Joby Flash Clamp & Locking Arm

Joby has launched a new accessory for photographers using off-camera flashes. "We often see awkward setups with off-camera flashes, such as people holding their flash in one hand while holding their camera with the other, or people wrestling with a light stand or pole," said Michael Jue, director of product design at Joby. The new Flash Clamp & Locking Arm innovates with a clamp that lets users quickly secure their wireless flash to any surface less than two inches in width. The locking arm also has two fully articulating ball joints that position the flash at any angle needed while providing a long-lasting hold. The Joby Flash Clamp & Locking Arm retails for $39.95.
JOBY Press Release
JOBY Flash Clamp & Locking Arm™ helps transform everyday objects into lighting assistants
New flash accessory lets photographers use a stop sign, a fence or a door to dramatically improve photo lighting
SAN FRANCISCO, March 25, 2014 – To create more dramatic lighting effects, photographers use off-camera flashes to avoid the flat images that often result from built-in camera flashes. In order to create more interesting lighting angles, a photographer often requires bulky tools or an assistant to hold the flash in place. With the JOBY Flash Clamp & Locking ArmTM photographers can now quickly place off-camera flashes at unique angles for a more professional look.
"We often see awkward setups with off-camera flashes, such as people holding their flash in one hand while holding their camera with the other, or people wrestling with a light stand or pole. We think that JOBY’s tools, with their ability to adapt to their environment, make for a much more fun and imaginative way of positioning your flashes." said Michael Jue, director of product design at JOBY.
The JOBY Flash Clamp & Locking Arm innovates with a clamp that lets users quickly secure their Canon Speedlite 430 EX II Flash, Nikon SB-700 AF Speedlight i-TTL Flash, PocketWizard Plus III, or any other wireless flash to any surface less than two inches (5.08 centimeters) in width. Now, a stop sign can hold the primary key light. To bring more details to shadows, a fence can mount a fill light. To separate the subject from its background, the top of a door can be a backlight platform. The locking arm also has two fully articulating ball joints that position the flash at any angle needed while providing a long-lasting hold. The Flash Clamp & Locking Arm comes with a removable Universal Flash Shoe that can be used on any tripod with a 1/4"-20 screw.
"To achieve good lighting, it’s critical to create the best angles," said Noah Balmer, lead designer at JOBY. "Some people see everyday objects at the shoot as nuisances and obstacles. At JOBY, we see them as photography platforms. Combine a few Flash Clamp & Locking Arm with our GorillaPod Hybrid or SLR-Zoom, and now, the whole world becomes your flash mount."
The JOBY Flash Clamp & Locking Arm retails for $39.95 (US MSRP) and is available for purchase at popular photospecialty retailers, consumer electronics stores and JOBY.com. The Universal Flash Shoe can also be bought separately for $4.95 (US MSRP). To learn more, go to http://joby.com/flashclamp.
ABOUT JOBY
Based in San Francisco, California, JOBY was founded in 2005 with the introduction of the industry-defining and best-selling GorillaPodTM flexible tripod. JOBY creates innovative, adaptable photography and mobile products that inspire a creative lifestyle. We believe great design starts with a user-centric approach, is functional yet playful, and empowers people’s imagination. For more information, please visit JOBY.com.

First Set of Rumored Specs for the D800s Appear Online

It’s still early on in the rumor-gathering process for Nikon’s D800/D800E successor — possibly called the D800s — but rumor sites have already gotten their hands on a first set of leaked specs for the mysterious followup.
According to Nikon Rumors, the next D800 model will again eschew the AA filter in addition to featuring: Improved software to keep away the moiré, sRAW, an Expeed 4 imaging processor, improved low-light capability, the same AF improvements found in the D4s and 5fps continuous shooting.
So far the rumor site is ranking these specs at “50% probability” and no better, but it still gives us something to look forward to. Expected announcement date (entirely speculative at this point) is sometime between Photokina in September and CES in January.
(via Nikon Rumors)

Fotospeed Panoramic Inkjet Media

Fotospeed has announced a new panoramic-format inkjet photo paper. Featuring an aspect ratio of nearly 3:1, the new Fotospeed Panoramic Inkjet paper measures 594x210mm and comes in six finishes including three photo-quality ones, the PF Gloss 270, the PF Lustre 270 and the Photo Smooth Pearl 290. Because of its 210mm width, the new media can be used with most A4 photo printers.
Fotospeed Press Release
Fotospeed Panoramic Inkjet Media
Panoramic format inkjet media NEW from Fotospeed.
With a dimension of 210mm x 594mm the user can feed this paper through almost any inkjet printer from A4 and upwards.  For the first time Fotospeed offers users the chance to print panoramic images with a near 3:1 ratio without the need for a roll of paper.
Fotospeed’s Panoramic range comes in 6 finishes (3 Art papers and 3 Photo Quality papers)
Art Papers – Smooth Cotton 300, Platinum Etching 285 (NEW paper), Platinum Baryta 300,
Photo Quality Papers – PF Gloss 270, PF Lustre 270, Photo Smooth Pearl 290 (NEW paper)
Photoshop templates are available for customers to download from the Fotospeed website (http://www.fotospeed.com) in order to help place their images when printing. 
Key features and benefits
·         Near 3:1 ratio without the need of a roll
·         Available in 6 papers which match our 6 most popular finishes
·         Photoshop templates available to download
·         The papers can be printed on most printers sized A4 and larger. Call Fotospeed to check printer compatibility.
·         Test packs are available with 4 sheets of each paper for £29.99 inc vat
·         Test Pack also includes A4 sheets for bespoke profiling
·         Generic profiles available on-line
·         Bespoke profiles available FREE OF CHARGE. Email tech@fotospeed.com

