Pixel Magazine 27th March 2012

ISSUE NO. 869

© THE MAGAZINE THAT UNDERSTANDS THE WORLD OF IMAGING, PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE

THE INSIDER

Is Focus on Imaging targeting the right part of the industry?

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THE NEWS

Movers, shakers, decision makers plus all the news 3-10 that’s fit to print THE BIG INTERVIEW

Discussing the analogue future with specialist disributors Incognito

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THE BUSINESS

The views, facts and figures shaping imaging retail today

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THE NEW WORLD OF IMAGING

The technology you can’t afford to ignore, which is expanding our retail world

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LAUNCH PAD

The latest imaging products launched that you should not miss

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INPRINT

Every issue we bring you an essential update from the 14 printing frontline BEHIND THE COUNTER

If you’re hands on in retail we make sure that you are 14 kept up to date and informed

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26/03/2012

THE RESURRECTION OF ANALOGUE Old favourites are inspiring new sales as analogue photography enters another golden age.

Whilst experienced photographers enjoy a wander down memory lane to the glory days of analogue, a whle new generation of photographers are discovering a love for film thanks to a definite resurgence of all things retro.

The news of Ilford’s thousandth pinhole camera sale at Focus paved the way for a flood of analoguerelated news and comments which indicate the opportunities this trend could offer for imaging retailers. We spoke to Incognito, Uk distributors of Lomography and Impossible Project, to find out how these products are influencing the market in our Big Interview on page 4 and of course, our Insider has a unique view on the rebirth of analogue photography, which you can read on page 3.

The Great Content Shift at NAB Will NAB be the next set of initials to shape our industry?

The NAB Show, held April 14-19 in Las Vegas, is the world’s largest electronic media show covering filmed entertainment and the development, management and delivery of content across all mediums. With more than 90,000 attendees from 151 countries and over 1,500 exhibitors, NAB Show is the ultimate marketplace for digital media and entertainment. From creation to consumption, across multiple platforms and countless nationalities, the NAB Show is home to the solutions that transcend traditional broadcasting and embrace content delivery to new screens in new ways. A strong presence from imaging brands including (but not limited to) Canon, Zacuto, Panasonic, Manfrotto and Samsung indicates that NAB may be the show to watch for major imaging product releases in the future.

“As the world’s largest media and entertainment event, NAB Show draws attendees and exhibitors from all corners of the globe,” said NAB Executive Vice President Chris Brown.

Crowds entering NAB 2011

New on the exhibit floor this year are the StartUp Loft, a showcase for new companies, and the Content Market, a central place to unite programming executives with digital distribution platforms, featuring the Content Lounge and the popular Content Theater.

In the Central Hall, the new Cloud Computing Pavilion will offer the latest in cloud applications. www.nabshow.com.

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THE INSIDER

Saying what you are thinking and asking the difficult questions. Each issue ‘The Insider’ reports back from the frontline of our industry.

Those of you who were at Focus on Imaging a couple of weeks ago may well have noticed what I noticed. If you did, then what I am about to talk about will not come as a surprise, it will come I hope as a confirmation.

For those who have no idea what I am going on about, well then what I am about to talk about may come as a revelation.

Enough of these confusing word games I hear you say, just get on with it! OK! I will, I’m talking about the return in interest in an old friend to many of us and that old friend goes by the name of analogue. I’m talking about a renewed interest in the mystical, chemical, heavy metal bodied, large format, pin-holed magic of photography.

The manual focused, light reading excitement of not knowing what your images look like until they have been developed.

Those purveyors of all things well priced and long off sale but warmly remembered, The Disabled Photographers (an extremely worthy and hard working charity, www.disabledphotographers.co.uk) had a stand at Focus, which was absolutely mobbed through out the show, with eager analogue enthusiasts searching for a bargain or long lost piece of kit.

The Ilford stand featured a new 5” x 4” pinhole camera prototype and their rapid selling 6” x 7” pinhole starter pack (they sold their 1,000th unit at Focus, I’m told) and they seemed to be selling old school printer paper at an alarming rate. That stalwart of the darkroom Patterson were also at Focus and are selling more developing tanks than they have for years, in fact they have even had to reassess their production workflow to meet demand.

Why such a passion for the past? I think it’s because the digital perfection of the modern day camera seems to be turning many back to the much loved imperfections and personal involvement with photography, which they have missed or never experienced. Digital natives (those born since the arrival of the internet) are going analogue too thanks to the colleges and universities promoting the importance of the old ways in photography. Ahh, I can almost smell the dev and fix!

This resurgence in analogue is not confined to one large hall in Birmingham in March, however.

You only have to spend a short time scanning the vintage camera section of ebay to see how analogue cameras are finding a new and engaged audience who are willing to pay ever rising prices. The days when ebay was filled with cameras being sold at give away prices have well and truly gone. Whether they are going to dealers who have wised up to this new market or not is hard to say, but I have my suspicions.

Either way it’s a growth area in camera sales and for that we should be grateful.

Of course this resurgence is not going to rival the current digital camera market (although how many recent launches have been promoted on

Grays of Westminster

their retro feel?) but it is worth noting and looking into. I have noticed a number of independent high street camera shops on my travels dipping their toe into second hand sales through a dedicated glass cabinet or two and those who have positioned themselves as second hand specialists are finding themselves with higher profiles than they have had for many years.

