British Photographic Industry News July & August 2023

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Gavin Stoker

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ISSN: BPI News (Print) ISSN 2634-1344

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

ARE DOING IT FOR THEMSELVES

Amid reports of baking temperatures and wildfires on the continent this summer comes the equally shocking but nonetheless not-all-that-surprising news that over 90% of people now exclusively use a smartphone for taking pictures.

Sales of dedicated cameras – the ones that exist outside of our handsets – have been in decline for some time, which isn’t news to anybody. But not all hope is lost. Film continues to enjoy its resurgence and is cool with a hip, young demographic, while seemingly everyone – not just those with chin-strap beards – wants to be a content creator, recording and sharing every aspect of their lives across multiple social media channels. That ensures a still ever-growing need for pictures and video, and once again our news pages are full of tools that will allow this in-crowd to fulfill this demand, while providing manufacturers and specialist retailers with the opportunity to turn a profit.

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While it may appear that photography and video today is more about the ‘selfie’ than anything else – as far as the mass market is concerned – at retail it’s increasingly about self-service. You only need to visit the local supermarket, or indeed WH Smith, to witness the gradual replacement of human-manned tills with rows of barcode scanners and screens, and self service kiosks for the ordering of prints have been a staple at

photo retail for a long while now. As an evolution of this, we report in this issue on a new collaboration between high street greeting card staple Scribbler and photo trade stalwart Fujifilm that allows retailers to further expand their services by offering up to 2,000 of Scribbler’s card designs in-store, customers having the ability to personalise the message inside. In effect this means a mini Scribbler store within your own business, and potential expansion of your traditional customer base. Of course such services need to be quick and efficient to hook the consumer, and an output time of just 60 seconds fulfills the definition of an instant print service.

Also this issue we’re allowing you to take personal control by throwing open the nominations for this year’s BPI News Trade Awards. These are the awards exclusively decided by your votes – there’s no panel of journalists or industry insiders behind the scenes – so please do take part and let us know who you think is deserving of an accolade in each category. Usually we’d announce the winners around the time of The Photography Show in September, but with no TPS this year we’ll instead be ending the year with a bang and announcing them in our annual December / January edition. And yes, you’re allowed to invite your own customers to sing your praises. Enjoy the issue and let us know your view!

SONY CLAIMS MOST ADVANCED APS-C MIRRORLESS EVER

The electronics leviathan’s summer is getting hotter with the revelation of a new mirrorless camera in the Alpha 6700 – or α 6700 – plus compatible compact shotgun microphone in the ECM-M1. Both products are available as you read this. Coming September meanwhile is Sony’s 50th full frame E-mount lens, the FE 70-200mm f/4 Macro G OSS II (below)

Described as compact and lightweight for its telephoto zoom class at 149mm in length and 794g respectively, the new optic is also claimed to be the world’s first zoom to offer half macro capability throughout the zoom range, with a maximum magnification of 0.5x. If buying an optional teleconverter, super telephoto shooting up to 400mm

and life size 1:1 magnification macro shooting across the entire zoom range is possible. The manufacturer suggests that the ‘XD’ (extreme dynamic) linear motor has increased auto focus speed by up to 20% this time around, while the tracking of moving objects is twice as efficient in terms of accuracy. Also improved is focus tracking performance when zooming, with highspeed bursts of up to 30fps possible when paired with Sony’s α1 flagship. A ‘Mode3’ SteadyShot setting has been added to aid stability when shooting subjects in motion. A detachable tripod mount is included in the box for further stability, while the lens has a dust and moisture resistant design and fluorine coated front element to easily remove fingerprints and grime.

The α 6700 camera body (above) meanwhile incorporates the latest cutting edge stills and video capabilities from its full frame Alpha and Cinema Line cameras, enabling Sony to lay claim to its most advanced APS-C sensor mirrorless camera to date. Boasting a 26 million pixel effective resolution and a Bionz XR processor it supports 4K resolution video up to 120fps, a wide exposure latitude equivalent to 14+ stops, and features

the S-Cinetone picture profile found in its maker’s professional cinema cameras, said to provide ‘refined’ movie imagery that doesn’t require colour grading, as well as ‘stunning’ skin tones. Weighing around 493g, the camera is being described as portable, featuring a touch screen vari-angle LCD and customisable front dial. A five-axis IBIS system providing the equivalent of five stops also features, as does support for Sony’s Creators’ App, allowing for upload of stills and video to Cloud services.

Finally for now, the compact, lightweight ECM-M1 (below) is pitched as the world’s first shotgun microphone with eight dial selectable recording modes. An ultra-directional mode captures sound from the front, while effectively suppressing other sounds, said to make it ideal for recording interviews and selfie videos. Various filters to minimise background noise, vibration and low frequency noise also feature. When connected to the Multi Interface Shoe of a compatible camera featuring a built-in digital audio interface, the audio signal is directly transferred to the camera in digital form so no degradation occurs. The Sony α 6700 has an SRP in the region of £1450 body only, the ECM-M1 shotgun microphone retails for £349, while we’re told the FE 70-200mm f/4 Macro G OSS II will be circa £1750 when it arrives this September.

Sony.net

Sony UK Head of Digital Imaging Paul Beesley is confident the new camera, lens and mic combo will hold robust appeal for ambitious content creators

NIKON’S COMPACT LENS DUO BOAST AFFORDABILITY

Arriving now are the Nikon Nikkor Z 70-180mm f/2.8 (below) and Nikkor Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR (right) lenses. Both are said to be sufficiently agile and versatile to respond to the needs of its mirrorless photographers who shoot a wide range of subjects, while the added promise of a relatively lightweight and weather-sealed build for each makes them travel friendly. They’ve also been designed to appeal to those on varying budgets that want to expand their creative palette, yet can’t stretch to the cost of a pro lens.

Describing it as an all-purpose telephoto zoom, its manufacturer reckons the Nikkor Z 70-180mm f/2.8 will suit particularly portrait, sports, nature and events photographers, with soft ‘bokeh’ accentuating shots of people. Macro style images can be achieved here too by attaching Nikon’s optional Z Teleconverter TC-2.0x, which provides an almost life-size 0.96x magnification.

As its model name indicates, the second new lens in the Nikkor Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR extends photographers’ possible reach even further. This makes it a good option for photographing wildlife, birds and aircraft in particular. To provide a degree of image stabilisation when shooting handheld, we

get the addition of Vibration Reduction (VR) – achieving the equivalent of 5.5 stops according to CIPA standards –theoretically allowing photographers to zoom in or out or pan and tilt with their subjects without use of a tripod.

Attaching the optional Z Teleconverter TC-2.0x delivers a 1200mm equivalent reach this time around, while still allowing for handheld shooting.

Indicating its portability the smaller Nikkor Z 70-180mm f/2.8 zoom weighs approximately 795g and is relatively compact too at just 151mm in length. Suggested retail price is £1,299. By contrast the higher-powered Nikkor Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR weighs in at 1995g approximately and costs £1,799.

Attendant features of the compact, allpurpose 70-180mm include a minimum focus distance of 0.27m at its widest setting and 0.85m at the telephoto end.

