I think these are the very first sample pictures shot with an Elicar V-HQ 300-600 f/4.1-5.7 lens that are around. The Elicar V-HQ 300-600mm has the particular feature of a minimum focusing distance of 21 inches/0.55mm – that is not common on a 300-600mm zoom lens and offers some interesting possibilities for macro photography. A prototype of the lens was presented at Photokina 2012, the final version should soon be released.

Lens specs after the break.

CPN press release:

Canon has announced the details of its biggest-ever presence at IBC, the leading global trade show for media and broadcast professionals to be held at the RAI exhibition and convention centre in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, from 13-17 September 2013.

Canon has been an exhibitor at IBC for more than 30 years, and 2013 will see the company’s largest stand to date. Covering a full 432m2, the stand will be a clear demonstration of the company’s ongoing and expanding commitment to the broadcast industry and will display Canon’s complete range of world-class products, including more than 75 lenses, as well as Full HD and 4K camera solutions.

Read the whole story at Canon Professional Network.

B&H Photo announced a contest for the best videos portraying the use of technology or gear in an unintended way. The first prize winner will receive a Canon EOS 6D or a Nikon D600. Submit an original video about using gear or technology in an unintended way, and you may the winner! Submissions end 9/1.

We are obsessed with our gadgets these days. We are using them all the time for an ever increasing variety of reasons. But sometimes we have no idea how to use these gadgets, and in many cases we end up using them the wrong way!

We thought it would be fun to see what kind of crazy, weird, funny and clever videos you can create in which some of our favorite devices and gadgets are used in a way that they were never intended to be used.

Second prize is a Rebel SL1 (EOS 100D) or a Sony NEX-5R, third prize is a Canon Powershot S110, or a Nikon Coolpix P330. To enter the contest click here.

Contest Details

Submissions: August 1st to September 1st, 11:59 PM EST
The top ten will be chosen by the social media team and/or celebrity judges.
Voting: September 2nd to 10th, 11:59 PM EST
Winners announced September 10th through social media channels

Topaz’ latest addition to their products is Topaz Restyle, a plug-in that allows you to create photography effects and looks that you might otherwise get after long work with PhotoShop.

There are plenty of tools that help you achieve a specific look in your photos. But Topaz ReStyle is different – it gets you results that you wouldn’t have thought of otherwise. So next time you’re staring at an image after making some minor adjustments and it’s just not quite there, try using ReStyle to jump-start your creativity.

ReStyle’s proprietary technology learns from real photos to create sublime effects unavailable anywhere else. Immediately get hundreds of professional-quality results that would otherwise take you hours in Photoshop.

Topaz Restyle has an introductory price of $29.99 (click here) using coupon code restyleit, instead of $59.99. The offer expires 8/31.

Canon Europe press release:

LONDON, August 12, 2013 – Canon Europe, world-leader in imaging solutions, is sponsoring a WWF expedition to the Laptev Sea in Siberia as part of its role as Conservation Imaging Partner of WWF International. This is the second WWF Arctic expedition in 12 months, following a successful research trip entitled ‘Sailing to Siku – Voyage to the Last Ice Area’ in the summer of 2012.

WWF International is mounting the expedition to the Taimyr Peninsula in the Laptev Sea, one of the least explored areas of the Russian Arctic, from 13-26 August.  Its aim is to determine, by collecting the required genetic material, if there are genetically-distinct Laptev populations of walrus and polar bear, or whether the animals in the Laptev Sea are related to one or more of the adjacent populations. The answer to this question is required for development of effective status monitoring systems for both species and to determine the actions needed for their protection.