British Photographic Industry News November 2020

Photographic British

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NOVEMBER 2020 • £3

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SPECIAL INSIDE: Your essential guide to big new products that could save 2020!

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IN THIS ISSUE…

NIKON Z SERIES

THE BIG INTERVIEW

TALK OF THE TRADE

BUSINESS ADVICE

Big news from the brand keeps coming, with the release of much anticipated full frame mirrorless camera updates in the flagship Z 6II and Z 7II – more inside!

With the photo trade facing a challenging time, we quiz new President and Managing Director of Fujifilm in Europe, Toshihisa ‘Toshi’ Iida, on what’s next

To take the temperature of where the UK photo industry is, some eight months into a seemingly endless health scare, we catch up with its leading lights

It looks like 2020 will witness a digital Christmas like no other. But with planning tricky in a pandemic, how best can you make cash in a crisis?

I N T R O D U C I N G

The Rhino Collection

Stand strong and imagine The Rhino series of photographic tripods offers the ideal combination of strength and weight without compromising stability. Each Rhino tripod also converts to a full-size monopod. Its reverse folding design makes it extremely portable while its strength make it equally suited for the studio.

For more information contact : MAC Group Europe Ltd for details on becoming a stockist.

Tel: +44 (0)1902 255500 Email: info@macgroupeu.com B I T . L Y / B E N R O R H I N O K I T S

Editorial | November 2020

Logo based around Anders font.

3 possible logo uses.

A DIGITAL CHRISTMAS

Photographic British

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Gavin Stoker, Editor gavin@bpinews.co.uk @GavinStoker

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ith cases of Coronavirus rising again and the entire nation going back into a second lockdown as I type this, it seems pretty obvious that Christmas 2020 will be made – or broken – by the ability to trade digitally with your customers. For better or worse, the forthcoming festive season will be like no other – for once that’s not just a clever marketing slogan – with the inevitable strain on courier and postal services we saw during the first lockdown back in the spring/summer.

At the same time I think (and hope) people are more conscious about supporting retail businesses right on their doorstep – lest they’re no longer there when all this blows over. This pandemic has starkly highlighted the fact that we’ll see more boarded up shops locally if we just keep giving all our money to the online multinationals.

Of course, bricks and mortar retailers can help themselves, as much as they’re able in challenging times, by adopting the sage advice of business experts (often to be found in our very pages) praising the

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wisdom of a multi channel approach.

Yes, give customers the convenience of ordering online, and having the item delivered to their door if they’re wary of heading into town – but at the same time, if they’re feeling a little braver (or conditions allow), let them do ‘click and collect’, with the lure of avoiding the ‘shipping’ fee (UK postal charges have risen three times since this March already, after all). With jobs being lost and the recession that’s arisen from the pandemic putting a squeeze on wallets, £5 or £10 saved here or there helps – and can, of course, be ploughed directly back into their photographic hobby.

‘The situation’, as my wife and I have taken to referring to Covid-19, has also decimated the events calendar and even those shows that were pushed back to spring 2021 are looking increasingly unlikely. While we spoke to some who were a little lukewarm about the prospect of a virtual Photography Show back in late September, I must admit to being presently surprised at how well the team at Future had pulled it off over two days of virtual talks and message board ‘chats’. While it’s no substitute for being able to chew the fat with retailers and manufacturers in person – and there’s no hope of getting ‘hands on’ with the latest kit – the technology behind being able to stage such virtual events will only get better. So, that’s ‘one to watch’, for sure – and in every sense.

New autofocus camera makes it easy to catch life as you live it.

Format: i-Type

Works with: i-Type

Point. Shoot.

Keep Forever. www.swains.co.uk

sales@swains.co.uk

01485 536200

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BPI News | November 2020 3

News

FUJI LOOKS TO ‘X-S’ FOR SUCCESS The manufacturer has a wealth of new product arriving this winter, including a new X-S10 mirrorless camera which lands mid November in a variety of lens kit options. Key features include: a 26.1-megapixel APS-C sensor, 4K video at 30ps, Full HD clips up to 240fps, vari-angle LCD screen and in-body image stabilisation, with the camera alone retailing for £949 SRP. Alternatively there are three body and lens bundles, all in black, priced a suggested £999 with the XC 15-45mm f/3.5-5.6 OIS PZ, £1,299 with the XF 18-55mm f/2.8-4 R, or £1399 with the XF 16-80mm f/4 OIS WR. We also get an updated version of its X series lens in the XF 10-24mm f/4 OIS WR, which as the model’s suffix indicates adds weather (dust and moisture) resistance to the existing unit down to -10°C, with its f/4 aperture offered across the entire focal range. Its maker says optical image stabilisation has been improved by one stop, bringing the total effect to a claimed equivalent of 3.5 stops, while it weighs 25g less than

its predecessor. SRP is £899, with an end of November release.

Tell your existing customers that the end of last month also saw a free firmware update launched for its X-T3 camera – designed to match auto focus performance with that of the X-T4, with AF speed increasing from 0.06 seconds to 0.02. Face tracking and Eye AF performance has also been tweaked.

Finally for now, the brand has unveiled a new lens roadmap, with

a large aperture XF 18mm f/1.4 lens newly added. The second newly included optic is described as a compact and lightweight zoom in the XF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 OIS, while an ultra wide zoom lens in the XF 10-24mm f/4 R OIS WR is also being launched. The announcements swell the X series line up of lenses to 37 in total.

See our ‘Big Interview’ this issue for extra news of Fuji’s future plans, how it’s dealing with the challenges of the current pandemic – and more! www.fujifilm.co.uk

PANASONIC CAMERA BOXES CLEVER While most manufacturers are striving to think outside of the box, the electronics giant has just unveiled a product that takes inspiration from one, in its new mirrorless, Micro Four Thirds mount Lumix DCBGH1. Its maker says the 10.2 megapixel CMOS sensor equipped device brings together technologies acquired through the development of professional cinema cameras, camcorders and the Lumix ‘GH’ series.

The premise was to create an easy to use expandable camera that can be used in multi camera, drone, IP remote control and live streaming environments. It also features a double SD card slot and USB and HDMI connectivity, as well as the ability to shoot 4K resolution video up to 60fps and Full HD clips up to 240fps.

With promised availability from the middle of this month, SRP is £1899.99.

The brand has also launched a new software development kit that enables

Photographic British

Industry

camera control via USB for the new BGH1, as well as the Lumix S1, S1R, S1H, S5, GH5, GH5s and G9 cameras. It’s currently downloadable from the Panasonic website. www.panasonic.co.uk

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News

CHANGING FACES AT OLYMPUS, NEW BINOS LAUNCHED Following the proposed sell-off of its imaging business over in Japan, which BPI News reported on this summer and which saw an agreement signed on Sept 30th regarding the transfer, news reaches us that long-serving Dave Ivins has relinquished the reins here in the UK, with Ian Tolley (below) taking over the running of the operation as Head of UK Imaging Business. Ian joined Olympus back in 2006 and was latterly Head of Consumer Business.

Meanwhile in Japan, the transfer of the Olympus Imaging business to Japan Industrial Partners, Inc (JIP) is progressing to the next stage. Under the agreement Olympus will transfer 95% of the shares of a new imaging company to JIP on January 1st, 2021. A new company name, OM Digital Solutions Corporation, will honour the legacy of Yoshihisa

Maitani and Olympus Maitani cameras.

Existing Olympus product lines, including OM-D, PEN and ZUIKO will utilise the Olympus brand ‘for a certain period’.

“All we can says is that the Olympus brand will continue for the time being,” UK Marketing Brand Manager Mark Thackara tells us by way of explanation. “It has not been a secret that it is part of the longer term discussion. Apart from the usual round of discussions on where we focus attention, we carry on regardless.”

As regards new Olympus products,

for those camera retailers who like to have a broader stock offering, it’s just unveiled a new binoculars series comprising the 8x40 S, 10x50 S and 8-16x40 S models, where obviously the first number denotes the magnification and the second the size of the objective lens in use. Designed for nature, wildlife, bird watching and sporting events, they feature a wide field of view and an anti slip grip. Closest focusing distance is four, six or 10 metres respectively, while SRP’s are £99.99, £109.99 and £139.99. www.olympus.co.uk

Swains’ site is ‘smarter’ than ever The distributor’s website has had a fresh lick of paint. It’s described as maintaining the ‘same great features’ as the previous site, while being made easier to navigate for those visiting via smartphones and tablets.