Attaching the Z Teleconverter TC-2.0x extends the reach to 360mm. Nikon suggests that the lens’ qualities of quiet focusing and suppressed focus breathing make it an option also for videographers wanting cinematic close ups. Photographers packing their kit bag with this lens might also want to pair it with the existing Nikkor Z 17-28mm f/2.8 and Nikkor Z 28-75mm f/2.8 for the full creative spectrum.

Leica’s L-Mount Alliance adds video & stills specialists

It seems a long time since the L-Mount Alliance – a development partnership initially between Leica, Panasonic and Sigma – was first announced at Photokina 2018. In many respects the world at large and the photo industry in particular is in a different place. At that time the trio of manufacturers agreed to produce own brand lenses and camera bodies based around Leica’s L-Mount. While that European trade show is no more, membership of the Alliance continues to grow – with

Leica announcing that Astrodesign Inc and Samyang Optics Co are the latest two companies to sign up. These follow 2021’s two prior joiners in Ernst Leitz Wetzlar and DJI.

Leica’s Head of Product Management

Attendant features of its bigger brother in the super telephoto 180-600mm include a minimum focus distance of 2.4m at 600mm and 1.3m at 180mm setting, while we’re told the lens’ auto focus has been optimised for shooting fast moving subjects while being ‘super quiet’ with it. This, along with suppressed focus breathing, also makes it a boon for filmmakers, who are additionally able to shoot video at long distances and achieve artfully blurred backgrounds. In terms of external protection against the likes of dust and water droplets, its manufacturer says that because the barrel doesn’t move when zooming there are fewer places for dust to accumulate, while a fluorine coat has been applied to the front lens element. As noted earlier, if attaching the Z Teleconverter TC-2.0x to this lens the maximum focal length is doubled, while if opting to use a Z Teleconverter TC-1.4x we can still achieve a 840mm reach. Both lenses are available now for inclusion in your customers’ kit bags. www.nikon.co.uk

for Professional Camera Systems, Stephan Schulz, insists the new members bring experience and expertise in both the photo and video markets: “The L-Mount is an up-to-date lens interface that unifies photo and video applications in the best possible way. With Astrodesign the L-Mount Alliance gains an innovator in advanced professional video. With Samyang we welcome an agile lens maker that within a short period of time has developed an impressive lens portfolio for photography and cinematography.” www.leica-camera.com

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SHIMODA + TENBA = BAGS OF IDEAS FROM MAC GROUP EUROPE

With photographers and videographers packing their bags for summer travel, the announcement of an expanded Tenba Axis v2 bag series plus new Shimoda Action X v2 bags & Women’s Collection couldn’t be better

Distributor MAC Group Europe has summer ‘in the bag’ this year. Your photo and video shooting customers should be directed to the expanded Tenba Axis v2 collection of new slings and backpacks. Lightweight and comfortable, thanks to featuring body contouring memory foam, the 4L Sling Bag has capacity for a camera with one or two lenses, including up to a 24-70mm f/2.8 lens attached, while the larger 6L (below) can accommodate a camera and two to three lenses, or a camera with up to a 70-200mm f/2.8 attached. Both bags feature pivot straps, allowing them to be converted instantly into a waist pack. Additional accessories can be stashed in a front pocket, while lens capsules, battery pouches and card wallets can be added to the reflective molle straps. Straps on the underside provide for a monopod or tripod, while a double-sided rain cover gives added protection. SRP is between £89 and £105, depending on which bag and which colourway is chosen; the choice being regular black or

military grade MultiCam® Black fabric.

Next, the all-in-one 16L RoadWarrior briefcase/camera bag (below) accommodates a 16-inch laptop, a 12.9inch iPad Pro, documents, plus battery, cable and adapters. A supplied ‘BYOB’ insert fits a compact camera with two to three lenses, or can be removed and carried via its own shoulder strap. Described as ‘take anywhere’, further features include a trolley strap, while it meets the definition of airlines’ carryon luggage. Pricing is from £219 SRP. Alternatively the 18L LT and the 20L LT backpacks (right) are up to 1/2 Kg lighter than the equivalent Axis v2 pack, while providing dual side access. Each can fit a mirrorless camera or DSLR with a 70-200mm f/2.8 lens attached, and either 14-inch or 16-inch laptops respectively. Both feature a tripod or gimbal storage pocket, trolley strap, pivot-fit harness plus a convertible top pocket for extra kit or a rain jacket. SRP for the two is between SRP £150 and £190, depending on the bag and the chosen colourway.

An open and shut case: Plentiful and portable new camera bag options from MAC Group Europe brands Tenba (this page) and Shimoda (opposite) should prove an easy sell for specialist retailers, whatever the weather or season

ACTION PACKED ‘PACKS

Also available via MAC Group Europe is the Shimoda Action X v2 collection aimed at landscape, travel and even wedding photographers seeking a rugged outdoor bag. The travel friendly series now includes a compact 25L size, a larger 40L (seen in yellow, opposite page) size deep enough to fit a Nikon Z 9 or Canon EOS R3, plus an updated X70 HD (Heavy Duty) option. The latter is even more robust and is capable of withstanding extreme conditions while carrying large cinema camera lenses or super telephoto lenses such as a 600mm f/4.0.

The new 25L features a core unit for a mirrorless camera as well as a 7 litre expandable roll-top. The new 40L size is the smallest Action X bag that can accommodate a DSLR core unit, meaning it can fit gripped mirrorless or DSLR bodies, as well as long lenses like the Sony 200600mm. The Heavy Duty X70 (seen centre, opposite page) meanwhile has been reinforced throughout.

Also new is a highly-requested yellow colourway, the addition of front pocket

padding offers alternative laptop storage to the rear sleeve, a rain cover and new storage pocket at the base, plus the side handle now being large enough that it can slide over the extending handle of a rolling case. An adjustable hip belt, hidden pocket for an Apple AirTag, removable tripod/water bottle pockets plus large mobile phone pocket make up the rest of the new features. Pricing for this series is between £315 and £535 SRP. Finally, also getting a new exclusive colourway – in teal – is a newly launched Shimoda Women’s Collection (right) featuring female specific harness straps, curving around and away from the chest area. The line up includes three sizes from the Action X v2 series (25L, 30L and 40L) as well as

The new PavoTube II 15C and 30C deliver compelling, highly accurate light in a durable affordable package. All the qualities that everyone loved about the originals with the addition of many substantial enhancements. Find your local stockist and more at nanlite.co.uk

Our Most Popular Tubes, Greatly Improved

CANON GETS ITS SKATES ON

The manufacturer’s recent PowerShot V10 vlogging camera (right) has been put to good use, alongside its EOS C500 Mark II cinema camera and XF605 video camera (below), in capturing the temporary transformation of London’s Natural History Museum into a skatepark last month. As part of a team up between Canon and Red Bull, skaters were handed the keys and allowed to skate among the venue’s 80 million artefacts, their once-in-a-lifetime antics captured on Canon cameras to form a promotional video, which can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V7ZXKHC13cg

One of the set pieces at the museum involved a rig of 64 Canon DSLRS to enable a ‘bullet time’ sequence where Red Bull skate athlete Leticia Bufoni kick-flipped over a skeleton of a Velociraptor (not a sentence I thought I’d ever type – Ed)

The Canon EOS R5 was also utilised once the sun had gone down, with its lowlight capability enabling the team to capture atmospheric shots of the skaters at the museum after hours. www.canon.co.uk

Direct your photographer customers who have a love of the great outdoors to the Lowepro PhotoSport X backpack, claimed to have been purpose built for the adventurous image-makers amongst us.

