.

Kubota Artistic Tools V.4

Kubota Artistic Tools V.4Kubota Artistic Tools V.4 features over 40 new Photoshop image enhancement actions. Highlights include the 3-dimensional vividness of “Enter the Dragon” to the rich, cinematic palette of “300esque”, as well as cool new interactive black-and-white converters for the perfect tonal blend and richness.  “These new Actions provide a fresh collection of modern image-enhancing tools for producing the hottest looks that are in demand in today’s marketplace. And the exclusive Kubota Action Dashboard provides photographers with a lightning fast way to search for one of our Actions and then launch it instantly.” said Kevin Kubota. Kubota Artistic Tools V.4 retails for $149.

Kubota AutoAlbum V.3

Kubota AutoAlbum V.3Kubota AutoAlbum V.3 helps professional photographers create magazine-style album pages in Photoshop. AutoAlbum V.3 includes more than 500 single-page layouts - both square and new rectangular pages - as well as panoramic designs. Also included in this upgrade is the new printed AutoAlbum Book, a handy reference of all of the templates. AutoAlbum V.3, including the printed book, retails for $399.

Olympus E-420

Olympus E-420The Olympus E-420 is a compact new entry-level 10 megapixel DSLR camera. One of the world’s smallest and lightest D-SLRs, the E420 offers Live View, 2.7 inch LCD screen, 3.5fps continuous shooting, Supersonic Wave Filter to prvent dust, and no less than 28 shooting modes. A retro-styled camera case that attaches to the base of the camera is also being introduced. Made entirely of leather, it will be available in a choice of white, brown or black. The Olympus E-420 will be available from late April 2008 at £339.99 / $499 body only or £379.99 / $599 for the standard 14-42mm lens kit.

Fantasea Line Nikon Coolpix L15, L16 and L18 Underwater Housing

Fantasea Line FL-18The Fantasea Line FL-18 is a new underwater housing for the Nikon Coolpix L15, L16 and L18 compact cameras. The FL-18 is depth rated to 60 meters/200 feet, has a double O-ring seal on all controls, anti-glare hood over LCD screen, removable flash diffuser and a lens port with a 46mm thread. As with all other Fantasea Camera Housings, in the event of accidental water leakage, the Coolpix camera inside is insured.

Fantasea Line Nikon Coolpix S210 Underwater Housing

Fantasea Line FS-210The Fantasea Line FS-210 is a new underwater housing for the Nikon Coolpix S210 compact camera. The FS-210 is depth rated to 60 meters/200 feet, has a double O-ring seal on all controls, anti-glare hood over LCD screen, removable flash diffuser and a lens port with a 46mm thread. As with all other Fantasea Camera Housings, in the event of accidental water leakage, the Coolpix camera inside is insured.

New Nikon USA Website

Nikon USA WebsiteNikon USA have redesigned their website with a completely new visual user interface. The Web site, www.nikonusa.com, is accessible starting February 27th at 8 p.m. EST. A new blog called “Your Shot” encourages users to comment and share their ideas to improve the website’s design.

Wild Wonders of Europe

Wild Wonders of EuropeWild Wonders of Europe is the continent’s largest ever photography project. Spanning at least 5 years, the Wild Wonders of Europe project will consist of a cutting-edge web site, outdoor exhibitions, books, audiovisual picture shows, TV-series, photo competitions, and events all across Europe. “It is clear that presently, a majority of Europeans are becoming increasingly alienated from nature. Wild Wonders of Europe aims to reverse this trend. We want to touch people’s emotions, excite them about nature, make it cool. We want to re-connect people with our natural heritage…our spiritual home,” says Peter Cairns, photographer and writer from Britain, Business Director of Wild Wonders of Europe.

Fantasea Line Underwater Housing for Nikon Coolpix L14

Fantasea Line FL-14The new Fantasea Line FL-14 underwater housing for the Nikon Coolpix L14 camera is depth rated to 60 meters/200 feet. The FL-14 features a double O-ring seal on all controls, anti-glare hood over LCD screen, and removable flash diffuser. In the event of accidental water leakage, the camera is insured for the first year. The suggested retail price of the FL-14 is US $245.

Young Fashion Photographer of the Year 2007 Finalists

Joanna BriggsBeating off competition from over 200 entries, ten finalists have the chance of being crowned Young Fashion Photographer of the Year at Clothes Show Live 2007. The overall winner will receive a set of fantastic prizes including £2000 worth of prize money, £1000 worth of Nikon photographic equipment, £1000 donated to her college art department plus an internship with leading Fashion Photographer Will Whipple. “I cannot believe I am part of such an amazing event like the Clothes Show Live. I’m so excited that my photograph is be to mounted at the show and that key industry figures will be looking at my work!” commented finalist Joanna Briggs, 19 from Stafford College (entry pictured). The judging panel will announce the winner at 1pm, Tuesday 11th December 2007.

PhotoShelter Collection Opens for Business

PhotoShelterThe PhotoShelter Collection, a new edited stock image library for professionals and amateurs, has just opened its virtual doors. The PhotoShelter Collection offers the widest and most eclectic array of commercial imagery that is quality-sorted, keyworded, priced, licensed and ready for instant purchasing. Photographers keep 70% of all transactions and set their own prices. Since an initial launch to photographers on September 15th, over 5,000 photographers have uploaded more than 225,000 images to The PhotoShelter Collection in the first eight weeks.

Nikon Coolpix S50 and S51 Underwater Housings

Fantasea FS-51The Fantasea FS-51 underwater housing is fully compatible with the Nikon Coolpix S50, S50c, S51 and S51c cameras. Depth rated to 60 meters/200 feet, this housing also features Fantasea’s latest design and improved construction. The FS-51 housing has a double O-ring seal on all controls, anti-glare hood over LCD screen, and built-in flash diffuser and a 41mm lens port. The suggested retail price of the Fantasea FS-51 housing is US $245.

Nikon Leads Wireless Digital Camera Technology

Nikon S51CIn a Nikon sponsored white paper from research company IDC, Nikon has been named as the worldwide leader in regards to Wi-Fi integration. The IDC report states “To date, Nikon is the only digital camera manufacturer to consistently and fully embrace wireless photography. IDC predicts that other top vendors will seek to catch up and embrace wireless photography as well, spurring industry-wide adoption.” 60 percent of respondents said that they would be somewhat or much more likely to consider one camera over another if it included wireless connectivity, and that they would pay up to $86 more for a camera with this ability.

So is this true? Would you choose a camera because it had built-in Wi-fi connectivity, and pay more for it? The market as a whole seems to believe nthat you won’t, as Nikon are one of the few manufacturers to really support Wi-Fi - but what do you think?

Deutsche Börse Photography Prize 2008

Deutsche Börse Photography Prize 2008John Davies, Jacob Holdt, Esko Männikkö and Fazal Sheikh have been selected for the Deutsche Börse Photography Prize 2008. This annual prize rewards a living photographer, of any nationality, who has made the most significant contribution to the medium of photography in Europe between 1 October 2006 – 30 September 2007. The prize is presented by The Photographers’ Gallery, London, which is also the opening venue for the exhibition.

Nikon Coolpix S510 Underwater Housing

Fantasea Line FS-500Fantasea have introduced an underwater housing, the FS-500, for the Nikon Coolpix S510 compact camera. Depth rated to 60 meters/200 feet, the FS-500 housing has a double O-ring seal on all controls, anti-glare hood over LCD screen, and built-in diffuser. The FS-500 housing protects the Coolpix S510 camera from water, sand, dust, and other damaging elements. The retail price of the FS-500 underwater housing for the Nikon Coolpix S510 is US $200.

O'Reilly Authors at PhotoPlus Expo

O'ReillyEight of O’Reilly’s top authors will be in attendance at next week’s PhotoPlus International Conference and Expo in New York City. Katrin Eismann plans to share the secrets the best retouchers use to create flawless skin in her seminar titled “Skin, Skin, Skin.” David Pogue, O’Reilly’s Missing Manual series founder, will deliver a keynote talk about his four-month quest to determine, once and for all, just how important megapixels are in a digital camera. O’Reilly is also offering a 30 percent discount on a selection of their titles.

Sharpics Complete Tabletop Studio

Sharpics Complete Tabletop StudioThe Sharpics Complete Tabletop Studio is the ideal solution for achieving professional product images. The Complete Tabletop Studio features the D-Flector Portable Photo Studio, a Compact Light Kit and the Tabletop Monopod. “We put together all the necessary components to create professional looking product photos in one Complete Tabletop Studio”, said Danica Mazon, co-founder of Sharpics. “Whether you’re a pro or novice photographer, you can benefit from its compact design”, said Danica.

Nikon Sponsors Eddie Adams Workshop

NikonNikon will sponsor 100 of the worlds most promising young photojournalists as part of the 20th annual Eddie Adams workshop. “Nikon has been a proud sponsor of the Eddie Adams Workshop since its inception 20 years ago.  This year is a tremendous milestone for the workshop and a true testament to Eddie’s vision for creating an education program that helps promising young photographers become award-winning photojournalists.” said Bill Pekala, general manager of Nikon Professional Services. In addition to the event sponsorship, this is the fourth year that Nikon will award a $10,000 scholarship to the top student from the workshop.

Young Fashion Photographer of the Year 2007

Young Fashion Photographer of the Year 2006The second Young Fashion Photographer of the Year invites budding 16-25 year old fashion photographers from the UK to interpret “Cool Britannia”. A panel of judges will choose the ten best entries whose work will then be displayed at Clothes Show Live 2007. The overall winner will receive £2000 prize money, a one week placement with a top photographer, £1000 worth of Nikon photographic equipment and a VIP lunch at the show for the winner and 3 friends. Clothes Show Live 2007 runs from 7th – 12th December 2007 at the Birmingham NEC.

Nikon P5100 Underwater Case

Fantasea Line FP-5000Fantasea Line have introduced a new underwater case for the Nikon Coolpix P5100 compact camera. The FP-5000 housing, previously released for the older P5000 camera, is totally compatible with the newer model. The FP-5000 is depth rated to 60 meters/200 feet, has a double O-ring seal on all controls, anti-glare hood over LCD screen, and built-in diffuser. As with all other Fantasea Camera Housings, in the event of accidental water leakage, the Coolpix camera inside is insured.

Hasselblad H3D-II DSLR

Canon S5 ISThe Hasselblad H3D-II DSLR camera offers a choice of 22, 31 or 39 megapixel sensors up to 48x36 mm in size. The H3D-II offers a new 3 inch LCD screen, an intuitive thumbwheel control on the handle and a separate button for direct control of ISO settings and white balance. The H3D-II also features Hasselblad’s Global Image Locator (GIL), an integrated GPS product that automatically records the camera’s exact geographic co-ordinates.  “With the introduction of the Hasselblad H3D-II, we believe that the world’s best high-end DSLR camera has just got better.  By further raising the level of integration by improving the controls, functionality and sensor cooling, and adding a new and more intuitive user interface, and a bright, 3” display, we continue to address the needs of professional photographers” said Christian Poulsen, CEO of Hasselblad. The new Hasselblad H3D-II costs $33,995 for the H3D-39II, $26,995 for the H3D-31II, and $24,995 for the H3D-22II.

6 Months Free Wi-Fi with Nikon S51c

Nikon S51CNikon has partnered with T-Mobile USA to provide Coolpix S51c customers with a six month subscription to T-Mobile’s HotSpot Wi-Fi service for digital cameras. With nearly 8,500 T-Mobile HotSpot locations available in the USA, owner’s can use Nikon’s new “my Picturetown” sharing and setorage service from nearly anywhere. “Nikon’s all-new ‘my Picturetown’ service allows S51c users to email their images to family and friends across the globe or upload them to Nikon’s photo archiving service. The partnership with T-Mobile USA provides customers with the opportunity to share their images easily and seamlessly from a variety of locations.” said Bill Giordano, General Manager, Marketing, COOLPIX, Nikon Inc. This special offer expires on August 31, 2008.

Ilford Galerie Gold Fibre Silk

Ilford Galerie Gold Fibre SilkIlford Galerie Gold Fibre Silk a new authentic baryta paper for inkjet printing. This is a 310gsm inkjet media featuring a traditional barium sulphate (baryta) base. The baryta enhances the media surface which gives the creamy whites and velvety blacks that form part of the unique look and feel of a true fibre print. Ilford Galerie Gold Fibre Silk will be available from JP Distribution throughout the UK from October 2007.

Nikon P5100

Nikon P5100The Nikon P5100 is the new flagship camera in the COOLPIX range, offering 12.1 megapixels, 3.5x zoom (35-123mm) and the EXPEED digital image processor. Successor to the P5000 model, the Nikon P5100 has a distortion control that corrects for barrel distortion in images shot, and even displays the corrected image on the LCD in real time. The Nikon P5100 will cost £299.99/ €450 and be available in September.

Fantasea Line Underwater Housing for Nikon Coolpix L12

Fantasea Line FL-12The new Fantasea Line FL-12 underwater housing for the Nikon Coolpix L12 camera is depth rated to 60 meters/200 feet. The FL-12 features a double O-ring seal on all controls, anti-glare hood over LCD screen, and built-in diffuser. In the event of accidental water leakage, the camera is insured. The suggested retail price of the FL-12 is US $200.00.

Fantasea Line Underwater Housings for Nikon Coolpix S500 and S200

Fantasea Line FS-500The new Fantasea Line FS-500 and FS-200 underwater housings for the Nikon Coolpix S500 and S200 camera are depth rated to 60 meters/200 feet. The FS-500 and FS-200 housings feature a double O-ring seal on all controls, anti-glare hood over LCD screen, and built-in diffuser. In the event of accidental water leakage, the camera is insured. The suggested retail price of the FS-500 and FS-200 is US $200.00 each.

Wanderlust Travel Photo Contest

NikonNikon is teaming up with Wanderlust, the UK’s leading adventure-travel magazine, for the UK’s longest-running annual travel photography competition. Four winners from the Amateur category will win a trip to South Australia, while the winner of the new Portfolio category receives £5,000 cash. Full terms and conditions can be downloaded from http://www.wanderlust.co.uk/photocomp

ScanCafé ProZone for Professional Photographers

ScanCaféScanCafé ProZone is a new photo scanning and restoration service aimed at pro photographers. Support for TIFF format, USB hard drive delivery, scanning resolution at 4000 dpi and personal account managers are offered. “We encourage photographers and hobbyists to test out ScanCafé and let us know what they think. If we aren’t the easiest, most time and money saving scanning service out there, let us know what we need to do to get there.” said Sam Allen, CEO of ScanCafé.

