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GOING FOR THE GOLD STANDARD
How to be on your best game to make sales sizzle this summer
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IN THIS ISSUE…
WIDE APPEAL
RETRO ACTIVE
SCOPE FOR SALES
BUSINESS ADVICE
Why every one of your customers should seek out Sigma’s essential trio of lenses covering 14-200mm and heralded by the brand as its ‘big three’
Nikon’s future could well be boosted by its past, as its mirrorless Z fc takes inspiration from the 1980s to hook a fresh generation of photographers
With many camera retailers thinking outside of the box in challenging times, we look at adding spotting scopes to stock as a complementary product
With restrictions relaxing and the school holidays here, we crunch the numbers to investigate how the summer of 2021 might pan out for the photo industry
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Editorial | July / August 2021
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hotographer Henri Cartier-Bresson, heralded as one of the greats for his ‘stolen’ images taken on the hoof, famously talked of the ‘decisive moment’ – the recognition and capture of something significant in a fraction of a second. I was reminded of Bresson because I’m reading David Bailey’s autobiography ‘Look Again’ (which came out in 2020, and so might have flown under a few people’s radars) in which naturally Bresson gets a mention. Bailey’s book is as bad tempered and sweary as you’d imagine – had you not met the man. Having been lucky enough to interview Bailey on a few occasions, what rarely gets mentioned is the wheezy laughter that punctuates his recollections. One great story that cropped up during an interview was the time that Bailey, Patrick Lichfield and Cartier-Bresson were strolling through a Parisian park and were stopped by a young couple, who asked them to take their photograph. Thinking they were doing the couple a unique favour, the master photographers passed the camera from one to the other and each took a portrait. At this point the couple became irritated they were ‘wasting
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film’, and, completely unaware whom they were in the presence of, demanded: “can we have our camera back?” My reason for mentioning the above is that, just like in photography itself, when running our own businesses it’s important to recognise the fleeting moments of opportunity that present themselves – and to know when to grab them with both hands or leave well alone. This past 16 months opportunities for advancement (or salvation) have been increasingly rare, so it’s ever more important that we’re paying attention to what’s going on around us. I know readers enjoy our business articles, which we’ve kept running during successive lockdowns (we’ve the latest on page 20). Plus, of course, we’ve news on who’s releasing what, when, and how you can get hold of it, whether direct from manufacturer or distributor. With many of the greats of photography having passed away in the 22 years I’ve been writing about it – great characters like Lichfield, Cartier-Bresson and Bob Carlos-Clarke are no longer with us, Bailey is now in his 80s, and the wider pandemic has reminded us how fragile life can be – it’s the ‘now’ that has become more important than tomorrow, next week, or next month. So if there’s something you’ve been thinking of trying, don’t put it off. I’ll see you back here next month for our September cover dated issue, which will be published just before the rescheduled Photography Show and where I’m looking forward to catching up in person.
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BPI News | July / August 2021 3
News
NEW BOSS FOR THE SOCIETIES, CONVENTION RETURNS FOR 2022 to ‘save the date’ of March 16th – 19th 2022, for the return of its Convention, with its regular free Trade Show component taking place the 17th through 19th. Those with long memories will recall that its 2020 Convention was one of the last trade events to take place before Covid-19 hit the UK, leading to the eventual cancellation of its 2021 event. Those registering for the Trade Show prior to February 28th 2022 can avoid the standard £10 entry fee. Location is once again London’s Hammersmith Novotel. www.thesocieties.net
With long-serving Phil and Juliet Jones stepping down, son Colin Jones (pictured) has been appointed the new CEO of The Societies, the umbrella organisation for photographers which many in the trade still refer to by its component element, the SWPP. Colin has been working alongside his parents for the past 15 years and has been increasingly taking the reins these past 20 months. He enthuses: “I’m looking forward to continuing to push The Societies of Photographers forward, and making sure we are maintaining the best value and support for our members, whilst exploring new ventures.” While they may have stepped back from their leading roles, Colin tells us that Juliet and Phil are still part of the team and remain on its Board of Directors. The other big news from the organisation this month is that it has asked the industry
WEX ADDS LEICA TO STOCK, ‘UNIQUE’ M10-R RELEASED With both names regulars in recent trade news, the latest revelation is that premium photo brand Leica – which up until now has restricted where it is sold to a select few outlets – will now be sold via Wex Photo Video stores. The latter says it will be stocking ‘over 100 Leica products’, including the SL2, M10, D-Lux 7, V-Lux 5, MP and CL camera ranges, plus corresponding lenses and accessories. Wex Marketing Director Paul Wareham notes: “Leica and Wex both have outstanding reputations within the photography community, so we are thrilled to be working with Leica and bolstering our premium offering.” Leica UK’s Jason Heward adds: “The premium nature of Leica means our partners require a high level of expertise and must deliver a customer experience that is second to none. We are very excited to be working with the Wex team, who have a reputation as one of the best in
Photographic British
Industry
the industry. Their dedication to the customer is inspiring and a perfect fit for our brand and future aspirations.” In related Leica news, the manufacturer has released its 40-megapixel M10-R
camera with a black high gloss paint finish it describes as ‘unique’. Featuring classic Leica lettering on the top plate, it additionally features an ‘Ernst Leitz Wetzlar Germany’ engraving. Like the rest of the manufacturer’s ‘M’ series cameras, it’s equipped with an ultra quiet shutter. As reassuringly expensive as ever, SRP for the M10-R in glossy black livery is a cool £7,500. www.wex.co.uk/leica
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CANON AIMS WIDE Got photographer customers needing to squeeze more into their frame? Continuing to pledge allegiance to its burgeoning full frame mirrorless EOS R series of cameras, the photo stalwart has launched what it’s calling its widest RF lens to date in the RF 14-35mm f/4L IS USM. Combined lens and in body image stabilisation is said to achieve a 7-stop benefit when used with the EOS R5 and R6 camera bodies, making it suitable for both stills and video shooting. Key features of the lens are that it weighs 540g, has a 77mm filter thread and compact form factor, plus offers a minimum focus distance of 0.2m. This means, its maker suggests, it can be effectively used in confined spaces, enabling photographers to fit more into
their frames. SRP is £1,749.99. In related Canon news, there are fresh firmware updates available for its EOS R5, EOS R6 (firmware v1.4) and EOS-1D X Mark III (firmware v1.5). Said to be in response to feedback from users, the new tweaks claim to improve on the cameras’ video capture abilities, with Canon Log 3 added to the R6 and EOS-1D X Mark III to expand their dynamic range and offer more colour space options. Added to all three cameras, meanwhile, is dual card recording, whereby users can now record the exact same video file to both memory cards, thereby ensuring that if one card should get corrupted, a back-up of the same footage will still exist. www.canon.co.uk
Go for gold or silver with Swains With Panasonic sponsoring the Olympics, Swains is offering members of the trade purchasing 12 mixed Gold and Silver wooden or metal frames during this month the chance to be placed in a draw to win a Panasonic 50-inch 4K HDR flat screen TV. The luckily winner will be drawn in August, with the TV presented via their Swains Regional Sales Manager. Swains’ Product Manager for frames and gifts Katie Frost says: “Hopefully this will encourage retailers to create their own display around all Gold and Silver frames to celebrate the Olympics. Another idea: why not offer a free enlargement with any Gold and Silver frames during the Olympics?” Get in touch now via sales@swains.co.uk or call 01485 536200. www.swains.co.uk
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E: info@ansmann.co.uk BPI News | July / August 2021 5
