British Photographic Industry News April 2019

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APRIL 2019 • £3

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IN THIS ISSUE…

THE BIG INTERVIEW

BPI NEWS AWARDS

MINILAB CASE STUDY

BUSINESS ADVICE

The management buy-out of Tetenal UK, what it means for the trade and the company’s future.

We talk to its new co-owners

We present the winners of our annual trade awards, broadened out this year to include even more worthy categories!

We discover why a trio of leading retailers have stayed loyal to one brand for a number of years - and what advantages it’s brought

Spring clean your photo business by marketing effectively, tackling fake online reviews & staying atop legislation

M I R R O R L E S S R E I N V E N T E D A L L - R O U N D

C R E A T I V E

G E N I U S

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

Editorial | April 2019

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

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s another Photography Show slips beyond the horizon – see our pictorial report on pages 8 and 9 – how was it for you, if you attended or exhibited? Those retailers we spoke to – and those who were selling at the show via said retailers – reported a brisk trade, indicating that once again photographers of all levels had visited with the express intention of spending.

In most cases, customers knew exactly what they wanted – of course, a dedicated show is always going to attract equally dedicated, clued-up enthusiasts – and we heard several reports of folks marching up and handing over £2,000 to £3,000 for the latest photographic must-have without even blinking. I guess that if you’ve been uhm-ing and ahh-ing over an item with that sort of price tag for a while, a money-saving ‘show deal’ can make all the difference in tipping you over the edge, and into a purchase.

While that’s positive news for the

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COVER IMAGE: Life through a lens: Photography fans and gear nuts swarmed to the NEC last month for The Photography Show, many getting to touch and try the latest must-haves for the first time.

See pages 8 & 9 for our report.

NEVER MISS AN ISSUE! Read BPI News online at issuu.com/bpinewsonline

select few retailers regularly invited to share floor space at the show, and for the organisers looking to keep said retailers happy, the flip side of the coin is hundreds of photo specialists up and down the country who can only dream of footfall from thousands of excitable customers within such a short sales window. We’ve an alternative view of the state of the trade from one such independent in our Talk of the Trade feature on page 30, which may strike a chord.

This edition is also about the best of our industry, as celebrated via our annual BPI News Trade Awards, voted for by you, the reader. This year we broadened the number of included categories in an attempt to recognise a wider array of award-deserving devices, individuals and organisations, as opposed to just Product of the Year and Campaign of The Year. You’ll find our – or, rather, your – winners on pages 16 and 17 of this edition. Agree or disagree with any of the names in the frame, or think you woz robbed? As usual, the address to have your say is: info@bpinews.co.uk Next issue is our May cover, which will have a theme of ‘innovation’.

This is something vitally important in any industry, and particularly so in ours, which relies on technological advancements and improvements not only to survive, but thrive. Get involved via the usual contact details… and in the meantime, enjoy this issue and if you have feedback, feel free to share.

BPI News | April 2019 3

News

promotions Camera AG

transition of the world’s leading trade fair to an annual cycle.’

The next Photokina is still due to take place from 27-30th May 2020. www.photokina.com

Majority of Brits prefer bricks to clicks Lumix National Trust POS

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

©National Trust Images/Matthew Antrobus

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Sony World Photo Awards Professional photographer Nadav Kander has been announced as receiving the top honour of the Outstanding Contribution to Photography Award at this year’s bash. The exhibition that traditionally accompanies the awards will, as a result, feature a substantial presentation of Kander’s striking work (his image of actor Eddie Redmayne shown here).

Plus, the 2019 edition of the Sony World Photography Awards hardcover book will also include a newly commissioned essay on the artist’s work and a selection of his shots.

“To be the 2019 Outstanding Contribution to Photography recipient is a great accolade because it hints at one being an inspiration and I don’t think there’s a compliment greater than that,” says Kander. www.worldphoto.org

SAMYANG ‘PRIMES’ SONY FULL FRAME USERS

Description

A survey of 1,056 UK adults has found that 85% of consumers still prefer to shop in store, combining the convenience of online research with the usefulness of getting hands on and instantly walking out with their purchase from a bricks and mortar emporium.

Research carried out by A3 Poster Marketingsignals.com suggests that although the rapid growth of e-commerce has significantly reduced footfall on the high street, three quarters of customers would still prefer to make an in-store purchase. The reason 82% of these gave was because they like to receive the to take a speCial piCture you need to go to speCial plaCes Now you and your family can discover hundreds of new special places with the National Trust and capture every stunning detail with the award-winning new LUMIX FZ200 or FZ72.

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

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21/08/2013 13:54

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

©National Trust Images/Matthew Antrobus

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Following the surprise news late last year that Photokina 2019 had been postponed until 2020, there’s another twist in the tale of Europe’s biggest photographic trade fair. The long-running show has a new Director in Fabian Ströter, who from May 15th this year replaces Christoph Menke (a former Big Interview interviewee from BPI News October 2017).

Organisers describe the 37-year-old Ströter as ‘an internationally experienced trade fair manager’, who started as a trainee at Photokina’s venue Koelnmesse in 2007, and has since worked as a consultant for foreign sales and latterly in the Middle East. As Director of Photokina, he forms part of the management team in Koelnmesse’s Digital Media, Entertainment and Mobility trade fair management division. His new role is to ‘manage the

©National Trust Images/Matthew Antrobus

onth national trust e lumiX FZ200 or FZ72

NEW DIRECTOR FOR PHOTOKINA

• Complimentary National Trust Membership Campaign POS

product as soon as they’ve purchased it.

The same survey also uncovered that 94% of UK shoppers will research a product online before going in store to buy it – suggesting that an ‘omnichannel’ approach to sales is key for retailers.

However, it’s not all 100% positive for the high street, as 78% of respondents admitted to going into a store to see Wobbler and feel a product before going online to find the best price. This again underlines the need to have both your physical and digital sales channels up to speed and working effectively.

Third party lens manufacturer Samyang has a new bright/ fast prime lens for your Sony full frame E-mount camera owning customers in the Samyang AF 85mm f/1.4 FE Prime Lens, the fourth lens to be introduced in its new spring line up. With that sort of spec, the optic should naturally appeal to photographers who want to capture subtle ‘bokeh’ effects with attractively defocused backgrounds, as well as those who shoot in low light. The lens features 11 optical elements in eight groups, yet a relatively compact build. Availability is from this spring, although pricing was yet to be confirmed as we went to press. www.intro2020.co.uk

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

Hang Tag

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

21/08/2013 13:56

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A4 Cling

British

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21/08/2013 13:59

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4 April 2019 | BPI News

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NIKON Z SERIES LENS MOCK-UPS SPOTTED AT TPS The manufacturer does seem to be finally throwing its weight behind mirrorless, and there was a lot of excited chatter at the show involving its full frame ‘Z’ models. Tying in with this, BPI News was given a brief tour of mockups of no fewer than six forthcoming Nikon Z series, S-line lenses at The Photography Show last month by its Senior Product Manager Tim Carter.

These outwardly convincing ‘dummy’ lenses included a 14-24mm f/2.8, 24mm f/1.8, 20mm f/1.8, 50mm f/1.2, 85mm f/1.8 and 70-200mm f/2.8. More news on these futurescheduled optics when we have it.

We were also shown its 58mm f/0.95 Noct lens sliced in two to reveal its innards (which was quite exciting), along with its new 24-70mm f/2.8 mid

range zoom and wide angle 14-30mm f/4 S-line lens, already being showcased at TPS. Be sure check out our trade awards coverage this month, starting on page 16, for more news on Nikon! www.nikon.co.uk

FORTHCOMING CANON MIRRORLESS LENSES TEASED AT THE NEC Canon is another manufacturer who initially seemed reticent about getting too heavily involved with mirrorless compacts, but is now most definitely more engaged via its EOS R and RP cameras. Like Nikon, it also chose The Photography Show to reveal some mockups of forthcoming compatible lenses for the system, as we’d teased in our show preview edition of the magazine.

We met up with its Product Specialist David Parry at the show, who further to our chat in BPI News March was able to show us five of the six lenses we’d previously discussed ‘in the flesh’.

Over the course of the next year we’ll see three different f/2.8 L series IS USM lenses– a 15-35mm, 24-70mm and 70-200mm – plus a relatively

compact 24-240mm f/4-6.3 IS USM. As previously revealed, the final two lenses of the six currently being developed are an RF 85mm f/1.2L lens, plus an almost identical RF 85mm f/1.2L ‘DS’ lens. That suffix stands for ‘Defocus Smoothing’ – with Canon promising that the background defocused area

will have a ‘different’ look to it.

Interestingly, though the lenses at ‘TPS’ were described as mock ups rather than working samples or even prototypes, they were weighted to pretty much exactly match what the actual real items will eventually weigh. www.canon.co.uk

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 @bpi_news

BPI News | April 2019 5

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SIGMA REVEALS MOUNT CONVERTER PRICING

SONY ADDS ANOTHER ‘ZERO’

The third party lens and accessory manufacturer has unveiled pricing for its previously announced MC-21 mount converter, which allows its lenses to be used on new Leica L-Mount supporting cameras and comes in two available mounts – for Sigma SA-L and Canon EF-L. There are are also two different prices.

Its SA-L MC-21 will have an SRP of £99.99, while the EF-L MC-21 is priced at £249.99 SRP. Asked about the price discrepancy, Sigma UK’s Paul Reynolds told BPI News: “The reason the SA-L version is less is that we are doing everything we can to support our loyal camera users.”

Use of the MC-21 increases the number of interchangeable lenses manufactured by Sigma that can be used with the L-Mount system by 29 lenses – so it’s something well worth

The electronics brand has introduced the second generation of its boxy, ultra compact camera in the RX0 II, which it is pitching to the trade as the ‘world’s smallest and lightest’ premium camera. Featuring a one inch sized 15.3 megapixel Exmor RS CMOS sensor at its core, the unit also comes with a Zeiss Tessar T* 24mm f/4 fixed wide-angle lens, offers 4K video shooting and advanced functionality for stills photography, including 1/32000 sec shutter speed and 16fps continuous shooting. This latest version comes with a Soft Skin Effect mode and advanced Eye AF. It also offers up new stabilization solutions for video recording and a tilt-able LCD screen (capable of tilting up to 180° and down by 90°).