Fujifilm Z10fd

Fujifilm Z10fdThe Fujifilm Z10fd is a 7.2 megapixel digital camera with a a Fujinon 3x optical Zoom lens and 2.5” LCD screen. Available in 5 different colours - Wave Blue, Wasabi Green, Hot Pink, Sunset Orange, and Midnight Black - the Fujifilm Z10fd also offers Face Detection, IrSimple and a special Blog Mode! “Fujifilm recognized that today’s younger generation wants to be connected with their friends at all times and that there wasn’t a digital camera manufacturer that really addressed this.” said David Troy, Senior Product Manager, Consumer Digital Cameras, Electronic Imaging Division, FUJIFILM U.S.A., Inc. The Fujifilm Z10fd will debut in late September for $199.95.

Fujifilm Z100fd

Fujifilm Z100fdThe Fujifilm Z100fd digital camera has a unique ‘diagonal slide’ lens cover, illuminated ‘Z’ logo, and totally redesigned metal body. The Z100fd features a 5x optical zoom lens, Face Detection system, intelligent red-eye removal and CCD-shift image stabilisation. “The FinePix Z100fd is the perfect ‘social’ camera for the user looking for a combination of classic styling and cutting edge features. We believe that consumers wanting a super-slim camera shouldn’t have to make compromises on image quality or features, and with the Z100fd they don’t.” commented Adrian Clarke, Fujifilm’s Director of Photo Products. The FinePix Z100fd will be available from UK retailers from mid October, pricing to be announced. The Fujifilm Z100fd will be available in the USA in January 2008 for $249.95.

Nikon is 90 Years Old

NikonNikon, a world leader in cameras, imaging and optics, was founded on July 25th, 1917. Nikon is introducing a special 90th Anniversary logo as part of the birthday celebration. “Nikon has maintained an unwavering commitment to the study of light with the corporate philosophy, ‘Trustworthiness and Creativity’,” said Michio Kariya, President of Nikon Corporation.

Nikon School DVDs

Nikon School DVDTwo new Nikon School DVDs demonstrate how easy it is to take great pictures with Nikon digital SLR cameras. The “Fast, Fun & Easy: Great Digital Pictures” is aimed at Nikon D40 and D40x owners, and “Understanding Digital Photography” covers fundamentals that are relevant to any DSLR camera. Both Nikon School DVDs are available at Nikon-authorized dealers in the USA.

Nikon Coolpix P5000 Underwater Housing

Fantasea Line FP-5000The FP-5000 from Fantasea Line is a new underwater housing for the Nikon P-5000 digital camera. With a depth rating of 60 meters/200 feet and a double O-ring seal on all controls, the FP-5000 is ideal for outdoor and underwater photographers. The suggested retail price of the FP-5000 is US $245.00.

Panasonic FX100

Panasonic FX100The Panasonic FX100 is a 12.2 megapixel digital camera with a new 1/1.72-inch large CCD and 28mm wide-angle lens. The FX100 features the usual Panasonic Optical Image Stabiliser system and the Venus Engine III image-processing engine. Finished in a choice of either sleek silver metallic or cool black metallic, the sleekly styled Panasonic FX100 will be available from July.

ACDSee Pro 2.0 Beta

ACDSee ProYou can now test-drive a Beta version of ACDSee Pro 2.0, which is scheduled for release in the Autumn. ACDSee Pro 2.0 Beta is compatible with Windows Vista and is available free for download at http://www.acdseepro.com . “Our software development starts and ends with the needs of today’s photographers,” said Mark Franklin, executive vice president of ACD Systems. “It’s very important to us to invite feedback at this crucial stage, especially as an increasing number of photographers demand a high level of control in RAW processing.” Beta testers and users of the previous version will receive a 30 percent discount.

Fantasea FL-11 and FL-10 Underwater Housings

Fantasea FL-11 and FL-10The Fantasea FL-11 and FL-10 are new underwater housings for the Nikon Coolpix L10 and L11 digital cameras. The Fantasea FL-10 and FL-11 housings are depth rated to 200 feet/60 meters. The suggested retail price of the FL-10 and FL-11 is US $200.00.

DxO FilmPack 1.1

DxO FilmPackPMA 2007: DxO FilmPack 1.1 simulates the grain and color of popular films and includes new “toning” options. It’s now also available as a stand-alone application, Adobe Photoshop plug-in, as well as add-on to DxO Optics Pro. DxO FilmPack v1.1 is available immediately at the introductory price of £45 until May 31, 2007.

Nikon Coolpix P5000

Nikon Coolpix P5000PMA 2007: The Nikon Coolpix P5000 is a new addition to Nikon’s Performance range of compact digital cameras. The Nikon P5000 offers 10 megapixels, 3.5x zoom lens (36-126mm), Vibration Reduction to combat camera shake, ISO 3200 capability and a 2.5 inch LCD screen. The Nikon P5000 will cost £329.99 / €489 / $399.95 and be available at the end of March.

Nikon Coolpix L11 and Nikon Coolpix L10

Nikon Coolpix L11PMA 2007: The Nikon Coolpix L11 and Nikon Coolpix L10 are entry-level additions to the Coolpix range of compact digital cameras. The Nikon L11 offers 6 megapixels and a 2.4 inch LCD screen, and the Nikon L10 5 megapixels and a 2 inch LCD screen. Both cameras have a 3x zoom lens (37.5-112.5mm), maximum ISO of 800 and a choice of 16 Scene modes. The Nikon Coolpix L11 will cost £129.99 / $149.95, Nikon Coolpix L10 price $119.95, both available at the end of February.

Nikon Capture NX 1.1

Nikon Capture NXNikon have announced a new, improved version of Capture NX, its main image editing application. Nikon Capture NX 1.1 now includes increased performance, full support for Intel-based Mac OS X computers, optimization for Microsoft’s Windows Vista operating system, plus a simpler user interface. Nikon Capture NX 1.1 can be purchased for $149.95 as a full boxed version or downloadable key.

Fantasea FS-9 Underwater Housing for Nikon Coolpix S9

Fantasea FS-9 Underwater HousingFantasea has introduced a new underwater housing specifically designed for the ultra-slim Nikon Coolpix S9 digital camera. The Fantasea FS-9 housing has a working depth of 130 feet/40 meters and provides a built in Flash Diffuser and an anti-glare hood over the LCD screen. The suggested retail price of the FS-9 is US $200.00.

Tamron Online Photo Gallery

TamronTamron have added a new Online Photo Gallery totheir website, the twist being that all the pictures have been shot with Tamron lenses. It could turn out to be a good resource for all would-be Tamron owners, although there are only a few photos there at the moment.

O'Reilly Star Shooters on Tour

O'ReillyO’Reilly Press Release

Sebastopol, CA—It makes total sense—with prices of digital cameras rapidly shrinking—that more folks than ever will be wrapping and unwrapping these fervently craved devices in the weeks to come. Yes, such pixel-packed stocking stuffers possess seductive new features—yet trying to create artful and arresting images straight out-of-the box can be frustrating. Happily, next month digital camera enthusiasts traveling to and in northern California can cure the digital blues and get their photography questions answered at a pre-Macworld bookstore reading and Macworld events: oreilly.com/go/macworld2007

Temperley Camera Case for Nikon S9

Temperley Camera Case for Nikon S9Nikon USA Press Release

The exclusive Temperley for Nikon camera case is available for a limited-time this holiday season.

MELVILLE, NY (November 27, 2006) - For a limited-time offer this holiday season, Nikon has partnered with Alice Temperley to create a stunning new accessory for the tech-savvy and style-conscious consumer. From November 26, 2006, consumers purchasing the COOLPIX S9 digital camera will receive an exclusive, Temperley for Nikon camera case while supplies last. A national retailer will have extremely limited quantities of this special accessory incorporating one of Temperley’s signature prints and promise to go quickly. Consumers are encouraged to scan their holiday circulars to determine which local retail chain will be carrying this item.

Nikon and Kate Moss Support Sam & Ruby Charity

NikonNikon USA Press Release

Nikon and Kate Moss Partner Once Again ... This Time to Benefit The Sam and Ruby Charity - World-Renowned Photographers and Supporters Come Together for December 1st Event to Support Worthy Cause

MELVILLE, N.Y., Nov. 27 /PRNewswire/—Nikon and Kate Moss will together host a charity auction event to benefit The Sam & Ruby Charity at Milk Gallery on Friday, December 1, 2006 from 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm. The event will showcase the amazing works of more than 40 of the world’s most influential photographers, including Bruce Weber, Peter Lindbergh and Steven Klein. These original signed prints will be auctioned off during the evening to those in attendance to raise money and awareness for The Sam & Ruby Charity. For the finale, Amy Sacco will host a live auction which will include select pieces.

ACDSee Pro Photo Manager RAW Update Beta

ACDSee ProACD Systems Press Release

ACDSee Pro Photo Manager Gives Professional Photographers Total Control Over Their Workflow with public beta RAW Format Support.

Victoria, British Columbia – November 2, 2006 – ACD Systems International Inc. (TSX: ASA), today announced a public beta software release which updates ACDSee® Pro Photo Manager, adding support for the newest RAW formats. Developed specifically for the professional photographer, ACDSee Pro will be showcased from November 2-4 at PhotoPlus Expo, Booth #1212, in New York. ACDSee Pro delivers advanced functionality designed to streamline the workflow of professional photographers, while incorporating the speed and organizing capabilities synonymous with ACDSee software solutions. “Once again, our commitment to working closely with professional photographers yields support for the newest digital cameras”, said Doug Vandekerkhove, CEO of ACD Systems.

O'Reilly at PhotoPlus Expo

O'ReillyO’Reilly Press Release

Sebastopol, CA—Nothing brings us more gratification than introducing our digital photography expert authors and their books to the public. That’s why we’re excited about heading to the Big Apple early next month with four of our favorite digital photography authors. We’re joining the crowd of 25,000 folks attending PhotoPlus Expo 2006. This exciting educational conference—the largest and most comprehensive—opens at New York City’s Jacob Javits Center on Nov. 2. Teaching at PhotoPlus are four O’Reilly authors—Stephen Johnson, Peter Krogh, Julieanne Kost, and Eddie Tapp—all leading digital photographers. Their seminar topics range from a discussion of large format fine art printing to professional portrait retouching techniques. And throughout the three-day conference, these authors plan to stop by the O’Reilly booth (#1312) to answer questions and autograph books.

Limited Edition Nikon Coolpix Camera Accessory

Nikon Coolpix Camera AccessoryNikon USA Press Release

Nikon Teams With Designer Zac Posen to Create an Exclusive Limited Edition COOLPIX Camera Accessory - Inspired by Retro Camera Cases, Posen Designs Must Have Accessory for Nikon’s COOLPIX Style Series Digital Cameras

MELVILLE, N.Y., Oct. 13—Nikon is at the intersection of high fashion and high-technology this fall with a new partnership to provide a stunning look for style conscious and tech savvy digital camera users. Nikon and Zac Posen, House of Z, LLC, announce the creation of an Exclusive Limited Edition Zac Posen COOLPIX Camera Accessory. Nikon COOLPIX users can now carry their digital camera in a fashionable yet functional camera accessory. “As a style-focused brand, we are constantly looking for new ways to accommodate the image-savvy consumer. We are thrilled to have the opportunity to work with Zac Posen, a celebrated and talented designer,” said Lisa Baxt, senior communications manager, for Nikon, Inc. “This partnership is based on our admiration of his creative talent, his love for Nikon and how his fashion line plays well with the stylish design of the COOLPIX Style Series cameras.”

MINOX DC 1011

MINOX DC 1011The MINOX DC 1011 is a 10 megapixel digital camera with a 3x optical lens, 2.5 inch LCD screen and electronic image stabilizer.

Minox Press Release

Film quality from a new compact digital camera with 10 Mega pixel resolution. The MINOX DC 1011 is a top drawer compact camera digital photography with a highly impressive resolution of 10.1 mega pixels and equipped with almost every feature that could be expected in a compact camera. Despite its pocket-size dimensions and lightweight elegant aluminium body, the MINOX DC 1011 has a high class lens and an extremely powerful CCD image senor. This combination ensures brilliant image quality and terrific detail in every shot. Photography with the Minoc DC 1011 is exciting as it can cover any number of unexpected possibilities. And with 10 mega pixels, large enlargements or prints in poster size are no longer a problem with a digital camera.

Eddie Tapp Inducted into Photoshop Hall of Fame

Photoshop Workflow Setups: Eddie Tapp on Digital PhotographyO’Reilly Press Release

Sebastopol, CA—In the city where gambling is a way of life, digital photographers are betting they’ll learn something new and exciting at this week’s Photoshop World Expo in Las Vegas. And Thursday’s keynote address puts the spotlight on O’Reilly author Eddie Tapp and his official induction into the Photoshop Hall of Fame. “This is the greatest honor of my entire career,” says Tapp. A popular lecturer on digital imaging, Tapp is widely admired for his knack for making the photo editing process easier and more transparent. His newly released “Photoshop Workflow Setups” (O’Reilly, US $29.99)—the first in a five-book series—shows users how to organize an efficient and user-friendly workspace.

Nikon Coolpix S7c

Nikon Coolpix S7cThe new Nikon Coolpix S7c offers 7 megapixels, a 35-105mm lens and electronic Vibration Reduction. The Nikon S7c will be available for £299.99, release date September 2006.

Nikon UK Press Release

Nikon is pleased to announce the introduction of the Nikon Coolpix S7c, a slim elegant compact digital camera that boasts vibration reduction and sophisticated in-camera improvement technology. The 7.1 megapixels and 35-105mm (35mm equivalent) zoom-Nikkor ED lens offers photographers the flexibility to shoot a range of images from wide-open landscapes to clear portraits boasting true-to-life colour. The Nikon S7c has a large, bright 3.0-inch LCD monitor and 170-degree viewing angle allows smoother composition and high-quality playback anywhere, at any time. Built-in electronic Vibration Reduction (e-VR) and other Vibration Reduction capabilities compensate for camera shake and unsteady subjects to ensure sharp, clear results. Anti-shake mode automatically activates e-VR and BSS, a feature that selects the sharpest image from up to ten sequential shots, while also setting the optimal ISO for steady results. High-Sensitivity mode maximizes the Nikon S7c’s exceptionally high light sensitivity by choosing the optimal setting, up to ISO 1600, for shooting fast-moving subjects or low light conditions.

Nikon Coolpix L6

Nikon Coolpix L6The new 6 megapixel Nikon Coolpix L6 is announced today. Available in September 2006, the Nikon L6 is a Jessops exclusive.

Nikon UK Press Release

The Nikon Coolpix L6 digital compact camera is one of the latest additions to the range offering powerful imaging performance, easy operation and outstanding battery life. Housed in a slim, lightweight body, the Nikon L6 boasts 6.0 effective megapixels. The Nikon L6 also offers an optical 3x Zoom-Nikkor lens with a focal range of 38-116mm (35mm equivalent), allowing users the flexibility to shoot a range of images from portraits to expansive landscapes with true-to-life colour and fine detail. The Nikon Coolpix L6 delivers the world’s longest battery life* – allowing the user to take up to 1,000 shots when using the supplied Energizer™ lithium AA-size batteries. The extended battery life is extremely convenient and is ideal when traveling or photographing important events where you can’t afford to run out of power.

