British Photographic Industry News February 2019

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FEBRUARY 2019 • £3

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IN THIS ISSUE…

OLYMPUS OM-D E-M1X

MINILAB CASE STUDY

LENS FIELD TEST

BUSINESS ADVICE

The manufacturer continues to throw its weight behind the Four Thirds format, with a larger, powerful camera aimed at pros

Why four photo businesses are ready for whatever 2019 will throw at them – plus where they find support & inspiration

Getting to grips with Sigma’s brand new 28mm f/1.4 prime, available for Canon, Nikon, Sigma and, shortly, Sony users

How to maximise return on investment from exhibiting at, or proactively visiting, a photo industry event

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

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B E N C H M A R K

O P T I C A L

P E R F O R M A N C E

Whether shooting stills or videos, the new full-frame Z series pushes the boundaries in imaging quality and lens capabilities, enabled by the all-new Z mount. Unleash full creative freedom with the newly designed NIKKOR Z lenses, or choose from over 90 fully AF/AE compatible NIKKOR F lenses*. Experience revolutionary optical performance in a compact form factor today.

ALL-NEW FULL-FRA ME SYSTEM | QUAD VGA EVF | N E W Z M O U N T & N I K KO R Z L E N S E S | I N - C A M E R A 5 A X I S V R | F U L LY A F /A E C O M P AT I B L E W I T H O V E R 9 0 N I K K O R F L E N S E S * *When paired with the optional FTZ mount adapter For more information visit www.nikon.co.uk

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THE FUTURE COMES FAST W

Photographic British

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Published monthly by

elcome to our first standalone BPI News of 2019. We may only be a month into the year, but we’ve already had news of some amazing camera releases from Olympus (see page 16) and Sony (page 4), joined by big hitting accessories from Fujifilm and Nikon, plus a further tease of features to be found on the forthcoming Panasonic S series full frame mirrorless duo. You can find more on each, and the key features you should be pitching to your customers, in our news section this issue.

With big-ticket product increasingly announced several months in advance of actually reaching retail, we’ve decided it would be timely to round up the gear we’re most actively looking forward to this year, which you can read about on page 22. A new year also means the latest BPI News Awards – and we’ve another nudge to get you and your customers to vote on page 24. It’s all really simple;

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

Editorial | February 2019

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

Publisher’s Office: 31 New Road, Richmond, Surrey TW10 7HZ. Legacy Media Ltd accept no ultimate responsibility for accurate reproduction of digital artwork created by third parties.

Insurance and carriage of products submitted for inclusion in reports rests with the owner. News, data, prices, interviews and opinion are printed in good faith E&OE. Content including advertising artwork created by Legacy Media Ltd or its agents is ©2019 Legacy Media Ltd. ISSN: to be advised.

NEXT ISSUE IS OUR PHOTOGRAPHY SHOW PREVIEW EDITION Final copy deadline: February 21st.

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COVER IMAGE: Portrait by Terry Donnelly, taken using the Rotolight AEOS and NEO 2. See more from the lighting specialist on pages 14 and 15 of this edition, including how you could soon be working for the company!

cast your vote by email or even tweet us via @bpi_news if you prefer the social media thing. You haven’t a lot of time… so get your voting underway, your marketing underway, and don’t tarry.

The big news that broke between this issue and our last was the shock cancellation of Photokina 2019 – which had been planned as the first of a series of newly annual events. That means that the key date on the UK photo trade calendar this year remains The Photography Show, which once again returns to the NEC in Birmingham this March.

As in previous years, this will provide the first opportunity for many to get hands on with long announced or long rumoured kit, with the usual money-saving show deals and celebrity photographer names – including this year the freshly announced social chronicler Martin Parr – providing extra incentive to attend. For the trade itself, it’s a chance to catch up, mingle and make new contacts – and, to this end, our business advice feature on page 26 re-caps on how to make the most of attending, or exhibiting at, a dedicated industry event.

So that’s BPI News February 2019 – getting your year underway with a bang and shedloads of news, advice, interviews and extras. And all for free. For our March issue, the last one before ‘TPS’, we’ll be previewing what various suppliers and manufacturers will be debuting at the show. Early booking is advised. See you then!

16 - 19 March 2019 The NEC, Birmingham

Vist the Lexar stand for the latest offers Stand: G85

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promotions Camera AG

as we experienced at Photokina 2018 within an extremely short lead time. In order to make sure we can meet the expectations of exhibitors and visitors with every event, we have responded flexibly to PIV’s wishes.

This will ensure the continued unique impact and public appeal of one of our flagship trade fairs in the future.”

The new show dates for your diary are Wednesday May 27th, 2020, up until Saturday May 30th (inclusive). www.photokina.com

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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again be able to create the same enthusiastic atmosphere that characterised Photokina 2018. This is why we have decided to start the planned annual cycle in 2020.

The Photoindustrie-Verband would like to thank Koelnmesse for its willingness to quickly comply with this request.”

Koelnmesse’s CEO Gerald Böse added: “We understand that even the most powerful technology companies cannot ensure that they will once again be able to bring such innovative strength to the exhibition halls

Sony APS-C mirrorless claims ‘world’s fastest’ AF Description

The electronics firm has taken the wraps off its much-rumoured α6400 APS-C sensor incorporating mirrorless camera, announced a software upgrade for its existing α9 camera, plus introduced a new ‘Imaging Edge’ mobile application.

For those enthusiast customers of yours feeling the need for speed, the new 24.2-megapixel α6400 features what’s described as the world’s fastest AF A3 Poster acquisition, of just 0.02 seconds. This is achieved, in part, thanks to 425-phase detection and contrast detection AF points covering approximately 84% of the image area. It also comes with what the manufacturer terms Advanced Realtime Eye AF, plus Real-time Tracking for

• Complimentary National moving subjects. Selfie obsessives will also Trust Membership Campaign POS the 180° fully tilting LCD touch screen find

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

©National Trust Images/Matthew Antrobus

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Just after our Dec/Jan edition went to press, news broke that Photokina’s organizers had pulled the plug on the previously proposed 2019 event, meaning the next is now scheduled for May 2020.

Although a surprise – as recently as November a list of 2019’s confirmed exhibitors was being advertised – those in the trade we spoke to were not completely shocked. Staging the next Photokina a mere seven months after 2018’s exhibition, when it has traditionally been held biennially, had always seemed ambitious. Plus the shift of the show from September to May was not without its critics. The official reason given for the delay – described as a ‘new starting point’ – is to allow potential exhibitors longer to prepare their offerings.

From May 2020 however, the intention is still to hold Photokina annually.

Rainer Führes, CEO of show sponsor the German Photo Industry Association (PIV), explained of this year’s cancellation: “Photokina 2018 clearly exceeded our already optimistic expectations with groundbreaking innovations and 180,000 visitors from 127 countries. It is therefore unlikely that, in May 2019, we will once

©National Trust Images/Matthew Antrobus

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PHOTOKINA POSTPONED UNTIL 2020; STAYS ANNUAL THEREAFTER

of use, while 11fps continuous shooting, 4K video capture and time lapse movies are also offered. The body only version of the camera retails at £950, while a 1650mm lens kit is £1,000 and an alternative that bundles the body with a 18-135mm lens is priced at £1,300 approximately.

The current α9 camera meanwhile receives tweaks to AF performance and Wobbler image quality via latest version 5.0 software this March, plus various new features designed to improve overall workflow for professional photographers. Sony promises a further version 6.0 enhancement this summer, designed to add Eye AF

functionality for animal eyes as well as interval shooting for time-lapse videos.

Lastly the Imaging Edge mobile application is described as the successor to Sony’s ‘PlayMemories’ mobile app and will offer instant transfer of images from camera to connected mobile device while shooting, while 4K video transfer is also supported.

Availability is also from this March. www.sony.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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Items shown are for reference only and are not to scale

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News

NEW ZOOMS FROM NIKON? SUPER! With its full frame mirrorless models in the Z6 and Z7 being big talking points of the tail end of last year, potential users will be rapidly looking for supporting accessories. To this end, Nikon has hit 2019 running with a newly compatible lens release in the Nikkor Z 14-30mm f/4 (below). With a compact build and a flat front element that allows use of 82mm filters without the need for bulky filter holders, the retractable ultra wide-angle zoom is described as both great for stills and video. The constant f/4 aperture lets video shooters move from bright daylight to shadowy interiors with ease, according to the brand.

“This ultra-wide Nikkor Z zoom will let Nikon Z owners capture creative stills and movies anywhere,” reckons Senior Product Manager Tim Carter. “The compact,

retractable and lightweight build means you can slip this lens into smaller bags – perfect for travel. The chance to use filters so easily is a great opportunity to gain more creative control.” Sales start from this April, with an SRP of £1349.

In related news the manufacturer has added two new super zoom or ‘bridge’ cameras to its line-up in the Coolpix A1000 (in black) and Coolpix B600 (in red). The A1000 comes with a 35x optical zoom equivalent to a very useful 24-840mm in 35mm terms, a built-in electronic viewfinder, plus Raw file capture. With a tilting touch screen at the rear, it can also shoot 4K-resolution video.

Already on sale as you read this, UK SRP is £409.

Arriving this month the second camera in the B600 features a 60x optical zoom (a 35mm equivalent focal range of

24-1440mm), sturdy grip and 3-inch, 921K dot resolution LCD. Described as a ‘brilliant all rounder’ for family use, video capability here is Full HD rather than 4K and it comes with a host of in-camera creative modes to add an artistic treatment to photos. The B600’s SRP is £329.

“Both these cameras are fantastic options for users to explore their creative side and shoot almost any subject,” promises Nikon UK Product Manager Yoshihiro Katakami. “Nikon’s 16 MP back-side illuminated CMOS sensor and Vibration Reduction help deliver superb results in low light.” www.nikon.co.uk

PANASONIC TEASES MORE LUMIX S FEATURES, PROMISES MARCH RELEASE Coinciding with 2019’s CES consumer electronics show in Las Vegas last month, the electronics brand unveiled a few more key features of its muchtrumpeted Lumix ‘S’ series full frame mirror-less models the S1 and S1R plus compatible lenses for their shared Leica L mount, which are now due to arrive with us at the end of March. The brand had previously promised back at Photokina 2018 that we’ll see three new lenses in early 2019, with a total of 10 new lenses promised by the end of 2020. See images here taken by (and of) photographer Daniel Berehulak using the Lumix S1 plus Lumix S 24-105mm lens.

The new features of the cameras being teased are a high dynamic range still photo option in HLG Photo mode, which produces an HSP file. This can be played back on Panasonic’s HLG compliant 4K TV sets via HDMI cable.

The other feature being flagged up for now is a High Resolution Mode, which takes advantage of in-body stabilization

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by allowing eight consecutive images to be shot while shifting the sensor, which are then merged into one single picture.