You only have to look at the consistently high standard and expertise of Gray Levett at Grays of Westminster to see how a consistentl specialist and authorative approach to camera retail can work. He’s created a destination retail experience that people will travel to, as has have the people behind Arundel Photographica in West Sussex and the people at Camera Café just by the British Museum (see page 7 for an interview with these innovative retailers). I’m sure that there are more of you out there adopting this approach and I apologise for not mentioning you by name.

In short ever since I started to write this column I have strongly advocated for both manufacturers and retailers to reclaim the magic of photography, the excitement of creating images. My fear has long been that our industry had and has lost the understanding of why people buy cameras in pursuit of unit sales, new launches and technical advancement. This rebirth of analogue interest I believe supports my view that we have forgotten to talk with the enthusiast customer rather than to them. They love photography and all it means and they are giving us a strong indication as to how we should sell to them. Now it’s up to you as to whether or not you listen.

FOCUS

News 1000th Ilford Pinhole Camera Sold at Focus Harman have sold the 1000th Ilford Pinhole camera at Focus on Imaging to Jackie MacRae, who is studying for a Masters in Art & Design at Loughborough University.

Steven Brierley, Director of Sales and Marketing at Harman said, “We are delighted at the interest that has been created with the Pinhole The 1000th Pinhole Customer Camera, and to hit the 1000th sale so soon is very rewarding. Sales are way ahead of our expectations. We are continuing to get enquiries from all around the world, and are doing everything possible to complete all orders as quickly as possible”.

A prototype camera was shown at Focus last year and received huge interest from schools and colleges, as well as existing pinhole photographers. The Harman Titan Pinhole Camera has been designed in conjunction with, and manufactured in the UK by Walker Cameras who are well known for their range of Titan large format film cameras. www.ilfordphoto.com.

25th Anniversary of EOS This month, Canon celebrates 25 years of the iconic EOS System.

Canon’s EOS system made its debut in March 1987 with the launch of the EOS 650 SLR camera and three interchangeable EF lenses, including the EF 35-70mm f/3.5-4.5. T lens.

Standing for “Electro Optical System” while also carrying the name of the Greek goddess of the dawn, the EOS series was the world’s first fully electronic mount system, representing a new generation of AF SLR cameras.

With the recent launch of the Cinema EOS System of professional digital cinematography products, Canon’s EOS system now supports motion picture production and other high-end video capture applications.

Canon also announced that its flagship professional Digital SLR, the EOS-1D X, will be available to buy from the end of April. www.canon.co.uk

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UNDER DEVELOPMENT The fashion for analogue and analogue-style photography is taking the UK by storm and could offer a world of opportunity for the imaging retail market. Who could be better placed to comment than UK distributors of Lomography and Impossible Project products, Incognito?

Gina Hewitt, Account Manager Incognito

So let’s begin with the obvious. What products are you seeing an increase in demand for at the moment?

The analogue products we distribute, including Lomography cameras and Impossible Project film, are really benefitting from the current trend for traditional and experimental photography.

As the popularity of Impossible Project instant camera film grows, we are helping to build a community of retailers and users that are rediscovering the joy of Polaroid cameras and instant analogue photography.

We are also seeing unique digital products such as the Superheadz Harinazumi capture the imagination of people who are looking for digital equipment that produces analogue inspired results. This tiny still and video camera has a real ‘Super 8’ quality - the images aren’t pin sharp and the slow frame speed gives movies a dream like view. Some of the other Japanese cameras just strip away all the extra features

Photographer: Thomas Wright Using: Impossible Project Polaroid film

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that can make digital photography too featureheavy and put those users who want a very simple, natural-feeling photography experience off. The Wide and Slim for example, which is completely inspired by the Vivitar Ultra Wide, is so simple, but it takes great images - really vivid colour contrasts and beautiful vignettes. This is something which is increasingly appealing to enthusiastic photographers.

Why do you think this trend has come about?

It’s a product of the digital age we live in, and the natural urge for those with an artistic flair, such as photographers, to want to go against the grain and consider options other than what everyone else is doing.

Over the last decade, as digital camera and smartphone ownership has reached mainstream saturation, we hear our customers have found that analogue and so called ‘toy’ cameras offer a more romantic, fun and experimental way to record memories and images. The retro styling of many of the camera products are much more fun to hold, use and own, becoming a fashion statement in their own right in many cases. Many people think that the bright colours and plastic feel of the cameras itself hold lots of appeal but I feel that the fact you can understand the process of analogue photography much easier than digital is also a factor. By loading the film yourself, and being able to see inside the camera you feel much more responsible for the fantastic effects you are able to achieve and that you have more obvious control over the results.

Do you believe the brands you handle have contributed to this trend?

I believe they’ve helped fulfil consumers’ desires, certainly.

Lomography, the brand, did a fantastic job at making analogue cool and fun again after a period of relative quiet whilst digital cameras ruled. The energy they injected into the market created a cult status around plastic cameras and analogue photography products which is still very strong.