Features of the ruggedly built pack include at-the-ready camera access plus an adaptable camera carry system. With a construction claimed to include up to 86% of recycled fabric, the PhotoSport X is also said to be part of its manufacturer’s commitment to reducing environmental impact. It

offers users something of a modular system too, in being compatible with Lowepro’s lineup of GearUp PRO products that allows for almost endless gear combinations. The pack is available in either 35L or 45L sizes, with SRP’s starting at £260.95. www.lowepro.com

The promise of a more flexible workflow is at heart of new firmware update Ver2.3 for the GH6 hybrid mirrorless camera. Available now, the manufacturer tells us that newly added is support for 4K 120P/100P HDMI output as well as Raw video recording to a Blackmagic Design external recorder.

The firmware can be downloaded free of charge from the below URL: www.panasonic.jp/support/global/cs/dsc/

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CHROME IS WHERE THE ART IS

Analogue film enthusiast Lomography has announced a new colour negative film in the LomoChrome Color ’92 ISO 400, described by its maker as both ‘new’ and simultaneously a ‘classic’. It’s clear it’s pretty excited about its latest emulsion, which is a limited edition production in 35mm format, and will soon be joined in 120 and 110 formats too. The first 35mm rolls are available now via the Lomography Online Shop, at £11.90 SRP per roll. Lomography tells us the film is so named because it’s ‘designed to

HAMA UK CLOSES

The UK branch of the photo accessory specialist is being shuttered for good this August, with distribution of select best-selling lines being transferred to Peak Development, BPI News has been told. At the time of writing Hama UK was speaking to photo dealers and specialists directly to inform them of the change. It was first established over here in 1990, as a small supplier of photo accessories. With Peak already distributing SanDisk, it now makes that distributor even more of a one-stop shop for photo and video retailers. www.uk.hama.com www.peak-uk.com

capture everyday life with a hint of 90s nostalgia’. Described as featuring a powerful film grain, it’s said to deliver a soft, mesmerising look in sunny conditions and a subtle, painterly look in photos taken at dusk. With photographers able to take photos in differing lighting conditions, development is via standard C-41 processing.

www.lomography.com

Sony enables vloggers with firmware tweak

Sony’s video-first ZV-E1 camera, which appeared in spring this year, is already getting an under-the-bonnet tweak. A firmware update the manufacturer describes as highly anticipated is being made available that enables 4K, 120P video recording. As this suggests, content creators will now have the opportunity to create slow motion visuals at that resolution. Sony reckons this marks a significant milestone for pushing the boundaries of creativity via the camera’s small and user-friendly form factor. Alongside the above refinement, ZV-E1 users are also being given Full HD 240P recording in the same update. Tell your customers to head to Sony’s Creators’ Cloud website if they want avail themselves of this new functionality. Creatorscloud.sony.net/cameraupgrade/4k120p/

BPI News is your mouthpiece to reach peers in the photo trade, so use it. Send ad bookings & press releases to info@bpinews.co.uk

TAMRON DEVELOPS ‘WORLD FIRST’ F/2 ZOOM FOR NIKON Z

Available to the trade and its customers via distributor Transcontinenta UK, third party lens manufacturer Tamron has announced the development of its own branded 35-150mm f/2-2.8 Di III VXD lens for Nikon’s Z mount. With a range that suggests suitability for both portrait and travel photography – enabling the capture of magnificent vistas at 35mm and dynamic close ups at 150mm – it is claimed to be the world’s first zoom for Nikon’s mirrorless range that offers a maximum wide-open aperture of f/2. A new design is said to offer improved operability

and comfortable ergonomics, while the incorporation of the VXD (Voice-coil eXtreme-torque Drive) linear motor focusing mechanism suggests the fast lens delivers swift and highly precise auto focus. Topping off the package is a moisture resistant construction, fluorine coating and hood locking mechanism. The focal range also ensures that Nikon photographers don’t need to keep changing lenses to be able to shoot a wide range of subjects.

Tamron’s latest is expected to land with us sometime this autumn at a price yet to be decided. Tamron.com

Lumesca catches a Spider

Distributor Lumesca Group Ltd has been back in touch to announce it’s been appointed exclusive UK distributor for the Spider Camera Holster and Spider Holster accessories. Said to alleviate photographers from the pain of traditional neck straps, the Spider Holster claims to provide an ergonomic alternative that allows for quick and comfortable onehanded access to camera gear.

For those not already in the know, there are three core ranges: SpiderPro, SpiderX and Spider Monkey. The first option centres around a utility belt with dual camera functionality that provides even weight distribution on the hips. The SpiderX line up provides a selection of holster attachments compatible with any belt or backpack that are described as

‘robust’, while the Spider Monkey range comprises a selection of quick release clips and attachments to hold the likes of light metres, flash guns and battery packs.

“Spider Holster has established an exceptional reputation in the photographic industry, driven by their ability to not only identify and fill a gap in the market but do so with superior products,” believes Lumesca Group MD Geoffrey Clements.

Spider Holster President Shai Eynav adds: “We are very excited about this partnership with Lumesca which will help us further our reach in the UK and Europe.”

www.lumesca.com

SUCCESS ‘ON THE CARDS’: FUJIFILM CX3240 CREATIVE DUPLEX PRINTER POWERS SCRIBBLER LITE PARTNERSHIP

We hear how the partnership between Fujifilm UK and high street greeting card chain Scribbler has evolved, with Fujifilm technology and software allowing customers at retail instant print access to over 2,000 card designs

Print on demand and personalised printing services have been much in the news and much on the increase these past few years. Additionally, the Internet has given consumers both convenience and access to a wider range of products than ever – typically one larger than a high street retailer has the space to stock and provide. Buyers are now used to getting exactly what they want and exactly when they want it – and if they don’t find it at your store, they’re happy to look elsewhere.

Seeking to both address and maximise the potential of all of the above points is the latest partnership between Fujifilm UK and high street greetings card chain Scribbler. While we’re all used to browsing the shelves for a greetings card and sometimes being forced to pick the best available, rather than the one that exactly imparts the message we want to convey, here the latest instant print technology and quality can come to our aid.

The manufacturer and the retailer have joined forces to introduce Scribbler Lite. The idea here is that customers at retail now have instant access to over 2,000 greetings cards, via a compact, wall-mounted or countertop display option. The result is that consumers will now be able to find the perfect card for any occasion due to the sheer variety on offer, plus be able to have their personal message printed inside the card in any font, text size or colour of their choice.

Once this selection has been made, the product is printed behind the shop counter utilising the Fujifilm CX3240 creative duplex printer and can be ready for collection in just 60 seconds.