The manufacturer suggests this will be ideal for shooting landscapes or fine art shots in which a high level of detail is key. www.panasonic.co.uk

BPI News | February 2019 5

News

FUJI WOOS LANDSCAPE & NATURE PHOTOGRAPHERS WITH VALENTINE’S LENS RELEASE On the back of last year’s announcements of the GFX 50R and forthcoming 100 megapixel GFX camera, it’s a Valentine’s Day release for Fuji’s latest compatible lens for the medium format digital system: the GF 100-200mm f/5.6 R LM OIS WR. The manufacturer is pitching its newest optic, which joins eight existing GF lenses, as the first telephoto zoom of its kind that has a focal range equivalent to 79-158mm in 35mm terms. Optically image stabilised to the equivalent for five stops and weather resistant (as its model name indicates), while comprising 20 lenses in 13 groups including two super ED lenses and one aspherical lens to reduce chromatic aberrations, the ideal audience

is nature and landscape photographers.

If said customers care to attach Fuji’s GF 1.4X TC WR 1.4x teleconverter, they can extend this lens’ range to a 35mm equivalent of 111-221mm without any

deterioration in image quality, claims the manufacturer. UK SRP is £1,799. www.fujifilm.co.uk

Jessops rolls out new concept to Oxford Street

BUDGET HOME OFFICE PRINTER FROM CANON

We reported on the proposed new concept for Jessops stores – roughly half the shop floor dedicated to hardware and the other half to photo printing – when we interviewed CEO Neil Old last May. Now that concept has made its way to the leading independent’s flagship store at 145 Oxford Street, London, which opened just before Christmas with the aim of ‘ensuring the shopping experience goes beyond the usual trolley dash and encourages a return to in-store purchasing’.

As we learnt last year, the Jessops marketing mantra is for its customers to set their photos free. The Oxford Street store therefore features ‘creativity corners’ manned by trained experts – or ‘Photosmiths’ – both

If your customers are looking for an inexpensive inkjet printer, direct them to the fact that the photo giant has kicked off 2019 by announcing the new Canon Pixma TS705 that prints with five individual inks at an entry-level price of just £59.99 SRP. Described as perfect for the home or small office, the device has an array of connectivity options including Amazon Alexa and Google Home integration, as well as being compatible with a range of paper and creative apps, its manufacturer claims. Operation is kept simple via a LCD screen at the front and a two-way paper feed with a generous 350-sheet capacity.

It’s also 18% smaller than its predecessor, the iP7250.

In related news, Canon has just expanded its EOS Digital software development kit (SDK) to include its PowerShot range, launching with its 65x zoom SX70 HS bridge camera.

The idea is to provide a tool that enables remote control of the camera and its zoom from a Mac or PC. Interested parties can download the kit and get cracking at: www.didp.canon-europa.com www.canon.co.uk

designed to turn the shop floor into a photographic playground for those seeking inspiration.

Dragons’ Den star Peter Jones (above), responsible for saving the Jessops brand back in 2013, attended the launch of the London store to cut the ceremonial ribbon and talked of “the Jessops photo revolution… with a focus on artistic fun.” He noted that, even in this age of Instagram and phone apps, “one of the most thoughtful and sentimental gifts you can receive is a favourite photo presented beautifully in a frame. It is this idea that lies at the very heart of our new light, bright and inspiring store concept. We are incredibly excited about the reopening.” www.jessops.com

BPI News is your mouthpiece to the photo trade, so use it! Send your press releases and news items direct to: info@bpinews.co.uk 6 February 2019 | BPI News

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ADD NEW PRODUCTS WITHOUT NEW EQUIPMENT WITH THE TETENAL FULFILMENT SERVICE EXCLUSIVE TO BUSINESS CUSTOMERS Tetenal has introduced a fulfilment service allowing our business customers to trial new products before making an investment in new equipment to produce the items in-house.

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DIRECT TO TEXTILE PRINTING

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The latest addition to the Tetenal Fulfilment offering is our Direct-toGarment (DTG) service.

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Find out more at: www.tetenalfulfilment.co.uk

With our new in-house printing equipment we are now able to offer a wide variety of printed textile products from T-shirts and Hoodies to Baby Bibs and Aprons.

Rather buy the equipment?

All of the equipment we use to produce products via our Tetenal Fulfilment site is available to purchase for your business.

Entry Level option - RICOH Ri 100 STAFF UNIFORMS Creating bespoke shirts that your staff can wear as work uniform is a great way to test our service and promote it to your customers at the same time!

The easiest way to get started is with our entry level RICOH Ri 100 DTG Printer.

This easy to use, compact and versatile printer is able to print on light coloured items and offers the perfect way to enter the personalised print market yourself.

Produce one-of-a-kind personalised T-shirts, bags, cushions, sweatshirts and aprons for your customers You don’t need any previous experience to create beautifully printed products safely and easily.

THE DTG TECHNOLOGY With Direct-to-Garment (DTG) printing, the printer applies the ink directly onto the textile using inkjet technology.

DTG uses speciality water-based inks, which are absorbed by the garment fibres for a hard wearing finish.

TARGET MARKETS The corporate and club/society markets are a great opportunity to get your printed garment business up and running.

Branded Polo shirts or T-shirts are often worn by employees of a variety of businesses including bars and coffee shops as well as trade people such as electricians and plumbers.

LARGE FORMAT CANVAS PRINTS The Tetenal Fulfilment Service offers more than just DTG printing. In addition, we produce a range of canvas prints up to 40” wide with high quality canvas on sturdy Lion stretcher bars. We are also able to create bespoke sizes made from any combination of stretcher bars upon demand.

Register at www.tetenalfulfilment.co.uk or contact us for more information.

The latest product brochure is available here: www.tetenalfulfilment.co.uk/productbrochure

No heat press required! The RICOH Ri 100 fits into a space as small as 399mm x 698mm The entry level DTG bundle includes: • RICOH Ri 100 DTG Printer • Installation & Training • Set of t-shirts to use during set-up • Set of standard inks •

Cleaning cartridges and maintenance kit

Contact us or pricing and more information!

TEL: 0116 289 3644

| www.tetenaluk.com

| marketing@tetenal.uk.com

News

SUPER MEN & WOMEN CONFIRMED FOR THE PHOTOGRAPHY SHOW Real heroes may not wear capes, but thankfully they’re far less susceptible to Kryptonite. Announced as gracing the ‘Super Stage’ at The Photography Show this year – and thereby providing the biggest draw for the visiting public, aside from new gear and show discounts – are a host of professional photographers including big names like Magnum member Martin Parr.

Joining him to give ticketed talks are Pete Souza, formerly Chief Official White House Photographer during the Obama

Presidency; magnificently named wildlife photographer Moose Peterson; fashion photographer Lindsay Adler; National Press Photographers Association award winner Annie Griffiths; photographer,

Annie Griffiths

Gordon Buchanan

Chris Burkard

Lindsay Adler

film-maker and ‘Instagram legend’ Chris Burkard, plus TV wildlife cameraman Gordon Buchanan.

As regular readers will be well aware, The Photography Show plus its new Video Show element takes place from March 16th to 19th this year at the NEC, Birmingham. Don’t forget to apply for your trade ticket/s in advance, or, if you’re considering grabbing a last minute spot to exhibit, see the show advert on page 31 for further details. www.photographyshow.com

Martin Parr

Moose Peterson

Pete Souza

SILVER CAMERA & ACCESSORIES FROM CENTENARIAN OLYMPUS Coinciding with its 100th anniversary celebrations this year and the tenth birthday of its very first Micro Four Thirds mount camera in the PEN E-P1, Olympus has not only announced a new flagship camera in the E-M1X (see page 16 for full report), it has also unveiled a silver edition of its OM-D E-M1 Mark II (right). The camera is limited to 2,000 units worldwide and otherwise features the same functionality as the regular black version, and the same SRP too at £1499.99.

Your customers can get a six-month warranty extension when registering their purchase via www.my.olympus.eu.

What’s more it has new accessories to go with its newest E-M1X in the FL-700WR electronic flashgun (SRP £329.99), which like its cameras is dust, splash and freeze proof, plus compatible wireless controller/ commander (FC-WR at £279.99) and receiver (FR-WR at £179.99). Late February availability is promised, which is when the E-M1X is also expected. On top of this there is new image management software in Olympus Workspace, which can be downloaded free of charge by existing Olympus camera owners.

There are a trio of accessories to go with the manufacturer’s freshly In related news the manufacturer is announced E-M1X: a flashgun, plus wireless controller and receiver, as commissioning portraits of 100 year-olds shown. Late Feb availability is promised

throughout the UK to create what it hopes will be a stunning book and exhibition, celebrating not only its own centenary, but also life itself. Those who have reached that grand old age and are willing to have their picture taken by a photographer local to them can apply directly via www.olympus-imagespace.co.uk/100-years In October 1919 Takeshi Yamashita founded Olympus as we know it today. At the time it specialised in the manufacture of microscopes and thermometers. www.olympus.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 8 February 2019 | BPI News

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Is it time to change?

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Are you currently outsourcing your printing to a photo lab?

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It’s technology you can put your trust in and because it will consistently deliver such extraordinary photographic quality, your customers will put their trust in you.

Contact Tetenal now for a full demonstration. *Futuresource Consulting 2017 research in Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, UK. Epson is the leading vendor of dry minilab sales in H2 2016 & H1 2017 in 13 Western Europe Markets.

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e-mail : marketing@tetenal.uk.com | Tel: 0116 289 3644 | www.tetenaluk.com

BPI News Product Focus

MAC GROUP POWERS TRADE WITH JUPIO

Pro-active distributor MAC Group Europe is kicking off 2019 with the addition of an exciting new brand to its product portfolio in power and flashgun specialist Jupio. BPI News learns more…

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egular readers will be well aware by now that MAC Group Europe is growing into something of the proverbial one-stop shop when it comes to photo accessories. Whether it’s offering Tenba bags or Benro tripods (with further brands being MeFoto and Shimoda), it’s typically got the right size, shape, specification, and just as importantly price, to facilitate you in making a sale.

Now news reaches us that the distributor has added one thing that’s been absent from its line up of photo solutions until now: power. That’s arrived with the addition of new brand Jupio.

Founded in the Netherlands in 2006, MAC Group tells us that Jupio quickly became a market leader in its home country – with word rapidly spreading further afield, to the extent that its products are currently sold in more than 45 countries worldwide.

It’s now established itself as a leading manufacturer of batteries and chargers for all the major brands of cameras, camcorders, drones and power tools, while also offering powerbanks, rechargeable and alkaline batteries, plus flashguns. Now that’s what we call a bright idea.

