British Photographic Industry News November 2018

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NOVEMBER 2018 • £3

Putting the photo trade in the picture for over 35 years

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A HIGHER POWER Premium featured & priced cameras continue to dominate the market: See inside for the latest!

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IN THIS ISSUE…

ESSENTIAL TRADE DATES PHOTO ACCESSORIES

ROADSHOW REPORT

BUSINESS ADVICE

With the Societies Convention, The Photography Show & Photokina 2019 all on the way, we share the key details

Profitable print solutions and photo gifting ideas showcased by Fujifilm and Swains on a joint promotional tour of the UK

With Black Friday & Christmas fast approaching, we advise on how the trade can make the most of both

Bright ideas for seasonal stock: good margin filters and holder, tube lights, plus innovative flashgun suggested by Kenro

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

Editorial | November 2018

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

ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES Please direct all advertising enquiries and sponsorship opportunities to gavin@bpinews.co.uk 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 ©2018 Legacy Media Ltd. ISSN: to be advised.

elcome to the November 2018 edition of BPI News. With the big retail event this month being the annual Black Friday weekend promotions (the Friday itself falling on the 23rd) and Christmas coming up fast behind, we’re all guns blazing as regards profit-generating ideas for what to stock your shelves with, while, topically, our business advice feature on page 26 provides hints and tips for maximising the sales potential of the season. Winter cashback offers from the manufacturers have also made a return, so make sure your staff are up to speed with who is offering what. It could conceivably make all the difference in securing that sale, as increasingly expectant customers save up their cash in anticipation of seasonal deals to be had.

While it has been a comparatively quiet four weeks in terms of big reveals following the deluge of announcements surrounding Photokina in September –

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COVER IMAGE: Sky’s the limit: Premium featured and inevitably premium priced cameras are where a lot of the ‘action’ is currently, as partly demonstrated by another covetable yet niche release from Leica in the M10-D (while at the other end of the market, instant cameras are also doing well). See News page 5 for more...

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

with most of those revelations regarding stock we’ll see emerge in the first half of 2019 anyway – photographic accessories nevertheless continue to arrive thick and fast as 2018 draws to a close. And it’s these ‘stocking fillers’ you’ll want to be piggybacking on the sale of any sexier, higher ticket value items. It’s also the season in which photo gifts should really be pushed; a print in a frame is an easy sell and often means a lot more to someone than a panicbought trinket from the high street superstore. For many businesses that have weathered a challenging year, the next few weeks may also be make-or-break.

With the above in mind, Fujifilm and Swains have been out on the road this past month showcasing their print and framing solutions to the trade – and we’ve a report on how they got on (and what you possibly missed), on page 22.

PermaJet and Tetenal likewise remind us of their own offerings this issue, while frame and album stalwart Kenro, by contrast, has some new hardware boasting bright photographic ideas for darker days. So that’s November’s BPI News – a snapshot of the trade as it stands.

Always looking ahead to the future, our next issue is our bumper combined December 2018/ January 2019 edition – current for twice as long as a regular issue of the magazine and so offering potentially more bang for your marketing buck. It goes without saying that early booking is advised (the copy date you need is on the left of this page). See you then!

BPI News | November 2018 3

News

promotions Camera AG

head to: www.swpp.co.uk/convention The third biggie in the first half of next year is 2019’s Photokina, the swift follow-up to September’s event just gone, which will from next year onwards take place in its new calendar slot of May. The dates you need for

this one are May 8th to 11th. The organisers tell us that a host of familiar names have already re-booked for next year’s show (see the current list on the advert on page 7), while you can keep up with the latest by bookmarking www.photokina.com

SWIFT SALES FOR FUJIFILM INSTAX Complimentary 12 month national trust membership with the lumiX FZ200 or FZ72

©National Trust Images/Matthew Antrobus

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Essential to visit: The Photography Show (main image), Photokina 2019 (bottom left), plus Societies Convention (bottom right)

Lumix National Trust POS Description

• Complimentary National Trust Membership Campaign POS

to take a speCial piCture you need to go to speCial plaCes

Fuji finished its new product presentation at Photokina in September this year by revealing it had partnered with arena-filling A3 Poster US pop star Taylor Swift to promote its Instax instant cameras. Now the first fruit of that relationship has emerged and the Instax Square SQ6 Taylor Swift Edition has just gone on sale in all its black and gold newspaper-patterned livery at an SRP of £159, complete with the star’s signature on 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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Start scribbling in that diary or Filofax, as the next three big photo trade shows are already coming up fast. The Photography Show returns to the Birmingham NEC between the 16th to the 19th March 2019.