Arriving this May, a kit that includes a VCT-SGR1 Shooting Grip and bracket is priced at a suggested £730. www.sony.co.uk

pitching to your customers considering investing in a Leica L-Mount camera or Panasonic S1 or S1R full frame mirrorless.

An April release date has been scheduled for the converter.

See page 18 of this issue for more from Sigma and advice on compatibility between its lenses and the latest mirrorless camera systems. www.sigma-imaging-uk.com

Avea some o’that!

Canon claims 16th year at No.1 The photographic behemoth has once again laid claim to the top spot in relation to its share of the global interchangeable lens digital camera market (DSLRs and, latterly, mirrorless models), for the period running 2003 to 2018 consecutively. Back in 2003 Canon launched its EOS 300D DSLR, which it describes as ‘breakthrough’, due to its compact design and competitive price. It subsequently launched the more professional EOS1D and EOS 5D series, which it claims ‘paved the way for DSLR video recording.’ Last March it introduced the EOS M50 – see our Awards pages this issue – along with the 2000D entry level DSLR, which it says enabled it to secure its leading share of the market. More recently still it has introduced the more upmarket EOS R and

Manufacturer of covetable camera bags Billingham has introduced a new ‘pocket’ range called AVEA with the introduction of AVEA 7 and 8 options. These are priced at SRP £60 and £62 respectively and are designed for carrying an array of accessories including lenses, caps, filters and small cameras. A further bonus is that they can be attached, modular style, to larger bags, such as the same company’s Hadley One and Hadley Small Pro. In related news, Olympus and Billingham recently collaborated on a limited edition version of its Hadley Pro bag in black canvas and leather to mark 100 years of Olympus that was sold exclusively

EOS RP mirrorless models.

“We are continuing to push the boundaries of optical innovation and these results demonstrate the appetite for new technologies and camera systems,” suggests Canon Executive Vice President Alessandro Stanzani. www.canon.co.uk

at The Photography Show ‘while stocks last’. See also page 20 of this issue for more on the camera manufacturer’s (very) big birthday. www.billingham.co.uk

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 April 2019 | BPI News

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REPORT

ALL COME IN BRUM They thronged in their thousands once again to Hall 5 of the Birmingham NEC last month to touch, try and buy the latest offerings from photographic brands both big and small across four days of what’s still the biggest annual photo show in Europe.

So how did ‘TPS’ 2019 measure up?

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hough they had the spectre of continued political uncertainty, weaker consumer confidence and reports of a contracting camera market to deal with, unlike 2018’s event at least there was no fresh helping of snow courtesy of the ‘Beast from the East’ to dampen the spirits of the organisers and cause transport delays at The Photography Show this year. We attended on the Sunday and Monday, learning from a broad selection of exhibitors that Saturday’s trading had been very brisk and stands well attended. Though attendance ebbed and flowed slightly more erratically on the Sunday, which is fairly typical, the show was busy again on the Monday, traditionally the professionals’ day, an antecedent going back to the days of its predecessor Focus on Imaging.

Of course what matters most is not only is the show bringing in boots and backpacks by the train-load (with Hall 5 located handily a short stroll from the platforms of Birmingham International), but also that the exhibitors who have invested their hard-earned in stands and staff are happy. Fortunately by and large that appeared to be the case.

Those exhibitors we asked hadn’t noticed a change in the profile of customers and audience, despite Future introducing a dedicated Video Show element this year, with a dedicated stage at the back of the hall. To be fair, any audience shift, should it happen, is bound to be a gradual one.

One ‘element’ noticeably missing this year, however, was Darth Vader and his Stormtroopers. We’d got used to them parading up and down the central redcarpeted isle of Hall 5, accompanied by variously exotically garbed individuals.

Unfortunately, unlike previous years, The Photography Show didn’t this year coincide with the annual Comic Con in the hall next door, depriving photographers of such colourful subject matter and a bit of free added ‘theatre’.

Each year the show is audited, with attendance figures quoted as being around 30,000 year-on-year. The organisers weren’t giving out any attendance figures for 2019 beyond ‘thousands’ at the time we went to press, though the show’s Event Manager Ruth Folkard is quoted as saying: “We’re delighted with the show this year. There was a real buzz throughout the four days and despite recent reports, any decline in the imaging industry certainly wasn’t reflected at all. We’re so pleased to be supporting such a wonderfully creative market and we’re looking forward to 2020 already.”

Dates have already been set for next year’s event, which is due to take place from March 14th until the 17th 2020.

It goes without saying that the photo trade in the UK is richer for having a large annual gathering of manufacturers, retailers and photographers, both amateur and professional. As an industry we’d certainly be poorer without it, in all senses of that word. www.photographyshow.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 8 April 2019 | BPI News

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Plenty to touch, try, buy and listen in on at The Photography Show this year, augmented by a new, albeit smaller Video Show element

The Photography Show returns to the Birmingham NEC again next year, slightly earlier in the month again, in running from March 14th until the 17th.

See you there?

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 @bpi_news

BPI News | April 2019 9

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FLYING HIGH: JESSOPS PROMOTES DRONE SAFETY The largest independent photo chain in the UK has partnered with the Drone Safe Register, a business now co-owned by Jessops Chairman Peter Jones following a Dragon’s den investment in October 2018. Just last month it was announced that Jessops had partnered with the Civil Aviation Authority as part of a national campaign to increase public awareness of the rules around flying drones.

The Drone Safe Register is claimed to represent the best and safest professional drone operators for hire throughout the UK. There’s also a hobbyist membership package, which includes all the current CAA/IAA rules for flying, an ID card, plus a discount offer from Jessops.

“Drones offer the chance to take the most breath-taking photographs and video footage, and for Jessops, where ‘image is everything’, there is a perfect synergy,” believes Peter Jones. “There

are also a myriad of practical drone uses that can save businesses a lot of money – and these should be carried out by professional drone operators

with a CAA approved licence. This register provides a quick and easy way to access a professional in your area.” www.jessops.com

Actual promotional shot taken with a drone, on Brighton sea front

SARAMONIC: A ‘SOUND’ CHOICE FROM MAC GROUP T hose in the trade who welcome videographers as well as photographers shooting video into their stores will want to take advantage of the latest exciting addition to distributor MAC Group Europe’s portfolio of products: audio accessories from the Saramonic brand. This manufacturer caters for all levels of expertise, from smartphone-equipped blogger to pro broadcaster; its quality products including microphones, wireless accessories, adapter and mixers – all with value added price tags to suit and competitive margins to be made.

Key items to add to your stock include: Smartmic and Smartmic+ broadcast quality directional microphones for smartphones and tablets with USB type-C connector; the VMicPro super directional video microphone with 1/8-inch audio output-to-camera, integrated shock mount system and headphone monitor output; the AX-100 mixer allowing for mono or stereo output and the attachment of a variety of microphones

10 April 2019 | BPI News

Left: Saramonic’s VMic compact condenser mic aimed at videographers, with an SRP starting at just £55. Right: MAC Group’s Scott showcases the display packs for the even more compact Lavalier microphones

or wireless receivers; plus the UWMic9 Wireless Lavalier Microphone System offering reliable broadcast quality audio and 96 selectable channels in two groups.

The latter also features easy to read LCD displays, headphone monitoring, a reach of over 330 feet in open areas or 200 feet with obstacles, plus optional handheld and XLR transmitter.

“We are delighted to add the professional audio brand Saramonic to our photography and film-making range of products,” enthuses MAC Group Marketing Manager Scott Baggaley. “Excellent audio capture is just as important as image

capture. Saramonic products make sure that there are no compromises on quality and offer professional quality audio products to everyone.”

Don’t miss out – make sure you have these audio accessories in stock for spring. Get in touch with MAC Group Europe now on 01902 255500 or email info@macgroupeu.com www.macgroupeu.com www.saramonic.com

www.bpinews.co.uk

Minilab News

SHOW OF STRENGTH FROM PHOTOXPORT

BPI Award-winning print solutions specialist PhotoXport unveiled a robust product line up of Noritsu, Citizen, OKI and PM2S devices at The Photography Show last month and, as MD Derek Fieldhouse reveals, was rewarded with equally strong sales. Isn’t it time you added one to your own business?

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ast month we reported the big news that Leicester based PhotoXport had become an official Citizen Photo reseller – adding to its rapidly growing range of print solutions for the photo trade that now also includes OKI and French brand PM2S. These all augment its long-standing relationship with Noritsu dry and wet labs. In fact, the latter’s most recent Green III and IV machines were jointly voted Printer of the Year in our BPI News Trade Awards (see page 16 for full details). So, with customers praising its products and its range growing all the time, PhotoXport is clearly doing something right.

Further proof comes with the news that orders are rolling in off the back of a successful exhibition of its collective line up at the Photography Show last month. Taking centre stage was the impressive French-designed PM2S A4 UV printer, which can print photo quality images onto a wide variety of objects and surfaces, including coffee mugs, ceramic tiles, leather and plastic. A perfect option, then, for retailers and minilabs seeking to offer their customers innovative, personalised products the market is crying out for. For those looking to deliver prints to customers with real impact meanwhile, there’s the OKI Pro 9542 printer, which has the unique feature of putting the colour white down first, to make a massive visual difference and deliver a stunning 3D-like effect.

Also present at the show was Citizen’s dye sublimation printer line up. This currently comprises the CX-02, the most portable option for those short on space and weighing just 12Kg; the CY-02, which offers user friendliness yet high print capacity with it; plus the OP900II, which is a premium printing solution for professionals providing a great option for black and white prints as well as colour.

A COMPREHENSIVE SUCCESS Unsurprisingly, PhotoXport’s comprehensive options went down extremely well with the trade, and interest didn’t let up at the NEC.

Making new friends at The Photography Show last month: From L to R, Citizen’s MD Mark Moore, EMEA Business Manager Gary Andrews, PhotoXport MD Derek Fieldhouse and Citizen European General Manager Ken Tachino

“We even took an order as we were closing down the stand at a minute-tofive on the last day,” Derek marvels.

