MAC GROUP EUROPE SHOWCASES SPRING COLLECTION

Distributor MAC Group Europe anticipates a busy Photography Show (Stand D101 & E101), where it will be revealing new photo and video product from its Benro, Shimoda, Jupio and Saramonic brands. BPI News gets a sneak preview…

A dedicated one stop shop for photo trade specialists – especially those looking to appeal to both photographers and videographers – distributor MAC Group Europe is once again introducing new products at the NEC this March.

Spring 2020 offerings include Benro L model iFoto Travel Tripod Kits, introduced in response to more photographers taking up mirrorless cameras and wanting a product that’s similarly compact and lightweight. Its new FIF18ALIB0 and FIF18CLIB0 tripods are the result, in meeting the brief of providing something with the height of Benro’s existing FIF28 models yet with the compactness of the FIF19 units.

Compact pairing: MAC Group Europe is offering show visitors a first look at two new Benro travel tripods in the FIF18ALIB0 (left) and the FIF18CLIB0 (right)

Ideal for travel, the four-section FIF18ALIB0 and FIF18CLIB0 offer a maximum weight capacity of 8Kg, sufficient for most DSLR and mirrorless cameras, while also offering a maximum operating height of 166cm. As their names suggest, the choice is between one aluminium tripod and one eightlayer carbon fibre tripod, both of which feature a compact Benro IB0 head.

The FIF18ALIB0 Aluminium iFoto tripod kit with IB0 head is £140 SRP, while FIF18CLIB0 Carbon Fibre iFoto tripod kit and IB0 head is £250 SRP.

MANY HEADS MAKE LIGHT WORK

As well as new products for photographers, MAC Group hasn’t forgotten about the needs of videographers. These are catered for via a trio of Benro ‘S PRO’ series fluid video heads, replacing the previous S series heads with an improved performance and a new modern design. They’re designed to support 4, 6 or 8Kg loads (S4PRO, S6PRO and S8PRO respectively) and feature a flat base and a 3/8-inch thread, enabling them to be mounted on sliders, jibs or monopods.

Other common features include pan and tilt locks, bubble levels (illuminated on the S6PRO and S8PRO), 1/4-inch accessory mounts and new improved CNC-machined camera quick release plates.

Also new from Benro are ‘S PRO’ series fluid video heads. Top to Bottom: S4PRO, S6PRO and S8PRO

The S4PRO has fixed pan & tilt drag and counterbalance, while the S6PRO has continuous pan & tilt drag and six step counterbalance. The S8PRO, the largest of the three models, offers an eight step counterbalance and 3/8-inch accessory mounts for attaching monitor arms or studio recorders direct to the head.

All three heads are available in a variety of kits that will suit a variety of uses, from lightweight and portable to more robust and stable – something sure to suit filmmakers whatever camera you shoot with and regardless of whether it is for location or studio use.

BLINK… OR YOU’LL MISS IT!

As any videographer knows, great sound is vitally important. Enter the Saramonic Blink 500, a versatile clipon wireless system for use with either camera or smartphone. Operating in the 2.4GHz Wi-Fi band, it automatically chooses the best channel to work in and can be used worldwide.

High quality audio capture is delivered by using 24-bit, 48 kHz resolution, while it can operate up to a distance of 50m. A unique feature is that it supports either one or two transmitters with one receiver; and when two transmitters are used, the receiver outputs a balanced mix of the two signals.

All the available kit options include the transmitter, which has an integral microphone for quick clip-on use and comes supplied with an external lavalier microphone, allowing the best sound pick up and also discrete positioning of the transmitter.

Of the six available packages, the Saramonic Blink 500 TX features dedicated gain buttons so users can adjust the signal level and even mute it. There are three smartphone receivers available with different connector

options that plug straight into the phone of choice, making them ideal for use with electronic gimbals. SRP is £90 for Blink 500 Transmitters, from SRP £110 for Blink 500 Receivers and from SRP £180 for Blink 500 kits.

Wireless wonder: Check out the new Saramonic Blink 500 clip-on audio system for use with smartphone or camera at ‘TPS’

SHIMODA GETS EXTREME

Also showcased for the first time at The Photography Show is the Shimoda Action X backpack series, aimed at ‘ambitious, aggressive and athletic content creators’. New here are the Action X30 and X50, which offer an expandable roll top with 7L of extra storage, 15-inch laptop sleeve, large side access opening, a removable helmet holder and even ski straps, as well as offering some core features that we have seen in the Explore series backpacks, such as torso height adjustment.

Bigger still is the Action X70 backpack, which offers a DV solution that the range hasn’t had before. When coupled with extra deep DV (Digital Video) Core Units (available in Large or X-Large), it has the ability to carry not only a cine camera set up, but a lot of camping gear besides. In short, this pack is described as a must-have for any adventure photographer with big ambitions.

Alternatively check out the Shimoda Top Loader (right), described as its most versatile bag, providing quick access for DSLR and mirrorless cameras coupled with lenses, or a DJI Mavic compact drone. By unzipping a padded bottom extension, users can insert a camera with attached 70-200mm f/2.8, or a 24- 70mm with the lens hood extended.

Aim for the X: there are three backpack options in the Shimoda Action X series

Finally, the brand has revamped its current Carry On Roller (below, middle) and introduced a new size to accommodate those new DV Core Units, again extending their offering to video users. Both feature a doctor bag style opening and a retracting access, which allows the trolley’s footprint to remain minimal whether open or closed.

JUICE UP WITH JUPIO

Another MAC Group Europe brand, Jupio offers up PowerLED lights for video and photography, as well as a ProLine battery range (top right).

There are five models of PowerLED lights, of varying brightness: the JPL150A features 150 LED lights and built-in battery, whereas the following four are for use with Sony NP-F batteries (not included): JPL150B (again 150 LEDs); JPL330B (330 LEDs); JPL330C (330 LEDs, and with a double rotating potentiometer for adjusting brightness and colour temperature); plus the JPL288A (288 LED lights).

The above lights include colour filters, shoe mounts and a three-year warranty.

Meanwhile the Jupio ProLine battery range is a solid and reliable power source for pro broadcast, video and DSLR cameras. Compatible with leading camera manufacturers, these highest quality lithium ion batteries are supported by a Jupio three-year warranty. Videographers attending the Video Show element of The Photography Show are invited to visit stand E101 for the full offering.

Make a date with MAC Group Europe’s brands (including Tenba on Stand D101 alongside the above) at The Photography Show, March 14th to 17th, to find out more about all of the above and to discuss your requirements. For immediate stock, contact MAC Group Europe NOW on 01902 255500 or email info@macgroupeu.com

www.macgroupeu.com