In turn, Impossible Project were able to rescue an artform that people were, and still are, very passionate about. Polaroid camera users were really concerned when it appeared that there would be no more film for them... you only had to look at the prices Polaroid film was selling for on eBay during that time to see how valid the market still was, so it proves that rarity,

unique characteristics and physical results are all very desirable traits in a world full of mass consumer culture. Heavily photoshopped imagery surrounds us, so many enthusiastic photographers feel that it’s great to be part of something that provides an alternative to this.

People still want tangible reminders of images they have recorded, it’s sad when things are locked away on a hard drive, which in itself

“There are so many happy accidents with the photography products we sell... I think that’s what customers like the most.” has been a major cause of concern for the photographic trade. For those consumers who are aware of this, reverting to or sticking with analogue photography is a desirable trend.

Creativity will always be cool. Brands like Impossible Project and Superheadz value this at their core and provide affordable tools for people to be able to express themselves.

To what extent do you see digital technologies having an influence on the analogue market?

From using phone apps such as Instagram and Hipstamatic, young photographers have discovered an alternative to the crisp images produced by digital cameras’ automatic settings.

The growth in popularity of in-camera filter effects has also shown consumers what can be done, and they understand that to explore these effects outside of a quick press of a filter button they can pick up an affordable analogue or instant camera.

Are any other trends which contribute to the popularity of analogue photography?

I suppose generally, analogue photography products from Impossible, Superheadz and Lomography reflect the wider fashion trend of retro and vintage style. You see analogue cameras in so many fashion editorial shoots it can sometimes be seen as just another fashion accessory.

THE BIG INTERVIEW

Photographer: Thomas Wright Using: Wide and Slim

That said, I believe the main motivation is far less superficial than that. To hold a developed image that you have created, to know that you captured a moment in a way that pleases and excites you is a real pleasure. There are so many happy accidents with many of the photography products that we sell - I think that’s what customers like the most.

How are you aiming to cater for these trends and areas of growth?

We work closely with our suppliers all the time to identify new and exciting products.

Sometimes it’s difficult to be able to wholesale new products as smaller companies prefer to trade directly, rather than sell in bulk to a bigger company. We cannot pass on prohibitive prices to our customers so there are some products that, although I would love to sell it’s just not financially possible.

The suppliers that we work with understand that we have the contacts and the expertise to introduce their products to a wide range of retailers, who in turn can connect with the consumers that are driving these trends.

How can retailers make the most of opportunities offered to them by current trends?

It sometimes helps to have a salesperson with a bit of expertise. The places where Impossible Project film does really well, for example, is where the staff are passionate about the product and explain the nuances of the format to the customer.

We try to enthuse our retailers as much as possible and provide advice to get them started with the film and vintage cameras. Impossible works really well for most retailers because it is a repeat purchase: Once a local instant fan has found a reliable supplier they come back again and again for their consumables, which is another beauty of analogue photography that it would be a tragedy to lose.

I think retailers need to be open minded about the possibilities of these niche analogue products. We try to offer flexible terms and let retailers experiment with the kind of products that are available - there are so many types of camera to choose from, retailers need to find out what can work for their area and their market. We can make suggestions and put together starter packs containing a selection of colours and these always work really well.

How does analogue photography fit in with today’s digital lifestyle?

There are a number of hybrid products on the market that really excite me. The ‘holy grail’ for me, personally, would be to develop an analogue style camera that is fully connected to the Cloud so that I could save digital images but you could also print from the camera, instantly. I think there’d be a huge and enthusiastic market for a product like that, we just need someone to make it!

People who have fallen in love with analogue photography still want to share their images digitally and conversely iPhoneographers want to get prints and other items made with their

Photographer: Gina Hewitt Using: Wide and Slim

images. Services that enable both of these functions are gaining popularity. I was amazed the other day when I couldn’t print a picture from my iPhone in Jessops, but I believe they have recently introduced a service to facilitate this.

Other retailers need to be following suit because it’s something connected consumers will expect to be able to do.

Do you think manufacturers will continue to support analogue photographers?

Some certainly willl. Hybrid technology is an area which will definitely attract investment, and brands like Impossible Project are continuing to develop products that will allow users to keep using and enjoyng their old analogue products.

Impossible Project are currently working on hardware such as flashes for outdated models and there are strong hopes in the industry that they will bring out their own camera model. In any case, it’s a very exciting area of the industry. www.incognito-uk.co.uk

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THE BUSINESS

Food for Thought

Cameras and coffee may seem an unlikely mix, but it’s working for the Camera Cafe! Pixel finds out how succcessful diversification can provide a new lease of life for a business.

“It’s a camera shop, no, it’s a coffee shop, no, it’s a camera-cum-coffee shop.... Basically it’s just awesome.” They are the words of a Yelp reviewer named Lizzie G who stumbled across Aperture, the Camera Cafe, on a day out in London.

The owners say that as far as they know, the Camera Cafe, which nestles near the British Museum and close to Tottenham Court Road and Holborn tube stations, is the first and perhaps only venue of its kind, offering a unique mix of specialist photographic retail and a cool urban cafe.

“The Museum Street store opened in 1999 as a coffee shop,” explains owner Adrian Tang, “and it was struggling with bills for a couple of years so my brother, Patrick, started selling cameras from his own collection of cameras at first as well as keeping the coffee shop, which he loved. Somehow, things got better, which I think was mainly due to our unique concept and regular customers started to build up, many of whom still visit.”