“The big change was that although we saw the usual enquiries from the usual people, there was a whole raft of additional new contacts we hadn’t met before, which is great. I’ve been around since Fox Talbot so thought I knew everybody! But we could see new people making a beeline for the stand, which I put down to pre-show marketing.”

The way Derek and his team had composed the stand meant a central attraction was the PM2S UV printer with blue flashing lights, which worked very well in breaking the ice and getting people asking questions. “You need something that customers can get involved with, and kick start the process of them asking questions,” reasons Derek.

“We then walked them around the OKI, Citizen and Noritsu printers, which likewise were met with a great reaction.”

He puts this ‘wow factor’ down to the likes of the OKI and PM2S “bringing new toys to play with and new concepts to the photo business, which is absolutely crying out for innovative solutions that

can provide value added products for the consumer in their shops. So people were genuinely impressed with what the OKI can do in terms of its speed and versatility.”

With Citizen and Noritsu providing tried and tested alternatives, Derek notes that attendees were again “blown away by the quality”, particularly as regards Noritsu’s panoramic prints.

“I personally printed the examples we showcased at ‘TPS’, so I could prove to people the printer was ‘idiot proof’,” Derek jokes. “I get the image up on the EZ Controller, hit a button and out pops an absolutely stunning print.”

Visitors were also very clued-up as regards Citizen, he observes, realising that the brand offers both value for money and damn good machines.

“That came across so clearly that we sold them off the stand. All in all it was a very successful show that has left us buried in leads and enquiries to follow up. I’d class it as one of the best yet.”

Contact Derek Fieldhouse and his team to place an order for any or all of the above products on 0116 2675907 or visit www.photoxport.com

Make PhotoXport your one-stop shop for Noritsu, OKI, PM2S and Citizen solutions. Call 0116 2675907 now NEVER MISS AN ISSUE! Read BPI News online at issuu.com/bpinewsonline

BPI News | April 2019 11

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YOU’D QUEUE TOO, FOR THE LEICA Q2 Leica chose its very recently opened Central London Duke Street store to unveil its newest covetable camera in the Leica Q2 last month. For those retailers stocking Leica models, the intended audience for the successor to the fouryear-old ‘Q’ is travel photographers wanting a camera that is small, light and discrete… and, finally, ‘influencers’ who want their Instagram photos to embody a different look and fee.

Key features include a fixed focal length 28mm f/1.7 maximum aperture lens (same as the original ‘Q’) yet a whopping 47.3-megapixel full frame sensor this time around. Added to this the camera body is now water and dust resistant and there’s a 4K video shooting option that additionally includes the choice of ‘C4K’ (Cinematic 4K).

In terms of burst/continuous shooting, the camera offers up to 10fps if the mechanical shutter is utilised. Otherwise it’s 20fps with the aid of the electronic shutter. The Q2’s 0.15-second auto focus performance is described by its maker as ‘fast’.

The Q2 is now Bluetooth enabled and is, of course hand constructed in Germany, with a magnesium body construction.

The Leica Fotos app, when used in conjunction with the Q2, can ‘wake up’ the camera, as well as acting as a remote and means for your customers to transfer and share their shots. It’s only the £4,250 asking price for the camera that they may

Leica UK MD Jason Heward proudly shows off the new Q2, launched at its equally new Duke Street retail and exhibition venue, pictured

possibly baulk at – but then Leica told us there are still people waiting on and wanting delivery of the original ‘Q’.

Accessories to further entice a sale of a Q2 include camera-body-hugging red, brown and black camera grips/ leather cases that attach via a screw thread at the camera’s base. www.leica-camera.com

WEX PHOTO PUTS ‘THE ENGLISH’ IN THE FRAME With Brexit having put the focus on national identity of late and what it means to the individual, photographer and Olympus ambassador Peter Dench is having a collection of portraiture that has coalesced under the title ‘The English Summer Season’ showcased at the Wex Photo Video Gallery in London’s E1. Viewing dates are from April 30th to June 28th, with free entry.

The snapshot-like images are said to be previously unpublished, and have been taken over the past two summers at the likes of Henley Royal Regatta, Cartier Polo, Epsom and Royal Ascot.

“The events I’ve portrayed were once the preserve of the rich upper classes, but through the years, have become open to a much broader audience,” says Dench, who has enjoyed a 20-year career. “The rules

Firmware upgrade for Panasonic S1 of society have been rewritten. With this reportage, my intention is to capture the humour, the entertainment and the downright craziness of the scenes I have encountered in a lighthearted but truthful manner.”

Tiffany Tangen, events manager at Wex Photo Video adds: “Dench’s images are powerful, relatable and thought-provoking.” www.wexphotovideo.com

Direct your customers to the fact that the electronics firm’s brand new full frame mirrorless system will soon be the recipient of a software tweak.

Scheduled to be made available this July, this paid software program (with a Software Update Key sold separately) is designed to expand its video performance, says the manufacturer. Functions made available courtesy of the upgrade program are: 4:2:2 10-bit 4K 30p/25p (PAL only) internal video recording; 4:2:2 10-bit 4K 60p/50p HDMI output; plus V-Log recording. More news as we receive it. www.panasonic.co.uk

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 12 April 2019 | BPI News

www.bpinews.co.uk

BPI News Product Focus

‘JET POWERED PERFORMANCE FROM MULTI AWARD WINNER The acclaimed specialist for inkjet media has another new paper launched this month to join its already award winning raft of current products. BPI News met up with the PermaJet team at The Photography Show last month, to drill into the details and discover why you should be adding it to your own offerings…

N

ot only has fine art inkjet paper specialist PermaJet picked up an award from BPI News this month for its Photo Lustre 310 paper – launched at The Photography Show in 2018 – and is the recipient of two further awards from the trade; it also wowed the crowds at this year’s show with a potential award winner of the future.

Its brand new Fibre Based Baryta FB Pearl 300 is said to be great for reproducing skin tones in particular, as its sample A4 prints, provided at the NEC last month for photographer visitors to touch and try, testified.

In replacing the now discontinued FB Satin 310, the 300gsm-thickness paper is also said to be suitable for commercial use, photographers submitting images to distinction panels, plus, of course, printing out photographs for exhibition.

The PermaJet team celebrates another win at the Photography Show last month for its existing Photo Lustre 310 paper, while showcasing a future possible winner in the brand new FB Pearl 300, as pictured

PEARL IN THE SHELL With its product name deriving from a pearl-like surface, FB Pearl 300 is further described by PermaJet as ‘sumptuous’ and reminiscent of silver halide glazed fibre based materials, thereby lending prints a special look and feel that underlines the

The response to FB Pearl 300 has been overwhelmingly positive; for those unable to attend The Photography Show, it will be on display throughout the UK at The Societies Roadshows, Art & Framing Roadshows and the Bird Fair” PermaJet National Sales Manager Jeremy Pridgeon fact that this is a superior quality product.

On top of this, its manufacturer suggests advanced coating technology affords it an excellent tonal range and pin sharp detail, thereby making FB Pearl not only perfect for reproducing portraiture, but just as ideal for landscapes and more.

Thanks to the fact that the new paper also delivers what’s claimed to be high contrast images with rich blacks, it’s likewise eminently suitable for both colour and monochrome images.

“The response to FB Pearl 300 has been overwhelmingly positive; having the product on display at the NEC last month for regular and new customers

alike really helped to demonstrate the quality and feel of the paper,” enthuses PermaJet National Sales Manager Jeremy Pridgeon. “For those unable to attend The Photography Show, FB Pearl will be on display throughout the UK at The Societies Roadshows, Art & Framing Roadshows and other key UK events such as the Bird Fair.”

For those looking to add it to their stock as well as their photographic studio, FB Pearl 300 is available now in A4 to A2 sized sheets and in 17-inch to 44-inch rolls. As noted earlier, it’s being sold as an ‘exceptional’ alternative to FB Satin 310, which is now discontinued.

Speak to PermaJet’s sales team now on 01789 739200 or visit www.permajet.com for more and to view the entire fine art inkjet media range.

FB Pearl 300 properties at a glance: n 300gsm thickness n Sumptuous looking and reminiscent of silver halide glazed fibre based materials n Ideal for use with both colour and black and white images n Prints suitable for commercial use, exhibition and for submitting for assessment by camera clubs and photographic bodies n Idea for reproducing portraits and landscapes n Available in A4 to A2 sheets and 17-inch to 44-inch rolls n Acts as a replacement for the now discontinued FB Satin 310 To request a sample, get in touch with PermaJet’s sales team

Get in touch with PermaJet’s sales team now on 01789 739200 to order in stock of the new FB Pearl 300 paper @bpi_news

BPI News | April 2019 13

The Big Interview

A PROVEN CHEMISTRY

The big news from Tetenal UK is that is now independently owned by its UK management team, and, with business as usual, is forging ahead with exciting plans.

BPI News talks to its new co-owners to find out more…

W

e always like hearing positive news in the photo industry, and that’s what we have this month.

Four members of Tetenal UK’s management team have announced a successful buyout of the UK business to become an independently owned and run operation.

Many in the trade may not be aware that its former German parent company brought in administrators last year, although the UK business was not affected by this.

Nevertheless, the positive outcome for the always-profitable UK arm is very welcome.

Meanwhile the German business, established way back in 1847 and encompassing subsidiaries based in France and Poland is also under new ownership. It’s good news not just for the company itself, but also the wider trade who are reliant on supply of its self-produced chemistry, consumables and photo equipment.

In addition, Tetenal UK has also acquired the SpectraJet brand name for inkjet media – encompassing media for dry labs, large format printing and fine art photography.

“It fills me with a great deal of pride to now be co-owner of Tetenal, a business with a 172 year heritage which I have helped and nurtured over the years to become the successful and profitable company it now is,” says UK MD and now co-owner Mike Fawcett. “When it became apparent that there was a chance to put together a management buyout I spoke with my key partners and we all agreed it was too good an opportunity to pass up.