Once again something for everyone is being promised, with the event regularly attracting in the region of 30,000 visitors across the four days, and an increased focus next year being placed on video. In fact, as Future’s Jonny Sullens revealed back in our June issue, the exhibition is being given its own official ‘Video Show’ element, with a new logo to illustrate the fact.

Though details of specifics remained sketchy as we went to press, save for the fact that tried-and-tested features such as the ‘Super Stage’ and Pro Conference will be returning, interested trade parties can keep up with the latest by heading to www.photographyshow.com while those interested in exhibiting should contact Richard Macey via 020 7042 4284 or richard.macey@futurenet.com Gathering the trade together before the above, however, is the annual Societies Photographic Convention and Trade Show. For 2019 this returns to the location of the Novotel Hotel in Hammersmith, London, with the full Convention stretching from Wednesday 16th to Saturday the 19th of January, and the Trade Show element running from the Thursday through the Saturday. Both members and non-members are, as ever, welcome to attend – with attendees needing to register online before January 5th for free entry (£10 otherwise). For more,

©National Trust Images/Matthew Antrobus

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SAVE THE DATE(S): FORTHCOMING TRADE EVENTS

the back. There is also a matching pack of Instax Square Film Taylor Swift Edition to go with it for £11.49 SRP and a special Wobbler website at www.ts.instax.co.uk Fuji tells us that 30 million Instax units have been sold across the globe since the Instax series was first introduced some 20 years ago.

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

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News

MORE M-APPEAL FOR LEICA Hot on the heels of the late summer release of the stealth-y Leica M10-P (see BPI News September), the premium brand has announced a further new M system model in the M10-D (below & right), which it describes as offering a ‘unique’ combination of analogue and digital shooting.

For example, for those who like that manual hands-on control, it’s claimed to be the first digital ‘M’ camera to feature a mechanical dial rather than a monitor screen for exposure compensation.

Indeed, in differing dramatically from the touch screen access provided by the M10-P, the new 24 megapixel, CMOS senor incorporating camera doesn’t feature an LCD on the backplate at all. What it does provide, however, is an integrated fold-out handling, when shooting one-handed. thumb rest, which it says allows for solid With operation focused solely on the core essentials of composition, aperture, shutter speed and ISO sensitivity, the camera encourages its user to slow down, suggests Leica, without sacrificing the convenience of digital capture and processing. The M10-D is also said to feature the quietest M camera shutter ever.

The full metal-bodied M10-D went on sale late October, with an M10-P matching SRP of £6,500 and is available

from Leica UK stores and its dealer partners. The Leica ‘Fotos’ App, which we mentioned in our Photokina report last issue, is also now available from the Google Play Store and Apple App Store.

The second ‘new’ Leica camera this month is a special edition ‘Q’ model, featuring a khaki leather trim which the company says helps it to ‘stand out’ from previously released cameras in the series. A carry strap in the same colour completes the look, while the Leica Q Khaki (below) is limited to 495 pieces worldwide. Key features include a 28mm f/1.7 lens and Full HD video capture of between 30 and 60fps. The camera also features integrated Wi-Fi and a viewfinder with a 3.68 million dot resolution and is priced at £4,150. www.leica-camera.com

Tetenal adds Canon DreamLabo to portfolio Leicester based distributor Tetenal has added the Canon DreamLabo – which it describes as ‘amazing’ – to its portfolio of photographic printing solutions. What’s more, a dedicated showroom has been constructed to show off its capabilities and the ‘astonishing quality’ of the prints and products it claims it can produce.