The easy-to-use software involved gives retailers, as well as commercial premises, the obvious advantage of being able to carry an extensive range of greetings cards without running the risk

With the UK selling 1.4 billion greetings cards a year, both Scribbler and Fujifilm want to help businesses access the full potential of this profitable market.”

of waste due to overstock, or requiring the footprint of a photo kiosk. Leftover or outdated stock purchased for key calendar occasions such as Christmas,

Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day and Father’s Day therefore becomes a thing of the past for beleaguered retailers. When new content is available, the

To discover how Fujifilm can inspire ideas and help boost the profile and bottom line of your own store or minilab, get in touch

Scribbler Commercial Director Tom Proctor

software can be updated within 24 hours – meaning the very latest card designs are quickly accessible by customers. Alongside this, the display can also show a ‘trending’ banner, allowing users to

but, as it sounds, is more suited to locations that may struggle for space.

Fujifilm UK Head of Sales Jon Difford explains further: “Helping customers find the perfect card can be difficult

Helping customers find the perfect card can be difficult when you have limited space and want to carry other products. Scribbler Lite aims to change this, in allowing businesses to carry a wider range of stock to increase their appeal.”

Fujifilm UK Head of Sales Jon Difford

see which designs are currently the most popular across the country. Regular content updates also allow retailers to be able to sell cards representing the UK’s diverse culture, and not just the obvious calendar touch points. Options celebrating religious festivals and celebrations including Ramadan, Diwali, Pride and Mental Health Awareness Week are included seasonally, while a wide range of designs showcasing diversity and inclusiveness are also available.

AN EVOLVING PARTNERSHIP IN PRINT

This latest collaboration between Fujifilm UK and Scribbler follows on from the launch of the Scribbler Kiosk in 2022. This allowed customers to access greetings cards and have them printed from the same machine. The Scribbler Lite offers the same designs,

when you have limited space and want to carry other products. The Scribbler Lite aims to change this. Customers are able to find the best option, while businesses can carry a wider range of stock to increase their appeal. With this system in place, people won’t be leaving the store without the perfect card.”

Scribbler Commercial Director Tom Proctor adds: “With the UK selling 1.4 billion greetings cards a year, both Scribbler and Fujifilm want to help businesses access the full potential of this profitable market. By including the Scribbler Lite as one of their services, retailers across the country can effectively have a Scribbler store on a single device, gaining access to our ever-growing number of designs for any occasion. As our partnership with Fujifilm continues, we hope that more businesses can sell high quality cards to their customers throughout the year.”

FUJIFILM’S CX3240 CREATIVE DUPLEX PRINTER: A QUICK OVERVIEW

As the engine that powers the new Scribbler Lite service, the high quality, high volume print offering that is the CX3240 makes it easier than ever for retailers to discover new business and revenue possibilities, ahead of key trading periods where gift cards, photo books and calendars are at their most popular. Its automatic double-sided printing facility is key to operations, while its borderless printing capability can prove particularly useful when introducing new products, including, of course, personalised cards. While its compact footprint ensures that it can be installed in most shops, even those tight on space, Fujifilm promises that another benefit of the CX3240 is that users can follow straightforward video instructions and have the printer up and running in under an hour.

As well as the technology and software, Fujifilm can also supply businesses with all the raw materials and consumables they require, helping them meet the demand for personalised photo products and photo gifts. Here’s the perfect opportunity to expand your product portfolio, increase your output, and your business’ profit with it.

For more information about the Scribbler Lite please contact business.solutions-uk@fujifilm.com Additionally, for details of how you can become a Fujifilm independent retail partner and discover how its products and solutions can be tailored to benefit your own business, please contact Fujifilm at fujifilmpartner_uk@fujifilm.com

Holding all the cards: Fujifilm and Scribbler teaming up to introduce the Scribbler Lite gives retailers up and down the country access to 2,000 card designs in-store, effectively providing a Scribbler shop on the one device and the ability to reach out to a wider customer base with it

The parent company of brands including inkjet photo paper specialist Permajet, Nova Darkroom Equipment, Online Paper and Premier Ink is celebrating its 40th anniversary this August. Stating that it has grown from its humble beginnings as a darkroom equipment supplier and continued to evolve to meet the changing needs of its customer, its own milestones have included the creation of the Nova Slot Processor before joining the digital revolution in the 90s with the development of pigment inks, and, subsequently, the setting up of Permajet itself. More recent acquisitions of Online Paper and Premier Ink have, it believes, further solidified The Imaging Warehouse’s position as a comprehensive provider of print solutions.

“Reaching 40 years in business is a remarkable achievement that we are all truly proud of,” enthuses The Imaging Warehouse MD Robin Whetton.“Our journey has been marked by constant

innovation, customer-centricity, and a passion for helping our customers bring their creative visions to life.”

Throughout August it will have special offers for customers and is raising funds for the Woodland Trust, helping to create, restore and protect UK woodland. www.theimagingwarehouse.com

PRINT LIFE BEGINS AT 40 FOR THE IMAGING WAREHOUSE CAMERA STRAP DESIGN REACHES ITS PEAK

Peak Design, available via Transcontinenta UK, has introduced a new Micro Clutch hand strap specifically designed for mirrorless camera owners. The company reasons that ‘cameras have mostly got smaller, but hands have stayed the same stupid size.’ Claimed to be the first of its kind, the device has been manufactured for drop protection and comfort, plus is said to be perfect for ‘run and gun’ street photography, active outdoor shooting and even extended portrait sessions in the studio.

It’s not just any old strap, however, as a low profile, machined aluminium baseplate conceals a hidden attachment tool, allowing for easy access to the camera’s battery, should access be required. Also included is a removable tripod plate for use not just with Peak Design products but also with third party Arca Swiss compatible tripods.

Let Zhiyun’s new Crane take the strain

Photographers who also shoot video and want to take their efforts to the next level are being tempted with a premium grade Zhiyun Crane 4 threeaxis handheld gimbal stabiliser. Key features of this wobble averter include built-in balance indicator lights at each motor to provide an at-a-glance indication of their balance calibration status. At the same time, Bluetooth connectivity delivers direct shutter control of the camera that’s being supported, removing the possibility of a cable getting in the way. In this way operators can easily start or stop recording, as well as trigger photo capture remotely. Furthermore the gimbal can withstand a payload equivalent to the heavier type of full frame DSLRs, as well as compact cinema cameras, including the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K. Four high capacity batteries provide up to 12 hours of use, a 1.22-inch colour touchscreen allows balance and operation to be easily controlled, and a built-in fill light offers 10W of power. The basic Crane 4 costs £649.99 SRP, while a Combo kit with various extras is £729.99. Again, interested retailers should contact Transcontinenta UK for stock and further info.

Zhiyun-tech.com

Said to fit a wide range of mirrorless camera bodies, with a camera compatibility chart provided online allowing us to check for a perfect match, recommended retail price for the Peak Design Micro Clutch is £65.99. Peakdesign.com

EPSON’S REVAMPED LARGE FORMAT PRINTERS CAN DELIVER A BIG PROFIT

Let official reseller the DPS Group guide you to the best fit for your business from Epson’s latest ‘P’

and ‘T’ series SureColor printer range

Regular readers will know that Epson launched a raft of large format printers – nine in total if counting all the variations – this spring. Each of these new and improved workhorses is geared toward providing retailers and minilabs with the ability to add to, or expand, your photo printing services. The line up now comprises the 24-inch SureColor SCP6500E, P6500D and P6500DE; the 44inch SC-P8500D; the 24-inch SC-T3700E, T3700D and T3700DE; the 36-inch SC-T5700D and the 44-inch SC-T7700D If you’re wondering which is the best fit for your business, this is where official reseller the DPS Group can help, with the basics as follows: the 2400x1200 dpi SureColor SC-P6500E, P6500D, P6500DE and SC-P8500D (right) and DL (with 1.6 litre ink pack) printers can deliver high quality photo and poster prints via their 6-colour ink set equivalent to other 8-colour printers on the market. Smart features ensure ease of use, while high print speeds combine with low maintenance to improve productivity and reduce total cost of ownership. A flat-sided design means the new printers can be installed against walls, cabinets or in spaces with a shallow depth, though Wi-Fi capability ensures they’ll operate anywhere.