“We’ve talked about where we’d like to take the business. The company has been built on the four pillars of great colleagues, customers, suppliers and products. The four new owners, together with the support of our UK team, have a clear vision of how we want the business to build upon the year-on-year growth we have achieved and look for new areas of opportunity.”

To drill into what this all means for its retail partners in the UK and abroad, we sat down with three of Tetenal UK’s new co-owners in Mike Fawcett, Operations Director Verity Adkin and Finance Director Mark Norman, along with Marketing Manager Craig Bird, while the

fourth member of its ownership team in Sales & Marketing Phil Barker, held the fort at The Photography Show.

Q: Which leads me on to also mention SpectraJet and your acquisition of that brand.

BPI News: One sense we’ve got from speaking with people in the industry, even from competitors of yours, is that if you had gone from the market it would have been viewed a bad thing for the trade in general. The impact would have been felt much wider than just your own business.

MF: Yes, as part of our agreement we’ve bought the brand name SpectraJet, which was originally established back in 1996, along with all the trading rights.

We believe we have an excellent range of inkjet media products and we will put renewed emphasis into building up the brand. We have the opportunity to do more now, such as adding new papers into the portfolio and it also allows us the possibility of adding other products under the SpectraJet umbrella.

It also gives us a well-respected brand that we can sell internationally.

Mike Fawcett: Absolutely. Tetenal have been going 172 years and have been manufacturing photo chemicals for a long time. In fact, there aren’t many of us left who are. We know a lot of people are pleased to hear that the heritage of Tetenal chemicals is going to continue and that we’re glad to be a part of it.

Photographic chemistry is a much smaller part of our distribution business now, but it’s great that we can continue to supply those chemicals exclusively in the UK and Ireland. The majority of our kit chemistry for enthusiasts is sold via resellers but chemicals for volume production are supplied by us directly.

Q: Has your buy-out freed you up to be able to look beyond the photo market?

MF: Yes, it does, although we’re also looking at working with more partners within the photo industry, whilst looking to expand into additional forms of print as well. Our business is predominantly focused on output; that’s what we’re about.

Under new (yet familiar) management: Get in touch with Tetenal’s UK team on 0116 289 3644 to discover 14 April 2019 | BPI News

www.bpinews.co.uk

Tetenal UK Management Buy-Out It’s great for the industry for us to say that Tetenal will not only continue to be manufacturing chemicals but we will also be there to support the photographic printing business for years to come.”

Tetenal MD & Co-Owner Mike Fawcett Craig Bird: Ownership, particularly as regards the SpectraJet brand, gives us the freedom and flexibility to explore other opportunities and to see whether there is a market there, whereas before it was a little bit restrictive. Now it’s our brand, Mike and the team will be looking at other opportunities.

A close knit team: From left to right, Tetenal UK’s new owners Phil Barker, Verity Adkin, Mike Fawcett and Mark Norman, also seen bottom right at a successful Photography Show this year

MF: We are now also able to talk to other vendors who may be looking for a new distribution partner. Tetenal has proved time and time again that when we take on new brands that fit into our key areas of business we do a very successful job. We are always respectful of our existing partners, so we will always look to avoid conflicts of interest, but we want to take on new partners for sure.

Q: How does the market look to you at the moment, because we hear time and again that it’s particularly challenging?

MF: It is challenging. The piece of the pie is getting smaller year on year, but we’ve bucked the trend and grown. I put that down to the great colleagues I have around me in the business.

Everyone at Tetenal works extremely hard, and having such an experienced, knowledgeable and enthusiastic team around us gives the new management team every confidence for the future Q: Have you each been with Tetenal for quite a while? I’m trying to get an idea of the experience behind this management team.

MF: I’ve been with the company for 23 years. Mark has been with us for seven years and has been Finance Director for

four. Phil Barker, our Sales & Marketing Director has been with us for 10 years…

Verity Adkin: I originally started with Tetenal in 1998 before taking a career break after 6 years and came back in 2008. I’ve noticed some quite dramatic and positive changes during my two spells with the company. I’m now the Operations Director, responsible for all in-house processes including managing the office and the administration side of the business in addition to overseeing the development of our new website which will be launched in the near future.

MF: I think when Verity joined the business we had a turnover of £2 million.

Last year our turnover exceeded £17 million with a good profit. We’ve grown exponentially over several years and we plan to continue that trend.

As I mentioned previously we’ve got great partners, products and suppliers.

Everyone is aware that a large part of our business is with Epson and Kodak but we work successfully with several other vendors and key brands too.

Craig Bird: A few years ago, there was a re-emphasis on customer service and Verity has been at the forefront of that, virtually putting together a new team.

There wasn’t great customer service provided throughout the industry at the time, so we thought this could be a key point of difference for us. Verity and the team have worked really hard on that, which is why I think we have continued to grow and customers have stayed with us.

Our sales team, both office-based and out in the field, have great relationships with their customers and are constantly talking to them. Without customers there is no Tetenal and we’ll never lose sight of that.

MF: We also offer what we refer to as a ‘cradle to grave’ service. We will advise on the right equipment whether that’s Epson or Kodak or one of our other brands and can help find finance for that or offer a trade-in against old products.

We carry out installs of new equipment as well as service and warranty work. We have quite a big technical division here at Tetenal. There’s very few businesses, if any at all, like ourselves who keep it all in-house. We take a responsibility when selling our equipment to make sure that the equipment keeps working and earning our customers money.

When the customer’s ready to look at new equipment we are always able to offer a variety of options. We maintain that on-going relationship with our customers due to the wide range of ink, media and consumables we sell.

CB: One of our USP’s has recently been added to the Tetenal logo. We’re suppliers of photographic print solutions.

Because we work with a lot of brands we can build solutions for the customer based on their own specific needs.

We’re not looking to just force one brand on them regardless of whether it’s right for them or not. We can mix and match equipment brands based on our understanding of their market. People are always looking for something new and we’re always trying to introduce something innovative to our customers.

They may come to us and ask for one thing, but we may suggest something else that may work well for them in a different way than they may have initially considered. We have a lot of experienced personnel in our business and they will look at how various pieces of equipment or types of media will fit into a workflow.

MF: We always try and do our best for our customers. I can’t stress enough how important all of my colleagues are. Everybody knew about the potential buy out and as soon as had the funding in place we told all our staff and informed our key customers and suppliers all the way through the process. Due to the relationships we’ve built over the years, we are fortunate to have good, loyal customers.

We’re not just shifting a box or Internet sellers, we’re a value-added supplier.

We have feet on the street who go out there and offer business advice along with technical services. We have a large warehouse team, in-house finance people and an internal sales team who support our external account managers. We don’t leave any stone unturned and always do our best to capture as much business as we can. There’s never been a doubt that Tetenal UK would continue because we’ve always been a profitable, financially secure company and there was a lot of interest from a number of potential buyers. It’s great for the industry for us to say that Tetenal will not only continue to be manufacturing chemicals but we will also be there to support the photographic printing business for years to come. www.tetenaluk.com

the bespoke print solutions it can provide for your business or visit www.tetenaluk.com for an introduction to its offerings NEVER MISS AN ISSUE! Read BPI News online at issuu.com/bpinewsonline

BPI News | April 2019 15

BPI News Awards 2019

PHOTO TRADE ON A WINNING STREAK

The votes have been counted in the BPI News Trade Awards 2019 and the winners revealed… with awards presented at The Photography Show last month

A

brace of coveted BPI News Awards have been handed out for 2019, voted on by you, the photo trade. As detailed in prior editions of the magazine, this year we broadened out the categories to give recognition to a wider selection of those

people, companies and products that make our industry what it is – and invited you to nominate and vote for your favourites.

As usual, those nominees who made the most of their client/customer lists and social media platforms gave their chances of a win a

AR: RETAILER OF THE YESTER IN GRAYS OF WESTM

boost – but from the outset it was anyone’s for the taking. Here then are the candidates with the most votes and acclaim in their relevant categories for this year. Don’t agree with any of the selections or feel you woz robbed?

Then get in touch and have your say!

AR LAUNCH OF THE YE FUJIFILM X-T3

:

Presented to PR Manager Jeannie Corby and UK General Manager Theo Georghiades.

“We are delighted to have won this award - what a surprise!

Thank you so much to readers of BPI News for their constant support of Fujifilm – here’s to an exciting year ahead in the photography industry.”

YEAR: CAMPAIGN OF THE TETENAL UK

Presented to coowner Phil Barker and Marketing Manager Craig Bird.

Presented to owner Gray Levett.

“Winning the BPI Retailer of the Year Award 2019 was a wonderful surprise and everyone at Grays of Westminster are like me, thrilled. Thank you very much to everyone that voted for us.”

“Thanks to everyone who voted for us to win the BPI Campaign of the Year Award for 2019. It was a great surprise when Gavin presented it to us at The Photography Show and everyone at Tetenal is thrilled to receive this recognition.”

BPI News Trade Award winners for 2019 include: Canon, Nikon, Sony, PhotoXport, Tetenal, Sigma, 16 April 2019 | BPI News

www.bpinews.co.uk

BPI News Awards 2019 E YEAR: INNOVATION OF THPRO 2 ROTOLIGHT ANOVA

OF OVERALL PRODUCT Z7 & NIKON Z6 Presented to Chairman Rod Gammons and MD Rod Aaron Gammons Jr.

“We’d like to thank everyone who voted the Anova PRO 2 best lighting innovation 2019. Everyone at Rotolight is overjoyed to see our lights continue to be recognised as pioneers in the industry.”

THE YEAR:

Presented to Nikon UK Marketing Director Jeremy Gilbert and Senior Product Manager Tim Carter.

“Winning Overall Product of the Year Award 2019 for the Nikon Z6 and Z7 is a fantastic honour, particularly in a year when the industry saw many new and ground-breaking products come to market. We are thrilled to have be recognised in this way, especially by a trade magazine, and would like to thank everyone that voted for us.”

Presented to Sigma UK’s Paul Reynolds.

E YEAR: PRINT MEDIA OF TH STRE 310 PERMAJET PHOTO LU Presented to the PermaJet UK team.

“Winning the Print Media of the Year Award 2019 for Photo Lustre 310 was a wonderful surprise. We’re thrilled to be receiving recognition for this fantastic media and can’t thank those that voted for us enough.”