The Camera Cafe’s fans vary between photographic professionals who have stopped for a cup of coffee, photographic fans who enjoy the novel environment in which to sit down for a drink and coffee lovers drawn by a comprehensive menu and interesting concept. In addition to cameras and coffee, Aperture’s cafe offers free WiFi access - very popular with its student fans - and a function room that can be used for meetings, board games and even short film screenings. The cafe serves a selection of healthy and indulgent foods, sandwiches, stir fries, gluten free cakes and other treats for those who might be sitting down to consider a big ticket camera purchase or possibly just pondering a muffin.

Also on the menu are Aperture’s range of Nikon, Canon, Hasselblad and Leica plus other medium and large format cameras, high end consumer cameras and accessories. They offer a mail order service and everything you’d expect of a high end camera shop with the addition of cafe facilities which have proved to be a worthwhile business in their own right.

So does the unusual and perhaps unlikely

combination of cameras and coffee work?

Independent reviews on the internet say yes, particularly in this busy, artistic and creative area of London. In a time at which consumers are considering every purchase so carefully and weighing each ticket price against offers they can find on the internet, anything which offers

“We were struggling with bills so my brother started selling cameras from his own collection...” customers a reason to come into store and adds to their shopping experience is surely to be considered a good business move. The location of Aperture’s Camera Cafe, so close to the city’s museum district, makes it the ideal place for those interested in arts and culture to sit and enjoy a drink and a bite to eat in an environment other than the generic mass coffee chains and franchises that populate so much of London.

“I love this weird amalgamation of concepts

The Camera Cafe, Photograph Via Wcities

The Camera Cafe, Photograph Via Qype

one would not ordinarily put together,” agreed a Yelp user who gave the Camera Cafe a five star review. “The day Camera Café was brought into existence was no ordinary day... on this day, a camera shop and a café rolled themselves into one and created this wonderful place.”

The cafe angle is not only an innovative way to attract and keep custmers in store so that they can be targeted with specialist camera sales.

In reality, this kind of diversification may provide a welcome lift and even a necessary lifeline to a business that would otherwise be dependent on big ticket sales, sometimes at low margins, and which has the majority of its cashflow tied up in stock. It’s a formula that has worked for Adrian and Patrick Tang, who have just opened a second branch.

“Recently we opened a second shop at 27 Rathbone Place,” explains Adrian. “It has a little tea room called aperture tea room at the back. At the moment all the Nikon and Canon equipment are at 44 Museum Street, and the Leica and Hassellblad equipment are sold at the new shop. We have also introduced new services such as 35mm and 120 colour film processing, scanning and printing service at the new premises.”

Now, the sales of drinks and the provision of affordable computer hire a means a constant flow of lower value sales to add strength to the core business, much like the sales of cameras once supplemented the cafe’s trade. The new branch is testament to the fact the recipe works! www.cameracafe.co.uk

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THE BUSINESS

VAT Loophole WILL Close

Channel Islands lose appeal against Government decision to end Low Value Consignment Relief from April 2012.

The Government’s decision to close the Channel Islands VAT loophole as of April 2012 has been upheld following a judicial review.

The review was initiated by the Governments of Jersey and Guernsey, which claim that closing the Low Value Consignment Relief (LVCR) loophole on 1 April 2012 as proposed would be discriminatory and illegal.

“This tax loophole, accessible only by large companies with the resources to move off-shore precisely with the purpose of avoiding VAT, is both anti-competitive and tax abuse - the Government has done the right thing in finally closing it,” said the Forum of Private Business’ Senior Policy Adviser Alex Jackman.

“The abuse of Low Value Consignment Relief has been a major factor in the rapid decline in small high street shops. Closing the VAT loophole is essential to create a better tax system that is fair and proportional.”

A spokesperson from the pressure group Retailers Against VAT Abuse Schemes (RAVAS), Richard Allen said: “The long-term abuse has destroyed many UK businesses which, other than for the lack of a 20% trading advantage, would have been viable operations giving people

jobs and generating tax revenue in the UK. “While we have sympathy for the effect on employment in the Channel Islands, it is for the people of the Islands to question their representatives as to how they could allow an industry that was based on the abuse of tax to become so important to their economy.”

LVCR was created almost 30 years ago as an administrative relief for perishable goods sent by post. However, in the past decade many large companies have moved operations off-shore in order to exploit it, undercutting smaller retailers unable to compete on price Best known in relation to CDs and DVDs, a wide range of products purchased and imported from outside the EU for less than £15 qualify as VAT exempt under LVCR. Often, multiple goods orders are broken down to individual packages in order to exploit it. Abuse of the loophole involves a process known as ‘circular shipping’ exporting goods to the Channel Islands in order to re-import them to UK customers VAT-free.

According to Treasury estimates the loophole costs £110m a year in lost tax – but industry insiders believe the real figure is much higher. www.hmrc.co.uk

Just the Tablet As the tablet market continues to perform well, with global consumer sales exceeding 60 million units last year, Futuresource Consulting explores the current landscape and the potential impact of tablets on the technology marketplace.

