Canon EOS Rebel XS Digital SLR Camera with 18-55mm Lens - only $429.00 shipped with coupon code S1234567 (reg $499.00). Deal expires 03/15/12.
 
Gitzo GT2541 Series 2 Mountaineer Reporter 6X Carbon Fiber 4 Section Tripod Legs (Standard Model, with G-Lock, Maximum Load 26.4 lbs. Maximum Height 60.2") - $649.90 shipped (reg $724.95).
 
Orbis Ring Flash Attachment Kit for Use with Existing Flash / Strobe, "One Size Fits Most Flashes", with Orbis Arm, Aluminum Bracket for Mounting the Orbis Ring Flash - $189.95 shipped with coupon code S1899523 (reg $239.95).
 
Tripad TR-549 Tripod Mountable Portable Workspace - $69.99 shipped (reg $89.99).
 
Flashpoint Soft Box for Shoe Mount Flashes (16" With mounting hardware) - $32.95 shipped (reg $40.00)
 
Flashpoint 3 Light Fluorescent Outfit with Stands, Umbrellas, Bulbs, 6" Reflector and Deluxe Case - $134.95 shipped (reg $174.95).
 
Flashpoint Background Support System (folds 35") with 5' x 8', Chroma Green Screen Muslin - $59.99 shipped (reg $94.90).
 
Flashpoint 4 Section Traveler Tripod, Ball Head (Folds 18½" Extends 69") - $99.95 shipped (reg $139.95).

All of the older sample pictures on the site are now the currently-used size of max 800px wide or 700px high (some were significantly smaller). About 3,000 images were updated.
 
Looking at some of the work you did 7 or 8 years ago sometimes makes you cringe. It also shows you how far you have (hopefully) come.

From AdoramaPix:
 
"We were thinking... what's a better way than celebrate the leap year than doing something that we haven't done in a while?"
 
"For the next week get huge 20x30 poster prints for only $10 each (Metallic prints are $12 each) [reg $18.00 - $21.00 each]. Plus, you can buy prepaid packs and lock in these low prices for a later time!" Offer ends Feb 28th, 2012.

eBay (via Beach Camera) has the Canon EOS 60D with 18-135mm IS Lens and Pixma Pro 9000 Mark II Printer as a Daily Deal for $975.00 shipped after $400.00 rebate (Amex card). The Canon EOS 60D body alone typically sells for $899.00.

The sweet-looking Redrock Micro ultraCage for Canon EOS C300 has been announced.

Through Feb 24th, get Reikan FoCal Automatic AF Microadjustment Calibrator Utility v1.2 at a special new-release price.
 
Reikan's Facebook page talks about a minor FoCal update to v1.2.1 (Plus version only).
 
This is a helpful Reikan FoCal discussion. (thanks Scott)

From DxO:
 
DxO Optics Pro 7.2.1 now available!
 
DxO Optics Pro v7.2.1 supports the Canon G1 X and 4 other additional cameras: Sony NEX-7, Nikon 1 J1, Nikon 1 V1, Olympus E-P2.
 
DxO Optics Pro is now able to provide support for brand-new camera models more rapidly, as evidenced by the addition of the Canon G1X, all while continuing to add support for cameras already on the market.
 
DxO Optics Pro v7.2.1 includes more than 300 additional modules that have been added to the optics module library since the beginning of February, thus providing support for a number of important lenses used with Canon, Fuji, Nikon, Olympus, Pentax and Sony cameras.
 
More information
 
B&H carries DxO Optics Pro.

Adorama has the Lexar 32GB Professional 1000x CompactFlash Memory Card in stock. Fast, but as expected, expensive - $399.95 shipped.

Apparently, with some care and effort, any of the black lenses can be made white (thanks Sean).

Another major camera gear heist has been reported:
 
"We’re disappointed to report that on Friday 17th February 2012 CVP became the victim of one of the industry’s largest thefts when a substantial quantity of cameras, camcorders, lenses and ancillaries with a street value of around £1M was stolen from our warehouse."
 
