News / Other Product News

In a press release announcing its attendance in Photokina 2010, Carl Zeiss has announced it will be launching accessories for the first time along with new lenses.

Metz has introduced the Mecablitz 58 AF-2 and 50 AF-1 flashguns for Canon, Nikon, Sony, Pentax and Four Thirds cameras. Successors to the 58 AF-1 and 48 AF-1, the latest models feature metal mounts with enhanced locking systems for faster mounting and wider angle diffusers for focal lengths from 12 mm equivalent. In the 58 AF-2, its slave/servo sensor has been integrated to the front of the unit to increase transmission of wireless flashes, meanwhile the 50 AF-1 sees a power increase to guide number to 50.

Phase One, Mamiya and lighting manufacturer Profoto have jointly announced the V-Grip Air, a vertical grip with built-in wireless flash trigger. The V-Grip Air, designed for the Phase One and Mamiya 645DF cameras allows wireless flash control at sync speeds up to 1/1600s. The wireless system works with all current and most modern Profoto flash systems and can be used with other makers' flashes using an optional Profoto transceiver unit. The grip will be priced at $1290/€990 while the transceiver unit for third-party flashes costs $199/€149.

In addition to its camera announcements, Canon has introduced the Selphy CP800 compact dye-sublimation photo printer with built-in voice guidance. Replacing the CP780, its features a more compact design and offers ID-style print layout along with other options. It features a the same 2.5" LCD with image preview as its predecessor and maintains print speed of approx 47 seconds per print. It takes a selection of memory card formats including the latest SDXC format.

Nikon has announced version 2 of its ViewNX image viewing and editing software. Along with image-editing features, the latest version now allows users to edit movies shot with the company's DSLRs. It also features an enhanced user interface and easier online sharing options.

Adobe has introduced Photoshop Express as an application for Apple's iPad and iPhone. Previously known as Photoshop.com Mobile, the app has now been optimized for use with the iPad. It enables users to view, edit and apply effects to images via gesture-based functions. Photoshop Express is available as a free download from Apple's App Store for new users and as an update including the new name for existing users. It is also available in the Android Marketplace.

Nik Software has announced an updated version of its Viveza 2 selective color and brightness control plug-in for Adobe Photoshop, Lightroom and Apple Aperture. Version 2.003 fixes minor bugs and adds 64-bit compatibility for both Mac and Windows platforms.

German manufacturer Intuitfocus has released what it calls the first hands-free follow-focus system system for DSLRs. The Intuitfocus HF-IF1 is built a motorized belt-drive system that attaches around the lens and is remotely controlled by scroll wheel. Aimed at videographers who shoot movies with HD enabled DSLRs, this system is designed to offer smooth and shake-free focus or zooming. The system can be used to control focus, zoom or aperture. According to the US distributor HP Marketing, the HF-IF1 will be available from September 2010 at a retail of $3,900 for the complete kit.

Topaz Labs has released the latest version of its DeNoise noise reduction plug-in for Adobe Photoshop. DeNoise 5 promises faster processing speeds and increases the maximum image size it can handle. It gains additional noise processing tools including horizontal and vertical debanding options. The plug-in is available as a free upgrade for existing users or $79.99 for first-time buyers.

HDR software maker Unified Color Technologies has released what it says is the first 32-bit HDR plug-in for Adobe Photoshop. The 32 Float plug-in is based around the company's 'Beyond RGB' color space that attempts to separate brightness and color components of the image data to allow tonal adjustments without color shifts. The plug-in supports the CS5, CS4 and CS3 versions of Photoshop and will be available at an introductory price of $79 from September 2010.

Novoflex has announced the EOS/NIK-NT lens adapter for using Nikon F mount lenses without aperture rings on Canon EOS bodies. The -NT version differs from the existing EOS/NIK adapter through the addition of a lever that lets users control the aperture on Nikkor G-series lenses. The adapter provides a mechanical connection between the lens and the body but retains automatic metering for aperture priority mode and allow focusing to infinity. According to the the company's US distributer, HP Marketing it is available at retail price of $292.99.

Two months after announcing its development, Sony has launched the NEX-VG10E - an E-mount camcorder that becomes the worlds' first consumer-grade HD camcorder with interchangeable lenses. Although appearing under Sony's Handycam brand, rather than Alpha, it retains a lot in common with the Alpha NEX series. It features the same 14.6MP Exmor APS HD CMOS sensor but is capable of recording 1080i video at a higher, 24mbps, bitrate. The NEX-VG10E also features an electronic viewfinder and 'Quad Capsule Spatial Array Stereo Microphone' that uses four microphone elements to provide better channel separation and cancel unwanted noise. In every other respect it is essentially a NEX 5, featuring the same user interface (though with more external controls) and both SD and MemoryStick storage. It will sold as kit with image-stabilised E18-200mm F3.5-6.3 OSS lens and will be available a suggested retail price of €2000 / $2000.

Paris-based software maker Oloneo has launched a beta version of its image processing suite called PhotoEngine for Windows that includes raw processing, HDR merging and a method for combining images shot under different lighting conditions to give control over the individual light sources. The software is based around a 32-bit per channel wide color gamut that allows users to edit tonal range and color with minimum data loss. PhotoEngine Beta 1 is available immediately as a free download from the company's website.

HDR software maker, Unified Color Technologies has unveiled the HDR Expose 32-bit HDR merge and editing software. It replaces the company's flagship HDR PhotoStudio software, but inherits its core features and technology. Headline features include the addition of de-ghosting algorithms and a Brightness Histogram to help maintain highlight and shadow details at lower bit-depths. It also includes new plug-ins allowing direct export from third party Raw conversion software. The software will be available from July 12, 2010 as a free upgrade to existing users of HDR PhotoStudio or for an introductory price of $99.00 for new users.