British Photographic Industry News February 2018

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CLASS OF 2018 Photo gear-fest: including 100 years of Panasonic, 10 years of Lumix G and two new mirror-less cameras!

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Canon picked up three plaudits from The Societies last month – but who were the other big winners? Plus, voting opens for 2018’s coveted BPI News Awards!

Distributor Swains details how specialist retailers can make the most of its product portfolio, including, in particular, Epson’s ET-7750 EcoTank printer

Leica UK MD Jason Heward is quizzed on its latest CL and TL2 cameras and why, backed up by recent industry reports, he feels confident the future is mirror-less

With The Photography Show and Photokina both on 2018’s calendar, how do you maximise the benefit from either exhibiting at or attending a trade show?

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EDITOR Gavin Stoker Tel: 020 8274 0578 Tel: 07990 974 367 ART EDITOR Michael O’Connell EDITORIAL ENQUIRIES Please direct all editorial requests, news and press releases to info@bpinews.co.uk ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES Please direct all advertising enquiries and sponsorship opportunities to gavin@bpinews.co.uk.

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elcome to February’s BPI News, the first standalone edition of the year, which finds us back in the groove of our regular monthly publication schedule – and having undergone some stylistic (and dare we say stylish) tweaks. Please do let us know what you think.

As I write this, January’s Societies (aka the SWPP) organised convention and trade show is still fresh in the memory – and a positive memory it is too. With CES in the States noticeably less about photography each passing year, this home -grown event is arguably the first significant one on the photographic industry’s calendar, swiftly followed by March’s Photography Show.

Of course we’re also in a Photokina year, although, after this annum, every year will be a Photokina year. We look forward with interest to how that will be received.

The Societies’ event gave us the first

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chance to take the temperature of the trade as we enter 2018, so we were pleased to see the show well attended and find exhibitors upbeat about not only the volume of visitors, but also the quality of the attendees. People naturally came to get hands on with the latest kit, sure, but also to spend; another positive, especially with the show being so close to the budget-buster of Christmas and New Year (next year it’s slightly later and back in Hammersmith).

Even though an increasing amount of sales transactions now take place online, exhibitions and showcases remain important to the trade – for a whole host of reasons, which we explore in our business advice feature on page 28.

This should make for essential reading, whether you’re approaching forthcoming events as a visiting day-tripper or an exhibitor there for the long haul.

A new year is also about new gear, and, if we’ve a prediction for the next 12 months, it’s that adoption of mirror-less cameras continues its encouraging rise. We’ve first-hand views on this market sector’s success in our Big Interview this month, in which we quiz Leica’s UK MD Jason Heward, a brand whose most recent two releases have both been mirror-less. As we went to press there were already rumours swirling about other big names furthering their commitment to this market.

We’ll soon know more, of course. Not least because next issue of BPI is our allsinging, all-dancing Photography Show preview edition, typically one of our best supported and widest read issues of the year. To ensure your products are featured and to share your show plans, get in touch with us now via gavin@bpinews.co.uk

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STRONG AND ABLE: NIKON’S BIG ‘TELE’

ONE RUGGED CAMERA, 5 COOL COLOURS Sports and wildlife pros are the target audience for Nikon’s new beast of a telephoto lens, the AF-S Nikkor 180-400mm f/4E TC1.4 FL ED VR, the first telephoto in the Nikkor line up to boast a built-in 1.4x teleconverter, the latter activated by what’s claimed to be a ‘solid, well-positioned lever’.

Described as offering a ‘sharp and steady’ performance, Nikon UK’s Product Manager for Sport Optics, Lenses and Accessories, Emma Fergie says: “This telephoto lens is built to withstand the intense demands that sports and wildlife pros may throw at it. Improvements in optics and design have allowed us to offer greater versatility and a longer reach without impacting on the performance.

Extreme sharpness and advanced AF tracking mean your photographer customers won’t ever miss that all important shot and the fully weather-sealed lens barrel make it the perfect companion

for when they’re out in the field.” With availability from March 8th, the price reflects its pro credentials at £10,999 SRP. In related news, and a smidgeon after we went to press with our previous issue of BPI News, Nikon announced it was releasing version 2.0 of its SnapBridge app that connects a digital camera to a smart device via Bluetooth. The second iteration claims to have responded to user feedback and has undergone a complete overhaul of its screen design and menu structure, including now offering instructions for connecting to a camera. In short, it aims to make the whole connection process simpler and more intuitive for photographers. DSLR users can now also apply and adjust main camera settings using the app, while there is increased collaboration with the online photo sharing service, Nikon Image Space. www.nikon.co.uk

Fujifilm has updated its toughened point-and-shoot camera offering with the launch of the Bluetooth-enabled XP130 (meaning that images from it can be sent directly to Fuji’s Instax Share smartphone printer, for example).

Key specification of the 16-megapixel back-illuminated CMOS sensorincorporating compact, meanwhile, includes the fact that it is dustproof, waterproof to depths of 20 metres, shock-proofed against drops from 1.75m in height, plus freeze-proof into the bargain. We also get a 5x optical zoom lens, starting from a wide-angle 28mm equivalent setting, a 3-inch LCD on the backplate boasting a 920-dot resolution, plus a new electronic level function to ensure straight horizons. With a burst mode of 10fps, video capture resolution is Full HD at up to 60fps.

Available from February, SRP is £199. www.fujifilm.co.uk

SONY UPS ITS ‘E’ NUMBERS, BOXES CLEVER The electronics firm had a couple of photography-related announcements to coincide with CES at the start of last month.

First up is a new compact ‘E’ mount lens – Sony’s 46th such optic – for its APS-C sensor cameras in the 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 APS-C Zoom Lens (below). As well as being compact

at 67.2mm by 88mm, the new product is said to be lightweight at a mere 325g and an ideal fit for its cameras including the α6500, α6300 and α6000, whilst its focal length should be pitched to your customers as ‘versatile’. Minimum focusing distance is 0.45m whilst its linear motor promises a fast, quiet and precise AF performance.

4 February 2018 | BPI News

Available this month (Feb), SRP is £570.

In related news from Las Vegas, Sony also announced newly expanded multi view shooting capabilities for its miniature RX0 camera, the waterproof action camera launched at IFA last year. These expanded capabilities come via a new accessory Camera Control Box (CCB-WD1) that connects to the RX0 and, as it sounds, enables control over the camera via a PC. A wired connection also allows seamless control and synchronisation of multiple pairs of RX0 cameras and Camera Control Boxes – up to 100 units in fact – thus enabling creative types to produce high quality movie style effects such as ‘bullet time’ (as seen in The Matrix movies and in the image shown). Again this product is out in February, this time at £650 SRP. www.sony.co.uk

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New Leica lenses for ‘M’ and ‘SL’ systems Premium brand Leica has a trio of equally premium new lenses. There are two new compact design prime lenses for the Leica SL system, claimed to be the first of a new line, in the APO-Summicron-SL 75 mm f/2 ASPH and the APO- Summicron-SL 90 mm f/2 ASPH – both boasting focal lengths described as being perfect for portraiture and delivering an extremely high imaging performance at their largest aperture. The 75mm was due to go on sale at the end of January while the 90mm should be available early this month. Pricing is a VAT-inclusive £3,750 and £4,100 respectively.

Scheduled for launch the second half of 2018 are the SummicronSL 35 mm f/2 ASPH and the APO-

Summicron-SL 50 mm f/2 ASPH. The third current lens launch, for the likes of its manufacturer’s M10, is the Leica Noctilux-M 75mm f/1.25 ASPH, again with a focal length that makes it most suitable for portraits and with a close focusing distance of 0.85m. In addition to conveniently located focusing and aperture setting rings typical to Leica, it also features an integrated lens hood and comes complete with a tripod adapter.

Availability was promised as being ‘from the beginning of 2018’ at the time of writing, at a price around £10,250.

For more of the latest from Leica, please see our exclusive interview with UK MD Jason Heward, starting on page 16 of this issue. www.leica-camera.com

Olympus welcomes its 10th ambassador Who better to sell a product to a photographer, than a fellow photographer? With this in mind, the photo stalwart has signed up its latest photographic ambassador in Jessica Milberg (right), who will specialise in being the brand’s expert on wedding photography. She joins nine other ambassadors on the scheme officially launched in 2015. The American born photographer is one of a number of pros to switch to the mirror-less system since the launch of Olympus’ OM-D E-M1 Mark II. “I had one main reason for switching and that was weight,” she says, echoing other interviewees talking about mirror-less cameras in this issue. “I was running around for 12-18 hours straight with two enormous DSLRs, each with a heavy lens and flash attached to them. I also had pouches of batteries, cards, and spare lenses on my belt.

It was killing me. I then went to an Olympus master-class with John Nassari who said something that really stuck with me: ‘Use the tools appropriate for the job’. It made me realise that my kind of wedding photography didn’t require the kit I was using. It was weighing me down, I was getting tired, and it was intrusive. I researched several mirror-less systems and ultimately went with Olympus because it was the only system that ticked all of my ‘must-have’ boxes.” www.olympus.co.uk

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The Photography Show reveals Super Stage speakers, final spaces

With Future’s annual exhibition – the biggest dedicated photography event in the UK – a mere month away, it has announced this year’s big names, aimed at drawing crowds of enthusiasts. On the bill to speak on its Super Stage are

veteran image-makers including Gered Mankowitz, Bruce Davidson and Zed Nelson, along with Miles Aldridge, Ami Vitale, Art Wolfe, Jasmine Star, Brent Stirton, Erik Johansson and Daniel Berehulak.

Thinking of booking a last

minute stand at the show? Future’s Richard Macey told BPI News that 96% of floor space had sold with seven weeks to go, at the time of writing, while adding there are ‘still some excellent options available’.

To grab a final space contact:

richard.macey@futurenet.com www.photographyshow.com

SAMSUNG’S RENEWED DRIVE With your photographer and videographer customers increasingly shooting both highresolution images and 4K-video that demand ever higher capacity storage solutions, the Korean electronics firm is looking to meet such demand with a par of solid state drives (SSDs) in the Samsung

860 PRO and the 860 EVO, said to be the industry’s first consumer SSDs with V-NAND technology.

Both options support a read speed of up to 560 megabytes per second and a write speed of 530MB/s and come with a five-year limited warranty.

The 860 PRO is available in 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB and 4TB capacities, with the latter option holding up to 114 hours and 30

minutes of 4K Ultra HD video.

The 860 EVO meanwhile comes in 250GB, 500GB, 1TB, 2TB and 4TB capacities. UK pricing ranges from £90.49 for the 250GB 860 EVO to £1324.49 for 4TB. The cost of the 4TB ‘PRO’ version was still TBC as we went to press. www.samsungssd.com

PANASONIC DEBUTS Samyang NEW CAMCORDERS goes wide, Lumix National Trust POS

©National Trust Images/Matthew Antrobus

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We very rarely receive news of new camcorders these days – but Panasonic is breaking the silence with a new trio, comprising two 4K video shooting models in the premium HC-VXF1 and the HCVX1 – plus one Full HD flagship in the HC-V800. All three models A3 Poster from March and retail are available at £849.99, £699.99 and £559.99 respectively. The manufacturer suggests that the new threesome respond to the needs of all users, ranging from video enthusiasts who pursue full-fledged 4K video quality, to family users who want

• Complimentary National Trust Membership Campaign POS

to take a speCial piCture you need to go to speCial plaCes Now you and your family can discover hundreds of new special places with the National Trust and capture every stunning detail with the award-winning new LUMIX FZ200 or FZ72.

Promotional period: 22/08/2013 – 31/12/2013. Promotional terms apply, please see panasonic.co.uk/promotions *Leica is a registered trademark of Leica Microsystems IR GmbH. ELMARIT is a registered trademark of Leica Camera AG

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©National Trust Images/Matthew Antrobus

Complimentary 12 month national trust membership with the lumiX FZ200 or FZ72

to record treasured moments in impressive images. A 4K cropping Wobbler function is available on the HCVXF1 and the HC-VX1, which lets users shoot in in wideangle at 4K, edit the shot later and save it as a Full HD image. www.panasonic.co.uk

delivers first

Third party Korean lens manufacturer Samyang has announced its first auto focus lens for Canon EF mount full frame DSLRs. Available via UK distributor Intro2020, the wide-angle AF 14mm f/2.8 EF claims to deliver a quiet, fast and moreover accurate result. Weighing 485g without lens cap and hood, it features a built-in AF/MF switch plus weather sealing. Available from this month, SRP is £649.

In related news, Intro2020

has confirmed that it is now exclusive UK distributor for tripod brand Sirui, which slots in among a brand portfolio also including Crumpler, Tamron and Hoya. www.intro2020.co.uk

to take a speCial piCture you need to go to speCial plaCes Now you and your family can discover hundreds of new special places with the National Trust and capture every stunning detail with the award-winning new LUMIX FZ200 or FZ72.

Hang Tag

Photographic Promotional period: 22/08/2013 – 31/12/2013. Promotional terms apply, please see panasonic.co.uk/promotions *Leica is a registered trademark of Leica Microsystems IR GmbH. ELMARIT is a registered trademark of Leica Camera AG

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Business owners Bhupinder Singh (left) and Harpreet Singh (right) with Tetenal Hardware Manager Chris Castle

AM ALBUMS TAKE THEIR PHOTO BOOK PRODUCTION TO THE NEXT LEVEL WITH EPSON After successfully switching their wet lab to the Epson SureLab D3000 Managing Director Harpreet Singh reviews the first few months of printing with the leading inkjet solution from Epson.

AM (Ajeet Media) Albums in Southall, West London, are specialists in Asian Wedding Photography and Videography while also covering other areas of event photography as well as portrait photography, photo enlargement, canvas production and photo restauration services.

The key product which comes as part of every event photography package at AM Albums are photo books.

High Production Demands To meet high production demands while offering excellent print quality, Managing Director Harpreet Singh has taken the step to switch the entire production to a dry lab solution from Epson, exchanging their previous Noritsu wet lab for the Epson SureLab D3000 from Tetenal:

“Me and my father, who started the business, had spoken with Tetenal several times regarding the Epson SureLab D3000 and were then invited to the Tetenal Open Day in September last year. It was great to see the equipment in a professional production set up in their Epson show room and take a closer look at the printing process. We were convinced that this printer would be the best way to make the switch from wet to dry and signed the deal on the day. The Epson SureLab D3000 was installed at our premises a couple of weeks later.”

Excellent Print Quality The team at AM Albums is constantly aiming to provide an excellent customer experience by turning people’s most valuable

memories into high quality photo books. Harpreet explains why the photographic equipment plays a key role when meeting customer demands: “When producing photo books quality is key. We are wedding photographers which means our photo books are capturing the memories from the most important day in the life of our customers.

Delivering an excellent photo book is crucial as this is the physical memory our customers take away.

The Epson SureLab D3000 enables us to produce high-quality prints with vibrant colours in a range of different finishes producing outstanding photo books.”

After the first months with the new equipment Harpreet now looks back

at how the change has affected the daily workflow of his business.

Simple Operation Process ”The change has been great, we’re really happy with the new printer and how easy it is to operate. With the wet lab there used to be a lot of work involved around starting the lab and doing colour calibration before any printing could be done. On the Epson inkjet lab I can view the print on the screen and print instantly at excellent quality.”

Contact Tetenal to find out how their integrated solutions can help your photographic business.

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"The Epson SureLab D3000 enables us to produce outstanding photo books from our wedding photography."

Visit Tetenal at stand E72 to see the SureLab D3000 and other professional Epson printers in action!

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CANON SWEEPS THE BOARD AT THE SOCIETIES

The photo giant picked up arguably the three biggest kit awards from The Societies last month, plus placed top five in US patent rankings for 32 years running (and first among Japanese companies).

On top of this, it has positive market info to share...

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hen it comes to award deserving product, The Societies were keen to single Canon out from other big and well-respected brands last month as deserving of the accolade of the best ‘Professional’ equipment for the past year.

Canon’s Societies award-winning trio at a glance:

n EOS 5D Mark III – recently succeeded by the Mark IV, this pro grade, weather-sealed, full frame 22.3 megapixel workhorse of a DSLR is capable of capturing stills at up to 6fps plus Full HD video n Speedlite 600EX II-RT – flashgun with a guide number of 60, designed for rapid frame shooting and for use in the most demanding of scenarios. Versatile, this device can be used either offcamera or attached via hotshoe n EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM – professional L-series medium telephoto zoom lens boasting a powerful image stabilizer and f/2.8 aperture

8 February 2018 | BPI News

“We’re so chuffed to have won three awards from The Societies,” enthuses Canon UK Product Manager Daniel Benjamin. “The EOS 5D Mark III, the EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM and the Speedlite 600EX II-RT all came out on top.”

In fact, the Canon EOS 5D Mark III (now upgraded in the Mark IV) bagged ‘Best Professional Digital Camera’, whilst the Canon 600EX II-RT was crowned ‘Best Professional Flashgun’, and the ‘Best Professional Lens’ went to Canon’s EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM. In fact, Canon was the only manufacturer on the night to win that many awards for its products.

The manufacturer continues to forge ahead in related areas too. A case in point is that it recently announced it had ranked third for the number of US patents awarded in 2017, becoming the only company in the world to have ranked in the top five for 32 years running. In addition Canon once again ranked first among Japanese companies.

For the manufacturer, obviously the US with its many tech companies and large market scale, represents an important region in terms of business expansion and technological advances.

A touch of glass: Canon’s UK team take it in turn to receive their trade awards. Above, from left to right: The Societies’ Phil Jones with Canon’s Daniel Benjamin and Neale Conroy; Canon’s David Parry (on right) receives congratulations from Colin Jones and, thirdly; Neale’s up on stage a second time with The Societies’ Ben Jones

MARKET FORCES ALSO IN CANON’S FAVOUR, SAYS GFK With 2018 having begun in earnest, Canon has also shared with us the fact that latest GfK figures are painting a more positive picture of the camera market over the past year, with 2017 having witnessed slower declines in

* Gfk, Digital Cameras, GB Panel market, Value Jan-Dec17 vs Jan-Dec16

comparison to 2016. Daniel Benjamin says: “The market has seen only a -1% value decline year-on-year*. We’ve had some key ‘wins’ in the market over the same period for both value and volume, resulting in Canon having a higher market share last December than in 2016.”

Unsurprisingly, fixed lens entry-level cameras have seen continued erosion. Yet Canon has had strong success with several models in this segment, notably the IXUS 185. “Despite the market decline, point and shoot cameras still make up over 30% of all camera units and we are showing continued strong sales,” continues Daniel.

Large sensor enthusiast compact cameras have been performing well over the same period too, according to Gfk, being up by 21% in value yearon- year*, with Canon being one of the leading brands. Daniel continues: “For December 2017, the market was up by 19% in value, with the PowerShot G7X Mark II being the key model for us.”

As regular readers might expect, the interchangeable lens market continues to grow (up 2% for value, according to GfK data* with brands increasing their product ranges and adding more feature-rich models, all helping drive up the value of the market). As regards CSC, the focus is moving towards more enthusiast cameras and away from entry-level products. Naturally Canon has a prominent position in interchangeable lens cameras, with the 1300D in particular performing strongest during the same period.

Daniel concludes: “The outlook for 2018 is full of opportunity!” www.canon.co.uk

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Swains’ Epson Promotion

“EXTRA MARGIN AND INCREASED SALES ARE NO LONGER A THING OF THE PAST!” …So says Swains International MD Danny Williams, detailing the new opportunities for specialist retailers offered by its product portfolio, including Epson’s new A3 ET-7750 printer…

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eading distributor Swains International likes to pride itself on bringing its trade partners fresh opportunities. “We were the first UK distributor to issue digital camera samples to our sales force back in 1995 with the Casio QV-10, followed by many other models from multiple manufacturers,” MD Danny Williams recalls. It also introduced Pay As You Go mobile phones to the channel in 1997, and, in partnership with Vodafone, sold over 55,000 pieces in a calendar year.

As those in the industry are aware, Swains continues to specialise in supplying new, innovative, saleable products to a countrywide network of independent photo retailers, allowing both parties to bring their many years of expertise and knowledge in the art of image capture to bear – thus appealing to abroad range of existing plus new up and coming enthusiast photographers.

As a result it says it witnessed good sales growth throughout last year.

Get your fill: Opportunities abound for selling the benefits of Epson’s refillable inkjet printer to your customers - so says Swains MD Danny Williams, below left

Said opportunity arrives in the innovative shape of the new Epson ET-7750 EcoTank photo printer, a cartridge-free A3 device designed for printing lots of photos at an ultra low cost. Included ink allows for the printing of up to 3,400 high quality 6x4-inch photos. It uses four dye inks – Photo Black, Cyan, Magenta and Yellow – plus a separate pigment Black ink for document printing. Described as hassle free to set up and use, reliable and easy to refill, it features an SD card slot, borderless photo printing and dual paper trays.

“Don’t make the mistake of letting this opportunity slip by,” advises Danny.

“Let’s ensure the glass is half full for the photo specialists and not half empty.