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WILKINSON CHESTER STORE FINALLY OPEN After a long period of refurbishment, Wilkinson Cameras’ Chester branch– previously the home of Camera Solutions – is finally open. The independent retailer celebrated the launch with a photography competition asking participants to document the beauty of Chester and surrounding areas, with more than £1000 worth of vouchers and kit up for grabs, plus a £10 print voucher for the first 50 entries. A
separate kids category with the aim of keeping young minds engaged during the summer holidays offered a Polaroid Camera as first prize. Find the re-vamped store meanwhile at 18 Frodsham Street, Chester CH1 3JL. www.wilkinson.co.uk/capturechester
NEW PANASONIC LENS & MORE FIRMWARE TWEAKS Aiming to keep its products ‘future proof ’ as well as continuing to really push them towards the film-making community, the electronics whizz has announced a fresh raft of firmware updates for its Lumix S5, S1 and S1R full frame mirrorless cameras. The tweaks for the S5 and S1 assist videographers in particular, enabling 12-bit Raw video data to be recorded as Blackmagic Raw over HDMI to Blackmagic Video Assist. Alongside this, Panasonic is also releasing plug-in software for Adobe Photoshop CC, which enables an HDR image shot by Lumix S series cameras to be read, edited and saved within Photoshop CC. It’s also got a new high-end telephoto zoom lens available from this August in the Leica DG Vario-Summilux 25-50mm f/1.7 (shown). Retailing for a suggested £1799.99, tell
your customers it’s being claimed as the world’s first telephoto zoom lens that boasts a large f/1.7 aperture throughout its entire 50-100mm (35mm equivalent) focal range. Dust and splash resistant construction comprises 16 elements in 11 groups, including an aspherical lens and three ED (Extra-low Dispersion) lenses that, says Panasonic, effectively suppress the any chromatic aberration. It also claims the lens’ silent operation means it excels when shooting video. www.panasonic.co.uk
Leica Lab seeks participants, global campaign continues
It’s not all about flogging kit; educating customers is important too in winning brand loyalty and awareness. That’s something Leica realises, going by its existing Leica Akademie and its new programme the Leica Lab. Long white coats and protective plastic eyewear may be optional, but each ‘lab’ is described as an intensive four-week learning experience nonetheless, taught both online and in person by industry experts with backgrounds in commissioning, shooting, editing and curating work. The offerings for 2021 include labs on narrative portraiture and landscape and environment, with the ideal participants described as aspiring photography professionals or actual professionals who would like to improve or add structure to personal projects or commercial work. Participants will be assigned a creative brief as well as being challenged and supported by what’s described as an ‘experienced team of industry leaders’. “Leica’s unique heritage is founded on inspiring creativity through products, places and education,” believes UK MD Jason Heward. “Whether you are a professional, or aspiring photographer, our new intensive lab programme will unlock your potential and fast-track you through the creative process.” In related Leica news, it is continuing its ‘The World Deserves Witnesses’ campaign, begun this January, with the launch of six new promotional images, which pay tribute to photographers who ‘bear witness’ to the world. These will feature in print and online, in more than 15 countries around the globe, and highlight several cameras made by the German company. Included models are the M10 Monochrom and M10-R, plus Leica Q, Leica SL and Leica S systems. Meanwhile, as regards the Leica Lab, direct your more ambitious customers to: https://store.leica-camera.com/ uk/en/leica-lab
BPI News is your mouthpiece to the photo trade, so use it! Send your press releases and news items direct to: info@bpinews.co.uk 6 July / August 2021 | BPI News
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SIGMA’S ‘BIG 3’ ARE BIG NEWS FOR DSLR PHOTOGRAPHERS Two’s company, three’s a crowd runs the old adage; however here’s why your DSLR photographer customers will invest in Sigma’s essential trio of 14-24mm, 24-70mm and 70-200mm lenses
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hile it feels like the rise of mirrorless cameras has been the big focus in recent years, it’s worth remembering the majority of enthusiast and pro photographers are still DSLR owners and users – making them a large and captive market for photo retailers, along with the manufacturers who supply them. A case in point is Sigma’s zoom trio of 14-24mm, 24-70mm and 70-200mm, all offering a constant f/2.8 aperture, and heralded as ‘the big three’ by the brand. “Offering a creatively flexible and comprehensive focal range of 14-200mm when combined, these ‘big three’ lenses feature amazing build and optical quality,” suggests Sigma UK General Manager Paul Reynolds. “As a result, we firmly believe these lenses should be in every DSLR photographer’s kit bag.”
ART FOR ART’S SAKE With two of this DSLR lens trio sitting under Sigma’s renowned ‘Art’ series banner and having been designed to team up with today’s 50 megapixel plus cameras, the third lens in the 70-200mm falls within its ‘Sports’ line up. All three are available in popular Canon, Nikon and Sigma mounts. The ultra wide angle Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG HSM zoom is described as the ‘ultimate’ lens in its class and focal length. It’s claimed to define itself by delivering top-notch quality at every focal length, minimising distortion and providing
Sigma’s ‘triple threat’ of lenses cover a broad 14-200mm focal length when combined. Below are sample images taken with the 1424mm offering
outstanding f/2.8 brightness throughout the zoom range. Tell your photographer customers who obsess over such spec that its construction incorporates three low dispersion FLD glass elements, three SLD glass elements and three aspherical lens elements, including one large diameter aspherical element. Sharp images are further achieved thanks to Sigma’s Super Multi Layer Coating that reduces flare and ghosting, helping achieve high contrast images even in backlit conditions. The Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM continues the large diameter lens line up and is described as the ‘go to’ standard zoom for a host of photographic opportunities, including reportage. Like its siblings this again features a hypersonic motor for high-speed auto focus, and
in this particular case a built-in optical stabilizer. Additionally we get a dust and splash proof mount and a metal barrel, while three SLD glass elements combine with four aspherical lens elements to help minimise any optical aberrations. Wide open, this one is also said by its manufacturer to deliver shallow depthof-field bokeh effects ‘a cut above’. Lastly, the Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM – its model name indicating that it also incorporates optical stabilisation– is said to combine all of the specification required by professionals while featuring 10 low dispersion glass elements. Part of the ‘Sports’ line up, in truth it is again suitable for a wide range of photographic subjects and scenarios, providing peace of mind for the adventurous by being dust and splash proof and oil and water repellent. For mirrorless users, the 14-24mm F2.8 DG DN | Art and 24-70mm F2.8 DG DN | Art are available in L-Mount and Sony E-mount, and were designed from the ground up for mirrorless cameras. For more on all three and why they should be sold and promoted together, speak to your local Sigma rep and watch the dedicated video clip via the YouTube link: https://youtu.be/_Hkw6KYmTEc
All of Sigma’s lenses come with the benefit of a three-year limited warranty. Visit www.sigma-imaging-uk.com NEVER MISS AN ISSUE! Read BPI News online at issuu.com/bpinewsonline
BPI News | July / August 2021 7
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LUMESCA GROUP MAKES ‘KEY’ ACQUISITION The rapidly expanding LUMESCA Group – also featuring on page 9 of this issue as the local distributor of Calibrite colour management products – has been back in touch to tell us it has acquired B2B photographic supplier Keyphoto Limited. This follows LUMESCA’s acquisition of The Flash Centre late last year, with the latest development described as being ‘a complementary addition’. LUMESCA Group believes it places its business in a stronger position to service key B2B markets with a full range of photographic equipment and services. LUMESCA Group MD Geoffrey Clements (left in photo, with Keyphoto MD Axel Flaig on right) explains: “In line with our core values and growth strategy, acquiring businesses with specialist industry expertise and a resolute focus on servicing customers is integral, and Keyphoto is no exception.” Keyphoto’s services include repair facilities, darkroom and studio
installations, trade-in programmes and second hand equipment support. It also offers product training and workshops.