Featuring seven fixed line print heads and 2400dpi high-density jets, which rapidly eject large quantities of ink to print in a single pass for greater speed and efficiency, the Canon DeamLabo is

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described by Tetenal Marketing Manager Craig Bird as: “a simply stunning machine. I saw the machine a couple of years ago at Drupa in Dusseldorf and was blown away at the time not only by its sheer presence but also by its speed and quality. Adding it to our portfolio is another sign that Tetenal constantly seeks to deliver a wide range of photographic printing equipment and consumables across a variety of brands, enabling us to create a bespoke solution for the end user.” www.tetenaluk.com

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E: info@ansmann.co.uk BPI News | November 2018 5

News

INCREASE SEASONAL SALES WITH SWAINS The distributor is inviting specialist photo retailers to ask their regional Sales Manager or Swains Sales Office for a copy of its new 10-page Christmas catalogue (below), which, it says features lots of new gifting ideas for the festive period, as well as showcasing recently launched product ranges. These include new My Photo Frame Silver Plated frames.

Speaking of Christmas, Swains is also

offering up an Adventa All Seasons Merchandiser (right); a space saving floor-standing display via which to safely and effectively showcase Adventa photo gift products. It says that the attractive display – containing 80 best selling Christmas gift lines from the

Adventa instant photo and print products – should help increase sales for its retail partners and deliver a 51% margin, while a non-Christmas design enables use all year round. www.swains.co.uk

BET ON THE BLACK & THE RED WITH RICOH Retailers looking to make a splash with camera sales this Christmas are directed to the new waterproof camera from Ricoh in the eye-catching WG-60, which upgrades the previous WG-50. Coming in a choice of either all black or red and black, the compact and lightweight camera is as suited to the ski slopes as it is seascapes, and is shockproof against falls from 1.6 metres in height, as well as waterproof to a depth of 14 metres for up to two hours’ duration. As one would expect it can also operate in temperatures as low as minus 10°C, plus is dustproof and crushproof (in being able to withstand a force of up to 100kgf).

World’s largest A2 microSD card from Lexar Tough choice: A pair of colours this time via which to entice custom

Attendant features of the pointand-shoot camera include a back illuminated 16 megapixel sensor, top light sensitivity of ISO6400, 5x optical zoom equivalent to 28140mm in 35mm terms, and, as with its forebears, six LED macro lights around the circumference of the lens barrel. We also get a 2.7-inch LCD monitor with 230K-dot resolution and Full HD video recording.

Available from mid November, SRP for the WG-60 is £249.99, which includes a case and floating strap. www.ricoh-imaging.co.uk

Given that the physical dimensions of the microSD card are barely bigger than a fingernail, referring to any iteration as the ‘world’s largest’ sounds at first like a misnomer, but that’s just what the resurgent Lexar is claiming for its new 512GB Lexar High Performance 633x microSDXC UHS-I card, as shown, which has the ability to deliver transfer speeds up to 100MB/s. This means that it meets the Application Performance Class 2 (‘A2’) requirements from the SD Association’s 6.0 specifications, and can claim to be the largest capacity A2 microSD card on the market. This speedy piece of media should be available by the time you read this, with a price given to us at the time of going to press of £230 approx. www.lexar.com

BPI News is your mouthpiece to the photo trade, so use it! Send your press releases and news items direct to: info@bpinews.co.uk 6 November 2018 | BPI News

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News

WINTER ACCESSORIES? ANSMANN HAS IT ‘IN THE BAG’ Power specialist and BPI News regular Ansmann has some stock ideas for switched-on photo retailers to pitch to their photographer customers as winter approaches. These include a range of Ansmann torches, replacement camera batteries, plus powerbanks – all of which are compact, light and powerful and will slip neatly into any camera bag or backpack. Its Powerline Vario charger can be powered from a powerbank, thus providing an ‘off-the-grid’ solution to anyone’s battery charging requirements.

Other products in the manufacturer’s range suitable for the colder, darker months include professional AA batteries for flashguns and AA and AAA lithium batteries suitable for chillier conditions.