Please don’t fall into the trap of letting excuses like the following deter you: ‘We haven’t got the space’, ‘customers don’t come to us to buy a printer’, ‘we can’t make any money selling printers’, ‘we can’t compete’, or ‘it’s too expensive’.

“Your Swains Regional Sales Manager has all the answers,” assures its MD. “So please take this new opportunity on board and let’s share in its success together. I appreciate retailing is not easy, but we need to win you and your staff over, in order for you, in turn, to convince your customers and succeed with the latest Epson EcoTank printer.”

For further information call Swains International PLC on 01485 536200 or speak to your Regional Sales Manager.

For further details on the Epson ET-7750 meanwhile, visit: www.epson.co.uk/products/printers/ inkjet-printers/consumer/ecotank-et-7750 www.swains.co.uk

Swains’ advice in selling the Epson ET-7750: n Demonstrate just how small a footprint the Epson ET-7750 requires

SEIZE THE OPPORTUNITY WITH EPSON & SWAINS “The art of capturing photos has never been as popular as it is today, with billions taken and recorded every day using phone and tablet technology,” Danny continues. “Although this has reduced the number of basic digital cameras purchased it has introduced many millions of new consumers to our industry, many of who are looking to expand their knowledge and skill set.

This means that opportunities for the photo specialist have never been greater – and now is the time to introduce the industry to another opportunity.”

10 February 2018 | BPI News

n Share its extremely low printing cost. This works out at approximately 20p per A3 print, while a sheet of Epson semi gloss A3 paper is £1.25 n Discuss the importance of high quality photos that can last up to 300 years in a photo album when using a five colour ink system (actual print stability will vary according to media used, display conditions and light intensity) n Explain the enhanced ink filling system engineered for easy refills (which have a guide price of £11.99). Each printer is supplied with two sets of EcoTank bottles in the box n Promote the easy print mobile print options via the Epson iPrint app through Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi direct (requires a wireless Internet connection. See www.epsonconnect.eu)

n Highlight the advantages of its built-in SD card slot, borderless printing, dual paper trays and 6.8cm LCD display n Push the reliability angle of the EcoTank, which is backed by a three year Epson warranty, upon registration In addition to the above, Swains will supply the ET-7750 A3 Epson printer and Point of Sale pack at a special price for you to display in store. You also get a set of sample A3 photos printed on the device, which are presented in a protective pinch book binder. A quick reference sheet covers the features and benefits of both the ET-7750 A3 and ET-7700 A4 printers, while a FREE home delivery service is available on A3 models within the UK mainland, so you can sell and feature them on your website.

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PANASONIC’S MIRRORLESS DUO SEEK TO WIN DIFFERENT AUDIENCES

In the year of its centenary, the electronics firm has announced a new flagship camera with a heavy emphasis on videography in the Panasonic DC-GH5S – hot on the heels of the stills-orientated DCG9, revealed at the end of 2017. Here we report on the launch of the former, while pro photographer Ross Grieve takes the latter for a creative ‘spin’, highlighting its selling points for the trade…

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e’re at the start of a new year but Panasonic has already done the double. It’s introduced two flagship mirror-less cameras in the Lumix G9 and GH5S, respectively aimed at audiences of photographers and videographers, whilst nevertheless offering an inherent degree of potential crossover. In addition, there’s further cause for the brand to celebrate: 2018 marks its 100th year, as well as a decade of the Lumix G series, the manufacturer having introduced the world’s first mirror-less camera back in 2008.

We briefly reported on specification and price for the G9 last issue, so this time we’ve asked pro photographer and Panasonic ambassador Ross Grieve to share his impressions and the camera’s obvious selling points with the trade, for them to, in turn, share with their customers. We also attended the London preview for the GH5S and were able to enjoy an initial hands on, as well as chatting to Panasonic’s UK team, augmented as it often is on such occasions by product specialist Mr Uematsu, visiting from Panasonic Japan.

SAY YES TO THE ‘S’ Targeted at videographers and broadcasters, the GH5S is being sold as a body only at an SRP of £2199.99 and was due to start shipping the middle of January. The price of the GH5, which remains in the market, is now £1699.

The latter is a camera that the brand is still proud of and justifiably it seems, with Panasonic’s Barnaby Sykes, Senior Product Manager for Imaging, telling us that mirror-less cameras have witnessed a growth of 36% year on year and that the GH5 was responsible for 43% of sales. Size-wise the new camera and the GH5 are described as ‘largely the same’, with the same battery and indeed battery grip compatible with both.

Pitched as “the ultimate video camera”, the new ‘S’ version features a 10.2 megapixel sensor delivering Cinema 4K video at 60P – and unlimited video recording at that. With a promised 200K-shutter life, the body is built from magnesium alloy and is claimed as splash and dust resistant. “If people say ‘it’s only 10 megapixels’, remind them

that 10 megapixels is enough for an A4 print,” says Panasonic’s Mr Uematsu.

Aiming to attract the broadcast market, the camera also offers timecode in and out, pre-installed VLOG for faithful colour grading in post production and Hybrid Log Gamma, which Barnaby suggested was “becoming just as popular as 4K.” It further offers the ability to shoot at 240fps to deliver 10x slow motion videos, features multi aspect ratios for both photo and video of 4:3, 3:2 or 16:9, plus 14 bit Raw file burst shooting.

Unsurprisingly, given its pro status, here we get a double SD card slot that Panasonic says is V90 SD card compatible – something it also manufactures.

Above, left: The GH5 and newer GH5S side-by-side, demonstrating that, outwardly, they’re two peas from the same hi-tech pod. Above, right: Panasonic Japan’s Mr Uematsu and the UK’s Barnaby Sykes respectively showcase the mirrorless GH5S and G9

‘THE G9 IS A QUANTUM LEAP ON’ If it’s the ultimate in stills image quality your customers want however, direct them to Panasonic’s equally new G9. As noted last month, the camera features a 20.3 megapixel sensor without low pass filter, built-in image stabilisation offering a claimed equivalent to 6.5 stops,

Two new cameras from Panasonic to kick start sales in 2018: A new flagship stills camera in the Lumix G9, 12 February 2018 | BPI News

www.bpinews.co.uk

Panasonic G series promotion “These little cameras have so much punch and can deliver a really high image quality. I’ve been quite overwhelmed as to how good they are, so consumers are now in a great position.”

Pro photographer Ross Grieve

Above: This sample image of model Shaunagh Slattery taken on the DC-G9 (also shown fronton, right) by Ross Grieve confirms its 20 megapixel files deliver shedloads of detail

The Panasonic team (including photographer Ross, far left) drew curious crowds at The Societies trade show last month, where the G9 and GH5S were displayed to the public for the first time ever

plus a whopping 80-megapixel high resolution mode for RAW and JPEG. We get 4K-video of course, plus continuous capture speeds of either 20fps or 60fps dependent on the auto focus mode selected. Its OLED viewfinder is claimed to be largest in its class, whilst the body is again magnesium alloy, splash proof, dust proof and freeze-proof down to minus 10 degrees. Three kit options are available: body only for £1,499 SRP, with 12-60mm lens for £1,699 (M kit), or £2,019 with Leica branded 12-60mm lens (L kit).

Having switched from DSLR to mirror-less a while back, photographer Ross Grieve, one of Panasonic’s premier photographic ambassadors, has already been using the G9 on his professional shoots for the past couple of months. He most recently attracted a crowd of the curious showcasing it at The Societies Trade Show, where he also delivered a well-attended talk on ‘going mirror-

less’. “At one time people were deciding whether to switch to digital from film and now it’s about ‘do I go mirror-less or not?’” Ross observes, adding that he’s educating people to the fact that: “these little cameras have so much punch and can deliver a really high image quality. I’ve been quite overwhelmed as to how good they are, so consumers are now in a great position. Plus there are features found on mirror-less cameras that will never be on DSLRs, including electronic viewfinders and continuous preview. I haven’t picked up a light meter since I changed to mirror-less. And when I travel, after 20-odd years of heavy kit taking its toll on my body, I want to travel light, so that’s a big benefit of mirror-less too.”

The photographer adds that while there might have been skepticism about mirrorless from die-in-the-wool enthusiasts four or so years back, now he only has to show a print to convince them. “Prints always look better than just displaying something on screen, and when people see them they’re blown away.”

With Ross’ core strength being stills photography, he believes the G9 is, literally, a perfect fit. “I got to see a 3D

prototype in Japan back in 2016 and ask all about it, as well as offer feedback on it in terms of the ergonomics. The good thing about Panasonic is that they do listen. It needed to feel like a stills camera, obviously, and for the LCD panel to work really well, in addition to image quality being key and focusing having to be fast yet accurate. I’ve got to be able to deliver a fantastic quality product to my clients.

“I’ve actually rocked up to the likes of the Waldorf Astoria hotel for a shoot with my Lumix cameras and, while they’re curious about what I’m shooting on, the client is happy, because they love the images from it. Professionals may think ‘I can’t turn up to a job without big cameras’, but that’s not the case. I’ve printed a 60-inch print taken on the G9, so there’s no problem with print resolution. I also want to try shooting a billboard size image using the 80-megapixel mode. I’ll be using that for food and product photography, in order to get fine detail on coffee beans and objects like that, while it’s also going to be lovely for landscape photography.

I’ve been blown away by how big I can push Lumix images and each new model goes beyond my expectations.

The G9 is a quantum leap on.”

In terms of handling, Ross singles out the ‘beautiful’ balance and feel of the magnesium alloy body and handgrip.

“I like shooting hand held and I like using back button focusing (via the AE/ AF lock button), so that if I’ve got kids or animals in the studio – I recently photographed some eight-and-a-half stone Rhodesian Ridgeback dogs – I won’t miss those moments.” In terms of accessories for photo specialists to sell alongside a body, Ross notes that a battery grip can be added for extra power duration, with said grip providing the ability to rotate the camera but still have a shutter release within reach.

“The GH5’s stills are very good, but this is a quantum leap on,” he reiterates.

“The G9 also has a new engine and it’s just brilliant. The auto focus has been improved in terms of response times and accuracy. That’s fantastic, as, if you’re in a studio, you want to be making the most effective use of time and get the job done.

What it’s produced has been amazing.”

It goes without saying that photo specialist retailers should speak to their local rep now about ordering sufficient stock of the Panasonic GH5S and G9 to meet expected demand, especially with the brand due to further showcase its wares at The Photography Show next month. www.panasonic.co.uk

plus a new video dedicated camera in the GH5S. For more information on both head to www.panasonic.co.uk @bpi_news

BPI News | February 2018 13

News

NEW LOOK FOR ANSMANN BATTERIES

SOCIETIES TO RETURN TO HAMMERSMITH FOR 2019 Having completed another successful annual Convention and Trade Show at London’s Metropole Hilton Hotel in Edgware Road, The Societies is moving back west to its previous location of the Novotel, Hammersmith, for its 2019 exhibition. As we went to press, confirmed dates for next year’s trade show element were 17th January though to the 19th January, with the full Convention starting a day earlier and running from the 16th to the 19th. Get it in your diary now; it’ll be here before we all know it!

As well as hosting trade exhibitors and talks and masterclasses from the great and good of the photographic world across its four days, the Convention is also known for its annual Trade Awards. This year the industry, including BPI News, was out in force for the Saturday evening bash, where Canon scooped up three glass trophies for Best Pro Digital Camera, Best Professional Flashgun and Best Professional Lens (see page 8 for more details).

Other winners in the trade segment included Elinchrom, PermaJet (accepting award for Best Pro Inkjet Paper, below), Loxley Colour, Lastolite and Epson, the latter for its SureColor SC-P800 printer, while Chromaluxe was the named Best Stand at the Convention. www.thesocieties.net

Battery specialist Ansmann has kicked off 2018 by giving its camera battery packaging a fresh new look – as pictured.

The company describes its appearance as sporting ‘a clean crisp design’ that nevertheless keeps the familiar colours of the older style and looks really effective when displayed by retailers. Naturally the batteries all still come with the customer peace of mind of a five years guarantee.

Get in touch with Ansmann direct about stock and sales enquiries via 0870 609

GET IN THE CAGE Manfrotto and its Vitec Group sister company Wooden Camera have developed a series of ground breaking Camera Cages pitched at ‘content creators’, namely those who rely on high-end mirror-less cameras and DSLRs to capture perfect video content.

Your customers have a choice of Small, Medium and Large camera cages plus a 15mm height-adjustable Baseplate to ensure the correct distance between rods and lens when combined with the cages – all new to the Manfrotto video range. The manufacturer suggests these choices set themselves apart from other products due to their robustly constructed minimalist design, as well as, uniquely it is claimed, offering access

to the camera’s right side grip. The camera’s battery can be taken out without removing the camera from the cage, whilst, in addition, the cages’ modular design allows users to attach a broad range of mirror-less cameras and DSLRs (including, it says, those from Canon, Nikon, Olympus, Panasonic and Sony), whereas some other options only support a single model. Prices start at £289.95. www.manfrotto.co.uk

Kodak launches ‘cryptocurrency’ for photographers With the likes of BitCoin and other digital currencies taking up column inches, news emerged from this year’s CES show that Kodak has launched its own: KodakCoin, a move that saw its shares soar by 120 per cent.

The firm says that KodakCoin allows participating photographers to take part in a ‘new economy’ and receive immediate payments for licensing their work. This ties into a KodakOne image rights management platform that utilizes ‘blockchain’ (record of transactions) technology to ‘crawl’ the web, and monitor and protect the intellectual property of images that have been registered in the KodakOne system. When unlicensed use of images

14 February 2018 | BPI News

2233 or email info@ansmann.co.uk www.ansmann.co.uk

is detected, the company claims its KodakOne platform can manage the post-licensing process to reward photographers their dues, in KodakCoin.

For more visit the below URL: www.kodak.com/kodakone/default.htm

www.bpinews.co.uk

Minilab News

DUPLEX ADVANTAGE ENSURES ‘TWO SIDES’ TO THE STORY OF PHOTOXPORT AND NORITSU FOR 2018 In advance of showcasing new product at The Photography Show, Noritsu’s exclusive UK distributor PhotoXport is already hitting the ground running this year, with the expectation of sales and installations already exceeding its business for 2017…

A

new year can prompt new gear, and Noritsu’s unique duplex printing system, provided by its standard QSS Green printer, is proving to be popular with the customers of its exclusive UK distributor PhotoXport.

So much so that, even though the year is still young, the company’s business for 2018 is already on course to exceed that of the previous annum.

“We kicked off the year with a sale by the 5th of January, and have had interest from a big multi site retailer, who was absolutely blown away by its

well as raising the bar for environmental friendliness. Thanks to the ability of being able to change the height of the print stage at will, the amount of available paper and print media options is described as ‘incredible’. Needless to say, PhotoXport can offer your business a complete range of premium inkjet papers.

WET OR DRY, 2018’S THE TIME TO BUY! As well as dry labs, PhotoXport is also doing famously well with Noritsu wetlabs, having recently sold seven heavy-duty machines to “big household names” in the UK. So it really is grasping the bull by the proverbial horns as the year gets underway, and particularly with The Photography Show coming up fast.

Talking of which, in addition to the above, there are new models on the way

At a glance: Noritsu’s automatic duplex inkjet printer n An all in one printing system with a wide variety of services and low total cost of ownership n Print on both roll paper or single sheets n Supports both single sided and double-sided ‘duplex’ printing n An adjustable paper stage allows printing on a huge variety of media of differing thickness n An amazing maximum advance length of 69.2-inches n In addition to traditional prints, the machine is perfect for photo books, greeting cards, calendars and posters n High resolution 1440 dpi quality prints, taking full advantage of Noritsu’s multiple dot gradation technology n Vivid colours with excellent contrast and smooth gradations n Long lasting colours thanks to Noritsu’s proprietary ink n ‘AccuSmart’ correction technology and raw image file processing

“Noritsu’s QSS Green is an absolutely unique product. Nobody else has it. If you want to do double sided inkjet printing automatically, there isn’t anything else. On top of this, there seems to have been a real growth in interest in duplex printing, which we’re perfectly placed to fulfill.”

PhotoXport MD Derek Fieldhouse performance,” PhotoXport MD Derek Fieldhouse enthuses. “The Green duplex, as we’ve installed for the likes of Dave Rasch at Phoenix Photographic, is an absolutely unique product. Nobody else has it. If you want to do double sided inkjet printing automatically, there isn’t anything other than the Noritsu. On top of this, there seems to have been a real growth in interest in duplex printing, which we’re perfectly placed to fulfill. It’s prompted a new stage in the development of PhotoXport and we’re already rolling out equipment that will dwarf last year’s sales.”

The standard QSS Green duplex printer is described as powerful, versatile and compact, as well as possessing a build quality able to handle any situation, as

Which side are you on? Noritsu’s standard Green printer (above), available now via PhotoXport, supports both double sided ‘duplex’ printing and single sided output, thereby offering maximum versatility

– a pair of dry labs plus a new wet lab.

“We’ll be debuting one of the new models at The Photography Show. In fact, the plan is to have the worldwide launch of the new Green system in the UK,” says PhotoXport’s MD. “We believe it will be well received in the UK and Europe, thanks to its size and capability.” Watch this space – and our forthcoming March Photography Show preview edition of the magazine – for more, with Derek teasing that we’ll have “new developments in silver halide” to look forward to then.

So, to get an early heads up on how Noritsu can benefit your business throughout 2018, call exclusive UK distributor PhotoXport on 0116 2675907. www.photoxport.com

Let Noritsu wet and dry labs benefit your business: call UK distributor PhotoXport on 0116 2675907 @bpi_news

BPI News | February 2018 15

The Big Interview

LEICA’S RED BADGE PUTS DEALERS IN THE BLACK The world-renowned, 100 year-old camera brand’s most recent two releases have been APS-C system cameras in the TL2 and CL. We hear from UK MD Jason Heward on why the future is mirror-less and why his brand’s sales are on the up…

P

remium photographic brand Leica is one of the key beneficiaries from the industry-wide rise in sales of mirror-less and premium build digital cameras; its latest figures show that is comfortably bucking the downward trend in other sectors of the market, with revenue growth of more than 6% yearon-year. We hear from UK MD Jason Heward on why, with its recent TL2 and CL camera launches, he believes Leica has a recipe for success, for both its own brand stores and its independent retail partners – and what exactly that recipe is…

BPI News: The rise of the smartphone photographer has meant some challenging times for the photo industry, so it’s good to see a camera company sharing positive news about growth. On top of that, your most recent launches in the TL2 and the CL are compact mirror-less models, a segment that industry watchers Futuresource reported in December 2017 had witnessed encouraging growth of 14% in volume and 43% (body only) in value year-on-year in the UK. Jason Heward, Leica UK MD: Yes, we think the future of photography is more compact sized cameras that let you see

directly what the lens is seeing. This goes back to the founding principles of Leica Camera, which were to give someone a camera that allows them to be mobile and to go to where the action is to capture that decisive moment. That’s always been in our DNA. The Leica M has always been the smallest full frame camera, for example, and about having something that is discrete.

A big DSLR with big lenses immediately affects how people interact with you – and how you interact with them – whereas if you have something smaller, you tend to get a different, more natural reaction and you’re still part of what’s happening around you.

Q: As that’s always been your ethos the market has very much come around to meet you it seems, rather than Leica necessarily chasing what’s popular and current.

A: That’s part of it and Leica has always played a leading role in shaping this industry. But if you’re in a challenging market, you of course look around and find out what’s working and try and invest in that. Rather than, say, the DSLR market, which we know is more challenging still.

Q: In terms of reacting to the upward trend in mirror-less, what was the

thinking behind the TL2 and CL? It’s perhaps worth reminding the trade of the differences between the two.

A: Both use an APS-C sensor, which we think is a sweet spot at the moment, especially when combined with the quality of our lenses. We’re able to get a quality comparable with full frame from our APS-C, while still allowing photographers to use something that’s comparably small and compact. Why we have both a TL2 and a CL is to give customers a choice. The TL2 is a very contemporary, forward thinking, innovative camera, with built-in memory and touch screen, making it very smartphone like in terms of handling. It’s also very futuristic due to its single aluminium shell, whereas the CL is more your ‘classic’ Leica. Both create the same quality of image, but just give the user a different experience.

Q: Of the two, it seems the TL2 is the camera most likely to tempt smartphone photographers into adopting the brand?

A: I guess they’ll both fulfill that purpose, though the TL2 will maybe attract a younger customer who is very smartphone focused and is looking for something that offers cutting edge design and is contemporary. The CL, I think, will attract people who haven’t been able to buy into a Leica system camera in

For more details on the Leica line up, including newer TL2 and CL mirror-less APS-C 16 February 2018 | BPI News

www.bpinews.co.uk

Leica camera promotion the past, because the M might have been out of their price bracket. It also offers a Leica system camera at a different price point to a different customer.

a machine and make 10,000 of these cameras to fulfill demand is because they are handmade. Our cameras have a very long life cycle. A lot of cameras in this industry are replaced six months Q: It will also be important, going later by another version. If you’re a forward, that these cameras are compatible customer investing a lot of money into with the wider Leica system, in terms of a camera system you’ll want to know a big choice of lenses and accessories. there’s stability in your investment and A: Our APS-C system is accessible to with Leica there is stability. The typical the widest choice of Leica lenses, not just life cycle of an M camera is at least those designed specifically for APS-C. Via four years. So you know what you’re adapter you can use M and R series lenses purchasing isn’t just going to be updated with both, and that’s really important to to a new one next week. We have always us. It isn’t just about new customers buying been ahead of what other cameras can into the brand, but offering our existing achieve in terms of image quality; even customers other choices too. We’ve older Leica lenses continue to improve already noticed some of our SL customers thanks to new sensor developments. Our – because it’s the same mount as the CL cameras also stay technically relevant –picking up a CL as a back up camera. through firmware developments.