Swains’ site provides the photo trade with the ability to check stock and latest pricing, place orders online, re-order more easily using a ‘favourites’ function, stay informed about the latest launches and special promotional offers, plus keep track of which items are on back order.

Furthermore, all serial numbers of hardware purchases are recorded

when the item is dispatched, meaning, Swains says, never missing out on a manufacturer’s sales out allowance using the serial number section; once an item is logged by the retailer as sold in-store, the information is automatically

transferred allowing Swains to arrange credit directly after the claim date.

Swains’ MD Danny Williams says: “We are delighted to be launching our new B-2-B website, offering retailers a ‘one stop shop’. Our aim at Swains has always been to offer our retailers the highest level of support, whether it be via our Regional Sales Force, Internal Sales Office or website. The new site still has all the previous functionality, with the added bonus of now being mobile friendly.”

For more info, contact Swains Sales Office on 01485 536200 or via sales@swains.co.uk

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BPI News | November 2020 5

News

CANON FOCUSES ON CAPTURE & PRINT While we may all be soundly fed up of online Zoom meetings by now, it’s certainly captured the zeitgeist during the pandemic. Fitting then, perhaps, that Canon has launched the PowerShot ZOOM – all caps – which is described as a portable, monocular style fixed lens camera capable of Full HD video and boasting a choice of 100mm, 400mm and digitally extended 800mm settings.

Unsurprisingly its telephoto ability may hold strong appeal for bird watchers and nature explorers, while Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity is also offered.

Key specifications aside from that zoom capability include a 12.1 megapixel resolution, Full HD video up to 30fps, plus four-axis optical image stabilisation.

It’s due this December at £299.99 SRP. As well as a new compact camera, Canon has a new Speedlite EL-1 flash, claiming fast recycle times of 0.1 to 0.9 seconds and a lithium ion battery pack that can last approximately 335 flashes at full power. It’s also said to be the first Canon Speedlite equipped with bicolour LED modeling lamps, while it’s been built to withstand weather conditions described at challenging. Ideally paired with the likes of its maker’s EOS-1D X Mark III or EOS R5, the SRP is £1,249.99, with an expected February 2021 release date.

The Canon PIXMA TS7450 is described as a mid level three-in-one A4 home printer with four-colour Fine ink cartridges and an automatic document feeder. Unusually, as well as featuring an LED status bar to check ink levels, the Wi-Fi equipped printer boasts voice command functionality.

The ‘smart device’, which comes in both black and white alternatives, is also said to be able to detect paper size and adjust its functionality accordingly. Available from November, SRP is £79.99.

Aimed slightly

more at photographers is the equally new PIXMA PRO-200 (right), which is an 8-ink dye based A3+ colour printer designed to appeal, Canon says, to photo enthusiasts taking their first steps in the world of photo printing. As expected, the 14.1Kg device has Wi-Fi built in and can print from smartphones, tablets or desktop PC. Claimed to be 15% smaller than its predecessor, it features a 3-inch screen for checking settings and levels, plus utilises a new formulation of Canon’s Chroma Life 100+ ink system. SRP is £449.99. www.canon.co.uk

ANOTHER LOCKDOWN? ‘STUFF’ IT! Finally, something retailers are allowed to open during lockdown: a camera pack!

Snapperstuff is pitching a new Think Tank Essentials Convertible rolling backpack (centre) to the trade, which fits two DSLRs or mirrorless cameras, a mounted 70-200mm lens plus additional lenses and a 16-inch laptop. The idea is that this one goes where other rollers can’t; namely photographers can roll the pack smoothly through the airport then deploy the backpack straps to carry it over rough terrain. It also meets most airline carry-on requirements.

A second new product is the BackStory Backpack, (extreme right) also

from Think Tank, which comes in two sizes: 13 or 15. The ‘13’ model can fit a 13inch laptop alongside one or two

un-gripped DSLRs or mirrorless cameras with up to 70-200mm lenses attached, plus one to three other lenses, a strobe and personal gear. The larger ‘15’ model can fit a 15-inch laptop alongside the likes of a Canon 5D Mark IV with 24-70mm lens attached, strobes and other gubbins. Contact info@snapperstuff.com for more! www.snapperstuff.com

BPI News is your mouthpiece to the photo trade, so use it! Send your press releases and news items direct to: info@bpinews.co.uk 6 November 2020 | BPI News

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Photo Noriyuki Watabe: 70-180mm | 180mm | F/2.8 | 1/2000 | ISO 800

We‘ve got you covered

Tamron Sony E-mount lenses are specifically designed to

especially with a shallow depth of field. All lenses in this Sony

maximize the potential of your Sony full-frame mirrorless camera.

E-mount series also feature a moisture-resistant construction

Their extreme portability and light weight design enhances the

and have the same filter diameter of 67mm. Who says great

limitless versatility of each lens. Another key feature of these

things can’t come in small packages?

lenses is the amazing ability to shoot close-ups,

Transcontinenta UK Ltd. | Distributor for Tamron UK and Ireland | www.tamron.co.uk | www.facebook.com/tamronuk

DIGITAL PHOTO

BPI News Extra

PERMAJET INVITES YOU TO GET ‘THE KNOWLEDGE’

There’s a paper to suit every image in the Digital Photo range; Gloss, Matt, or something a little special, these are the best products at an affordable price.

With trade shows off the calendar for the time being, the inkjet paper specialist has launched a successful digital guide to steer photographers through an almost overwhelming amount of options…

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e a lifelong student… suggests the old-age advice. Any of us who already think we know it all should therefore turn our attention to inkjet paper specialist PermaJet, and the launch of ‘The Knowledge’, its first comprehensive digital guide – or ebook – that covers the ins and outs of inkjet paper and printing thereon.

Already going down well with customers since its launch, it tells us, the guide has been designed to simplify the process of understanding and selecting the correct inkjet paper, given that the choice for photographers (and indeed the retailers who stock it) can sometimes seem overwhelming.

PermaJet suggests that in the current climate when we’re unable to get to trade shows to discuss requirements with experts, or get a tangible hands-

The Knowledge

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“More than just a one time read, this is a handbook that can be constantly referred back to when coming to print a new image.”

PermaJet MD Robin Whetton on with different paper tapes, ‘The Knowledge’ is there to plug that, um, knowledge gap. What’s more, upon registration this advice is available free of charge to all via a downloadable PDF; just direct your photographer customers to www.permajet.com/the_knowledge

WISE UP TO THE KNOWLEDGE The knack (of successful printing) & how to get it: Volume 1 of PermaJet’s The Knowledge seeks to help photographers of all skillets choose the best paper

Vol 1: The Art of Paper Selection

Sensibly starting with the basics, The Knowledge Vol 1: The Art of Paper Selection guides the reader through the essentials – from what the paper looks like to more technical considerations, including which photography may suit which paper type and when it might

Gloss 271

What images suit this paper?

A

high gloss paper with a classic photographic feel and finish. Its pure white base combined with the smooth coating makes it perfect for gloss lovers.

Vibrant colours

PERFECT FOR... º Instances where a high gloss finish is desired º Vibrant, saturated colours º Everyday prints, advertising and studio work

Image by Andriy Goncharenko

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LET’S GET TECHNICAL... º º º º º º

Weight – 271gsm Thickness – 0.27mm Whiteness CIE – 131 Base Construction – Resin Coated Coatings – Single-sided with a glossy, instant dry microporous receiving layer Primary Features – Instant touch dry, high white gloss finish, water resistant, superb colour and monochrome reproduction, exceptional ink absorption º Black ink – PK º Optical Brightening Agents (OBA) – Yes

“

An exceptionally low colour error with Ultrachrome inks and a low metamerism index makes this product suitable for both colour and monochrome images.

Mike McNamee, Professional Imagemaker magazine

”

Image by Johan Swanepoel

SURFACE

Image by Mike Jones

Click to enlarge Image by Austin Thomas

WHITENESS INDICATOR

“Glossy” magazine style

Sharp details

be used to creative effect to elevate a print beyond the ordinary. So if you’ve ever been asked by a customer ‘which paper should I use?’ or wondered yourself, you’ve come to the right place.