ILFORD Photo at Photokina 2006

Harman directorsILFORD Photo Press Release

Bringing a full photographic balance to the biennial Photokina show this year will be ILFORD Photo and parent company HARMAN technology, demonstrating how the very roots of photographic imaging are able to accommodate the latest techniques and market requirements. This year’s Photokina exhibition in Cologne (26 Sept - 1 Oct) promises to be the most successful event in the illustrious history of this event, with more exhibitors, more visitors, and more of everything which makes the photo imaging sector tick. Contributing to that success will be a major presence by HARMAN technology and ILFORD Photo (stand C36/38, Hall 10.1) making its first appearance at the show since the company’s reconstruction.

Nikon Capture NX Trial Version

NikonNikon have released Capture NX as a 30-day trial version. We first saw Capture NX demoed at PMA back in February and were suitably impressed, naming it as one of our picks of the show - you should definitely download the trial version and give it a whirl.

Nikon USA Press Release

Trial Version Offers 30 Days to Test Drive Capture NX - A Powerful and Intuitive New Software That Dramatically Simplifies Photo Editing for JPEG, TIFF and Nikon RAW (NEF) Format Images

MELVILLE, N.Y., July 7 /PRNewswire/—Nikon (http://www.nikondigital.com) today released a trial version of Capture NX(TM)—a new software that is designed specifically for photographers, providing a unique and easy to understand interface with tools that photographers need, but without the level of complexity and clutter of other image editing applications. The software can be used with JPEG and TIFF format images from any source, and its patented new U Point(TM) technology offers photographers a dramatically simplified way to edit their pictures by enabling them to enhance specific areas of a picture selectively, without the use of masks, selections, or layers. Capture NX also works with Nikon’s RAW (NEF) format images, and inherits Nikon’s robust RAW processing capabilities for the highest quality results from NEF files.

Internet Speed Test Toolset for Photographers

Internet Speed Test Toolset for PhotographersmyPhotopipe.com Press Release

Atlanta, Georgia and Louisville, Ky. “Photographers are uploaders, not downloaders, and broadband is puzzling to them,” said myPhotopipe.com President Pete Casabonne. “In our recent survey of 52 photographers, studios and agencies, 9 out 10 of our broadband photographers had upload speeds at or below 380K – barely over the legal minimum of 200K, the threshold stipulated by the FCC to qualify as broadband. The broadband experience is not living up to expectations.” To narrow that gap, myphotopipe.com today announced a new set of tools launched at http://www.myphotopipe.com/speedtest/index.html. The tools include an upload test, a download test, a file calculator, and an upload estimator. Additional tools will be released in the next several weeks. Said Casabonne, “In the IT world a speed test is nothing new but to a photographer, who is a mechanical person dealing with lenses and attending events, it is so we selected Ookla, because it has one of the coolest interfaces, and we designed a data pad that calculates their upload time based on the size of their photographs. Overall, these tools demystify broadband and help our photographers better plan their workflow.”

Fujifilm FinePix Z3 Zoom

Fujifilm FinePix Z3 ZoomFujifilm UK Press Release

Fujifilm FinePix Z3 Zoom: a stylish addition to Fujifilm’s ‘Z’ range of digital cameras that will appeal to gadget-loving girls. 

30 May 2006 - Fujifilm today announced the launch of its new FinePix Z3 Zoom, an ultra-chic compact digital camera, available in some cutting-edge colours - silver, metallic blue and light pink. The Fujifilm Z3 Zoom will have particular appeal to female digital camera owners who have felt that performance is frequently sacrificed for the sake of style – it is accomplished enough to capture images of impressive quality, but small enough to fit into the tiniest of handbags. The distinctive design is only part of the story; the big news is that Fujifilm’s renowned Super CCD sensor, combined with the company’s Real Photo Technology Processor II, spells the end for spoiled shots.

Nikon Coolpix L2 Review at CNET

Nikon Coolpix L2CNET have reviewed the Nikon Coolpix L2, a 6 megapixel camera with 3x optical zoom lens and 2 inch LCD.

“The 6-megapixel Nikon Coolpix L2 offers only the bare necessities for picture taking but, for its class, delivers excellent photos that require minimal effort. The Coolpix L2 squarely targets snapshooters, and more experienced users may be frustrated by the camera’s lack of controls. Cash-strapped entry-level photographers may want to check out the L2’s cheaper siblings: the 5-megapixel Coolpix L3 or the 4-megapixel Coolpix L4.”

Website: CNET - Nikon Coolpix L2 Review

Latest Prices / User Reviews

Nikon Coolpix S5 Review at CNET

Nikon Coolpix S5CNET have just reviewed the new 6 megapixel Nikon Coolpix S5 digital camera.

“Nikon’s Coolpix S5 is a slim, attractive 6-megapixel shirt-pocket camera that hits all the right design notes. Its 2.5-inch LCD screen, satin silver finish, and internally zooming 3X optical lens (35mm-to-105mm equivalent) will be a hit with style-conscious snapshooters, and its scrolling click wheel gives users an easy, MP3 player-like interface. The quick-shooting camera boasts very good build quality, color rendition, and sharpness, but some minor image flaws may disappoint eagle-eyed photographers. A simple feature set and basic shooting options will serve casual snapshooters, but they probably won’t satisfy enthusiasts who like to tinker with settings.”

Website: CNET - Nikon Coolpix S5 Review

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Nikon Coolpix L2 Review at Photoxels

Nikon Coolpix L2DIWA member Photoxels have reviewed the Nikon Coolpix L2, a 6 megapixel camera with 3x optical zoom lens and 2 inch LCD.

“The Nikon Coolpix L2 is targeted to entry-level photographers desiring automated operations in an ultra-compact, simple-to-use and affordable digital camera. Nikon’s unique D-Lighting and Best Shot Selector help the beginner get the shot in less than ideal situations. Recommended for sunny outdoors use.”

Website: Photoxels - Nikon Coolpix L2 Review

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Nikon Coolpix DigiScope 8.1 Photo Package

Nikon USA Press Release

Nikon continues to break new ground in the world of digiscoping — not only with state-of-the-art equipment and technology, but with how simple it has made matching up the proper components in a digiscoping system. The new Nikon Coolpix DigiScope 8.1 Photo Package is the simplest, most versatile digiscoping system ever, putting extreme high power, high-resolution digital photo capabilities into the hands of wildlife photographers of every level. This new package includes the latest in Nikon’s digital cameras—the Nikon COOLPIX P4 digital camera, a Nikon 16x/24x/30x wide Digiscoping Eyepiece, and a Nikon DigiScope P4 Digital Camera Adapter Bracket.  MSRP for this package is $729.95. The only thing you need to add to complete the system is your choice of Nikon Fieldscope body: whether it’s the award-winning 82mm Fieldscope ED, 60mm Fieldscope or 60mm Fieldscope ED or the incredibly compact, new 50mm Fieldscope ED (awarded Outdoor Life magazine’s 2006 Editor’s Choice in spotting scopes).

Nikon Coolpix P4 Review

Nikon Coolpix P4Announced at PMA in February, the Nikon Coolpix P4 is Nikon’s top-of-the-range compact camera for 2006 (the Nikon P3 is the same camera with the addition of WiFi). 8 megapixels, a 2.5 inch LCD screen and 3.5x zoom lens are fairly standard features nowadays. More interesting on the Nikon P4 is the introduction of Vibration Reduction, the first time that an optical image stabilisation system has featured on a Nikon compact camera. 16 scene modes and Aperture-priority mode make the Nikon P4 of interest to both advanced photographers and casual snapshooters. Can the Nikon P4 live up to its “Performance” tag? Read the full review to find out.

Website: Nikon Coolpix P4 Review

PhotoKit Color 2.0

PhotoKit Color 2.0Pixel Genius Press Release

Chicago – April 18th, 2006 - Pixel Genius, LLC ships PhotoKit (TM) Color 2.0. PhotoKit Color 2.0 replaces PhotoKit Color 1.0, an Adobe® Photoshop® Automate Plug-in that applies precise color corrections, automatic color balancing and creative coloring effects. With a retail price of $99.95, PhotoKit Color 2.0 offers a comprehensive set of coloring tools for Photoshop CS and Photoshop CS2 for both Macintosh and Windows. PhotoKit Color 1.0 users can upgrade for $29.98. The upgrade will be free to users who purchased PhotoKit Color 1.x after the public announcement date of October 20th, 2005.

Nikon Coolpix P3 Review at Photoxels

Nikon Coolpix P3DIWA member Photoxels have the first online review of the new Nikon Coolpix P3 camera, which offers 8.1 megapixels, 3.5x optical zoom lens and a 2.5 inch LCD.

“The Nikon Coolpix P3 is quite a camera, with a very effective Vibration Reduction (VR) technology (Nikon speak for Image Stabilization) and no-hassle Wi-Fi wireless transfer of your images from camera to PC. Though it does not offer total exposure flexibility, it does give more experienced photographers Programmed Auto and Aperture-Priority modes. Add to that already very attractive mix Manual AF area frame and corresponding Spot AF area metering, AF-assist Illuminator, auto exposure bracketing and auto WB bracketing, Best Shot Selector, and many other practical features, and you have a very performing digital camera in a compact body.”

Website: Photoxels - Nikon Coolpix P3 Review

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PMA 2006 "Hot Top 10"

PMA 2006PMA 2006: PMA 2006 turned out to be as much about the future as the present, with some of the hottest new products just being prototypes or mockups, rather than the real deal. Consequently you won’t be able to get your hands on quite a lot of the kit that has been announced until May, June, or even 6 months later in the case of the Panasonic DMC-L1 and the as yet un-named 10 megapixel Pentax DSLR. In fact, of all the products listed in our Hot Top 10 for PMA 2006, only 2 of them are available to buy today (Bibble Labs 4.6 and Muvee). Carry on reading to find out which products made our top 10…

51 New Delkin Products at PMA 2006

PMA 2006: Delkin Devices Press Release

Delkin Devices, Inc., based in Poway, California, has been providing “Everything but the Camera” since 1986. From Archival Gold Media to Pop-Up Shades, Delkin provides products with premium quality, innovative designs and an ongoing dedication to superior customer service. Delkin announces 51 new products at the PMA (Photo Marketing Association Show) in Orlando starting February 26th. “We have something for everyone,” says CEO and President Martin Wood. “Everything from new batteries and scratch resistant recordable media to MP3 players and instructional DVD’s, we are dedicated to providing our customers with solutions to their digital photography needs.”

Nikon Coolpix P3 and Nikon Coolpix P4

Nikon Coolpix P4PMA 2006: The Nikon Coolpix P3 and Nikon Coolpix P4 are announced. 8.1 megapixels, 3.5x optical zoom lens, 2.5 inch LCD. Coolpix P3 available end of February for £349.99 / €459. Coolpix P4 available mid March for £329.99 / €399.

Nikon Press Release

Higher performance, further functionality and extended photo enjoyment in attractive body.

TOKYO – Nikon Corporation is pleased to announce the introduction of the COOLPIX P3 and COOLPIX P4. Two compact digital cameras combining an exceptional 8.1 megapixels of resolution with an array of advanced features, the COOLPIX P3 and P4 take picture-taking enjoyment a step ahead. The COOLPIX P3 and P4 feature a 1/1.8-inch CCD. And because they offer 8.1 effective megapixels of image resolution, both cameras deliver outstanding imaging power that’s not only enough to show beautiful skin texture and capture the myriad colors of the human eye, but also enough to ensure shots stay breathtakingly clear even when significantly enlarged. They also each incorporate a 36-126mm (35mm equivalent) Zoom-Nikkor lens that offers ample freedom to zoom in for close compositions, zoom right out to capture breathtaking scenery and even enjoy macro shooting from as close as 4cm.

Nikon Coolpix L2, Nikon Coolpix L3 and Nikon Coolpix L4

Nikon Coolpix L4PMA 2006: The Nikon Coolpix L2, Nikon Coolpix L3 and Nikon Coolpix L4 are announced. 6, 5.1 and 4 megapixels respectively, 3x optical zoom lens, 2 inch LCD. Coolpix L2 available end of February for £199.99 / €245. Coolpix L3 available end of February for £169.99 / €212. Coolpix L4 available mid March for £129.99 / €159.

Nikon UK Press Release

Three compact digital cameras offering exceptional design and high-quality finish, with the easy operability to let anyone take a better class of picture

TOKYO – Nikon Corporation is pleased to announce the introduction of the COOLPIX L2, COOLPIX L3 and COOLPIX L4. These three entry-level digital compact cameras combine high-quality components like a 3x Zoom-Nikkor lens and a bright 2.0-inch LCD with in-camera image-improvement features, in lightweight and compact, yet elegantly finished bodies. All three cameras boast powerful 38-116mm (114mm for the COOLPIX L4) Zoom-Nikkor lenses (35mm equivalent), providing the liberty to zoom in for tight personal portraits, or zoom out to take in expansive outdoor scenes. The CCD delivers higher performance within tighter dimensions, greatly adding to the cameras’ compact portability while offering generous effective megapixel values of 6.0 for the COOLPIX L2, 5.1 for the COOLPIX L3, and 4.0 for the COOLPIX L4, ensuring the refined image clarity that you’ve come to expect from other members of the COOLPIX family. All three also feature a bright, easy-to-view 2.0-inch LCD that’s now even easier to operate with new icons and function selection, and easier on the eyes thanks to a new color scheme.

Fujifilm FinePix F650 Zoom

Fujifilm FinePix F650 ZoomFujifilm UK Press Release

The Fujifilm FinePix F650 Zoom: slim, but fully-loaded - A neat compact camera boasting six megapixels, a 5x optical zoom and super-size 3-inch LCD screen

Fujifilm today announced the launch of the FinePix F650 Zoom – an ultra-smart compact merging strength and elegance to form a neat and enviable package. The latest addition to Fujifilm’s well-established ‘F’ series, the Fujifilm F650 Zoom delivers six megapixels, handy for those keen to enlarge images.  What’s more, this stylish and functional camera is the first Fujifilm compact to contain a 5x optical zoom lens, ensuring its owners are never far from the action. The Fujifilm F650 Zoom is a sociable, picture-taking companion, thanks to its super-size 3-inch LCD screen – ideal for viewing menu options and sharing images with friends on the spot.  What’s more, there’s added capacity for storing precious pictures, as this all-rounder comes equipped with built-in internal memory.

Fujifilm FinePix F30 Zoom

Fujifilm FinePix F30 ZoomPMA 2006: The Fujifilm FinePix F30 Zoom is announced today. ISO 3200, 6 megapixels, 3x optical zoom lens, 2.5 inch LCD.