And maybe people who have got an old M6 film camera and a couple of lenses, but Q: Will that life cycle be similar who don’t have a digital body, will sense an for the TL2 and CL? opportunity to put their M lenses on a CL. A: We don’t know exactly, but if you look historically at Leica, all of our Q: What’s the reaction been to both of products have a long shelf life. Even these products, from photographers our entry level D-Lux has been out themselves and the broader retail trade? four years. For a sub-£1,000 compact A: Fortunately both of them are still on camera to still be current after four back order. The TL2 was launched last years… well, we must be the only people summer but that’s still on back order. The in the industry who are doing that. But CL was more recently launched (See News, it means our customers understand BPI Dec/Jan – Ed) but has a very healthy the brand and that investment isn’t order book. We’ve had great feedback a short-term thing. Just because we from photographers. At our launch event made a great camera four years ago Guardian and Observer photographer doesn’t stop it being a great camera Sarah Lee (www.sarahmlee.com) had today. I think the whole throwaway been using the camera in advance and aspect of industry is a bit of a concern. compared the quality of some of the images to her M system. We’ve found the Q: I think generally, across the market, quality is exceeding our expectations in the frequency of updates has slowed terms of how good the cameras are. down a lot. Even updates from the more consumer-orientated brands Q: Reading about the success of the have got much further apart. brand over the past year, one of the points A: Well that’s a good thing. When Dr highlighted is that Leica cameras are hand Andreas Kaufman purchased Leica in made. Generally, there seems to have been 2004, it was no secret that we had had a move of late towards a more artisan some troubles and were very slow to adopt aesthetic, in that it’s even more of a selling digital. A company that is 100 years old point now that something is hand crafted. doesn’t always move quickly. There are A: I think that’s always been part of great things about that but it can have Leica’s appeal; there’s something special a downside as well. So today we want to about a product that’s handmade. make sure we are doing very innovative It becomes more precious and more things, we have to become a bit more agile desirable. There’s a video by photographer and we have to become more able to react Richard Seymour on our website of an quickly. We’ve always been able to make M10 being manufactured (see: https:// the best optics – that doesn’t change – but vimeo.com/229827596) and when you now there are things we can do with those can see people doing everything by hand, you realise what’s going into one of these cameras. If it’s a mass-market product being run off a production line it’s not special, is it? The thing about our cameras is they are very special and are something that will last a long time, especially with all the attention that goes into them.

The reason we can’t just switch on

Leica says that having its own ‘Akademie’ is a great tool, using photographer ambassadors such as Sarah Lee (above, holding print) to run workshops that inspire and enthuse, as well as build brand loyalty Opposite page, main image: Leica UK MD Jason Heward with the new CL camera, plus alternate views of the CL itself

Silver dream machine: The Leica TL2, previously featured in BPI News, also comes in black, and is an alternative mirror-less option that is more contemporary in its styling, whilst offering a smartphone-like handling experience

optics that perhaps we weren’t doing a few years ago, such as our partnership with smartphone manufacturer Huawei and now our venture into full Leica eyewear. We’re looking at how to use the technology that has taken us 100 years to develop in other areas.

Q: You put out a press release stating that a major contribution to revenue growth has also been your in-house retail distribution division.

Can you talk us through that?

A: That’s about us having our own stores – Leica now has 90 ‘monobrand’ stores around the world – which you see a lot in other industries but maybe not so much in the photographic industry.

In UK, we have stores in Mayfair, City of London and Manchester. This allows us to dictate the brand experience to our customers much more. Although there are a lot of fantastic third party retailers out there, you see Apple and luxury watch brands with their own stores because they want to give their customers something special. Also, we can invest in a different way into a Leica brand store than a multi brand retailer can. It’s important that we create these lovely destinations for people to come to, to experience photography through our Galleries and to learn about photography through our ‘Akademie’. We’re creating environments for our customers that focus on photography. Similar to Apple, our own stores have a halo effect for local dealers. A company store creates brand awareness and engages customers, who may then purchase Leica elsewhere.

Q: With the TL2 and CL being a bit more affordable and accessible, I wondered whether there was a chance of seeing those cameras with more independent specialist retailers?

A: We’re quite happy with where we are at the moment, in that we work with a limited number of retail partners. We’re not looking at expanding and putting our cameras in multiple channels. We’d

sensor compact cameras, direct your browser at: uk.leica-camera.com @bpi_news

BPI News | February 2018 17

The Big Interview

rather work with a few partners who share our ethos, those who appreciate the history of the brand and products, plus at the same time have our own stores to offer a Leica experience. A lot of customers have favourite camera stores and somewhere they’ve been going to for a long time, so it’s important for us to partner with those camera stores, but at the same time satisfy those who want to come direct to the brand. We work with a few partners who predominantly sell Leica, like Red Dot Cameras and Richard Caplan. Then we’ll be in multi brand stores such as Park Cameras, Harrisons, Clifton Cameras, and in department stores including Harrods, Selfridges and the Conran store.

Q: Perhaps more so than most, brand heritage is very important in the case of Leica, isn’t it?

A: That’s right. It’s our story; it’s who we are. We understand the impact of photography and that it shapes how people see the world. We’ve been making cameras for over 100 years and many of the iconic images from the last century have been taken on a Leica. The M camera has been going for over 60 years, the lenses that went on the camera 60 years ago can still go on the camera today, and there’s an authenticity about the brand that comes from our history.

The one thing about Leica is that it’s a small family that has a huge impact through photography. We don’t have millions and millions of customers, so we know many of our customers by name. It’s no accident that our offices are above our store and our café, so every time I want to walk across the road for a coffee I meet our customers and talk to photographers. That’s deliberate.

The last thing I’d want is for our head office to be on an industrial estate.

It’s important that we are where our

customers are. We’re a family really.

Talking direct to photographers is really useful, because when I then go and talk to our retailers, I understand the industry and I understand customers.

Q: You also make a thing of your Leica Akademie and supporting young photographers. How important is that in driving the brand forward?

A: It’s absolutely important. Leica is often thought of as having an older customer base but it’s important that we have new and up and coming photographers using our products.

It’s also important for the industry on a wider scale to do that, so a new generation experience photography with a camera rather than a phone.

Again we’re quite well positioned. We’ve had the vinyl record revival and we’re seeing a lot of young people looking to get into film photography, so the market for second-hand film cameras is growing exponentially and all of our dealers are finding it harder and harder to find enough second hand film cameras to satisfy demand. That is great for us, as is having the Akademie as a tool; we have ambassadors who run workshops for us and a lot of those are up and coming young photographers such as Cat Garcia and José Matos, who in turn attract young photographers to come onto those workshops. In fact the Akademie is one of the strongest features of the Leica brand and has been running since the 1930s. We run workshops every month that bring people in – you don’t just come here to buy a box, you come here to start your journey in photography and that can involve many different genres of workshop all designed to help you become a better photographer. We’re lucky enough to work with some amazing photographers, including some greats from Magnum.

Whilst it also works with photo independents, Leica has made a point of opening its self-branded stores (above, showing Mayfair interior and City store exterior) in order for it to control its customers’ retail ‘experience’ and, again, build brand loyalty

Q: Cameras aside, accessories are always important for specialists to make their margin. What seems to work particularly well for you guys?

A: Leica’s always made elegant accessories, including leather cases to go with the product – and sometimes people buy these cases to put other cameras in there! Accessories are important for us. I guess if you’re going to have a camera for many years then why not invest in a really good case for it.

Q: Finally, what are Leica’s ambitions for 2018? Anything we can talk about yet?

A: In UK we expect another year of double-digit growth. Our product portfolio is very broad now and we’re going to keep updating it in terms of new lenses, making sure that we’re offering customers a good variety of lens focal lengths, particularly on something like our SL mirror-less camera system. There’s a whole lens roadmap and next year we’ll see three or four new lenses coming out to help complement the existing lenses.

We’ve released quite a lot recently and this next year is going to be a year of focusing on the experience and working with existing and aspiring photographers. The M10 came out in January last year and we’ve still got a long waiting list for that, our ‘Q’ camera was two-and-a-half years ago and that still has a waiting list. We find that we have quite a long waiting list for lots of our products. The trouble is that it’s not just a case of throwing more bodies at the task. For example, there’s one lens that they say you need to train someone for 20 years to be able to make. Again that’s what makes these things special.

If dealers want to get in touch with Leica to discuss potential partnerships, they are welcomed to contact Jason direct at Leica’s Mayfair London office: Jason.Heward@leica-camera.com or call 0207 629 1351.

The trade is invited to get in touch with Leica’s UK MD direct: 0207 629 1351 or Jason.Heward@leica-camera.com 18 February 2018 | BPI News

www.bpinews.co.uk

BPI News Product Focus

BIG PRINTS DONE TO A ‘T’ COURTESY OF EPSON & THE DPS GROUP

Seeking a faster and cheaper all-round print solution for producing posters, canvases and even CAD drawings? Enter Epson’s SureColor SC-T printer series, available for 2018 from Kent based reseller The DPS Group. MD Maneesh Patel fills us in on why you should be adding one to your business…

T

he start of a new year sees many re-assess their business and explore how they can improve their prospects. Cutting costs is one, while investing in new machinery is another. But how about one solution that offers the opportunity to do both?

Enter Epson’s wide format SureColor SC-T printer series, which comprises 24-inch, 36-inch and 44-inch models.

“While not necessarily photographic quality as they deploy less inks, these are fast and cheaper all-rounders,” enthuses DPS Group MD Maneesh Patel of the four colour machines that employ UltraChrome XD inks.

“They’re great for printing posters, CAD drawings and cheap and cheerful canvas production – allowing photo retailers to start to branch out and offer the kind of solutions a print shop would.”

A SIZE AND SOLUTION THAT’S A PERFECT FIT FOR YOUR BUSINESS Of course, if it is photo quality that is paramount, the DPS Group can help out with that too, via its reselling of Epson’s top-notch SureColor SC-P series printers, as detailed in previous editions of BPI News. “But in certain environments, like pharmacies, gift shops, and ink cartridge shops where being recognised as a photo retailer is not their number one priority, the T series printers are

Three of a kind: Epson offers a trio of large format SC-T series printers (above) - in the SC-T3200, SC-T5200 or SC-T7200 which can also be bought with extra hard drives and built-in large format scanning options to increase usability. Speak to the DPS Group for more!

“They’re great for printing posters, CAD drawings and cheap and cheerful canvas production – allowing photo retailers to start to branch out and offer the kind of solutions a print shop would.”

DPS Group MD Maneesh Patel on Epson SC-T series printers

An ideal fit for your business: Epson’s SC-T printers will slot right in, allowing you to offer print shop-type services such as poster printing thus expanding your potential customer base

ideal,” Maneesh advises. “As well as being bought in different sizes, they can also be bought with extra hard drives and in-built large format scanning options.”

The size and printer options you’ve got via the DPS Group are: the 24-inch SC-T3200, the 36-inch SC-T5200 or the 44-inch SC-T7200 printer. With the purchase of any of these there’s also the ability to go for

‘CoverPlus’ extended warranty of either three years, four years or five years, for added peace of mind.

Trade members wanting more details are strongly advised to contact Dave Harrison via dharrison@dpsb.co.uk, or on 020 8460 3690.

Digital Photo Solutions is part of The DPS Group – for further details please visit www.thedpsgroup.co.uk

At a glance: Epson’s SC-T printer advantages n Four colour, large format printer n Offers high speed printing of graphics, CAD and GIS (Geographic Information Systems, or, in other words, maps) applications n Large capacity ink cartridges – choose from 110, 350 and 700ml sizes n PrecisionCore TFP printhead – permanent printhead for the duration of the printer lifetime

n UltraChrome XD inks produce vibrant images that are water and smudge resistant, on both coated and non coated media including board up to 1.5mm thick n PostScript support with 2x1.6GHz CPUs allows for print of multiple formats, including data rich files, quickly and directly n ‘AccuSmart’ correction technology and raw image file processing

Get in touch with The DPS Group’s Dave Harrison for more on the above via 020 8460 3690 or dharrison@dpsb.co.uk @bpi_news

BPI News | February 2018 19

Minilab news

FUJIFILM MEDIA TECHNOLOGY GIVES TRADE PARTNERS A FIGHTING CHANCE

The New Year witnesses Fujifilm supplying the trade with a veritable arsenal of opportunity in terms of new technology and accredited media, all aimed at helping its retail partners to liberate their customers’ images from phones and tablets and vanquish competitors into the bargain.

BPI News finds out more….

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s 2018 begins in earnest, Fujifilm is providing its retail partners with a host of advantages when it comes to doing business. Not only have a group of its Original Photo Papers just been FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified, an official recognition that the company is being environmentally responsible, but it is also responding to recent Passport Office changes when it comes to the digital supply of passport photos, in order to ensure that its retail partners are fully up to speed and compatible. On top of this we hear how a Somerset museum has employed latest Fujifilm imaging techniques to showcase what rural life was like during the First World War. In short, Fujifilm is fighting the good fight for its retail partners on all fronts as this year gets underway.

YOUR FUJIFILM NEEDS YOU… FOR GREAT PRINTS OF THE GREAT WAR Glastonbury-based Somerset Rural Life Museum recently turned to the expertise of Fujifilm to help fulfill its brief of a major new commemorative exhibition, showcasing the way the county was affected by the events of the First World War. “For the exhibition Echoes of War I wanted to embrace latest imaging technology wherever possible when it came to display, but of course budget is always a key issue,” notes the museum’s Head of Design Lawrence Bostock.

“I had discovered a profile that said it could handle digital wallpaper, so I contacted Chas Halsey, the expert MD at Focal Point Imaging in Exeter, and

Fujifilm wallpaper, self-adhesive media and fast drying photo satin papers were all used to create an immersive visual display for Somerset Rural Life Museum, showcasing just what an extensive range of products Fujifilm offers the photo trade

in turn Chas contacted Mark Wade, a senior imaging product specialist at Fujifilm, to get samples sent to us.”

Luckily the museum had invested in a brand new super-fast Epson SCP20000 64-inch- wide large format printer and Fujifilm’s powerful ImageHunter RIP software, providing easy resizing, tiling and cropping.

“I really wanted to save money by printing and fitting all the elements in-house, so Fujifilm sent us samples of

their personal matte wallpaper – and it worked perfectly,” continues Lawrence.

“We used it in green branding stripes, rather than have to commit to painting areas of the wall and then apply vinyl.

It was easy to print all the text, and then the images, all in one go. We used self-adhesive vinyl fabric media, which has a really good texture and is simplicity itself to apply to a wall.

Mark helped us with technical support and a few of the tricks of the trade.

Boost your print sales in 2018! Get in touch with Peter direct on 01234 572138 or via photoprintservices_UK@fujifilm.com 20 February 2018 | BPI News

www.bpinews.co.uk

Fujifilm Photo Print Services Promotion The museum was able to utilise its Epson SCP20000 64-inch printer utilising Fujifilm’s powerful RIP ImageHunter software to output large wall-sized imagery.

“I’ve been organising exhibitions for thirty years and I recall the days where we would need to outsource photographic black and white printed text panels, which we then over-mounted with our colour photographs.

These were the old traditional methods – but this is now all about evolution. Just having the technology to design on the computer, press a button and see it come out at the other end on to media that you can handle yourself and simply adjust on a wall as you wish, is nothing short of brilliant!

“This system also means we can save a great deal of money and we have become very proficient at it. The museum is now producing very high standard exhibitions and people can’t understand how we do it for the cost.”

Focal Point MD Chas Halsey, adds: “Lawrence’s smart use of wallpaper, selfadhesive media and fast-drying Fujifilm photo satin papers—plus a little help from his friends at Focal Point and Fujifilm – has meant he could do everything inhouse extremely cost-effectively.”

Mark Wade, Fujifilm senior product specialist, concludes: “As Lawrence has seen, our equipment and media product line- up is constantly evolving to make things easier and ever more cost-effective for our clients. We are here to answer questions and deliver bespoke solutions.”

For more on the above see: www.swheritage.org.uk/echoes-of-war www.focalpointphotographic.co.uk

Fujifilm Original Photo Papers awarded FSC certificate A positive advancement arrives this month with the news that the company has been recognised as doing its bit for the environment. Its Fujicolor Crystal Archive Album photo papers have been awarded FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certification and its prestigious ‘tick tree’ logo, following an independent audit by SCS Global services. The organisation states that ‘when you see the FSC logo on a label, you can buy forest products with confidence that you are helping to ensure our forests are alive for generations to come’. The system allows consumers to identify, purchase and use wood, paper and other forest products produced from well-managed forests and/or recycled materials.

The new FSC certificate covers the following Fujifilm products: Album Paper, Album HD Paper, Album Paper XS, Professional Velvet Paper Type S, plus Professional Textured Paper Canvas Type S. As for what this news means for Fujifilm’s customers and retail partners, Marketing Manager Peter Wigington explains: “This FSC certification rewards Fujifilm for

Enhance the value of your photos by printing those you the most on Fujifi love lm’s original photo paper. Your photo become a one-o will f-a-kind item, keep ing its intense and colours for a very brilliant long time. It will be your personal ‘original’. www.originalphotopa per.com

being an environmentally responsible company. It can be used for FSC certification of both you and your photobook products. At all times FSC guidelines and principles must be followed. Please do get in touch if you’d like to find out more about how this can benefit your business. Looking forward, our current plan is to FSC certify our remaining CLP products.”

In the meantime further information can be found at: www.fsc.org Check out the full range of Fujifilm Original Photo Papers at: www.originalphotopaper.com

“This FSC certification rewards Fujifilm for being an environmentally responsible company. It can be used for FSC certification of both you and your photobook products. At all times FSC guidelines and principles must be followed. Please do get in touch if you’d like to find out more about how this can benefit your business.”

Fujifilm UK Marketing Manager Peter Wigington

A passport to print success On the back of new Post Office procedures – announced just before Christmas – that will allow people who have photos taken in photo booths and at ‘professional digital photo shops’ to upload their photos directly to their online application forms, Fujifilm is offering its FDIS members a secure online storage resource for those wanting to offer exactly such a service.

“Fujifilm are working with a third party to provide a secure online server,” Peter Wigington informs us. “We are also writing a short program patch that can be installed on their server that will create and print the URL code onto the passport print they sell to the customer. It is likely there will be a small additional charge to cover the cost of managing the transfer and storing the file, though this is unconfirmed at the time of writing.”

The procedure is that the customer enters the URL code provided when they fill in their online form to retrieve the digital copy of the passport picture the retailer (or photo booth) has taken.

“This is a significant innovation which will give people applying for their passport more options than ever before,” believes Her Majesty’s Passport Office’s Director General, Mark Thomson. “It is the latest way in which we have harnessed digital technology to transform the way we deliver our services. We want to ensure we have a modern and easyto-use service for our millions of passport holders and applicants.”

Providers of digital passport photos who want to be able to offer this service will need to establish a secure process for storing and transferring their customers’ digital photos – which is what Fujifilm is providing its retail partners with. They will also need to ensure that the photos being shared with the customer are of the right size (around 3MB), right format (JPEG) and meet the existing rules for UK digital passports in terms of framing, lighting and face visibility and expression.

Further info can be found at: www.passport.service. gov.uk/help/photo-codes

Boost your print sales in 2018! Get in touch with Peter direct on 01234 572138 or via photoprintservices_UK@fujifilm.com @bpi_news

BPI News | February 2018 21

News

PANASONIC RENEWS NATIONAL TRUST PARTNERSHIP The electronics firm has announced another period of partnership with the National Trust, set to last 12 months. The latest arrangement involves the appointment of six National Trust Lumix ambassadors, existing National Trust staff who have a particular flair for either photography or videos, who will each be using either a Lumix GH5 or G9 (see also pages 12 and 13 this issue) to share photographic hints and tips, along with their images, across Lumix UK and the National Trust’s social media channels.

The public will also be able to get involved, says the manufacturer, borrowing cameras, lenses and accessories as part of the National Trust Roadshow which will tour a number of properties this spring.

“Partnering with the National Trust is the perfect way to demonstrate the superb nature and wildlife capabilities of our latest models,” says Barney Sykes, Head of Imaging at Panasonic UK. “Particularly the super highspeed G9, which can capture full-resolution images at 20 frames

per second, and the GH5, which can record 4K video at 60fps.

We’re delighted to have been able to partner with the National Trust once again, and continue our roadshows which have been hugely

popular over the last few years”.