GREY INK, BUT NO GREY AREAS

Also new is an UltraChrome Pro6 pigment ink set that includes grey ink to broaden the colour range. Dual roll models can load two different media types or sizes and switch between them automatically

and effortlessly.

A 4.3-inch touch panel is conveniently positioned for easy access to printer functions, while the devices are ready to use out of the box with no assembly required.

“The Epson SC-P6500E/D/DE and SC-P8500D/DL are brilliant, cost effective replacements for thousands of Epson, Canon and HP large format printers out there at retail which are definitely due an upgrade,” DPS Group MD Maneesh Patel advises. “Epson’s new large format models offer improved productivity while still providing high quality output. The potential to profit from photo printing in-house has never been higher.”

A CATCH BASKET, BUT NO CATCH

Alternatively the large format SC-T3700E/D/DE, SC-T5700D and the SC-T7700D (above, right) are equipped with state-of-the-art technology for reproducing detailed CAD drawings and, slightly more relevant to our own trade, point of sale material at retail.

This family capitalises on 6-colour UltraChrome XD3 all-pigment inks to deliver bright, precise and long lasting colour at high speed. A new red ink can match the exact colour of red in corporate

From ‘P’ to ‘T’, Epson and official reseller The DPS Group have you covered for all your in-house large format printing needs, via the manufacturer’s recently revamped and comprehensive line up

logos and accentuate red hues for food produce like tomatoes and strawberries. The printers’ flat-top can serve as a proofing bench, while their flat back, front and sides allows for installation against walls and cabinets, as does the integrated and retractable catch basket.

Left: Six of the best: Epson claims its new 6-colour ink set gives a winning performance the equivalent of other 8-colour printers on the market

Enhanced IT and security features are also central to the 24-inch SureColor T3700E, including the facility for encrypted pin/passwords. Such capabilities are also offered by the T3700D/ DE that add a dual roll facility. Where they differ is that the ‘D’ model is available with worldwide imaging standard Adobe PostScript 3 and the ‘DE’ comes without.

The 36-inch SureColor T5700D likewise offers a dual roll facility for increased productivity plus a new 2.64-inch PrecisionCore Micro TFP print head for high-speed output. Finally the 44-inch SureColor T7700D also features the promised 6-colour UltraChrome XD3 all-pigment inks including the aforementioned red ink, while its high print speeds and dual roll facility boost productivity. An alternative ‘DL’ model provides an integrated bulk ink solution with 1.6L UltraChrome XD3 all pigment inks.

So go large this summer to be ready to meet demand into the autumn and the rest of this year. Get in touch NOW about Epson’s latest large format printers via sales@dpsb.co.uk or by calling 020 8466 7230

www.thedpsgroup.co.uk

www.dpsb.co.uk

“The potential to profit from photo printing in-house has never been higher than with Epson’s new large format machines.”

DPS Group MD Maneesh Patel

PICK A WINNER IN THE 2023 BPI NEWS AWARDS

Don’t lose your voice! Choose your winners in our annual photo trade awards via email or our social media channels – and encourage your customers and peers to get in touch and do the same to maximise your own chances

This is your annual big chance to spotlight a great product or inspirational photo marketing campaign that you believe is worthy of recognition throughout the trade. Maybe it’s one of your own, or one of your industry peers. And yes, you can vote in more than one category. In fact, if suitably inspired, you can send us your choices for all of them.

As with last year’s nominations in the BPI News Trade Awards, we’re offering up a broader range of categories to be more inclusive and provide a wider breadth of recognition. Our categories awaiting your vote this year are as follows:

„ Retailer Of The Year (last year’s winner: Grays Of Westminster. Can anyone take their crown for 2023?)

„ Promotion Of The Year (previous winner: The Societies Convention & Trade Show)

„ Product Of The Year (last year’s winner: Nikon Z 9)

„ Accessory Of The Year (previous winner: Sigma 1850mm f/2.8 DC DN Contemporary zoom)

„ Innovation Of The Year (last year’s winner: Saramonic VGM Stabilisation Kit, via MAC Group Europe)

„ Media Of The Year (previous winner: Hahnemühle Natural Line Digital FineArt papers)

„ Printer Of the Year (last year’s winner: Epson SC-8500D, via the DPS Group)

„ Consumer Camera Of The Year (previous winner: Canon EOS R7 & R10 combo)

„ Campaign Of The Year (last year’s winner: Fujifilm ‘Print To Prove It’ campaign)

„ Distributor Of The Year (previous winner: Transcontinenta UK)

„ BPI News Special Award For Services To The Industry (A new category introduced last year, in recognition of an individual or a business, who over the years has contributed to the industry & made it a better place. Your winner for 2022 was Mr Cad’s Alex H. Falk.)

With our above list of categories in mind, doubtless you’ll be wracking your brain for pro and consumer cameras launched throughout 2023 that could conceivably win our Innovation of the Year and overall Product of the Year categories. You’ll also be recalling the most memorable promotional features printed in this magazine and deals and incentives highlighted during the past 12 months that could conceivably bag Promotion of the Year or Campaign of the Year.

SOME SUGGESTIONS FOR YOUR 2023 NOMINATIONS

Need any pointers or reminders to fuel your nominations? We’re here to help.

The close of 2022 / start of the year bore witness to distributor Swains plugging the instant camera boom to customers via a pro-active A5 8-page colour brochure within the pages of women’s magazines Red and Grazia, while there were the usual cashbacks and savings for the trade’s customers via OM Digital Solutions and Tamron. Pentax also

announced its first DSLR in ages in the ‘KF’, a rare sight in an age of mirrorless camera dominance. We also heard that Hahnemühle papers would henceforth be supplied via UK distributor Art Systems, while Transcontinenta UK dazzled us with the latest travel tripod offerings from its Leofoto, Peak Design, Cullmann and Velbon brands. January also saw Wex Photo Video opening its 13th store – this time in central Cambridge – and Fujifilm

reflecting on its partnership with pro lab One Vision Imaging. Tetenal (now Dupli) was also showcasing that it had recently acquired distribution of Noritsu dry labs. Our February and March issue meanwhile carried details of Canon’s latest mirrorless cameras in the EOS R8 and R50, while there were new camera bodies from Panasonic too in the Lumix S5II and the slightly more video targeted S5IIx. Fujifilm continued to focus on instant print cameras with the launch of a special white edition of its Instax Mini Link 2 smartphone printer, while Nikon promised the trade and its customers new optics for spring in the Nikkor Z 85mm f/1.2 S and the Nikkor Z 26mm f/2.8.There were new Nanlite lighting solutions too announced by Mac Group Europe, with its Forza and PavoTube series expanded. With content creation on the up, Falcam video accessories were taking flight from distributor Transcontinenta UK. BPI News also hosted a unique Q&A with photo software specialist Skylum, with it detailing how it was continuing to do business despite Russia’s invasion of its Ukraine homeland. Finally there were new lenses for full frame mirrorless cameras from Sigma in the

60-600mm f/4.5-6.3 DG DN OS Sports and the 50mm f/1.4 DG DN Art.