YEAR: ACCESSORY OF THE ART LENS 2.8 SIGMA 14-24MM F/ “A big thank you to everyone that voted for Sigma!

Winning the Accessory of the Year Award 2019 for the 14-24mm F2.8 Art lens was a wonderful surprise and everyone at Sigma is delighted with the recognition.”

PermaJet, Rotolight, Fujifilm, Panasonic and Grays of Westminster. www.bpinews.co.uk @bpi_news

BPI News | April 2019 17

BPI News Awards 2019 E YEAR: PRO CAMERA OF TH SONY A7 MARK III

Presented to Sony Product Manager Charlotte Carnoy.

“Being presented the pro camera of the year award for the A7 III at The Photography Show was a real highlight, and the whole Sony team are thrilled. Thank you to everyone that voted.”

A OF THE YEAR: CONSUMER CAMER CANON EOS M50

PRINTER OF THE YEAR: NORITSU GREEN III & IV Presented to Noritsu’s exclusive UK distribution partner PhotoXport.

“Winning the Printer of the Year Award 2019 was a wonderful surprise and everyone at Photoxport are like me, absolutely over the moon,” says PhotoXport MD Derek Fieldhouse. “It is good for our team to know that our four years of hard work promoting Noritsu products in the UK have been noted. Thank you very much to everyone who voted for us.”

OF THE PROSUMER CAMERA PANASONIC GH5S

Presented to Canon’s Country Director Matthew Searle and Product Marketing Manager Didi Goddard.

“We were really pleased to win the award for Consumer Camera of the year with the Canon EOS M50. Thank you so much to everyone for voting for us!”

YEAR:

Presented to Panasonic’s UK team (L to R: Elise Ivens-Barnes, Robert O’Murphy and Mike Owen) and visiting colleagues from Panasonic Japan (Mr Uematsu and Field Engineer Tetsuji Kamio).

“We are thrilled to win the Prosumer Camera of the Year award for our Lumix GH5S! Thank you to everyone in the trade that voted for us.”

2019 winners include: Canon, Nikon, Sony, PhotoXport, Tetenal, Sigma, PermaJet, Rotolight, Fujifilm, Panasonic and Grays of Westminster 18 April 2019 | BPI News

www.bpinews.co.uk

the studio PETERBOROUGH

The Studio, Whittlesey is a full service photographic studio

Terry Austin, owner of The Studio

PHOTO STUDIO OWNER SWITCHES TO DRY AND IS SURPRISED AT THE RESULTS VERSUS OLD WET LAB The Photo Studio in Whittlesey switched from wet to the Epson D3000 dry lab and is full of praise for the quality of the prints produced, streamlined workflow and the help and support from Tetenal.

The Studio, based in Whittlesey, Peterborough is a full service studio covering everything from traditional portrait shoots through to Commercial, PR, Babies and Boudoir.

As his faithful wet lab began to show signs of age and unreliability he decided the time had come to investigate the possibility of switching to a dry lab, but with the reservation that he may have to compromise on quality.

As a current customer of Tetenal for his consumables, Terry contacted Equipment Product Manager Chris Castle to discuss his options.

Terry takes up the story "I had already looked at an alternative dry lab from the same brand as my old wet lab but needed to check out the alternatives before making what to me was going to be a major business decision."

Tetenal showroom demonstration The visit to Tetenal's showroom was instrumental in helping Terry make the decision to finally go dry.

"Before having the demonstration on the Epson D3000, I was introduced to all the key departments at Tetenal, Technical Support, Sales, Logistics and instantly had the feeling that this was a company who was here to stay and who I could work with.

The demonstration on the D3000 exceeded my expectations. I never thought I would say this but the Epson matches, and in lots of ways, improves on conventional wet lab printing, all without the use of chemicals!"

Workflow The ability to either connect into, or establish new and improved workflow solutions is critical to businesses such as schools photographers, retails stores and studios such as Terrys.

"Workflow is crucial to any busy studio and the Epson D3000 has enabled us to streamline our workflow much more effectively and therefore our productivity and time is better spent" Installation & Training One of the advantages of Tetenal as an equipment supplier is their inhouse technical support department and delivery logistics service. This was invaluable during the installation of the D3000 at Terry's studio.

Again, Terry takes up the story...

"The installation team from Tetenal was excellent, even helping to remove the doors so we could get the old machine out. The whole thing was completed very quickly and without fuss.

Tetenal engineer David who installed the machine and trained us was brilliant too. We were up and running within a couple of hours!"

TEL: 0116 289 3644

I'm pleased with every aspect of the change, the quality and available sizes of the prints including panoramic, the ease of use, the warranty on parts & labour allied to the low maintenance in comparison to the wet lab makes it a no brainer."

EPSON AUTHORISED PARTNER 2019

Terry Austin, Owner, The Studio

|

"I would wholeheartedly recommend the Epson D3000 and Tetenal based on my experience so far.

To find out how the Epson D3000 could work wonders for your business, contact Tetenal UK.

"I never thought I would say this but the Epson D3000 matches, and in lots of ways, improves on conventional wet lab printing. All without the use of chemicals!�

Distributed in the UK by Tetenal Ltd

No hesitation in recommending It's safe to say that the whole process has left terry with absolutely no regrets.

|

www.tetenaluk.com

BPI News Product Focus

100 & NOT OUT: OLYMPUS CELEBRATES ITS FIRST CENTURY

Another familiar name is celebrating a big anniversary this year with limited edition products and new camera releases, most recently the E-M1X. BPI News traces the history and heritage of one of the most recognisable brands in the business…

SWINGING WITH THE 60S BIRTH OF A BRAND Founded in Japan in 1919 by Takeshi Yamashita, the company that would blossom into Olympus was originally named Takachiho Seisakusho. Much has long been made of the company’s optical expertise and indeed the first product was a microscope. The first Olympus camera, the 4.5x6cm folding Semi-Olympus I (above) was to arrive in 1936 and delivered 16 exposures on 120 film. Post war saw the introduction of the Olympus 35 I (below), its first 35mm film camera in 1948, which was developed with two requirements in mind – that it had to be compact and lightweight plus it had to support rapid shooting. The following year, the company was renamed Olympus Optical Co.

The original Olympus Pen (below), which was to inspire the digital version launched in 2009, was a half size film camera launched in 1959 and, like its future relative became popular with pro photographers looking for a smaller back up camera. The popularity of the film Pen was to inspire the Pen F, the first purpose-built half frame SLR, which arrived in 1963 with 18 compatible lenses available on launch. The 60s was something of a boom time for Olympus, which also introduced the popular Olympus Trip 35 (above) at a low price in 1968, its successors later to be made household names in memorable TV adverts of the 1970s and 80s starring a curmudgeonly David Bailey for comic effect.

Catch up with the latest from Olympus, including the digital PEN and OM-D ranges 20 April 2019 | BPI News

www.bpinews.co.uk

100 years of Olympus

I

n the past two years we’ve had both Nikon and Panasonic celebrating 100 years of existence – this year it’s the turn of another very familiar name in Olympus. You may have spotted the limited edition 100-year anniversary bag produced in conjunction with UK manufacturer Billingham and sold exclusively at The Photography Show last month – and you certainly won’t have missed its stand surrounds celebrating its very notable anniversary. Our own eyes were particularly drawn to the glass cabinet containing a covetable selection of

cameras from the company’s history, on loan from both Olympus’ own stock and a particularly avid private collector. It’s always fascinating to be able to trace the development and evolution of one of the biggest names in the business through its designs and technology, so that’s what we’re focusing on here ourselves via a visual timeline, while bringing the story bang up to date with this January’s launch of the OM-D E-M1X pro-grade mirrorless model.

How many of these photographic gems have you used, stocked or sold over the years?

NINETIES & NOUGHTIES

SEVENTIES & EIGHTIES The 1970s saw Olympus introduce a compact and lightweight 35mm film DSLR in the OM-1 (advertised above), the worlds smallest and lightest such model at the time. The OM-2 (above, left) was to later join it in 1975. This featured the benefits of an auto exposure system plus aperture priority shutter, along with the world’s first TTL direct metering system.

Perhaps our favourite product of this period, due to its eye-catching design, is the 1988 O-Product (left), a compact camera with an aluminum body the design of which combined a circle and a square, with a detachable strobe unit sold alongside it.

This was a limited release of 20K models.

Yoshihisa Maitani was a renowned designer of cameras for Olympus, joining them in 1956 and working with them for 40 years

Takeshi Yamashita, who founded optical company Takachiho Seisakusho back in 1919, later becoming the Olympus we know today

The start of the nineties saw Olympus’ smallest and lightest compact camera at the time in the stylish clamshell-like Olympus Mju Stylus (above) launched, which was a bestseller of the time again later to inspire a digital version of the same. The 90s also obviously witnessed the brand’s first forays into digital cameras, with the VC-1000 introduced in 1993, which had evolved into the digital Camedia series and the C-2000 Zoom by 1999, a line up begun with the Camedia C-800L in 1996. Digital had arrived and wasn’t going anywhere, although the futuristic looking designs of these early attempts had evolved into the classic Olympus digital camera look that we know today with the launch of the first digital Pen, the E-P1 (below), in 2009. This notably featured a Four Thirds sensor and Micro Four Thirds lens mount – a constant of this series that remains the same today, a full decade later.

OLYMPUS TODAY Punctuated by the occasional Olympus Tough compact release, the last 10 years has all been about the continuation of the Olympus’ Pen range and, latterly, the introduction of the digital OM-D series, which made its debut with the OM-D E-M5 back in 2012, followed by the flagship E-M1 a year later. A budget, arguably even more travel photographer friendly alternative was quickly introduced in the OMD E-M10, and all three of these OM-D prefixed models are now into later, successive generations, denoted by Mark II or III after the model name. After years of pitching the virtues of smaller camera bodies and lenses to go with, the latest OM-D arrived in January of 2019, a full 100 years on from the birth of the company, in the robust E-M1X (above), notable for featuring a built in (as opposed to detachable) battery grip, and very much aimed at the professional with its 4K video shooting and maximum 80 megapixel resolution mode, achieved with the aid of a tripod. www.olympus.co.uk

and the recently released OM-D E-M1X camera by visiting www.olympus.co.uk @bpi_news

BPI News | April 2019 21

BPI News Product Focus

MOUNTING EXCITEMENT FOR SIGMA IMAGING

With a bunch of new camera mounts recently launched – Canon’s RF mount for its full frame EOS R mirrorless, Nikon’s Z mount for its own Z series, plus Panasonic’s adoption of the Leica L mount – one company is staying on top of it all. Put simply, whichever mount you deal with, Sigma has a solution…

M

irrorless cameras are on the rise, and so too is the number of different lens mounts for the various new systems available.