The timing of the launch is also perfect, with more of us spending a greater amount of time at home right now, whether because the nights are drawing in, or related to the wider pandemic.

“More than just a one-time read, this is a handbook that can be constantly referred back to when coming to print a new image,” suggests PermaJet MD Robin Whetton. “With The Knowledge, we believe photographers and artists will gain the confidence to choose the best suited paper for their work.”

But don’t just take PermaJet’s word for it. Photographer Martin Addison FRPS enthuses: “The guide is excellent! I’m very impressed. It’s just what is needed to explain the differences between the papers, while providing inspiration at the same time. Congratulations to everyone involved in putting it together.”

Get in touch with your local PermaJet representative for more details, or contact head office direct via sales@permajet.com or via 01789 739200.

In the meantime, download your own copy of The Knowledge Vol 1: The Art of Paper Selection for further inspiration by clicking on the URL immediately below. www.permajet.com/the_knowledge

Head to www.permajet.com/the_knowledge NOW to download your copy of PermaJet’s expert guide to inkjet paper 8 November 2020 | BPI News

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BPI News Product Focus

NIKON AT ‘6’S & ‘7’S WITH SECOND-GENERATION ‘Z’ SERIES Two years after the manufacturer launched its first ever full frame mirrorless cameras, second generation versions of the Z 6 and Z 7 have arrived. BPI News discovers their key selling points…

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ew iterations of both the Nikon Z 6 and Z7 have been introduced, their development based on feedback from the first wave of users, with some key new features added.

One criticism at the first generation cameras’ 2018 launch was sole reliance on XQD media. This time around “the request for dual card slots was taken on board”, says Nikon School Training Manager Neil Freeman, and so the Z 6II and Z 7II not only feature dual card slots, but also a choice of media in use: CFexpress/XQD or UHS-II SD/SDXC cards. Photographers can shoot different formats to different card slots too – for example JPEG to one and RAW to the other.

With the promise that handling and ‘balance’ is the same as their predecessors, both new models incorporate Dual EXPEED 6 processors, which is a first for Nikon, along with human eye and animal recognition AF tracking in stills and video modes. Higher frame rates, a deeper buffer capacity and convenient USB-C ‘hot charging’ while shooting are further pluses, as is the fact that there’s a new compatible battery grip with vertical shooting

Powering Nikon’s future: two new full frame mirrorless contenders in the Z 6II and Z 7 II, above, come with new accessories including MB-N11 battery grip and EN-EL15c battery, below, with wireless WR-11b controller shown bottom right

controls – including rear command dial and AF-on button – in the MB-N11 (£359 SRP).

“You can hot swap batteries if needed,” Neil Freeman adds. “It holds two batteries which can be slotted in from either end.”

The sensors of both cameras are identical to the first generation. For the Z 6II we get 24.5 megapixels, the same core ISO range as before, but now with 14fps capture speed up to a maximum 124 Raw files or 200 JPEGs in one burst. For the Z 7II it’s 45.7 megapixels and up to 10fps continuous capture, for up to 77 Raw files or 200 JPEGs.

WIDER RANGE OF FOCUSING MODES Neil confirms that the mirrorless cameras have the ability to shoot down to -6EV equivalent and offer “a wider range of focusing modes at photographers’ fingertips.” Videographers meanwhile will get 4K-resolution footage at up to 60fps via a firmware update promised for February 2021. Further features include 10-bit HDMI output to an Atomos recorder and support for Hybrid Log Gamma (a high dynamic range standard)

so that, in Neil’s words, “users don’t need to do any editing before displaying”.

Suitable for use in the great outdoors, the Z 6II and Z 7II are weather sealed and dust and moisture resistant. As well as a compatible grip debuting alongside the cameras, direct your customers to the fact that a new high-speed wireless flash controller in the WR-11b (£149) has been launched in tandem, enabling high speed flash sync in continuous high speed shooting mode. We also get a new rechargeable lithium ion battery with these models in the ENEL15c that is backwards compatible across all the Z series cameras.

In terms of sale start dates for the new products, Nikon tells us that it will be ‘winter 2020’ but definitely “before the end of this year” at pricing described as ‘competitive’. The Z 7II has an SRP ‘from £2,999’, while the Z 6II is from £1,999.

BPI News was told that the original Z 6 and Z 7 are remaining in the market for the foreseeable future, although the older models will most likely be discounted.

For more, speak to your regular Nikon representative. www.nikon.co.uk

New from Nikon for winter 2020: Z 6II and Z 7II cameras, MB-11 battery grip, WR-11b flash and EN-EL15c battery @bpi_news

BPI News | November 2020 9

BPI News Field Test

GET CLOSE TO PERFECTION WITH SIGMA’S 105MM

BPI News gets hands on with the Sigma 105mm f/2.8 DG DN Macro Art lens; an essential fit for full frame Sony E-mount and Leica/Panasonic/Sigma L-mount users

I

n time for what’s traditionally the year’s busiest sales season, the optical specialist has launched a brand new lens for the ever-popular E-mount and L-mount mirrorless cameras.

Notable for being the first ‘Art’ series macro lens designed specifically for mirrorless, the Sigma 105mm f/2.8 DG DN Macro Art is on sale now at £699.99 SRP. We were fortunate to be loaned a unit fresh off the production line for the latest installment in our occasional series of field tests – this time conducted in tandem with a Sony Alpha A7 Mark II; exactly the class of camera this high quality ‘Art’ series prime lens is designed to work in harmony with.

Like those self-same camera bodies, this lens boasts a durable dust and splash proof build, delivers a fast auto focus response and offers a full range of functionality, including aperture ring with de-click and lock options, plus an AFL button. Supplied accessories include a soft case and LH653-01 lens hood, with the 105mm f/2.8 weighing a reassuring yet manageable 715g.

A perfect fit: Sigma’s new 105mm f/2.8 DG DN Macro Art lens is available in Sony full frame E-mount (shown), plus Leica, Panasonic and Sigma L-mount options

FIRST ‘ART’ BRANDED MIRRORLESS MACRO LENS While build quality literally feels great in the palm, it goes without saying that optical performance is key here

It’s the dog’s...

Whether your photographer customers are looking to shoot flattering portraits or crisp close ups, beautiful bokeh effects are achievable

– hence Sigma’s made-in-Japan ‘Art’ series classification. Obviously it’s well suited to close-ups, but also portraiture with it, an ability to deliver creamily defocused backgrounds – or ‘bokeh’ – making it especially suitable for intimate portraits as well as still life studies. When weddings are allowed to resume in a more conventional manner, this would also make an excellent go-to option.

Interestingly, with the aim of a swifter overall AF performance, the 105mm f/2.8’s lens barrel features the option of a Focus Limiter Switch to, as this suggests, limit the lens’ focusing range. The three settings are 0.295m-0.5m, 0.5m to infinity, or ‘Full’. Adding to the overall feel of technological sophistication that you’d expect of a lens constructed from 17 elements in 12 groups, including one SLD element, as noted in our intro we

also get a thumb-operated AFL button to which users can assign a particular function via the camera menu.

Here aperture control ring and separate focus ring are nicely ridged to prevent slippage even in the damp autumnal weather conditions we faced when trying out this lens for size. For a lens with a 105mm reach it still feels relatively compact when twinned with Sony’s A7II body, even if its length does mean it’s one for the camera bag or rucksack rather than jacket pocket.

That reach, twinned with f/2.8 maximum aperture (f/22 minimum) does, however, deliver the promised beautiful bokeh, or, alternatively, shots with a crispness of detail maintained right into the corners of frame. We also couldn’t fault the instant AF response and its ability to reliably lock onto target, even in busier scenes with potentially distracting elements – and if selecting the ‘Full’ setting on the lens barrel rather than limiting the range on offer.

In fact you quickly forget what the camera or lens is doing and can instead focus fully on the subject in question.

Which is exactly as it should be.

A reliable, well built telephoto lens for full frame mirrorless cameras at a competitive price – in a nutshell that’s Sigma’s 105mm f/2.8 DG DN Macro Art. Speak to your local Sigma rep to order in stock to meet the inevitable demand. www.sigma-imaging-uk.com

All of Sigma’s lenses come with the benefit of a three-year limited warranty. Visit www.sigma-imaging-uk.com 10 November 2020 | BPI News

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News

‘C’ here: world’s smallest & lightest full frame camera?