The focus in BPI News April / May was on Tetenal UK changing its name to Dupli as it looked to put clear water between its independence and its former parent company, with CEO Mike Fawcett telling us what had changed and why. New kit this month included the Sony ZV-E1, which the manufacturer was describing as the perfect in-camera content creator. Fuji continued to focus on Instax with a ‘bubblicious’ range of colours for its latest Instax Mini 12 camera. Canon told us elsewhere that it had kept the number one spot for DSLR and mirrorless cameras for the past 20 years, while Transcontinenta UK announced a spring and summer promotion on the Tamron lens line up. Printer specialist The DPS Group was inviting the trade to take stock of the latest printer line up from Epson, which now included new large format ‘P’ and ‘T’ series printers. Likewise as regards print, we heard of five reasons from Shackleton Photographic why it was worth becoming an independent retail partner of Fujifilm. Finally, we reported on a positive experience at the 2023 Societies Trade Show, where we witnessed an upbeat

HERE’S HOW TO VOTE

CEO in Colin Jones and positivity emanating from the photo industry.

June’s BPI News found us reporting on the best photography products in the world – as decided by the editors and journalists (including ourselves) who make up TIPA. There was also a fair bit of new photo gear on display in our news pages, with Canon introducing the EOS R100 camera body and RF 28mm f/2.8 STM lens. Fujifilm’s own new release in the compact and mirrorless X-S20 was similarly joined by a new XF 8mm f/3.5 lens plus ‘XApp’, allowing for remote control of its camera body via smartphone or tablet. Fuji owners also had a newly compatible Tamron lens in the 11-20mm f/2.8 Di III-A RXD, while a second new Canon camera appeared in the ‘vlogging’ friendly PowerShot V10. Not to be outdone, Nikon trumpeted a new Z 8 camera; with an impressive 45 megapixel resolution, 8K video and a body some 30% smaller than its own flagship Z 9, this was the one to beat. Elsewhere Sony was rapidly expanding its line up of video first models aimed at content creators with the ZV-1 II, Leica launched the wellcrafted full frame Q3 at a £5,300 price tag and there was a new Fujifilm Instax SQ40 instant print camera for a more affordable £134.99.

The above are just pointers – and undoubtedly you’ll have your own favourites and additions. We’ll be announcing the winners in due course. So get involved now or get left behind…

Got a winner – or winners – in mind? Just mail us with your choices in all, or as many categories as you like, to info@bpinews.co.uk or DM or send us a message direct via ‘X’, the new name for Twitter via our regular address of @bpi_news

The nominees with the most votes are our eventual winners. It’s as simple as that! So don’t delay, have a think, and make sure you use your vote.

The closing date for votes is Friday November 10th. Winners will be notified and awarded in our end-of-year December 2023 edition.

NIKON AWARD WINNER IS MOTHER OF INVENTION

Sponsor Nikon has announced the winner of the prestigious Marilyn Stafford FotoReportage Award for 2023 This year the top accolade has gone to photographer Ana Maria Arévalo Gosen for her photo essay ‘Grandmothers at 30’ highlighting teenage pregnancies in her home country of Venezuela.

The Marilyn Stafford FotoReportage Award of £2500, supported by Nikon and facilitated by FotoDocument, is granted annually to a professional female photographer on the completion of a compelling documentary photo essay that addresses an important social, economic or cultural issue. This year’s submissions were reviewed by an international panel of judges including award-winning photojournalist and Nikon ambassador Andrea Bruce, who were mindful of the wish of the late Marilyn Stafford (1927-2023) that projects showcase positive solutions to any issues they raise, in order to contribute

to constructive photojournalism.

“Unearthing these poignant narratives for the women in Venezuela demands creativity, courage and passion –epitomising everything that Marilyn believed in, and that Nikon has sought to empower for more than 100 years,” believes Nikon Northern Europe Marketing Director Julian Harvie.

FotoDocument founder Nina Emett adds: “The entries for the Marilyn Stafford FotoReportage Award 2023 were diverse and of a very high standard. The process has also been especially moving in the year of Marilyn’s death. Knowing we can continue her legacy by creating impact with this Award, thanks to the support we receive from Nikon Europe, is heartening. Ana Maria Arévalo Gosen is a very worthy recipient of this year’s award with her tender and intimate portrayal of teenagers in Venezuela dealing with pregnancy.”

RAY OF LIGHT FOR PHOTO TRADE

Zhiyun distributor for the UK and Ireland

Transcontinenta UK has introduced another two lights, this time aimed at professional filmmakers and ‘prosumers’, in the Zhiyun Molus G200 (below) and Fiveray V60 (right). The former is described as a powerful palm-sized 200W COB video light that can offer a dazzling 300W in its one-press Max Extreme mode, while the Fiveray V60 LED ‘light wand’ can itself blast up to 100W of power in Max Extreme mode.

Weighing 2.209Kg, the Zhiyun Molus G200 is a compact 127x67.5x225mm light that comes supplied with a separate 0.91g controller equipped with two interactive buttons and a

display screen. This is claimed to make it quick and easy to achieve a wide range of lighting functions and effects, including five preset dimming levels.

Following on from the same manufacturer’s Fiveray F100, the Zhiyun Fiveray V60 weighs 891g and has dimensions of 450x46x47mm. A compact display screen is said to allow bloggers and content creators to view parameters and, in conjunction with the stick’s intuitive dial, make adjustments. To achieve the extra 100W power surge, the light wand can be connected to a 24V DC power adapter. Available now, the standard V60 has an SRP of £189.99 while the Molus G200 retails at £729.99.

Zhiyun-tech.com

www.fotodocument.org

www.europe-nikon.com www.marilynstaffordphotography.com

Got brass in pocket?

We’d have needed deep pockets to snag one of the covetable Leica items for sale last month in the 42nd Leitz Photographica

Auction in Vienna, which witnessed a wide variety of vintage cameras, lenses and photographs sold. Stand-out sales this year include that of a Leica 250 GG Reporter that fetched the event’s highest price at €900,000, while a Leica M3 black paint, first batch with black dial (above) was auctioned for €540,000.

One of the auction’s recurring elements is the charity lot, which sees rare kit auctioned for a good cause. This year the gear in question was a Leica M11 ‘Brass’, inspired by a Hollywood star with an affinity for photography. Only two M11’s with an exterior fashioned in brass – and therefore displaying signs of use much more quickly than conventional aluminium models –were produced, the one shown bagging a whopping €72,000 for charity. All stated prices are inclusive of the buyer’s premium. www.leica-camera.com www.leitz-auction.com

© Ana Maria Arévalo Gosen

PRODUCT OF THE MONTH: SONY ZV-1 II

The electronics behemoth has recycled the best bits from its original lockdown-era vlogging camera, adjusted the focal range and stuck the ‘II’ on the end. BPI News asks if a bigger price tag makes it worth stocking and selling?