Keyphoto MD Axel Flaig adds: “Joining forces with LUMESCA and TFC will mean that Keyphoto has an even more powerful line-up of products and services. The increased marketing and communication will make customers even more aware of the great relationship and support that Keyphoto has to offer.” BPI News understands Keyphoto will continue to trade under its current name, with Axel Flaig managing the business during the transition and integration phase with Lumesca Group. www.lumesca.com
ADVERTORIAL
CAPIX LTD SEES DRAMATIC INCREASE IN SALES OF FILM & PAPER PROCESSORS
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enewed interest in conventional film and paper processing has led to a significant increase in business for UK equipment supplier Capix Ltd and its Austrian based manufacturing partner Colenta Labortechnik. Led primarily by demand from colleges, universities and photo studios – and the need to educate students on conventional processing techniques – sales of both new and second user film and paper processors have soared. So great has the demand been for equipment that Capix has decided to exhibit at The Photography Show at the NEC this September. The show will witness the worldwide launch of the RoboLine Film Processor from Colenta. A totally new and unique concept in ‘Dip and Dunk’ film processing, RoboLine allows batch processing of B&W, C41 & E6 films. The processor can always
Get in touch with Capix to take advantage of the demand for film processing, and boost revenue with the Colenta EcoLine and RoboLine processors
be ready and online for both B&W & C41 and separately for E6! The patented, fully robotic process control ensures safe and accurate processing to film manufacturers’ specifications. Also on display will be the latest Colenta EcoLine Processors. Designed
specifically for photographers, labs, colleges and universities, the EcoLine represents incredible value for all your photographic paper processing needs. Colenta is the acknowledged world leader in the supply of roller transport film and paper processing machines used throughout the imaging industries – including photo, industrial and medical X-ray, PCB & graphic arts. In addition to supplying turnkey processing solutions, Capix supplies MetaFix Silver Recovery Systems and high-level service and support, not only for Colenta, but also for Tecnolab and Kreonite processing equipment plus Cruse Large Format Scanners. Get in touch with Capix NOW on 01480 472233 or email info@capix.co.uk www.capix.co.uk
Get in touch with Capix NOW on 01480 472233 or email info@capix.co.uk. Visit www.capix.co.uk 8 July / August 2021 | BPI News
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BPI News Extra
THE FUTURE’S BRIGHT… CALIBRITE
A heads up for the photo trade: in a case of ‘same great products different name’, from this month X-Rite photo and video products are re-branding as ‘Calibrite’ – available now via distributor LUMESCA Group
T
he photo trade will be well aware of the long-established X-Rite portfolio of photo and video products, including the muchrespected ColorChecker range of colour targets. Henceforth these will all be within the Calibrite suite of products. While X-Rite’s award-winning offerings have led the market for decades, as part of a strategic change, X-Rite decided the photo and video market would be best served through a dedicated partner solely focused on the unique needs of photographers and filmmakers. Calibrite’s stated aim – its clever brand name obviously playing on the word ‘calibrate’ – is to service the colour management needs of photographers, videographers and content creators. Regarding supply to the trade, CoPresident of Calibrite, Jan Lederman, reassures: “We are pleased to confirm that our distribution network includes current key X-Rite partners and are looking forward to a seamless transition to our new product range.” Aiding that transition, X-Rite’s existing distributors – MAC Group in North America and LUMESCA Group in Europe, the Middle East and Africa – have been appointed as exclusive Calibrite distributors in those territories. Many of X-Rite’s previous distribution partners in other territories are being signed up by Calibrite and new partnerships for territories not currently covered are being actively sought.
X-Rite’s expertise is world-leading, and knowing that future ColorChecker products will be based on core X-Rite technologies licensed to Calibrite gives us confidence our customers will continue to have state-of-the-art products.” Calibrite Co-President Geoffrey Clements
CALIBRITE, POWERED BY X-RITE Calibrite has been formed by a group of investors who have worked with X-Rite
Same great product, different name: the X-Rite line up has now become Calibrite
in the photo and video markets for more than 20 years. Its team says it’s committed to building upon X-Rite’s existing products and legacy while adding a heightened level of education, inspiration and customer support (the latter via a dedicated portal at www.calibrite.com). Under the agreement, Calibrite will license core technologies from X-Rite, while X-Rite will manufacture devices for monitor and printer calibration, ensuring Calibrite customers receive the same level of quality and innovation X-Rite customers have enjoyed for decades. Furthermore, Calibrite will also collaborate with X-Rite’s colour scientists to develop solutions that evolve in line with the speed of technology. While all products will look familiar to potential customers, X-Rite i1Display and i1Studio devices plus the full
range of ColorChecker targets will now be re-branded under the Calibrite ColorChecker name. Essentially all existing X-Rite customers will notice is that the products now carry a new name. Calibrite Co-President Geoffrey Clements adds: “X-Rite’s expertise is world-leading and knowing that future ColorChecker products will be based on core X-Rite technologies licensed to Calibrite gives us confidence that our customers will continue to have stateof-the-art products. We are excited to focus our Calibrite R&D team on developing the next generation of colour management software and look forward to offering both existing X-Rite users and new Calibrite customers significant updates in the coming months.” Goes without saying that BPI News readers should watch this space for further updates. Trade customers wanting to become Calibrite resellers should get in touch with the distributor, LUMESCA Group, directly by calling 0330 440 0189 or emailing sales@lumesca.com
Want to become a Calibrite reseller? Get in touch with LUMESCA Group, by calling 0330 440 0189 or emailing sales@lumesca.com @bpi_news
BPI News | July / August 2021 9
News
THE PHOTOGRAPHY SHOW ‘WORKING 9 TO 5’ TO AID VISITOR FLOW As reported on in our past few issues, it’s presently all systems go for the return of The Photography & Video Show to Birmingham’s NEC this September 18th through 21st – the first time it will have graced the venue since March 2019, when the only Corona most of us were aware of was fizzy and came in bottles. Exhibiting brands include the ‘heavyweights’ of Canon, Olympus, Nikon, Sony and Fuji, with, its organisers believe, a real appetite from fans to return to the live show. It claims its own feedback overwhelmingly reveals how much visitors have missed the atmosphere and kit browsing opportunities of the in-person event. Of course there’s a full roster of exciting speakers planned too, including acclaimed portrait photographer Rankin, along with fine art photographer Brooke Shaden, blogger and food photographer Donna Crous, smartphone photography ‘guru’
Mike Kus, plus celebrity photographer Rory Lewis. Also exhibiting are Hahnel, Epson, Tamron, PixaPro, Hahnemühle, Sigma, Vanguard, Fotopro and CEWE, while the video portion of the event will feature Affinity Photo, RØDE Microphones, Acebil, FJ Westcott, Deity Microphones and Global Distribution. “We can’t wait to host new fans and