Sony has launched a new camera system in the Alpha 7C, which went on sale last month at £1,900 SRP in a choice of an allblack body or black with silver top plate, with various accessories following on through this winter. The manufacturer is making a claim for this one as the ‘world’s smallest and lightest full frame camera body’ which can be paired with its compact FE 28-60mm f/4-5.6 standard zoom (available January at £450)– also described as the globe’s smallest and lightest in its class. There’s also a new flash to go with them in the HVL-F28RM (£250 retail price), which is similarly described as compact as well as being easy to use and featuring a guide number of 28.

Sony has long pioneered peerless AF performance and the Alpha 7C features a whopping 693-point focal plane phase detection AF system covering approximately 93% of the image area, with an additional 425 contrast detection points to ensure reliable focus, it claims, even in busier scenes. Continuous shooting of up to 10 fps is also provided, with one continuous burst delivering 223 JPEGs, 115 compressed Raw files or 45 uncompressed Raw files.

Unsurprisingly given this is a Sony, 4K video capture is also on board, plus, aiding creative flexibility, the camera features a fold out touch panel LCD monitor. www.sony.co.uk

LEXAR: 1066 AND ALL THAT The flash memory specialist has a new super fast series of microSDHC/micro SDXC cards in its Lexar Professional 1066x Silver Series. Designed for action cameras, drones and Android smartphones, the cards are claimed to be capable of capturing extended amounts of Full HD and 4K UHD video, with write speeds up to 120 MB/ sec. Spec wise, the card is Class 10, UHS Speed Class 3 (U3) and Video Speed Class 30 (V30). Storage capacities up to a whopping 512GB are available in this series, with availability from November.

Price wise, we’re looking at SRP’s

of £15.99 for 64GB, £26.99 for 128GB and £49.99 for 256GB. Both 32GB and 512GB capacity cards will follow on at a later date. www.lexar.com

91% WANTED TO AVOID HIGH STREET ON BLACK FRIDAY Even before a national lockdown shut non-essential stores and made in-person visits impossible, a new survey by eCommerce platform Kooomo found that of 1,000 UK shoppers surveyed in these Covid-19 times, the overwhelming majority planned to bargain hunt online-only this Black Friday (which falls on November 27th) and Cyber Monday.

Noting that, with the pandemic having disrupted shopping habits, it is almost impossible to predict what exactly will transpire over this forthcoming weekend – though power is most definitely back in the hands of the consumer – there’s some takeaways from Black Friday 2019 that can help retailers improve their overall experience in 2020.

First and foremost, as we ourselves note in page 20’s business advice feature, customers are opting for retailers who offer an omni-channel experience. That’s to say that, even if traditional high street footfall has suffered a dramatic decline these past few months, consumers still desire synchronisation and access to products across a variety of sales channels, from online to in-store, via the likes of ‘click and collect’.

That said, ‘M-commerce’ – purchases made via a mobile device – is also increasingly on the up, having allegedly accounted for 71% of overall sales on Black Friday last year.

It won’t be a massive surprise if 2020 sees the biggest use of M-commerce yet. So retailers need to ensure their e-commerce solutions are mobile friendly to reap the greatest reward.

Consumers also desire a seamless sales experience over the Black Friday weekend. Kooomo suggests that they lack patience when buying online and poor page loading experiences account for over 53% of virtual carts being abandoned by shoppers. Retailers therefore need to improve the customer ‘ journey’ – whether through highly targeted offers landing in their inbox in the first place, or a fast and efficient checkout process online when they do visit your store.

Finally – and surprisingly – the e-commerce experts suggest that Black Friday is ultimately not all about bargains.

Alternative discounts such as free shipping and the retailers’ participation in charitable giving must also be considered to attract the attention of the increasingly savvy shopper. For those interested in learning even more tidbits of advice, a free Black Friday focused ebook is available via the below link: https://info.kooomo.com/the-ultimateblack-friday-playbook-2020

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BPI News | November 2020 11

The Big Interview

‘CONSUMERS WANT MORE THAN A PRODUCT’ For our latest question and answer interview with a leading figure in the photo trade, we train our spotlight on Fujifilm’s new European President and Managing Director Toshihisa ‘Toshi’ Iida, taking the helm at a very challenging time for our industry…

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ujifilm has been one of the biggest exponents of premium mirrorless cameras this past decade via its X and latterly GFX series – as well as the resurgence of instant print cameras, exemplified by its affordable and approachable Instax range; both brands building on its heritage as a major player in photography and photo finishing/print. Given this, any changes at the top of the organisation are surely worthy of note, particularly in the pages of BPI News, as your unique photo industry journal of record.

Although he’ll already be familiar to some readers via his prior role as Fujifilm’s Head of Electronic Imaging and Optical Device divisions, Toshihisa ‘Toshi’ Iida has now been appointed to the top job of President and Managing Director of Fujifilm in Europe. We thought that warranted a catch up and discussion of his plans for the brand.

BPI News: Congratulations on your new role. It’s one you take on at a time when the photographic industry is going through a very challenging period in its history – perhaps the most challenging ever.

Fortunately, you already have a lot of experience. So, what do you see as your own role’s biggest challenges… and what are the most serious ones facing Fujifilm at present?

Toshi Iida: It is a challenging time without doubt. Covid-19 has greatly restricted professional photographers and hobbyists’ activities. However, if we look at the mirrorless camera category it still shows room for potential growth. My challenge is to keep R&D innovative and share European customers’ voices throughout continuous communication and feedback to our Global Headquarters in Japan. At the same time, I would like to maximise our unique position that covers broad photographic products and services, including Instax, photo printing, photobooks and such, as well as digital cameras.

Elsewhere in the Fujifilm business, our transition and continued transformation into a total healthcare company has been prescient. During the pandemic, the healthcare and life sciences business in the UK and Europe has been busier than

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The Big Interview

Making a stand for APS-C mirrorless: Fujifilm’s new European President and MD believes the manufacturer has got it right in its refusal to offer a full frame camera, believing its X and GFX series offer a decent choice between portability and very high quality as it is

ever, including supplying the latest medical imaging technologies to those working on the front line, or working with our pharmaceutical partners to realise the manufacture of Covid-19 vaccines and therapies at scale.

So right now, Fujifilm’s challenge is to not only to provide healthcare solutions to help bring an end to the pandemic as soon as possible, but to also grow market share and ensure profitability in our consumer businesses.

Q: With the worldwide market for digital cameras getting smaller because of the popularity of smartphones – and sales and profits being negatively affected, even before the pandemic added to the grief – has Fujifilm, like most, had to change or shift its focus… and, if so, what are Fujifilm’s current priorities?

TI: In the digital camera business, our focus has been mirrorless, namely X series and GFX series, which never changes. The advantages of mirrorless over any other device – including smartphones – are still great. Thanks to continuous innovation of sensor technology and processing technology, the mirrorless camera keeps offering new experiences to customers. Shooting movies is a good example. In the past, to capture good 4K video, videographers had to carry very expensive and heavy pro video camera equipment. Today, such a small and lightweight camera like our brand new X-S10 can capture beautiful 4K footage – and it is very affordable.

However, across the photography business I want to make sure that we connect all of our photography capabilities together – from picture taking to picture making – to present a complete offering to consumers. You can see this come to life effectively at both the Fujifilm House of Photography in London, and the various Fujifilm Wonder Photo Shops that exist across the UK and Europe, and elsewhere in the world. Compared to our competitors, our total photography offering and expertise is completely unique.

Q: Broadening it out and looking at the way the photo trade is being affected, not just in the UK and Europe, but also worldwide, what can we do collectively as an industry to get past and conquer our shared challenges?

TI: This current moment is certainly difficult for the imaging business in general, but I think there are a couple of areas of opportunity. First, we maintain, and even accelerate, our efforts to

When it comes to purchasing during the coming festive season, we are of course seeing people be more careful with their money – but consumer data also tells us that people are preparing to spend more than usual.” reduce our cost to help photographers and hobbyists to invest in their system.

Now, it is the transition from SLR to mirrorless. If you consider the investment of a variety of lenses and accessories together, the sum could become very high; our mission is to lower the burden for that transition. It is one of the reasons we continue to focus on APS-C as the best-balanced system, with the latest X-S10 the best example. We also maintain our efforts to make GFX system more affordable, too. The GFX50R is now available at a very accessible cost.

