In the past, enlarging the size of the sensor resulted in an increase in the amount of time required between the receiving and transmission of data signals, which posed a challenge to achieving high-speed readout. Canon have however, solved this problem through an innovative circuit design, making possible the realization of a massive video-compatible CMOS sensor. Additionally, by ensuring the cleanest of cleanroom environments during the production process, the sensor minimizes image imperfections and dust.

Because the increased size of the new CMOS sensor allows more light to be gathered, it enables shooting in low-light environments. The sensor makes possible the image capture in one one-hundredth the amount of light required by a 35 mm full-frame CMOS sensor, facilitating the shooting of 60 frame-per-second video with a mere 0.3 lux of illumination.

For more information see www.canon.com

It has been designed to be the ultimate optic for professional portraiture. The fast f/1.4 aperture provides excellent subject-background separation, whilst the rounded nine-blade diaphragm renders stunning bokeh with smooth out of focus areas. It also features a newly-developed optical system with 10 elements in 9 groups and incorporates Nikon’s exclusive anti-reflection Nano Crystal coat, drastically reducing ghosting and flare to deliver rich, high contrast images even under the most testing lighting conditions. Nikon believe this lens will take portraiture to another level and set a new benchmark with its amazing contrast and resolution plus its unique bokeh qualities

It weighs 595g and as you would expect, the has the tough Nikkor magnesium body and sealing against moisture and dust to continue working in the toughest of shooting conditions.

It's RRP is £1499 but you should be able to get it for less if you shop around. For more information please visit the Nikon website.

They boast a range of features and advanced functionality for maximum image quality and stability including .. 

• You can view your image with confidence from any angle with the powerful 10-bit P-IPS wide format display
• They have a 3D Look Up Table (LUT) for precise colour space emulation and excellent colour mixture across the entire screen
• A Picture-in-Picture feature allows you to work on two images simultaneously
• The built-in SpectraView profiler software provides quick, easy, accurate calibration; communicating directly with the monitor, meaning no data is lost and colours appear more true to life
• They come complete with monitor hood to shield unwanted light in creating a colour accurate working environment

The 241 model retails for around £1000 & the 271 model for around £1300 (plus VAT). For more details see the Color Confidence website.

It has an 18 Megapixel APS-C sensor, offering high levels of detail and a magnification of 1.6x. Canon’s powerful DIGIC 4 technology rapidly processes image information captured from the CMOS sensor’s four-channel output, providing outstanding colour reproduction, as well as high-speed shooting at 5.3fps in bursts of 58 full-resolution JPEGs.

A standard ISO range of 100-6400 is extendable to 12800, providing smooth images with minimal noise in low light conditions. A 9-point, all cross-type autofocus (AF) system also provides swift and accurate focusing, with an extra-sensitive centre point for lenses faster than f/2.8, allowing photographers to artistically employ a shallow depth of field during portraiture or for more atmospheric shooting.

A new 7.7cm (3.0in) Vari-angle wide LCD monitor features a 3:2 aspect ratio and a 1,040k dot resolution, providing added flexibility and allowing photographers to view their images in incredible detail, and the surface of the screen features an anti-reflective, water-repellent coating to protect the screen allows easy viewing in bright light and from a variety of angles.

A new Basic + function makes it easy for photographers to add their own creative touch to images without worrying about changing settings.

Offering photographers the freedom to go beyond stills, the EOS 60D captures 1920x1080p HD video with a variety of user-selectable frame rates, including 30, 25 and 24fps, as well as 720p video at 60 and 50fps. Movie Crop mode is also available, recording with the central 640×480 pixel area of the sensor to create an effective magnification of approximately seven times the focal length of the lens.

The EOS 60D features a completely redesigned body, combining an ergonomically enhanced, curved shape with a new button layout to make it quick and comfortable for photographers to change settings. Frequently used camera controls are grouped together for easy access, enabling photographers to operate menus and enter settings quickly using their thumb. The mode dial also features a lock button, preventing unintentional changes to settings mid-shoot.

A dedicated Quick Control access button allows photographers to instantly reach the most common shooting settings and playback controls.  To help achieve landscapes with perfectly level horizons, a horizontal Electronic Level can be displayed in the viewfinder or in Live View to assist composition and remove any potential need for post-production correction.

The EOS 60D is also one of the latest Canon models to support high-capacity SDXC memory cards, providing up to 2TB of available space, allowing photographers to keep shooting HD video and full resolution RAW and JPEG stills without changing cards.

• The EOS 60D body only is available from October priced £1099.99 incl VAT
• The EOS 60D EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS is available from October priced £1199.99 incl VAT

For more information please visit the Canon website.

Sean has been involved in photography for over 25 years, specialising in weddings and family candid shoots. Surprisingly he only recently started to take photography more seriously as a career option largely due to the great feedback from the photoshoots he did. 

That feedback was clearly justified as Sean shows great talent and knows how to capture that special moment or emotional connection between a couple. He was incredibly pleased to achieve  the Guild qualification seeing it as recognition for all the hard work he has put in over the years. Further he saw the feedback he received from the Guild as extremely informative and supportive  in his aim to become reach 'master craftsman' status.

To see Sean's work visit http://www.seantobinphotography.co.uk/

It features Auto Image Optimize which analyses faces, contrast, and brightness levels in the image before making appropriate corrections so prints are bright, clear and of optimum quality. In addition, a selectable Smooth Skin effect evens out skin blemishes for more flattering portraits, and manual brightness adjustment can be applied to fine-tune the prints produced.

By using dye sublimation technology, the Selphy CP800 gives images a smooth, glossy result so that finished prints have the quality, look and feel of a traditional lab photo. Prints are dry and ready for handling the second they leave the printer, and a special over-coating provides protection from spills and splashes, so they will remain rich and vivid for up to 100 years (100 year figure based on accelerated tests.

The Selphy CP800 also offers a range of image layout options  using the creative and intuitive interface with voice guidance. The Selphy CP800 also offers fully portable printing with an optional battery pack, so printing can take place instantly on the move.

It  is available from September 2010, priced at around £99.00.

For more information visit the Canon website.

The Turbo Blade delivers fast recycling and high capacity in a clever, tough case that attaches to the camera base via it’s tripod thread and is designed for those photographers that prefer a camera-mounted battery pack for ease of use. However, the Turbo Blade can be used away from the camera with longer power cables when carried in a pocket, backpack or belt pouch and it has a highly visible “fuel-gauge” indicates battery capacity and charge status.

It offers 400 full power flashes with a hot-shoe flash and Ultra-Fast recycling (1.4 second to full power with a hot-shoe flash). It creates a full charge from empty in 1.5 hour and is compatible with hundreds of flash units including Canon, Nikon, Metz, and many more.

The Turbo Blade is now available from leading imaging retailers with an RRP of £499.97 including VAT.

This promises shake-free hand-held shooting at shutter speeds four stops slower than would usually possible, with both 'Normal' and 'Active' modes. Also on the menu are Nano Crystal coating, a 9-bladed diaphragm, and a degree of environmental sealing. The lens is supplied with a dedicated hood HB-53 and a soft pouch. It will be available from 22nd September 2010 at a price around the £1000 mark.

Further checks with a major UK photography lab confirmed the fact that Middlewall have ceased trading.

We must point out that we have not been able to confirm this with the company themselves but we have no reason to doubt what we have been told.

Our enquiries also revealled strong rumours that an Italian supplier very well known in the UK for many years appears to have some serious commercial issues too.  Hope not!

Where are we going?