FIRST TO MARKET High quality, innovative products at a competitive price are also key to Jupio’s appeal – as is the fact that it prides itself

Juiced up: Jupio’s comprehensive line up of power products, shown above, includes camera batteries and battery grips compatible with all the major brands, allowing you to achieve a competitive margin on sales.

Contact the team at MAC Group for more!

on being first to market with third party battery solutions. With products displayed in attractive and distinct packaging, says its UK distributor MAC Group, peace of mind for your customer base is provided

Get in touch with MAC Group direct on 01902 255500, email info@macgroupeu.com or visit the dedicated website at: www.jupio.com which lists not only a wide range

“Jupio offers an exciting new category and opportunity for us as we continue to diversify our product range.”

MAC Group Europe’s MD Gary Sutton

via a ‘no nonsense’ three-year warranty.

“Jupio offers an exciting new category and opportunity for us as we continue to diversify our product range,” enthuses MAC Group Europe’s Managing Director Gary Sutton, a familiar face to those in the UK photo trade “These products are not only about performance, they also offer great value for money as well as a competitive margin for photo retailers”.

With Jupio currently offering 35 compatible battery grips and handgrips for DSLR and mirrorless cameras from Canon, Nikon, Pentax, Fuji, Sony, Olympus and Panasonic, to take just one example, the promise is the same high quality look and feel as the original. Its camera battery portfolio covers more than 450 different options for all of the above brands with the addition of Leica. The batteries are described as ‘the best quality cells, at least as good as the originals’.

Gary adds that the Jupio range is available now to order. See side panel for a snapshot of the current product line up.

of available product, but details which product relates to which particular model of camera. www.macgroupeu.com

& At a glance: Jupio products available now via MAC Group Europe: n Camera and camcorder batteries n Kit option comprising two batteries and charger n Universal chargers n Dedicated battery chargers n Battery grips n Powerbanks n Flashguns

Get in touch with MAC Group NOW to place an order for its new Jupio power products on 01902 255500 10 February 2019 | BPI News

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Minilab News

NEW LINE UP, NEW OPPORTUNITIES VIA PHOTOXPORT Noritsu’s official UK distributor is further expanding its portfolio of print solutions with the exciting addition of compact devices from OKI and French brand PM2S, as MD Derek Fieldhouse explains

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ollowing an increased turnover last year to the tune of an additional £1M, largely thanks to sales of its Noritsu Green III and Green IV dry labs and 3704G wet lab, PhotoXport is hitting the ground running in 2019.

It’s added new brands and devices to its portfolio of leading print solutions – and is teasing yet more to come.

“We had our best year ever in 2018,” enthuses MD Derek Fieldhouse.

“And now it’s a new year, we have a new line up and new opportunities for photo retailers.”

Coming in the first quarter and receiving their launch at The Photography Show in March are a desktop plus a UV inkjet printing system, which are already up for exploration at PhotoXport’s website.

“We’ve got massive interest in the small footprint of a desktop IJ UV printer, manufactured to European standard which we’re distributing for the UK,” Derek continues, outlining PM2S branded devices offering A1, A2 and A4 print sizes. “The first unit will be on display at The Photography Show, and pre-orders are now open for anyone who wants one.

“This is not new technology: it’s an inkjet print head – on some machines there’s two of them, whereas on the smaller ones there’s one – which can print on anything: toilet seats, glasses, mugs, stone, leather, plastic, ceramic, Perspex. As it prints a high-resolution

Double whammy: Distributor PhotoXport has a pair of new offerings for 2019 in a desktop inkjet UV printer (shown left) and the OKI Pro Series (on right)... which you can pre-order now and see demo’d at The Photography Show next month!

image, it then ‘cures’ it with UV light.

“What is new is the compact footprint.

Before this you had to spend £100K or thereabouts. This smaller version allows for bespoke jobs. The A4 machine will fit in a retail shop, which is going to make for an exciting time for that particular product. It will allow you to offer an additional range of products that you can fulfill while people wait. I’ve printed an image on a bathroom tile, for example.”

An introductory video to the digital UV flatbed printers, which shows a device printing directly on a pair of glass tankards, can be found via the link: www.photoxport.com/ content/digital-uv-flatbed-printer

to take folded sheets, creased paper, perforated paper, plus it can handle media with a 360g density, which is quite chunky. A further unique feature is that it can put the colour white down first, which makes a massive difference and gives you a stunning 3D-like effect.

You can do spot white as well, there’s a envelope feeder, and it can do 50 pages a minute. It’s ideal though for the gifting market – there’s loads of things it can do, including a double sided, three page menu, ideal for the local curry house.

“OKI UK asked us if we’d be interested in becoming a reseller partner – OKI has already been working closely with Noritsu in the US – and I’ve been educated in the product. But I think the Pro Series will sell itself, “We had our best year ever in 2018. And especially once people see now it’s a new year, we have a new line up a demo on our stand.” and new opportunities for photo retailers.”

Derek teases that product PhotoXport MD Derek Fieldhouse from an additional major Japanese supplier – yet to be revealed – will also be presented at THUMBS UP FOR OKI ‘TPS’. More details are to follow nearer PhotoXport has also signed up to the time. In short, it looks like this be an OKI printer dealer for 2019, year is going to be as busy – possibly with Pro Series product, including even busier – for PhotoXport than the the Pro 9541 with envelope feeder previous one, so make sure your own and C911 A3 colour printer also business is on board for the ride. promised for The Photography Show.

To see demos of the above be sure to swing “A key feature with the OKI is the

by PhotoXport’s stand at The Photography design, which is unique in how it feeds Show this March. Or to get in quick and the paper,” Derek explains. “It has a place an order for any of the above solutions, flatbed feed – in that the paper runs call Derek now on 0116 2675907. along the bottom – which allows it www.photoxport.com

Two new printer offerings from PhotoXport for 2019: the OKI Pro Series & French brand PM2S. Call 0116 267 5907 for more NEVER MISS AN ISSUE! Read BPI News online at issuu.com/bpinewsonline

BPI News | February 2019 11

News

NEW CANON UK & IRELAND MD Effective as of January 1st this year, Canon has a new MD in Yusuke Mizoguchi, who the company says brings 35 years of experience to his new role, having previously held a number of positions across Canon’s core markets.

As recently as April last year, for example, he was appointed Canon Europe’s Head of Business & Information Services & Project Division, and prior to that he held the post of Managing Director of Canon Oceania. In fact, Yusuke has spent most of his career with Canon outside of his native Japan, having worked across six different countries, including Germany and the United States.

Yusuke replaces Stephen Bates, Canon UK and Ireland’s former MD, who it says has now left the company to explore new ventures.

New 4K camcorder series from Panasonic With the worlds of photography and video merging somewhat of late, we don’t come across standalone camcorder launches that often, especially at a price that could conceivably be within the reach of the well-heeled enthusiast. Panasonic’s 4K video shooting AG-CX350, arriving this month at £3,415 SRP, is said to be suitable for broadcast and streaming applications – in being claimed as the first in the industry to provide NDI/HX connectivity – and comes with a 24.5mm wide angle lens, 1-inch sensor plus 20x optical zoom. Video at 4K or Full HD resolution can also be recorded to SDXC card, while the relatively compact and portable unit weighs 1.9Kg. Describing the camcorder as an ‘all rounder’, Panasonic believes it will be just at home filming short documentaries and student films as it will streaming corporate events. https://business.panasonic.co.uk/professional-camera/ag-cx350

www.canon.co.uk

PERMAJET AWARDED ‘BEST PROFESSIONAL PAPER’ The inkjet print media specialist has bagged a fifth win in a row at The Societies’ Trade Awards, this time for its Photo Lustre 310 paper, originally launched at The Photography Show 2018. The acknowledgment is all the sweeter for PermaJet because the awards are voted for by the organisation’s membership – i.e the photographers who are actually using the paper.

“Photo Lustre 310 was launched just 10 months ago at TPS, making this a fantastic achievement,” says PermaJet National Sales Manager Jeremy Pridgeon (pictured on right, alongside The Societies’ Ben Jones). “It’s also been nominated for the Photography News awards for Inkjet Media: Photographic Finish, so it’s an all-round very successful first year for this paper.”

As BPI News noted last April, the pitch for Photo Lustre 310 is that it offers the missing piece that many photographers look for, with the heavily sought after lustre finish, combined with a 310gsm weight, creating a high quality paper at an affordable price.

Its properties include a bright white base that helps colours leap off the page.

Alternatively, the white base and high ‘D-Max’ (maximum density) are also well suited to monochrome images, with deep blacks, strong highlights and a vast tonal range provided. Scuff resistant properties are said to overshadow other

surfaces in the marketplace, making this paper suitable for many printing applications, while that luxurious lustre surface provides the finishing touch.

In short, this award winning paper is a sound choice for photo retailers and labs looking for a lustre paper that’s a step above the rest. For the trade, the paper is available in sheet sizes of 6x4-inches, 7x5, A4, A3, A3+ and A2. It’s also available in rolls of 17, 24, 36, 44 or 60 inches in width, which are 30 metres in length. www.permajet.com

To add Photo Lustre 310 to your stock, contact: sales@permajet.com 12 February 2019 | BPI News

www.bpinews.co.uk

BPI News Product Focus

WIZARD NEWS FOR XP DISTRIBUTION

Birmingham based XP Distribution has kicked off 2019 by announcing an exciting partnership with PocketWizard, the long established industry leader for wireless control of cameras, remote flash and strobe lighting. BPI News learns more…

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P Distribution has been appointed UK and Europe distributor for Stateside brand PocketWizard, a name that will already be on the radar of just about everybody in the camera trade – and even those with a passing interest in photography outside of it, such is the ubiquitous use of its products. PocketWizard slots seamlessly into XP Distribution’s existing line up of distributed products, which includes hardware, software, accessories and consumables for the digital imaging market.

Based out of Burlington, Vermont, USA, PocketWizard’s manufacturer LPA Design – for those who need to get up to speed – constructs wireless triggering systems for photographers to control and synchronize cameras, remote flashes and strobe lighting.

“We couldn’t be happier that LPA Design have chosen XP Distribution to support their European strategy,” enthuses XP Distribution’s Managing Director Geoffrey Clements. “Our significant marketing resources, coupled with account management teams, will, as key partners, allow us to grow the business and build the presence of PocketWizard in the UK and European markets.”

TRIGGERING SUCCESS FOR PHOTO RETAILERS It goes without saying that, for enthusiast and pro photographers, PocketWizard wireless triggers have become the industry standard in their field over a number of years, largely due to their quality and reliability.

The pitch is that they’re ideal both for seasoned pros seeking a fresh creative approach to their photography, plus new photographers seeking to free their flash from their camera – thanks, in part, to PocketWizard’s patented HyperSync technology. In short, with a PocketWizard in their camera bag, or indeed pocket, photographers can achieve the perfect shot, anytime, anywhere.