Less than two years after the segment was established by the launch of the iPad, tablets are now clearly demonstrating an upsurge in consumer approval and uptake. As prices have started to drop to a level that makes them a discretionary purchase or premium gift, the market continues to open up. By 2016, global shipments will exceed 185 million and more than 30% of consumers across the USA and other advanced markets will own a tablet device.

The USA continues to lead the way in tablet adoption, with an installed base of nearly 37 million devices at the end of 2011. Europe has seen a slower uptake, with an installed base of nearly 18 million at the end of 2011, though this still represents over 350% year-on-year growth.

Although tablets have some additive effect on sales and are being purchased alongside conventional PCs and Macs (70% of iPad owners say they still have another primary computer), there has been cannibalisation of the netbook market, which will intensify as prices continue to fall. Longer term, the market will

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evolve to include Ultrabooks (small, lightweight, high power netbooks with extended battery life) and hybrid netbook devices featuring detachable or foldable touchscreens so they can be used as tablets.

Futuresource carries out a regular programme of consumer research, Living with Digital, which shows that the devices have quickly taken on a mainstream role for applications like e-mail, web browsing, Facebook and Twitter. In particular, the 9-inch to 10-inch screen size is ideal for web browsing, video and photo viewing and news page presentation, with the multi-touch screen allowing users to scan, zoom, drill down, or roll video and audio clips.

Responses from tablet owners and prospective buyers also showed a high degree of interest in music, video and gaming, as well as indicating that tablet owners use their devices for 2.5 hours a day, compared to just over one hour of internet usage among the general population.

For more information, please call Jim Bottoms on 01582 500 100, jimbottoms@futuresource-hq.com www.futuresource-consulting.com

News Kodak Confirms Immediate Price Increases Kodak are making a number of changes to their range of analogue films during the company Discontinued Ektachrome E100G film restructure.

Recently it was announced that Kodak would be discontinuing its range of colour reversal films, which affects the Kodak Professional Ektachrome E100G, Kodak Professional Ektachrome E100VS Film and Kodak Professional Elite Chrome Extra Color 100 films.

Since this news, Kodak have revealed that they will be increasing prices acoss the remaining range of professional and consumer films to protect the business against rising manufacturing costs and lower sales volumes.

The price rises, which a Kodak spokesperson has said will be around fifteen per cent, are being introduced with immediate effect for retailers although it may be several weeks before consumers begin to see the difference. www.kodak.com

Changes to Infocomm Audiovisual program InfoComm International is changing the name of its program designed to recognise companies that invest in certification and education for its employees.

The Audiovisual Solutions Provider program has changed its name back to the Certified Audiovisual Solutions Provider program.

“In addition to new logos, there will be a greater marketing investment and a new Performance Checklist that companies can elect to use,” says Duffy Wilbert, InfoComm International.

The checklist is intended to provide a comprehensive test to determine if the audiovisual system achieves the client’s needs and that the system performs in accordance with the best practices of the industry. By providing this list to the audiovisual industry, InfoComm is establishing a set of guidelines to help industry professionals and their clients communicate effectively about their expectations for system performance.

For more information visit infocomm. org/cavsp.

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THE NEW WORLD OF IMAGING

THE RUMOUR The Rumour is a round up of gossip and hints currently circulating the internet. The views here are not necessarily those of Pixel Magazine and have not been communicated through official channels, they are simply things we have heard from those who may know!

Rumour has it that... Leica’s upcoming M-series camera may feature a sensor that can only capture black and white photographs. Apparently, there is also to be no LCD display on the back, reiniscent of a similar B&W back by Phase One. Leica Rumours believe it will be a hit with nostalgic traditional photographers.... with a large budget!

Via Leica Rumours Rumour has it that... Fujifilm will be bringing out a modified sensor that will fix the white disc sensor blooming issue which has been a problem for some Finepix cameras. Fujifilm’s statement said that new firmware for the X-S1 will be released on March 21st, and the sensor will be available from late May 2012 although it’s not clear whether it will only be available in new cameras.

Via PhotoRumors Rumour has it that... a high megapixel (over 35MP) camera from Canon is on the way and could be announced before the end of the year. Some have suggested that this will be the same model as the upcoming 4K DSLR, and that it might even be announced at NAB. Time will tell which combination of these rumours - if any! - will turn out to be true.

Via Canon Rumours Rumour has it that... more brands may be working on cameras powered by the Android operating system. Samsung and Panasonic are both rumoured to be exploring the option in order to open up camera features to third party developers for apps, publishing features and other popular smartphone options.

Via PetaPixel Rumour has it that... top app Instagram will soon be available for Andriod platforms. The app is enormously popular with iOS users and has inspired an enormous community following. Its makers said at the SXSW technology exhibition that the Android version of the app (which wasn’t quite ready for a demonstration) was nearly ready and was “in some ways, better than the iOS app” according to the inventors.

Via Ubergizmo

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The Time is Now

Since the dawn of the Tablet computer, iPad fans have waited patiently for the gadget’s camera to match up to the rest of its specifications.

With the simply named New iPad, they might get their wish.

Amongst a host of improved and new features, iPad users upgrading to the new iPad are looking forward to the device’s improved camera.