Further details about the partnership will be revealed over the course of the year. www.panasonic.co.uk

Four to the fore for Canon

Canon’s first new products of 2018 have arrived in a quartet of refillable ink tank printers: the Pixma G1510, G2510, G3510 and G4510. Arriving this March, and described as ‘high yield, easy to use and compact’, the printers are designed for those customers of yours seeking high volume, low cost per page, productive printers for home, home office and small office use.

The high page yield claim is justified by the ability for users to print up to 6,000 pages from the black ink or 7,000 pages from a set

22 February 2018 | BPI News

of colour inks – meaning customers can print for longer without changing inks and therefore benefit from a very low cost per page. The printers are also efficient when it comes to energy use – with an Auto Power on/off setting saving power when the device isn’t in use.

As you’d expect from Canon, the printers also deliver high quality prints thanks to genuine pigment black ink ensuring sharp and crisp text and dye colour inks delivering vibrant images. All the models in the series are capable of borderless photo printing up to A4 in size.

As to how the printers differ in terms of specification and usage, the G1510 (£179.99 SRP) should be pitched to your customers as a printer for high volume printing at low cost per page, the G2510 (£199.99 SRP) as a high yield multi-function printer with the added users benefit of copying and scanning. The G3510 (£249.99 SRP) meanwhile is a high yield multi function 3-in-1 printer with Wi-Fi connectivity that supports smartphone and tablet printing, as well as copying and scanning via the Canon Print app. Finally the

range-topping G4510 (£299.99) is a 4-in-1 printer with a 20 sheet Automatic Document Feeder (ADF) and wireless connectivity to smart devices with a high page yield resulting in a low cost per page. Both the G2510 and G3510 feature a built-in 1.2-inch LCD, with the G4510 benefitting from a two-line LCD screen to assist with initial set up, Wi-Fi status and troubleshooting. Speak to your local Canon sales rep for further details. www.canon.co.uk

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10 New Kodak Express stores

THE GROWING KODAK EXPRESS NETWORK SEES A GREAT START TO 2018 since December!

The Kodak Express network has seen a great start to 2018 with five stores joining the network already in the first weeks of the new year, continuing the success from last year.

Just before Christmas two existing businesses in Somerset became Kodak Express members, Wot A Picture based in the town of Street close to Glastonbury and Nortech Computer in the heart of Portishead near Bristol.

The latest additions to the network are Finsbury Park Post Office, Brish Fones & Electronics based in London Southgate, Rhymes with Orange joining with two stores in central London and Repair Phones 4U in Bristol.

Nortech Computers

An independent computer specialist, Nortech Computers have a retail shop and workshop on Portishead’s High Street. The business is offering a variety of services from simple repairs to delivery and installation of new equipment. They have now taken taking the step into the world of photo printing services.

Brish Fones & Electronics

Wot a Picture

Kodak Express signage has been completed this week at this brand new London store in Southgate that will be opening during February.

Wot a Picture was founded in 2003 by husband and wife team Keith and Penny Bird as a general photographic studio and shop. Over the years the business has taken on new services into the portfolio including framing services which now is a key part of their business. To further strengthen their business they made the decision to start trading under the Kodak Express brand.

The owners have previously worked in the photo retail industry and we look forward to bringing you further details of this brand new venture once they have opened their doors to customers.

Seven further Kodak Express stores are due to be launched in February and March. Two are owned by Rhymes with Orange who are existing photo retailers and a further store will be within Finsbury Park Post Office.

New e-commerce websites for Kodak Express stores

www.kodakpictures.co.uk Another recent addition to the Kodak Express brand has been the new e-commerce website (www.kodakpictures. co.uk) launched in October 2017.

The national site acts as an umbrella site where customers can locate their closest Kodak Express branch and visit a store’s own local e-commerce website to choose, design and order their photo products and prints. It also acts as a very effective way of advertising and promoting in-store only services like Passport and ID Photos.

All of the new network members have been really excited by the new e-commerce website solution which will further help them

to expand their business presence online. Many of the existing and new network members did not have an effective web presence prior to the Kodak Express website and can now target a much wider audience, expand their product range as well as offer online ordering to new and existing customers.

The launch has been supported by a national marketing campaign across media including The Daily Express, Mail Online, Mumsnet and more.

Local store sites are already finding themselves appearing high on page one of Google for many of the popular search terms associated with photo printing and gifting after just the first weeks.

Contact Tetenal to discuss how you could join the Kodak Express Network TEL 0116 289 3644 www.tetenaluk.com

BPI News Awards 2018

VOTING NOW OPEN FOR THE BPI NEWS TRADE AWARDS 2018!

Scramble to email (via info@bpinews.co.uk) or Tweet us (to @bpi_news) your vote for Product of the Year, plus your vote for Campaign/Production of the Year. To help you make your selection we’ve rounded up some suggestions from the past 12 months’ worth of BPI News editions across this spread…

OUR BPI NEWS AWARDS 2018 NOMINEES To provide inspiration for how you cast your vote – and for whom or for what – we’ve provided the following ‘refresher’ of the key products and promotions featured throughout the past years’ worth of publications of BPI News.

Remember; we’re only after two selections from the entire list from you – just one Product Welcome

BPI NEWS PRODUCT FOCUS

REPORT them. 76% of people who conduct a local search on their smartphone visit a business within 24 hours and 28% of those people make a purchase.”

Such striking statistics certainly perked the attendees up and FDIS members were keen to hear more from both Paddy and TK after their respective speeches.

#DestinationFujifilm

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certificates at The Photography Show in March, and announcing your overall winners in our May cover edition of BPI News.

So don’t miss out, use your clout! Here are the nominees month-by-month:

Welcome REPORT

FujiFilm Roller Banner

of the Year and one Campaign/Promotion of the year. So, simply run an eye over or finger down our list of nominees and see what jumps out at you. Then get on your smartphone, tablet or desktop and send us your choice/s.

As usual, we’ll be presenting the leading nominees with commemorative, framed finalist

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BPI NEWS PRODU

#DestinationFujifilm

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Celebrating a winning formula with a coterie of winners

The growing FDIS membership is is now 189 stores strong, many of whom made it along to this year’s Conference for business advice and marketing tips

MAKE YOUR DESTINATION FUJIFILM Fujifilm has just celebrated another successful annual gathering of its Fujifilm Digital Imaging Service (FDIS) network, topped off by a black tie Fujifilm Business Endeavour Awards, at which lucky and worthy recipients were recognised. BPI News has the inside track

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strong online and digital presence.

Speakers included Paddy Moogan from digital marketing agency Aira – who explained the in’s and out’s of great digital marketing to its members – and TK Boecker from The Print Refinery (a forwardthinking new shop design initiative).

They both spoke on the day alongside Fujifilm’s Marketing Manager Peter Wigington and Photo Imaging General Manager Neill Harris, who outlined Fujifilm’s plans to re-invigorate the market support it supplies its retail partners with.

raditionally taking place in Birmingham on the same Saturday that The Photography Show – which Fujifilm also attended in force – raises its own shutters, this year the national conference for Fujifilm Digital Imaging Service (FDIS) members felt like it had upped its game. Held at the National Conference Centre on March 18th, there were even more attendees than ever receiving awards at a swish black tie dinner – a first for the event.

This year’s conference had the theme of ‘#DestinationFujifilm’; encompassing the manufacturer’s dual aims: for FDIS-branded stores to become the ‘go-to’ retailer for photo printing on the high street, and to create greater consumer awareness of photo printing services via a

‘Single biggest high street photo brand…’

Following a successful year for Fujifilm led by the success of Instax cameras, Neil announced that

the FDIS group is now the single biggest high street photo brand able to offer on-site assisted photo services. “With more than 180 minilabs and creative-productenabled locations, you are now best placed to serve the photo consumer, and define yourselves as THE destination for photo services,” said Neill, who also thanked members for their continued support and dedication to the industry.

Peter Wigington then shared statistics from a 1,000-participant consumer research project commissioned by Fujifilm, with Peter and the team also visiting each of the 189 FDIS member stores across the UK. The feedback revealed that: “whilst Fujifilm in general is considered a trusted and recognised brand, more work is needed to raise

awareness for our photo imaging services in the UK.” Of the aims for the coming year, Peter identified the importance of digital marketing and a strong online presence, given that: “74% of consumers will use online to purchase printed photo products in the future.” With this in mind, Fujifilm unveiled plans for a new photo products and services website, and will be moreover updating the look and feel of FDIS with fresh, modern artwork used throughout the group.

“It is important that FDIS branding remains consistent, both online and offline,” Peter noted.

“Consumers should have the same experience whether they shop in-store, online or through the mobile app.”

Keynote speakers, L to R: Fujifilm’s Neill Harris and Peter Wigington were followed by Paddy Moogan and TK Boecker

Boost your print sales in 2017! Get in touch with Peter direct on 01234 572138 or via pwigington@fuji.co.uk 22 April 2017 | BPI News

www.bpinews.co.uk

Expert advice from outside sources Providing an independent view, having flown in especially from the States, was TK Broecker, a business owner who shared some of the ideas behind the launch of The

Moving on to the black tie evening celebrations, two new awards categories were introduced this year – ‘Best use of a promotion (Frame in a Box)’ and ‘Best use of social media’. See our panel on this spread for the full list of this year’s winners.

Outstanding Contribution this year was Alister Walker of JRS Photo in Scotland, while Digipix in Ilford hoisted the other big award of the night as ‘FDIS Shop of the Year’.

Prizes were also given for an Instagram challenge that took place in the lead up to this year’s Conference and Awards, and

Outstanding Contribution to Independent Photo Retail:

Alister Walker, JRS Photo (pictured above)

FDIS Shop of The Year:

Digipix, Ilford

Fujifilm Business Endeavour Awards:

Razzaq Digital, Harrow Cartridge & Personalised Print World, Andover Click Click, Bishops Stortford Cartridge & Photo Shop, Andover

FBEA Highly Commended:

1st Digital Cameras, Newcastle Under Lyme Black & White Photography, Edmonton Catch The Moment, Bristol Colliers Photo Imaging, Swansea Enniskillen Photo Shop Photo Studio, Tewkesbury Salisbury Photo Centre Staveley Photo Centre Treorchy Photo Lab

again involved the participation of Fujifilm’s DIS network. This comprised 10 photographic categories, with prizes offered for the best entries. The winners (see also our side panel) were the ones who were as creative as possible in thinking outside the box.

Over the course of the night Fujifilm held a raffle which raised £700 for Cancer Research. This was particularly poignant, as long time FDIS member Don Soppitt of McFarlanes, Larne, has recently undergone a course of intensive chemotherapy and was unable to attend this year’s gathering.

Summing up the 2017 Conference and Awards, Fujifilm’s Peter Wigington concludes: “Because they take their businesses seriously, our FDIS members are excited and optimistic about what’s to come.”

For more call 01234 572138 or email photoimaging_uk@fujifilm.com

FDIS Shop Assistant of the Year:

Foto Finish, Chard

Best use of social media:

J&A Cameras, Barnstaple

InstaChallenge winners:

#crazystuff - Owens Imaging, Orpington #rushhour - Black & White Photography, Edmonton #bestseller - Click Click, Bishops Stortford #animalmagic - Colorgrafix, Louth #windowdisplay - Frosrt Photo Centre, Mere Green #customerlove - Y Stiwdio Brint #brightidea - The Photo Shop, Tewkesbury #coffeebreak - Digipix, Ilford #roomwithaview - Colliers Photo Imaging, Swansea #afterhours - The Photo Shop, Tewkesbury

Fujifilm’s Instagram Challenge winners were encouraged to ‘think outside the box’

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riginally announced in February this year, a fresh slew of Japanese made Sigma lenses are coming your way to stock and to sell, designed to satisfy a wide range of photographic needs.

All have the advantage of having been evaluated using the company’s ‘A1’ MFT measuring system, while each is available for Canon, Nikon and Sigma camera mounts. At the time of writing, availability and price is still to be confirmed.

Kicking things off is the 135mm f/1.8 DG HSM telephoto lens; the sixth 35mm full frame optic to join the ‘Art’ series line up and another option for those looking for a flattering ‘bokeh’ effect for subject matter, whether shooting tight or aiming for full body shots when taking portraits. The company adds that it is suitable for pairing with ultra high resolution, 50MP-shooting DSLRs and offers the advantage of fast and nimble auto focus – thanks to its Hyper Sonic Motor (or ‘HSM’). Its brass bayonet mount is also dust and splashproof. An additional advantage is that, like the others here, it’s compatible with the MC-11 mount converter, as well as the Sigma USB Dock, therefore allowing for a degree of future proofing.

Secondly, if your customers are seeking an ultra wide angle, highspeed lens then direct them to the 14mm f/1.8 DG HSM. This is being pitched as the world’s first and only

James Kidd, Frosts Digital

Best use of a promotion (Frame in a Box):

Instagram Challenge

FOCUS ON SIGMA’S ‘FANTASTIC FOUR’ Following a successful showcase at The Photography Show, the optical specialist is encouraging specialist retailers to stock up on its latest lens quartet: the Sigma 14mm f/1.8 DG HSM, 24-70mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM, 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM and 135mm f/1.8 DG HSM.

Boost your print sales in 2017! Get in touch with Peter direct on 01234 572138 or via pwigington@fuji.co.uk

www.sigma-imaging-uk.com

SIGMA’S SPRING LENSES AT A GLANCE: Sigma’s Graham Armitage and Paul Reynolds at TPS 2017 with their finalist nomination for this year’s BPI News Awards, based on previous lens releases

f/1.8 ultra wide-angle lens for DSLRs – and happens to be the 7th 35mm full frame prime lens to join its ‘Art’ line up.

Featuring a brass bayonet mount, it can deliver beautiful bokeh effects or crystal clear results, the specification allowing the photographer to get up close and personal to a subject whilst also taking in a vast background – a ‘trick’ that goes beyond the capability of the human eye. The above qualities make it perfectly suited to astrophotography in particular, as its f/1.8 aperture affords a fast enough shutter speed to be able to capture stars so that they appear motionless.

Perhaps the flexibility and convenience of a standard zoom as a ‘go to’ lens is closer to what your photographer customer seeks?

The latest option here is the large

diameter 24-70mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM, optimised for resolving the detail delivered by the latest megapixel heavy cameras. Introduced as part of the ‘Art’ line up and featuring a Hypersonic motor once again for high speed autofocus, along with an optical image stabilizer and a metal barrel to aid stability, this is the fourth generation of a popular lens first launched back in 2001. Sigma describes its ‘bokeh’ effects as ‘a cut above’ the norm for a lens in this class.

Whilst the above three lenses all fall under Sigma’s ‘Art’ lens banner, the final piece of the four-sided jigsaw is the ‘Contemporary’ series 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM. The pitch to your customers here is that this is a new compact, lightweight (at 1,160g) approach to the ultra

 135mm f/1.8 DG HSM – Full frame telephoto lens suitable for pairing with ultra high resolution, 50MP-shooting DSLRs  14mm f/1.8 DG HSM – Ultra wide angle, high-speed full frame lens pitched as the world’s first and only f/1.8 ultra wide-angle lens for DSLRs. An ideal choice for astrophotography  24-70mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM – ‘Go to’ standard zoom optimised for resolving the detail delivered by the latest megapixel heavy cameras  100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM – Compact, light approach to the ultra telephoto zoom, offering spec and performance comparable to a more expensive unit

All lenses sold via Sigma Imaging UK come with the benefit of a three year limited warranty.

BPI News | April 2017 23

@bpi_news

telephoto zoom, offering specification and performance comparable to a more expensive unit. Featuring a push/pull zoom mechanism, a built-in optical stabiliser, minimum shooting distance of 160cm and HSM motor for swift AF, stunning image quality and outstanding functionality is the major appeal here.

14 April 2017 | BPI News

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Manfrotto Fluid Drag System for smooth and free movements.

Versatile flat base suitable for tripods, crane, jibs and sliders.

www.bpinews.co.uk

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May 2017 | BPI News

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News | 16 May 2017 BPI

LED, visit

 A full set of filters are included as standard , with optional available extras

this LED light includes integrate aluminium d handles, users the freedom which gives its to work with at angles and light positions not possible. Flexibility otherwise here is key.

Breaking from tradition with LED lights regard to in its form factor, the does not feature AEOS as this typically a conventional yoke, limits moveme the light to nt of just 30 to 40 degrees of tilt, reducing control over light spill.

Instead Rotolight ’s AEOS includes a professio nal level ball head from high quality aluminiu made m as standard, thus providing complete

www.rotoligh t.com/aeos

Photo by Jason

Lanier, lit with

www.bpinews.co .uk @bpi_news

1x Rotolight

AEOS. Taken

with: Sony

A7Rii, 1/60

Call Rotolig ht direct for

sec at f/2.8,

BPI NEWS MAY 2017:

Promotion/Campaign of the Year Nominees: ‘Make Your Destination Fujifilm’ (FDIS Conference 2017) or The Photography Show 2017

Promotion/Campaign of the Year Nominees: ‘Piston power your sales’ with Manfrotto’s Nitrotech Fluid Video Head, or Fujifilm Expands the GFX System

BPI NEWS EXTRA

BPI NEWS PRODUCT FOCUS

Just what the doctor ordered

It’s all go at Nikon-only specialist Grays of Westminster. Not only is there a new book of Tony Hurst’s photography coming to coincide with Nikon’s 100th year anniversary, but actor Martin Clunes – aka Doc Martin in the long-running ITV series – recently dropped in to be interviewed about his love of photography for the shop’s own publication, Nikon Owner magazine.

Y

ou’ll recall we featured the uniquely Nikon-only specialist Grays of Westminster in BPI News last year to coincide with its 30 years of trading, commemorated in the hardback book Grays of Westminster – The Legend and The Legacy by Gillian Greenwood. Back in 2014 we also featured the retailer when it became the first camera shop in the world to be granted its own Coat of Arms.

This year the photo independent is celebrating another milestone – 100 years of Nikon – with a new publication, this one focusing on the lustrous, Nikon-centric product photography of Tony Hurst, often featured in Grays’ press ads and shop window. Its publication date of July cleverly coincides with Nikon’s actual birthday (see also Nikon’s micro site at www.nikon.com/100th).

Unusual and rare Nikon equipment from over the years will be a large part of the book’s appeal – and the same is true of Grays as a camera shop.

Becoming a ‘destination store’ for all things Nikon has enabled it to stand out and be celebrated in its own right, whilst a location in London’s Westminster and attention to detail – embodied in an exterior brass plaque bearing a signature based on Gray Levett’s own copperplate handwriting

Grays of Westminster Presents The Legendary Photography of Tony Hurst is going to be a special, signed, limited edition of 100 images to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of Nikon

Doctor who? L to R: Grays of Westminster’s Gillian Greenwood, actor and Nikon enthusiast Martin Clunes, Grays’ owner Gray Levett. Clunes was recently interviewed for the store’s self-published Nikon Owner magazine, drawing a great response...

– has helped attract big-name customers. Stanley Kubrick, David Suchet and many others, including Rod Stewart, Matt Damon and Tim Burton, have been among the notable, whilst a further convert to both Nikon and Grays is actor Martin Clunes, aka ITV’s Doc Martin.

A doctor calls…

Asked about the connection, Grays’ founder, Gray Levett, responds: “Martin’s wife, Philippa, who produces the Doc Martin series, popped in to buy a camera for him and he was very happy with it. Subsequently, when he visited the store, I introduced myself and we chatted about some of the vintage equipment. He’s a very charming and amiable man.

We talked about his photography and I mentioned that we’d love to do something with him for Nikon Owner magazine. He jokingly told me that I’d regret the offer, because he’d ‘bombard me with his masterpieces’.

“Some time later he returned to the shop, came up to my office and it went from there; we arranged to do the interview and I worked on it for about three months. The issue of Nikon Owner in which he was featured

received an extraordinary response, both within the photographic world and from the general public, as he has a huge number of followers. It was like a replay of the time we featured (former glam rock star) Marc Bolan of T.Rex on the cover with a Nikon F in his hand (Nikon Owner Issue 53, July 2016). That also drew a lot of interest from fans. A further twist was that Michael Putland, the celebrated music photographer who took the Bolan shot, once had his studio in our basement. A lot of famous artists have been through these doors, including Marc Bolan, Alice Cooper, Slade, Andy Williams and legendary DJ John Peel.

“We’ve had people contacting us not only from the UK, but from America and Canada as well, saying they’re huge fans of Martin Clunes.

I can completely understand the attraction. He is a man with a great generosity of spirit, which comes across in his work and when you speak to him personally. We’ve just completed some service work for him on his equipment. The response was “I don’t know what you’ve done, but the camera is shooting better than ever.”

In addition to connections with famous faces, there aren’t many independent camera stores who can

Miami... Nice! lay claim to publishing their own photo magazine, which, of course, is another clever marketing tool in Grays’ arsenal – an additional way of establishing and maintaining a long-running relationship with its customer base.