Fortunately, however, Sigma is keeping ahead of the curve when it comes to ensuring lens and camera compatibility.

In fact, it’s fast become a one-stop shop for your customers’ evolving needs, broadening the scope and reach of its products to include compatibility with even more major names – either directly or via an adapter. To keep things simple and enable you to better inform your photographer customers, we’ve broken down the current options for using Sigma lenses with the new breed of cameras and the differing lens mounts they’ve adopted.

L-MOUNT LENSES & MC-21 CONVERTER Sigma has announced it’s introducing no fewer than 11 ‘Art’ series lenses offering direct compatibility with Leica’s L-mount; not only a feature of Leica cameras but, under the much discussed L-Mount alliance that also includes Sigma, Panasonic’s full frame S1 and S1R cameras too.

On top of this, Sigma is sensibly providing photographers with the option of buying its MC-21 converter, thereby allowing Sigma SA mount and Sigma’s Canon EF mount lenses to be used on L-Mount cameras. This, it says, instantly boosts the number of Sigma manufactured lenses that can be used by the L-Mount system to 29.

Also awaiting a definite release date are those 11 new Sigma L-mount prime lenses, though it has been transparent as to the fact that they usefully encompass focal lengths from 14mm to 135mm and sit within its ‘Art’ lens class. In full, Leica and Panasonic camera owners will be able to take advantage of the new Sigma 14mm f/1.8 DG HSM; 20mm f/1.4 DG HSM; 24mm f/1.4 DG HSM; 28mm f/1.4 DG HSM; 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM; 40mm f/1.4 DG HSM; 50mm f/1.4 DG HSM; 70mm f/2.8 DG Macro; 85mm f/1.4 DG HSM; 105mm f/1.4 DG

Your customers can use existing Sigma F mount lenses on the Nikon Z series via adapter - as Sigma’s Paul Reynolds ably demonstrates

HSM plus the 135mm f/1.8 DG HSM. Each of the above is capable of achieving high-speed AF results and is fully compatible with AF-C mode, in-camera aberration correction and in-camera image stabilization systems.

Offering a brass bayonet mount, the mount connection area of each further incorporates rubber sealing to deliver dust and splash proofing. Launch date and pricing is yet to be set.

“You can rest assured that we’re working hard to get the message across that whatever system your customers are investing in, there are a plethora of Sigma lenses compatible with the various lens mounts.”

Graham Armitage, Sigma UK General Manager

NIKON Z MOUNT (VIA ADAPTER) Nikon surprised us all last September with the introduction of not just one full frame mirrorless camera, but two in the Z6 and Z7, along with a new Z mount.

It also did the sensible thing in offering up a lens adapter that would allow previously issued F-fit lenses to be used on the new models. This has ensured that Sigma F mount compatible lenses can likewise be used on the new Nikon Z cameras – something to definitely

mention when talking to your customers and making a sale of a Nikon Z camera.

CANON RF MOUNT (VIA ADAPTER) The other recent big news in the trade was Canon’s launch of its EOS R and RP full frame mirrorless cameras – and a new Canon RF mount to go with them. As directly compatible lenses are currently scarce, the manufacturer is selling a lens adapter with its cameras to allow use of existing Canon EF and EF-S lenses.

This also means that Sigma’s EF fit lenses are likewise compatible with the new Canon RF mount via the adapter, so can be sold to your Canon EOS R owning customers with confidence.

“New camera mounts are coming thick and fast, taking advantage of the more compact builds yet bigger sensors of full frame mirrorless cameras,” Sigma UK General Manager Graham Armitage notes. “You can rest assured that we’re working hard to get the message across that whatever system your customers are investing in, there are a plethora of Sigma lenses compatible with the various lens mounts. These are either directly attachable or affixed via an adapter – whether that’s our own adapter or one provided by the camera manufacturer themselves. If you’ve further questions, don’t hesitate to discuss them with your local Sigma rep, who will be able to make expert suggestions.” www.sigma-imaging-uk.com

All lenses sold via Sigma Imaging UK come with the benefit of a three year limited warranty. www.sigma-imaging-uk.com 22 April 2019 | BPI News

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BPI News Product Focus

‘BEST SHOW EVER’ FOR THE DPS GROUP

Kent based printer and consumables specialist The DPS Group is buzzing off the back of a successful exhibition at The Photography Show last month, showcasing its e-commerce brand DPSB.co.uk as well as a great bundle deal on Epson’s T3100. BPI News finds out more about both from MD Maneesh Patel…

P

itching your products face to face is always going to be more favourable and effective than any number of e-shots and mail-outs – and that’s just what The Photography Show recently enabled the DPS Group, helmed by MD Maneesh Patel, to do, showcasing its multi brand wide format print solutions to the trade. In addition, the independent printer specialist and re-seller used the occasion to plug the e-commerce side of its business (see more at www.DPSB.co.uk), in recognition of the fact that in this day and age, its customers want to be able to conveniently order-in supplies 24/7.

“This year we had one of our best shows ever,” enthuses Maneesh Patel, something he puts down in part to the diversity of its offerings and the best of both worlds approach. “We used the show as an opportunity to promote our e-commerce brand DPSB.co.uk as customers like the convenience of 24/7 online ordering, backed up of course by market leading knowledge from our sales and products teams during office hours.”

It was also printing onto the best photo and fine art media from Canson and Hahnemühle on the high-end Epson and Canon 24-inch and 44inch large format printers on display – as well as introducing cost effective paper solutions from Indigo Inkjet for printing on the general use printer, as previously covered in BPI News.

In short, the DPS Group’s pitch at the show was – and is – that DPSB.co.uk is the UK’s number one source for large format printers, inks and papers, with hassle-free delivery provided.

“Visitors found not only great deals at the show but interesting new profitable solutions around printing within their business,” the company’s MD adds.

AN EPSON DEAL YOU’LL GO A BUNDLE ON Another hit at the show was a bundle deal on Epson’s T3100, that you may want to get in touch with the team about if you missed it. The concept here is that this is

“This year we had one of our best shows ever, promoting our e-commerce brand DPSB.co.uk as customers like the convenience of 24/7 online ordering, backed up by market leading knowledge from our sales and products teams during office hours.”

DPS Group MD Maneesh Patel a brand new, general use 24-inch desktop poster printer, perfect for the ‘business in a box’ concept. As well as posters, it can deliver low cost canvas prints, wrapping paper, point of sale materials, backlit film and general graphics work – and all for under £1,000 + VAT. The bundle offer at the show included an extra set of inks and satin and matte paper plus canvas consumables – everything you need to get started and earning cash in fact!

With a clean, white design the DPS Group notes that the SureColor T3100 will fit into most working environments, and, thanks to it utilising UltraChrome XD2 pigment inks, prints are water and smudge resistant. Keeping up with the times, it offers wireless printing, so users can print directly from smartphones or tablet devices. Further peace of mind is provided by the printers unique Nozzle Verification Technology (NVT)

Above: Team DPS at ‘TPS’; from L to R: Maneesh Patel, Michael Nash and Daniel Spooner Below: Epson’s T3100 offers a great value ‘business in a box’

which helps prevent misprints.

But don’t just take our word for it. You can arrange a personal demonstration at the company’s South East London showroom all year round – something you’re strongly advised to do – by getting in touch via sales@dpsb.co.uk or calling 020 8466 7230.

For more on all the above solutions, talk to DPS Group MD Maneesh Patel on 020 8466 7230 or visit www.dpsb.co.uk NEVER MISS AN ISSUE! Read BPI News online at issuu.com/bpinewsonline

BPI News | April 2019 23

Minilab News

FUJIFILM: YOUR LONG TERM TRADE PARTNER & ALLY We talk to three long time members of Fujifilm’s dealer network, in advance of its annual Conference next month (May 18th and 19th) to discover why they’ve stuck with the brand for year after successful year…

I

n a challenging market it’s the strongest of partnerships that survive.

A case in point is Fujifilm’s relationship with its dealer network – which contains many loyal, long-term members. But what has both instigated and maintained that loyalty over a number of years?

Photographers and business partners Baljit Basra and Roger Sood have been running Birmingham’s Focus Studio for just over 20 years, and have been with Fujifilm for most of that. “Being professional photographers we were used to working with the Fujifilm brand,” Baljit recalls. “But were getting our processing done by other people until Roger had the idea of setting up our own business.

So Focus Studio was born in ’96.”

As to why the business has stayed loyal to Fujifilm all this time, its coowner replies: “We’ve made a lot of friends at Fujifilm over the years – from their technical department to sales and marketing – and the trust comes out of that friendship, along with the fact that their equipment is second to none. They’re still market leaders in technology. The photographic market may have shrunk, but these guys can still provide all the products that are essential for us to do business.”

Along with new and innovative products, another benefit of being part of the Fujifilm network is undoubtedly the advice given by the

team and retail support consultant Wendy Gray of Inspires Consultancy.

“I call it ‘tips and tricks’,” says Baljit.

“Wendy’s experience has inspired us to embark on a change-around; we’ve displayed our shelving in a different way, and, according to her

Baljit Basra has been jointly running Focus Studio for 20+ years and has been loyally partnered with Fujifilm for his photo processing requirements for almost all that time

recommendation, we’ve also put up wallpaper with a wood grain effect and blackboards behind our kiosks.”