Get in touch with Ansmann now to take advantage of both its solutions and the season on 0870 609 2233 or email info@ansmann.co.uk for further details. www.ansmann.co.uk

Automat, for the people

Skout it out, as Metz lights the way LEDs lights have become popular with both photographers and videographers in recent years and it’s relatively easy to see why: not only are they powerful yet affordable, they’re also cool to the touch. Now the latest example arrives for the trade via distributor Intro2020 in the smartphonesized Metz Mecalight S500 BC, which is claimed to boast a 1000 lumen light output. It also features a quarter inch tripod socket and comes with a hotshoe adapter, meaning that it can be both attached to a tripod for lighting a scene or mounted on a camera or video rig to

Another month, another colourful instant camera from the Lomography folks via which to entice custom: the latest example being the Lomo’Instant Automat Glass Elbrus, an edition which is, it says, inspired by the highest mountain in Europe.

Arriving in a brown leather-look shell accented with a bold red ring, the wideangle glass lens-incorporating camera is claimed to offer both crisp shots and versatile features. For example there’s the series’ regular MX button for double exposures plus the remote control lens cap enabling experimental perspectives and the occasional (inevitable?) selfie. The manufacturer also says that it is the first instant camera to provide a multi coated 38mm glass lens (21mm equivalent), while f/4.5 is the maximum aperture.

As with others in the range, it utilises Fuji’s Instax Mini film for snapshots and is powered by two CR2 batteries (not included). UK retail price is £179. www.lomography.com

be used as a key light for photography and/or video blogging. The unit further comes with a diffuser for those who want to create a softer light effect, which can be mounted on the light via a provided silicon band. Power comes courtesy of a built-in lithium ion battery. With an SRP of £119.99, the Metz LED is available now.

Intro2020 has a further new offering for photographers in the ‘Skout’ from Cotton Carrier (left). This is described as the world’s most comfortable, accessible and secure sling-style camera and binocular harness, capable of fitting the lifestyle of all types of photographer with any level of gear. Small and easy to stow, it comes with a patented ‘twist and lock’ camera mount, safety tether and rain cover. Available now, SRP is £79.99. www.intro2020.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 November 2018 | BPI News

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The Creation Station Gifting enabled kiosk

The easy way to profit from photo gifting this Christmas Welcome to

Photo Express

Kiosk customers can now print their photos from the cloud The frustrating problem for customers of only being able to print in-store using the photos saved on their phone (rather than those saved to the cloud) has now been solved.

The CS1 kiosk now comes with the MikroTik HAP solution for phone Wi-Fi which enables your customers to print their images from the cloud automatically using the store's own internet connection.

NEW FEATURE! FAST AND EASY IMAGE LOADING

CS1 Kiosk supports the UK Passport Office online applications

Multiple options to connect via Phones, Tablets, USBs, Memory Cards & Social Media

Produce a huge variety of products in-store or through our off-site fulfilment providers.

With the CS1, passport photos are instantly verified via the official Government website.

When you print your customers’ passport photos from the CS1, a unique photo code is included that they can enter online when completing their passport application.

This attaches a digital photo directly to their application.

Customers can apply for a passport faster online and save money off the cost of their application.

NEW Gifting Products:

Greeting Cards, Wrapping Paper, Slates, Passport Holders, Personalised Engraved Frames

Over 90 existing products:

Including Clocks, Calendars, Mugs, Canvas Prints, Phone Cases, Cushions, Aluminium Panels & much more

Exclusively from Tetenal Ltd | TEL: 0116 289 3644 | tetenaluk.com/cs1kiosk

BPI News Product Focus

PERMAJET TO BOOST TRADE SALES WITH A LUCKY 7 PRODUCTS

The inkjet paper specialist has five new dry lab media offerings plus two new canvas products.

BPI News gets the full picture on what you should be utilising and promoting to your customers…

F

ine art inkjet paper specialist PermaJet has a handful of fresh dry lab media options to help the trade encourage and profit from print sales. Its current Gloss and Satin offerings are now joined by media suited to a wider range of outputs, and a bigger digital inkjet market: Pearl, Metallic, Prism, Artist and Matt.

