Lots of big news for digital photographers coming up next month.

The Photokina "World of Imaging" Trade Show is a digital photography show that happens every two years in Germany. This big event is held at the Cologne Exhibition Center. The last show (in 2004) had over 160,000 visitors and had over 1,500 exhibitors. The 2006 Photokina will start September 26 and end October 1.

The Photokina is important partly because it is one of the year's mass unveiling of new photography products. Even though the event won't be until next month, the slow and steady build-up started this past July with the announcements of new products (like the snazzy Ergo-Tech bags from KATA). Here's a list of some of the products announced since July:

• Digicams
• Casio EXILIM EX-Z770
• Casio EXILIM EX-Z700
• Fujifilm FinePix S6500fd
• Fujifilm FinePix F20 Zoom
• Kodak EasyShare V705
• Kodak EasyShare C875
• Kodak EasyShare C743
• Kodak EasyShare C433
• Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ50
• Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX2
• Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX3
• Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX07
• Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX50
• Pentax Optio S7
• Pentax Optio W20
• Samsung NV10
• Samsung NV7 OPS
• Samsung NV3
• Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T10
• Digital SLR
• Nikon D80
• Lenses
• Nikon AF-S DX 18-135 mm
• Nikon AF-S DX 70-300 mm VR

Digital photography continues to advance, as does the general field of photography. Remember those "how did they do that?" shots that used to make our jaws drop when we saw them in National Geographic? Quite a lot of those are now common and within the reach of amateurs, so who knows what great things will be revealed at this Photokina?

So to our European readers who manage to get in, send us an email or two, will you?

Fujifilm has developed the first D-SLR factory-produced yet specifically tailored camera for ultraviolet and infrared photography.

Known as the FinePix S3 Pro UVIR Digital SLR (whew!), it replaces the problematic UV and IR filters with a "specially formulated glass protective filter." More importantly, the said camera is able to take pictures of things we don't normally see under the naked eye, such as tattoos on a burnt body (pretty morbid, we know).

This proves to be quite a valuable tool in law enforcement and medical purposes, but it could also be used for art, just like photographers Minor White and Ansel Adams did. According to Mike Brooks, a law enforcement agency consultant, "The enhanced image quality is another great advantage of this camera – it has the ability to capture mid-tones, which is crucial with the contrasty subjects we commonly shoot and it provides a wider exposure latitude than other D-SLRs."

Moreover, it could also be used to detect differences in similar-looking signatures and inks, injuries below the skin, and even detect the presence of gunpowder. The FinePix S3 Pro UVIR Digital SLR camera will be available this September for $1800 USD.

This innovation opens up lots of possibilities in D-SLRs nowadays. Who knows what they'll come up with next?

FujiFilm has released the WP-FXF30 underwater housing unit for the FinePix F30 Zoom, allowing F30 owners to take their precious cameras into the water without fear of FUing-up-their-their gear-BAR.

With the WP-FXF30, you need never fear being shoved into the water while taking pictures of girls by the pool or at the beach. Having a fight with your significant other in the rain and you want to take photographic evidence for the ensuing court proceedings? With the WP-FXF30, that's no problem!

Whew. Seems someone's been watching waaaay too many infomercials.

Made from tough, transparent polycarbonate, the WP-FXF30 is good for dives of up to 40 meters deep while retaining the camera's full functionality. That means that the F30 will retain its 6-megapixel glory as well as the 3x camera zoom while it's all snug and safe in the underwater housing. Plus, the WP-FXF30's ISO 100–3200 sensitivity allows for excellent results in the low light of the ocean.

FujiFilm hasn't forgotten about the owners of older FinePix cameras, too. The WP-FXA500 works with both the FinePix A400 and A500 Zoom cameras, providing waterproof protection up to depths of three meters.

The price range for these babies is $144.99 - $179.99. Considering that new F30 cameras can go for prices of over $400 in some stores, it's a pretty good idea to invest in your camera's protection with the WP-FXF30.