Everything is costing us more during this cost of living crisis, and new cameras are no exception. With a suggested price tag of £870, inflation has caught up with the Sony ZV-1 II, recent update to the three-year-old ZV-1, which had a more modest £699 SRP back in 2020. For exactly that £170 price differential your customers could additionally invest in a very useful GP-VPT2BT wireless grip, also from Sony. Now they just get the camera itself. So what is there here to attract fresh custom? Particularly because this second iteration largely takes the ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’ approach.

Well, we get the same one-inch sensor as its predecessor with an identical 20.1 megapixel resolution, married to a Bionz X generation processor. However, rather than sticking with the fairly conventional 24-70mm equivalent focal range of the first generation ZV-1, the Mark II’s reach now starts out wider at 18mm equivalent and stops shorter at 50mm. The thinking here is that the camera’s target audience of video bloggers – or ‘vloggers’ – will be able to show more of their surroundings when recording pieces to camera; handy if your specialism is travel videos. While that ultra wide 18mm introduces the possibility of visible barrel distortion when recording at arm’s length, in practice that doesn’t appear to be significantly the case. Not to a noticeable level in any event.

Sony now describes the ZV-1’s touchscreen as ‘basic’, so that’s been overhauled here too and now feels

Though results didn’t wow us as much as those from larger sensor cameras, we have to factor in the portability of the package here, which manages to be both robust and relatively compact”

Spot the difference: A more responsive touchscreen and a focal range that starts out wider are the major welcome changes on this second generation model, but other than that it’s retained much from its predecessor

more intuitive, with a greater number of operational features accessible with a simple screen tap. That’s perhaps just as well as the screen is the hub of this device, not only in terms of feature selection but framing our shots too, in lieu of any traditional eye-level viewfinder. The 3-inch LCD does offer further flexibility in that it’s of the vari-angle variety, though settings can be tricky to read in bright sunlight. In terms of image quality, though results didn’t wow us as much as those from larger sensor incorporating mirrorless cameras or DSLRs, and we did spot instances of purple fringing in high contrast shooting scenarios, we also have to factor in the portability of the package here, which manages to be both robust and compact at the width of two packs of playing cards. This means that, while it’s still bulkier than the other alternative of simply using a smartphone, we’re more likely to take it out and about with us for everyday shooting than a full frame mirrorless or DSLR. The relatively short zoom range also forces us to get close to our subjects – no issue, of course, if our primary aim is shooting selfies.

A dead cat style windshield provided for our review sample slips quickly onto the ZV-1 II’s vacant hotshoe, or is removed just as easily. Alternatively an accessory ECM-B10 shotgun microphone is available for those wanting to boost sound quality further, though in fairness results from the one built-in are pretty impressive. Our one grumble is that there is no USB lead or mains charger provided with the camera – which provides the opportunity for retailers to piggyback these as an additional sale.

Comparable alternatives to the Sony ZV-1 II, to also pitch to your customers?

You only have to examine our recent news pages to find the suggestions of Canon’s recently released PowerShot V10, a very different looking device also featuring a one-inch sensor, or the APS-C sensor incorporating Fuji X-S20, which has a much more traditional design yet boasts portability and a dedicated Vlog mode. With the content creator bubble seemingly not having yet burst, there is arguably more choice than ever before for those seeking a hybrid device that’s as adept at shooting video as stills.

www.sony.co.uk

Business Advice

BACK TO SCHOOL RULES

Every day is a school day and we never stop learning are just two of the wellworn adages that suggest we should never take our eyes off the ball in life, nor in business. At this point in the calendar in a ‘normal’ year we’d be priming you for the return of The Photography Show in September, but with the event taking a break for 2023 and re-positioning to March from 2024, Photopia in Hamburg is the nearest equivalent at September’s end should we wish to travel further afield to get our trade show fix. At least this year we don’t have lingering pandemic-related restrictions to deal with regarding travel and exhibitions.

Last issue we looked at tried-and-tested tips that actually work in order to help avoid a summer slowdown. This time we’re looking at getting best prepared for the autumn return, with holidays over, days shortening and Black Friday and Christmas looming as the two big sales opportunities on the calendar.

As ever, the broad advice for retail businesses continues to be to adopt the

‘bricks and clicks’ multi platform / omnichannel sales approach, in order that however the customer chooses to interact with your business and products, there is no barrier placed in the way of making a sale. However there is more we can do to maintain and boost sales than merely being across the right sales channels. Just like getting the kids ready for the first day back at school and making sure their shoes and blazer still fit properly, at retail it’s similarly all about looking the part. As well as sounding it. Knowledge won over many years of trading is power; especially when dedicated photographic products have become more specialised, higher priced and arguably more niche with it. The reality is that customers ‘buy people not products’. Think about it: if you find two identical products at similar prices, then who do you buy from? You’d buy from the person you like, who may not necessarily be the cheapest. Customers want to feel reassured that they’re not being sold a pup, that a product will work as described, and that they can

ask questions and get suitable answers back without being made to feel stupid.

Once it was possible to dial a store and speak to an expert on the shop floor, but more often now we get to speak to a call centre and hope that the staff member taking our call knows what the product is, let alone how it works.

Face-to-face interaction is increasingly rare – but that also makes it valuable.

However increasingly in many businesses staff are dressed down in trainers, black jeans and black polo shirts or T-shirts. While they may be trying to ape the relaxed air of an Apple Store, the problem is that the only thing that marks out someone as a member of staff, there to help the customer, is their name badge – and often that’s not as obvious as it could be. Perhaps in such cases the brand has been forced to box shift and cheapen itself. But while ties and pinstripe suits may remain optional (unless we’re talking about a gentleman tailors), investing in some form of ‘uniform’ for your staff – even if it’s only tops branded

Got your own ideas about how the photo industry can counter the challenges arising from the cost of living crisis,

With the nights drawing in and customers returning from their holidays, it’s time to brush up on the potential to market both ourselves and our business – and that means admitting that we still occasionally need schooling…

with your store logo – can help create a sense of identity and impart an air of professionalism to your customers.

The lesson here for the trade is very simple. Know the product, know the customer, treat them as you’d like to be treated yourself and offer the best price and service possible, but also look the part with it, and you’ll be head and shoulders above the rest. Essentially, give customers a reason to buy from you rather than just treat your shop as an exhibition space.

But to do this means having – and keeping – the best staff possible; those with years of experience, whom customers can place their confidence and trust in. While everyone should be treated equally, there is a case for particularly keeping hold of those staff members with more years under their belt than fingers and toes. Experience and knowledge take time to accumulate – and can be expensive to replace. Consider agency fees, advertising costs, HR and management time, and the possibility of hiring temps before the new staff start in the role.

Beyond that, an employee’s departure can have an effect on morale of those that remain, can lead to other departures, and may even result in customers following the departed employee to their new place of work. Customers can be very loyal.

Put simply, the suggestion is that each time a key employee quits, a large chunk of business profitability leaves and won’t be seen again. However by deploying ‘velvet handcuffs’ it’s possible to make employees think that a business is so attractive that they don’t want to move on elsewhere.

Most employees – those who aren’t direct stakeholders in the business –will be constantly running a mental calculation of the merits of staying or leaving. Of course, each will be using different metrics, but no doubt factors influencing their decision will be a combination of money, environment, people, culture, perks, career progression, management style and personal factors.