visitors in Birmingham for the first time in two-and-a-half years,” enthuses Event Director Ruth Folkard. “The Photography Show and The Video Show has always been an inspirational event, bringing together people with a shared passion, and we’re working hard to deliver a top-notch programme of speakers and activities for 2021. We can’t wait to once again welcome budding and experienced photographers and video-makers back to the show, for what should be a fantastic event.” Organisers tell us the show will be following all government and industry safety advice to the letter, with the goal of ensuring its visitors’ and exhibitors’ peace of mind while running the live show in a format as close to normal as possible. As such, this year doors will be open from 9am until 5pm, to aid a relaxed flow of visitor arrivals and entry, it says. www.photographyshow.com
TAMRON DEVELOPS ITS 1ST FUJI X-MOUNT LENS
Pentax discovers new ‘star’
Coming before the end of 2021 via Transcontinenta UK, Tamron distributor for the UK and Ireland, is the brand’s first Fuji X-mount compatible lens; simultaneously also available for the Sony E-mount. The Tamron 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD is claimed as the world’s first all-in-one zoom lens for Sony and Fuji APS-C mirrorless cameras featuring a 16.6x zoom ratio. Further features include a compact design, moisture resistant construction, fluorine coating and zoom lock switch, while minimum object distance is 0.15m at the wide end. Tamron also states that it will continue to develop unique products and expand the number of lenses compatible with more camera brands. We don’t have a price for the forthcoming lens as yet, so watch this space. Get in touch via sales@transcontinenta.co.uk or on 0203 966 5947. In related news, as of the end of June this year the Transcontinenta Group, Focus Nordic and Digit Access have formed a partnership in order to further develop the European photo and video market. Transcontinenta
Ricoh – owner of the Pentax brand – has announced a new high-end zoom lens for use with its Pentax branded APS-C sensor DSLRs in the HD PentaxDA★ 16-50mm f/2.8ED PLM AW. It adds that this standard zoom lens has been designed as part of a new generation of Star series lenses that boast ‘greatly improved resolving power’, and is available from this August at £1499.99 SRP. Chief features include that f/2.8 aperture across the entire zoom range and a ‘PLM’ Pulse Motor for the first time in a large aperture lens to assure highspeed low noise autofocus operation. Minimum focus distance is 0.3 metres and it features a dust proof, all-weather resistant construction, thanks to incorporating nine sealing rings. www.ricoh-imaging.eu
tells us the intention of this initiative is to be “in the forefront of the business for the benefit of our mutual suppliers, customers and consumers”. To this end, Transcontinenta Group, present in the Benelux region, Germany, the UK and Ireland, plus Focus Nordic, present in 28 markets in Scandinavia, the Baltics, Central and Eastern Europe, have acquired one third each of Digit Access, present in France, Spain and Portugal. The cooperation between the three distributors will focus on the brands that are in common and respect other brands and areas where collaboration is not suitable. www.transcontinenta.co.uk
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TAKE 2: NEW VIDEO BRANDS FROM TRANSCONTINENTA UK Pro-active distributor Transcontinenta UK is branching further into the market for video products, offering switched-on retailers the chance to reap reward via two new brands for vloggers, YouTubers and live streams: Desview and Hollyland
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he past two years has witnessed Transcontinenta UK rapidly become photo retailers’ goto for a host of leading brands. These include Angelbird, Bushnell, B&W, Cullmann, Hyper, Lexar, Peak Design and Tamron. Now it wants to share the news with its customers in the photo and video trade about its exciting latest additions in Desview and Hollyland – both aimed squarely at videographers and filmmakers.
charging the omnidirectional microphones and receiver as soon as they are put away. A magnetic pull from the case described as ‘satisfying’ lets users know they are securely in place. But the real selling point is that this ultra compact system will deliver consistently pro-level sound quality up to 100 metres away, enabling any YouTuber, vlogger or live streaming outfit to really up their game, whether one (Solo Kit) or two people (Duo Kit) are appearing onscreen.
HOLLYWOOD SOUND QUALITY VIA HOLLYLAND
As we trailered in our BPI News April/May news story, Desview is a Chinese company that’s been supplying filmmakers with pro monitors since 2003. Its specialism is on-camera touchscreen monitors (above), of which there are currently five available: the R5, R6, R7, R7S and R7Plus. Chief features here include a user-friendly interface, plus the reassurance of two-year warranty. With a wealth of sizes and resolutions available, they’re affordable enough to tempt all levels of videographers at all levels of budgets, with SRP’s ranging from £209 to £399. In addition, it’s also offering a T2 teleprompter (top) for just £119 that runs off a tablet or phone – while its very latest touch screen monitor has a brightness level to compete with strong sunlight – so plenty of options for your customers who want to make their videos look that bit more professional. Speak to your local Transcontinenta Area Manager for more on these.
In the same ballpark, Hollyland offers a range of microphones and transmitters for the monitoring and output of professional sound. Transcontinenta Category Manager Jerry Martin explains that this manufacturer’s ‘hero’ products include the Lark 150 clip-on wireless microphone system (below, right), which, he notes, boasts a beautifully designed charging case that starts
The other key product to flag up from the range is the Hollyland Mars 400S Pro (above), a monitoring solution to output the live feed directly via the receiver to a streaming source or to multiple external devices, for when clients, customers or creatives have a requirement to monitor the live feed. Here a compact and lightweight transmitter and a receiver with a 400ft range are supplied as part of the kit, along with five antennas and a mains adapter, though in truth there are multiple power options to maintain maximum flexibility and practicality. Prices for Hollyland products start at £179.99. For more details on Desview and Hollyland, which Transcontinenta UK are introducing to their customers in the photo and video trade, get in touch NOW with your local Transcontinenta UK Area Sales Manager, or head office direct via sales@transcontinenta.co.uk or call 0203 9665947. www.transcontinenta.co.uk
Contact Transcontinenta to discover what its Desview & Hollyland brands can do for your business via sales@transcontinenta.co.uk NEVER MISS AN ISSUE! Read BPI News online at issuu.com/bpinewsonline
BPI News | July / August 2021 11
BPI News Product Focus
BACK TO THE FUTURE: NIKON’S ‘Z’ SERIES GOES RETRO Nikon’s latest mirrorless camera comes wrapped in classic looks that push the brand’s distinguished heritage to the fore, while harnessing the power of photography as an inter-generational dialogue…
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etailers and customers will want to mark an end-of-July sales start date in their calendars for the new Nikon Z fc mirrorless camera. Stylistically it signals a break from the contemporary ‘Z’ series models so far, thanks to being inspired by 1982’s Nikon’s FM2 film SLR, described as a ‘pivotal’ product from Nikon’s past. Because of this, the manufacturer sees the camera as providing a point of connection between different familial generations – father to son, or mother to daughter. Promotional activity surrounding the release focuses on the power of photography as a ‘gift’ passed from one generation to another – as well as its ability to freeze a moment, or capture a video, that can then be enjoyed and shared between family for years to come. Watch the campaign video at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Pm-V4h8e-I On top of this, there are two new compatible lenses said to complement its ‘heritage’ style in the Nikkor Z DX 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 VR Silver Edition for everyday use with, as it sounds, a
silver exterior to match the Z fc, plus the compact Nikkor Z 28mm f/2.8 SE. The latter is claimed as ideal for portraits and still life photography and again is inspired by Nikkor lenses from the same period as the original FM2.