Look out for Grays’ own Nikon celebration Grays of Westminster Presents The Legendary Photography of Tony Hurst: a special, signed, limited edition book of 100 images to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of Nikon. “There will be beautiful full colour pages with a caption detailing each item of equipment,” promises Gray. “The celebrated photographer and film director, Terence Donovan once told me that Tony Hurst was a genius while another said, ‘Gray, you do realise that this is Nikon camera porn…’“ For further details, including how to order a copy, keep a look out via www.graysofwestminster.co.uk or email info@graysofwestminster.co.uk

To order Grays of Westminster Presents The Legendary Photography of Tony Hurst email info@graysofwestminster.co.uk 12 June 2017 | BPI News

www.bpinews.co.uk

The ‘Miami’ camera bag range from Hama comprises two backpacks in the 150 (£59 SRP) and 190 (£89 SRP) models, in snazzy black with red outer detailing and adjustable red padded interior. For those photographer customers of yours with slightly more heavy duty gear there is also the trolley option provided by the 200 model (still a very affordable £119 SRP), again fashioned in black and red. The beauty here is that it still qualifies as hand luggage for

carrying on to a plane. Wheels and an extendable handle are provided for easy transportation of equipment.

The flagship Miami 200 model, manufactured from hard-wearing polyester, measures 38.4cm high and features interior dimensions of 27x12x37cm. A backpack with notebook/tablet compartment, it features a padded removable camera compartment with eight removable inner dividers and a lid made of mesh material. There are adjustable length shoulder straps, a tripod holder at the side and a padded handle, together with ‘feet’, trolley frame and wheels.

Hama’s pitch is that all three Miami models can accommodate everything that’s required for your customers’ photo excursions, whilst an integrated all-weather/dust cover is provided to aid protection of stored equipment. The trio, including the trolley option, each serves as a comfortable backpack for hiking and the great outdoors, as well as for use in transit and in the urban environment. In short these are flexible, useful and very saleable additions to any dealer’s stock list of photo accessories.

NEWS EXTRA

Have Hama, will travel…

Another accessory to piggyback on the sale of the above bags and just about any other photo item is the Hama ‘Travel’ USB Charger.

This pocketable device is capable of accommodating batteries from most common camera brands, including Canon, Nikon, Olympus,

Hama ‘Miami’ Travel Backpacks & Trolley advantages:  Adjustable inner camera compartment with eight flexible dividers

 All three models can accommodate everything that’s required for your customers’ photo excursion

 Even the largest trolley option in the 200 model qualifies as hand luggage

 Affordable price points range from £59 to £119 (SRP) – an option for everyone!

 Attractive black and red livery

 Integrated all-weather/dust cover

www.rotolight.co m

FUJIFILM HIGHLIGHTS ‘SILVER’ LINING FOR TRADE PARTNERS

BPI News eavesdrops on what happened when Fujifilm invited a bunch of the UK’s leading pro labs – Loxley Colour, Metro, G.F.Smith, One Vision, Bayeux, Digitalab, Genesis and Colorworld – to visit its vast photographic paper manufacturing plant in Tilburg, Holland, and witness that silver halide technology is alive and well. Plus, we highlight Fujifilm’s new ‘Make it an Original’ paper promotion and website

Packing ‘em in: Choose from the compact Miami 50 model on left, or the largest 200 trolley option on right

Following the launch of its Live for the Story advert and marketing campaign attracting new people into photography last month – and for which there wasn’t a camera in sight – the photo giant is now launching two new DSLRs. Arriving in July are the enthusiast targeted EOS 6D Mark II, and the beginner friendly EOS 200D. BPI News attended the London preview…

L Hama Travel USB Charger advantages:  Small, light and compact travel charger

ast issue we spoke to Canon Marketing Director Susie Donaldson to get an insight into its newly launched and continuing ‘Live for the Story’ marketing campaign, aimed at engaging with an audience not yet brought into the Canon brand, or the industry as a whole . Notably, a camera didn’t feature in the initial advert; it was more about feelings and experiences than hardware. This month we’re back to talking tangible product however, with the brand launching two interesting new DSLRs in the EOS 6D Mark II and the EOS 200D, pitched at the enthusiast/ hobbyist and beginner respectively.

 USB equipped for maximum versatility and convenience

Plenty of opportunity

 Charge a camera battery in the car or use a power pack or notebook

Daniel Benjamin, who heads up Product Marketing for Canon UK, gave us a bit of a market overview.

“The background to this is our need to reach a wider group of image makers. The good news is that opportunity is growing all the time. In 2017 we know that more images than ever before – 358 billion images – will be taken. This creates opportunity to encourage consumers who are using their phone to trade up to a dedicated device. The good news is that this brings with it more

 Always be equipped with back up power to capture that picture when you need to  LED indicator relays information about the charge state  One simple price point of £12.99 SRP

www.uk.hama.com

“The background to this is our need to reach a wider group of image makers. The good news is that opportunity is growing all the time.”

– Daniel Benjamin, Product Marketing Manager Canon UK commercial opportunities. So more accessories to support image capture, more opportunities to help users organize their images and more opportunities to encourage printing of their images… so we’re in quite an exciting time.

“We’re also at the forefront of imaging technology, as we have been since 1934, and continue to

significantly invest in R&D. Though we continue to be the number one camera brand, the market’s changed and we’re adapting with it. Traditionally we’ve been focused on maxmising the demand for our products and now we need to start to drive desirability, especially in a competitive market. So we’ve got a very simple strapline now: ‘shoot,

L to R: Canon’s Neale Conroy holds the new EOS 200D whilst Daniel Benjamin shows off the 6D Mark II

remember and share’. Effectively we’re growing our eco system. We’ve added additional services such as Lifecake and Kite. So, now when users capture their images with EOS or PowerShot, they have the opportunity to share and upload images through the likes of Lifecake and irista and then to print them via our services including Kite.ly, hdbook and using our PIXMA photo printers.

“We’ve looked at how we can talk about our brand and instead of just focusing on the product and on the tech, we’re now focusing on how products and services can help people tell their story, regardless of where they are on their image journey. And we do this all under the umbrella of our new consumer platform ‘Live for the Story’ (see BPI News June for the full low-down). It’s an attitude, not just a strapline, where we can talk about the benefits of the product, not just the tech features.

“While we’ve put big investment into the campaign to attract more people to the category, we’re continuing to develop our offerings for enthusiasts and professionals.

We’re still sponsors of World Press Photo, our CPS team is at all the major sporting events this summer and we work very closely with camera clubs..

Hopefully everything we’re working

How to pitch Canon’s new DSLRs: The 26.2MP EOS 6D Mark II is a enthusiast/hobbyist device, whilst the

Order Miami travel bags and Hama Travel Chargers for summer stock NOW via 0333 123 4262. www.uk.hama.com @bpi_news

lens

422 750

FUJIFILM PHOTO PRINT SERVICES PROMOTION

CANON DSLR PREVIEW

SHOOT, REMEMBER & SHARE… CANON FIRES SUMMER DSLR SALVO

Sony, Go Pro and Panasonic. Like any charger worth its salt, it offers the convenience of USB charging for your customers’ camera batteries when on the go.

So, as with a smartphone, whilst photographers can re-charge their cells from a power bank or car battery, a notebook or laptop can also be utilised to provide power.

Described as ‘intelligent’ chargers, these units are not only designed to specifically charge a particular type of battery, but also allow for minimal power wastage and more efficient charging.

Charging is also claimed as safe, with the Travel USB Chargers protected against short-circuiting and polarity reversal. An LED function indicator relays information about the charge state of the battery inserted. Conveniently, the suggested retail price for each manufacturer specific charger is the same: an affordable £12.99. Get in touch with your local Hama rep to add these items and the Miami backpacks to your shelves today!

To take advantage of Hama’s extensive range, get in touch now on 0333 123 4262 or head to the website (URL below) to register to become a trade partner.

70-200 G Master

on 01753

Product the Year Nominees: PermaJet FB Mono Gloss Baryta 320 paper, Rotolight AEOS location light, or Panasonic GH5 mirror-less camera

In advance of the summer holidays, Hama is offering up its new travel chargers and travel bags to the trade – quality items sure to catch the imagination and interest of your customers and put profit into your business…

hoto accessories supplier Hama has a couple of enticing ranges perfectly pitched at your photographer customers as the annual summer travel season gets under way: namely its USB-equipped travel chargers and a ‘revamped’ line up of ‘Miami’ Travel Camera Backpacks and Trolley.

Described previously in these pages as ’a one stop shop for all your photo minutiae,’ Hama’s comprehensive range means that there is something for everyone, at every conceivable price point. For the dealer there is also the welcome opportunity to make a good margin on a sale. As those in the trade will know, the supplier also has sales reps out on the road who are able to call in on your business and impart advice first hand on what’s new, what’s selling well, and what would be most suitable for your own business. All that being said, we’re focusing on two aptly seasonal product ranges here.

ISO 800. Sony

further details

filters, a cosmetic peach skin diffusion to tone ‘warm’ the subject, a magenta fi lter plus an AC/DC supply and aforementioned power head. Further ball optional accessori include a custom es made soft capable of bag carrying with barn doors, up to two lights two batteries two stands, and plus V-lock batteries barn doors, , rain covers, soft boxes and a yoke for studio Good competit truss mounting. ive margins are available to trade partners Call Rotoligh . t on 01753 422 750, or Digital Distribution independent (for photo dealers) 01442 230022 on or sales@dd to get info ltd.co.uk and pricing.

BPI News | May 2017

GET SET FOR SUMMER WITH HAMA TRAVEL ACCESSORIES

P

128mm at

stock and

BPI NEWS APRIL 2017: Product the Year Nominees: Sigma’s ‘Fantastic Four’ lenses (14mm f/1.8 DG HSM, 24-70mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM, 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM and 135mm f/1.8 DG HSM), or Noritsu D705 dry lab via PhotoXport

6 July/August 2017 | BPI News

www.bpinews.co.uk

“We have the EOS ‘5’ series, which is aimed at the professional and then the ‘6’ series, which is aimed at the enthusiast. It’s smaller, lighter, easier to use but will still give you amazing image quality.

– David Parry, Canon Product Specialist towards is helping build a bigger market. We’ve continued to be the number one camera brand with the number one selling SLR, we’ve got the number one mirror-less on the market and we’ve got the number one full frame camera on the market.”

New DSLR duo Market info aside, Canon Product Specialist David Parry also gave us a comprehensive run down of the new EOS 6D Mark II and EOS 200D, though professed excitement at the entire EOS range. “It’s a great selection of products, whatever level you are with your photography,” he told us. “I think that’s a real strong benefit for Canon – in that we have this depth and breadth in our range.

Talking us through the full frame EOS 6D Mark II first, David noted that its predecessor in the EOS 6D (which it replaces) was launched back at Photokina 2012 and created quite a stir for Canon. “What’s happened is that every generation of DSLR has moved up and up in terms of sophistication and pro features. The ‘5’ series moving up and being aimed at the professional has created a hole, which the ‘6’ series is filling for the enthusiast. It’s smaller, lighter, easier to use… but still provides amazing image quality.

“We’ve kept the core message which is ‘compact and lightweight’, with full frame image quality and high sensitivity performance. The 6D was well known for its low light capability and this is a move forward. The original 6D was also

Canon’s David Parry details the features of its newest DSLR pair for summer 2017

the first camera in our line up to have Wi-Fi and GPS. We’ve now got Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC and GPS in this one.

“We’ve made the Mark II the first full frame camera in our line up with a variable angle monitor and a touch panel, plus the auto focus is a 45 point, all cross type. Controls haven’t changed much over the original 6D, so it handles much in the same manner.

“Another thing that’s really important is the frames per second.

It has risen from 4.5fps to 6.5fps. I think that’s made the Mark II quite a different beast to the original 6D. The original was very good for landscape and portrait photography, but this one I see as having a broader appeal, encompassing sports and action too.

“The second new camera in the EOS 200D is kind of replacing the 100D. I say ‘kind of’ because it is such a leap forward, while targeting the same kind of consumer. It’s very small, lightweight and simple to use. For me the exciting thing to see on this camera is the variable angle touch

screen. It is huge, yet the camera is so small. It really does give you a lovely shooting experience.

“In terms of who this camera’s aimed at, this is about getting people into SLR photography. To achieve that we’re utilising our ‘guided interface’ (GUI); it’s really exciting because it encourages people to come out of auto and encourages them to explore.

We’ve got this on the 800D, the 77D, at the moment and I’m really pleased to say on this new one as well. Other than that, the button layout is very simplified. And I like that because it’s not scary for someone who’s come to this from a smart device. People can find their way around it easily.

“It’s got a 9 point AF system, Digic 7 processor, 24 megapixel sensor, , Wi-Fi, NFC and Bluetooth connectivity, and it’s the world’s smallest SLR with a vari angle screen. If you use our new latest 18-55mm f/4-5.6 zoom with it, it makes for the world’s fastest AF system. There are a couple of caveats to that, but I think it’s quite an interesting story in itself. It also comes in a choice of three colours – a white, a silver and a black version as well.

“Both of these cameras have Dual Pixel CMOS AF technology. This piece of technology has grown with us and moved across our range. Why? Because it is a fantastic Live View auto focus system: 80% of the image capture area is AF points. So every single megapixel is used to capture AF in that 80% area, which is fantastic in terms of accuracy. Every single megapixel in this 80% area is basically an AF point… so you could almost say we have 18 million AF points. It really is exciting.”

New Canon DSLRs – at a glance: EOS 6D Mark II  Brand new 26.2 million pixel full frame sensor  Up to ISO 40,000 before full expansion  Latest generation DIGIC 7 processor (14x faster than DIGIC 6)  45 point cross type AF system  Dual Pixel CMOS AF technology  Vari-angle touch screen  Full HD video at 60P with headphone input, HDR video mode and 4K timelapse function  Available July at £1,999.99 SRP (body only) or £2,379.99 with EF 24-105mm STM lens  Accessories include battery grip at £199 SRP and Protecting Cloth at £24.99 SRP EOS 200D  New 24.2 megapixel APS-C camera sensor  9 point AF system  DIGIC 7 processor  Dual Pixel CMOS AF technology  World’s smallest APS-C DSLR with vari angle LCD  Available in white, silver or standard black  Available July at £579.99 SRP (body only), or £679.99 (all colours) with 18-55mm STM lens. A black only kit alternatively includes a 1855mm DC lens for £649.99

Members of the trade should speak to their local Canon rep for more on the above products, or head to the below URL: www.canon.co.uk

24.2MP EOS 200D is firmly aimed at the beginner trading up from a smartphone. For more see www.canon.co.uk @bpi_news

F

ujifilm’s Tilburg plant in Holland is an enormous 150-acre site that, amongst many other things, produces the photo paper on which over a third of the prints made worldwide are output. This staggering fact wasn’t lost on a cluster of print experts from professional photofinishing labs from around the UK, who were recently invited on a two-day factory tour, enabling them to witness the creation process first hand and also hear about the exciting future of silver halide.

The Tilburg tour coincided with the launch of Fujifilm’s new ‘Make it an Original’ silver halide photo paper campaign and website – both of which focus on creating awareness of the blossoming silver halide marketplace, plus Fujifilm’s own inventory of twenty-seven different colour papers with varied surface types and sizes.

For those who believe that the unstoppable tide of digitisation has all but carried away traditional processes, it might come as a surprise to hear that silver halide has a future at all, but, in fact, the pro labs know better, and Fujifilm’s classic Crystal Archive paper, revered for its exceptional quality and archival qualities, is still the media of choice for professional and hobbyist photographers right across the board.

As a result, Fujifilm was keen to showcase the work that goes on behind the scenes to ensure it stays ahead of the game as a manufacturer and that its silver halide products continue to more than hold their own.

Those making the trip to Holland from the UK included owners and senior managers from Loxley Colour, Metro, G.F.Smith, One Vision, Bayeux, Digitalab, Genesis and Colorworld.

One of the truly great things about the pro lab business is that, despite the fact that all of those on the Tilburg trip are in competition with one another, there was still a great sense of camaraderie in evidence, along with a willingness to network and to share experiences. So, it was a buzzing, lively crowd that donned the mandatory white overalls on that first afternoon to undertake the factory tour and to see for themselves where the papers they use actually originate.

A focus on quality Nothing was off-limits, barring those areas where coating processes need to be undertaken, for obvious

“Our new ‘Make it an Original’ campaign is all about highlighting the compelling advantages of photographers using silver halide papers. We are seeing exciting exponential growth in this sector, so are making available new marketing toolkits for our trade partners, to be used as a key ‘call to action’ for their customers.”

– Fujifilm UK Marketing Manager Peter Wigington

reasons, in complete darkness.

Our guide Wil der Kinderen, like so many of the Fujifilm employees encountered on the tour, had worked for the company for decades.

He proudly showed his guests everything from the store where the vast rolls of paper waiting to be coated were kept – along with the ingenious automated traverser system employed to move them around – through to the high-tech systems that cut the paper to size and take care of quality control.

Everything is checked thoroughly at every stage, and attention to detail is impressive: after all, Fujifilm’s reputation and that of its customers is on the line, and that message has clearly been received loud and clear.

As the various processes were explained on the way round the building, there was no shortage of questions. Ken Sethi, CEO of Genesis Imaging – a lab that handles the printing for many major exhibitions, as well as the fine art print requirements for Getty Images – was one of those having his eyes opened as to how much goes into the production of silver halide print materials, in terms of R&D and physical production methods.

“It’s real eye-opener when it’s explained to you, and not at all what I imagined it to be,” he enthuses.

“Silver halide paper still represents the vast bulk of my business. It’s what brings photographers through my door, so it was reassuring to hear

Boost your print sales in 2017! Get in touch with Peter direct on 01234 572138 or via photoprintservices_UK@fujifilm.com @bpi_news

BPI News | July/August 2017 9

BPI News | July/August 2017 7

BPI News | June 2017 25

BPI NEWS JUNE 2017:

BPI NEWS JULY/AUGUST 2017:

Promotion/Campaign of the Year Nominees: ‘Canon ‘Live For The Story’ campaign, Grays of Westminster ‘Just What The Doctor Ordered’

Promotion/Campaign of the Year Nominees: ‘A Century of Nikon & Beyond’, ‘Canon Fires Summer DSLR Salvo’ or ‘Fujifilm Highlights Silver Lining For Trade Partners’

Product the Year Nominees: Hama travel chargers & bags or Canon PowerShot SX430 IS

Product the Year Nominees: MAC Group Benro Slim Tripod Kits or Olympus TG-5 camera

Don’t delay, cast your votes in the BPI News Awards today! Send your choices to us @bpi_news or email info@bpinews.co.uk 24 February 2018 | BPI News

T PROMOT

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Rotolight AEOS LED key adva ’s ntages at a glan ce:

specialist to see inside. more is, based Rotolight There world famous at thewith a technologic head video Pinewoo A fluid d film studios, in the pages a nitrogen piston capable of BPI News before – showcasingcore featuring ce your gear. its continuously award winning counterbalan to N8. lighting products LED new Manfrotto Nitrotech the Neo theand Now it has Discover another potential Anova. change on game its hands to share with the press and the trade in the ‘AEOS’, a cleverly portable yet powerful location light LED for videographers photographers and on the move.

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ROTOLIGH

“The Rotolig ht and portrai AEOS is the ultimate light for locatio t photographer

powerful, but power ful, n s who want highly portable something The ease of beautiful soft yet portable and easy use with AEOS . to carry, with light output allows photographers . a to be more and spend creative to get shots AEOS will simply enable more time you composing their perfect – Pro photog no one else can.” shot, rather rapher Jason than spending time Lanier on 360 degree lighting setups.” cumbersome rotation and 200 degrees of tilt if mounted It goes without display. Its on a light stand. saying that ‘AccuColour’ Obviously Rotolight’s LED this aff latest LED technology is packed does away lighting set-ups ords creative with its industry with the need for timely colour not hitherto first patented with more technologies, possible correction conventional tones in post of skin including High light sources.

The ball head production.

Speed Synch is also suffi Flash (HSS), ciently solid providing to support a powerful the full weight colour temperat Professional of the AEOS at any adjustable ure grade tool flash at 200% angle, with battery and of the barn doors maximum mounted continuous But don’t just light output take Rotolight for tradition Naturally AEOS . al photogra for it. Award ’s word also features phic winning pro controls for workflows dual – with no recycle brightness portrait photographer and tune-able all. Its maker and Sony Artisan time at colour on location,swift, says that this of Imagery Jason Lanier to accurate eliminates the need for has colour temperat thanks users to buy become a  All-in-on convert, calling fast a strobe; in a nutshell ure e solution: the AEOS this is an all-in-one “the ultimate Both a continuous light solution.