Fujifilm UK Press Release

Fujifilm FinePix F30 Zoom: a low light landmark - Fujifilm’s revolutionary Fujifilm F30 compact works in the light conditions that other cameras hate

After almost a decade of obsession with pixel counts, Fujifilm is proud to announce the launch of the Fujifilm FinePix F30 Zoom, a camera which confirms a new stage in the evolution of digital camera technology.  Breaking away from the tired and irrelevant practice of pixel counting, the FinePix F30 Zoom is the world’s first digital compact camera to deliver ISO 3200 sensitivity at full resolution. Fujifilm has identified sensitivity as one of the major photographic benchmarks for the digital age, and this camera makes it possible to capture images of unrivalled quality, even in very dark conditions.

Building on the success of the award-winning FinePix F10 Zoom, the Fujifilm FinePix F30 Zoom pulls away from the pack with a sensitivity setting that is eight times as effective in low light as a conventional compact with ISO 400.  The product of many years of accumulated expertise in sensor technology, this is the closest that any digital compact camera has come to approximating the remarkable sensitivity of the human eye. In practical terms, it is a breakthrough in delivering crisp images, even at night-time, or with fast-moving subjects.

Fujfilm FinePix A600 Zoom

Fujifilm FinePix A600 ZoomPMA 2006: The Fujfilm FinePix A600 Zoom is announced today. Super CCD sensor, 6.3 megapixels, 3x optical zoom lens, 2.4 inch LCD.

Fujifilm UK Press Release

The Fujfilm FinePix A600 Zoom: entry level moves up a level - The Fujfilm A600 Zoom, elegant, simple, but highly competent.

Fujifilm today announces the launch of the FinePix A600 Zoom, the next step forwards for Fujifilm’s highly successful ‘A’ series entry-level cameras. The FinePix A600 Zoom, designed in an attractive two-tone metallic finish, incorporates many features normally only found in higher end models. With an impressive 6.3 million pixels, featuring Fujifilm’s proprietary Super CCD, along with an extra-large 2.4-inch LCD monitor, the Fujfilm A600 Zoom is a delight for all those new to digital photography. Available for the first time in an entry-level ‘A’ series FinePix camera, the sophisticated Super CCD sensor means that image quality is the best possible standard, allowing the Fujfilm FinePix A600 Zoom to take shots that look more realistic, and more traditionally photographic. Skin tones look like skin, colours are more vibrant, and intricate landscapes appear sharper and more detailed.

Lexar Website Proves Popular

Lexar Press Release

Lexar’s Digital Photography Website Quickly Becoming One of the Internet’s Most Valuable Digital Imaging Destinations - Unique Content Helps www.lexar.com/dp Become a Resource for Photography Enthusiasts and a Communication Channel for Professional Photographers

Fremont, Ca., February 6, 2006 – Lexar Media, Inc. (Nasdaq: LEXR), a world leader in advanced digital media technologies, today announced that the company’s digital photography website (www.lexar.com/dp) is quickly becoming one of the Internet’s most popular digital imaging destinations for photography enthusiasts worldwide who want to view unique and informative content written by professional photographers. First launched in the spring of 2005, Lexar’s website recently shared its one-millionth page view – a milestone noteworthy by the fact that the majority of visitors are spending significant time on the website and scrolling though a great deal of the original content.

ILFORD Photo Competition - Image on a Box

ILFORD Photo CompetitionILFORD Photo Press Release

How long would £500 of ILFORD black-and-white photo products last the average enthusiast photographer? Quite a while? That’s one aspect of a new ILFORD Photo-sponsored black-and-white print competition which offers to immortalise the winners’ prints.

Image on a Box - ILFORD Photo has launched its first UK photo print competition since the company’s restructuring last year with a set of unique prizes for the winners. In addition to receiving ILFORD Photo products to the value of £500 and £250 for first and second places respectively, and £100 each for third and fourth, the four winners will have their images printed on boxes and envelopes of ILFORD Photo paper.

Alien Skin Exposure

Alien Skin Software Press Release

Raleigh, NC (December 8, 2005)- Alien Skin Software today announced Exposure, an all-new plug-in for Adobe® Photoshop® and other compatible host programs. Exposure brings the look and feel of film to digital photography. Photographers can now digitally simulate current and discontinued film stocks, as well as recreate a signature look as a one-click effect. Moreover, saturation, light temperature, dynamic range, softness, sharpness, and the addition of realistic grain can be managed in one step.

Foremost a film simulator, Exposure is based on the detailed analysis of real world film stocks. A photographer can now quickly and easily evoke the vivid colors of Velvia®, the rich blacks of Kodachrome®, or the sensitivity of Ektachrome®. Exposure includes presets that emulate the warmth, softness, and realistic grain of dozens of real world film stocks, both color and black and white. Plus, any preset can be the starting point for a signature look, adjusted it to suit a particular subject, or applied to a batch of images using Photoshop Actions.

Fantasea Line FP-1 Underwater Housing for Nikon Coolpix P1 / P2

Fantasea Line FP-1Fantasea Line Press Release

Fantasea Line now introduces a specially designed housing for the Nikon Coolpix P1 and P2 digital cameras with WiFi. The FP-1 housing, due for release Dec. 15th, is ideal for underwater and outdoor photographers who enjoy the cameras’ automatic exposure features for capturing fast action pictures easily and creatively. The Fantasea FP-1 housing insures the most compact design for easy handling and accurate access to camera functions through the critical placement of push-button controls.

Underwater photographers can dive or snorkel and capture all the excitement of this fascinating world, while outdoor photographers also have the option of capturing the action of such activities as white water and paddle sports, sailing and boating, surfing, fishing and hunting, backpacking and camping, and for family activities around the swimming pool or at the beach. The Fantasea FP-1 will protect the Coolpix cameras from water, sand, dust, and other damaging elements.

Fantasea Line FS-1 Underwater Housing for Nikon Coolpix S1 / S3

Fantasea Line FS-1Fantasea Line Press Release

Fantasea Line now introduces a specially designed housing for the Nikon Coolpix S1 and S3 digital cameras. The FS-1 housing, dedicated to these two new ultra-slim Nikon digital cameras is compactly designed for easy handling and accurate access to camera functions through the critical placement of push-button controls.

The Fantasea FS-1 housing is ideal for outdoor and underwater photographers who prefer to use the cameras automatic exposure features for capturing fast action pictures easily and creatively. Underwater photographers can dive or snorkel and capture all the excitement of this fascinating world, while outdoor photographers also have the option of capturing the action of such activities as white water and paddle sports, sailing and boating, surfing, fishing and hunting, backpacking and camping, and for family activities around the swimming pool or at the beach. The Fantasea FS-1 will protect the Coolpix cameras from water, sand, dust, and other damaging elements.

NikonNet and 'Legends Behind the Lens' Honor Al Satterwhite

Nikon Press Release

MELVILLE, N.Y., Nov. 17 /PRNewswire/—In the field of advertising photography, it is widely known that photographers must adapt to the changing times. Al Satterwhite chooses to make adjustments while staying true to his own vision through his sense of composition and bold use of color. It is for this reason that NikonNet’s inspiring monthly showcase, “Legends Behind the Lens” will honor his work this November. Satterwhite is an esteemed advertising photographer who works with both still photography and film.

Satterwhite has had a busy career. While still in high school he shot for the St Petersburg Times, then moved on to ten years of freelance magazine work, shooting assignments for Fortune, Car & Driver, Life, Time, Newsweek, People, #Sports Illustrated and Travel & Leisure, among other top magazines. In 1980, he began a 15-year run of national and international advertising photography. His clients included American Express, Kodak, Porsche, Saab, Coca Cola and Nikon. He also found time to lecture, conduct workshops, work on book projects, including A Day in the Life of Spain, Lights! Camera! Advertising! and Satterwhite on Color & Design.

Schedule Announced for Nikon School Seminars

Nikon School SeminarsNikon Press Release

Nikon School Visits 19 Cities Nationwide, Featuring Expert Instruction by Leading Imaging Professionals for Digital SLR Photographers of All Levels

MELVILLE, N.Y., Oct. 27 /PRNewswire/—Nikon Inc., the world leader in photography, has released the new schedule for its popular Nikon School (http://www.nikonschool.com/), one of the most comprehensive photography education and training programs available today. The two separate one-day seminars are taught by some of the best experts in the digital imaging industry and are aimed to help photographers at all levels better understand and enhance their digital photography experience.

Adobe DNG Format Wins Industry Support

Ricoh GR DigitalAdobe Press Release

Adobe Updates DNG Converter and Adds New `Camera Raw’ Plug-in for 14 New Cameras

SAN JOSE, Calif. — Oct. 20, 2005 — Adobe Systems Incorporated (Nasdaq:ADBE) today announced that its Digital Negative Specification (DNG) - an industry-wide initiative to create one unified format for archiving raw digital images - is continuing to win support from camera manufacturers and software makers. Ricoh Co. is the latest camera manufacturer to support DNG, with its new GR digital camera. By providing DNG support directly in its products, Ricoh joins respected camera manufacturers Hasselblad and Leica, along with a wide range of software manufacturers such as Apple, Extensis, iView and ULead.

“DNG addresses a critical need in the market to preserve digital images in their purest form while also simplifying the raw workflow for photographers,” said Kazuhiro Yuasa, general manager of the Image Capturing Solution Division at Ricoh. “The Ricoh GR Digital represents the latest advancements in high resolution compact cameras, and by incorporating support for DNG we’re giving our customers the flexibility and control they require to do their best work.”

Nikon and Adobe Work Together on RAW Format

Nikon Press Release

MELVILLE, NY (September 2, 2005) - Nikon Inc. notes the recent announcement made by Adobe(R) with regard to the mutual interest of both companies for the advancement of digital photography and the RAW file format. Nikon looks forward to future developments in this direction. Below is a copy of the announcement made by Adobe:

Adobe and Nikon are both enthusiastic about the continued innovation of digital imaging technology.  Both companies recognize that ongoing advancement in current RAW formats is bringing a new level of control, precision, and quality to the photography community and are excited about helping to foster that innovation.

Adobe is committed to working with Nikon to ensure that our common customers have an excellent experience when using Nikon cameras with Adobe software, and the company is disappointed that there has been confusion about this in the market. Adobe wants to ensure that our common customers get the very best quality from their photos when using our products together.

Nikon Launches Cross Country Tour to Promote D50

Nikon D50Nikon USA Press Release

Nikon Kicks off the ‘D50 Digital Experience’ Multi-City Road Tour, Proving To Consumers That Incredible Photos are Incredibly Simple to Take with a D50

MELVILLE, N.Y., Sept. 2 /PRNewswire/—This fall consumers in major cities across America will have the chance to see for themselves what the buzz surrounding digital SLR cameras is all about, as Nikon today embarks on a national multi-city road tour to put its newest, lightest and easiest-to-use digital SLR camera - the D50 - directly into the hands of curious consumers. Nikon’s “D50 Digital Experience” tour kicks off today at the St. Louis County Fair and Air Show in St. Louis, Missouri, and will continue on to stops in 11 major cities across the country, helping people experience firsthand how easy taking incredible photos can be using the D50.

Nikon Coolpix 4800 Review at CNET

Nikon Coolpix 4800CNET have just posted their review of the 4 megapixel, 8.3x optical zoom Nikon Coolpix 4800.

“Budding photographers who are looking to step up from a basic point-and-shoot camera but aren’t ready to assume total control of their photographic destiny will find this 4-megapixel model’s full exposure and focus automation comforting as they explore the pictorial possibilities of its 8.3X superzoom lens. Expansive telephoto reach means lots of outdoor photography, too, and the Nikon Coolpix 4800’s bright internal electronic viewfinder takes the eyestrain out of shooting in sunlight.”

Website: CNET - Nikon Coolpix 4800 Review

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Legends Behind The Lens Honor Travel Photographer Rosanne Pennella

NikonNikonNet Press Release

NikonNet and ‘Legends Behind The Lens’ Honor the Work of Internationally Acclaimed Travel Photographer Rosanne Pennella

MELVILLE, N.Y., Aug. 1 /PRNewswire/—Professional photographers will tell you that to succeed as a pro takes more than skill. One needs dedication, planning and even a little luck. Rosanne Pennella added self-confidence, courage, passion and inspiration to this combination.

This August, NikonNet’s inspiring monthly, “Legends Behind the Lens,” honors the work of admired travel photographer Rosanne Pennella, a woman who took a chance and pursued her passion.

“NikonNet is pleased to honor the images and extraordinary career of Rosanne Pennella in this August’s ‘Legends Behind the Lens,’” said Anna Marie Bakker, General Manager of Communications at Nikon Inc. “She’s been an inspiration for so many years, not only making outstanding contributions in travel photography, but sharing her knowledge and expertise as well.”

NikonNet Spotlights Sports Photographer George Tiedemann

Nikon Press Release

NikonNet and ‘Legends Behind the Lens’ Honor the Work of Internationally Acclaimed Sports Photographer George Tiedemann

MELVILLE, N.Y., July 1 /PRNewswire/—For some photographers, inspiration comes from the most unlikely places. For distinguished sports photographer George Tiedemann, his life was shaped by sports before he ever thought about photographing them. His inspiration came from his four years in the Marine Corps.

This July, NikonNet’s inspiring monthly, “Legends Behind the Lens,” honors the work of esteemed sports photographer George Tiedemann, a man who has not only contributed so much to the sports world, but served our country as well.

Fantasea Announce CP-7 Underwater Housing for Nikon Coolpix 5900 and 7900

Fantasea CP-7 Underwater HousingFantasea Line Press Release

Fantasea Line adds a new underwater housing for Nikon Coolpix 5900 and Nikon Coolpix 7900 Digital Cameras available in early June 2005.

Fantasea Line, distributor of the world’s most popular and affordable underwater photographic products, has announced the addition of a new underwater camera housing, the Fantasea CP-7, for the Nikon Coolpix 5900 and Coolpix 7900 digital cameras. 

The Fantasea CP-7 housing is rated to a maximum working depth of 130 ft./40m underwater. It is an injection molded plastic housing, constructed to take the rigorous environments that underwater photographers and outdoor photographers experience, and will protect digital cameras in these demanding activities. The housing offers push button controls that will provide access to the cameras most important controls and features. The CP-7 is a compact ergonomic design for easy one-hand shooting. Its operation is equally simple, as photographers need only to open and close one latch to insert the camera into place, without any mounts, screws, or gear alignments to bother with before shooting.

Fantasea Announce CP-6 Underwater Housing for Nikon Coolpix 4600 and 5600

Fantasea CP-6 Underwater HousingFantasea Line International Press Release

Fantasea Cameras Adds the CP-6 Underwater Housing for Nikon Coolpix 4600, and Coolpix 5600 Digital Cameras

Fantasea Line adds a new underwater housing for Nikon Coolpix 4600 and Coolpix 5600 Digital Cameras available in early June 2005.