The owner says that his customers have noticed the difference. “Because we’re tied up in the day-to-day, we don’t have time to think outside the box too much; but when Wendy comes along, you start thinking! Sometimes we do all need a kick up the backside and our re-fit of a year ago has really helped freshen up the store.”

Focus Studio’s set up includes a Fujifilm DL600 dry lab, 44-inch wide format Epson 9900 printer, as well as a more compact Fujifilm DX100 to do passport pictures with. It also has a pair of front-of-house Fujifilm kiosks.

More unusually, this set up allows the pair to make wedding albums in-house, using Italian album covers sourced from Italy. “The DL600 outputs the prints, we bind the albums here and sell them to photographers. The market has changed a lot over the past 20 years. Those who embraced digital photography when it came along are still here, whereas those who thought it was a passing fad have gone out of business. We first tried out a Fujifilm Pictography printer and then got rid of film processing not long after that.

Now 90% of our orders are off phones.”

As regards the most popular photo products today, Baljit reveals: “We do a hell of a lot of mug printing, as well as

Boost your print sales in 2019! Get in touch with Peter direct on 01234 572138 or via photoprintservices_uk@fujifilm.com 24 April 2019 | BPI News

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Fujifilm Advertorial prints and posters. The customers who use us are mainly the older generation who want a hand with the kiosks and sending the prints across. And, in turn, we get really good support from Fujifilm, which means we haven’t needed to look anywhere else. We jumped ship to Fujifilm when digital came along and have never looked back.”

KEEP CHANGING & INNOVATING Another long-term customer – who coincidentally happens to be celebrating 40 years of trading – is J&A Cameras, based in North Devon, who we last spoke to at the start of the year.

The business currently has three Fujifilm DPC10 Imagine kiosks plus a Fujifilm DL600 Drylab Printer.

“We always sold Fujifilm products and have dealing with them for donkeys’ years,” notes the store’s Sales Director Andy Robinson, in the trade 32 years himself. “Yet we finally installed a mini lab about four years ago. As Fujifilm film users since the old days, naturally the company was our first choice. The Fujifilm colours are still wonderful and we’ve had excellent service from them over the years. So we’ve had no reason to change.”

Noting that loyalty is a rare commodity these days, he adds that J&A “will always be loyal to those who support us. We had some advice from Wendy Gray during our recent re-fit and added a few ideas of our own. A case in point: we’ve just painted the back of the shop a lovely baby pink, because we’ve divided up the shop to make more of the photo gifts side of the business, a lot of which are sourced via Swains – because we felt there was money to be made there.

“That’s prompted a pink-on-black re-design of our logo for the photo gifts side, as we use black as our standard background colour. On our Facebook account we’re now doing little videos of how to make mugs and montage frames –

Devon’s J&A Cameras is celebrating 40 years of trading and has a long association with Fujifilm, who it admires for its proactivity

As to how J&A Cameras has successfully weathered 40 years of trading, Andy believes the secret is that “we’ve bent with the wind, rather than stayed just doing the same thing we were doing in the ‘80s.

What I like about Fujifilm is their enthusiasm and desire to bring new products to market. You can get a bit jaded if you keep ploughing the same furrow – Fujifilm tend to invent things and try and push things forward.

They’re proactive rather than reactive.”

Andy Robinson, J&A Cameras products that we can shout about because they’re a little bit different. It’s all an attempt to drag people into the shop.”

J&A Cameras has recently painted the back wall of the store pink to highlight a special ‘photo gifting’ orientated section

“Customers have also changed – they’re now predominantly female.

Certainly for photo processing, women are the lifeblood, so if you don’t get women in for photos of babies and children then you won’t thrive.

Despite being in a lower waged area, we tried to push the market upwards towards the higher ticket price items, but have also changed our direction slightly to do more photo gifts and stuff that actually makes a profit, as there’s very little money in hardware and the market itself has changed.

“Our Fujifilm lab is our first foray into ‘proper’ processing if you like –dry labs are much more affordable, more compact and the quality is superb.

What I also like about Fujifilm is their enthusiasm and desire to bring new products to market. You can get a bit jaded if you keep ploughing the same furrow – Fujifilm tend to invent things and try and push things forward.

They’re proactive rather than reactive.”

Boost your print sales in 2019! Get in touch with Peter direct on 01234 572138 or via photoprintservices_uk@fujifilm.com @bpi_news

BPI News | April 2019 25

Minilab News FUJIFILM ADDS SPARKLE TO FROSTS Jon Stanley of the family owned Frosts Photo Centre in Sutton Coldfield, who has been a dealer partner of Fujifilm since November 2004 and in the trade himself for 40+ years, echoes the words of the other dealers interviewed here.

“Since we joined up with Fujifilm we’ve never looked back. While any relationship isn’t always perfect there’s always someone on hand who can help you with any problems that may arise.

Fujifilm also have a reasonably good eye on what’s going on in the trade, and what you could be possibly missing out on.”

Jon singles out the annual Fujifilm Conferences as being very useful, not least for the fact that you’re made to feel part of a team pursuing similar goals.

“You can meet other guys dealing with relatable problems in other areas of the country and it provides a forum that allows us to interact with each other.

You just don’t feel out on your own.

“Some of Fujifilm’s promotions also throw up interesting ideas. Even the ones that you initially may think aren’t going to work that well for you, can end up pleasantly surprising you. I’ve long given up choosing stock based purely on my own tastes, because that might not work for other people. Now the younger staff gets involved too, with what they would want to put on their wall.”

Jon admits without any guidance from Fujifilm he might struggle to run promotions himself. “Their point of

Frosts Photo Centre’s Jon Stanley - pictured far right - has forged a close partnership with Fujifilm over a number of years, as this sociable shot, also featuring Fujifilm’s Peter Wigington at its centre and business consultant Wendy Gray, testifies

A lot of customers think of us now as ‘the Fuji shop’ and that’s it, so we’ve lost a bit of recognition for the name Frosts. But overall Fujiflm’s brand recognition has worked better for us, really.”

Jon Stanley, Frosts Photo Centre

Pointing the way forward for the photo trade... Peter and Wendy keeping ‘on message’ at The Photography Show last month

sale is pretty good, although we’re also producing our own now, and pushing the Fujifilm brand. The in-store branding is clean and helps us look the part. A lot of customers think of us now as ‘the Fuji shop’ and that’s it, so we’ve lost a bit of recognition for the name Frosts.

But overall Fujiflm’s brand recognition has worked better for us, really.”

Like others interviewed for this piece, the interior of Frosts has recently undergone a spruce up, with new flooring laid and a wood panel effect added to the walls. Jon adds that BPI News readers can now also ‘walk through’ the shop to check out the results, courtesy of Google Maps.

As to how the market has changed for Jon and his staff over the past 30-40 years, he notes that back then the majority of in-store sales were “camera, cameras, cameras… whereas now if we sell half a dozen cameras per month it’s surprising.

Customers now come in with a mobile phone in their hands, saying: ‘I’ve taken pictures on this’ without a clue about how they were going to print from it. That even goes for some of the youngsters, so we need to guide them through the process.

“With 80 to 90% of the photography now printed from mobile phones, we encourage customers to use the Fujifilm Imagine App. When customers come in to collect prints, I’m then slightly upset if they don’t then go out with a frame as well, or a bigger print size. The result is that we’re

making more money and profit. “ Current popular products include photo panels and multi-aperture frames, allowing for photomontages. “If the customer picks a frame with 13 apertures in it and goes to the kiosk, they can drag in the 13 pictures. We then just print one sheet of paper, it goes behind the mount and it works beautifully. Swains supplies us with the frames and the profit margin on selling a framed picture is much better than the margin on a camera.”

Frosts’ set-up involves five kiosks, with an instant printer offering 6x4-inches and 8x6-inches, plus a DL450 lab for “all the other sizes.” It also has a 44-inch wide format printer at the back of the shop.

“I’m surprised by how many canvasses we still do – we also do a lot of ‘scatter montage’ – where we capture the images using the kiosks and then run montage software that scatters the images randomly with a slight shadowing effect behind each one, which can be saved as a Photoshop file. We charge extra for the ‘scattering’ so that works really well as an option. We also do a lot of printing on cushions.”

Such innovative and ever evolving ideas can certainly help ‘cushion’ a business in an ever-changing climate.

So for additional information on how Fujifilm can proactively impact on your own store or minilab, get in touch with Fujifilm’s Marketing Manager Peter Wigington now on 01234 572138 or view www.originalphotopaper.com

Boost your print sales in 2019! Get in touch with Peter direct on 01234 572138 or via photoprintservices_uk@fujifilm.com 26 April 2019 | BPI News

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Business Advice

SPRING CLEAN YOUR PHOTO BUSINESS

Our resident business expert Adam Bernstein has a spring in his step this issue, choosing the changing of the seasons to suggest possible improvements to your photo business worth paying attention to…

S

pring is upon us and, with that in mind, it’s prudent for those in the business of photo retail to examine what possible changes can be made to spruce up your offering and deal positively and proactively with any threats that might be coming your way.

REVAMP YOUR MARKETING We may already think we know everything when it comes to marketing a business, but the reality is that however established we are, we can all still learn from others.

With that in mind, the following could provide a boost alongside (not instead of) the more traditional methods…

First off, make sure people can find

28 April 2019 | BPI News

you. The Internet is a wonder that has democratised the dissemination of information. Don’t know anything? Just Google it… and the same approach can be applied to your shop. Go on to Google, Apple Maps and the like and ensure that your business has a marker on their maps so that when someone searches for photography, they can find you (along with your contact information, location, website and opening hours). If you don’t exist, they cannot beat a path to your door.

Secondly if you have an e-commerce site, pay attention to abandoned purchases.

According to the Baymard Institute, just under 70% of shoppers abandon their shopping mid-way through the purchasing process. It could be for any one of a number

of reasons – time, second thoughts or a better deal. But if you operate a website that features e-commerce, you ought to consider a system to prompt customers to revisit abandoned shopping. A small discount may help here – while it’s also worth tying the prompt into a marketing message.

Customers can be remarkably fickle, so rewarding loyalty also helps. Tips here could include something as simple as a reward programme, based on purchase frequency and offering increased value, or perhaps you could make customers feel extra special by offering them ‘priority’ access to new and hard to find products, or even invite them to exclusive shop events. Whatever you do, make sure customers can realistically use the reward.