LED light and portrait photogra for location and flash with HSS no recycle We also get phers who time something want True Aperture  Ultra thin powerful, yet Dimming, design (just which portable and easy to 1cm ‘thick’) aids portabili carry, displays f-stop calculates and ty soft light output. with a beautiful settings for  Powerful a subject at a given distance, AEOS will simply light enable you eliminating at three feet output of 5,750 lux to get shots need for a the no one else separate light can.”  One of the meter. As mentioned most energy we also have Rotolight’s efficient LEDs on the ‘AccuColour’ LED phospho Rod Gammon market “The one thing r technolo s adds: gy on board,  Runs for which helps that we’ve three always to ensure the understood is that photogra power on a hours at 100% AEOS delivers exceptio single 95W all work with phers nal colour battery (more than light in so (CRI:96+) and rendering twice many different ways. scores in the industry standard as long as the highest category on However, they’re ) the independ often hindered  Aluminiu ently tested Television by m handles AEOS is available manoeuvrability the size, weight or Lighting allow the to be ‘worked’ as a single Consistency of the light. (£749.99ex), and positione light Index (TLCI). developed We’ve and as a two light angles not the AEOS as d at (£1583ex) light Kit Dealers and otherwise a result of clear feedback photographers possible  Includes further want from will a professio to know that they wanted our customers nal grade, aluminium comes as standard that the AEOS something ball head as with a full standard, providing filters. This set of the possibilit includes two y of 360° rotation diffusion  ‘AccuColo ur’ LED technolo away with gy does the colour correctioneed for timely post producti n of skin tones in on  Weighs 1.5Kg

Showcased for shares its latest the first time at last month excellent trade innovative ‘AEOS’ locatio ’s NAB trade show in Las Vegas margins promi n LED light pitching it , UK lightin solutio sed, as ever, to customers g specialist BPI News learns n with photo retaile Rotolight why you should rs and suppliers.

With be adding e’ve featured it to stock and innovative British lighting

Manfrotto also

“The Nitrotech a Red Dot ooking to attract new wonder it’s already ” looks beautiful – no customers, or at least for its impactful design. something Award winner 2017 customers seeking further than a tilt movements. new? Then look no for smooth pan and that combines beautiful – no to enable revolutionary product be fitted. It also looks A pan bar is included features of its a Red Dot Award and a the most successful wonder it’s already complete 360° rotation range with a rosette is impactful design.

Innovative features maker’s Video Heads winner 2017 for its replaceable intermediate N8 unique-to-theon the head’s of the Nitrotech ground-breaking, included to save wear lled piston height is – at a glance: market Nitrogen gas-fi Bubbling under… main casting. Working continuous e mechanism to guarantee 14.8cm.  Continuous counterbalanc the pitch from the Manfrotto guaranteed counterbalance. That’s Lightweight (manufactured The first model in (from 0Kg to 8Kg) Video Head to operate, piston the Nitrotech for the Nitrotech N8 aluminium) and intuitive via innovative Nitrogen Nitrotech range in Italian brand features include an is available in from well-respected mechanism well-implemented N8, at £449.95 SRP, first in a promised bubble (powered gurations: the fast and confi Manfrotto. It’s the erent illuminated leveling diff a few  Side lock plate for constructed battery) for easy the 535 range of flawlessly by a CR1220 lithium precise set up MVKN8C which includes heads that it e adjustment half ball professional video Fibre tripod, 75mm set-up, counterbalanc plate with metric ruler Carbon Sliding  system ‘superlative’ fluid drag promises will deliver for knob, and variable and padded bag, MVKN8CTALL,  Easy link connector the nitrogen 536 Carbon rotation videography. In short, which includes the accessories with anti allows for and ball and half technology piston Fibre Tripod, 75mm (for easier gear changes erent cameras and of offcombinations of diff more solid support padded bag, MVKN8TWINM be utilised – the include the 546 and accessories to camera accessories) MVKN8TWING which above – and for bubble for in mid and ground camera clicks in from aluminium tripod  Illuminated leveling achieved. with 75mm precise results to be easy set up spreader configurations, of the 8Kg bag. As those Additional features allows a wide half ball and padded  75mm flat base head to pitch to (for aware, Manfrotto capacity, high-tech variety of applications in the trade will be the creative sliders, jibs UK-based your customers include example fitting to has been part of the pan and tilt action 1989, and has the fluidity of variable or even cranes) Vitec Group since but moreover its own system Drag possessing for smooth, judder-free, of Fluid advantage  Variable The new head and tilt system in this accurate shooting. ensures smooth pan direct distribution sliding plate features a side-lock Manfrotto Distribution. movements country, camera easy and success by can be attachment for quick So, if you’re seeking  Counterbalance continuous via provided new products attachment; a precise, adjusted manually adding innovative effortlessly holds call a that e Manfrotto counterbalanc knob to stock, then give array of video to your N8 solution and operates a wide about the Nitrogen  Attract new customers a variety of sizes; for innovative camera models in business with this now on: 01530 566090. features an Easy professionals it even product! available in various The Nitrotech N8 is an anti rotation Link connector with that also include a www.manfrotto.co.uk kit configurations an external function that enables tripod, if required www.manfrotto.co.uk accessories to 566090 and visit monitor and other Head now on 01530 Give Manfrotto a

PRODUC T

ROTOLIG LAUNCH HT AEOS: ULTRA THIN LOCATIO , LED LIGHTN

Fujifilm’s UK team rev’d up at their Awards’ success

“This year’s conference had the theme of ‘#DestinationFujifilm’; encompassing the manufacturer’s dual aims: for FDIS-branded stores to become the ‘go-to’ retailer for photo printing on the high street, and to create greater consumer awareness of photo printing services via a strong online and digital presence.”

Print Refinery, a collaborative and interactive social space designed to inspire people and businesses to creatively use photographs, imagery and video. This new approach has been introduced by IPI – formerly International Print and Imaging – a similar group to FDIS, with 470 members operating across the States, Australia, New Zealand and the UK (Frosts Photo Centre and Razzaq Digital – also in the FDIS group – are members).

“It’s all about emotional content,” revealed Mr Broecker. “We hardly ever use discounts or offers to entice customers. Instead, we tell stories around our products that connect to consumers emotionally.”

The final keynote presentation was by the aforementioned Paddy Moogan, who also highlighted the importance of an online presence – and that it needs to be mobile friendly, since “77% of mobile searches are in a location where people also have a PC available to

BPI NEWS

a while, on their DSLRs for out into shooting video generation. phers have been branching need for moving images and content a constant Traditional stills photogra from Manfrotto, Internet means there’s new Nitrotech Fluid Video Head whilst the rise of the is the sales? it boost your own of this growth market So, could stocking Taking advantage changer’ by the brand. described as a ‘game

16/02/2017 16:12

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2017 Awards winners at a glance:

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BPI News Awards 2018

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BPI News award is one of the most treasured possessions in the photo trade – as it is voted for by the photo industry itself. So, suppliers and manufacturers take note: galvanise your teams and retail partners to select their winner in our Product of the Year category. Marketing Managers, agencies and PRs meanwhile should get in touch to tell us who delivered the most memorable and impactful Campaign/Promotion of the Year – and why not motivate and inspire your clients and customer bases to get in

The full facts of l frame DSLR Nikon’s new ful

and subsequentl weddings, as well to fans of the sports, fashion and finger tap. With a nod D850 creators’. ikon’s newly launched camera offers as ‘multimedia content Instagram app, the at Nikon D850 – available this month ratio, and is a ing a 1:1 image aspect at a glance: DSLR” £3,499.99 SRP – naturally ‘Liberating and empower “comprehensive multimedia inated existing pher’ 4K UHD video follows on from the  45.7 MP backside-ilum for the photogra by further featuring remains format. Slow D810 (which currently full frame sensor (delivering recording in full frame g Group (with the in the market), encompassin 45.4MP files) At the London launch, motion video recording and Gilbert (boosted features , Jeremy 120fps in DX new technologies  7fps shooting speed Marketing Manager camera shooting at ts that MB-D18 grip) as “one of 8K-time lapse performance enhancemen up to 9fps if using described the D850 format) and up to feedback, of user of products and tilt LCD ” result detail, are a direct  3.2-inch touch the most anticipated facility “in exquisite that its release for XQD and SD built-in claims the company.  Dual card slots recent times,” adding according to Tim, plus and specialist are should liberating whom reduction, to So, media cards would be “incredibly electronic vibration directing their range of ISO photographer, so photo retailers be  Light sensitivity empowering for the also included. quite a diverse position it as the sales pitch? Actually, 64-25,600 I would personally professional have.” range: aspiring and camera you have to  4K UHD video recording A tool that’s who capture one life (again off between photographers, hobbyists Instead of a trade  1840 shots battery ‘truly professional’ grip) commercial megapixel nature and landscapes, expandable via optional high speed and high weather seeks to deliver alloy  Magnesium alloy capability, the D850 The camera’s magnesium includes a 45.7 MP construction, sealed body construction both. Core spec POS weather sealed body National Trust Lumix minated full frame sensor but ash fl built-in a backside-illu which omits files), whopping for example. bright viewfinder (delivering 45.4MP National includes a big and • Complimentary groom’s special moment, Description system, national trust ISO 64-25,600 200,000 Complimentary 12 month FZ200 or FZ72 at at it, the AF rated look lumiX the Membership you 153-point Trust membership with and a shutter Whichever way speed POS 7fps shooting described of a beast. light sensitivity, Campaign activations, was also D850 appears a bit 9fps if using optional ”. It features to up wondering trust professional retailers (boosted national as “truly For photo plimentary 12 month FZ200 or FZ72 of 1840 shots from example, for to piggyback on a grip), a battery life dual card slots, for mbership with the lumiX about accessories touch and XQD and SD the optional MBa single charge, a 3.2-inch deployment of both sale, these include buttons, plus the er memory Battery Pack, which tilt LCD, illuminated media, and has a buff D18 Multi-Power the size of the to shoot up Nikon told us it useful ability to adjust allowing the camera has an SRP of £369.99. dependent sequential a ‘Digitiser’ to use Raw file being captured, to 51 full resolution was also launching (choose from sequences an ES-2 adapter. on the user’s needs Raw files. Focus shift with the camera, with Small options). can also be and a macro Large, Medium or of up to 300 frames Using this accessory for there is a further users to quickly whilst Senior Product Manager allows D850 captured, the lens, drilled further into option (when (or slides) to JPEGs Imaging Tim Carter Wobbler A3 Poster totally silent shooting convert negatives – this camera’s highlights, electronic shutter) the new pro-level the resolution. using higher a at screen is “the occasions adding that the D850’s being perfect for those touch screen rs don’t want a Jeremy most extensive Nikon when photographe www.nikon.co.uk Group Marketing Manager DSLR which for example, the a bride and newest to date”, featuring, camera sound to disturb Gilbert shows off its s to a subject n.co.uk will ‘empower’ photographer ability to direct focus ©National Trust Images/Matthew

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7th at an SRP of September Hang Tag

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21/08/2013 13:56

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to your Nikon £3,499.99. Speak

rep for more or visit:

www.bpinews.co.uk

news only and are not to scale Industry Items shown are for reference

6 September 2017

S

trong and stable premium travel tripods might be exactly what the Gitzo brand is known for among photographers – but this year it is upping its quality ante further, and with good reason.

Currently part of the Vitec Group (and distributed by Manfrotto Distribution UK), Gitzo is celebrating its first Century with a range of covetable camera tripod and bag products.

100 years old, but still stable

| BPI News

Mk III is aimed at the travel

10 September 2017 | BPI News

market, with SRP’s starting

at £629.99. For more, visit

BAGS OF IDEAS FROM GITZO Looking to make an add-on sale with your photography customers?

Created for Gitzo photographers who love to travel and likewise arriving as part of its 100-year celebrations is the Gitzo Century Collection of premium look and feel camera bags.

Again designed and crafted in Italy, these feature Italian leather with an exclusive carbon fibre look, that is itself reminiscent of Gitzo Traveler tripod legs and weather resistant nylon that is not only water repellant but is claimed to guarantee a high resistance to scratches and abrasions.

There are several options to choose from here. First up is the Gitzo Century Traveler Backpack, with a roomy interior capable of accommodating a medium sized DSLR or premium CSC, with 70200mm f/2.8 lens attached plus two additional lenses. Alternatively it can also hold a DJI Mavic Pro drone with

edition of 100 units, with laser etched leg and engraved signature. Its core tech is the same as Gitzo’s coveted Traveler Series 1 tripods. This means we get carbon tubing, 180° leg folding mechanism, plus centre ball head, providing precise and smooth adjustments. Further differentiating itself, this limited version adds an ergonomic, genuine Italian leather strap with carbon fibre look, whilst, further enhancing the feeling that this is a luxurious object of desire, the tripod itself arrives in a white chest with leather detailing. It’s also worth noting that this is the very first model on the market to feature a full carbon fibre spider, making this very limited option significantly lighter.

For customers who can’t quite stretch to that price A second option for customers wanting tag, then a second option to celebrate Glitz’s first Century is the presents itself in the 100th Anniversary Edition Tripod, with 100th Anniversary titanium colour details Edition Tripod. This retails at a more affordable £1249.95

NO 1

its remote control and accessories. SRP is £249.95.

The second model in the series is the Gitzo Century Traveler Messenger. Described as an ‘everyday’ solution, this features a smart magnetic ‘G lock’ closing mechanism and can hold a mid range DSLR with detached 70-200mm f/2.8 lens, or a CSC with a similar lens attached, plus two or three standard zooms. It is also able to conceal a DJI Mavic Pro and accessories. SRP is £179.95.

For photographers with a more ‘minimalist’ approach the third option is the Gitzo Century Compact Messenger, designed to offer stylish protection for your customers’ mirror-less camera or rangefinder, with standard zoom attached, or a DJI Mavic Pro with ‘smaller’ accessories.

This model also features a G-lock flap closing system and has an SRP of £149.95.

All three carrying options include a dedicated soft touch compartment designed to keep a computer tablet or laptop safe. Each bag is sold with its own branded, dust resistant pouch to offer protection when not in use.

WE’R E NOW A perfect pairing with a tripod: Also arriving as part of its 100th year celebrations is the Gitzo Century Collection of premium look and feel camera bags

100 years of Gitzo – a timeline 1917

Arséne Gitzhoven founds Gitzo, in France, who produce cameras, cable releases, shutters (at a rate of 750 per day) and film pack frames for the photographic industry

Also coming soon from Gitzo as part of its exclusive product launches commemorating its big birthday is a GHFG1 Fluid Gimbal head. Described as ‘ground breaking’, the product is pitched at wildlife photographers and bird watchers and is said to guarantee perfect balance, even with heavy equipment. Sporting what its manufacturer describes as ‘clean and harmonic lines’, it features Gitzo’s distinctive ‘Noir Décor’ finish.

Moreover, fluid cartridge technology from the video world is being applied to a gimbal head for the very first time in this model, says Gitzo. It’s designed to absorb vibrations and ensure smooth movement throughout observation and shooting, even with very large lenses. It’s also been designed, to perfectly match the Gitzo Systematic and Mountaineer tripods, celebrated for their incomparable stiffness.

In addition the GHFG1 Fluid Gimbal head features soft-touch ergonomic knobs and built-in Arca-type compatible quick release base – along with new, Arca-type plate with rubber grips, with ease of handling enhanced by a detachable pan bar. Its stiff yet lightweight magnesium body is the result of a combination of high-pressure hot chamber die casting.

SRP for the gimbal head was still to be announced, at the time of writing.

Manfrotto Distribution UK partners with broncolor Gitzo’s sister brand Manfrotto has added reason to celebrate this month – it’s just acquired exclusive UK distribution of broncolor (see also News this issue).

“Manfrotto Distribution UK was the ideal choice to distribute our brand to the UK market,” says Urs Gass, Head of Sales and Marketing for the lighting brand. “With expertise in distributing well-known premium brands, they showed a clear understanding of our brand and the requirements needed to take our products to market.”

Commenting on the new partnership Chris Carr, Manfrotto’s Vice President for Lighting, Partner Brands and UK, adds: “broncolor is one of the most recognised and reputable lighting brands in the UK and is the perfect fit within our portfolio. We are proud to offer to the market its range of premium lighting products, combining outstanding technological innovation and superb quality that you would expect from product produced by hand in Switzerland.”

More information on Gitzo’s Centenary celebrations can be found online at www.manfrotto.co.uk/gitzo

1944

1960

1992

Today

War leads to the company being temporarily dismantled

Production starts again, with its iconic tripods introduced to the range in the 1950s

Arséne Gitzhoven retires, with his daughter Yvonne Plieger and her husband taking over the running of the company. Products are exported to 54 countries

Gitzo becomes part of the Vitec Group (also including Manfrotto & Lastolite)

Gitzo still strives to produce the best possible camera accessories and supports, with the aim of delivering top performance and traditional quality

If your photo business needs a duplex dry lab with the potential to both expand your product offerings and your customer base this autumn, then Noritsu’s mighty QSS Green II, distributed in the UK by PhotoXport, should be your go-to machine, as The Camera Centre, based in the Shetland Isles, is currently discovering…

FUJIFILM X-E3

T

he run up to Christmas and the darker nights drawing in is traditionally the time when photography enthusiasts get around to sifting through the thousands of images on their hard drives and selecting the best to make prints.

At the same time, this period also has key gifting potential – and what could be more personal than a framed print for a festive gift. In order to fulfill this inevitable avalanche of interest, you’ll want a workhorse lab, whether you’re looking to replace an existing one or add a new arm to your photo business.

Capable of coping with high volumes, Noritsu’s QSS Green II dry lab – supplied exclsuively in the UK via Leicester-based PhotoXport – is worth investigation.

As detailed previously in BPI News, the Green II offers the industrial build of a traditional wet lab yet with a dry lab engine. It’s been “built for a hammering”, according to PhotoXport MD Derek Fieldhouse, “and to produce millions and millions of prints”. In fact over 3,000 prints can be produced before new paper needs loading.

W

e’ve covered the launch and basic spec behind this camera over on page 8 of this issue. We also got to have a play with a working sample, so are able to present you with some impressions and sample images, as the camera makes it to stockists’ shelves this month.

Pitched as being a lifestyle camera for smartphone shooters looking to upgrade, when compared to others in the Fuji line up, we’d wager this is nevertheless also one for photo enthusiasts who love to get hands on – witness its rangefinder styled dials and knobs. It doesn’t have a selfie friendly flip-up back screen either – here the screen is flat to the rear plate and fixed. This tempts use of the eye level viewfinder with embedded dioptric adjustment wheel, whilst the larger screen below displays chosen settings. Again, this to us at least makes the camera feel like it’s been engineered for someone who likes to take their time over framing and capturing a photograph – rather than the point-and-shoot brigade.

Obviously street photographers and photojournalists would be an ideal audience for the X-E3.

The £849 body only suggested price also feels to us like something that would be more acceptable to the photo enthusiast than the casual photographer, especially when

factoring in a lens to go with it. We got to shoot with the camera in an interior space lit mainly by daylight via an overhead skylight on an overcast day. Photographing hand held, and bumping up the ISO to ISO1600 and beyond to compensate for any potential camera shake, we were rewarded with impressively sharp results, whether shooting with standard 18-55mm zoom or 23mm prime lens. The camera also feels the part in the hand; well built, without being prohibitively clunky or heavy.

So, in summary, if you have customers who have been waiting to move from a mid range consumer SLR to a mirror-less camera for a while, the X-E3 might just be the camera to finally help them make the switch.

From Leicester to the Shetlands: Camera Centre MD Ben Mullay tells us the Green II’s quality has been “well received” by customers, adding: “In terms of getting the machine to us, the installation and training, I couldn’t fault PhotoXport!”

Officially the UK’s bes t-se monthly photo magazin lling e!*

“The Green II’s cassette-loading capability is another unique feature and key selling point, ensuring ease of use,” outlines PhotoXport’s Derek Fieldhouse. “The other it is that it allows for the automatic sorting of prints. We believe this lab has ‘evolved to perfection’. It’s the de facto best quality, highest capacity industrial build dry minilab on the market. It’s also got one of the best ‘up time’ records of them all; forget downtime, we talk about up time, because we have a

machine running that hasn’t gone down once in a year.”

See the Green II video at: youtu.be/0BPCnR5Zpvo

Want to talk business?

Talk to Derek As to the cost of installing a Green II into your business, PhotoXport is, to quote Derek, ‘always doing deals’. Get in touch now on 0116 2675907 to find out how you can offer your customers a premium quality product at a very competitive price.

The retail advantage of going Green Retailers who have migrated from traditional silver halide Agx wet printing to Noritsu dry labs are impressed with the significant increase in print quality, and usually their consumers have noticed too.

One business that has recently installed this rangetopping machine is The Camera Centre, based in the Shetland Isles and run by Managing Director Ben Mullay.

“Obviously as we’re in a remote location, the reliability of any lab we chose is always a concern,” says Ben when asked why he chose the pairing of Noritsu and PhotoXport in particular. “If the print head was to fail then we’d be out of action. As well as the future proof element, the Green II just suits the nature of our business and the volume of stuff we’re doing, as well as offering the ability to do cards and photobooks and added value items like that. It’s more of a ‘photo machine’; it’s a special bit of kit and that is confirmed by the picture quality, which is much more photo-realistic than our previous lab. It even renders pictures from mobile phones really well and does as good a job as it can with them.

“In terms of getting the machine to us, the installation and training, I couldn’t fault PhotoXport. They were brilliant.