The 5-megapixel iSight camera which comes as standard on the tablet features a backside illumination sensor and autofocus, tap to focus, and tap to set exposure functions which make it considerably superior, in the photographic sense, to its predecessor. It also offers built-in face detection that automatically balances focus and exposure on up to ten faces, which is designed to appeal to the iPad’s social user.

In line with the better entry-level compact cameras, the iPad’s camera now offers full 1080p HD video recording with automatic video stabilisation. It also includes an ƒ/2.4 aperture, iPhoto on the iPad

a five element lens and a hybrid infrared filter, which Apple’s marketing is quick to point out “is typically reserved for expensive SLR cameras.”

In the hype over the iPad’s new camera, it might be too easy to overlook the device’s main area of imaging quality, and where it could really be a ‘game changer’ - its display.

With four times more screen pixels than the iPad 2, the new model boasts razor-sharp text and richer colours, provided by technology developed specifically for the device. The “Retina” display features a 2048-by-1536 resolution, 44 percent greater colour saturation, and an astounding 3.1 million pixels in the same 9.7-inch space as previous models. For reference, that’s about a million more pixels than an HD television, which will give iPad users an impressive and desirable experience when viewing their images.

Combined with the capabilities of iPhoto, perhaps the trade should be seeing the iPad’s potential for photo and video editing, rather than the new camera itself, as a source of excitement. www.apple.com

True Colours for Calibre New processing hardware for professional broadcast and AV to enter the UK market.

Calibre UK, designer and manufacturer of high-performance image processing hardware, has appointed True Colours (a technical division of Midwich) to distibute their HQView range throughout the UK market.

The HQView range of processors, switchers, scan convertors offer full image processing support for seamless blending, warping and more. Combining the power of HQV algorithms and expertly designed hardware and firmware from Calibre UK, the HQView range offer stunning image quality and a high degree of flexibility for corporate AV, professional and broadcast applications.

Tim Brooksbank, Chairman at Calibre UK, commented “The UK is a very important market for Calibre UK and it’s wonderful to appoint such a high quality distributor in our home

The True Colours Training Centre

territory! True Colours is very well respected in the marketplace for their specialist systems knowledge, educational programmes and customer support, which will be They are perfectly positioned to offer our HQView product range to the UK market.”

As part of the agreement, True Colours will offer demonstration facilities showcasing both the HQView320 and HQView520 products from Calibre UK at their dedicated training centre in Crowthorne. www.true-colours.net; www.calibreuk.com

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Your Essential Guide to the Latest Launches

Name: Vtec Wide Angle/Macro Kit RRP: TBC Release Date: Immediate Vtec lenses are a simple addition to an iPhone that offers better quality photos.The Wide-Angle and Macro Lens come as one kit, with the Wide-Angle screwing onto the front of the macro lens.

Easy to use and simple to change, each Vtec lens come with a back cover that the lens screws onto, providing extra protection for your phone and convenience for travel. The Vtec iPhone cover is particularly hard-wearing and durable, making it an ideal cover to have on the iPhone, even when there’s no lens screwed on. www.vtec.com

Name: Sony A57 RRP: TBC Release Date: April 2012

Name: Nissin MG8000 RRP: £425 excluding VAT Release Date: April 2012

Sony have announced their latest alpha camera featuring Translucent Mirror Technology. The successor to the A55, the A57 is priced to appeal to a wide audience of DSLR camera users. It shares many of the premium features of the a65, with a 16.1 effective megapixel Exmor APS HD CMOS sensor is teamed with a latest-generation BIONZ engine.

The A57 allows shooting speeds of up to 12frames per second in new Tele-zoom Continuous Advance Priority AE mode and the 15-point AF system with 3 cross sensors assures fast, accurate TTL phase detection autofocus. The A57 also lets users create Full HD movies: AVCHD (Ver. 2.0) Progressive compatibility means that Full HD resolution movies can be captured at up to high 50p frame rate. 25p shooting is also selectable for giving footage a rich, cinematic effect.

In a world first, Sony introduces new Auto Portrait Framing. Using face detection and the compositional ‘rule of thirds’, the camera identifies the subject’s position, trimming the scene to create tightly-framed, professional looking pictures. By Pixel Super Resolution Technology by Sony ensures that cropped, zoomed images retain a full pixel count. The original photo is saved together with the optimally-trimmed image. This allows easy comparison between the two versions, offering photographers inspiration to refine their own portrait skills.

Already popular with creative photographers, the range of in-camera Picture Effects includes 11 effect types and 15 variations – offering a generous palette of ‘PC-free’ artistic treatments.

A range of optional accessories will be available for the A57. The battery-powered HVL-LE1 LED video light broadens options for recording video indoors or in low light. Ideal for active shooters, the ACC-FM1A accessory kit bundles a spare NP-FM500H rechargeable battery with the compact, versatile LCS-AMB travel case that protectively cradles the camera while offering quick access. www.sony.co.uk

The Nissin MG8000 Extreme, features the world’s fastest “Machine Gun” strobe.and a quartz-based flash tube which ensures the unit remains cool, even in extreme use conditions.

When tested, the Nissin MG8000 can produce over 1000 full flashes without any fear of overheating.