This follows the launch of PermaJet’s Dry Lab roll media last year and a subsequent 18 months in which it says demand has been ‘booming’.

The five new competitively priced additions see the company claiming one of the most comprehensive ranges of media available on the market today, compatible with use in a wide range of Epson, Noritsu and Fujifilm dry lab printers.

“These new products will give print labs and commercial photographers more to offer when producing prints for clients; whether that be a metallic option for creative wedding photography, a textured option for artistic reproductions, or a high-quality silk option with antiscan properties for treasured family portraits,” enthuses PermaJet’s National Sales Manager Jeremy Pridgeon.

He adds: “We are seeing more and more dry labs in the field. So, rather than offering just the traditional gloss or lustre finishes, we have developed a range of products to enhance customer choice and provide a chance for lab

colours and honeycomb-textured surface.

A second new addition in DryLab Artist 230gsm offers a fine art matt look with a canvas-like embossed texture and bright white surface. Pin sharp results and vivid colours are promised.

Another contender for your dry lab FIVE NEW PAPERS TO is DryLab Pearl 240gsm, possessing a CHOOSE FROM warm toned pearl surface with an instant New dry lab media, available in sizes dry, water and fade resistant coating. from 4-inches to A4, includes DryLab It’s claimed as ideal for reproduction of Prism 240gsm. Described as a unique both colour and monochrome images. microporous paper with a silky stippled The fourth option is DryLab Metallic finish, it offers an instant dry coating, vivid 240gsm, which, as the name indicates, is a paper with a dramatic metal appearance.

This is said to offer incredible detail and clarity for ‘high visual impact’, with images excellent, while detail is rendered pin sharp. ‘ jumping’ off the paper they’re printed on.

The second new option is the P5 Bright White Lastly there’s the new DryLab Matt Matt Canvas 350, available in 24 to 60-inch rolls.

230gsm, which is as equally suited to Again the name says it all – this is a matt canvas colour or monochrome images, while with a bright white surface, plus possessing a beautifully smooth finish uniform weave and texture. and instant dry coating. The full range Highly water resistant, it has a of dry lab media, as detailed above, 20/80 Polyester/Cotton blend. is available from November 1st.

Both options are described To discuss either the new Dry Lab range or as highly flexible and non new Canvas options and request a free swatch cracking for added ease of use. book, call the PermaJet team on 01789 739200 If you’re a minilab or or email sales@permajet.com. It will also be photographer wanting to add exhibiting at The Societies Convention in the above to expand your London in January 2019, where the trade will customer offerings, then speak to be able to get hands on and discuss further.

PermaJet direct to find out more. www.permajet.com

PermaJet ‘on a roll’: 5 new dry lab options have joined the family, to make 7 in total. Request a free swatch book containing examples of the new media by calling 01789 739200 now!

Picture this: 2 new canvas options As noted, PermaJet also has two new Production Canvas products available now, suited to high volume commercial printers and fine art reproductions, and to photographers seeking a very saleable, high quality look and feel.

The P4 100% Cotton Canvas 360 comes in A3+ sheets and rolls from 17 to 44-inches. It’s a 100% cotton matt canvas that has a subtly textured, natural white surface. The archival quality ‘P4’ option is claimed by PermaJet to be perfect for fine art reproductions requiring a natural canvas appearance.

Tonal range is said to be

owners to differentiate themselves, while at the same time offering an upsell opportunity. Feedback since launch has been overwhelmingly positive and we’re very excited for the future of this range.”

Dry lab media: Prism 240gsm, Artist 230gsm, Pearl 240gsm, Metallic 240gsm & Matt 230gsm + Cotton & Bright White Matt Canvases 10 November 2018 | BPI News

www.bpinews.co.uk

Get creative with the new PermaJet Dry Lab media.

Introducing the revolutionary expanded range of PermaJet Dry Lab rolls, offering great opportunities to businesses who need the speed and convenience of a Dry Lab printer but don’t want to be limited on choice.