Get the full public details on CVP's blog post.
 
Again, this gear is likely going to be resold. You can check CVP's Stolen Equipment Register to insure you are not buying their stolen equipment.

Thru 2/25, use coupon code 15PS212 to save 15% on all refurbished Canon PowerShot Cameras at the Canon Store.
 
The PowerShot S95 is only $256.00
The PowerShot S90 is only $224.00

Use promo code FEB50WP to save 50% ($800.00) on Adobe Creative Suite 5.5 Web Premium at the Adobe Store.
 
This is another incredible value on an incredibly valuable package of software. Some other great deals are available including deals on student and teacher editions - check them out.

Adorama is next-up with the Adobe Photoshop Elements 10 & Premiere Elements 10 deal - only $73.90 shipped (reg $139.95). This deal expires tomorrow, 2/21 at 11:59 AM.

Use coupon code S5139881 to save $20.00 on any of the very stylish Kelly Moore bags at Adorama.

Even better than last week's excellent Adobe Creative Suite 5.5 Production Premium deal, Adorama has Adobe Creative Suite 5.5 Production Premium (Mac) and (Windows) for only $759.95 plus shipping. Great software, great deal.

Canon USA has issued their WPPI 2012 Press Release.

David Hobby at Strobist reviews the new PocketWizard Plus III.
 
Joe McNally reviews the new PocketWizard Plus III.
 
B&H is taking PocketWizard Plus III Transceiver preorders.

Adorama has some SanDisk CompactFlash card specials available for Presidents Day:
 
SanDisk 128GB Extreme PRO Compact Flash Memory Card - up to 100MB/sec write speed. Reg $849.00 - Special $819.00 shipped. Expires 2/29/12.
 
SanDisk 32GB Extreme Compact Flash Memory Card - Up to 60MB/S Read/Write, UDMA Enabled. Reg $159.95 - Now $119.95 shipped.
 
SanDisk 64GB Extreme Compact Flash Memory Card - Up to 60MB/S Read/Write, UDMA Enabled. New - available for preorder - $299.95 shipped.
 
SanDisk 16GB Extreme Pro CF90 Compact Flash Memory Card. Reg $134.95 - Special $99.95 shipped.
 
SanDisk 32GB Extreme Pro CF90 Compact Flash Memory Card. Reg $249.95 - Special $179.95 shipped.

From LPA Design:
 
LPA Design Announces New PocketWizard Plus III Transceiver
 
Easy-to-use, feature-packed radio trigger is ideal for any serious photographer
 

 
So. Burlington, VT – February 20, 2012 – LPA Design, manufacturers of PocketWizard Photo Products, the world leader in reliable wireless control of cameras, flash lighting and light meters, announces the new PocketWizard Plus III – a feature-packed, easy-to-use solution for remote flash and camera triggering. This new simple but powerful radio provides professional and serious amateur photographers with the most reliable triggering system which they will never outgrow and never want to be without.
 
“Our goals in designing the new Plus III were simple: It needed to do more, cost less and offer the same reliability and simplicity as the legendary Plus II. We believe the Plus III achieves all of this and more in its sleek new design,” said Dave Schmidt, LPA Designs VP of Marketing. “Photographers need tools that will help them create images they couldn’t before and with less hassle and lower cost. The Plus III is exactly that tool.”
 
The new Plus III Transceiver features 32 channels and Selective Quad-Zone Triggering that enables photographers to remotely trigger flash and/or cameras in groups or individually all wirelessly from hundreds of feet away. Performance enhancing features include Long Range Mode and Repeater Mode to help photographers tackle the most challenging shooting environments and open the door for never-attempted image ideas. All features, channels and zones can be easily set using the soft-touch keypad and are clearly displayed on the backlit LCD display. *
 
The versatile new PocketWizard Plus III is compatible with all other PocketWizard radios and virtually every popular flash and professional digital SLR camera system. It also communicates with all PocketWizard-enabled photo gear including select Profoto, Dynalite, Norman and Photogenic flash systems and Sekonic light meters.
 