CLASSIC LOOKS, HIGH TECH FEATURES Looking the part thanks to its pentaprism design, magnesium alloy build and black and silver finish, while being conveniently compact and lightweight with it, tell your customers the Nikon Z fc offers plenty of operability at their fingertips. The top plate features three manual dials controlling shutter speed, exposure compensation and ISO sensitivity, while a small window handily displays the aperture in use. Alternatively, simple access to a variety of settings is achievable via a press of the ‘i’ button and i menu and use of the touch screen LCD.
Match made in heaven: Two new compact lenses complement the classic look and feel of the Nikon Z fc
While it boasts classic looks, the compact and portable Z fc is distinctly high tech. The new camera supports Eye Detection AF and Animal Detection AF for both stills and video, as originally introduced on the higher-end and heavier Nikon Z 7II and Z 6II. Continuous focus on the eyes of the intended subject when there are several people in the frame, or the tracking of the eyes of a pet in motion, is thereby achievable. While the body isn’t fully weathersealed, it further features an eye-level
Nikon’s mirrorless APS-C sensor Z fc builds on the brand’s film heritage of old, plus the goodwill afforded 12 July / August 2021 | BPI News
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BPI News Product Focus
Flipping fantastic: While the Nikon Z fc looks retro, it has an abundance of high tech features, including angle adjustable LCD, as shown
Nikon Z fc key features at-a-glance:
electronic viewfinder (EVF), can shoot up to 4K-resolution video and comes with the convenience of the first ever variangle tilting screen to be implemented in the ‘Z’ series. Whilst recent Nikon releases have been full frame cameras, this one takes inspiration also from the Z 50 by incorporating an APS-C sensor and offering a sizeable 20.9-megapixel resolution; but it’s fair to say that in comparison the Z fc is for those who want a more considered, hands-on experience and mindful approach to picture taking.
250mm f/4.5-6.3 to camera and 1650mm lens for £1249 SRP all-in. Finally, the Z 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 VR SL lens when bought standalone is £329 SRP.
The APS-C mirrorless model’s first-rate specification includes: 20.9 effective megapixel stills from APS-C CMOS sensor 4K resolution video at 30fps Design based on the classic FM2 film camera from the 80s High resolution electronic viewfinder with circular eyepiece Vari-angle LCD screen, plus manual control dials 20 Creative Picture Controls for unique creative expression Core ISO100 to ISO51200 light sensitivity range Compact, portable and durable magnesium alloy body
AIMED AT EXISTING & FIRST TIME USERS So, in terms of an audience, to whom should we be pitching this camera? Fitting in with its supposition that this model has cross-generational appeal, Nikon suggests both existing and first time mirrorless camera users. While it can be used for shooting high quality stills and video, it supports Nikon’s Webcam Utility, meaning that it’s bangup-to-date in this age of Zoom and Microsoft teams apps by being able to be used as a web camera too. To sum up, this is a camera that anyone can use for capturing those precious moments. Suggested body-only asking price is £899, while there are a whole range of camera plus lens and accessory bundles including a Z fc Vlogger kit at £1,189. Alternatively direct your customers to the body and Z 28mm f/2.8 SE lens kit at £1,129; a bundle incorporating the Z DX 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 kit at £1,039; or an option which adds the Z DX 50-
In addition to the camera and lenses listed above, dealers will be aware Nikon has announced the development of a new high power zoom for its Z series cameras in the Nikkor Z DX 18-140mm f/3.5-6.3 VR. All it’s telling us for now is that this lens, suitable for both stills and video, is due for release later this year. Be sure to watch this space for more! www.nikon.co.uk
its full frame ‘Z’ series to date. For more speak to your Nikon rep or visit www.nikon.co.uk @bpi_news
BPI News | July / August 2021 13
News
A PLACE FOR CUSTOMERS’ LENSES TO NEST A Kickstarter campaign, um, kicked off this month seeking to bring what’s claimed as an innovative and eco friendly camera lens storage product – Lens Nest – to market. The enterprise is hoping to be publicly crowdfunded by backers’ pledges, ranging from £30 to receive a ‘row of three’ Lens Nest right up to 50 Lens Nests with space to store 225 lenses in a limited edition ‘dark grey’ colourway for a pledge of £1,200, which it suggests is a perfect pledge for a studio or retail shop. The Lens Nest has been developed by award winning Portuguese industrial designer Tiago Cardoso, who describes himself as a nature photography enthusiast. He adds: “Lenses are highly valuable and it doesn’t feel right to always have them hidden away in a box or bag. I think the Lens Nest helps keep them presentable and has a few interesting features I think photographers and videographers will appreciate.
“Environmental impact was a key consideration during the design process, not an afterthought. This is why the Lens Nest has a minimal footprint and why it’s made from cork extracted from manufacturing waste. Besides being very eco-friendly, the Portuguese cork we use is of very high quality, very durable and looks great!” At the time of writing, the overall goal was to raise £34,500 by the end of the Kickstarter campaign on August 1st 2021. https://www.kickstarter.com/ projects/668715689/lens-nest
TENBA CAMERA BAG Hahnemühle in RANGE & WEBSITE ‘fine’ fettle for TPS REFRESHED Distributor MAC Group Europe has been in touch to tell us it has updated versions of its Tenba DNA Messenger bags and Tenba Tools collections available now to the trade; such revisions designed to ‘bring a fresh look to the products’. The Tenba website has also had a makeover in order to deliver a better brand experience to consumers. The DNA Messenger bags are described as offering an improved fit and additional
new features, delivering a fresh take on what your customers might expect of a camera bag. It adds that it believes its Tenba Tools bags for storing those smaller accessories that might get mislaid in larger bags will be more appealing to end users than before, and therefore offer better sales for retailers. Featuring quality described as ‘durable’, both collections are available now via info@macgroupeu.com or 01902 255 500. uk.tenba.com
Fine art media specialist Hahnemühle is one of the early birds setting out its stall for the return of The Photography Show this September coming, where, as well as giving visitors the chance to check out its new Natural Line Fine Art inkjet papers in action, it will be hosting celebrity portrait photographer Rory Lewis on its stand G406. The company tells us several of Rory’s images of famous faces have been acquired by London’s National Portrait Gallery, while the photographer has won ‘Portrait of Britain’ for four years running. He’ll also be taking portraits of visitors to the stand, which can be viewed digitally, selected and printed on Hahnemühle Fine Art paper as a memento. Anyone in the trade considering adding the TIPA winning range to stock will be further interested to learn Hahnemühle claims its lightfast and age resistant Fine Art inket papers are made from highly renewable raw materials, including bamboo, hemp and agave. The plants require minimal maintenance, grow quickly and don’t need any pesticides. Such rapid growth means that more cellulose can be produced on the same cropland compared with other raw materials, and they also require much less water, helping to save valuable resources and protect the environment. “We have missed seeing artists, photographers, creatives, partners and customers,” Hahnemühle adds. www.hahnemuehle.co.uk www.rorylewis.studio
BPI News is your mouthpiece to the photo trade, so use it! Send your press releases and news items direct to: info@bpinews.co.uk 14 July / August 2021 | BPI News
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Advertorial
ANALOGUE REVIVAL BENEFITS BCE’S CUSTOMERS W ith film photography making a comeback along with increased demand for everything analogue, BCE Photo Lab, the photo-processing arm of the Bradford Camera Exchange since 1987, has a very tempting proposal to put to the trade. Whilst many outlets own a device for printing digital files, via a dry lab and kiosk, only a few have the facility to develop films. As a result, BCE Photo Lab, a specialist in C41 film processing for many years, has devised a special trade-only deal, allowing dealers to offer the service and show a good profit when customers need a film processing. For just £2.50 inc VAT, they will develop any C41 process film – including 35mm, 120, 126, 110, APS or singleuse cameras – and scan the negatives at 3089x2048 dpi. These are sent as JPEG images via WeTransfer back to the sender, usually the same day, for printing. Sleeved negatives can also be returned via Royal Mail for just £2.50 P&P per batch (so, if 10 films are sent together, the
the digital age, while, at the same time, older photographers are revisiting their former hobby. This has resulted in a lot of unprocessed films from 10 or 20 years ago turning up, which it has been successful in getting ‘excellent’ results out of. If a film proves a failure, there is no charge made at all, so it’s worth even sending your customers’ old films in for BCE Photo Lab to take a look at. Please see the advert immediately below for all the relevant contact details.