Choose from 7 unique surfaces: Gloss, Satin, Pearl, Matt, Metallic, Prism & Artist.

Available in sizes ranging from 4” to true A4.

Shop now at www.permajet.com

@PermaJet

sales@permajet.com

01789 739200

www.permajet.com

BPI News Product Focus

KENRO SHINES LIGHT ON PROFITABLE ACCESSORIES

The proactive distributor has a plethora of pre-Christmas product suggestions that offer the double whammy of high quality and a good margin for specialist retail partners. BPI News finds out more...

A

ccessories are the products on which you can typically make a better margin than the bigticket items they’re compatible with.

Distributor Kenro has unveiled a whole range of new accessories in time for the festive season, including the Marumi Magnetic Filter System.

“We’re really excited about these,” enthuses Kenro MD Paul Kench. “They combine the strong magnetic frames made by H&Y with the Japanese-made expert optics of Marumi – the two companies have collaborated to produce the strongest and best product they can.”

The range includes a M100 Magnetic Filter Holder that screws on to the front of the photographer’s lens, and fits 72mm, 77mm, and 82mm lenses out of the box. It also features foam gaskets so as to be light leak proof, enabling your photographer customers to attempt long exposures without the worry of light leaking in and spoiling shots. The magnets are powerful enough to hold three filters in place at one time, one stacked on top of the other. The range of filters available for it includes nine standard ND filters, as well as nine graduated ND filters – three sizes each of soft graduated, reverse graduated and hard graduated.

SRP for the M100 Magnetic Filter Holder is £125.94. The square ND filters have an SRP of £179.94, while the graduated ND filters are £199.98 and a screw-in circular polarizer is also available for £114.96. The whole range is available now.

“These filters can be used on any lens size as long as you’ve got the appropriate step up ring. You can layer

your filters in a more complex way and create more interesting effects.

Marumi’s new filter family is not only innovative, but high quality too, so we’re excited to add it to the range.”

MAKING LIGHT WORK OF SALES As we touched on with a news item in our October issue, Kenro is also offering the photo trade its lighting solutions from the good value, high quality brand NanGuang.

These include a trio of NanGuang tube lights to pitch to photo retailers and their photographer customers, to enable them to ‘paint with light’ and introduce dynamic effects into their photographic compositions and videos. The smallest

Above: Getting the hang of NanGuang... offer your customers a choice of three tube lights from the Chinese manufacturer to enable them to paint with light this winter, while you get the benefit of a good margin

Photographers will love the convenience of Marumi’s new M100 Magnetic Filter Holder (below, right), allowing them to hold up to three filters in place at a time - including the graduated ND filter shown with box on left

of the trio is the TRGB1208B at 77cm long and a weight of 834g. SRP is £329.94. The 16W light contains 400 LEDs, is powered using an included AC adapter and has a battery built in.

Next up is the mid-range TRGB1412A, a 30W light that boasts 750 LEDs, is 1.2m long and weighs 1.5kg.

Supplied with an AC power adapter only, SRP for this one is £449.94.

The third option is the range topping TRGB1212B, which can also be used wire free thanks to a pair of built in batteries.

It’s also supplied with an AC adapter for longer use. This 32W light is 1.17m long and weighs in at 1.3kg. SRP is £479.94.

“There are certain dynamic lighting effects that can prove very difficult for film makers to achieve, because

Let Kenro products help you make merry with Christmas sales. Get in touch now on 01793 615836 12 November 2018 | BPI News

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Kenro Winter Promotion the kit is too costly or the set up too complex,” says Paul. “These new RGB tube lights from NanGuang offer a great all-in-one solution that can also be used for standard studio lighting and really pack in value for money.

Stills photographers and film-makers alike will find a whole range of creative possibilities opened up with these lights, whether in the studio or out on location.

“They offer over 360 colours and

hues and highlights, to set a mood or create a really interesting portrait, and videographers have the added benefit of visual effects like flame, lightning storm and an emergency services vehicle.”