We made the good decision to shut the shop for the day so their engineer could train everybody up at the same time, which was preferable to being constantly interrupted, and everyone got on well. Over the next few weeks we’ll be making the most of the added value products this machine can do like the 12x36 panoramic prints and greeting cards in time for Christmas.

That was part of the thinking behind getting the machine now; so we could be fully up to speed with before Christmas and get cracking. I also really like that the gloss and the matt give a nice choice of surfaces, which have been well received by customers.” www.photoxport.com

Want to know more? Contact PhotoXport, exclusive UK distributor for Noritsu on 0116 2675907

BPI News | October 2017 13

@bpi_news

“We believe this lab has ‘evolved to perfection’. It’s the de facto best quality, highest capacity industrial build dry minilab on the market. It’s also got one of the best ‘up time’ records of them all; forget downtime, we talk about up time..”

–PhotoXport MD Derek Fieldhouse Evolved to perfection

www.fujifilm.co.uk

please direct your browser to www.manfrotto.co.uk/gitzo or speak to your local sales representative

www.bpinews.co.uk

PHOTO MAGAZINE

MINILAB NEWS

SHETLAND CALLING! PHOTOXPORT & EXPAND GREEN II REACH

Check your head

1942

For more details on the Gitzo 100th anniversary products – tripods, bags and fluid gimbal head –

THE| UK’S 12 October 2017 BPI News BEST-SELLING

BPI News | October 2017 15

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Just our ‘type’: the X-E3 hits all the right keys when it comes to spec, build and performance, as these sample shots show

BPI News | October 2017 27

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BPI NEWS OCTOBER 2017:

We’re delighted to announce that we’ve taken top spot in the UK monthly photo magazine market, making us the nation’s favourite source of camera technique s, gear advice & editing tips.

A huge thank you for all your support!

porting a bigger grip, With availability from the middle bigger metal control dials as well as gain access to of this month (September), creative there and a built in flash – yet settings such as Live Composite are differently priced options Olympus OM-D and weighing a manageable for Multiple Exposure.

500g – customers. These are either EM-10 Mark III the third generation of Olympus’ bodyWith the camera feeling only at £629.99, a combination both at a glance: compact system camera, that comfortable and sturdy aimed at comes with a 14-42mm ‘EZ’ in the photographers who like pancake palm, even with relatively  16-megapixel Four Thirds to travel, has lens for £699.99, or a double compact arrived in the OM-D EM-10 zoom 14-42mm kit lens attached, CMOS sensor Mark III. kit – comprising camera images body plus “Lightweight is the key thing and video are composed  TruePic VIII processor here,” 14-42mm ‘EZ’ lens either via and 40-150mm confirms Olympus UK Marketing the rear LCD screen – which  Improved larger grip standard lenses for £799.99 can be Manager Georgina Pavelin.

SRP. tilted and is also a touch  Improved larger control “In that Available body colours are panel for dials respect it’s similar to the silver directing the camera’s focusing  121 contrast AF points Mark II, but or black. and with a few new exciting firing off a shot (thereby  4K video capture features. literally The dials are obviously bigger feeling familiar to anyone  Built in Wi-Fi connectivity and Classic looks, robust feel stepping the intention is that it’s easier up from smartphone photography)  5 axis image stabilization to use.

– Cosmetically it’s very nicely or via eye level OLED viewfi  Sequential shooting at designed.” Whilst the nder. The 8.6fps camera has maintained latter boasts a high 2.36  Available in silver or black a 16-megapixel CMOS sensor million-dot resolution, thereby ensuring bodies and its ‘classic’ retro design, a lifeit also like image.  Available as body only features a TruePic 8 processor, or in 5-axis lens kit combinations image stabilisation built-in, plus Audience and accessories 4K-video, which can be utilised by videographers at frame we’re not promoting it as rates of 30P, Accessories for the 16-megapixel a bloggers’ 25P or 24P. This being an camera. Potentially we may Olympus OM-D EM-10 Mark III include also see camera, there are of course a entry-level photographers Art Filter premium, genuine leather stepping digital effects on board, body up from smartphone photography with a new jacket, issued in black or brown. addition this time being and looking for a more professional ‘Bleach Olympus’ Georgina reiterates Bypass’“to mimic old film solution. It’s so easy to use, processing” that while whilst its PEN range is still the says its maker. There has you’ve also got plenty of also been a blogger’s camera, the Mark manual Lightning in a bottle: Olympus change to the shooting III is an options too. The lightweight Marketing menu, with “ideal travel companion.

Manager Georgina Pavelin build the addition of an Advanced I think we and Head of makes it perfect for travel.

Photo Consumer Business Ian Tolley will probably see some bloggers ” show off the Mode to let photographers For more details speak to globe trotting Mark III ‘fine tune’ progress to your this if they’re looking to their images, according local Olympus rep or simply to Olympus, get a bit more technical, visit although www.olympus.co.uk The OM-D E-M10

Product the Year Nominees: Nikon D850, Kenro optical products & albums, Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark III

For photographer customers looking for something to accessorise with that Leica TL2, or perhaps Gucci hold-all, there are two recently announced and sure-to-be-soughtafter tripods – numbering either 100 or 1917 units, naturally. First up is the slick three-legged Arsène Gitzhoven Traveler tripod, named after Gitzo’s founder.

At a cool £2,499.95 SRP, the Arsène arrives as a covetable limited

the even more exclusive 100 run for the Arsène model.

Going someway to justifying the price tags, it’s worth noting (or explaining to customers) that every Gitzo product is hand assembled, hand packaged and hand checked by its in-house craftsmen.

SRP, plus again offers the same core features as detailed above, except that this time we’re offered a brand new magnesium spider, enhanced by a black finish, plus titanium colour details. The 100th Anniversary edition is available in a run of 1917 pieces, as opposed to

Originally founded in 1917, this year marks the 100th anniversary of the premium tripod brand, renowned for blending modern ergonomics with classic style. Celebrations to mark the Centenary and wow photographer customers include a limited edition run of two tripods, plus three premium camera bags and ‘revolutionary’ gimbal head.

BPI News discovers more…

A compact, lightweight interchang eable lens camera suitable chunky rounded buttons for travel photography, yet and a larger grip. That’s the one with ‘best of both worlds’ promise arrives in the shape of its third generation E-M10… from Olympus that

www.niko

Supported by

A4 Cling

GITZO 100TH ANNIVERSARY PROMOTION

CELEBRATE A CENTURY OF GITZO WITH MANFROTTO

The Arsène Gitzhoven Traveller tripod, named after Gitzo’s founder, is available now to stockists, limited to just 100 commemorative units

PRODUCT OF THE MONTH

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©National Trust Images/Matthew

piCture you need to

N

panasonic.co.uk/promotions terms apply, please see Camera AG – 31/12/2013. Promotional registered trademark of Leica Promotional period: 22/08/2013of Leica Microsystems IR GmbH. ELMARIT is a *Leica is a registered trademark

We like to keep this one simple. Email us with your choice of Product of the Year and/or

Promotion/Campaign of the Year Nominees: ‘Canon Unveils Autumn Product Collection’, Perforated Print Media From DNP Olympus focuses on trave or An Epson l photographers with OMD E-M10 Mark III Deal From S DPS Group

the promise merely a logo and us last month with high resolution Having initially teased would be ‘full frame, DSLR in the D850 to the camera’s that its new premium subsequently invited BPI News along making and high speed’, Nikon g. There, we found members of the trade … official London unveilin ‘the one camera you have to have’ about very positive noises y fire a shot with a

Campaign/Promotion of the Year to info@bpinews.co.uk, or, as every individual vote counts, share your nominations with your customers and also get them to Tweet us their selections for Product of the Year and/or Campaign/Promotion of the Year to @bpi_news The nominees with the most votes are our winners. It’s as straightforward as that!

So don’t delay, cast your vote TODAY. The closing date for votes is April 20th. Winners are announced in BPI News May cover edition.

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to take a speCial piCture

on the fun and tell us who should win?

The victors for the past couple of years have been those who successfully motivated their supporters to vote via social media channels – so take a leaf out of their book and your brand could be one of the victors in the BPI News Awards for 2018!

Promotion/Campaign of the Year Nominees: Fujifilm Puts The ‘X’ in Xmas, Celebrate A Century of Gitzo With Manfrotto, or Shetland Calling: PhotoXport & Noritsu Expand Green II Reach Product the Year Nominees: Rotolight Neo 2 or Fujifilm X-E3 *Print 34,410 Digital

www.olympus.co.uk

Contact Anna Skuse for

www.bpinews.co.uk

PP trade advert.indd

4,773 Total 39,183 (ABC

all sales & marketing enquires

52

January – June 2017)

/ anna.skuse @bauermed

ia.co.uk / 07887 993990

demo space. showrooms with plenty of HQ includes brand-dedicated and Marketing Manager Central hub: Tetenal’s Leicester Tetenal MD Mike Fawcett Day are rooms for Epson (with Chris Castle at a recent Open Shown on opposite page right is Account Manager Craig Bird) and Kodak. Below

THE BIG INTERVIEW

TETENAL PROMOTION

8/10/17 10:12 AM

BPI NEWS PRODUCT FOCUS PROFOTO A1 PROMOTION

BPI NEWS EXTRA Profoto has ‘nailed’ it: The portable A1 comes with a dome diffuser (shown), wide lens and bounce card as standard

Larmor: a sound system for your LCD

H 2017 DIGITAL SPLAS

TRADE SHOW

I

t’s been a while since we last featured Just Ltd in BPI News – yet each time distributor manages to surprise us with an inventive new line of photographic accessories. The ones to focus on this time are a bunch of new LCD glass protectors and sunshades from Larmor branded as part of its ‘5th’ generation series, that could make for steady sellers for the canny photo retailer.

Presented in attractively slick and elegant combo packaging that also includes the hood which we’ll examine in a moment, the LCD protectors’ five layer construction comprises a nano anti fingerprint layer, 0.3mm optical glass, a metal border, an anti shatter layer and an adhesive layer.

The metal border ensures no damage to the edges of the camera’s screen, whilst the selfadhesive layer makes for an easy application. The optical glass is also anti scratch and anti shatter. In

SH! A BIGGER SPLA l’s d event at Liverpoo ul, newly expande the After a successf cheek-by-jowl with Exhibition Centre,

is concerned “As far as the trade very on how generally been ast year we reported the feedback has Digital reveals Wilkinson’s Wilkinson Cameras’ good indeed,” its “Everybody Splash has outgrown MD David Parkinson. about complimentary fair roots to become has been very modest trade airy it was. The in a swish and how well organised a two-day event was very good.

– the Exhibition of the visitors modern venue making quality takings on the thereby – and Visitor numbers Centre in Liverpool year, show in the on par with last Saturday were it the biggest photo disruptions on England. and, though train North West of we were slightly month we the Sunday meant Once again last our actual speaking down on numbers, were in attendance, that much affected , retailers and turnover wasn’t to the distributors to the who had responded people had come manufacturers to the – meaning spend.” enthusiastically show to actively positively and Cameras says – and also caught In fact, Wilkinson offer to exhibit MD, David up 16% overall its turnover was up with Wilkinson’s also of, last year. Data his impressions compared with Parkinson, to get – half the visitors from, 2017’s event reveals that almost and feedback 55-64 age annual show. The in the 45-54 and were the eighth such though – Canon, Nikon, might expect, groups as one big camera brands (21%) were Fujifilm, Panasonic, a significant proportion 64% Olympus, Sony, were – Some 18. of Hasselblad under the age Ricoh, Sigma and enthusiast many with bigger declared themselves all in attendance, this time. A ers, 12% pros and stands brighter photograph and ers exhibited, 22% beginners. total of 42 manufactur attendees is that 70 photo brands.

“Feedback from representing over enjoyed the event, occasions, they thoroughly As on previous talks all with were visibly photo walks and exhibitors we spoke from and the sales. We had new level of interest helped to drive happy with the Thomas Heaton the quality of visitors, young blood like attendees and who went down had obviously and Alyn Wallace, noting that people very own Matt Hart did a Digital Splash’s extremely well. come to spend. the Fujifilm walks some had travelled good job with analysis reveals feedback from and the south excellent Scotland as had far and we from as coast to attend.

L

For further

THE BIG PICTURE FROM TETENAL

The run up to Christmas is the ideal time to be pitching photo accessories at your customers. A case in point is these 5th generation LCD screens and sunshade hoods from Larmor available to the trade via distributor Just Ltd, which promise dealer margins of 40%. BPI News discovers more…

NEWS

Cameras info on the Wilkinson

Digital Splash

details of 2018’s ing

exhibition, what’s

er & forthcom typically on off

ed, direct your show when announc

lash.tv or email

browser at digitalsp

combination it’s also thin; its maker suggests that the usability of any touch screen model it is applied to isn’t compromised, while Larmor’s product is anti glare, smudge resistant and doesn’t leave any residue when it’s removed.

“The protector is easy to fit and remove, leaving no glue residue behind,” Peter Brodgen, MD of UK distributor Just Ltd confirms to us.

“Simply place the protector in the correct position over your camera’s LCD and press down in the centre of the protector with your finger; easy!”

It should be noted that the glass protector can only be installed and removed once.

True colours… and a great deal The included sunshade hood meanwhile features a magnetic and non-slip rubber surround to keep it in place. Since the glass protector also features a metal border,

o.uk sales@wilkinson.c

photo solutions means leading print and to Sales & Marketing continual development Year on year growth and for years to come. We speak brands and to empower the photo trade supplier Tetenal is ready benefit from both, Tetenal’s to discover how you can Director Phil Barker (inset) long-standing expertise.

Industry statistics are forecasting

A

WITHOUT SUNSHADE HOOD HARD TO SEE THE IMAGE

WITH SUNSHADE HOOD CAN SEE THE IMAGE AND TRUE COLOUR

Protection where it’s needed - from knocks and scratches to your customers’ LCD screens and also useful as a shade from the sun

our This was a challenge, but for some good growth for both technologies BPI News: You distribute For high technical departments across the photo over the next three years. for us of the leading names in growth Europe developed solutions for a street photo printing, the equipment print business. It’s easier in old to start offering the right offer their is driven by retailers trading single brand supplier to lower mix based on our customers’ conflict, so expensive mini labs for newer, teams now products, as there is no requirements. Our area cost inkjet and dye sub technologies their how do you work with customers visit each customer to discuss with better print quality. package to to choose the right equipment a place needs and we tailor the and at Both technologies have for their individual needs suit them. and most of our brand your keeping in our market the same time keep of both.

To answer the point about customers have a mixture closely partners happy? to have the brands happy, we work and Inkjet technology tends Phil Barker: Good question them to keep them up of quality, all to with comes to manage the edge when it be one we didn’t find easy and cost to speed on what they should product print finishes, print widths when we opened up our on based on what the market brands. We working per print, but dye sub technology ts benefi The portfolio to include other level. local and the demands at a in brand tends to be less problematic they are all started putting customers lower. We of this are clear to see as industry hardware costs are much software boxes, as this is what the Epson pushing to improve their a Fuji offer printing solutions from has always done; i.e, they’re and their sales are with DNP and Kodak customer and hardware it a beneficial inkjet, together customer, they are a Kodak increasing, which makes aware dye sublimation. etcetera. We quickly became relationship for us and them. deliver Another point to mention that no single brand could needed in is both technologies produce on the everything our customers that Q: What are your views retail and fantastic photographic prints sub the modern era of photo with. relative strengths of dye brands our customers are happy do they we had to somehow bring printing versus inkjet and equipment Sometimes as industry specialists together to get the right both have a future? mix for our customers’ needs.

Contact Tetenal now on

this allows the magnetic sunshade to be clicked on and off your customer’s camera with ease. The metal border also prevents damage to the corners of the protector.

“The idea is that with the hood affixed to the back of the Nikon (D4, D4s, D5, D810, D800, camera, the outdoor photographer D6100, D610, D750, D500, D7100, can not only see the image more D7200, Df) Fujifilm (X-T1, X-T2, X-A3) clearly but also the true colours of the and Sony (A7, A7R Mark II, A7S Mark image,” MD Peter continues. “Once in II, A9, RX100, RX1, RX10). place, just flip up the sunshade and Suggested retail prices range its pop up mechanism will keep the from £24.95 to £32.95, including VAT, sides open when in use.” with Just Ltd’s MD Peter Brodgen Unsurprisingly there are different suggesting that dealer margins can options for screen protectors and be as high as 40% on the products. sunshade hood to choose from that To find out more on the above and directly match the camera screen place an order for stock now, contact configurations of a host of popular Just Ltd MD Peter and his team direct DSLRs and CSCs from the key brands. on 01793 855663.

Over 30 camera models are covered, For more about the products including Canon (1D X Mark II, 5D meanwhile pay a visit to Mark III, 5Ds, 5Dr, 5D Mark IV), www.cameraclean.co.uk

Protect your customers’ cameras & your bottom line with 5th generation Larmor via Just Ltd on 01793 855663 14 November 2017 | BPI News

s regular readers and members of the trade will be aware, Leicester only based supplier Tetenal not and markets its own print chemicals of leading media, it also has a host its photographic brands under shape to wing, putting it in great and be able to meet the demands and challenges of an ever-changing help its evolving marketplace, and These are customers to do the same. the likes the guys to talk to about 120-store of Epson, Kodak (and its DNP, strong Kodak Express network), EIZO, Wacom and Hahnemuhle, We sat to highlight but a handful.

Sales & down with Tetenal’s UK Barker to Phil Director Marketing trends and hear more about market find developments, and ultimately own photo out how it can help your not only retail or minilab business as we survive, but moreover thrive head into 2018…

www.bpinews.co.uk

BPI NEWS NOVEMBER 2017: Promotion/Campaign of the Year Nominees: Digital Splash Show 2017, ‘New Kenro Brochures Frame Profit For Dealers’ or ‘Panasonic Powers Dealers Sales’ With Winter Cashback’ Product the Year Nominees: Sigma 10-20mm f/3.5 EX DC HSM zoom lens, Larmor LCD screen and sunshade hood, or DNP Fargo Photo Card Printer

8 December 2017/January

al.uk.com to take advantage

0116 289 3644 or via marketing@teten

www.bpinews.co.uk

still aren’t large numbers of retailers issues products. world is running? Industry offering these in-demand and the opinion is are barriers that Tetenal The biggest issue in my to find losing likes of Fuji and Kodak need the lack of awareness around with the solutions for, in conjunction we compare too much and those precious memories. are more aren’t printing the photo retailers. reality is both technologies A generation of people I dye lost Some of the industry issues than acceptable. This means their life stories, this means customers viable and lost revenue see when I’m out visiting sub technology is still a memories for them and in the high need to do relate to old equipment affordable option for many for us. As an industry we around market that can’t communicate street retail printing stores. more to generate awareness and with the latest mobile devices this topic. impact labs be this has a general negative Q: Should owners of wet outdated to a dry on the industry, in being looking to move across technologically as and not solution?

I a lot and advanced as online e-tailers.

I get asked this question photo difficult to also see large numbers of its one that I always find social manufacturer retailers that still aren’t using answer. As Tetenal are a when course want media to sell their services main of photo chemicals we of social Q: What do you see as the years to their target market is on all lab to sell chemicals for many mini challenges facing the the market media sharing photos. Additionally, come, but we understand in 2017/18? dated are the future market there are still a number of is evolving and dry labs there.

I look at this from two customers. and un-inspiring shops out specific for a large number of our with perspectives: non-industry the We are actively working Tetenal will always explain general an and industry specific. In of our retail customers to create advantages and disadvantages the challenges that try and help terms, there’s improved customer experience. the changing to a dry lab. We to see all small businesses across informed We are, however, starting online our customers make an industry country are facing; notably purchase. photo fresh blood entering the rates, decision about their next Q: How do you see the competition, high rent and The independent over within the with fresh ideas.

The reality is the list of advantages printing business developing are relocation to non-key areas and and group customers who footfall, of changing to dry is growing the next three years? town, parking issues, lower growth are the ones that large customer seeing any of lower think and I can’t I see a bright future for the time-deprived shoppers With print that who now cater to a changing regrets making the switch. industry, as the technology to be disposable income. need for definitely demographic who need volumes decreasing, the supports the industry has the of reminded and high street inspired improved and is allowing memories and passionate team at I see photo wonderful products and to compete with online.

“We have a very committed facilities that our industry can produce. of industry knowledge amounts retailers adding ecommerce vast have who queuing Tetenal The days of customers give them have lots of young energy and social media sites to a Monday and experience. We also orld renowned as a I believe up outside the shop on a more rounded offering. fresh ideas and a modern with films to be developed and manufacturer amongst morning in the business that brings promote who retailers that we do.” or holidays their local approach to everything of their weekend parties pro and enthusiast market their business in days we – as we photographers for its heavy duty are long gone. So these community will see growth by The industry-specific issues no longer have to work much harder lighting kits and packs, as we we can all a high volume printer is are seeing this happen already. displaying are things that I believe other pieces retailersreported on in the news selling, showcasing and on. necessary for many, and I think we will see more section to see influence and work together format stores of October’s new products for customers images of equipment like the wide BPI, Profoto’s A1 is a adding mini studios to their by.