The new unit boasts an impressive recycle time of just three seconds for the first 200 shots, and then five to seven seconds for subsequent frames.

The MG8000, on show at the recent CP+ trade show, outperforms Nikon’s new SB-910 and Canon’s Speedlite 580EX II, claims Nissin. www.nissindigital.com

Name: Canon Selphy CP810 RRP: £99 Release Date: May 2012

Name: Hüfa RRP: £9.99 Release Date: Immediate

Name: Tetenal Spectrajet Papers RRP: TBC Release Date: Immediate

Replacing the SELPHY CP800, the new model offers a number of improvements, boasting a slimmer, compact and more portable design, expanded creative features and improved usability. It is ideal for those looking for a convenient printer that delivers high quality prints in less than a minute.

The SELPHY CP810 is capable of producing postcard, 119 x 89mm and credit card sized prints. www.canon.co.uk

Camera owners often lose their lens caps or don’t have the pocket to store their lens cap.

Hüfa solves this problem by keeping the lens cap close to the DSLR camera lens and user at all times.The Hüfa holder fits all kinds of size lens caps including Nikon, Canon, Sigma and Tamron lens caps and will attach to most camera bags and lens bags.

Made of durable plastic, it hopes to ensure photographers never lose their lens cap again! www.hufaholder.com

The latest addition to the Spectrajet range is Easy Tack Wallpaper 220gsm, a new product which allows retailers to print self adhesive wallpaper using their large format printer.

Available in 24 inch roll, there is also non-adhesive wallpaper, 170gsm, which can be printed on and then pasted as normal wallpaper.

Tetenal have also introduced HD papers in Satin and Glossy, both 260gsm. www.tetenal.com

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THE LAUNCHPAD LAUNCH PAD

Name: Corel VideoStudio Pro RRP: £59.99 Release Date: Immediate

Name: Canon Powershot D20 RRP: £349 Release Date: May 2012

VideoStudio Pro X5 breaks new ground with the introduction of screen recording and HTML5 authoring capabilities, multi-core acceleration, and advanced video compositing while still maintaining the key elements users have come to know and love. With outstanding speed, a robust collection of creative tools, and its user-friendly approach, Corel VideoStudio Pro X5 continues to break down the barriers to video editing, opening the door to truly inspired and diverse productions.

VideoStudio Pro X5 is the first video editor to support HTML5. Users can generate hyperlinked on-screen cue and chapter points, graphics and titles making it a perfect tool for anyone looking to create a complete interactive on-line video experience. www.corel.com/videostudio.

The rugged and powerful PowerShot D20 offers exceptional images and Full HD (1080p) video in a waterproof, shockproof, freezeproof and dustproof body.

The PowerShot D20 features the advanced HS System, combining a 12.1 Megapixel, high-sensitivity CMOS sensor with the DIGIC 4 image processor, and a high-quality 28mm wide-angle Canon lens, with 5x zoom. Intelligent IS automatically analyses the scene and selects the optimum settings for the optical Image Stabilizer from seven different modes. It also carries a special Underwater Macro mode and Handheld Night Scene mode.

Active Display technology allows users to control some camera functions by tapping the camera body.

The optional Accessory Kit includes Carabiner and Shoulder Straps to keep the camera handy when hiking or climbing, a special Neoprene Pouch and a Silicon Jacket for even more protection, as well as a Float to keep the camera at the surface when swimming. www.canon.co.uk

Name: Goldbuch Albums RRP: £6.25 to £38.50 (excluding VAT) Release Date: Immediate The new range features luxurious additions for Baby, Wedding and Lifestyle albums. The Baby collection will feature the Lovely Series, the Little Duck Series, the Barbel Haas Traditional Series, a collection designed by Abigail Mill for Goldbuch, as well as a Butterfly design and Family Tree Post bound traditional album.

The Wedding collection will include the Love Design, the Dove Design, the Seda Series, the Wedding Rings Design album, Wedding Design album and Tenderness Design album.

The Wedding series will also feature a design by Abigail Mill. The Abigail Mill Wedding album is designed as a gift for a couple; the cover is finished in ivory velour with a decorative strip of cream ribbon, delicate silk roses and imitation pearl centre studs. There is a 100x100mm window on the front cover featuring a flower design motif on silk paper. The Love Design album has a pearlised white finish with ‘love’ in several languages themed in a heart design in silver and red on the front cover.

The Lifestyle Collection will include the Boat & Lighthouse Design Albums

by Abigail Mill, the Sakura Series, Scottish Diamonds, the Cordoba Series, and the Sirio Series. www.goldbuch.de

Name: Reflecta DigitDia 5000 RRP: £1694 (excluding VAT) Release Date: Immediate The newly updated version of Reflecta’s DigitDia 5000 colour scanner, the DigitDia 6000, offers not only top quality scans at a resolution of up to 5000 dpi and 48 bit colour depth but will also automatically remove dust and scratches thanks to Magic Touch technology. It will scan up to 100 slides directly from its magazine with a 5000 dpi scan typically taking four minutes. Lower resolution scans are quicker with an 1800 dpi scan being completed in around 50 seconds.