The first crucial task for a business is to hire correctly in the first place. The fit between employee and job(s) and the business culture must be right. If this isn’t attended to, then either the employee will leave, or will stay and create problems within the business until they’re fired. This isn’t good for anyone. Whatever happens, a bad fit is expensive no matter how it’s looked at.

Just as time is spent in hiring a member of staff, so time should equally be spent inducting them into the company. Whether it’s a few hours or few weeks (depending on the company size and the role), being properly introduced and shown around rather than being thrown into the deep end is the right thing to do. It’s important

Advice for retail businesses continues to be to adopt the ‘bricks and clicks’ multi platform / omni-channel sales approach, in order that however the customer chooses to interact with your business and products, there is no barrier placed in the way of making a sale.”

to not lose sight that that induction is where an employee learns about the policies and procedures of the business.

VELVET GOLDMINE?

In terms of a velvet handcuff – the retaining mechanism, for which there is no ‘one size fits all’ solution – people have different motivating factors when running the go/no-go calculation. All an employer can ever hope to do is create a number of options from which employees can draw solace, comfort and value. Remember, velvet handcuffs are a metaphorical way of locking valued staff into the business. So what form can such gentle ‘handcuffs’ take?

Money. Let’s face it; unless there is private wealth involved, we all work for money. But that won’t maintain interest for long, as staff become used to what they receive or find that they lose too much in tax. The reality is that pay should be fair and competitive considering the person and the job they’re being asked to do. Correctly set pay won’t stop departures, but it could be one reason less to move if it’s good. Career. Few want to stay static at work as that can become monotonous very quickly. They’ll invariably want to see some way to rise through the ranks. This might mean moving from assistant to supervisor to manager or learning new skills – IT, finance, negotiation and so on. These options should be on the horizon for employees. If they see

nowhere to go, then a move elsewhere is inevitable. One potentially shortterm solution could be to send staff to trade shows or events to glean wider information that will help the business. Flexibility. Flexible working for most is necessity and something we’ve got used to post pandemic. Employees need time for the doctor, childcare, or other personal and private matters. Just a little flexibility – via flexi time, better holidays or a job share – can result in an employer being much more valued by an employee. And best of all for the business, if flexibility is offered and managed correctly, it needn’t cost very much at all. Recognition. This costs little but can mean so much; everyone likes to receive praise and recognition… the feeling that they count and are noticed. Many retail firms run ‘employee of the month’ type schemes which give an opportunity for every employee to have a deserved 15 minutes in the spotlight. Managers should be actively looking for opportunities to praise employees for a job well done; it’s surprising the difference acknowledgement can make to staff morale. And it’s especially important to reward positive comments from customers.

Ultimately, no matter the challenges facing our industry and the retail and manufacturing sectors in general, independents have a future. But they need to not only look after the customer, but also one of their biggest assets: their staff. Or it really is ‘back to school’.

or care to share what’s working for you (without giving away trade secrets)? Then do get in touch direct via info@bpinews.co.uk

CANON DISPLAYS SPECIALIST SKILLS

Photo stalwart Canon has a couple of slightly more niche bits of kit for the trade and its customers this month. Its new Maxify series GX6550 printer (right) is described as built for compact office environments. Available from early September at £469.99 SRP, this one is a 3-in-1 model with low running costs and huge page yields that can deliver savings of up to 90% (based on 1,000 pages per month over a five-year period) according to the manufacturer. Its design has been devised to allow it to fit onto shelves or cabinets, while a 2.7-inch colour LCD and two-sided automatic document feeder are said to provide ease-of-use. It’s also straightforward to check the print status via the translucent tray, even when the printer is positioned in places of limited accessibility, such as beneath a desk. Furthermore – and this is where it might prove itself useful to specialist retailers – it can handle a variety of media, providing businesses with the opportunity

to create a variety of pointof-sale materials in-house, including posters, stickers and even banners up to 1.2 metres in length. On-board Wi-Fi allows for cable free printing while there’s also a built in scanning facility.

The manufacturer’s second specialist tool for this month comes in the shape of the MS-500 (below), which it describes as the world’s first ultra high sensitivity camera equipped with a SPAD (Single Photon Avalanche Diode) sensor used for colour video shooting. This is an interchangeable lens camera that can be used in conjunction with ultra telephoto broadcast lenses, making it possible to capture clear videos of subjects at a distance of several kilometers – therefore suggesting itself as an ideal security and surveillance tool.

www.canon.co.uk

TAKE FLIGHT WITH BENRO’S TRAVELFRIENDLY TRIPOD

With film photography back on the rise, it’s timely that SJF Photographic has announced itself as the only UK distributor of Flic Chrome 100 135/36. The roll film – claimed to be re-spooled Kodak Ektachrome 100D colour positive film – is described as a daylight balanced colour transparency film characterised by an extremely fine grain structure, vibrant colour rendering and overall low contrast profile. This is said to contribute to a wide dynamic range and a neutral tonal scale for greater colour accuracy. The film retails at £12.99 SRP. Get in touch direct for more. www.sjfphoto.co.uk

DIANA ANOTHER DAY, SAYS LOMO

Not content with new colour negative film this month, low-fi analogue photography specialist Lomography has re-introduced what it claims are two of its most-loved Diana F+ camera editions in the colourful Diana F+ CMYK Edition and the Diana F+ Black Jack Edition. The models are aimed at photographers of all abilities and experience levels who enjoy getting results with the Diana’s signature ‘dreamy’ aesthetic on medium format film. Both options, which include the flash, are priced at £79. Lomography claims the Diana camera has been an analogue icon for decades, known for its ethereal colourdrenched images with stylised vignetting and a dose of unpredictability. Its very nature encourages experimentation with

long exposures, multiple exposures, layered effects and two shutter speeds. Compatible with rolls of 120 film, the camera’s fixed focal length is 75mm, it can be tripod mounted and requires 1xAA battery to power the flash.

www.lomography.com

STOP PRESS! Distributor MAC Group Europe has another product to share with the trade this month: the compact, lightweight, sturdy and striking Benro Cyanbird tripod Saleable features include ocean blue anodised castings with satin aluminum lever leg locks, said to be both quick to use and strong. Then there’s the fact that it’s easy to carry, in weighing just 1.05Kg and folding down to 46cm. With a maximum operating height of 155cm, minimum height is 17cm, thanks to the fact that the centre column can be split. The tripod also maintains a narrow profile when folded, being just 6cm in diameter. Support is provided for a payload up to 4Kg, thanks to its hybrid carbon fibre and aluminum leg construction, while an Arca compatible ball head with singleaction lock knob plus roll-up padded carry case come included as standard. SRP for all of the above is £235, with availability from September 1st. uk.benroeu.com

Film lovers should enjoy this ‘Flic’

Art A

14mm F1.4 DG DN

Introducing the new gold standard in ultra-wide-angle astro lenses. The all-new SIGMA 14mm F1.4 DG DN | Art is the brightest ever full-frame 14mm optic for mirrorless cameras, and comes with a wide range of professional features including an aperture ring, a rear filter holder, a Manual Focus Lock switch and a tripod collar.

Available mounts: L Mount, Sony E-mount