Why, in a world where more kit are fulfilmentdifferent and touch and to be inspired ever before printer, kiosks and gifting beast. For starters, this is and more retailers using huge are captured daily than the lab, as websites, to Online retailers have seen to get equally as important as the brand’s first on-camera solution, partners, via kiosks and aluminium in history, are we struggling business growth in photobooks, items that were quality to print? high the revenues through the shops deliver as our well as into being the most diminutive customers canvas and photo from one large pro customers panels, stretched are no longer all generated once only available to the flash it’s ever made. Furthermore, it can be Why can’t we engage with the your capital gifts. All of these products at our piece of equipment. As labs back to stores. Ultimately can also be just as effective used offfulfilment when there are more tools equally split produced in store or via including investment needs to be market is there and the high higher disposal than ever before, business, a slice.camera, suggests its manufacturer, partners and hold much Why are across other parts of the street needs to take a larger yet social media and websites? with the ‘A1’ being heralded as the low capital margins than standard prints, of the dry lab with its relatively standing still when the rest we world’s smallest choice. studio light.

Further & DNP investment is the obvious

Benefits of the Profoto A1 at a glance:

Shown right is a portrait set up and final shot taken using the light

 World’s smallest studio light  Max output of 76 watts

 Round head design delivers soft, smooth and natural output  Easy to use with intuitive user interface and large display  Recycles four times faster than other on-camera solutions (1.2 secs)

 Magnetic click on mount to enable use with A1 light shaping tools (five dedicated tools available)  Rechargeable and exchangeable lithium ion battery (good for 350 full power flashes)  Built in motor zoom with hand control  Weighs 560g including battery  Support for Canon and Nikon initially with Sony “We made it our mission to make A1 the first on-camera flash that’s easy to use from the box. The user interface is simple and intuitive with a large high-contrast display at its centre. The less time you spend learning and fiddling, the more time you’ll spend shooting. And that’s ultimately what counts.”

The Profoto A1 is beautifully packaged for the retail environment too, in a rigid, premium-feel box

PROFOTO ILLUMINATES A SALES PROPOSITION FOR DEALERS THAT IS TRULY ‘A1’

Profoto, the go-to lighting brand for enthusiast and pro photographers, recently launched the revolutionary ‘A1’, its first on-camera solution, also billed as ‘the world’s smallest studio light’.

BPI News discovers why, as a perfect option for portrait, wedding and event photographers, dealers should be immediately adding it to stock and selling it to their customers…

W

of its expertise with regard

to leading brands including

Kodak, Epson, EIZO, Wacom,

@bpi_news

2018 | BPI News

Hahnemuhle

and beautiful, with a pleasingly soft/smooth fall-off. A magnetic mount built into the head allows for light shaping tools and modifiers to clicked on and taken off just as quickly. In fact a Dome Diffuser, Wide Lens and Bounce Card are included as standard. The A1 also offers a built-in LED modeling light built into the head that makes for an easy set up and for the user to quickly grasp how light and shadow works in tandem. A zoom function allows users to make fine adjustments to the spread of light by simply twisting the zoom ring on the head.

versatility is provided via a built-in AirTTL 9 which enables the 2018 remote, BPI News | December 2017/Januaryunit to offer seamless connectivity with freestanding lights, such as A portable light that another A1 or Profoto’s bigger lights, punches above its weight including the B1X. In other words it can be integrated into a larger With a user interface that’s system or lighting set up. described as simple and intuitive, Size, or lack of it, is just one of the large, clean and clear, this is a device Profoto A1’s key features, however. that Profoto says has been designed Another is that its maker claims to punch above its weight. It has a the round head design delivers a high capacity built-in lithium ion lighting effect that is both natural battery built to last four times longer

BPI NEWS DEC 2017/ JAN 2018:

Add the A1 & other key lighting products from

18 December 2017/January 2018 | BPI News

than AA batteries and with no fade in performance. It’s also claimed to recycle four times swifter than other on camera solutions – namely 1.2 secs at full power so the shot isn’t missed. For those shooting on the move, Air TTL allows photographers to achieve perfect exposures

fit to follow

get in touch direct via the contact details on this spread, to illuminates sales opportunities well into 2018.

More background details can be had at www.profoto.com/a1 For additional insight, and to watch videos illustrating the Profoto range’s capabilities, please visit: www.profoto.com/ ontolightshaping

Other main Profoto lighting options:

quickly, locking the exposure with a single ‘click’ while still being free to fine tune that exposure manually.

Given the above, it’s no wonder Profoto UK’s Marketing Manager Matt Wilson describes it as “a killer product” that specialist retailers should be getting behind. He adds: The Profoto B1X (above) is the lighting specialist’s follow up to its ‘benchmark’ B1 location flash. It features a more powerful modelling light (a claimed 80% more power output), a more powerful battery pack (holding 50% more energy) that’s no bigger or heavier, plus extended HSS power range (now, essentially, providing the same power range as in normal flash mode; 9 f-stops for all compatible cameras). SRP is £1632 for the B1X single head ‘ToGo’ kit, or £3213.60 for the two

head Location kit. For more: www.profoto.com/B1X Alternatively, the Profoto B2 Off-Camera Flash (above centre) can be utilised for a wide variety of lighting setups in both on and off-camera operation. It has TTL and HSS compatibility with both Canon and Nikon cameras, but, place it in manual mode, and the B2 also works with most other brands. It can also be used with more than 150 light shaping tools in Profoto’s range. In

addition to Canon and Nikon, TTL light, it boasts the ability to freeze and HSS compatibility is promised action at up to 1/63,000 of a for Sony and Fuji in December second, keep up with shooting this year. SRP is £1495.20 for the bursts of 20 images per second, ToGo Kit comprising a single head, or and sync with camera speeds £1994.40 for the two-head Location as fast as 1/8,000 of a second. In kit. See more at fact, its maker claims the D2 is the www.profoto.com/B2 world’s fastest monolight with The Profoto D2 (above right) is TTL. There are two D2 options: another award winning option with 500 watts and 1000 watts. SRP is a price that puts it within reach of £1194 for the single head D2 500 enthusiasts as well as pros; it won Air TTL, or £1554 for the single Best Professional Flash System in head D2 1000 Air TTL. For more the TIPA Awards in summer 2017. info on the D2, head to: Described as a super fast mono www.profoto.com/D2

Specialist retailers looking to add Profoto lighting

solutions to stock and sell should contact uk@profoto.com or call 01442 204919 for further details.

Profoto’s revolutionary A1 is its first on-camera solution and its smallest flash

the Profoto range to your stock. Call 01442 204919

with a deep black satin finish.

There’s even a message in the box that welcomes to customer to the Profoto family. The unit’s battery is partly charged, so your customers can start using the product straight out of the box too. Counter cards, brochures and in-store point of sale banners are all available from Profoto, to drive footfall and encourage sales. SRP for the A1 is £849.60 and it’s available now, so

now or e-mail: uk@profoto.com www.bpinews.co.uk

Videos demoing the capabilities of its range

can be found at: www.profoto.com/ontolightshapi ng

@bpi_news

BPI News | December 2017/January 2018 19

Promotion/Campaign of the Year Nominees: Tetenal’s The Big Picture, Canon Winter Campaign & Cashback, Kenro Lights The Way This Christmas & New Year Product the Year Nominees: Rotolight Anova PRO 2, Profoto A1 & accessories, MAC Group Tenba Solstice backpacks or Canon EOS M100

BPI NEWS FEBRUARY 2018: Promotion/Campaign of the Year Nominee: Leica: The Big Interview Product the Year Nominee: Kodak 4KVR360

SEE PAGES 16 & 26!

Plenty of food for thought there. But please note:

CLOSING DATE FOR VOTES: FRIDAY APRIL 20TH 2018.

WINNERS ANNOUNCED IN BPI NEWS MAY. Don’t delay, cast your votes in the BPI News Awards today! Send your choices to us @bpi_news or email info@bpinews.co.uk @bpi_news

BPI News | February 2018 25

News

Product of the Month

SONY FIRMWARE UPGRADES α9 A new upgrade has been introduced for the electronics behemoth’s flagship full frame mirror-less camera; the Version 2.00 update adds IPTC metadata functionality – allowing users to embed information within the images regarding image settings, title and description as well as the photographer’s information and copyright restrictions and more – along with new image protection features, an enhanced auto focus performance and general operational improvements.

PRODUCT OF THE MONTH: KODAK 4KVR360

Tell your existing customers that the Ver 2.00 firmware upgrade is downloadable for free on the Sony Support site: www.sony.net/iptc/help/

SPACE TO ‘PLAY’ AT PHOTOKINA

D With 2018 being a Photokina year – the long-running photo trade event kicking off in Cologne this September 26th, through the 29th – more details have started to emerge of what we can expect from this year, and, indeed the next. The concept of the Olympus Playground will be returning for the next two years at least, promising photographers the chance to ‘discover new worlds’ (test out cameras) across more

than 2,000 square metres of themed space. All guests have the opportunity to become familiar with a compact OM-D or PEN system camera ‘and to get over any misgivings they might have’, states the press release. For 2018, the Playground will be located in Hall 1 of the Cologne fair grounds, with all Photokina visitors naturally receiving free admission to the Playground. www.perspectiveplayground.com

Javerette sleeves for prints Produce un-mounted prints for customers and looking for some swish clear sleeves to present or store them in?

Enter Javerette Clearfile pages, allowing galleries, studios and minilabs to put every print into a clear sleeve to protect it from handling – as well as deliver the product to their customer in a well-presented form.

With the company named after the late Brian Everette, who 70

26 February 2018 | BPI News

years ago developed polyester and acetate sleeving for negatives, a full range of different sleeves, bag types and sizes allows retailers and minilabs to stock protective packaging that enhances the value of the work and helps it reach the client in perfect condition.

For more product details email sales@javerette.com, call 01342 327 272 or simply visit the website below. www.javerette.com

o your customers want to shoot in full 360° at 4K resolution? Resembling a piece of set design from 2001: A Space Odyssey or the original Star Wars, the latest 360-degree capture device to bear the Kodak branding is eye catching in its 1970s-styled square white plastic body. The Pixpro 4KVR360, manufactured under licence by JK Imaging, differs in appearance from previous iterations in being bookended by not one but two fixed focus lenses, thereby allowing the user to capture the full 360° sphere around them.

Offering up to 4K Ultra HD recording, 27 megapixel stills (as opposed to the prior SP3604K unit offering a maximum 8 megapixel photos) and up to two hours recording time, current UK price at the time of writing for this palm-sized gadget was £399.

Designed for ‘shoot and share’ operation, as with prior generations of this device, we get a small digital watch-type LCD window via which to navigate the camera settings, in combination with four small physical buttons that at times double up with regard to their functionality. This can initially be slightly confusing as you try and remember how you made a particular selection and then later, how to change it.

There’s no luxury of expansive drop down screen menus here, or even a ‘back’ button.

Enabling the Kodak 4KVR360 to be used in action scenarios – we took it ice-skating among other things – the unit has obviously been constructed to be sleek and unobtrusive, and that necessarily means a frill-free, minimalist design. Writing to optional (but essential) microSD card, for which is a slot is provided at the side of the unit, the two lenses as mentioned are complemented by two 20 megapixel CMOS sensors.

Helpfully included with our review sample was a sturdy metal tripod that in versatile fashion folds up into a monopod-like stick for those all important selfie shots. Although image quality isn’t as pin sharp as we might have hoped for given the spec, for those who want to shoot dynamic video this is a fun option. www.kodakpixpro.com

www.bpinews.co.uk

Photographic British

Industry

news

he Reach tUK entire ade r photo tne via o n! tio publica

Next BPI News is our Photography Show Preview Edition, published in advance of – and to coincide with – the UK’s biggest annual photo show!

Book your adverts and advertorial features now for our March edition, to avoid disappointment… and so as not to miss out on this key issue in our trade calendar!

Make your marketing budget work harder in 2018 and make this year count… by partnering with BPI News, the UK’s longest running and bestestablished photo trade magazine. Published monthly as both a print version posted out to the industry’s key decision makers, plus an online version hosted at bpinews.co.uk and on the ISSUU e-magazine platform, this is your golden opportunity to get your products and services seen!

From distributors to retailers, manufacturers to wholesalers, we’ll help increase the visibility of your brand and saleability of your products beyond the reach of your own sales force… getting them in front of your peers in the UK photo trade and telling them of the margins and profits you can deliver for them. We’ll also help push your product launches, informing retailers not just of what they should be stocking, but, crucially, how they should be selling it, plus consumer promotions, reminding your partners of the deals that are running and POS materials you can supply for that extra push.

CONTACT BPI NEWS NOW to request a handy PDF of our 2018 PRODUCTION PACK containing all the year’s key copy due and publications dates, page sizes and options for advertising. Get in touch via gavin@bpinews.co.uk or call 0208 274 0578. @bpi_news

BPI News | February 2018 27

Business Advice

SHOW ‘EM WHAT YOU’RE MADE OF

With two good sized exhibitions this year for our industry, The Photography Show in March and Photokina in September, plus many more smaller events dotted throughout the calendar, Adam Bernstein advises on how to get the best out of trade shows – whether you’re a visitor or exhibitor. After all, time on either side of the fence is money…

E

xhibitions are all about attracting new customers to your business or brand whilst fulfilling (or, ideally, exceeding) the expectations of existing converts, as well as providing fantastic opportunities for hobnobbing with the rest of the trade, forging possible partnerships that could strengthen your hand in the long term. Whilst it’s all too easy to get caught up in the day-to-day workload and think ‘I won’t bother going this year’, you can be sure that if you actually make the effort you’ll find yourself with opportunities you may have never thought possible.

Trade shows are also perfect scouting trips and sources of professional inspiration. See what catches your eye from other exhibitors and, if you like what you see, emulate it.

By attending a show prior to choosing whether to showcase your wares at the next one, you’ll also get an understanding

28 February 2018 | BPI News

of the layout before spending thousands of pounds on exhibitor fees, which may well determine where – and if – you choose to subsequently fund a stand.

Any reasonable location will get passing footfall and hopefully attract custom and interest, but, as noted, to maximise the return on your investment, you also need to use the stand (and the occasion itself) to network. Seek out the exhibitor list and invite past customers as well as potential suppliers; email them with a view to setting up meetings, or offer them a discount to incentivise them to come by.

In short, you want to be irresistible.

Exhibitions can be busy and noisy places; you need to stand out. Your staff shouldn’t hang around waiting for attendees to walk up; they should drag visitors in with great demonstrations. Create an engaging pitch that finds a problem and offers a solution.

Have products on display that can be (carefully) handled and examined. A box is a box, but a working camera is far more enticing and attention grabbing. Use light, video and a modicum of sound – without starting a noise war with neighbouring stands – and if you plan to use video as part of your display, keep your message snappy and short – with videos of no more than three minutes in duration.

BE WELCOMING, BE FRUGAL… BUT NOT ‘CHEAP’ Look at the most popular stands at the show.

Sure, some are so because they’re already established big names with marketing budget to match, or because the products they’re showcasing and/or selling are particularly desirous, while others are busy because they’ve thought about the

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Trade show special design and various ‘attractors’. You need a space that is welcoming, and so has left some room for visitors to be able to move around the stand. Don’t overload it with furniture and stock. Remember, attendees will all be carrying bags and the tighter the stand, the greater the risk of something being knocked and broken, or customers feeling cornered and uncomfortable. Aim to be an oasis of calm where visitors want to stay and chat, without feeling rushed or harried.

Exhibiting is expensive and you naturally need to be mindful of cost, but without cutting corners. Once you’ve exhibited at a few exhibitions, or if you’re looking at exhibitions as a long-term plan, it may prove more economic to buy rather than rent stand furniture. Just remember to buy items that are easy to pack, light to carry and importantly, sturdy, whilst not looking too ‘cheap’ in appearance (even if you have sourced a backdrop inexpensively online). If you’re working to a tight or set budget, and most of us are, it’s also an idea to see if the organisers will both offer a discount and an instalment payment plan.

When it comes to staffing the stand, take only those employees who relish the challenge of an exhibition and who are outgoing and happy to chat all day long.

Consider their travel and accommodation needs; pre-booking rooms and travel in advance will cost you less and, if budget allows, will keep staff fresh and focused, compared to their driving up from home and back each day.

CREATE A NETWORK – IT CAN BRING YOU CUSTOM The whole point of going to an exhibition is to talk to people – customers, suppliers or the media – they’re all attending to find out more, to seek out potential

partnerships, or to make purchases.

So talk to anyone and everyone; you never know who they are, and what they can do for you. Befriend show organisers and staff and tell them about your offering; it’s entirely possible they might come across someone in the media (not to mention enthusiastic attendees after something specific) who can be driven towards your stand.

Also, don’t ignore neighbouring exhibitors. You may be able to crossfertilise when it comes to spotting buyers, or, at the minimum, they’ll keep an eye on your stand to protect against any theft while you are busy talking. Similarly, keep the stand manned from show opening to closing – it takes just one customer at the start or end of the day to make the one big extra sale that makes it all worthwhile.

After the show, it’s important to stop

Trade shows are also perfect scouting trips and sources of professional inspiration. See what catches your eye from other exhibitors and, if you like what you see, emulate it.

Ready for the rush hour: At what’s bound to be a busy event, aim to be an oasis of calm where visitors want to stay and chat, without feeling rushed or harried

GETTING THE MOST OUT OF A SHOW AS AN ATTENDEE

Be an attention seeker: Our business advisor suggests that when it comes to staffing your stand, take only those employees who relish the challenge of an exhibition and who are outgoing and happy to chat all day long!

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and evaluate. Aim to make contact with anyone you’ve met who offers a potential future lead, or source of possible custom. But go further, try and understand the metrics behind the show and see how it worked out for you.

What is the return on investment? How many leads have you got? How much did you sell? Learn from what worked and what didn’t and make sure any staff are informed of the findings too.

Making the most of a trade show as a visitor also requires careful preparation, just as it would if you were exhibiting.

You first need to know what you want to accomplish and secondly, develop a strategy to help turn that want into a reality. That involves a spot of pre-show homework. Put time aside to note down both your personal and commercial goals.

Seek out pre-show promotional materials (including those found in BPI – Ed) and use them to craft a list of ‘must see’ and ‘want to see’ stands.

An extension of this is to research the companies themselves – it’ll give you a clearer idea of what you want to gain, as well as influence the questions that you want to ask. Once you’ve done this you can apportion show time for each section or stand. It’ll help prioritise stands in case the day is cut short. Allied to this,

BPI News | February 2018 29

Business Advice

allot time and stands to any colleagues you are attending with, and, rather like visiting theme parks, hunt down a map of the exhibitors stands and plot a route and, if necessary, a close hotel to rest or deposit bags, whilst also bearing in mind that stand positions or timings may have changed between materials first being printed and the event itself.

It sounds obvious, but don’t forget a pocket-full of business cards; it’ll save you repeating your details and will be more legible than the handwritten scrawl of tired stand staff. From your point of view, also have some way of making notes of anything important that needs following up. Consider also a lightweight backpack or shoulder bag for items you pick up; it also looks slightly more professional when making initial

The whole point of going to an exhibition is to talk to people – customers, suppliers or the media – they’re all attending to find out more, to seek out potential partnerships, or to make purchases.

So talk to anyone and everyone; you never know who they are, and what they can do for you. approaches than rocking up with plastic bags from stands that will eventually cut into the hand. Brochures are useful as memory aids afterwards, but they’re also dead weight, so don’t collect all and every just because they’re on offer; only take material that is of value. Alternatively, ask for material to be posted or emailed.

If time is tight, inform exhibitors you speak to of that fact; they’ll not want to lose you and will get to the point quicker (although you will have to be proactive

Make your stand a destination: As well as good design and various ‘attractors’, you need a space that is welcoming, and so has left some room for visitors to be able to move around, as on this impressive Fuji offering from the previous Photokina

in seeking the answers you need). And if stand staff don’t know the answer, ask for the name of someone who is able to help. New products and marketing promotions are often announced at shows and with carefully crafted general questions it may be possible to find out broad detail of what’s on the horizon, even if specifics haven’t been announced yet. As when exhibiting, do use the time to make new contacts – it’s one of the reasons why you’ve brought a pocket full of business cards.

AND FINALLY…

Touch ‘n’ try often leads to a buy: Have products on display that can be (carefully) handled and examined. A box is a box, but a working camera is far more enticing and attention grabbing

30 February 2018 | BPI News

After the show, take time to organise the information you’ve collected; add points to follow up on to brochures with Post-It Notes while conversations are relatively fresh in your mind – and send them on to colleagues if appropriate.

Consider jotting down your thoughts on anything you saw at the exhibition that could work for you – stands, product mix, presentation, promotions and so on. Lastly, follow up on any new contacts that you made at the show. Creating and executing a plan will make your time – and expense – worthwhile.

Sure, you can turn up and ‘wing-it’, but you’ll risk wandering aimlessly, or could miss an exhibitor who ends up being a critical ally in future business.

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