“Photographers in Europe will benefit greatly from our new partnership with

New from XP Distribution for 2019: A comprehensive line up of PocketWizard products compatible with the major camera brands, which you’ll be able to demo first hand at The Photography Show next month!

“Our significant marketing resources, coupled with account management teams, will, as key partners, allow us to grow the business and build the presence of PocketWizard in the UK and European markets.”

XP Distribution MD Geoffrey Clements XP Distribution,” believes LPA Design’s President and CEO Matthew Bean.

“Their connections and expertise in the industry will ensure easy access to PocketWizard products and enable photographers to achieve their creative vision. We’re thrilled to be working with the highest calibre team in Europe.”

PocketWizard products will be available for live demo at the Photography Show stand C91. In the meantime the UK photo trade can place orders for stock now via XP Distribution.

Contact sales@xpdistribution.com or call 0330 440 0189. For more visit www.xpdistribution.com

POCKETWIZARD CRIB SHEET Your at-a-glance guide to the key features to pitch to customers: n PocketWizard allows the triggering of multiple cameras and lights simultaneously n PocketWizard’s HyperSync feature provides never before possible shutter speeds with any flash; for example, up to 1/8000th sec is possible with some camera and flash combinations n It can trigger cameras and flash up to 500 metres away, and with sequential triggering

n PocketWizard Wireless Triggering Systems feature the MiniTT1, FlexTT5 and Flex TT6 with TTL capability for Canon, Nikon, Olympus and Panasonic, as well as the MultiMAX II, Plus III, Plus IV and PlusX with manual control of remote flashes, enabling fluid and untethered triggering between all components of a photographic system n A high quality, reliable product proven over a number of years

Place your order for PocketWizard products now via XP Distribution. Email sales@xpdistribution.com or call 0330 440 0189 @bpi_news

BPI News | February 2019 13

BPI News Product Focus

THE FUTURE’S BRIGHT WITH ROTOLIGHT

Going from strength to strength, family run lighting specialist Rotolight is a British success story.

Currently looking to recruit a UK Sales Manager, among other key roles, we re-cap on what makes this innovative company tick…

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ased at Pinewood Studios, the heart of the British film industry and location of the famous Bond stage, photo and video lighting specialist Rotolight is not only a homegrown success story, its success is all the sweeter because it’s a family business.

Overseen by father and son – Chairman Rod Gammons and MD Rod Aaron Gammons, respectively – it’s not a great surprise to learn that the company was first conceived around the family’s kitchen table 11 years ago, or that now, even with a larger team, still maintains a close-knit culture with an emphasis on teamwork.

CLOSE-KNIT CULTURE, INDUSTRY-STANDARD PRODUCT Since its formation, Rotolight has developed and manufactured a whole host of LED lighting solutions for use in the creative industries (many of which we’ve highlighted in BPI News over the past two or three years). Its innovative approach is such that, from its first ever LED continuous light, the RL48, to its latest flagship studio light in the Anova PRO 2, its well-built, well performing and competitively priced products have quickly become ‘industry standard’.

Recognition is such that Rotolight can now lay claim to being the most

From its first ever LED continuous light, the RL48, to its latest flagship studio light in the Anova PRO 2, Rotolight’s wellbuilt, well performing and competitively priced products have quickly become ‘industry standard’.” highly awarded LED lighting brand to date, with more than 20 official accolades to its name from photo and

Rotolight has won international awards for its home grown lighting innovations, including its industrystandard Anova PRO 2, seen here

broadcast magazines and trade bodies, most of them, naturally, focusing on its innovative approach. Added to this, acclaim has been given to its superior build quality and features that not only give superb results, but save time and money into the bargain for their users.

As the photos on this spread indicate, Rotolight’s products are regularly used by some of the top photographers and filmmakers working today around the globe, including celebrity photographers Greg Gorman and Mark Mann, wedding and portrait photographer Jason Lanier, plus the

A bright spark? Apply to join the fast growing Rotolight: Send your CV to helen@rotolight.com 14 February 2019 | BPI News

www.bpinews.co.uk

Rotolight Promotion UK’s own Terry Donnelly, like Jason a fellow ‘Master of Light’ ambassador.

The company’s lights have lit some of the most renowned and recognisable faces in the showbusiness industry, including Benedict Cumberbatch, Gillian Anderson, Sir Elton John, Jean Reno and Mads Mikkelsen.

On top of this, Rotolight has sold hundreds of thousands of products in over 41 countries worldwide, to customers including Disney, the BBC, ITV’s ‘Dancing On Ice’, Formula One and CNN – while its products have been used on feature films including James Bond ‘Skyfall’ and Tom Hanks’ ‘Captain Phillips’.

A TEAM WORTH BEING PART OF Looking forward, Rotolight reveals that it has aggressive growth plans, with an exciting product roadmap in place for the next five years and beyond that sees it promising to deliver more

power, functionality and versatility to users than ever before. As it’s currently looking for new staff you could be part of the next stage of the journey.

Though it is seeking individuals to fulfill particular vacancies at present (see job advert below), the firm is recruiting for many other marketing, sales and administrative roles, and invites speculative applications via helen@rotolight.com

A D V A N C E D

Star quality: the worlds of film and TV as well as photography have warmed to Rotolight, as its continuous light and high speed sync flash capabilities appeal to both disciplines

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COMPETITIVE SALARY OFFERED, TOGETHER WITH A FULL BENEFITS PACKAGE UK SALES UK MANAGER SALES UK SALES MANAGER MANAGER Please send your CV, contact details and covering letter telling us about yourself and why INTERNATIONAL INTERNATIONAL INTERNATIONAL SALES MANAGER SALES SALES MANAGER MANAGER you’d be suitable for the role/s to: helen@rotolight.com

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Send yourSend CV &your Cover Send CVLetter &your Cover to: CVLetter recruitment@rotolight.com &23/11/2017 Cover to: recruitment@rotolight.com to: recruitment@rotolight.com 14:48Letter NEVER MISS AN ISSUE! Read BPI News online at issuu.com/bpinewsonline BPI News | February 2019 15

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BPI News Extra

OLYMPUS CELEBRATES 100TH YEAR WITH E-M1X LAUNCH A ‘flagship reimagined’: Olympus debuts its new pro spec mirrorless camera, sitting alongside the E-M1 Mark II rather than directly replacing it. BPI News attended an exclusive London preview…

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lympus has gone big with its latest camera, the 20-megapixel and Cinema 4K shooting E-M1X. Not back breaking-ly big, obviously, but, with the addition of a built-in dual battery grip boosting performance to a generous 2,580 shots from a full two-hour charge, it certainly looks and feels like it means business for those wanting a professional camera, yet in a smaller (Four Thirds) format.

Using it to take photographs is closer to the experience of shooting with a DSLR than previous generations of OM-D. That said, its compatible Micro Four Thirds lenses – including a new 150-400mm f/4.5 super telephoto in development, plus a MC-20 2x teleconverter that doubles the focal length – remain just as compact as before, meaning that the whole package is still a much more portable alternative to a pro end, full frame DSLR. With rival firms introducing full frame sensors and bigger mounts of late, Olympus’ UK Marketing Manager Georgina Pavelin told us her company is “100% committed” to Micro Four Thirds. “We’re dedicated to this technology and we believe it’s the future and the way forward.”

In terms of the E-M1X’s intended audience and who you should be pitching it to, wildlife and sports photographers are firmly in its sights, thanks to an impressively swift 18fps capture speed for 74 continuous Raw frames, or up to 60fps with AF locked. It also features intelligent tracking with specific AF modes optimized for photographing trains, airplanes and motorsports. “The speed of this camera

OLYMPUS E-M1X CRIB SHEET Your at-a-glance guide to the key features to pitch to customers: n Dual battery grip featuring two BLH-1 batteries delivering up to 2,580 images from a full charge (chargeable via camera’s USB port) n 18fps capture speed for up to 74 Raw files, or up to 60fps with AF locked, making it ideal for sports and wildlife photographers n 20 megapixel stills and 4K video n 121 All Cross Type Phase Detection Auto Focus system n Tilt and swivel touch screen LCD n £2799.99 SRP (body only) with £200 pre-order trade-in offer running until March 15th

Professional hit: Olympus is breaking with tradition on the E-M1X by including a built in dual battery grip rather than offering it as an optional accessory, thereby making for a larger and sturdier mirrorless offering

is insane,” underlines Georgina.

An initial launch offer for UK consumers sees Olympus offer a £200 trade in ‘bonus’ pre-order offer until March 15th 2019. UK SRP for the E-M1X is otherwise £2799.99 body only.

GRIPPING STUFF

“Olympus is 100% committed to Micro Four Thirds. We’re dedicated to this technology.”

Olympus UK Marketing Manager Georgina Pavelin

The provision of the body-integral grip not only gives your photographer customers’ additional power, but also improved ergonomics. Olympus told us at their preview that the controls – buttons and multi-selector joystick – have been re-positioned on the E-M1X to make for easier capture when holding the camera both horizontally and vertically.

The body is also weather resistant.

Other features worth highlighting include a tilt and swivel touch screen

LCD that can be swung out parallel to the body in camcorder-like fashion. In terms of reliability, it features a durable shutter, tested to 400K actuations, plus a customisable menu system. Stills and videos are recorded to dual card slots – with SD being the media of choice.

This port is protected by a twist and lock release, which Olympus told us incorporates weather proofing inspired by its Tough compact camera series.

With two TruePic VIII engines on board, the E-M1X offers 5-axis in-built image stabilization, which on this model provides a claimed equivalent of 7.5 steps.

Plus while the camera sensor’s headline resolution is 20.4 megapixels, to further up the desirability for pros we also get a 50MP high resolution Handheld Shot option, plus a whopping 80MP Tripod High Resolution Shot facility. With support for Olympus Workspace image management software offered, photographers also have the further option of shooting via Wi-Fi or tethered, while GPS is builtin. In short, the E-M1X is probably the most comprehensively featured camera Olympus has released in quite some time. www.olympus.co.uk

Deal with it: Olympus is offering a £200 trade in bonus to encourage sales of the E-M1X, an offer running until March 15th 16 February 2019 | BPI News

www.bpinews.co.uk

Image credits: Chris Eyre-Walker & Fernando Marmolejo

ABSOLUTE CONFIDENCE. This is the E-M1X – an all new category of OM-D for the demanding professional.

Building on unrivalled OM-D system mobility, the E-M1X is tougher, faster and smarter with the world’s best image stabilisation* and stand out new capabilities including 50MP HiRes handheld shooting.

Built-in vertical grip houses two batteries for extended shooting with optimal ergonomic design for pro photographers. All new shutter mechanism is tested to 400,000 actuations. Re-developed autofocus system takes high-speed performance to another level with twin processors while the new MyMenu option provides the ultimate in customised operability.