Fantasea Line, distributor of the world’s most popular and affordable underwater photographic products, has announced the addition of a new underwater camera housing, the Fantasea CP-6, for the Nikon Coolpix 4600 and Coolpix 5600 digital cameras.

NikonNet Honours Wedding Photographer John Solano

Nikon Press Release

NikonNet and ‘Legends Behind the Lens’ Honor the Work of Groundbreaking Wedding Photographer John Solano

MELVILLE, N.Y., June 1 /PRNewswire/—To wedding photographer John Solano, anticipation is the name of the game. Backed by careful preparation, Solano’s ability to anticipate the priceless moments at a wedding has lead to a highly successful career as one of America’s premier wedding photographers. That success and reputation have now earned him a spot as a Legend Behind the Lens.

This June, NikonNet’s inspiring monthly, “Legends Behind the Lens,” honors the work of esteemed wedding photographer John Solano, a 15-year veteran of the craft who brings a creative outlook to every shot.

Thomas Mangelsen Honoured by NikonNet

NikonNet and ‘Legends Behind the Lens’ Honor the Work of Internationally Acclaimed Nature Photographer Thomas Mangelsen

MELVILLE, N.Y., May 2 /PRNewswire/—The best nature photographers all have one thing in common. Their respect for nature fuels their photography. For world-renowned photographer Thomas D. Mangelsen, that respect has become a passion to protect nature. That passion makes him a legend.

This April, NikonNet’s inspiring monthly, “Legends Behind the Lens,” honors the work of esteemed nature photographer Thomas D. Mangelsen, a man not only honored for his images, but also his efforts on behalf of the environment.

“NikonNet is pleased to honor the images and extraordinary career of Thomas D. Mangelsen in this May’s ‘Legends Behind the Lens,’” said Tracy Mack-Jackson, Senior Manager of Internet Development and Programs at Nikon Inc. “His work transcends beautiful pictures because he takes responsibility for the wildlife that he photographs, as he champions the cause of the environment throughout the world.”

Nikon Honor Nature Photographer James Balog

NikonNet and ‘Legends Behind the Lens’ Honor the Work of Esteemed Nature Photographer James Balog

MELVILLE, N.Y., April 1 /PRNewswire/—From the beauty of endangered animals to the destruction of natural disasters, nature has many sides that a photographer can capture. The true legends in this field respect nature’s awesome power while working to share its vast beauty with the rest of the world.  It is the secret behind the success of one of the world’s most respected nature photographers, James Balog.

This April, NikonNet’s inspiring monthly, “Legends Behind the Lens,” honors the work of esteemed nature photographer James Balog.

“NikonNet is pleased to honor the images and extraordinary career of James Balog in this April’s ‘Legends Behind the Lens,’” said Tracy Mack-Jackson, Senior Manager of Internet Development and Programs at Nikon Inc. “For many, Jim has been our eyes in some of the most breathtaking parts of the world, delivering inspiring images and shedding much needed light on many of the issues that affect the globe. His work is truly exceptional.”

Nikon Coolpix Technologies Announced

Nikon USA Press Release

Face-Priority Auto Focus Ensures That Faces Remain in Focus, Creating Memories as They Were Meant to be Captured

MELVILLE, N.Y., March 24 /PRNewswire/—Common shooting situations have continued to pose unique challenges to casual snap-shooters, like avoiding dark pictures and blurred subjects in portraits. Nikon engineers dared to ask, ‘How can we address these issues within the camera?’ The answer is a new suite of Nikon technology designed specifically for the Coolpix line of digital cameras that includes the proprietary Face Priority Auto Focus (AF), In-Camera Red-Eye Fix and the new D-Lighting feature. These technologies work together in conjunction with the camera to make it easier than ever to capture great pictures.

Nikon PictureProject In Touch Released

Nikon USA Press Release

PictureProject In Touch(TM) Allows Users to Share Photos Without Attaching Them in an Email or Uploading Them to a Website

MELVILLE, N.Y., March 24 /PRNewswire/—No more re-sizing digital pictures to send them to friends and family. No more emails with multiple photos attached. No more sending friends and family to sales-driven websites to view your photos. Nikon Inc. (http://www.nikondigital.com) today launched the easiest way to share photos—PictureProject In Touch. It’s Nikon’s new user-friendly solution to the most common issues digital photographers face when sharing pictures. PictureProject In Touch is a free desktop software application, available today via download on http://www.nikonnet.com and included with the newest version 1.5 of PictureProject(TM) image management software, which enables the fast, seamless and easy transfer of pictures between a sender and one or more recipients and can be viewed as full-screen slide shows with the click of a button.

DIWA Silver Award Winners Announced

DIWA Silver Award WinnersOlympus E-300, Olympus µ-mini [mju:] DIGITAL and the Nikon COOLPIX 8400 are the latest DIWA Silver Award winners.

DIWA Press Releases

Olympus E-300 achieves DIWA Silver Award

Amsterdam, 9. March 2005 - Digital Imaging Websites Association (DIWA), an international organisation of websites focusing on digital imaging, today announced a DIWA Silver Award to Olympus E-300 D-SLR. The camera, a high resolution entry-level priced E-System D-SLR, received very high scores for its system features and overall handling from a number of reviews made by DIWA members throughout the world, rating the Olympus E-300 to win a DIWA Silver Award.

The Olympus E-300 is the second D-SLR camera based on the FourThirds Standard and delivers a high resolution of 8 Megapixels. Like its professional brother, the Olympus E-1, the E-300 incorporates a Supersonic Wave Filter that prevents dust and other foreign particles to ruin the captured image. This is just one of many features distinguishing the E-300 from its rivals, another being its unique appearance in an ultra-compact body. The silver medal represents recognition of high overall performance and is a summary of numerous rigorous tests conducted by DIWA camera experts.

PMA Show 2005 Roundup

Photo Marketing Association Show 2005The PMA Show 2005 was held last week in Orlando, Florida. PhotographyBLOG was there for an entire week to cover the show, attend various press events and go on the rides at the Universal Studios “Islands of Adventure” theme park (I can’t work all the time you know…). All in all the Show was a quiet, understated affair compared to previous years, with the general concensus being this was a year of consolidation in the industry, rather than innovation. There were still a lot of new products introduced, however, so here is my personal roundup of the hits, misses and maybes.

Epson R1800 at Focus on Imaging

Epson Stylus Photo R1800Epson UK Press Release

The Epson Stylus Photo R1800 will have its first UK audience with live demonstrations at Focus On Imaging 2005.  Available from April 2005 and designed to meet the needs of the most demanding photo enthusiast and semi professional photographer, this A3 photo printer is the latest addition to the Epson photo printer portfolio. 

Providing border-free printing up to A3, photographers now have the freedom to print in a wide range of formats for portfolios, display, and photographic exhibitions without sacrificing quality. Combined with the Epson UltraChrome Hi-Gloss ink set, the Stylus Photo R1800 delivers prints that really can exceed the quality from a professional photo lab.

PicaJet 2.4 Released

Casio Casio EX-Z750PicaJet.Com Press Release

PicaJet.Com Releases PicaJet 2.4

PicaJet 2.4 puts Picasa to shame.

Two years after entering the photo organizers market, PicaJet has created quite a stir, with some folks calling it “Picasa killer” or “Swish Army Knife of photo albums”.  But, all the hype aside, PicaJet’s success lies within a simple strategy on concentrating on few important features, rather trying to be many things to many people.  As Gregory Anderson eloquently put it in his October2004 article in Smart Computing, “unlike many other digital imaging programs, PicaJet focuses on doing one thing and doing it well.”

Fujifilm FinePix Z1 Zoom Announced

Fujifilm FinePix Z1 ZoomFujifilm FinePix Z1 Zoom is launched: the Z1 Zoom is a 5 megapixel compact digital camera with a large 2.5inch LCD screen and 3 optical zoom. Inside the FinePix Z1 Zoom is a fifth generation version of Fujifilm’s Super CCD HR sensor, outside Z1 is small enough to fit in your pocket.

Fujifilm UK Press Release

Fujifilm FinePix Z1 Zoom: a body for the catwalk with a spec for the studio

Announcement Date: 08 February 2005

Five megapixel power in a pocketable, ultra-cool body

Fujifilm today announced the launch of its new FinePix Z1 Zoom, a super-slim compact digital camera that boasts 5.1 megapixels, 3x optical zoom and a mammoth 2.5 inch LCD monitor, inside an aluminium body barely bigger than a credit card.

The FinePix Z1 Zoom showcases a variety of Fujifilm’s inventive construction techniques that help the camera achieve its sleek, seamless casing and miniature dimensions. The zoom lens has a special refractive, non-extending design that delivers 3x optical reach without any visible movement on the Z1 Zoom’s flat exterior.

NikonNet Honours Photographer Steve Vaccariello

NikonNet Press Release

NikonNet and ‘Legends Behind the Lens’ Honor the Work of Commercial and Fine-Art Photographer Steve Vaccariello

MELVILLE, N.Y., February 1, 2005—There are photographers who are defined by the lengths they go to in order to create the perfect shot. Then there are those who allow simplicity to take the best pictures. Legendary photographer Steve Vaccariello falls into that latter category with a career that echoes one of his own statements, “Photography isn’t what I do. It’s what I am.”

This February, NikonNet’s inspiring monthly, “Legends Behind the Lens,” honors the work of award-winning commercial and fine-art photographer Steve Vaccariello. He has photographed some of the most recognizable images in national advertising campaigns for Sprint PCS, Ritz Carlton Hotels, Sure deodorant, Finlandia vodka, MasterCard, Nikon, and many others.

Toshiba Announces 2 And 4 Gigabyte Compactflash Cards

Toshiba Press Release

TOSHIBA ANNOUNCES 2 AND 4 GIGABYTE COMPACTFLASH CARDS FOR DIGITAL CAMERAS AND OTHER CONSUMER ELECTRONICS DEVICES

2GB Cards Available in Standard and High-speed Models; Highest Density 4GB Card Achieved Using 90 Nanometer Multi-Level Cell NAND Flash Technology

LAS VEGAS, Jan. 6, 2004 - Further expanding its portfolio of memory solutions for consumer electronics applications, Toshiba America Electronic Components, Inc. (TAEC)* today announced its new highest capacity 4-gigabyte (GB)1 CompactFlash card, and high-speed 2GB CompactFlash card. The new cards, developed by Toshiba Corp. (Toshiba) using 90 nanometer (nm) NAND Flash memory technology, help meet the continually increasing demand for greater capacity and performance in data storage cards for digital cameras, digital camcorders, MP3 players and PDAs, as well as some networking and embedded applications.

Concord Announces $229 6 Megapixel Digital Camera

Concord 6340zConcord Camera Corp. Press Release

CONCORD CAMERA ANNOUNCES BLISTER PACK & HOLIDAY BLOW-OUT PRICES FOR 3-6 MEGAPIXEL DIGITAL CAMERAS

Packaging Increases Impulse Buying at Retail Stores
Concord First to Market with 6 Megapixel for $229

Las Vegas, NV, January 4, 2005 - Concord Camera Corp. (“Concord”) (Nasdaq:LENSE), a leader in award-winning, high-quality, easy-to-use, popularly priced digital cameras, announced today at CES new easy-to-reach consumer-friendly clamshell blister pack packaging and lower post holiday blow-out pricing for their award-winning lineup of 3, 4, 5, and 6 Megapixel digital cameras.  The convenient newly designed Concord clamshell-shaped packaging now makes it easier for consumers to purchase higher end cameras at more affordable prices—without waiting for sales staff.  In addition, retailers can increase sales and impulse buying by stocking cameras up front where consumers can easily buy, instead of hiding the cameras behind hard-to-reach display cases.

Concord also announced today new blowout pricing for their most popular 3, 4, 5, and 6 Megapixels digital cameras—with prices as low as $99 for the 3346z 3 Megapixel digital camera to $229 for the 6340z 6 megapixel digital camera.

NikonNet Honours Veteran Commercial Photographer John Huet

NikonNet Press Release 03/01/05

NikonNet and ‘Legends Behind the Lens’ Honor the Work of Veteran Commercial Photographer John Huet

MELVILLE, N.Y., Jan. 1 /PRNewswire/—Sometimes the moment elicits more inspiration than all the preparation in the world.  For over 20 years,
renowned commercial photographer John Huet has lived by this concept. Considered to be one of the most successful commercial photographers working today, Huet’s images have been seen throughout the world. However, it’s his unique style that often raises eyebrows.

This January, NikonNet’s inspiring monthly, “Legends Behind the Lens,” honors the work of veteran advertising and commercial photographer John Huet. He has photographed some of the most recognizable images in national advertising campaigns for Nike, Adidas, BMW Motorcycles, Microsoft, the NBA, Wrangler, Nikon, and many others.

NikonNet Honours World-renowned Photographer Sandro

NikonNet Press Release 01/12/04

NikonNet and ‘Legends Behind the Lens’ Honor the Work of Internationally Renowned Photographer Sandro

MELVILLE, N.Y., Dec. 1 /PRNewswire/—It is one thing to capture an image, but a photographer who has the ability to capture the soul of his subject is one worthy of honor.  For over 25 years, world-renowned photographer Sandro, has been doing just that.  Considered to be one of the most successful commercial photographers working today, Sandro’s images have
an ability to capture the personality of the subject through techniques that range from the subtle to the provocative.

This December, NikonNet’s inspiring monthly, “Legends Behind the Lens,” honors the work of award-winning photographer Sandro (His last name is Miller, but he is known professionally by his first name only).  Sandro’s work has appeared in The New Yorker, Time, Newsweek, Forbes, Details, Wired, and ESPN the Magazine, among many others. He has photographed some of the most recognizable images in national advertising campaigns for Allstate Insurance,
American Express, Anheuser-Busch, BMW, Miller Brewing Company, Gatorade, Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Nikon, Microsoft, Nike, Adidas, Champion, and the U.S. Army.

InsideOut Travel Magazine Photo Contest

InsideOut Travel Magazine Press Release 21/11/04

Hit us with Your Best Shots!

It’s time for InsideOut Travel Magazine’s second travel photo contest! Photo editor Alex Robinson has chosen the theme “Faces of the World.” You don’t need to be a professional photographer to participate but you do need to read our submission guidelines:

- JPG format only.
- Maximum size should be 1,000 pixels on the longest side.
- One photo per e-mail, but send as many e-mails as you’d like.
- Include when and where you took the picture.
- Be sure to include your full name, mailing address and phone number.
- Please don’t superimpose text on the photo with copyright information, etc. You retain all your rights, but we’ll include the photographer’s name in a standardized way on all of the photos.
- Send photos to [email protected] by Jan. 15, 2005.