Second, we keep improving our service.

Even as Covid-19 restricts our operations, it is our important mission to keep our high level of service. Thanks to our hard working teams, we have secured the satisfaction of our customers.

Q: Have any Fujifilm products been delayed or cancelled outright because of the current worldwide pandemic? How has the supply chain been affected?

TI: Because China and other Asian manufacturing hubs were the first countries to lockdown at the start of the pandemic, we did have some issues with parts and supply back in March.

However, we solved these problems within two weeks or so, and we have successfully managed to adapt and plan our products launches, such as X-T4. As a result, we are back on track with our roadmap.

Q: What sort of feedback have you had from your customers during the past few months? Are you finding photographers want to spend more on their hobby, or are they delaying big money purchases?

TI: Yes, we have seen demand coming back in past few months. It is partly because of the pandemic, as people have a little more spare time to spend on their hobbies, whether it’s focused on mirrorless cameras, instant photography or scrapbooking. It is also partly because our product offering is attractive and we have also been committed to spending on communication with learning and educational content produced by our teams. Engagement with this content has been really high.

This is an encouraging trend.

When it comes to purchasing during the coming festive season, we are of

course seeing people be more careful with their money – but consumer data also tells us that people are preparing to spend more than usual. We do have new products such as the X-S10 and Instax SQ1 ready to go. We shall see what the Christmas season brings.

Q: A big change has been customers shopping more online. In the UK, Fujifilm already has its dedicated House of Photography store in London, which gives customers the chance to buy direct. Can you see this accelerating in the very near future, with Fujifilm, like Apple, selling direct to customers …and perhaps cutting out the local camera shop or independent retailer?

TI: We need to be able to offer our customers the option to purchase through a channel that they feel comfortable with – be that through one of our retailer partners or direct with us. It’s all about finding the right mix.

To meet changing demands for direct-to-consumer during lockdown in the UK, we set up an online store for photo printing at Fujifilm House of Photography, so that we could continue to offer our customers the great choice of photo products, and we continue to see those customers ordering through this channel even now. In fact, we have seen no knock-on effect to our London dealers since the Fujifilm House of Photography launched and, if anything, it has assisted many people in making a choice to switch to Fujifilm. What we see is that consumers want to engage directly with the brand to learn more, and that’s what the Fujifilm House of Photography is all about. It’s not there to compete with or replace our retail network.

Elsewhere in Europe, such as in France and Germany, we have the MyFujifilm brand that continues to establish itself as a direct channel to consumers, particularly for photo printing products. A balance needs to be struck between this direct approach and working with a range of retail partners across the network; it is not a case of one or the other.

Q: Is it inevitable that the local camera store will have less of a role to play in the future? Or is there more that Fujifilm could be doing to help them survive?

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BPI News | November 2020 13

The Big Interview TI: No, I don’t think that is inevitable at all. Having seen how the independent retailers have bounced back, we firmly believe that they will continue to be an important part of the photo landscape, offering customers a wide choice of photo products. There will always be customers who are looking for an assisted service and this is where independent retailers really win. Of course, the next six months for small businesses will be critical, but for many consumers their world during Covid-19 – and perhaps even after – has gotten much smaller, and I believe they will value easy access to local expertise more than ever.

Q: It’s always interesting to discover how popular certain products are in certain territories – for example, the top three Fujifilm cameras in Europe, may be different to the three most popular models in Japan, or the three most popular models in the UK. Do we know which are the top 3 best sellers in each of those territories – and what do you think it says about those regions?

TI: There is not much difference in the Top 3 cameras between the regions. The X-T4, X-T3 and X-T30 are all popular all over the world while X100F has been the bestselling high-end compact globally. GFX is also almost evenly split, except in the Chinese market. The only uniqueness is in some Asian countries, such as the popularity of X-A series, which has been particularly well-received by young women. Of course, Instax is also one of Fujifilm’s biggest consumer success stories around the world. Market research institute GfK confirmed Instax is the most thriving imaging product in Europe last year, achieving double the sales of the next imaging device.

Q: So far, Fujifilm has concentrated on mirrorless camera with APS-C sized sensors at the consumer level, and resisted the temptation to offer a full frame sensor camera, at a time when many competitors (first Sony, and more recently Panasonic) are. Can you see Fuji changing its stance on full frame for the ‘X’ series – and if not, why not?

TI: No, we will not go to full frame.

The reason is clear. We think APS-C is the best balanced system, and if you look for ultimate image quality then GFX is the answer. Full frame is kind of middle of the road. Although it is called ‘full frame’, there is no ‘full’ format in our sense. 35mm format was invented more than 100 years ago and has always been the de-facto standard

because it was the best balanced system.

Now we have modern digital technologies like cutting edge sensors, there is no need to stick to this old legacy. mirrorless is the great opportunity to free yourself from such legacy. If you are wanting to downsize, APS-C is the best answer. It’s not only the camera body; you can also get benefit with smaller lighter lenses. If you want the best image quality, GFX can offer astonishing quality without costing much.

Q: Experts always say that it is fresh innovation that drives sales and boosts any market, but innovation seems to have slowed in the digital camera market. Can you give us some teases of forthcoming Fujifilm innovations that we can look forward to, to end on a positive note?

TI: If you look back at the last three years, in fact the pace of innovation in the mirrorless category is outstanding.

I can confirm that this innovation will continue, potentially at a more accelerated speed. It is sometimes evolutional, but sometimes revolutionary.

It will happen both in X series (APS-C) and GFX. For example, there is a lot of room to further improve video capability, auto focus, speed, dynamic range, high ISO capability, etc. How to prioritise

and how to keep mirrorless’ advantage of size and compactness will be a matter of R&D. The other important factor is design and usability. Finding the best way to provide the best experience of ‘fun to hold’ and ‘fun to shoot’ is another point of product development.

A camera is not just a machine, it should be tool to enrich your life.

It will also happen in lens development. Recently, Fujifilm introduced the world’s first f/1.0 lens with fast auto focus – you will have never seen such a lens before. You will see more and more attractive lenses with new technologies, such as new glass mould technology and motor technology.

But, innovation shouldn’t just be restricted to a physical product – it could also be a service. To this end, expect Fujifilm to be focusing more on providing new ways for people to connect with our brand and share our experience of and passion for photography.

Consumers want more than a product – and we want anyone with a camera in their hand, ideally our own, but even a smartphone – to see Fujifilm as a place where they can nurture their creativity. As the only brand to offer both cutting-edge camera and printing technologies, we are unique, and I intend for us to focus on leveraging that.

He’s got it covered: Toshi Iida at Fujifilm’s House of Photography in Covent Garden, which, he says, hasn’t had a negative impact on nearby London dealers’ sales.

In fact, he believes it has assisted in more photographers making the switch to his brand

Got an idea for a photo trade-related business issue you’d like us to cover? Let us know direct via info@bpinews.co.uk 14 November 2020 | BPI News

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BPI News Extra

LUMESCA GROUP: A NEW NAME FOR THE FUTURE

There’s a new corporate identity ‘unifying’ familiar photo and graphic trade names and brands, including XP Distribution, Color Confidence and grafipress. BPI News finds out what this means for both the group and the industry…

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P Distribution, the distribution division of TypeMaker Ltd, along with familiar names to the digital imaging and graphics trades including Color Confidence, grafipress, Eizowinkel and Kleurgidsen, are all being ‘unified’ under a single LUMESCA Group Ltd identity, taking over from the TypeMaker name – which has been trading for the past 30 years.

LUMESCA Group offers services including EMEA-wide sales and distribution, expert technical sales, support and consultancy, comprehensive Amazon account management and marketing, integrated marketing services and multilingual account management.

In short, it is ensuring that it remains a vital asset to the UK photo trade through strategic growth and ambitious expansion.

“With multiple brands and channels to market we have expanded our business across Europe and, as we continue to grow our portfolio and services, we recognised the need to simplify and streamline our operations to support this,” explains LUMESCA Group MD and original founder Geoffrey Clements.

“Now is the right time to consolidate under one group. Following consultation with our partners and customers, we are introducing a brand that will allow us to build on our history and facilitate our future as we continue to collaborate with excellent people and partners.”