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.

Minilab News

FUJIFILM’S INDEPENDENT PHOTO RETAILERS REPORT POSITIVE OUTLOOK FOR 2019 BPI News surveys a group of photo independents partnered with Fujifilm to get their take on how the brand has helped them to develop and build their business, with a view to taking things further this year…

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ujifilm is known for the personal touch when looking after its independent photo retail partners – not running their businesses for them, obviously, but providing solid support and advice nonetheless.

That attention to detail is timely and apposite, as personalisation is also seen as the way forward as regards the print industry in getting the general public to print more, and more often.

In terms of trade-facing activities for 2019, Fujifilm’s photo imaging division is at the following shows this year: NEC for Spring Fair (Feb 3rd to 7th), The Pharmacy Show (June 10th to July 10th), Autumn Fair (Sept 1st to 4th) as well as a number of preChristmas roadshows (probably in October) across the UK. As the photo imaging arm of Fujifilm won’t have a major presence at The Photography Show this year (Mar 16th to 19th) – apart from production of sample prints for photographers visiting its X-series camera bar – these will be its main platforms for demonstrating new products and initiatives to independent photo retailers.

Peter Wigington, Marketing Manager for Photo Imaging, comments: “We know from the feedback at last year’s roadshows that our independent retailers are keen to meet us face to face so we have planned to give them more opportunities to do so. We can’t run their businesses for them, obviously, but need to be able to share our ideas and initiatives, give practical support and get feedback wherever and whenever we can.

That is what a good sales and marketing department should always be doing.”

DEALERS SPEAK Obviously you don’t have to take Fujifilm’s word for it. Its dealer network echoes Peter’s sentiments, as regards the practical support received.

Take Calvin Fowler, who runs The Cabin in Worcester, for instance –a family business since 1980, which has

traditionally offered a bit of everything, from picture frames to key cutting. Part of the Fujifilm network just over a year and located 100 yards off one of the shopping main streets in Worcester, it’s rapidly become a ‘destination’ for local clientele.

“The reason we made the initial enquiry with Fujifilm – to find out how we could print our own pictures – was because we used to get a lot of people coming in with their folders of prints from Boots or Max Spielmann and asking for frames,” explains Calvin.

“From then on, it’s been smooth sailing.

Their business development team of Paul (Henry; equipment specialist) and Wendy (Gray; business consultant) came to visit us at our request and had a look at our premises and we went from there.

I think we’d originally seen them and their kiosks at Spring Fair, and we knew Fujifilm was an established brand.

“Their advice was to have two Fujifilm DPC10 Imagine kiosks linked to our

Epson 24-inch wide format printer.

We deal with a lot of local artists so that configuration gives us scope to do larger prints as well as fine art printing.

We haven’t pushed it; yet that demand continues to grow organically.

“Support has been excellent from Fujifilm – even when it’s stuff that’s outside of their job description. We’d had a refurbishment in 2016 already, but we created a special new area on the shop floor for the kiosks. And it’s helped increase spend from customers who would maybe have just otherwise come in for frames, certainly.”

Another Fujifilm success story is J&A Cameras in Barnstaple, which now has three Fujifilm DPC10 Imagine kiosks and a Fujifilm DL600 Drylab Printer, as its Sales Director Andy Robinson divulges: “Over the past year we’ve been gradually trying to explore some of the extras that Fujifilm do, such as the photo blocks and canvasses. Personalised photo gifts

Worcester source: Calvin Fowler of The Cabin, which offers ‘a bit of everything’, reports that installing two Fujifilm kiosks linked to a wide format printer has prompted increased spend from his customers

Boost your print sales in 2019! Get in touch with Peter direct on 01234 572138 or via photoprintservices_uk@fujifilm.com 18 February 2019 | BPI News

www.bpinews.co.uk

Fujifilm Advertorial Barnstormin’ in Barnstable: Three Fujifilm kiosks plus a drylab printer has enabled J&A Cameras to take advantage of the growth in demand for personalised photo gifts and increase its emphasis on printing

We’re looking at doing more little shows and demo days in 2019 to remind people that we’re still here and that there is an independent trade. It’s hard work, but Fujifilm are doing a good job of emphasising the value of a print.”

Andy Robinson, Sales Director, J&A Cameras is about the only growth area in the market right now, so we’re looking to take advantage of that. We’ve got more samples to show and have biased our social media activity towards those products, as well as changing the emphasis in the shop.

“We’re still very much a camera store – but at the same time we’ve made a definite move towards D&P – so more of the shop has been set aside for frames and examples of what we can print. Because of the effect of smartphones on compact camera sales, you need that footfall from passport photos and people printing pictures. The hope is that they’ll in turn be inspired to buy a dedicated camera, and we’re telling them that it’s no good just leaving pictures on their phones or hard drive. It’s hard work, but to be fair to Fujifilm, they’re doing a good job of emphasising the value of a print.”

That said, Andy feels that there’s almost too many print options for the customer, and that by narrowing it down to three or four – or a time limited offer on a specific product – there’s a better chance of his team making a sale. As regards 2019 specifically, while noting that business is challenging, he adds: “We’re confident.

The ideal for this year is that we’ll have more in-store demo days and that the industry becomes ‘trendy’ again, in order to attract the people with phones, who we’re seeing gravitating to buying mirrorless cameras. But there’s more to be done. We need to engage with the customer, tell them why we’re here and what printing, in particular, can do.”

This year, J&A Cameras has another reason to celebrate: namely its 40th

anniversary of trading, which is an excellent promotional hook to ‘hang’ its promotions on. “We’re looking at doing more little shows to remind people that we’re still here and that there is an independent trade. As recognition of our 40th year, we knocked 40% off wedding photography bookings taken in January to help kick start things.”

Other promotions have seen it enjoying success with photo borders on prints. “It gives photos a vintage look and is something that the rest of the high street doesn’t generally do.

We can charge an extra quid for it, and it’s as easy as pressing a button to achieve. It’s about finding the little things that can help us. General printing has been increasing, overall, which is good news and which I put down to

Creating demand: Click Click in Bishop’s Stortford (owner Linsey Trundle shown inset) has fully adopted the Wonder Photo Shop concept to provide a friendly and welcoming environment for customers, as below

our greater proactivity and showing customers some of the other things that they can do with their pictures.”

CONTINUED SUCCESS, FROM ONE YEAR TO NEXT Another Fujifilm network retailer with eyes firmly set on making the most of 2019 is Bishop’s Stortford’s Click Click.

Owner Lindsey Trundle puts her success down to a diversity of product offerings, being first to market plus picking up on things before other people do. Added to that mix is, of course, great customer service. Since we last spoke with Lindsey, Click Click has also fully adopted the open and artisan-like Wonder Photo Shop concept. “We’ve created an environment where people feel they can come in and ask the silliest question and won’t get laughed at,” she says.

“We’ve got a Boots down the road from us, and people will come in and say ‘Oh, I’ve just spent 20 minutes trying to print this picture.’ We’ll take time to show them how the process works, even if it’s just for a couple of prints. We know then that they’ll come back to us in the future; it’s all about building customer relations. People want things fast, and with us they can either have instant prints, printed on a Fujifilm DX100 Drylab printer, or they can choose our Express service, which they can come back for in 20 to 30 minutes.”

Click Click has noticed an increase in demand for such staple offerings. “A lot of it is to do with speed. Also, we’re

Boost your print sales in 2019! Get in touch with Peter direct on 01234 572138 or via photoprintservices_uk@fujifilm.com NEVER MISS AN ISSUE! Read BPI News online at issuu.com/bpinewsonline

BPI News | February 2019 19

Minilab News “This is my ‘inspiration shelf,” says Lindsey Trundle. “We sell so much from it, including best sellers slates, cushions and panels. It was made to fill an area that was pretty much ‘dead space’. “

quite active with the Fujifilm Imagine Mobile app and have a lot of people who will order in the evening and come in and collect prints the next day. While they’re in, they might buy a frame or see something they didn’t know was available and then you’ll see them again a few days later because they’ve decided they want to put all their Disney pictures in a collage, on a panel or canvas. So we’re trying to tap into our online customers as well as those people who like to come into the shop, browse and have a chat.”

While online is increasing, Lindsey advises it’s still 10% of the business. “At the beginning it was all prints, but now we’ll get orders for canvasses, photo books, mugs and coasters. Although we offer around 25 different items there are three or four that are the biggest sellers – but you still have to offer all the options.”

Big sellers for Click Click include customer photos printed onto pieces of natural slate. “The initial slate sample didn’t look nice, but when I put a photo on it suddenly looked really good. I’ve added it to my inspiration shelf, which is just when customers come in the door, and people just love them; it was our biggest seller at Christmas, and I almost wrote them off and didn’t do them.”

An 18-inch cushion with full print is flagged up as another winner, while mugs will always be a top seller, reckons Lindsey. Photo panels – as it sounds putting a photo on a lightweight panel an inch and a half deep – are another big hit. “It’s similar to a canvas once it’s up, but it’s cheaper for the customer and cheaper and easier for us to make – we can do one in half an hour. There’s no waiting two days for a canvas – it’s in and out.” The panels can be displayed freestanding or hung straight away.

Even better is the fact that Click Click enjoys a healthy profit on them.

Asked whether she’ll be changing anything as we head into 2019, Lindsey will be continuing to observe what everyone else is doing and adding to her

range, with trade shows including Spring Fair being good for research. “I also do a bit of commercial printing at the moment and plan to push that. My background is actually page makeup – creating programmes for events and things like that – so I’ll make the money on the design and putting it together and then I’ll get someone to print it for me. I think print and photo work well together, so that could be where I’m moving to next.”

Also partnered with Fujifilm to focus on opportunities for 2019 is Graham Hiscock, proprietor of Camelot Photographic in

Graham also cites the Fujifilm Imagine Mobile app as an aide to business, bringing in orders for traditional photo prints mainly, but also photo books. “So picture framing, photo printing and passports we do very well with. We also use the Fujifilm software upgrade for digital online passport renewals, which is becoming more popular. It takes a lot of hassle out of it if we can guarantee that those photos will actually be accepted by the Passport Office; all the customers have to do is apply online.”

Encouraging his customers to download the Fujifilm Imagine Mobile app to their phone is as simple as Graham making available a promotional leaflet with his store’s code on the back of it. “For 2019 we’re trying to get more people to use the app, because obviously that’s working quite well for us. As far as the shop is concerned, we’re probably going to revamp it even more and give it a fresh coat of paint and new flooring, because it’s important to try and create the right

Print is ‘king’ in Camelot: owner Graham Hiscock (pictured) is feeling positive about 2019, aiming to get more of his customers using the Fujifilm Imagine Mobile app to place orders they can subsequently collect in store

Picture framing, photo printing and passports we do very well with.