The new Plus III will be demonstrated at the PocketWizard WPPI 2012 Booth #621 in Las Vegas, NV, February 20-23, 2012 as well as in the JP Distribution booth at Focus on Imaging Show in Birmingham, UK, March 4-7, 2012.
 
* Please see PocketWizard PLUS III Features and Specifications documents for more information.
 
More information should become available at http://plusiii.pocketwizard.com/.

From LPA Design:
 
LPA Files Patent Claim
 
LPA Design Files Patent Infringement Claim Against Chinese Manufacturer
 
So. Burlington, VT – January 11, 2011 - LPA Design has filed a complaint for patent infringement in the United States District Court for the District of Vermont against Phottix (HK) Ltd. and Eternal Fortune (HK) Ltd., alleging that the Phottix Atlas wireless flash trigger produced in China infringes upon two patents held by LPA Design. The Vermont-based company, incorporated as Lab Partner Associates, Inc., is the manufacturer of the industry-leading PocketWizard® line of high precision wireless control devices for the professional photography market, including the popular PocketWizard Plus II®.
 
The PocketWizard technology allows professional photographers to control complex lighting systems remotely from the body of a camera. It is particularly useful in studio, sports and event photography, and has become the industry standard as a result of sustained research and development conducted in Vermont.
 
“LPA was an early and ground-breaking contributor to the technology and market for professional quality wireless flash triggers,” said Tim Neiley, CEO and President of LPA. “LPA has worked hard to bring its patented technologies to market through constant innovation and improvement always with a view to the needs of the professional photographer. This lawsuit is necessary to protect our investment in innovation.”
 
LPA Design holds patents in the United States and throughout the world covering its proprietary wireless triggering technology. The patents in the lawsuit cover technology in radio communications between wireless trigger devices and the innovative auto-switching transceiver introduced for the first time in the PocketWizard Plus II wireless trigger.
 
The patents LPA Design is asserting include:
 
United States Patent No. 5,359,375 issued for an invention entitled “Microprocessor Programmable Digital Remote Radio Photographic Control.”
 
United States Patent No. 7,437,063 issued for an invention entitled “Wireless Camera Flash Synchronizer System and Method.”
 
Founded in 1990 as an electronics R&D consulting company, LPA Design has expertise in printed circuit board design, RF communications and antenna optimization, and remote sensors. Among other innovations, LPA Design developed the industry leading PocketWizard line of high precision wireless control devices for the professional photography market. PocketWizard products provide ultra-high precision, wireless synchronization of cameras, flash lighting, and light meters, allowing professional photographers to create unparalleled photographs and achieve unmatched reliability in capturing high value images.
 
LPA Design is represented by Downs Rachlin Martin PLLC in Burlington, Vermont.

Amazon.com has the Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens for $313.03 shipped (or $302.75 + $3.99 shipping from "Celltime Inc.). Compare at $349.00.

Nikon has posted a D800/D800E Technical Guide.

Today, eBay is featuring the Canon EOS Rebel XS with EF-S 18-55mm IS Lens for only $379.00 shipped as a Dail Deal.

Adorama has a huge lighting-heavy list of WPPI show specials: Page 1 | Page 2

From CPN: Ziv Koren on shooting with the EOS-1D X

Amazon.com is featuring Adobe Photoshop Elements 10 & Premiere Elements 10 as a Gold Box Deal of the Day for only $69.99 shipped.

Nikon has announced an update to its my Picturetown image sharing and storage service.
 
Primary new my Picturetown functions
 
1. Post links to shared albums on Facebook
 
2. Use your list of Facebook friends to send links to shared albums
 
3. More functions for Gold Account members
 
Get the full details of this update on Nikon's site.