LEADING BRANDS, SUPERIOR SERVICE Focused on the digital imaging and graphics market for the past three decades, TypeMaker – now LUMESCA Group – believes that it has been its technical

“With multiple brands and channels to market, we recognised the need to simplify and streamline our operations. Now is the right time to consolidate under one group to support our ambitious growth plans.”

LUMESCA Group MD Geoffrey Clements

New identity and a united front: LUMESCA Group MD Geoffrey Clements reckons now is the right time for its various trade names and brands to unify, as a precursor to strategic growth and expansion

service offering that has set it apart.

This has resulted in winning contracts to distribute brands including X-Rite Photo and Video (for which it has been the exclusive pan-European distributor since 2013, and led to the emergence of the XP Distribution brand), BenQ, Pantone, RAL and most recently Tether Tools.

Always looking for opportunity they launched the colour management brand Color Confidence back in 2003, opening local offices in mainland Europe. As their presence in Europe grew, Grafipress GmbH was acquired and re-launched in

2009 as a pan-European business selling to the graphics and print market place.

In 2019 they acquired Dutch retailer brands Eizowinkel and Kleurgidsen, extending their presence in the design and photo markets in the Benelux region.

“Consolidating our brands and different businesses under the new LUMESCA Group identity is the first step to our next stage in developing our business.

We have exciting plans to invest further in the photographic marketplace and are continually looking for new opportunities, especially additional brands that would complement our current portfolio,” continues Clements. “We even have plans to add to our existing team, which in these challenging times is a positive message for the industry.”

Still based in Birmingham, where it was originally founded back in 1986, find out more at www.LUMESCA.com Trade customers should get in touch directly by calling +44 (0)330 440 0189 or emailing sales@lumesca.com

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BPI News | November 2020 15

Minilab News

FUJIFILM PROVES THERE’S STILL LIFE IN PRINT The proactive brand has launched two promotions in recent weeks – printlife@home and Print To Prove It – both aimed at showcasing the power of photography and particularly the printed image. BPI News finds out more…

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ou may recall that last year we covered Fujifilm’s massive Europewide PrintLife promotion in these pages – aimed at showcasing the power of printed photographs – which culminated in a physical exhibition across two entire warehouse-sized floors in Brick Lane, London. An idea that originated in the company’s native Japan, there were also further showcases in Paris and Istanbul.

This pandemic year, with most events having gone virtual, Fujifilm’s latest push to pictorially highlight photographers’ shared experiences of 2020 is also happening online only – and, as such, this time around has a new social media friendly name of printlife@home.

Currently open for entries, with a closing date of the end of December, the theme Fujifilm is asking entrants to illustrate is the ways in which people are seeking to connect with one another, despite not being able to be together in person. The brand is also inviting them to share photos of their photographic displays and is that its printlife@home platform will exhibit every photo sent in – irrespective of whether it was shot on a conventional camera or smartphone.

“We firmly believe that the joy of photography and the display or documentation of everyday life matters more than ever,” claims Fujifilm Europe’s Senior Vice President of Photo Imaging, Hiromoto Matsushima. “Whether you’re living in Manchester, Madrid or Mainz in Germany, what we are all living through

Most images are locked away on smartphones and shared only with our personal networks, if at all. We hope that by providing an open digital platform people can look into the lives and experiences of others” David Honey, General Manager Sales & Marketing arrangements at home – to provide fellow users with the feeling of ‘walking through the stories of people’s lives’.

Seeking to generate as much interest and participation as possible – and thereby highlight and create awareness of the power of photography – the promise

Home comforts: Fujifilm recognises photos have the ability to touch people; even when we physically can’t

David Honey

To discover how Fujifilm can inspire ideas and help boost the profile and bottom line of your own store or minilab, 16 November 2020 | BPI News

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Fujifilm advertorial today is one of the most significant shared human experiences and through the power of photography we can not only see but also understand how millions of us are living through this. We hope that printlife@home provides the opportunity to be a part of something and become inspired.”

With the tag line of ‘our lives, or photos, our world,’ Fujifilm tells us it will be selecting and profiling the five most creative contributions from

PRINT TO PROVE IT

members of the public each week – with further reward coming in the shape of €200, €150 and €100 vouchers to spend on photo printing products, or Instax Square SQ1 or Instax Mini 11 analogue instant print film cameras.

“I am looking forward to regularly reviewing the thousands of entries we hope to receive,” enthuses David Honey, General Manager Sales & Marketing, European Photo Imaging Division. “Most images are locked away on smartphones and shared only with our personal networks, if at all.

Instead of scrolling through a sea of images in a social feed, we hope that by providing an open digital platform people can look into the lives and experiences of others. But this project is also about creativity, both in taking and displaying photos, and we will reward this creativity by selecting our favourite Photo of the Week – with a bundle of Fujifilm prizes on offer.”

Find out more about this latest promotional activity at www.fujifilm-printlife.eu

in what is claimed to be a ‘permanent fixture’ for the remainder of 2020.

As part of the team up, the two industry figures will be offering free-of-charge prints – the thinking being that now more than ever there’s a need to prioritise high quality printing to showcase how the medium can rival digital image sharing when done the right way.

“We’re passionate about the photography journey, from photo capture to quality print,” states Fujifilm Business Manager Jon Sareen. “Each step is important, but for all photographers it is the finished print that will often be the lasting legacy

that showcases the quality of their work.

“As a result, getting the print right is hugely important, as a low quality version could lead to poor perceptions of photographers’ work. This is why we are proud to support photographers to take the step to achieving better quality prints and see the difference first hand when they order a free professional print as part of this campaign.”

One Vision’s Derek Poulston adds: “I am passionate about photographic printing and want to show as many people as possible the difference in quality when they choose to print professionally. This is why the Print To Prove It challenge has been created, and with Fujifilm’s support I look forward to seeing it continue to grow.

It doesn’t matter if you are a professional or an amateur; all photographers

In other Fujifilm news this month, the manufacturer has teamed up with professional print lab One Vision Imaging to demonstrate, it says, ‘just how far the advancements of pro lab standard prints on Fujifilm photographic paper have come’.

Originally trialed by One Vision Imaging’s owner Derek Poulston back in 2018, the ‘Print To Prove It’ campaign sees his company partner with Fujifilm

Passionate about print: One Vision Imaging owner Derek Poulston (pictured) has partnered with Fujifilm on a new campaign to highlight quality to customers

stand to benefit from reviewing and improving how they print their work.”

To claim their free ‘Print To Prove It’ voucher, photographers are directed to follow the instructions at www.FujifilmPrintToProveIt.com They are also being asked to share the hashtag #PrintToProveIt on social media when they receive their prints.

Though sample prints are free, customers need to pay for their own P&P to get them delivered – a fair trade.

GET IN TOUCH WITH FUJIFILM Promotions revealing how Fujifilm is marketing the message that printed photographs are both important and relevant aside, to learn more about how Fujifilm Photo Print Services can directly advise, inspire, improve and support your business and turnover in a challenging climate, get in touch with UK Marketing Manager Gloria McCann now on via photoimaging_uk@fujifilm.com and visit www.fujifilmphotoservices.co.uk

get in touch with Fujifilm Photo Print Services at photoimaging_uk@fujifilm.com or visit www.FujifilmPhotoServices.co.uk FOLLOW US ONLINE:

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BPI News | November 2020 17

Talk of the Trade

WE’RE HERE, WHEN YOU FEEL READY

BPI News catches up with leading figures in the UK photo trade to ‘check the temperature’ (no pun intended) of the industry – and discover how it’s coping in the continuing stop-start-stop again world of pandemic induced ‘circuit breakers’ and lockdowns…

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y necessity it feels like we’re all operating in our own little bubbles right now.

Wanting therefore to not lose sight of the bigger picture, we thought it worth checking back in with a handful of individuals and companies that make up the fabric of the

Theo Georghiades, General Manager Electronic Imaging, Fujifilm: “Like most businesses, Fujifilm has had to adapt during 2020. We find ourselves going into peak season in a healthy position with continued success across the X-Series range of cameras, especially from our new launches in 2020. Due to Covid, we introduced virtual 1-2-1 sessions to help customers get more from their Fujifilm kit and have the opportunity to speak to a product specialist before purchasing. We also began a free 48 hour loan scheme which enables customers to get their hands on cameras and lenses in light of them not being able to come into stores. Both of those initiatives have proved to be incredibly popular and will continue.