We also use the Fujifilm software upgrade for digital online passport renewals, which is becoming more popular.”

Graham Hiscock, Camelot Photographic Wincanton, who have been with Fujifilm since the year 2000. Like the others surveyed here, his business seems to be rising to meet the challenge of a tough market, as he notes: “Everything’s very positive; we’re up slightly year on year, which is good. We always sell lots of frames and for the past five years we’ve done picture framing too as an extra on site, as well as transferring video and cine film to DVD. Diversity is key!”

brand image. We’re looking at using display crates rather than the traditional shop shelving. It’s not completely the Wonder Photo Shop concept as Fujifilm suggested, but we’ve taken their ideas on board and are going along those lines.”

As ever, the man to speak to in order to get your business fit and ready to take on 2019, is Fujifilm Marketing Manager Peter Wigington. See the bottom of this page for the essential contact details.

Boost your print sales in 2019! Get in touch with Peter direct on 01234 572138 or via photoprintservices_uk@fujifilm.com 20 February 2019 | BPI News

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BPI News Product Focus

SIGMA’S ‘ART’ BOASTS WIDE APPEAL BPI News takes Sigma’s latest 28mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art wide-angle prime lens, for which pricing and stock has arrived this month, for a test spin

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vailable now in Sigma, Canon EF and Nikon F mounts, with a Sony E-mount version to follow, the Sigma 28mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art was first announced at last September’s Photokina, and featured in our October edition’s show report.

Now we can bring you more details, including its freshly announced £1,099.99 price tag plus immediate availability. On top of that we’ve also been gifted a chunky, solidfeeling Canon-fit sample with brass bayonet mount to have a play with.

HIGHLY ANTICIPATED, CAPABLE PERFORMER Pitched as the ‘most anticipated lens for wide angle prime enthusiasts’, the 28mm f/1.4 has been designed to offer a best-in-class performance in all shooting conditions, with a water and oil repellent coating to its front lens element and dust and splash proof structure.

The lens construction incorporates two FLD (‘F’ Low Dispersion) glass

elements, three SLD (Special Low Dispersion) glass elements, plus three aspherical lenses, all designed to correct any chromatic aberration that use of wide angle lenses may throw up. The Hyper Sonic Motor (the ‘HSM’ in the model name) is one of the elements providing a speedy AF. As to the use your customers should be putting it to, think street photography, as well as shooting night skies, and, obviously, landscapes.

Perhaps the jewel in the crown, however, is the super fast/bright f/1.4 maximum aperture provided. Even on an overcast day we were able to drop the camera’s ISO down to ISO100 to attempt to maximise detail and avoid over-exposed images. Plus, if your photographer customers are attempting still life, portraits or close up shots with this lens, they’re going to be blessed with a shallow depth of field that seductively blurs the background, enabling the elements that are rendered sharply in focus to really ‘pop’. AF response was so swift we at times didn’t notice the camera was focusing, while, if busy scenes do confuse whichever body it’s attached to, there’s the ability to rapidly flick the switch on the lens barrel itself to manual and adjust the focus ring as necessary to find your sweet spot.

As we’d expect, the Japanese made 28mm f/1.4 comes with a lens hood and lens cap straight out of the box, plus a snug lens case to carry and protect it in. It’s worth mentioning that a degree of future proofing is additionally provided via compatibility with the Sigma USB Dock (save for the forthcoming Sony E-mount version).

It all adds up to an optic worth looking into, in order to focus sales to photo enthusiasts. www.sigma-imaging-uk.com

IMAGE QUALITY Come weather fair or ‘fowl’, the bright f/1.4 aperture of Sigma’s wide angle 28mm prime lens makes it suited to the capture of a myriad of subjects, each frame packing in plenty of detail

BPI News All lenses is your sold mouthpiece via Sigma Imaging to the photo UK come trade, with so use the it! benefit Send of your a three pressyear releases limited and warranty. news items www.sigma-imaging-uk.com direct to: info@bpinews.co.uk @bpi_news

BPI News | February 2019 21

2019 Gear Preview

THE SHAPE OF THINGS TO COME

A new year means new gear. With that in mind we round up the most anticipated products coming the way of photo retailers and their customer base in 2019…

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f 2018 was finally ‘the year of mirrorless’ after almost a decade in the making – and full frame mirrorless at that, with an increasing number of manufacturers cramming larger sensors into smaller bodies – what does 2019 hold for us?

If the trend continues and the only way is up, will this, for example, be the year of medium format mirrorless?

While such products are admittedly niche, the idea isn’t as ridiculous as it might once have seemed, especially with Fuji growing its GFX range late last year to two current models and one forthcoming one; its General Manager Toshi Iida creatively pitching medium format digital as the equivalent of ‘super full frame; plus Leica introducing its own S3 upgraded medium format camera, scheduled to arrive this spring.

Such innovations allow the manufacturers of dedicated digital cameras to further distance themselves from the great leaps in technology currently happening in the mobile phone market. While we were attending previews of the latest digital cameras before and after Christmas 2018, we also attended two smartphone launches from Huawei off-shoot Honor – one for a 20 megapixel handset costing just under £200, and the other for a consumer phone with a whopping 48 megapixel resolution (incorporating Sony’s latest sensor). At both these launches the phones’ camera capabilities were the major focus – much more so than audio quality or connectivity. That said, they weren’t expecting professional photographers to ditch their DSLRs and mirrorless for a smartphone instead – not just yet.

MEDIUM FORMAT MORE ACCESSIBLE THAN EVER Thankfully, then, for those of us with a vested interest in it, there’s innovation still happening in the digital camera market too. At one time medium format digital photography was hideously expensive and thus its appeal limited to the high end professional. However that is changing – and while still expensive

Seen behind glass at Photokina 2018: Fujifilm’s forthcoming 100 megapixel GFX mirrorless medium format camera

‘3’ to the power: a new medium format camera is also on the way very shortly from premium brand Leica

when compared to a DSLR or mirrorless camera, at least it’s no longer hideously so.

With the GFX 50R from Fujifilm having already joined the original GFX 50S from 2017, next up from the brand is the resolution doubling GFX 100 Megapixels model – reportedly the GFX 100S. While, as noted, we’re not expecting any of these to be mass market devices that prompt the general public to put down their phones and tablets and start shooting at a quality that will allow their imagery to be comfortably reproduced at billboard size, as a statement of intent it shows that Fuji has come a long way – virtually re-vamped its entire

business model – since the stack ‘em high, sell ‘em cheap days of the mid to late 2000’s, when £100 compacts would be found in the likes of Argos (a market now completely decimated by phones).

As Fujifilm’s General Manager Toshi Iida told us last year: “This is a new era of mirror-less. New models should be free from the old legacy. We must provide something way better than DSLR, otherwise there’s no point.” With the GFX 100 megapixel camera still at the concept phase when he spoke, the company stated that this will be the first 100MP mirror-less model, will feature in-body image stabilisation and will offer 4K video at 30fps, something that neither the 50S or 50R medium format models currently do. We also get an integrated vertical handgrip – something we may see more of in 2019 (see Olympus E-M1X news on page 16) – while the Fuji’s overall size and weight are said to be roughly equivalent to a high end DSLR. Back at Photokina, we were told that price is circa $10,000 + tax. So yes, not mass market by any means, but very enticing for the commercial photographer working for clients with that sort of budget, and when compared with alternatives out there.

And, at the high-end, progress continues. The wholly unexpected announcement of the L-Mount Alliance last year – a development partnership involving the camera mount’s originator Leica with both Sigma and Panasonic (see BPI News October 2018) – rather overshadowed the fact that Leica also has a new medium format camera in the Leica S3 arriving this spring. The pro grade S3 features the double whammy of a 64MP medium format sensor plus 4K cinema resolution video. Stefan Schulz, its Head of Product Management for Professional Camera Systems, describes the S3 as “an evolution of the camera rather than changing things unnecessarily”.

THE FULL FRAME TAKE-OVER CONTINUES It sometimes feels as if just about every major player in the digital camera

Agree or disagree with our thoughts on what’s to come in 2019 and how the year might play out 22 February 2019 | BPI News

www.bpinews.co.uk

2019 Gear Preview The L-mount Alliance formed of Sigma, Leica and Panasonic was a big announcement last year. This year we will start seeing the first fruits, in terms of actual physical product

market either already has a full frame mirrorless offering, or one in the offing (Olympus and Fujifilm, presently, being the exceptions). Coming out of Photokina last year, it certainly felt like that was the way the market was/ is going. Could this provide a sales opportunity for switched on retailers to

S1 and S1R will arrive at the end of March – perhaps we might even squeeze a first look at The Photography Show next month (?) – while we’ve more teases of core features on page 5 of News this issue to build anticipation. Pricing for the cameras was, however, yet to be set as we went to press. Meanwhile

At one time medium format digital photography was hideously expensive and thus limited to the high end pro. However that is changing – and while still expensive when compared to a DSLR or mirrorless camera – it’s no longer hideously so.”

Emerging from the shadows: Panasonic’s full frame L-mount S1R and compatible Lumix S 24-105mm have so far been teased only in arty press shots... or via a mock up presented at Photokina by the manufacturer’s European Marketing Manager Mike Owen (shown at Photokina last year)

encourage their customers to upgrade – not only to a mirorless camera, but a full frame mirrorless camera at that?

While Panasonic’s 100th anniversary last year passed with relatively little fanfare as regards the camera side of its business, 2018’s Photokina did throw up the announcement of a release this spring for not one but two new Lumix S series cameras that break with the manufacturer’s traditional use of the Four Thirds sensor format, substituting the larger sensor instead (that previous lack of, until now, seen by some pros as one of the system’s downsides).

We now know the full frame Panasonic

a whopping 10 new Leica L mount compatible lenses are promised for Panasonic’s newest cameras by the end of 2020, which indicates the ambition for its new system. We’ll get three new lenses early this year – presumably including the Lumix S 24-105mm teased on page 5 – the sensible guess is they’ll coincide with the cameras’ arrival.

The difference between the two ‘S’ cameras comes down to resolution.

The S1R offers 41 megapixels for “ultimate picture creation” according to its manufacturer, while the S1 gives up 24 megapixels and is aimed at those specialising in both stills and video

creations. As the brand’s Head of imaging Yosuke Yamane promised the trade last September, the new S series is “a specialised product for professionals… the culmination of Lumix DNA and worldwide optical technology.” Other features include a new Venus Engine processor, 4K video at up to 60P, double card slot for both SD and XQD media, plus three axis tilting LCD, a large, high resolution EVF offering a quality ‘very close to human vision’, dual image stabilisation system (body IS and lens IS), and plus dust and splash-proof body with sealing on all seams to prevent moisture ingress.