Above: BCE Photo Lab processes many types of C41 film Right: Film being fed into the processor and negatives being scanned prior to being We Transferred back to the sender
sender will pay just one return charge of £2.50). An identifying sticker will also be applied, so the correct images can be returned to the correct customer. BCE Photo Lab is happy to accept payment by card or bank transfer. Demand is building. BCE tells us today’s students are some of the keenest film users, despite having been born in
FILM SALES ARE INCREASING & SO IS DEMAND FOR DEVELOPING & PRINTING SERVICES If you own a Dry Lab or Photo Kiosk you can offer your customers a fast, economical, Film Developing & Printing Service by using our popular Develop & Scan Package
E TRAD E C PRI 2.50 £ ONLY AT C IN V ILM F R E P o charge (N ures) for fail
• All C41 Films Developed - 35mm/120/126/110/APS & Single Use Cameras • Jpeg images sent within hours via WeTransfer ready for you to print • Sleeved negatives returned via Royal Mail if required (£2.50 per batch)
Join our growing network of dealers across the country using this profitable solution Get in touch NOW. Ring Paul Jones on 01274 723622 for more information or to set up an account 17 Northgate, Bradford BD1 3JR Tel: 01274 723622 Email: sales@bcephotolab.com NEVER MISS AN ISSUE! Read BPI News online at issuu.com/bpinewsonline
Pay as you go or open a monthly account
Developing Films Since 1987 BPI News | July / August 2021 15
News
NEW FUJI PRINTER ALLOWS RETAILERS TO GET CREATIVE Fujifilm is offering retailers the chance to offer on-site personalised card printing and specialist photo products, via the unveiling of its new CX3240 Creative Duplex Printer. The pitch here is high volume printing services from a small footprint, plus a broad range of printing capabilities, including duplex and borderless printing. Described as simple to operate and maintain, it’s said to be ideal for producing greetings cards of varying sizes, while also providing the option of photobooks, calendars and folded cards with automatic double sided printing. Output is also possible on heavyweight paper up to 330gsm in thickness, as well as onto unique surfaces including satin or metallic. The CX3240 can print up to 23 A4 sheets per minute, while five optional paper trays allow for quickly switching between products. Fuji believes the west European market for photo greetings cards is set to grow by 30% by 2024. Contact your local rep for more. www.fujifilm.co.uk
LEE FILTERS EXPANDS WITH CANADA OFFICE OPENING LEE Filters, a very recognisable name within the trade for its photographic filters and lighting gels with UK offices in Hampshire, is setting up a dedicated new base and distribution centre in Canada, specifically at Panavision Toronto. To oversee things as Country Manager for Canada, it has appointed Colin Sangster (pictured), who it tells us arrives with nearly 20 years’ experience of representing brands serving the Canadian film, TV and theatre industries.
The establishment of its own footprint on the ground follows nearly 30 years of selling products in the territory through a distributor – and LEE Filters hopes the move will enable it to grow both its photographic filter and lighting business overseas, while providing improved customer service and technical support to customers. It also believes the move will help it develop new products. Recent launches have included the LEE85 modular filter system, designed for the latest mirrorless cameras. www.leefilters.com www.panavision.com
All aboard Lexar’s SD Express Got photographer and videographer customers regularly shooting high resolution burst sequences or 8K-resolution video? Then direct them to the fact there’s been another innovation in data storage courtesy of Lexar – distributed via Transcontinenta UK – which has announced the development of SD Express and microSD Express memory cards. Living up to the series’ name, data transfer speeds of up to a whopping four gigabytes per second are promised – which is claimed to be up to three times faster than the quickest UHSII SD card currently available. The ‘theoretical’ max read speed of SD Express is similarly impressive at 985MB/s, while the cards themselves are said to be backwards compatible. All this has been made possible, Lexar says, because the cards use the PCie 3.0 interface and will be built with Silicon Motion’s SM 2708 controller. With a launch date scheduled for 2022, SD Express cards will be made available in capacities of up to 512GB, while microSD Express cards will offer up to 256GB. More news as we have it! Additionally Lexar has launched a new Professional CFexpress Type B USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 Reader which promises to dramatically accelerate workflow by offering blazing fast transfer speeds for Raw 8K video and high quality stills. As it sounds it’s designed for use with CFexpress Type B cards, offering connectivity to a PC or laptop via both a 2-in-1 USB Type C to USB Type A cable and a USB Type C to USB Type C cable. Read
speeds of up to 1700MB/sec are being offered. The compact and portable design is also said to be perfect for conveniently transporting in a pocket. Available this month, SRP is £51.99. Finally, to go with the above, there is a third new Lexar product announced this month in the Lexar Professional CFexpress Type B Card Silver Series. These are aimed at photographers and videographers needing to ‘accelerate their workflow’, with read speeds of up to 1000MB/sec and write speeds of 600MB/s promised. The manufacturer suggests the Silver Series is also backwards compatible with select XQD cameras for added versatility, thereby providing existing devices with a ‘next generation’ performance. Pricing and availability was still to be confirmed as we went to press, but it appears any retailers may do well to fashion a customer bundle that marries Lexar’s CFexpress Type B Reader to these forthcoming new cards. The Silver Series comes with a limited 10-year warranty. www.lexar.com
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BPI News Product Focus
WIDE FORMAT, BIG APPEAL, SAYS THE DPS GROUP & EPSON
Re-seller the DPS Group highlights a new wide format machine from the print innovator that retailers and minilabs can slot into the most compact of spaces
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pson is never a manufacturer to stand still when it comes to innovating in print, while its re-seller the DPS Group is always proactively on the look out for the next big thing to help its customer base turn a healthy profit. Coming this October off the back of a recent announcement is the new Epson SC-P8500D 44-inch printer. It features what the manufacturer claims is a completely new design plus six ink printing, with a new grey ink added for the ‘P’ series. Also worth noting is an embedded Adobe print engine plus dual rolls as standard, along with pigment ink sets, and print speeds up to 131 square metres per hour.