Light Blaster and RoundFlash

Inspired Photo Gear has announced two new products - the Light Blaster (pictured), which lets you project the photorealistic backdrop of your choice into any picture using your existing speedlight; and RoundFlash, an innovative collapsible ring light and softbox. The Light Blaster costs £99.00, and the RoundFlash is available for a special introductory price of £92.95.
Website: Inspired Photo Gear
Inspired Photo Gear Press Release
New Products from the makers of Lollipod...
Inspired Photo Gear is steadily augmenting its range of photography accessories, adding two new lighting modifiers to its Faith lighting stands and Lollipod multi-use supports.
Light Blaster is a device that lets you project the photorealistic backdrop of your choice into any picture, anywhere.  Its utilises your existing speedlight to create a powerful and discreet projection system that only you and your camera can see, providing endless creative possibilities. The Light blaster starts at only £99 from Inspired Photo Gear.
Whilst RoundFlash is an innovative collapsible Ring Light and Soft Box.  It’s ultra lightweight at only 230g and slips unnoticed into most camera bags. The RoundFlash modifier fits around lenses with diameters up to 10cm and is perfect with lenses designed for portraiture (it is a ring light, after all) for example Canon’s 85mm. If you’ve an especially small lens, try adding a lenshood to create more stability.
The RoundFlash is available from Inspired Photo Gear for a special introductory price of £92.95.

Samyang 8mm T3.1 UMC Fish-eye II

Samyang has announced the new Samyang 8mm T3.1 UMC Fish-eye II V-DSLR lens. Also sold under the Rokinon brand name, the Samyang 8mm T3.1 UMC Fish-eye II is an updated, faster version of the Samyang 8mm T3.8 UMC Fish-eye CS II. The new lens features 11 elements in 8 groups (as opposed to 10 in 7 in the older version) courtesy of an extra aspherical lens element; and is available in Canon M, Fujifilm X, Samsung NX and Sony E mounts.

Samyang 12mm f/2 NCS CS

Samyang have announced a new, wide-angle 12mm lens designed for compact system cameras with APS-C sized (or smaller) sensors. This is a rectilinear, manual-focus lens with a diagonal angle of view of 98.9° (when mounted on a camera with an APS-C sized imager) and an optical formula that comprises a dozen elements arranged in ten groups. These include 1 aspherical, 1 hybrid aspherical and 3 extra-low dispersion lens elements. Nano-crystal anti-reflective coating is applied to the elements to improve contrast, reduce reflections and enhance light transmission. The product comes with a removable lens hood and 67 mm filter mount. Availability and pricing have yet to be confirmed.
Samyang Press Release
New Samyang 12mm 1:2.0 NCS CS lens
March 21st 2014 — Samyang have announced the release of a new, wide-angle 12mm NCS CS lens designed for mirrorless APS-C cameras.
The new Samyang 12 mm 1:2.0 NCS CS offers photographers an affordable, wide angle lens for APS-C mirrorless cameras. The lens has been designed for cameras fitted with a high resolution sensor. Samyang Optics has accustomed its clients to great quality optics offered at affordable prices and this is also the case with the 12 mm 1:2.0 NCS CS lens which provides technical parameters and potential that can easily compete with the best wide-angle prime and zoom lenses available on the market.
The new Samyang 12 mm gives a wide angle of view amounting to 98.9 degrees and rectilinear image mapping function. Owing to a large aperture range of f/2.0, the lens offers a high image quality even in poor lightning conditions. Optical construction of the lens comprises 12 elements divided into 10 groups, these components include one aspherical lens (ASP) and one hybrid aspherical lens (H-ASP). There are also three lenses made of ED glass with extremely low dispersion factor. Technologically, the 12 mm NCS CS lens is the most advanced Samyang lens to date and features nanocrystal anti-reflective coating. Benefits of using the nanocrystal cover include much better light transmission, higher resistance to reflections and higher contrast, which adds to the optical resolution of the lens.
The Samyang 12mm 1:2.0 NCS CS is the perfect lens for landscape photography and can be useful in interior and architecture photography or astrophotography. The product comes with a removable lens hood and 67 mm filter mount. It is light weight: weighing only 245 g and is compact in size.
Price TBA
Availability TBA
Available mounts: Canon M / Fuifilm X / Samyang NX / Sony E / MFT
For further details please contact Intro2020 on 01628 674411 or visit the Samyang website at: http://www.samyang.co.uk
facebook.com/SamyangUK