We’ll show the pictures at one of our Travelers Happy Hours in early spring and have some cool prizes for the best photographers. Good luck!

http://www.insideoutmag.com/index.htm

Pixel Genius LLC Releases PhotoKit Color

PhotoKit ColorPixel Genius LLC Press Release 13/11/04

Chicago, IL - November 13th, 2004 - Pixel Genius LLC releases PhotoKit Color, a new product by PixelGenius. PhotoKit Color is an Adobe Photoshop Plug-in that applies precise color corrections, automatic color balancing and creative coloring effects. With a retail price of $99.95, PhotoKit Color offers a comprehensive set of coloring tools for Photoshop 7.0 and Photoshop CS for both Macintosh and Windows.

Color plays a huge role in how we perceive and describe the world we see, so it?s hardly surprising that one of the first things we want to do to a photograph when we bring it into Photoshop is to adjust accurately or play creatively with the color in the image. Photographers in particular have long desired to reproduce traditional photographic processes digitally using Photoshop. PhotoKit Color provides a comprehensive suite of effects that let you recreate creative effects like black and white split toning and cross processing. All these effects are applied as separate layers so the user can make further variations, adapting each effect to suit their own tastes. But that?s not all! With PhotoKit Color, you can enhance specific colors in your photographs. You can make skin tones less red or lighter. With the Blue Enhance effect you can darken a blue sky and enhance the cloud contrast. And with the RSA Gray Balance set, you can automatically remove color-casts from almost any type of image.

Samsung Announces Digimax U-CA 4

Samsung Digimax U-CA 4Samsung Press Release 08/11/04

SAMSUNG BRIDGES GAP BETWEEN QUALITY AND “COOL” WITH LAUNCH OF U-CA 4 THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

Designed for Today’s Young, Tech-Savvy Snap Shooters, the U-CA 4 Has it All

SECAUCUS, N.J., (November 8, 2004) - With the holiday shopping season rapidly approaching, millions of American consumers are turning their attention to the task of getting their hands on the hottest, most cutting-edge gadgets and gizmos for everyone on their gift list this year.  Finding the coolest high-tech gifts is difficult enough, but finding high-tech gifts for the kids that combine quality and cool has been nearly impossible—until now.  Samsung has bridged the gap between quality and cool with the launch of its new Digimax U-CA 4 digital still camera.  With 4 mega pixel resolution, MPEG 4 video compression, a stylish, compact design, the choice of three body colors and a street price of just $299.99, the U-CA 4 is sure to be a hit with parents as well as tech-savvy kids this holiday season.

NikonNet Honors 'Unclassifiable' Photographer Rick Rickman

NikonNet Press Release 01/11/04

NikonNet and ‘Legends Behind the Lens’ Honor the Work of ‘Unclassifiable’ Photographer Rick Rickman

MELVILLE, N.Y., Nov. 1 /PRNewswire/—While Rick Rickman’s work has been the definition of outstanding photography, it’s nearly impossible to put a label on his style of work.  For nearly 25 years, this Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer has captured some of the most memorable and creative images in a variety of fields, including sports, outdoor, adventure, corporate, travel and news photography.  It’s an oeuvre that can perhaps only be defined by calling
it “unclassifiable.”

This November, NikonNet’s inspiring monthly, “Legends Behind the Lens,” honors the work of esteemed photographer Rick Rickman.  Over the last 25 years, Rickman’s work has appeared in Time, Newsweek, National Geographic, Smithsonian and Men’s Journal, among many others. His corporate clients include AT&T, Coca Cola, Magnavox, the U.S. Olympic Committee and Nikon.

“NikonNet is pleased to honor the images and extraordinary career of Rick Rickman in this November’s ‘Legends Behind the Lens,’” said Tracy Mack- Jackson, senior manager of Internet Development and Programs at Nikon Inc. “He possesses an uncanny ability to tell stories through images. Whether the photo is for a major publication or a corporate client, Rick consistently produces work that is exceptionally creative and extremely powerful.”

Classic RolleiFlex Camera Goes Small and Digital

Rolleiflex MiniDigiRollei Logistics, Inc. Press Release 26/10/04

Just 3-Inches High, the New Rolleiflex MiniDigi Has the Look and Feel of the Original Twin Reflex Camera

CONCORD, CA (OCT. 26, 2004) - Two lenses, one above the other. The hand crank lever. The shutter release. The hooded viewfinder. The exposure meter. The coal-black casing. And the RolleiFlex logo. 

They?re all part of a new Rollei camera that will hit the US market in November. What?s different from the original, a classic that has attracted the world?s top photographers from its introduction in 1929 to this day, is that it?s much smaller and digital.

Much as auto manufacturers who have applied modern technologies to classic designs, such as the Jaguar ?S?series, the new RolleiFlex MiniDigi has the look and feel of the original, but easily fits in the palm of your hand or pocket. Most importantly, it?s a camera with features that are not only nostalgic, but also unique in the digital world.

Nikon at PhotoPlus Expo 2004

Nikon USA Press Release 21/10/04

Nikon Showcases Cutting-Edge New Products and Initiatives at PhotoPlus Expo 2004

Show Activities to Expand Nikon’s Position as the World Leader in Photography

PHOTOPLUS EXPO, BOOTH 715 - NEW YORK, NY, October 21, 2004 - Nikon (http://www.nikonusa.com), the world leader in photography, will be at this year’s PhotoPlus Expo to exhibit a variety of exciting new products and initiatives. Attendees may visit Nikon at booth #715 at the Jacob Javitz Convention Center in New York City, October 21 - October 23, to see the most advanced digital and film photography equipment, and learn about all the resources and services Nikon makes available.

Nikon’s entire Total Imaging System will be on display at PhotoPlus Expo, demonstrating the complete solution Nikon offers in photography and imaging applications. The award-winning Nikon Coolpix line of digital cameras will be featured at the Nikon booth, including the new Nikon Coolpix 8800, Coolpix 8400, and Coolpix 4800. The exciting new Nikon D2X and sophisticated D70 professional digital SLR cameras, the complete range of Nikkor lenses, Nikon’s range of Speedlights, 35mm compact cameras, and Sports and Recreational Optics will also be available. Nikon will also feature the innovative Coolscan V ED, Super Coolscan 5000 ED and Super Coolscan 9000 ED film scanners. The display will also exhibit the complete range of 35mm film SLR cameras, like the fantastic new F6.

Nikon Honours Veteran Photographer Jim Richardson

NikonNet Press Release 01/10/04

NikonNet and ‘Legends Behind the Lens’ Honor the Work of Veteran Photographer Jim Richardson

MELVILLE, N.Y., Oct. 1 /PRNewswire/—Call him a photographer for the common man. To award-winning photojournalist Jim Richardson, there is something exciting about small-town America. While many photographers revel in the adrenaline of capturing wars or shooting sports scenes, Richardson’s drive comes from discovering what everyday people do to fill their everyday lives.

This October, NikonNet’s inspiring monthly, “Legends Behind the Lens,” honors the work of esteemed photographer Jim Richardson.  For three decades, Richardson, whose work appears regularly in National Geographic, has combined an uncanny ability to capture beautiful images out of what are often-ignored subjects.  As a freelance photographer and contributing editor for National Geographic Traveler, Richardson has also published several critically acclaimed books.

“NikonNet is pleased to honor the images and extraordinary career of Jim Richardson in this October’s ‘Legends Behind the Lens,’” said Tracy Mack-Jackson, senior manager of Internet Development and Programs at Nikon Inc. “His career is a great example of a photographer who is well-prepared, curious and creative, which allow him to produce captivating images that capture the full range of human emotion.”

Ulead Introduces New Version of PhotoImpact

Ulead Press Release

Ulead Introduces New Version of PhotoImpact Image Editing Software

PhotoImpact 10 Brings Image Editing Software up to the Level of Today’s Digital Cameras with Novice-Friendly Professional Quality Tools

TORRANCE,Calif. - (BUSINESS WIRE) - Sept. 27, 2004 - Ulead Systems, Inc., a 15-year, industry-leader in digital media software development, announces Ulead(R) PhotoImpact(R) 10, the newest version of PhotoImpact, Ulead’s flagship PC image editing software. PhotoImpact 10 continues to be the most comprehensive software product under $100 for digital photography, graphic design and Web graphic/page creation. This latest version offers new tools and layouts to make it easier for novices and casual users to navigate the rich feature set within PhotoImpact, while still providing imaging aficionados with sophisticated creative design tools and effects for professional results. Over the years PhotoImpact has garnered notable reviews and awards in a variety of publications including BusinessWeek, CNET, Entrepreneur, PCPhoto, and Technology & Learning.

“Ulead always takes tremendous pride in the sophistication and power of the features we include in our new releases,” says Lewis Liaw, president of Ulead Systems, North America. “We love to deliver plenty of get-up-and-go under the hood. What’s special about PhotoImpact 10 is that we have made equal or even greater strides in making the product easier and more intuitive to use. Digital cameras today are capable of producing images only pros could have just last year. We are very excited to be able to deliver software that lets hobbyists, casual and business users take full advantage of their cameras and achieve professional quality results without having to spend a lot of time or learn complex software.”

Adobe Announces Digital Negative Specification

Adobe Press Release 27/09/04

Adobe Unifies Raw Photo Formats with Introduction of Digital Negative Specification  
 
Free Converter Tool Kick Starts New Digital Negative File Format by Translating Raw Formats into Easy-to-Use, Archive-Ready Files

SAN JOSE, Calif. - Sept. 27, 2004 - Adobe Systems Incorporated (Nasdaq:ADBE) today introduced the Digital Negative Specification, a new unified public format for raw digital camera files. The company also launched a free software tool, Adobe DNG Converter, which translates many of today’s popular raw photo formats into the new .DNG file format, compliant with the Digital Negative Specification.

Raw files, which contain the original information captured by a camera sensor prior to any in-camera processing, have become popular due to their promise of greater flexibility and image quality. Until today there has been no standard format for these files, which vary between manufacturers and individual cameras. The Digital Negative Specification solves this problem by introducing a single format that can store information from a diverse range of cameras. Technology leaders, major customers, and professional photographers today also endorsed the new specification (see separate quote sheet).

“Professional photographers and other creative professionals are moving to raw camera workflows because of the outstanding creative control they get over digital images,” said Bryan Lamkin, senior vice president of Digital Imaging and Digital Video products at Adobe. “However, clients and publishers have difficulty working with disparate raw file formats and nobody can be sure that today’s raw formats will be supported ten years from now. Adobe customers asked us to work on a unified, public format for raw files and that’s what we’ve delivered with the new Digital Negative Specification.”

Adobe Updates Camera Raw Plug-in

Adobe Press Release 27/09/04

Adobe Adds Support for New Digital Negative Specification in Updated Camera Raw Plug-in For Photoshop CS  
 
.DNG Files and Raw Formats from New Batch of Pro Cameras Now Accessible in Photoshop CS

SAN JOSE, Calif. - Sept. 27, 2004 - Adobe Systems Incorporated (Nasdaq:ADBE) today announced an update to the Camera Raw Plug-in, extending raw file support in Photoshop CS to more than 65 digital camera models and enabling Photoshop CS to handle files in the new .DNG format, also announced today (see separate release). Available as a free download from Adobe’s Web site, the plug-in builds on the raw file functionality already available in Photoshop CS, adding new support for the latest digital cameras from leading manufacturers, such as Canon, Epson, Fujifilm, and Nikon.

Raw files, which contain the original information captured by a camera sensor prior to any in-camera processing, have become popular in recent years, due to their promise of greater flexibility and image quality. Adobe Photoshop pioneered the integration of raw files directly into digital imaging workflows through previous plug-in releases and by integrating raw file functionality into Photoshop CS. The company today also launched a free software tool, the Adobe DNG Converter that translates the raw formats supported by Photoshop CS and the Camera Raw Plug-in into the new .DNG file format (see separate release). Adding .DNG support allows Photoshop CS users to work with files created with the new DNG Converter - giving them a single unified file format in which to archive their raw files.

Dual DIWA Awards to Nikon

DIWA AwardsDual DIWA Awards to Nikon: Gold Award to D70 and Silver to COOLPIX 8700

24. September, 2004: DIWA (Digital Imaging Websites Association), a world-wide organisation of collaborating digital imaging websites, today announced that two Nikon digital cameras have been awarded for outstanding test results. On all accounts, the Nikon D70 satisfied the DIWA testing experts, who honoured its overall performance with a DIWA Gold medal in the category of digital system cameras. Also another high-quality Nikon digital camera, the compact megazoom model COOLPIX 8700, has passed the rigorous DIWA tests with excellent results, qualifying for a DIWA Silver medal.

DIWA Awards - Nikon D70The Nikon D70 took the D-SLR market to new heights by introducing exceptional features and qualities at a very reasonable price. Although the camera is targeted for advanced amateurs, also numerous professional photographers have found the D70 to deliver exceptionally good value for money. The DIWA testing team confirms this impression. Numerous individual reviews conclude that the Nikon D70 qualities are indisputable, regardless of the price issue.

The Nikon COOLPIX range of high-performance digital compact cameras is topped by the 8 Megapixel COOLPIX 8700. Several reviews, based on the comprehensive DIWA testing procedure, confirmed that the camera performs better than many of its rivals, with scores well within the DIWA range for a Silver medal.

FujiFilm Announces FinePix S3 Pro DSLR

FujiFilm FinePix S3 ProFujifilm UK Press Release 23/09/04

Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro: the digital SLR that’s tuned for image quality

Release Date: 23 September 2004

Any photographer who has thought hard about their choice of film, and whose work is geared towards ultimate image quality, will understand the appeal of the Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro.

Representing the company’s pursuit of film photography standards for the digital world, the FinePix S3 Pro introduces Fujifilm’s unique Super CCD SR II - dual pixel technology that is technically inspired by the structure of silver halide crystals in colour negative film.

The new sensor produces 12.34 million effective pixels in 6.17 locations, combining 6.17 million high-sensitivity S-pixels and the same number of low-sensitivity R-pixels. Thanks to a newly developed image processor, the FinePix S3 Pro achieves exceptional image quality with a fourfold increase in dynamic range over non-SR Super CCD sensors, rich colour reproduction, high signal to noise ratio (lower noise at higher sensitivities) and tonality that was previously impossible to generate with digital cameras.

The FinePix S3 Pro’s designers have been able to make full use of Fujifilm’s extensive colour film expertise. For instance, rather than force photographers to shoot in RAW mode and spend time on an extensive workflow process, Fujifilm has introduced Film Simulation Modes, dynamic range presets and colour space selection.

Nikon Announces Coolpix 8800

Nikon Coolpix 8800Nikon UK Press Release 16/09/04

Nikon is pleased to introduce the Coolpix 8800. The 8-megapixel Coolpix 8800 carries a high-powered 10x Zoom-Nikkor ED lens with a Vibration Reduction (VR) System - a first for the Coolpix range.