Panasonic Vice President Junichiro Kitagawa believes that his firm’s adoption of the L mount for its fledging ‘S’ series system “is like a rocket for us into the high end camera business. The alliance of strong players [including Leica and Sigma] will make a fundamental difference and realise significant growth for the DSC market. It will create additional business opportunities for all partners.”

To indicate that it hasn’t abandoned the Four Thirds format or Micro Four Thirds lens mount entirely, however, Panasonic has also revealed that a new Micro Four Thirds lens is in development for both stills and video shooters: the Leica DG Vario-Summilux 10-25mm f/1.7 wide angle zoom.

INNOVATION REMAINS CRITICAL Innovation in the photo market remains vitally important, as it does for any trade that relies on bigger, better, faster technology for growth. As a recent editorial in Amateur Photographer noted, without it we may not have a photo industry in 10 years time. At least for the present though, with both evolutionary and revolutionary products on the way, we have cause for excitement and optimism.

for the photo trade? Send your views and opinions to us via info@bpinews.co.uk NEVER MISS AN ISSUE! Read BPI News online at issuu.com/bpinewsonline

BPI News | February 2019 23

BPI News Awards Nominees

LAST CHANCE TO VOTE IN 2019’S BPI NEWS AWARDS

AWARDS 2019

You have only until close of February to pick your trade winners for this year. So let’s cut to the chase and give you some suggestions…

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t is almost time to hand out 2019’s BPI News Trade Awards – but first you have to tell us who, or what, you feel is most deserving. We’ve brought the voting date forward so we can award the actual winners at The Photography Show next month – and have also introduced more categories.

To aid your vote, in the previous two editions of BPI News we’ve provided suggestions of the best consumer and pro cameras from the past 12 months – plus the best campaigns and promotions.

And now, with time getting tight, let’s make it really simple for you, by listing our suggestions in each category for you to pick from. Naturally these aren’t set in stone, so if you feel there’s someone, or something we’ve missed who are more deserving, feel free to send that to us instead! See below for some pointers…

RETAILER OF THE YEAR Some Voting suggestions: Mr Cad, Grays of Westminster, Island Photo Centre, Ryde, Cameraworld, Jessops, Catch The Moment, Bristol, Lord’s Photography, Brighouse, Salisbury Photo Centre, Foto Finish, Somerset.

PRO CAMERA OF THE YEAR Voting suggestions: Nikon Z6 & Z7, Canon EOS R, Fujifilm X-H1, Fujifilm 50R, Leica M10-P, Q-P, Sony a7 III, Zeiss ZX1.

CONSUMER CAMERA OF THE YEAR Voting suggestions: Olympus E-PL9, Panasonic DC-GH5S, DC-G9, DXGX9, DMC-TZ200, FT7, LX100 II, Canon EOS M50, 2000D, 4000D, SX740 HS, SX70 HS, Removu K1 via Digital Distribution, Sony RX100 VI, Fujifilm XF10, X-T3, Nikon Coolpix P1000, Leica D-Lux7.

ACCESSORY OF THE YEAR Voting suggestions: Canon Speedlite 470EX-AI, Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG HSM, 70mm f/2.8 DG Macro Art lens, Kenro 4-in-1 Film Scanner KNSC301 / Kenro Mini Speedflash, Olympus LS-P4 Linear PCM Recorder, Triad-Orbit / Rogue FlashBender 2 / ExpoDisc 2.0 via XP Distribution, Hama Zambia bags, Tenba Axis backpacks, Ansmann Powerline Vario charger.

PRINTER OF THE YEAR (DYE SUB, DRY OR WET LAB) Voting suggestions: Noritsu QSS Green III and IV dry labs, Noritsu QSS-3901G and QSS-3904G wet labs, Epson SureColor SCP10000, SC-P20000, SC-F2100 garment printer, DNP DS620 6-inch printer, KiiPix via Swains, Canon DreamLabo via Tetenal.

PRINT MEDIA OF THE YEAR Voting suggestions: Indigo Inkjet via the DPS Group, PermaJet Photo Lustre 310, DryLab Prism 240gsm, DryLab Artist 230gsm, DryLab Pearl 240gsm, DryLab Metallic 240gsm, DryLab Matt 230gsm, Canson Infinity Baryta Prestige 340gsm.

INNOVATION OF THE YEAR Voting suggestions: Rotolight Anova PRO 2, NanGuang tube lights via Kenro, Canon Speedlite 470EX-AI.

2018’s BPI News Trade Awards saw Rotolight acclaimed for delivering Product of the Year and Tetenal winning Campaign/Promotion of the Year. Should they win again in 2019, or is there someone more deserving? Cast your vote to tell us!

LAUNCH OF THE YEAR Voting suggestions: Nikon Z6 & Z7, Fujifilm X-H1, XT3, Olympus E-M1X.

CAMPAIGN/PROMOTION OF THE YEAR Voting suggestions: Jessops’ ‘Set Your Photos Free’ new store concept, Photokina 2018, The Photography Show 2018, 250th Epson Surelab D3000 Sold Into London Pharmacy

by Tetenal, ‘East Meets West’ with Fujifilm UK MD Yoshitaka Nakamura, Fujifilm Print Solutions Roadshow.

OVERALL PRODUCT OF THE YEAR Voting suggestions: Canon EOS R, Nikon Z6 & Z7, Fujifilm X-H1, 50R, XT3, Olympus E-M1X.

HOW TO VOTE

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Mail us with your choices in all, or as many categories as you like, to info@bpinews.co.uk or Tweet us via @bpi_news The nominees with the most votes win. So don’t delay, get your vote/s to us now.

The closing date for votes is Thursday, February 28th, 2019. Winners will be notified and awarded at The Photography Show in March (16th to 19th).

Cast your votes in the BPI News Awards today! Send your choices to us via Twitter @bpi_news or email info@bpinews.co.uk 24 February 2019 | BPI News

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BPI News Product Focus

FUTURE PROOF YOUR PRINT BUSINESS WITH EPSON If you’re introducing or replacing a printer, your first ports of call are Epson’s tax efficient Photolease and Print & Save schemes, facilitated by re-seller the DPS Group. BPI News gets the lowdown…

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ike all of us you’ll be itching to get your business off to a flying start in 2019 and take advantage of the current boom in personalised photo printing, among other burgeoning markets, including photobooks. Yet with high street and country facing various economic and social challenges, it’s tricky to plan ahead with 100% confidence. One solution is to take advantage of a tax efficient scheme such as Epson’s Photolease, facilitated by official re-seller the DPS Group.

The deal here is that the cost of a printer is spread across three years. This avoids tying up large bundles of your business’ cash; an absolute godsend if you need to remain flexible about how and where you invest such cash.

Another way to avoid blowing the budget is also to take advantage of Epson’s Print & Save scheme, likewise arranged via the DPS Group. This sensible money saving option aims to provide a set amount of ink and consumables for a great price.

“Print & Save is for businesses able to estimate how much ink they’re going to use over a three year period and is a contract with Epson, facilitated by us as the re-seller,” DPS Group MD Maneesh Patel confirms. “The customer needs to know how much ink they’re going to use and it only works when they’ve bought new hardware.

It’s also very easy to implement.

Under the Epson Print & Save direct debit scheme the customer merely logs on to a web portal to ask for, for example, five ink sets to be delivered, and Epson will ship them out.

A SATISFYING SOLUTION But there’s no need to just take the DPS Group’s word for it. Satisfied customer Stewart Randall of Folio Albums says: “We have a long standing relationship with the DPS Group and Epson printers.

I was looking for the best value and those guys came in with the best value product – plus my ton of research had suggested Epson was the best for quality.”

In fact seven 24-inch Epson SC P-7000 printers were leased under the Photolease scheme to help the company upgrade its existing Stylus Pro 7900 printers and produce its 12-inch books.

“The printers are all on the Print & Save scheme, all under warranty and all perfectly synchronized,” enthuses Stewart. “The DPS Group has a very good relationship with Epson so we were able to negotiate a good price. It’s not a Cash liquidity: Don’t tie up money unnecessarily - look to Epson’s Photolease and Print & Save schemes, arranged by the DPS Group, to keep your print business moving and growing

Fixed assets: If you’ve a good idea of how much ink and paper you use, you can get a set amount regularly delivered for a great price under Epson’s Print & Save scheme

“Epson’s Print & Save scheme is for discerning companies and customers. It provides lower prices for ink and supplies, as well as full support and warranty on any new printers purchased.”

DPS Group MD Maneesh Patel “An estimation is made as to how much ink they might use over the scheme’s three years. A set direct debit goes out every month to Epson; it’s as straightforward as a phone contract. Via Epson‘s secure online portal, dealers request ink, maintenance tanks and other supplies up to the contracted value, plus there is the peace of mind of Epson’s three-year enhanced warranty. It’s for discerning companies and customers – if you make that commitment you’ll get a better price. So it’s a very beneficial way to give customers lower prices for ink and supplies, as well as full support and warranty on any new printers purchased.”

huge company, which has the advantage of them being very approachable.

“By leasing the printers it means that lump sum of cash can remain in the business and we can distribute the cost of the printers over the duration of our contract. With a three year lease and a three year warranty, it all synchronises perfectly for us.”

So don’t waste time and money.

Get your business on the Photolease and Print & Save schemes now by contacting Maneesh Patel or Gary Crawley on 0208 466 7230, or email sales@dpsb.co.uk www.thedpsgroup.co.uk

Sign your business up to Epson’s Print & Save and Photolease schemes NOW on 020 8466 7230 @bpi_news

BPI News | February 2019 25

Business Advice

SHOW AND TELL

Show ‘em what you’re made of… and tell them how partnering with your business or stocking your products could reap dividends for both of you. Trade events and exhibitions are excellent opportunities to do just that and network with your peers.

BPI News provides some pointers…

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nother Photography Show is fast approaching this March, we’ve already got this year’s Societies Convention under our belts, and various roadshows and dealer events are dotted throughout the year. Aside from those, numerous opportunities exist beyond the conventional photo exhibitions for those in the trade thinking outside the box when seeking to make new contacts and do business. For example, we’ve the regular Spring Show and Autumn Show at the NEC, the video and broadcastorientated BVE at London’s Excel at the end of this month (February 26th to 28th), plus The Print Show and The Pharmacy Show – the latter two being most apt for

26 February 2019 | BPI News

those in the business of print fulfillment.

And, with Photokina scrubbed off the calendar this year (it returns in 2020), there’s perhaps budget and time that can be re-invested in exploring and pursuing less tried and tested opportunities, whether you’re exhibiting or just visiting.

ENGAGE AND EMULATE As we’ve noted before in BPI News, trade shows make ideal scouting trips and places to find professional inspiration. If you’re a visitor for now with a view to exhibiting in future, make a note of what catches your eye from the other exhibitors and attendees – and if you like what you see, emulate (and

possibly expand on) it. While any passable location should attract footfall and custom, you’ll be able to get a good idea of the show layout and where the crowds typically gather before spending thousands of pounds on exhibitor fees and staffing your own stand.