Canon USA has announced that the two new super telephoto lenses, the Canon EF 500mm f/4.0 L IS II USM Lens and Canon EF 600mm f/4.0 L IS II USM Lens, are expected to be available in May 2012
 
"We appreciate your understanding and continued support."

J&R is celebrating Presidents Day with $15 off orders of $150 or more using coupon code PRESDAY. Valid through Feb 21. Free shipping for orders of $25.00 or more.

eBay has the Canon EOS Rebel T3i with EF-S 18-55mm IS II Lens featured as a Daily Deal for only $649.99 shipped (compare at $800.00).
 
Also check out another eBay Daily Deal - the Samsung Galaxy 10.1 Tablet 16 GB with WiFi, Honeycomb 3.0 for only $369.99 shipped.

An investigation into Olympus Corp started in October after former CEO, Michael Woodford, exposed a major scandal. Results of the investigation have rocked the company and now include the arrest of 9 former executives and bankers according to Reuters.
 
TOKYO, Feb 16 (Reuters) - Japanese police and prosecutors have arrested seven men, including the former president of Olympus Corp and ex-bankers over a $1.7 billion accounting fraud -- one of the country's biggest corporate scandals.
 
Tokyo prosecutors arrested ex-president Tsuyoshi Kikukawa, former executive vice president Hisashi Mori and former auditor Hideo Yamada on suspicion of violating the Financial Instruments and Exchange Law, officials said on Thursday.
 
Read the rest of this sad story at Reuters. (thanks James)

On Jan 16th, Nikon sent a letter stating that "Nikon Inc. has decided that it will no longer make repair parts available for purchase by repair facilities that have not been authorized by Nikon, Inc. to perform camera repairs." All Nikon repairs will be handled exclusively by Nikon authorized repair facilities.
 
As you would expect, many are not happy with this decision - including ifixit.org. (thanks Huy)

Amazon.com has the Transcend 16 GB SDHC Class 10 Memory Card for only $15.98 shipped.
 
B&H has the SanDisk 64GB Ultra SDXC Memory Card (Class 6, 30MB/s) for $74.95 shipped.

X-Rite has announced an i1Publish 30% Cash Rebate Offer (valid only for products purchased and shipped in the USA and Canada).
 
B&H carries X-Rite i1Publish

Use coupon code S4177376 to save 10% on PocketWizard FlexTT5 Transceivers for Canon or Nikon Systems at Adorama. Shipping is free:
 
PocketWizard FlexTT5 Transceiver for Canon
PocketWizard FlexTT5 Transceiver for Nikon

Adobe has provided a Photoshop CS6 Content Aware Sneak Peek:
 

 
Very nice.

The Canon Store is estimating the Canon PowerShot G1 X ship date as Feb 21, 2012
 
Preorder the PowerShot G1 X at B&H - or the Canon Store.

Use coupon code Loyalty15 to get the Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8 L USM Lens for $1,224.95 shipped at Abe's of Maine - a savings of about $45.00.
 
Here are some more great deals:
 
Canon Powershot A2200 Digital Camera (Black) - $79.95 shipped using coupon code Abesaves5 (compare at $119.95)
 
Save 10% on all Lowepro products using coupon code LOWEPRO.

I have added MTF chart comparisons to the review placeholder pages for the new Canon lenses:
 
Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8 L II USM Lens Review
Canon EF 24mm f/2.8 IS USM Lens Review
Canon EF 28mm f/2.8 IS Lens Review
 
I'll try to get more commentary up in the next couple of weeks.

As reported by Alan Murphy, an unmarked van carrying $150,000 (£100,000) worth of Nikon gear destined for the Dublin NPS Roadshow was stolen sometime before 10:00 on Sat night. Taken in the heist were demo Nikon D4 & Nikon 800 DSLRs.
 
The stolen equipment will likely be sold. Download the full inventory list with serial numbers here.