‘P’ FOR ‘POWERHOUSE’ The 44-inch SureColor P8500D is the first available model in the new powerhouse ‘P’ series photo printer line up. The selling point here is that this is a machine for those who deal in high volume photo fulfilment (or would like to), whether a retail environment or a mini lab. Again the printer features a 2.64-inch PrecisionCore MicroFTP print head, compact footprint for space constrained environments, convenient front operation, and uses six colour UltraChrome inks (although this time they’re of the ‘PRO6’ variety). Further features include dual roll operation, builtin take-up reel for roll-to-roll printing,
Bringing out the big guns... Epson’s six ink wide format printer is geared towards expanding your personalised photo products business and boosting your bottom line
“Get in touch with the DPS Group if you’d like a sneak preview of the capabilities of Epson’s new ‘P’ series wide format printer, which we believe really will make a difference to your productivity and bottom line.” DPS Group MD Maneesh Patel easy automatic roll loading plus optional adjustable production stackers. Significant increases in print speed versus previous 8 or 10 colour devices are expected. The ‘P’ family machine has been introduced, says Epson, in part due to print service providers producing more personalised photo products, including décor and graphic art, while, in tandem it has spotted a rising need for both higher quality and higher productivity at lower costs. As ever, the message from DPS Group MD Maneesh Patel is: “Get in touch with the DPS Group if you’d like a sneak preview of the capabilities of Epson’s new ‘P’ series wide format printer, which we believe really will make a difference to your productivity and bottom line.” Interested parties are strongly advised to get in touch NOW about Epson’s new ‘P’ series printer via sales@dpsb.co.uk or by calling 020 8466 7230. www.thedpsgroup.co.uk www.dpsb.co.uk
Epson SureColor P8500D at a glance High volume wide format 44-inch printer meeting the increasing demand for personalised photo products, including décor and graphic art Delivers higher quality and higher productivity at a lower cost Significant increase in print speed compared with previous 8 or 10 colour ink devices Utilises six colour inks, including a new grey ink Features a 2.64-inch PrecisionCore MicroFTP print head Offers dual roll operation, built-in take-up reel for rollto-roll printing, easy automatic roll loading plus optional adjustable production stackers Compact footprint for space constrained environments
Go big on print in 2021. Contact the DPS Group about Epson’s ‘P’ series printer on 020 8466 7230 or email sales@dpsb.co.uk @bpi_news
BPI News | July / August 2021 17
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‘SCOPE’ TO WIN FRESH CUSTOM Along with binoculars, video and audio products, the pandemic has seen a rise in interest in telescopes and their typically more compact brethren, the spotting scope. Here are some current options worth scoping out and adding to stock
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hroughout these past 16 months, it seems we’ve all been seeking distraction and escape – even if that’s only via our personal outlook. We covered the boom in demand for binoculars in April/May’s edition; this time we’re focusing on spotting scopes – a product that any camera shop will find complementary to its core stock, especially as many of the same brands and manufacturers are involved. A case ably illustrated by the Nikon Fieldscope ED50, which offers one of the best balances of specification, size and performance we’ve come across. It makes for a good travel scope option, with its manageable 455g weight allowing for handheld use. While the fact that a optional eyepiece costing as much as the scope itself needs to be purchased to actually use it, at least this offers retailers the advantage of making an additional sale. We had the 13-40x MC II Zoom Eyepiece to try out with ours – providing the ability to increase magnification on our particular device from, yes, 13x to 40x. Here the ‘50’ in the model name refers to its 50mm lens while the ‘ED’ prefix references the Extra-low Dispersion glass used in its construction. Factor in a degree of weather-proofing and a nitrogen purged construction to prevent fogging and we have a capable contender not much bigger than your average pair of binos that will offer greater magnification as well as sharply defined subjects. A relatively value-for-money alternative is the Bushnell Prime 20-60x65 spotting scope, where the ‘65’ refers to the size of its objective lens in mm and the 20-60x its magnification capability. The pitch here is a premium build at an affordable price – and it helpfully comes with a 45° angled eyepiece out of the box, as well as a small travel tripod and car window mount to provide setup options. Designed for use in the great outdoors its features include the essentials of anti fogging and water resistance. Like the Nikon, this Bushnell scope includes Extra-low Dispersion glass, plus, here, Bak-4 prisms, theoretically allowing for a brighter image. It is much weightier than the Nikon however at 1Kg, so this isn’t really an option for prolonged use handheld. Though views through this scope aren’t as sharp as higher-
NIKON FIELDSCOPE ED50
BUSHNELL PRIME 20-60X65
ZEISS CONQUEST GAVIA 85 SCOPE
LEICA APO-TELEVID 82
priced top-dog alternatives from Zeiss or Leica either, what your customers get here is plenty of ‘bang’ for their buck. Talking of which, the Zeiss Conquest Gavia 85 scope, resembling a super-sized riflescope to the uninitiated, delivers an unrivalled degree of detail for nature lovers looking to bring the faraway close. But it does so at a price. Still, the features are impressive, including a whopping 85mm objective lens. Added to this, we get a magnification range up to 60x and a nitrogen-filled fog proofed construction to withstand whatever the outdoors chooses to throw at it. The manageable weight and ergonomics of the Zeiss Conquest Gavia 85 mean that it can be held in the palm. But for prolonged use a tripod is much more preferable, so here is an opportunity to make an extra accessory sale to your customers. Performance wise, alongside the Leica offering this one is the best of the bunch. The combination of HD lens system and class-leading Zeiss T* lens coating, is,
at times, so sharp it is almost a little overwhelming – like the equivalent of flicking from a Full HD image to viewing one in 4K. It’s that good. Our final recommendation, the Leica APO-Televid 82, is another premium look and feel scope for nature and low light observation – the latter thanks to its huge 82mm objective lens, with a 45° angled eyepiece providing the opportunity to vary magnification between 25-50x. The impressive features once again come with a large price tag, but this German crafted precision device delivers a sturdy build, razor sharp close ups from a distance, a large field of view and more unusually still, not one but two focus wheels; for both ‘rough’ and ‘fine’ tuning of image sharpness. Should your photographer customers want to attach a camera to indulge in digiscoping, an optional adapter is available from Leica. Likewise optional is a padded outer jacket, or case, to protect the unit against accidental bumps and scratches, which at this outlay is very sensible indeed.
Looking further to find possible sales: Spotting scopes, available from a host of manufacturers already operating in the market of cameras and optics, are a complementary product to add to stock while expanding your customer base
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BPI News | July / August 2021 19
Business Advice
CRY FREEDOM With the publication of this issue coinciding with the removal of restrictions we’ve been living under since March 2020 and a heatwave to boot, we take a look at the stats to try and predict how this summer will pan out for the photo trade – and how we all might best equip ourselves…
W
ith a shortage of truckers and delivery drivers (not to mention additional duties to be paid on goods crossing into or out of the EU) being one of the latest totally predictable effects of Brexit and pandemic combining, will e-commerce continue to be the savior of beleaguered retailers and manufacturers? With the Office for National Statistics (ONS) reporting that household spending dropped 11% in the first quarter of 2021, compared with the same period last year, without online sales being factored in this drop would have been by well over 20%. Spending was also 4.6% down overall on the final quarter of 2020. The positives are that, thanks to
technology, we are much better equipped to deal with the challenges facing retailers and manufacturers than we would have been had a pandemic on this scale hit back in the 1980s or 90s. Then, there wouldn’t have been the infrastructure for businesses to continue trading and weather the storm and many more would have gone under. Plus, the lack of spending in the first part of the year has led experts to predict – fancifully or not – that households have built up a reserve of cash that they will be all too happy to spend this ‘stay-cation’ summer; especially with the ending of all Covid-19 restrictions (rightly or wrongly) in the UK this July 19th. Whether said reserves will be spent on new cameras, lenses and accessories, as
opposed to beachwear and barbecue food, remains to be seen. Traditionally local high streets will have been quieter than usual at this time of year as the sun tempts people further afield, but as we’re still dealing with unprecedented times, how it pans out for us all is still, in truth, a bit of a punt.