So draw back those shoulders, puff up that chest, and make sure you have an almost endless supply of business cards. Because, apart from gathering ideas, making purchases and taking the temperature of the trade, the whole point of going to an exhibition is to converse and interact with people – whether they be customers, potential partners that could strengthen your hand in the long term, peers, suppliers, or the media. So talk to anyone and

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Getting the most from an exhibition everyone; you never know who they are and what they could possibly do for you.

While we all know it’s easy to get caught up in the daily demands of running a business and simply think “I won’t bother going this year”, if you actually make the effort you may well find yourself with opportunities you never previously considered or thought possible.

TIME IS MONEY To make the most of your time at the show, seek out the list of exhibitors in advance – it’s often given on the show’s website weeks or months prior – and invite past customers as well as potential suppliers to meet up, or, if you’re already exhibiting, to drop by your stand for an informative chat and to check out your wares. You could even offer them a discount on any orders placed at the show to incentivise them to make the effort. As we all know, consumers attend such events fully anticipating being able to nab special ‘show deals’ – and, having put off a potential purchase until now, arrive on the show floor excited and actively looking to spend – why not use some of those tips and tricks yourself to land the deal you want?

Put simply, you want to be irresistible and to stand out amidst the hubbub of a

THINK ABOUT ‘ATTRACTORS’ Of course, you shouldn’t just wait for visitors to rock up to your stand of their own free will. Drag them in and win their attention. This could be, initially, via the appealing design of your stand, for sure – make it welcoming and consider leaving enough ‘dead’ space

With Photokina scrubbed off the calendar this year, there’s perhaps budget and time that can be reinvested in exploring and pursuing less tried and tested opportunities, whether you’re exhibiting or just visiting.”

If you’re visiting an exhibition (shots from Photokina 2018 shown), plan who and what you want to see in advance, while if you’re an exhibitor, make sure you have an engaging stand and sales pitch

busy show. If you’re an exhibitor create an engaging pitch: finding a problem and offering a solution is a compelling one. Who can forget Olympus’ pitch for its mirror-less compacts of a couple of years back; suggesting the bulkier alternative of a DSLR and lenses can give you a bad back, it even offered visitors to its stand at ‘TPS’ a free back massage. A bit of theatre that got people smiling and talking about the brand amidst the more direct ‘buy me’ messages of other stands.

for attendees to be able to freely move around without it feeling cramped (with the result that they’ll stay longer) – but do consider what your key ‘attractors’ are.

Typically at a trade show, this means not only show deals and desirable devices, but also engaging product demonstrations. Have items on display that can be played with, handled and examined. Another great lure of an exhibition – and an opportunity for physical retailers to trump the alternative of the Internet – is that visitors actively attend trade shows with the anticipation of getting hands-on with the latest kit. With the high street in turmoil, that’s not always a given these days.

Providing customers with their first opportunity to try your product out and get interactive will mean the excitement is already there – all you need to do is guide them to make their purchase.

In addition, don’t ignore neighbouring exhibitors: you may be able to help each other in spotting buyers and direct custom each others’ way. Or at the very least, they’ll keep an eye on your stand to protect against theft while you’re busy talking to customers. All it takes

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is just one customer at the start or end of the day to make the one big extra sale that makes it all worthwhile.

PLAN AHEAD TO MAXIMISE RETURN Forward planning makes as much sense for an attendee as an exhibitor. As we’ve noted, an exhibitor list allows us to make an advance list of the ‘must see’ and ‘want to see, time permitting’ stands, as well as prompting us to consider what we want to achieve out of it and influence the questions we want answered. And aside from those business cards, which will save you repeating or dictating your details, take a pad and pen (or tablet if you like) to make a note of anything important that needs following up after the show. Consider taking a lightweight backpack or shoulder bag for those items you inevitably pick up, which will look more professional than arriving at a meeting with a freebie carrier bag full of show literature bag digging into your hands. Also, be sparing and just pick up those leaflets or brochures that you feel are of value. Or you could ask for said information to be posted or emailed later (the only downside being your contact may forget to do so off the back of a busy/hectic show).

Which brings us to our next bit of advice: make sure you actively follow up those leads you’ve got yourself from attending the exhibition. Jot down a list of anything you saw that could work for you – including stands, product mix, presentation, promotion and so on.

Creating and executing a plan will make your time – and expense – worthwhile.

Finally, if you don’t go to the show in the first place, you won’t know what you’re missing out on. Better to have made the effort than to live in regret.

BPI News | February 2019 27

News

The Societies Trade Awards The UK photo trade dusted down its tuxedos and dinner dresses last month to attend the annual awards evening hosted by The Societies, best known by its largest component, the SWPP. Awards were presented in 16 categories on the night, voted on by some 3000 of its photographer membership. Canon was once again one of the most successful at the shindig, bagging awards for Best Professional Flashgun, Best Professional Lens in its 70-200mm and Best Professional Digital Camera in the EOS 5D (all accepted by Canon photographic ambassador Sanjay Jogia, FSWPP).

The Societies’ Chief Executive Phil Jones (left) presents Canon photographer Sanjay Jogia with one of several awards he accepted on behalf of the manufacturer’s products on the Friday night, as part of the annual Convention & Trade Show

PHOTOGRAPHERS GET ‘MAXIMA’ RETURN FROM FUJIFILM’S NEWEST PAPER Fujifilm Maxima, described as ‘next generation silver halide paper’, is now available in the UK. It’s part of the Crystal Archive Professional range of C41 process, traditional colour papers and was first announced at Photokina last year.

Designed for the fine art market and available in a full range of sizes, Maxima is most suited to professional photo labs, galleries and museums wanting to create and exhibit high end art products, wall décor and high value art prints. Further described by its manufacturer as the most

durable silver based photographic paper in the world, it’s said to deliver ‘intense’ blacks plus very well saturated colours, thanks to a Colour Gamut increase of 20%. In addition, light stability is claimed to be 1.9x better than the best competing product, while the finest details can be showcased even in the darkest of shadows.

Available with a gloss or matt finish, rolls come in large format sizes up to 127cm.

For more information get in touch with Fujifilm’s Peter Wigington on 01234 572138 or view www.originalphotopaper.com

Lomo pushes analogue aesthetic

Epson UK’s representative Dominic Gurney collects the award for Best Professional Printer from The Societies’ Terrie Jones. This year the event was back at the Novotel in Hammersmith, London

Best Professional Printer went to Epson (accepted

by Dominic Gurney from Epson UK), while PermaJet grabbed Best Professional Paper and Elinchrom was the recipient of Best Professional Lighting. Best Convention Stand 2019 was won by wedding album specialist GraphiStudio. The Best Professional Customer Service Award went to Digitalab, who also picked up Professional Product of the Year, Best Professional Frame, and Best Professional Lab on what was a successful evening. www.thesocieties.net

Another month, another new yet deliriously retro roll of black and white film from analogue photography fiends Lomography. This time it’s Black and White 100 35mm Potsdam Kino Film, inspired, the company claims, by the New German Cinema that swept through Europe in the 1960s.

The pitch is that the resulting black and white tones lend photographers’

images a ‘timeless’ and ‘cinematic’ look (sample print shown). Delivery and availability is promised from this May, with pre-order pricing for a bundle of five rolls working out at £6.90 each via the brand’s online shop. www.lomography.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 28 February 2019 | BPI News

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LARGER FLAGSHIP STORE FOR LEICA The premium camera brand was one of the most active in the trade during 2018 and it has likewise got 2019 off to a flying start with the news that a larger flagship store should be open on Duke Street, in London’s Mayfair, by the time you read this (official opening was scheduled for February 4th).

The idea is to bring the ‘world of Leica’ together beneath the one roof, thereby appealing to photographic amateurs, enthusiasts and professionals, it says. To this end the new store will be home to the UK’s first Leica Gallery and Leica

Akademie photography training centre.

The brand adds that owning a Leica is not a pre-requisite for attending a workshop, as cameras are provided for attendees.

“You will come to the store to see great photography, or attend a workshop to discover how to take beautiful images,” promises Leica UK MD Jason Heward.

“This is what Leica does and has always done. Leica is photography.”

More details can be found via the URL below: www.leicastore-uk.co.uk/collections/ duke-street-opening-week

Lexar offers a bigger ‘byte’, Swains promotes B2B site Got photographer customers looking for high capacity storage via a trusted brand? The memory card specialist, distributed to the UK trade via Swains, has announced a new pro grade media card plus a ‘family’ of Solid State Drives (SSDs). The Lexar Professional 633x SDXC UHS-I card now comes in a whopping 1 Terabyte (1TB) capacity.

Suitable for users looking to capture Full HD and 4K-video, the Class 10 card offers UHS-I technology, enabling it to deliver transfer speeds up to 95 MB/s with the boast that this greatly accelerates workflow.

The card boasts a limited lifetime warranty and an SRP of £387.

The second new Lexar release concerns a new ‘NM’ flash memory series of M.2 form factor SSDs. Users can choose from a traditional SATA III SSD in the NM200, which offers up to 550MB/s read speeds and 510MB/s write speeds, or more advanced solutions in the NM500, NM520 or NM600, which offer NVMe performance with speeds up to 2.5x faster than a SATA SSD (for example a read speed of 1650MB/s). Suggested pricing for the SSD devices ranges

from £52 for the NM500 in 128GB capacity to £195 for a 480GB NM600.

Head to www.lexar.com for more info.

In related Swains’ news, the distributor is claiming that the number of accounts placing orders with the company has increased by 50% since it launched its businessto-business website in 2014, part of a heavy investment designed to make it a ‘one stop shop’ for retailers. And now, to reward retailers placing orders through the Swains website (www.swains.co.uk) it is automatically entering them into a new monthly prize winning competition. The site allows retailers to check stock, view special offers, place orders and check account balances. To register for access simply call Swains on 01485 536200.

SET YOUR SALES SOARING WITH KITE Make sure to grab hold of the sales opportunity offered by Kite Optics Viato, a ‘unique carrying experience’, now available to the UK trade via Frazer Allen’s Alpha Optical Distribution. As we flagged up last issue, this is a bag/backpack that wraps around the legs of a tripod using Velcro straps, enabling the photographer, bird watcher or stargazer to react quickly to a rapidly changing scene by simply grabbing their whole set up and placing it on their back. Compartments allow for access to equipment not mounted on the tripod itself, while there is a built-in rain cover that can be deployed if needed.

SRP for the convenient and innovative Viato is £199.

Place your order now with either Frazer on 07725 081436, Denys Nelson on 07909 227517 or email info@alphaodl.co.uk www.kiteoptics.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 30 February 2019 | BPI News

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