Two Hasselblad Lunar Cameras Go Under Hammer in Florida

A duo of Hasselblad Lunar cameras with a joint retail value of around $14,000 were sold for $54,500 at a charity auction in Florida. The deal also included a unique set of classic motorsport photographs shot over decades with a Hasselblad camera by Concours Show founder and chairman, Bill Warner. Michael Hejtmanek, President of Hasselblad Bron said: "We knew our new, retro-look Lunar range was compelling - especially the rich-veined olive wood edition with its advanced technology and supreme ergonomics - but for a pair of them to raise $54,500 for Spina Bifida Jacksonville at this auction is just outstanding."
Hasselblad Press Release
Two Hasselblad Lunar cameras go under the auctioneer’s hammer for $54,500
A crowd at a charity auction in Florida couldn't believe their eyes as two brand new Hasselblad Lunar cameras with a joint retail value of around $14,000 suddenly rocketed in value to $54,500.
Two photo enthusiasts at the world-famous three day-long annual Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance exotic car festival began bidding against each other for the chance to own an 'ultimate luxury' olive wood-handled Lunar camera, crafted by the iconic camera brand.
When the bid reached $28,000 neither party wanted to lose out on a Lunar, so a deal was struck for an extra camera to be auctioned - for a joint record-busting price that raised a total of $54,500 for a spina bifida charity.
The deal also included a unique set of classic motorsport photographs shot over decades with a Hasselblad camera by Concours Show founder and chairman, Bill Warner.
Warner said: "Hasselblad is simply the ultimate camera. It's the Mercedes-Benz, the Porsche and the Ferrari of cameras, all in one."
The Amelia Island classic car and automotive art festival, which is billed as 'three days of automotive passion at the International Historic Motoring Awards, Motoring Event of the year (2013)', draws classic car enthusiasts from across the globe each year and raises millions of dollars for charity.
Michael Hejtmanek, President of Hasselblad Bron Inc. said: "We knew our new, retro-look Lunar range was compelling - especially the rich-veined olive wood edition with its advanced technology and supreme ergonomics - but for a pair of them to raise $54,500 for Spina Bifida Jacksonville at this auction is just outstanding."
Further information:
http://www.hasselblad-lunar.com/
http://www.spinabifidajax.org/
https://www.ameliaconcours.org/

Hasselblad H5D-50c CMOS camera: official launch

Hasselblad has begun shipping its pioneering H5D-50c, the world's first fully integrated medium format camera system to use CMOS sensor technology.

The new H5D-50c was first announced in mid-January and the camera enjoyed a fleeting debut at the CP+ Camera and Photo Imaging Show, Japan, three weeks later - but is now fully available worldwide.
Ove Bengtson, Hasselblad Product Manager said: "As with all our cameras, the H5D-50c was developed with one goal in mind - to produce simply the best image quality possible today. This CMOS sensor model represents a major leap forward in camera development and breaks new grounds for medium format photographers who now will be able to shoot with the ultimate in image quality, regardless of lighting conditions. Outstanding ISO performance - up to ISO 6400 - will raise available light photography to new heights in this genre."
He added: "The camera, which we believe is one of the best we ever designed, is supported by a range of 12 extremely high performance lenses with built-in central lens shutter."


H5D-50c key features at a glance:

•    50 Mpixel CMOS sensor with almost twice the physical size of the largest 35 mm
      DSLR sensor.
•    Excellent high ISO performance: shoot at up to ISO 6400 and still produce crisp clean
      images with perfect colours both on location or in the studio.
•    High dynamic range (up to 14 stops) for improved detail in shadow and highlight areas.
•    Longer shutter speeds (up to 12 minutes).
•    Faster capture rate: 1.5 frames per second.
•    Live Video in Phocus with higher frame rate.
•    True Focus auto-focus system with Absolute Position Lock and camera controls.
•    Options for working with tilt-shift.
•    GPS recording flexibility.


The new H5D-50c will retail at €20,900 (excl. tax).
Ian Rawcliffe, Hasselblad CEO, stated: "There is no price premium at all for customers who wish to acquire this groundbreaking technology. The H5D-50c will ship with the same price tag that applies to our H5D-50 model."
"The outstanding ISO performance of this new CMOS sensor-based model has quite literally put medium format photography into a new light. Now photographers no longer have to be so concerned about shooting in challenging conditions - and of course they can choose to work tethered or untethered with the option of processing raw images in Phocus or directly in Adobe Photoshop Lightroom", he added.
The new H5D-50c is currently on display at The Photography Show (NEC) and can also be seen and tested at WPPI Expo, Las Vegas (March 3-5).

www.hasselblad.com/products/h-system/h5d-50c