The Coolpix 8800 is designed for serious photographers who aspire to take the highest quality images. With its 10x zoom, it also targets those who require higher zoom power and those who benefit from its fully loaded yet completely portable design. The extremely versatile Coolpix 8800 meets their requirements, as well as demands from those who want state of the art image quality and even greater ease of use. And for those who want to expand their options, the Coolpix 8800 offers a range of lens converters,speedlights and other accessories.

The Coolpix 8800 carries 8.0 effective megapixels for ultra high-definition photography. Your image clarity is ensured because of the professional quality, 10x Zoom-Nikkor ED lens. With its 35-350mm focal range (35mm equivalent), the lens incorporates two ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass lens elements to minimize chromatic aberration and produce amazingly sharp and clear images.

The lens of the Coolpix 8800 incorporates the Vibration Reduction System - a first for the Coolpix range. VR automatically detects and compensates for the small camera movements that cause image blur. This offers the user the ability to shoot at shutter speeds up to three stops slower without the risk of camera vibrations blurring your image. Along with Normal Mode, which enables remarkably clear handheld shots, Active Mode helps to ensure a smoother view in shaky conditions, such as shooting from a moving vehicle. Thanks to VR, users can achieve sharp and clear images when shooting in low light or when taking handheld telephoto and macro shots. It even works with the accessory telephoto converter lens at 600mm (35mm equivalent).

Nikon Introduces New Protocol For Digicam Data Transfer

Nikon Press Release 13/09/04

New Protocol “PTP/IP” for Image Data Transfer from a Digital Camera via wireless LAN—Nikon’s joint development with FotoNation, to be supported by Microsoft Corporation

Tokyo - Nikon Corporation (COO: Teruo Shimamura) is pleased to announce the implementation of PTP/IP (Picture Transfer Protocol over Internet Protocol) - developed by FotoNation Inc. - as a new computer interface for more convenient image data transfer from digital cameras. Based on the current ubiquitous PTP technology (ISO 15740), which up until now has been limited to the USB transmission, it enables communication between a digital camera and a PC via wireless LAN.

By implementing PTP/IP in coming products, Nikon is pioneering the way in wireless digital camera connectivity. Nikon is collaborating with FotoNation and Microsoft Corporation on commercialization and enhancement of this technology, whose further refinements for professional use will be released soon. The technology will be also applied to products for general consumers in the near future.

Nikon School Announces New Schedule

Nikon School Announces New Schedule For Popular Nikon School Photography Seminars

Three Digital Photography Courses Teach the Essentials to Photography Enthusiasts at All Skill Levels

MELVILLE, N.Y., Sept. 8 /PRNewswire/—Nikon Inc. (http://www.nikonschool.com/), the world leader in photography, has released the new schedule for its popular Nikon School, one of the most comprehensive photography education and training programs in the industry. Nikon School seminars are taught throughout the country by renowned imaging experts. The three separate, one-day courses are designed to help digital photographers and business users of all skill levels better understand and improve the digital photography experience, including capturing, editing and sharing digital images. Whether the camera is simple or complex, new or old, digital or film, Nikon School has an appropriate course. The next Nikon School series will launch on October 2, 2004 in New York City, and visit more than 20 cities in the U.S. through June 2005.

“For more than 30 years, Nikon School has educated thousands of photographers in the creative picture taking process,” said Jerry Grossman, Vice President of Marketing for Nikon Inc. “With the expansion of digital imaging into America’s homes and offices, we recognize the need to educate photographers at all skill levels on how to get the most out their digital experience. Nikon School helps to make picture-taking come alive for more photographers, and brings enthusiasts together to explore new digital techniques and applications.”

NikonNet Honors Photographer Reed Hoffmann

NikonNet Press Release 01/09/04

NikonNet and ‘Legends Behind The Lens’ Honor The Work Of Award-Winning Photographer Reed Hoffmann

MELVILLE, N.Y., Sept. 1 /PRNewswire/—Whether he’s shooting extreme athletes in Borneo or teaching the many facets of digital photography, Reed Hoffmann is a photographer of impact.  Known for his dynamic abilities in journalistic and commercial photography, Hoffmann is also widely considered a pioneer in bringing the digital revolution to newspapers by becoming the
leading American digital consultant in analog-to-digital transition.

This September, NikonNet’s inspiring monthly, “Legends Behind the Lens,” honors the work of esteemed photographer Reed Hoffmann.  For almost 30 years, Hoffmann, whose work has appeared in a variety of publications such as The New York Times, USA Today, Sports Illustrated, and Outside Magazine, has combined vast newspaper experience with a thirst for world travel and adventure.  For more than 20 years, Hoffmann worked for newspapers in Indiana, Alabama and New York, twice winning NPPA Photographer of the Year honors for Region 2 (Northeast).

Yakumo Announces 4 Megapixel Mega-Image 84 D

Yakumo Mega-Image 84 DYakumo Press Release 17/08/04

Licence to zoom - the new Yakumo Mega-Image 84 D.

Braunschweig, 17th August 2004- Yakumo’s latest addition to the Mega-Image family is the new Mega-Image 84 D. This camera is aiming at enthusiastic amateur photographers who have a low budget and high expectations. The Mega-Image 84 D now takes on the role of top model in the Yakumo camera range and offers high performance optics at an amazingly low price of 249 euros. In September, the Mega-Image 84 D will become available at all Yakumo dealers.

Boom Times for Western European Digital Camera Market

IDC Press Release 10/08/04

Boom Times Continue in the Western European Digital Camera Market, But Tougher Battles Lie Ahead, Says IDC

LONDON, August 10, 2004 - During 2003, shipments of digital cameras into Western Europe increased by over 95% and reached almost 16 million units, which translated into $5.9 billion in end-user spend, according to a new IDC study. Consumer demand for digital imaging has once again brought healthy revenues to the key players in the industry.

“As predicted, in 2003 we witnessed another phenomenal year for the industry - prices dropped even further and vendors repositioned their products to capture the next wave of digital enthusiasm,” said Paul Withington, senior research analyst for IDC’s European Peripherals Group. “This has translated into a mass-market adoption particularly within the 3 megapixel [MP] segment, which became the area where vendors found their greatest success.”

Percentage growth into 2004 will not prove as dramatic as in previous years, as the market moves beyond its adoption stage. Across Western Europe, IDC predicts 45% overall growth in 2004 and towards the end of IDC’s five-year forecast period to 2008 we can expect the market to have matured and the vendor landscape to be carrying significant battle scars through jousts with the camera phone.

Nikon Honour Veteran Photographer Doug Menuez

Nikon Press Release 01/07/04

NikonNet and ‘Legends Behind the Lens’ Honor the Work of Veteran Photographer Doug Menuez

MELVILLE, N.Y., July 1 /PRNewswire/—For award-winning photojournalist Doug Menuez, there is a real connection between tequila and a camera, and it goes far beyond ‘great shots.’  In fact, with everything from tequila to technology, Doug Menuez has proven that, if you look closely, there is a story to tell.

This July, NikonNet’s inspiring monthly, “Legends Behind the Lens,” honors the work of esteemed photojournalist and commercial photographer Doug Menuez. Since 1981, Menuez has photographed major news stories from the famine in Ethiopia to South American drug wars for Time, Newsweek, Life, People and Fortune.  His eye for fine art has also made him one of the most sought-after commercial photographers in the country.

“NikonNet is pleased to honor the images and extraordinary career of Doug Menuez in this July’s ‘Legends Behind the Lens,’” said Tracy Mack-Jackson, senior manager of Internet Development and Programs at Nikon Inc. “For over 20 years, Doug has captured some of the most memorable images in news and advertising.  He has truly served his industry through his creativity, inventiveness and search for finding new stories to tell.”

Nikon and TiVo Bring Digital Photography Into the Living Room

Nikon Press Release 09/06/04

Nikon and TiVo Partner to Extend the Excitement of Digital Photography Into the Living Room

Professional Photography from Nikon’s Portfolio of Award Winning Artist’s Delivered to TiVo Series2 Subscribers With Home Network

MELVILLE, N.Y., June 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/—Nikon (http://www.nikonusa.com), the world leader in photography, today announced a partnership with TiVo Inc. (Nasdaq: TIVO), the creator of and a leader in television services for digital video recorders (DVR), to deliver professional photography images from world-renowned artists to all TiVo(R) Series2(TM) subscribers connected to a home network.  Beginning today, TiVo Series2 subscribers can view images from Nikon’s “Legends behind the Lens” through the home media features.  The first in a series of artist’s highlighted by Nikon will be Joe McNally, the award-winning photojournalist known for his incredible versatility, technical mastery and use of creative lighting to capture interesting and engaging photographs.

Nikon Coolpix 101 Site Wins Prestigious Award

Nikon USA Press Release 07/06/04

Nikon Coolpix 101 Site Wins Prestigious Best on Long Island Award in ‘Educational Internet Website’ Category

MELVILLE, N.Y., June 7 /PRNewswire/—Nikon Inc. and its innovative Coolpix(R) 101 site (http://www.coolpix101.com), designed to inform users about the many facets of digital photography, was recently recognized by the Long Island Advertising Club as the “Best Educational Internet Website” at the annual Best on Long Island (BOLI) 31 Awards.  Using the latest in Multimedia Flash technology, Coolpix 101 has been praised for its creative ability to instruct any digital photographer in a wide variety of topics, from understanding pixels to emailing pictures.

“We are thrilled to have been selected as a winner in this year’s competitive and prestigious BOLI awards,” said Tracy Mack-Jackson, senior manager of Internet development and programs at Nikon Inc.  “Coolpix 101 remains an excellent example of Nikon’s continued focus on providing interactive and educational websites and services to help consumers better
understand and enjoy our products.”

CNET Reviews Nikon Coolpix 8700

Nikon Coolpix 8700CNEt have published their review of the new 8-megapixel Nikon Coolpix 8700 digital camera.

“An 8X ED-Nikkor zoom lens distinguishes Nikon’s Coolpix 8700 from the rest of the 8-megapixel competition but not much else. It shoots great pictures with loads of detail, and it offers enthusiasts a solid feature set, but those same photographers will probably grumble about its lackluster performance and some aspects of its design.”

Website: CNET - Nikon Coolpix 8700 Review

Nikon Becomes Official Sponsor of The New York Mets

Nikon USA Press Release 12/04/04

MELVILLE, N.Y., April 12 /PRNewswire/—Nikon (http://www.nikonusa.com), the world leader in photography, announced today that it is an official sponsor of the New York Mets.  The partnership aims to support the Major League Baseball team with a variety of events throughout the year.

“Nikon is thrilled to support one of the most visible franchises in professional baseball,” says Anna Marie Bakker, General Manager of Communications, Nikon Inc.  “Clearly, this is a unique way to combine our innovative products with a great American pastime.  As a Long Island-basedcompany, we are certainly excited to extend our corporate support to worthwhile organizations such as the Mets as well as the New York metropolitan community.”

Nikon Announces Coolpix 5200 and 4200 Digital Cameras

Nikon Coolpix 5200
Nikon Coolpix 5200

Nikon Coolpix 5200
Nikon Press Release 12/02/04

NIKON ANNOUNCES WORLD’S FIRST DIGITAL CAMERAS THAT REMOVE RED-EYE AUTOMATICALLY, RIGHT IN THE CAMERA

‘The Power Is In Your Pocket’ With the New Nikon Coolpix 5200 and Coolpix 4200

MELVILLE, NY, February 12, 2004 - 2 cameras. 5.1 and 4.0-megapixels. Nikon In- Camera Red-Eye Fix, an industry exclusive. Nikon’s pro-quality grade ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass. PictBridge-enabled, for direct printing to compatible printers. An all-metal body weighing in at just 5.5 ounces. Now that we have your attention, Nikon continues its sweep in 2004 as it announces two sexy new consumer digital cameras - the Nikon Coolpix 5200 and 4200. No matter what your lifestyle, a Nikon Coolpix digital camera provides a way to capture it.

The Nikon Coolpix 5200 and 4200 pack power, flexibility and portability into one beautiful and easy-to-use design. These latest additions to the award-winning Nikon Coolpix (www.nikoncoolpix.com) line of consumer products offer ultra-fast operation and a brand new digital “bag of tricks,” sporting new and enhanced features like fixing red-eye right in the camera, enjoying built-in memory to store extra photos and having the full range of Nikon’s Scene Modes at your fingertips, to help every shooter take masterful shots on the go or on the job.

“The Nikon Coolpix 5200 and 4200 come at a great time when consumers are beginning to look for more power packed into a smaller package,” said Jerry Grossman, vice president of marketing, Nikon Inc. “The Coolpix 5200 is the perfect travel companion, powerful enough to take on vacation yet small enough to pocket. The Coolpix 4200 provides enough versatility to stowaway in a briefcase or shoulder the burden for small business applications. Any way you use them, these newest additions to the Coolpix line are well-suited to go anywhere and easily take great pictures.”

SmartDisk FlashTrax Receives Prestigious Award

SmartDisk FlashTraxSmartDisk Corporation Press Release 11/02/04

Fort Myers, Fla., February 11, 2004 - SmartDisk Corporation announced today that its FlashTrax portable, palm-sized digital multimedia device has been selected by PHOTO Electronic Imaging (PEI) Magazine as a recipient of its 2003 Cool2 Award for “Best Storage and Display”. The award honors products that reflect exceptional quality, innovation, design, value for price and performance. During 2003, FlashTrax was also awarded the Photomarketing Association?s DIMA Award and the Professional Photographer?s Association HOT1 Award. FlashTrax is being showcased in Booth A180, South Hall, Las Vegas Convention Center at the PMA International Convention and Trade Show, February 12-15.

“We’re honored that PEI magazine has recognized FlashTrax for the Cool2 Award. This award is especially gratifying as it represents satisfaction by the many professional photographers using FlashTrax,” noted Charles Klinker, Vice President, Marketing for SmartDisk.

Steves Digicams' Nikon Coolpix 8700 First Look

Nikon Coolpix 8700It was only announced by Nikon a couple of days ago, but Steves Digicams have already published their first look at the new 8-megapixel Nikon Coolpix 8700 digital camera.

“The Nikon Coolpix 8700 is for serious photographers who demand the highest level of quality and control from their compact digital camera. It features an 8.0 effective megapixel CCD (3,264 x 2,448-pixels) and an 8x Optical (35-280 mm) Zoom-Nikkor lens, with Nikon’s Extra-low Dispersion (ED) glass elements. It has a high resolution (238,000 pixel) electronic viewfinder (EVF) for through-the-lens viewing and a 1.8” vari-angle color LCD monitor. The Coolpix 8700 is constructed with a compact, lightweight magnesium alloy body that has been designed for durability and portability.”