NO GOING BACK What surveys by the likes of ParcelHero do seem to suggest, however, is that twothirds of Brits say they won’t return to their pre-pandemic shopping habits, meaning that, supply and demand issues aside, e-commerce is still likely to remain in comparable growth for some time to
Got your own ideas about how the photo industry can counter the challenges arising from the pandemic, 20 July / August 2021 | BPI News
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Business Advice Feature have to isolate if one member of the team goes down. A lot of junior staff members in our trade are likely to be in the 1824 age bracket, who may not have yet requested a first dose, let alone received a second one. Therefore caution as well as cleanliness is sure to remain imperative for some time to come not only this summer, but well into the autumn.
MULTI CHANNEL = MORE SALES? While media commentators have suggested that ‘freedom day’ is/was blatantly more about propping up the economy than preserving lives, rising case numbers could also still knock the high street for six, just when the government is seeking to help it. As throughout the past 16 months, the advice for businesses continues to be to balance the risks by continuing to adopt the ‘bricks and clicks’ multi platform / omni-channel sales approach, in order that however the customer chooses to interact with your business and your products, there is no barrier placed in the way of making a sale – other than the inevitable and very real barriers posed by the perfect storm of Covid-19 and quitting the EU. Of course the photo industry needs exciting product to tempt customers to step into shops, or land on web pages in the first instance. A recent think piece by one of our fellow publishers suggested that while it may look like camera sales are flat or in decline, the issue was more one of supply problems rather than a lack of demand. Hopefully the former come. The abolition of mandatory mask wearing in shops – now merely advisable, as opposed to being dictated by law – may also do as much harm as good. Those same two-thirds are more comfortable with mask wearing and social distancing measures being retained, especially with cases of Coronavirus back on the rise due to the prevalence of several new(ish) variants. Industrywatcher GfK was reporting as we went to press that consumer confidence had stalled in June as cases grew, ending a previously sustained period of growth. In fact, reports suggest that the number of high street shoppers for June 2021 was down a whopping 27.2% compared to June 2019. By contrast courier service ParcelHero claims its home delivery and parcel volumes grew by 7%. Retailers including the specialists who make up a chunk of BPI News’ readership will also be concerned about the threat of staff being ‘pinged’ by the NHS Track & Trace app and told to self isolate. At
The positives include that, thanks to technology, we are much better equipped to deal with the challenges facing retailers and manufacturers than we would have been had a pandemic on this scale hit back in the 1980s or 90s…” the time of writing it was being reported that over half a million Brits had received the dreaded notification of having been in contact with a positive Covid-19 case, and were therefore themselves off-work and self isolating (the working from home advice also having been abandoned by the government on July 19th). In fact the British Independent Retailers Association (BIRA) has urged the government to issue greater support for independent retailers who are forced to close if staff are off ill as a result of the ending of Coronavirus measures. Practically speaking, all staff working in a small, often shoulder-to-shoulder retail environment such as the typical camera shop or high street minilab are likely to
is temporary and we can therefore look forward to brighter days if the latter is true. While we may have had to wait a bit longer to get kit in our hands, the announcements haven’t stopped, as a quick flick through our news pages ably reveals, even if there does seem to have been an uptick in the number of ‘development announcements’ as opposed to concrete detail of when exactly something will land. As ever, if your business has done particularly well out of (or during) the pandemic, or you just have comments on the state of play at present for the photo industry, we’d love to hear from you. Do get in touch via the regular info@bpinews.co.uk
or care to share what’s working for you (without giving away trade secrets)? Then do get in touch direct via info@bpinews.co.uk @bpi_news
BPI News | July / August 2021 21
News
A ‘HEADS’ MOUTH-WATERING UP ABOUT PHOTOGRAPHY TO PUT YOU IN THE PINK VANGUARD Got foodies and gourmands among your customer base, wanting to flex their photographic skills as well as engage those gastric juices? Alert them to the fact that entries have opened for the 2022 Pink Lady Food Photographer of the Year competition – the annual celebration of the diversity of ways in which food touches our lives. And with over 25 categories to choose from, it does resemble a veritable feast (sample image by Lynsey Cooper, a 2021 finalist, right, and from Joseph P Smith, below). This year’s judging panel is led by renowned food photographer David Loftus, who reveals: “Every year, more amateurs and professionals, young and old, compete against each other anonymously, making it truly universal and democratic, anyone with a talent can win. What is really wonderful is the ever-increasing breadth of imagery, from still life to landscape, interior to portraiture, the macro to the immense, intimate street photography to epic drone images, the scope becomes greater year by year.” Next year sees the Awards expanding to include Regional Awards as an additional celebration of winners from around the world. Plus the 2022 winner of The Claire Aho Award for Women Photographer, launched last year in memory of Finland’s greatest woman photographer, will receive an exclusive trip to Finland courtesy of Visit Finland. Those wishing to enter the 2022 competition should visit: www.pinkladyfoodphotographeroftheyear.com
Tripod and related accessories specialist Vanguard has been in touch to tell us that it has introduced a new VEO BH-160S Arca compatible Dual Axis Ball Head (previously available with its launch of the VEO 3T+) to its VEO 3+ series. It claims that this still delivers a maximum load capacity of 15Kg and all the benefits of the VEO 3+ tripod, but with the ability to frame a shot more easily using the new dual axis head. The VEO 3+ 263AB 160S comes in aluminium at £249.99 SRP, or there’s a choice of the carbon VEO 3+ 263CB 160S at £319.99 SRP. Alternatively, as Vanguard acknowledges that not everyone wants a tripod kit – and may possess their own favourite head already – it’s launched the VEO 3+ as a tripodonly offering. Suggested retail for the VEO 3+ 263AT in aluminium is £179.99 or it’s £249.99 for the VEO 3+ 263CT in carbon. www.vanguardworld.co.uk
Which photo & video kit deserves ‘Hall of Fame’ recognition? MPB, which claims to be the world’s largest online platform for used photo and video kit, is hosting the Photo and Video Kit Hall of Fame 2021, with nominees selected by what it claims is MPB’s global committee of globally renowned journalists, photographers and videographers. The nominees, of which there are 25 in total, said to cover the most loved and highly regarded pieces of kit in the digital era, sit across five categories, with it being left up to the public to decide which pieces of kit will be inducted into the class of 2021. Apparently this year’s shortlists show Sony and Nikon to be the manufacturers with the highest representation among the nominations, taking the crown from Canon in 2020. Fujifilm
and Olympus make a strong return to the Trendsetter category, MPB tells us, with Sony
firmly embedded as a Game Changer. At the time of writing, interested parties could vote in the Photo and Video Kit Hall of Fame by visiting kithalloffame.com – with voting closing August 6th and the winners announced on World Photography Day August 19th, 2021. As extra incentive, all voters will be in with a chance of winning the iconic inductee for 2020 – the Hasselblad 500CM with Zeiss Planar C 80mm f/2.8 lens in excellent or better condition – plus a video consultation with an MPB expert. Three runner-up prizes of £500 were also up for grabs. www.mpb.com
BPI News is your mouthpiece to the photo trade, so use it! Send your press releases and news items direct to: info@bpinews.co.uk 22 July / August 2021 | BPI News
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