News / Other Product News

Google has announced the Nik Collection, a bundle of all six of Nik software's imaging plugins for $149, or 70% off the original price. Consisting of Dfine 2.0, Viveza 2, HDR Efex Pro 2, Color Efex Pro 4 Complete Edition, Silver Efex Pro 2, and Sharpener Pro 3.0, the collection uses a single installer which is compatible with Adobe Photoshop, Photoshop Elements, and Lightroom, and Apple Aperture. It's available now as a download from the Nik Software site for $149, with a 15-day free trial available. Google is also offering existing users of any Nik plugin the entire collection for free. Click through for more details on Connect.

DxO Labs has released version 8.1.4 of its DxO Optics Pro software. Both the Elite and Standard versions gain Nikon Coolpix P7700, Nikon 1 J3, Olympus XZ-2 iHS, and Panasonic DMC-GH3 support. The update also adds more than 200 lens and cameras combinations for Canon, Nikon, Olympus, Panasonic, Pentax, Sigma, Tokina, and Zeiss users. These modules join the existing list of over 11,000 combinations. Click through for the download link.

Graphics tablet maker Wacom has announced the Cintiq 13HD, a 13-inch compact interactive graphics tablet that features a 1920 x 1080 LED monitor capable of displaying 16.7 million colors. Combined with the company's latest Pro Pen the Cintiq 13HD offers 2048 levels of pressure sensitivity for graphic design and retouching. The Cintiq 13HD is the smallest model in the Cintiq lineup and the most affordable, too. It will start shipping from April 2013, at a cost of $999.99/ £749.99. Click through for more details. 

ACD Systems has released ACDSee Photo Editor 6, the company's photo editing software for enthusiasts. Among the highlights in version 6 are support for Raw files as non-destructive object layers and Lighting and Contrast Enhancement (LCE) technology that promises to improve the quality of poorly lit photos. Selective color editing tools have also been added. The software is available at a retail price of $49.99.

Video accessories maker Cinetics has announced the CineVise camera mount. Similar to its Cine System, it is built around Joby's popular Gorillapod Focus flexible tripod. The CineVise includes clamps around its feet, allowing you to firmly mount a DSLR or small video camera to any surface. It can be purchased from the Cinetics store as a complete system, including the GorillaPod Focus and Ballhead X for $295. You can also purchase just the CineVise grips for $165.

Lowepro has announced the Flipside Sport 20L AW weather-resistant backpack for adventure-oriented photographers. Priced at $179.99, the Flipside 20L can hold two pro-level DSLRs, two lenses, a tripod/monopod and a flashgun. Made of lightweight materials and breathable padding, the bag features expandable pockets for treckking poles and 1.5L bottles. The Flipside is also available in two smaller sizes with Orange/Light Grey and Galaxy Blue/Light Grey color options.

Nissin's UK distributor Kenro has announced the Di700 flashgun and the PS 8 external battery pack for Canon, Nikon and Sony digital SLRs. With a guide number of 50 (at 200mm), the Di700 is equipped with an external power socket making it compatible with the PS 8. The battery pack offers a heat-resistant plastic body, a USB socket for charging and an LED indication lamp. The PS 8 is available for £165 (including VAT), while the Di700 will be available from April 2013 at a price to be confirmed. There is currently no information about US price and availability.

ACD Systems has extended the Raw support offered by its ACDSee Pro 6 and ACDSee 15 software packages. Version 6.2 of the Pro version and and ACDSee v15.2 gain support for an additional 19 cameras including the Canon EOS M, Nikon D5200, Sony SLT-A99V and the Olympus E-PL5. This update also includes performance improvements. Click through for more information.

Sekonic's Lightmaster Pro L-478D and L-478DR touch-enabled lightmeters are now available as part a $512 special edition bundle that also includes X-Rite's ColorChecker Passport and White Balance Target. This offer is currently only available for US customers, who will save $50 compared to buying everything individually. The bundle also includes software to calibrate the meters and create exposure profiles for cameras. Current L-478D/DR owners can purchase the ColorChecker Passport and gray card for $49.

PocketWizard has added a budget model to its camera/flash radio trigger line: the PlusX 'auto-sensing' transceiver, that automatically switches between transmit and receive as needed. The PlusX offers the ability to trigger cameras and flashes over 10 radio channels. It features a side-profile design, backlit display, an internal antenna, and a dual-function LED indicating connection status plus battery life. PocketWizard PlusX will be available towards the end of March at a suggested retail price of $99. There is currently no information about the European price and availability.