“The House of Photography reopened on July 9th and had also adapted to the new normal without compromising the essence of the experience the consumer has when they visit us. Despite the store not experiencing the same levels of footfall we saw in December to February, the conversion rates were considerably higher and there is still strong desire from consumers to come into the store and learn about what Fujifilm has to offer.

“GFX has also started to pick up again in recent weeks, which is also encouraging. Being successful in any business is all about having the flexibility

UK photo trade. Are we really all hunkered down in our bunkers and looking after number one – or are there positive stories and spins to put on our current shared predicament?

Of course, the views expressed here may only be relevant to these particular businesses – so if

your own take on everything is rather different to the thoughts on these pages, we’d love to hear from you. Our email is always ‘open’ and you’re cordially invited to express your opinions and ideas freely via info@bpinews.co.uk

Despite the store not experiencing the same levels of footfall we saw in December to February, the conversion rates were considerably higher and there is still strong desire from consumers to come into the store and learn...”

Theo Georghiades, Fujifilm to adapt to different conditions and I believe Fujifilm has done just that. I’m confident we can continue to weather the storm from Covid and hopefully have a successful peak season which will give us a good foundation moving into 2021.”

Tracey Fielden, Marketing Director Canon UK and Ireland “Over the past eight months we’ve been adapting to the ‘new normal’ and with that has come a digital first approach to everything we do.

“From replacing in-store experiences for our customers with online support platforms, such as Canon Live and Canon Connected, through to switching in-person product launch events to virtual ones, it’s been a challenge, but also a success.

“Wider industry events are as important to us as they’ve ever been, and we’ve strived to ensure a strong presence and participation in virtual shows like The Photography Show and The Video Virtual Festival which took

place in September. We’ve also made it our mission to support our retailers by hosting inspirational online events and product launches – this is something we’re committed to for the foreseeable future.

“We’ve seen a higher than usual demand for our print products and services due to a rise in home working and schooling. Going forward, we’re looking at ways to facilitate this for corporates, as well as individuals.”

Derek Fieldhouse, PhotoXport Managing Director “We’ve done better than we thought and have been surprised by the resilience of the photo trade. We have managed to run out of stock on occasion though, so there has been some difficulty there. People are chomping at the bit and we’ve had to fly paper all over the

We’ve made it our mission to support our retailers by hosting inspirational online events and product launches – this is something we’re committed to for the foreseeable future.”

Tracey Fielden, Canon UK

How is your own photo business coping in the pandemic? If your experience differs to the views expressed here, we’d love to hear from 18 November 2020 | BPI News

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Talk of the Trade world. Photographic companies are finding ways and means to keep going.

We’ve been very busy personally, partly due to having staff on furlough.

“The virtual Photography Show was good for us. We took a ‘Gold’ level stand, which made us look as big as some of the larger players. We got plenty of orders through and some good traction. On the first day, we had our biggest day ever in terms of users visiting our website, though a virtual show can never be an adequate replacement for the real thing.

“Overall, we’ve not had a good year. But it’s not been as bad as we’d envisaged.”

Paul Reynolds, Sigma UK General Manager “The team at Sigma UK has been working incredibly hard throughout the coronavirus pandemic.

We’ve increased our social media activity by creating more live online events, educational content and interactive activity.

“We are of course very fortunate that our Japanese parent company continue to provide us with exceptional product, perfectly suited to our loyal customer base. We ran a hugely popular cashback campaign throughout August and September, which encouraged sell-out through these months and, whilst we continue to work through the difficult conditions, I’m pleased to say we’re finding positive results.”

Jake Cundy, Head of Business Planning, Nikon UK “It’s been an unprecedented year and Covid-19 has impacted us all in ways we could not have imagined in January.

With sales recovering and personal plans on hold, lately it has been supply that has kept me awake at night.

Nikon has not been immune from the supply challenges created by the global pandemic, and we can only apologise for this. We are working hard to get supply back to normal as soon as possible.

“The great news is that our ongoing investment in R&D has enabled us to grow the Z-series line up, with the virtual launch of the second generation of Z-series cameras in the Z 6II and Z 7II. These cameras, alongside the recently launched Z 5, Z 14-24mm f/2.8 and Z 50mm f/1.2, underline our commitment to the continued growth

I firmly believe we collectively have a role in inspiring people to pick up a camera and get creative. We’re at the heart of this now online effort, asking photographers to get imaginative via our #createyourlight campaign.”

Jake Cundy, Nikon UK of the Z-mount system and ultimately driving sales for our retail partners.

“I firmly believe we collectively have a role in inspiring people to pick up a camera and get creative. Nikon is at the heart of this now online effort, asking photographers to get imaginative via our #createyourlight campaign. The response has been amazing and we will continue this effort over the peak period. We will also continue to educate, with Nikon School having now made the permanent move online to ensure we can reach all photographers across the UK, enabling people to get the most out of their kit.

the furlough scheme for most of our staff, but found that we were receiving sufficient orders to enable us to bring some staff back.

“MAC Group has adapted well to the challenges of the pandemic and, whilst the majority of employees are still working from home, we have continued to be fully operational and able to support our customers both in the UK and across the world.

“The company has seen a significant increase in demand for Saramonic audio products. The Benro tripod business remains good too, with sales broadly

We’ve increased our social media activity by creating more live online events, educational content and interactive activity. We are very fortunate that our Japanese parent company continue to provide us with exceptional product.”

Paul Reynolds, Sigma “The power of online content has led to our largest surprise of the period. Whilst I’ve spent my spare time cycling up Box Hill in a virtual world, it seems many people have dusted off their old 35mm film and negatives, digitising them via the ES-2, which quickly sold out after a number of reviews and how-to’s were posted online at the start of lockdown.

“With Christmas and peak trading around the corner, rest assured that Nikon will be here, supplying the products that will empower amateurs and professionals alike to document ‘the new normal’. And who knows, maybe I’ll finally be able to get married next year!”

on par with last year. With people working from home, microphones for phones and laptops are being used with tripods for video conferencing.

“We are constantly reviewing the situation. However, I remain optimistic that the business will get through 2020 in a very strong position.”

Gary Sutton, MAC Group Europe MD

“The first seven months of the pandemic have certainly been interesting and quite challenging, but in real terms we have come through them very well.

“We made investments in technology that came on-line in January 2020.

Luckily these have really paid off and enabled us to make some changes in our structure and improve efficiency.

“We have now brought back most of our staff, with just a couple of casualties, due mainly to the technology changes. Moving forward we feel quite confident, in that all sectors in the group have performed well.

“I have to thank all our staff for their dedication and commitment, along with you, our customers, for being very supportive of our business.”

“When I look back to the early days of the pandemic, we put in place some drastic measures that were designed to secure the future of the business in very uncertain times.

“However, I am extremely pleased that my initial concerns were unfounded and our sales have been very buoyant throughout the period.

In fact, September saw the company recording its best-ever sales month.

“We initially took advantage of

Robin Whetton, MD The Imaging Warehouse/ PermaJet

you. Just get in touch direct via info@bpinews.co.uk and who knows, we could be featuring you in a future ‘Talk of the Trade’ article!

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BPI News | November 2020 19

Business Advice HOW TO STILL PROFIT IN A CHRISTMAS PANDEMIC Don’t sit on your hands and ‘wait and see’, when the biggest sales opportunities of the year are fast approaching. Whatever else is happening in the wider world – or isn’t, by government decree – here are some expert tips to give you a fighting chance of turning a profit in a pandemic…

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hile Black Friday and Christmas may turn out to be more subdued affairs this year, they haven’t been cancelled entirely – which means that sitting on our hands and ‘waiting to see what happens’ in days and weeks to come isn’t really a sensible option.

Not after seven or eight months – at least – of the same. With this in mind we’re focusing on the positive steps you can make to have an definite effect in

the here and now – independently of whatever else is going on in the wider world, and whichever political decisions are affecting health and livelihoods.

MARKETING YOUR WAY OUT OF A CRISIS As we’ve noted previously, it’s certain that 2020 will be remembered as the year in which retail (finally) went digital

in a big way. Pundits have suggested the present pandemic has accelerated what was already gradually changing, in terms of consumer habits and spending, by anything up to half a decade.