Slides can be viewed on an integrated backlit display prior to scanning, with a scan preview taking as little as 15 seconds. The maximum scan size is 37 x 37 mm.The scanner possesses a special “fast scan” button as well as a button for a forward/backward transport of the slides, USB 2.0 connection and a one hour “sleep mode”. www.reflecta.de

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INPRINT

Ep-

IT’S (THIRD) PARTY TIME!

Is the printing industry ready to reach a compromise between cost and quality at last?

The use of third party inks in commercial and consumer printers has long been offered as a cost saving option, allowing printer users to survey the market and find inks which are often cheaper than the proprietary ones designed for use with their machine by its manufacturer. However, the use of third party inks which can be sub standard or incompatible has been linked to poor quality prints and the malfunction of print heads, ultimately shortening the useful life of the printer.

Advances in technology may now mean that those wishing to print photographs can have a cost effective solution that will not hinder their print quality.

Advice varies between manufacturers as to whether any and which third party inks are safe to use, and results can be affected by the availability of profiles to calibrate the printer

for the inks used. Despite these traditional challenges, the new Fotospeed Tubeless Inkflow for the Epson R3000 has received a rave review in a test by Amateur Photographer magazine.

The system, which follows the same concept and design as the Inkflows for the Epson Pro 3800 & 3880 using refillable cartridges, has no impact on the printer footprint meaning no additional tubing or tube clamps. The user simply fills the cartridge using the supplied filling kit, plugs the cartridges into the printer and prints.

When a cartridge runs out, they can remove just the empty cartridge and refill individually.

With an estimated saving over the OEM inks of up to 85% - Fotospeed’s kit costs around £250 compared to an OEM cost of more than £1,000 - this represents a tempting option for those looking to save money long term on their print consumables. The concern about

‘cutting corners’ seems irrelevant as Amateur Photographer assured their readers that the system “produces prints that match the quality when using Epson’s own inks” and awarded the product with the highest possible rating of five stars. Other factors taken into account for the high score were the convenience and ease of set up. www.fotospeed.com

BEHIND THE COUNTER

COSTS, CASH AND THE CUSTOMER

Consumers tell retailers “it’s not you, it’s me” as KPMG sees evidence that shopping habits are changing - forever.

Convergance, whilst offering so many businesses increased opportunities and avenues for profit, is altering the process consumers go through when they are deciding to purchase an item.

KPMG have reported that 90 per cent of retailers see this as a challenge which is going to force them to fundementally change the way their business works in order to survive in the current low growth environment.

More than a hundred retail business leaders told KMPG that their primary concerns were the need to change business to make them more cost efficient, to improve cash and working capital management and, most importantly, to adapt to take into account changing customer and stakeholder behaviour. This need was seen as being particularly important to those in the retail trade, who have seen a huge shift in retail prices and shopping patterns in recent months.

Helen Dickinson, Head of Retail at KPMG said: “We will see ongoing structural change CREDITS & CONTACTS

in the sector. The challenges facing retailers are so great that in order to overcome them they will have to undertake a major overhaul of their business. This is the only way they will successfully re-engineer costs, manage their cash and adapt to meet changing customers’ needs.”

KPMG’s research indicates that Customer Relationship Management (CRM) will be an increasibly important part of every retail business, and something which retailers will have to be prepared to invest in for the future.

Creating an appropriate personal customer journey is seen as key to making future sales techniques successful.

“Understanding the customer journey isn’t straight forward,” continues Helen. “Multichannel retail has made it more difficult because each journey is very personal to the individual. It is difficult for retailers to analyse these journeys fast enough and decide on the best way for their organisation to respond. They are tackling this

Editor: Laura Knight 01323 437946 l.knight@parkview-publishing.co.uk

Editorial Assistant Harriet Weston 01323 411601 h.weston@parkview-publishing.co.uk

Subscriptions Amelia Wellings: 01323 433708 a.wellings@parkview-publishing.co.uk

Editorial Director: Grant Scott 01323 437941 g.scott@parkview-publishing.co.uk

Managing Director/Publisher: Lee Mansfield 01323 411601 l.mansfield@parkview-publishing.co.uk

Production Design: Laura Knight 01323437964 l.knight@parkview-publishing.co.uk

Sales Director: Simon Skinner 01323 433700 s.skinner@parkview-publishing.co.uk

Acounts: Clare Fermor Amelia Wellings 01323 433708 c.fermor@parkview-publishing.co.uk a.wellings@parkview-publishing.co.uk

14 www.pixellive.co.uk

issue but there is no quick fix.”

Helen Dickinson also warns that industry analysis needs to adapt to better reflect the new consumer and their changing purchasing behaviour. She said: “Increased convergence is rendering the traditional way of assigning sales to just one channel obsolete. Many different channels are now involved in the customer’s decision making process and so it becomes near impossible to allocate a sale to just one channel because it dismisses the role that the others play in this journey. So, measuring store based like-for-like sales or determining online sales percentages for example will soon be redundant.”

Retailers who have already started to adapt to the increasing crossover between different product ranges and between their online presence, bricks-and-mortar store and any other services they offer are already on the right track to a new customer experience. Are you? www.kpmg.com Published by Life Media Group Park View House 19 The Avenue, Eastbourne, East Sussex BN21 3YD 01323 411 601

Printed by Gemini Press Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex 01273 464884

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