Think Tank has announced three new accessories for their camera bag line-up. The Low Rider Strap with a split-pad design attaches a second bag to one's main rolling luggage and is available for $29.75. The Pro DSLR Battery Holder, priced at $17.50 accommodates two full-sized DSLR battery packs. A limited edition Pixel Pocket Rocket holds CF and QXD memory cards. Priced at $18.75, this memory card holder was manufactured in just one production run and will be unavailable once the stocks runs out. European prices and availability information to be confirmed.

Accessory maker Satechi has announced the BT Smart Trigger, an iOS-controlled Bluetooth 4.0 shutter release for Canon DSLRs. It features multiple shooting modes including timelapse and long exposures, via the free Smart Trigger app. The trigger has a claimed battery life of up to 10 years and range of 50 feet. It is currently available for an introductory price of $44.99. An Android-compatible version will be available from March 2013.

Adobe has announced 'release candidate' versions of Lightroom 4.4 and Adobe Camera Raw 7.4. As usual, the latest near-complete versions add support for recent cameras. What makes this release especially significant, however, is improved support for Fujifilm's X-Trans sensor models, including the X-Pro1 and X-E1. The Lightroom update also corrects a series of bugs present in the current version of the software. As usual, release candidates are considered well tested but not final.

Phase One has announced Capture One Express 7, the latest version of its enthusiast Raw image processing tool. A stripped-down version of Capture One Pro, Capture One Express 7 gains features including HDR processing, lens correction and digital asset management tools. Express doesn't support tethered shooting, but images can be viewed remotely and wirelessly using either the Capture Pilot iOS app or a web browser on other devices. Capture One Express 7 will cost $99/€69 with discounted upgrades. Click through for the press release and more details.

Alongside the D7100, Nikon announced the WR-1 Transceiver, a unique radio-frequency wireless remote control. Able to remotely control multiple cameras capturing stills and videos, and even time-lapse sequences, the Nikon WR-1 Transceiver mounts on the camera's hot shoe, but communicates via a cable attached to the master camera. Expected to retail for £649.99 in the UK, the WR-1 will ship in March 2013 (US pricing has yet to be announced).

UK camera bag manufacturer Billingham is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, and its new 2013 catalogue highlights the development of its products released from 1973 to the present. Billingham was founded in 1973 in the West Midlands, in England. As well as an interesting overview of the company's history, Billingham's 2013 brochure also includes information about and specifications of all current models of bags and optional accessories along with details about the materials and construction methods used in the creation of its premium products. Click through for a link to the catalogue. 

The source code of the original version of Adobe Photoshop has been made available by The Computer History Museum, based in California. Photoshop started off in the 1980s as a program called 'Display' written by Thomas Knoll, before being renamed 'Photoshop' in 1990 - the year that the first version of the software shipped to customers. The download, which is available for non-commercial use with the permission of Adobe, consists of around 128,000 lines of code. Click through for more details (and some nostalgia-inducing screenshots of Photoshop 1).

US underwater housing maker Nauticam has announced the NA-NEX6 for Sony's NEX-6 mirrorless camera. Providing protection up to 100 meters depth, its body is made from aluminum with a scratch-resistant acrylic rear cover. It features a single-lock housing and a patented lens attachment mechanism that allows you to change lenses without removing the camera from the housing. The NA-NEX6 is available at a retail price of $1650.

Dell has announced its 27" U2713H and 24" U2413 LED monitors designed for color critical applications like photo editing. These latest flagship models promise 99% coverage of the AdobeRGB color space, feature a 12-bit internal processor and 14-bit LUT (lookup table) for software calibration. The U2713H and U2413 are currently available at prices starting at US $999/£802/€829  and US $599/£490/€519 respectively.

DxO Labs has released version 8.1.3 of its DxO Optics Pro software. The Elite edition extends support to the Leica M-E, M9, and M9-P rangefinders. Both the Elite and Standard versions gain Nikon D5200, Panasonic DMC-FZ200, and Canon SX50 HS support. The update also adds 260 lens and cameras combinations for Canon, Leica, Panasonic, Sigma, Sony, Tamron, Tokina, and Zeiss users. These modules join the existing list of over 10,000 combinations.