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Seasonal Business Advice While many stores will have gathered lists of customers’ emails that, with consent, they can utilise for marketing, an even more direct route is text messaging. Done in moderation, it could outline a flash promotion, a new finance package, or the start of a seasonal sale. An advantage text has over email is that it’s read almost instantly.

With photography being a visual medium, make sure you’re utilising that to its fullest advantage and potential.

Your products are technical and while some will be comfortable with what is on offer, others will not be. So, think about creating video tutorials that can be hosted on your website, or posted on YouTube, showcasing what you have to offer, what products can do for the customer and the great advice they can get from your outlet. This is most certainly a selling opportunity, but it’s also something that can help separate you from the pack and demonstrate that you’re not just a box shifter.

COUNTER THE FAKES While the Internet provides one way to get our message across – providing you can cut through all the ‘noise’ with a clear and concise message – it also throws up a number of challenges, including how it handles unfair online reviews and the real impact they can have on a business.

Negative reviews can be devastating – especially for small businesses – but particularly frustrating are ‘fake’ reviews,

Customers can be remarkably fickle, so rewarding loyalty also helps. Tips here could include something as simple as a reward programme, based on purchase frequency and offering increased value, or perhaps you could make customers feel extra special by offering them ‘priority’ access to new and hard to find products…” whereby aggrieved parties post negative and untrue comments with an intent to ruin an organisation or individual.

As to what to do if your shop is suffering from this form of attention, the advice is simple: Either respond to reviews directly, which might involve reasonably answering/addressing untrue or unreasonable reviews and/or asking for the review to be removed; or a hire marketing firm to do the same, who might be able to apply wider strategies for improving business image and ratings – without faking the response.

Another important practical tip, especially for smaller retailers, is to ensure that customer service is excellent at all times. Dealing positively and effectively with issues or complaints can help to minimise the potential for disgruntled customers airing their grievances online.

According to Gwendoline Davies, Head of Commercial Dispute Resolution at law firm Walker Morris, there are also a number of legal options and grounds under which a retailer can take legal action regarding fake reviews. She points to the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 (CPRs)

legislation “which bans a number of unfair commercial practices, including misleading consumers into buying a product.” There’s also the Business Protection from Misleading Marketing Regulations 2008 (BPRs), which includes a general prohibition on misleading advertising. “False reviews which are made in order to promote the sale of a product could be considered advertising, and could therefore fall within the scope of the BPRs,” advises Davies.

Defamation is another option, but only against unfounded reviews, which damage a business or its reputation.

Another defence is misrepresentation, which covers “an untrue statement which induces a party to enter into a contract.”

A fake review could also be considered fraud. Here Davies says the claimant must “prove the dishonest intentions of the person posting the fake review”. Section 2 of the Fraud Act 2006 is the relevant one. She adds that: “providing fake reviews can also constitute a criminal offence under various other statutory provisions.”

So, no matter how you approach it, there are some forms of redress for retailers.

Business matters update n NATIONAL MINIMUM WAGE Those photo businesses with employees will need to be aware of the fact that regulations have been laid in Parliament to amend national minimum wage (NMW) legislation from 1st April 2019.

The hourly rate of NMW for workers who are aged 25 or over (the national living wage rate) will rise from £7.83 to £8.21 per hour. For workers who are aged 21 or over (but not yet aged 25), it will rise from £7.38 to £7.70 per hour; for workers who are aged 18 or over (but not yet aged 21) from £5.90 to £6.15 per hour; for workers who are aged under the age of 18 from £4.20 to £4.35 per hour; and for apprentices from £3.70 to £3.90 per hour. n CONSUMER PROTECTION: EU-WIDE RULES FOR FAULTY PRODUCT While matters are very much up in the air as regards Brexit and its effects at the time of writing, new directives are coming into being that entitle customers, whether buying online or in a physical store, to

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equal treatment if they purchase faulty products. This all has relevance to the UK, as the government has said that anything passed before we leave (if we leave at all) will apply here, unless otherwise appealed.

A new directive on the sale of goods aims to offer more consumer protection throughout the EU and legal certainty for businesses wishing to sell their products in other member states. It harmonises certain contractual rights, such as the remedies available to consumers if a product does not perform well or is defective.

The provisional rules agreed will apply to goods sold online and offline. Items with digital elements, such as smartphones and TVs, are also covered. The legislation includes rules on remedies available to consumers, guarantee periods, the burden of proof and trader’s obligations.

In short, consumers with problem products can either have them repaired or replaced free of charge and will be entitled to an immediate price reduction or contract termination and their money back in certain

cases. The trader will be liable if the defect appears within two years from the consumer receiving the product and for up to one or two years after delivery; the consumer will not need to prove the item was faulty. n EU AMENDS COPYRIGHT RULES: The EU has further announced that it is amending its copyright legal framework to make it suit the current digital environment.

Representatives of the Romanian presidency of the Council of the EU reached a provisional agreement with the European Parliament on a draft directive that introduces changes to existing EU copyright rules to further the EU digital single market.

The draft directive addresses a variety of issues, which can be grouped together under three categories: adaptation of copyright exceptions/limitations to the digital and cross-border environment; improvement of licensing practices to ensure wider access to content; and achievement of a wellfunctioning marketplace for copyright.

BPI News | April 2019 29

Talk of the Trade

THE STATE OF INDEPENDENTS First Call Photographic Sales Director Rodney Bates asks our industry to address what he sees as the elephant in the room: the photo trade, as we know it, is in decline. What, he wonders, can and should be done?

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t’s been widely reported that Canon President Fujio Mitarai suggested in a recent interview that the camera market could shrink by as much 50% over the next two years. If there has ever been time for a debate about the future of our industry, I believe that time is now.

In 1997 annual photographic film camera sales peaked at 37 million units worldwide. At the time, there were over 3,000 outlets including chemists that sold photographic films and cameras in the UK alone. Today, except for a few inexpensive models and the odd luxury item, you cannot buy a new film camera anymore.

The decline has been steep and expensive for many, and it did not matter whether you were a manufacturer, distributor or retailer, the results for all have been the same: write-downs, losses and bankruptcies, and it’s still happening.

Although many other traditional industries have struggled in a 21st Century world of new technology, no single consumer industry has suffered as severely as the photographic industry, and there seems to be no coherent plan for its survival.

In my view, three significant factors have combined over the past two decades to put us in the state we’re in today: failure to recognise consumer tastes were changing when buying cameras; other technologies – mostly mobile phones – impacting on cameras’ one-time monopoly for picture taking; plus a lack of willingness to challenge these changes, in trying to preserve the status quo.

Christmas 2000 saw the digital compact camera as the number one item on families’ present lists. A decade later it was the smartphone, and thence the start of the second revolution, an even more damaging one, that ate into digital camera sales in ever-increasing numbers.

Faced with falling sales, some manufacturers experimented with direct retail, many set up Exclusive Distribution Agreements with retailers to reinforce loyalty and sales, and those retailers who did not or could not comply were dispatched to the second tier of being only supplied by distributors.

“The above portrait shows my passion for photography,” says Rodney Bates, “The image below is of our 2019 Catalogue, which we’ve now published for 30 years and is, I believe, the only annual photographic retail catalogue left still in production.”

Ironically, I believe it has been these EDAs that have advanced, rather than curtailed, the decline in retail numbers.

The photographic retailer is now faced with the bizarre prospect of buying and selling cameras at a loss, often linked to Sales Out Allowances, only to mercifully receive retrospective margin from the camera manufacturer up to 55 days later. Furthermore, this margin is often only then paid if strict marketing terms or targets are met.

However, none of these measures prevented DSLR sales, the critical profit sector of the industry, falling badly. From 2010-2017, each year represented substantial growth in smartphone sales and significant decreases in dedicated camera sales, particularly digital compacts. The influential Camera & Imaging Products Association, based in Japan, reported that total digital camera shipments fell by 31.7% in 2016 alone.

CAUSE FOR OPTIMISM The one product area worthy of optimism has been Compact System Cameras – technologically

capable and desirable, if more expensive than traditional, comparable cameras.

The problem here is that two of the biggest brands were, however, late to embrace this change in direction.

Part of the decline may also be due to a lack of industry cohesion. In recent years our trade has lacked an active industry body to represent it. If we look at the jewellery market, and luxury brands like Rolex or Omega, the consumer can buy online or in the specialist high street stores, but the price is similar in most outlets. The photographic trade could emulate this state of affairs if organised by an industry working together. It would also secure a more sustainable return for retailers, manufacturers and distributors alike.

Since June 2016, most imported cameras have increased by around 25% in price, meaning the average starting price for a Compact System Camera is the same as an iPhone. Therein lies another problem. Consumers need a phone and even if they value the better features on a camera, have they now got the additional disposable income to buy a camera?

The ultimate problem for me though has been written on the wall for a long time. Namely the whole photographic industry does not make enough profit to survive and, if you ally to this having fewer products to sell, its future is just too close to call.

For independent camera shops, who cannot offer the things that manufacturers crave from the multiples, and who try to counter the low prices of the remaining few multiples – along with the direct competition from the manufacturers – the future looks bleak. A consensus view should also be presented on their behalf to all camera manufacturers noting that selling cameras at £2500 price points makes it very much a specialist business, with the mass market gone.

For the majority of us then, a route to survival lies in a niche existence; like the ability to deal in used cameras or retro photography, including film, printing or reproduction services.

But the photographic trade that once provided a substantial income for over 20,000 workers in the UK is undoubtedly a thing of the past.

Agree or disagree with the view given here? Get in touch to share yours via info@bpinews.co.uk 30 April 2019 | BPI News

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Image credits: Chris Eyre-Walker & Fernando Marmolejo

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Demand the ultimate in system mobility, performance and reliability, the new E-M1X. Find out more at your Olympus Pro dealer or visit www.olympus.co.uk * Based on the CIPA standard, within system cameras, E-M1X with M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-100mm F4.0 IS PRO: 7.5 EV compensation, as of 1/2019.