Website: Steves Digicams - Nikon Coolpix 8700 First Look

Nikon Announces Coolpix 3200 and 2200 Digital Cameras

Nikon Coolpix 3200Nikon Press Release 07/01/04

Nikon(R) Announces Next Evolution of its Incredibly Successful Compact Digital Cameras With New Coolpix(R) 2200 and Coolpix 3200

Nikon Coolpix 2200 and Coolpix 3200 Place the Power Of Great Pictures In the Eager Hands Of Beginning Digital Photographers

MELVILLE, N.Y., Jan. 8 /PRNewswire/—Gaining simplicity doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice quality.  Nikon Inc., the world leader in photography, and its new Nikon Coolpix 2200 and Nikon Coolpix 3200 compact digital cameras prove that ‘you can have it all’ in an affordable digital camera.  The latest additions to the award-winning Nikon Coolpix (http://www.nikoncoolpix.com) consumer line of products are both portable and capable, sharing a slim, new Coolpix body design, ultra-fast operation and a host of new and enhanced features to help digital snap-shooters get the best possible pictures out of their camera.
These exciting new Coolpix cameras build upon Nikon’s existing Scene Modes and Scene Assist features to deliver faster, better results without the hassle of haggling through menus and modes.

Nikon Coolpix 2200“The Coolpix 2200 and 3200 will resonate especially well for those looking for a small camera at a great price that’s really easy to use,” said Jerry Grossman, vice president, marketing, Consumer Digital Products for Nikon Inc. “Nikon’s heritage is in understanding picture quality, and these two new cameras make it easier than ever to take great quality images, anytime, anywhere.”

Hip Hippo Hooray for the RSPCA Young Photographer Award Winner 2003

Gareth NewtonEleven-year-old Gareth Newton from Manchester has won the 2003 RSPCA Young Photographer Award with his amazing underwater close-up of an intrigued hippopotamus. The award, sponsored by Olympus and Truprint, is now in its thirteenth year and encourages budding young photographers to take pictures of animals, ranging from family pets and local wildlife, to exotic animals whilst on the other side of the world.

This year, a massive 8,000 entries were received from youngsters all over the UK, making it the most hotly contested competition yet. Television presenter and wildlife photographer, Chris Packham, comments: ?The winning entries this year are very strong and make a powerful exhibition.  This competition gives the children a lot of scope and they respond very well to this, photographing a wide range of farm animals, wild animals and pets. The winning photo is a fantastic portrait.  The picture makes the most of the hippo’s big, bulbous head and really shows its character.  I love the movement, the colours and streaks of light in the photo, and the fact the hippo is under water.?

Gareth won an Olympus Mju 300 Digital camera and a ?250 cash prize from Truprint, which were presented to his grandparents earlier today by Chris Packham during an awards ceremony at the prestigious Spencer Gallery, at the Natural History Museum in London.

Emma StureAlthough he could not be there in person, Gareth commented: ?Visiting Disney?s Animal Kingdom in Florida and seeing the hippo was cool but winning this competition with my picture is really fantastic, this is the biggest and best thing I’ve ever won. I wish I could be there at the award ceremony but my Grandma and Grandad will be there for me.”

Entries were split into two age groups, under 12?s and 12-18s. The under 12 category was clinched by eleven-year-old Emma Sture, from Ulverston in Cumbria, with a striking close-up shot of her pet guinea pig, Sandy.  Fifteen-year-old Anja Jones from County Antrim soared above the competition to success in the 12-18s category with her winning photo of a seagull in the sky.

Both Emma and Anja were awarded an Olympus Mju V compact camera and ?100 from Truprint. In addition, eight runners-up will each get an Olympus Mju III 100 compact camera and ?50 from Truprint.

Anja JonesSara Cubitt, head of marketing communications at Olympus, added: ?Olympus is glad to be able to encourage children to get creative with their cameras. Judging by the quality of the entries this year, it?s plain to see that they all took it very seriously indeed. They should all feel very proud of their efforts - we certainly are.?

The 34 winning photos will be displayed at American diner ?Tootsies?, Old Brompton Road, London until the end of January 2004.

Sekonic Announces L-558 DUALMASTER Light Meter

Sekonic have announced a new top of the range lightmeter, the L-558 DUALMASTER, which retails for $769 in the USA and, according to DP-Now, ?399.99 in the UK.

Sekonic L-558 DUALMASTERSekonic Press Release 04/12/03

New Sekonic L-558 DUALMASTER: Here?s why it may well be the best Light-measuring tool ever made.

Elmsford, NY: For starters, the remarkable new Sekonic L-558 DUALMASTER is the world?s most
sensitive multi-function meter, reading flash down to an astounding f/2 (at ISO 100), twice as low as any other multi-function meter in production. And with the optional PocketWizard* module inside, it becomes nothing less than a Master Control Center. You can use it to fire individual cameras and flash units remotely, without wires, using a 16/24 bit, security-encoded digital signal. And that?s just the beginning.

Here are some more cogent reasons why this is arguably the best meter Sekonic ? or anyone else ? has ever put on the market in this price class.
- The L-558 includes Sekonic?s unique built-in retractable Lumisphere. Simply turn the selector knob to extend it for 3D incident readings, or retract it for a narrow incident metering angle that?s ideal for brightness evaluations, lighting ratio setups or precise readings of flat subjects.
-  The L-558 is also a true 1-degree spotmeter, with a parallax-free viewfinder and in-finder, illuminated digital display showing apertures in tenths, shutter speeds up to 1/8000 sec, and exposure compensation values.
- The L-558 features an extra large, cool-green-illuminated full-information LCD panel that displays the complete range of readouts and modes as well as battery condition. It can memorize and recall up to nine readings in any mode, average them, and display them individually on an analog scale.
- The L-558 includes a flash/ambient analyzing mode that simultaneously reads both flash and ambient light automatically, and can display combined flash-ambient readings, percentage of flash in the total exposure, and simultaneous display of flash, ambient, and combined readings on an analog scale.
It also reads in shutter-priority, aperture-priority or EV modes, and makes cumulative flash readings in cord or cordless mode.
- The L-558 includes a broad range of custom settings so pros and enthusiasts can tailor it to their individual working methods. And its body and controls are so well sealed that it?s rated splashproof to JIS water-resistance standard ? so serious photographers can take control with confidence in any weather.
- The L-558 is competitively priced. It gives pros and serious enthusiasts exactly what they need ? nothing more and nothing less ? and represents a remarkable value. Suggested list price: $769.
*PocketWizard module: $25 at time of purchase only (a $99 value).

Issue #11 of 28mm.org

The popular online photo magazine 28mm.org has returned with its 11th issue. The work of 10 different photographers is featured this month.

On Display:
- Home grown portraits, by Katie Cooke
- Munich Airport, by Alexandra Emde
- Abandoned Industrial, by Matthew Hollett
- So Cal…So Cool, by Phillip Massey
- Walls, Windows, and Doors, by Davin Risk & Gayla Sanders
- In the Spotlight, by Rannie Turingan
- Westside Connection, by Dominic Turner
- Steam, by Khoi Uong
- Through The Looking Glass, by Tracey Yeoh

Cover Photo:
by C Gary Moyer

Nikon Announces Coolpix 3700

Nikon Coolpix 3700I haven’t received a press release from Nikon UK yet, but several websites are reporting the announcement of a new addition to the Coolpix range. The Coolpix 3700 has a very different design from previous Coolpix models, with a brushed aluminium body that’s both slim and lightweight. The 3.2 megapixel 3700 features a 3x optical zoom that is equivalent to 35-105mm lens on a 35mm camera.

LetsGoDigital has the best preview of the 3700:
Website: LetsGoDigital - Coolpix 3700 First Look

Other sites that have the news:

Website: DPReview

Website: Imaging Resource

I’ve now received the press release from Nikon:

Nikon(R) Announces The New, Compact 3.2-Megapixel Nikon Coolpix(R) 3700

Latest Addition to Coolpix Digital Line-Up Combines Style, Sophistication and Simplicity

MELVILLE, N.Y., Oct. 28 /PRNewswire/—Nikon expanded its popular Coolpix line of digital cameras today with the announcement of the new Nikon Coolpix 3700, a sub-compact digital camera with an advanced feature set, small size and refined style.  The Nikon Coolpix 3700, with its precision 3x Optical-Zoom Nikkor lens and 3.2-megapixel resolution, delivers pristine images (2,048 x 1,536-pixel) and will appeal to digital photographers who value portability, image quality and style.

“The Nikon Coolpix 3700 is engineered to shoot in style,” said Jerry Grossman, vice president, marketing, Consumer Digital Products and Compact Cameras for Nikon Inc.  “Our designers have combined the trademark Coolpix ease-of-use features and traditional Nikon quality with a new sophistication and high-end feel that speaks exceptionally well to digital photographers looking for a unique experience with their camera.”

Nikon Announces Super Coolscan 5000 ED

Nikon Super Coolscan 5000 EDNikon Press Release 28/10/03

Super Coolscan 5000 ED
Designed for use by imaging professionals, the SUPER COOLSCAN 5000 ED offers 135/IX240 film scanning at an amazing 20 seconds per image (including image transfer to display) - at 4,000 dpi true optical resolution. Highly accurate colour reproduction and representation of detail are made possible by the 16-bit A/D converter and 16-bit output channel.

The SUPER COOLSCAN 5000 ED targets primarily business users such as professional photographers and photo finishers, who require superb image quality and high-speed scanning capability. Private users of 135/IX240 format cameras - advanced amateur SLR photographers, for example - will welcome the scanner?s speed and image quality. Users who deal with numerous slide mounts and uncut film rolls will appreciate the increased ease of use and productivity afforded by optional accessories like the SLIDE FEEDER SF-210 and ROLL FILM ADAPTER SA-30. The SUPER COOLSCAN 5000 ED offers the performance and efficiency to make it the ideal digital archiving solution.

The scanner?s 16-bit A/D input conversion enables a significantly broader dynamic range. It also works with the 16-bit output and the Multi-sample scanning feature to reveal details hidden in shadowy and highlighted portions of a scene, while virtually eliminating noise. Super-fast 20-second scanning and enhanced image quality are supported by newly developed high-quality 2-line CCD sensors.

At the heart of the SUPER COOLSCAN 5000 ED?s excellent performance are Nikon?s exclusive core technologies. The scanner incorporates Scanner Nikkor ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass lens elements for superior edge-to-edge sharpness, definition and contrast, as well as outstanding colour fidelity. The employment of LED illumination enables the stable, precise provision of light with no risk of heat-related damage to films. Furthermore, the LED requires neither maintenance nor warm-up time. And for consistently accurate representation of colour on displays and prints, the SUPER COOLSCAN 5000 ED features the Nikon Colour Management System (Nikon CMS). Colour data can be manipulated in multiple RGB colour spaces, for unprecedented accuracy. These core technologies are what set Nikon COOLSCAN series scanners apart from the rest.

By simply attaching the optional ROLL FILM ADAPTER SA-30 to the SUPER COOLSCAN 5000 ED, batch-scanning of uncut film rolls comprising up to 40 frames becomes possible. The optional SLIDE FEEDER SF-210 lets you scan up to 50 mounted slides, giving you time-efficient, high-quality scanning capability.

The SUPER COOLSCAN 5000 ED also features unparalleled image restoration functions. Digital ICE4 Advanced?, the newly upgraded digital image correction technology, consists of Digital ICE? (Image Correction & Enhancement), Digital ROC? (Reconstruction Of Colour), Digital GEM? (Grain Equalization & Management), and the brand-new Digital DEE? (Dynamic Exposure Extender). There?s also Scan Image Enhancer, which offers one-touch brightness and colour saturation adjustment.

With fast, easy image transfer thanks to the USB 2.0 interface, the SUPER COOLSCAN 5000 ED is an extremely powerful, extremely fast, extremely efficient desktop film scanner that will augment your productivity and give you scanned images that will take your breath away.

ePhotoZine Reviews Nikon Coolpix 5400

Nikon Coolpix 5400ePhotoZine have reviewed one of Nikon’s top-of-the-range prosumer digital cameras, the 5 megapixel CoolPix 5400.

“The Coolpix 5400 is placed towards the high-end of the Nikon digital range. Photographers investing in camera like this will not only expect a versatile and powerful tool, but one that produces a very high standard of image quality too. Fortunately for Nikon few photographers will be very disappointed with the kind of images the Coolpix 5400 is capable of producing.”

Website: ePhotoZine - Nikon Coolpix 5400 Review

Imaging Resource Reviews Canon A70 and Nikon SQ

Nikon SQImaging Resource have just reviewed the Nikon Coolpix SQ and the Canon Powershot A70 digital cameras.

“Entering the scene with a completely new design, the Coolpix SQ continues the excellent quality associated with the Coolpix name. Its compact, square shape doesn’t skimp on features, offering a 3x Nikkor lens (with great macro capabilities), 3.1-megapixel CCD, and wide range of preset shooting modes. Its image quality is deserving of the Coolpix emblem, and it sports what’s easily the best LCD I’ve yet seen on a digicam, making it truly usable even in full sunlight. Suitable for most average exposure conditions, and even some not-so-average, the SQ ought to be a hit with amateurs and more experienced photographers alike.”

Website: Imaging Resource - Nikon SQ Review

Website: Imaging Resource - Canon A70 Review

CNET Reviews Nikon Coolpix 4300

Nikon Coolpix 4300CNET Electronics have reviewed the Nikon Coolpix 4300 digital compact camera, awarding it 7.8 out of 10:

“Easy operation, comfortable ergonomics, and excellent image quality make the 4-megapixel Nikon Coolpix 4300 an appealing buy for snapshot photographers. But there’s more to this camera than simple point-and-shoot functionality, as its long list of features attests. If you like to rely on your camera to take care of the basics but want the flexibility of fine-tuning your shots, this versatile and very reasonably priced model should be on your short list.”

Website: CNET - Nikon 4300 Review

Imaging Resource Review Nikon Coolpix 3100/2100

Nikon 3100Imaging Resource have reviewed the 3-megapixel Nikon 3100 and 2-megapixel Nikon 2100 digital cameras that Nikon announced at PMA 2003.

“I was impressed with the feature set and ease of use when I first reviewed a prototype of the new Nikon Coolpix 2100, but now that I’ve had the opportunity to test a production model, I’m impressed with the photos it shoots too.
All in all, Nikon has come up with a very nice little package here for novice photographers on a budget. Unique features like its “scene assist” mode (that helps you frame your shots to take maximum advantage of the camera’s preprogrammed scene exposure modes) make it easy for even rank beginners to bring back great-looking photos from what would otherwise be challenging situations.”

Website: Imaging Resource - Nikon 3100 Review

Website: Imaging Resource - Nikon 2100 Review