With people sat at home working from the kitchen table – and more wary about venturing to the town or city centre – now is the time to make the most of those mailing lists and reach out to them via email blasts.

We’re not talking annoying customers

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Coping with a Covid-19 Christmas Those retailers who have invested in digital strategies – whether by luck or by circumstance – are presently best placed to still turn a profit during the pandemic. Those who have failed to invest in a multi channel approach are now looking increasingly behind the curve...”

with daily ‘spam’ here, but rather some genuinely thoughtful and helpful offers – ideally based on their purchase history with you. If they’ve bought a camera body and basic lens kit before, they may well want a second lens that extends their available focal reach when augmenting their first, a flashgun, a battery, or a camera case. Some lower ticket items mixed in with the latest big purchases are perfect lures for potential gifting season purchases – and traditionally there is more flexibility with margin on accessories than camera bodies.

If you can tie these e-shots to a theme that inspires the imagination – then that’s even better. People will be expecting the regular Black Friday and Christmas orientated promotions and deals – even in a crisis – which is not to say don’t do them at all, but consider that these can easily get lost amid a myriad of similar promos from competing brands and retailers flooding their inbox. So think outside the (in)box with something

that is unique to you – maybe that’s themed and tied in with your locale.

‘Thanks’ in part to our experiences of restricted travel during lockdown, customers are increasingly aware of the need to shop local to preserve the near and long term future of the businesses on their doorstep. And not just give all their orders to multinational big boys of online retail, who were already well placed to capitalise on early pandemic panic buying.

Seems incredible now, but in late February/early March as we watched the news of Coronavirus spreading across continents, I was dispatched to the local Superdrug and Boots to try and buy some precautionary face masks. Superdrug told me they’d never stocked them, while Boots said they only supplied them in bulk to hospitals.

Where was the only place you could buy them as a regular consumer? Amazon.

In short, those retailers who have invested in digital strategies – whether by luck or by circumstance – are presently best placed to still turn a profit during the pandemic. Those who have failed to invest in a multi channel approach are now looking increasingly behind the curve, and are very definitely missing out.

But there is some good news though for independents still in the fight. A report from industry watcher Futuresource last month highlighted that over 55% of all online or multi channel transactions in 2020 for audio/visual devices have come from a traditional retailer, up from the 40% witnessed in 2019.

Inevitably, given where we are at this point in time, Futuresource expects long-term migration to online and multi channel retail to further accelerate in coming years. For now, though, it adds that online retail has a clear opportunity to capitalise on restrictions due to Covid-19 this Christmas – and dominate the holiday quarter.

CLOSED FOR BUSINESS? NO, RE-OPENING SOON! So where does all this leave the bricks and mortar physical retailer? As with anything in life, maintaining a positive can-do attitude will reap reward. Witness those shops in my local town centre that, during the first wave of the pandemic, simply shuttered with a ‘closed until

further notice’ sign in their windows, as opposed to those who, in the same circumstances, instead chose to cleverly frame their predicament as: ‘re-opening soon’. This message included a website link or even QR code, to direct customers to a means of shopping with them online even when the physical store/s were shut.

The social aspect of traditional retail continues to be an interesting and not to be underestimated one.

When lockdown first eased at the end of the summer, local retailers were reporting they were unusually busy, as customers rushed back to get their therapeutic shopping ‘fix’ after being cooped up for weeks, or simply wanted to buy what they hadn’t been able to find, or make a decision on, online. In other words we saw pent-up demand, however short lived this turned out to be. Faced with a second lockdown more recently, local stores to me were again reporting they were surprisingly busy – perhaps as customers rushed to grab those physical items they needed before government or local authorities declared the need for ‘non essential shops’ to shut completely to stem the resurgence of Covid-19 cases. That’s certainly what I was in town to do at the time.

As we’ve reported in the past, physical retailers (as long as they’re allowed to stay open and trading) still have certain advantages over the Internet giants. Namely they can offer their customers a retail ‘experience’ and a slice of theatre through ‘showroom-ing’ product; something which eludes the more faceless corporations who can only rely on a race to the bottom on price.

Surveys continue to declare that customers are willing to pay a modest premium for good first hand advice, delivered in person from a trustworthy source. With recent controversies surrounding bogus online product reviews, buying from a long-established tried-and-tested source still holds value, even if the present pandemic still presents major challenges for high street retailers and – seemingly – we will see a smaller physical retail landscape overall when present difficulties have passed.

So, in summary, re-connecting with your local community and customers is good, targeted e-blasts are good… everything else still seems hard to predict right now. Happy Christmas!

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BPI News | November 2020 21

Product of the Month

PRODUCT OF THE MONTH: CANON EOS-1D X MARK III Though announced pre spring 2020 lockdown, a sample of Canon’s latest full frame DSLR behemoth has only recently reached BPI News Towers for a proper play. So let’s dive in…

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ith a brick outhouse-like rugged magnesium alloy shell, this one has obviously been built to last – which we would hope is the case for the £6.5K asking price. What’s new this time around is an overhauled AF system and sensor, with what’s been claimed as a drastically improved AF tracking performance.

That translates as industry leading capture speeds of 20fps with AF tracking in Live View mode, or otherwise 16fps using the optical viewfinder. Both are pretty impressive, underlining this one’s suitability for both sports and wildlife photographers. Fittingly, this 1D X model features its manufacturer’s latest Digic X processor to do the heavy lifting.

Stills aside, the camera also shows it’s a capable option for video, with up to 4K resolution clips offered. However, if choosing to shoot at a cinematic 60fps, then manual focusing on behalf of the user is required, which requires a bit of practice when the subject is moving.

Also impressive is this DSLR’s low light performance, with, typically for a Canon DSLR, an option to expand the camera’s core ISO range in either direction – which here means down to ISO 50 or up to ISO 819,200, even if, in practice, images at the very uppermost tiers are unusable.

CANON: THE NEXT GENERATION

good. We also get two available card slots on the camera for power users – and, with around 1,000 Raw files achievable in a sequential burst (which seems crackers) – along with those humungous 4K video files – they’ll be needed. Further built to cope with the pressures that professionals might heap on this DSLR, its chunky rechargeable LP-E19 battery is good for a maximum 2850 shots.

Likewise insane… but in a good way.

Canon hasn’t changed the control layout much through successive generations of this particular DSLR, though it did feel strange to us not having a top plate shooting mode dial to turn between forefinger and thumb.

We could however access the same (hidden) modes with a press of the small ‘Q’ (Quick Menu) button on the camera back, followed by a tap of the desired mode on the DSLR’s touch screen LCD. We also get a second smaller and narrower LCD window lower down on the camera back, should you wish to save time when double checking which file formats you’re shooting in, without having to drill further into menus.

In short, this Canon is built for speed, convenience and of course for image quality, which is crisp and detail rich.

Our only gripe is we’re not ‘rich’ enough to actually be able to afford one. www.canon.co.uk

What’s also interesting about this model is that it’s Canon’s first EOS to support the ‘next generation’ HEIF (High Efficiency Image File) file format, enabling images with 10-bits of data to be saved in a file the equivalent size of a JPEG, while suffering less compression. The choice remains to shoot Raw files in tandem with regular JPEGs, or to substitute those JPEGs for HEIF files. Like Canon’s .CR3 (Canon Raw) file extension, bear in mind when shooting that HEIF files require the specialist likes of Photoshop or Lightroom to access and open once downloaded.

To cope with the data hungry demands of such innovation the EOS-1D X Mark III offers the ability to write to CFexpress memory cards, and that media alone – so those drawers full of SD cards are no

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Photographic British

Industry

news

When other voices go quiet … yours gets LOUDER! During the current Covid-19 crisis, you may have been tempted to put marketing plans on hold, adopting a ‘let’s see what happens’ mindset. However, with things not changing quickly, or any time soon, that closed manner of thinking may be holding you back more than you realise. People can’t buy from you if they don’t know what you’re offering.

Fortunately, as the ONLY photo trade magazine, published both in print and digitally, BPI News is here to help AMPLIFY your message!

Get in touch to find out how. Contact gavin@bpinews.co.uk to discuss advertising and advertorial requests. Our next issue is a combined December 2020 / January 2021 cover.

End the year and start the new one by turning up the volume.

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