Likewise exciting is the awardwinning Nissin MG10 High Powered Hammerhead Zoom Flash, featuring, as its name suggests, an external motorised zoom, here covering a range from 24mm to 200mm. It’s high end and incredibly

a number of in-built special effects that you can just select and go. This enables the creation of light effects that historically have been very difficult to create on a budget. Stills photographers might use them to add

bright, with a guide number of GN80 and a recycle time as fast as 1.5s. It is also compatible with the award winning Nissin Air System (available via Kenro) – Nissin’s 2.4GHz wireless control system. A bundle is available that twins the MG10 with the

Nissin Air 10s commander for £694.80 SRP. Interestingly the flash also features a microSD card slot for updating firmware, offering a degree of future proofing. UK SRP is £570 for the standalone MG10; again, stock is available to order now.

As usual with Kenro’s great value products, there is plenty to interest both the photo retailer and its enthusiast photographer customer base. So get in touch with MD Paul Kench and his team now to place orders on 01793 615836 or via sales@kenro.co.uk www.kenro.co.uk

A shot in the (not so) dark: Direct your customers to Nissin’s new MG10 High Powered Hammerhead Zoom Flash, available standalone, or in a kit that includes the Air 10s commander, as shown below

WE’RE HIRING COMMERCIAL OPERATIONS MANAGER SWINDON, WILTSHIRE The Kenro group of companies has been established for over 45 years and is looking to appoint a proactive Commercial Operations Manager.

Reporting into the Directors of the business, the Commercial Operations Manager will develop and implement the required business processes, IT systems, software integration, team structures and health & safety compliance to support business growth. You will be responsible for ensuring efficient and profitable processes are in place across multiple departments, as well as effective supplier management.

Apply by email or in writing with current CV details to:

paul@kenro.co.uk Paul Kench, Kenro Ltd, Greenbridge Road, Swindon, Wilts, SN3 3LH.

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

BPI News | November 2018 13

BPI News Product Focus

NORITSU’S FANTASTIC ‘FOUR’ PROVES HIT FOR PHOTOXPORT

Announced back at The Photography Show in March and officially launched at Photokina in September, Noritsu’s latest generation Green IV dry lab is proving popular for its exclusive UK supplier PhotoXport. MD Derek Fieldhouse tells us why

L

eicester’s printer specialist PhotoXport has been doing a roaring trade in Noritsu’s wet and dry labs of late, bolstered by some exciting new machines. We featured the latest Noritsu QSS-3901G and QSS-3904G wet labs last month, so this time we’re focusing on its newest dry device in the Noritsu Green IV. “The IV has been brilliantly received by the industry,” says PhotoXport MD Derek Fieldhouse. “It’s a cracker – I really believe it’s the best dry lab that Noritsu has ever made. It’s really solid, in terms of both its features and its build. Plus the people who’ve witnessed demos tell us that they’ve never seen quality like it.”

At a glance: Noritsu’s Green IV dry lab n Dry lab with the ability to produce unique print sizes, up to 12x72inch super panoramic prints n Comes complete with main body, normal paper printing kit, correction value printer kit, paper band, spindle unit, humidity conditioning kit, external paper cassette allowing for up to three paper sizes at once, Eizo high spec 23-inch monitor, Dell dual drive server, keyboard

EVOLVED TO PERFECTION As we’ve noted in prior features, the Noritsu Green IV is an evolution of the same manufacturer’s Green Simplex.

While smaller, it squeezes in a 12inch track, compared to the 10-inch track of the Simplex. This means it is able to produce prints up to 12x69inches. An external cassette, unlike some competitors, is removable, adds versatility and allows the loading of up to three different paper sizes at once.

“We’ve currently got Green IV machines in stock, but I think we’re going to be

Going green... Noritsu’s latest IV dry lab is flying out the door for supplier PhotoXport.

Features such as its external cassette aid flexibility, not only when it comes to output, but also as regards manoeuvring and installing the machine itself

“It’s a cracker – I really believe it’s the best dry lab that Noritsu has ever made. It’s really solid, in terms of both its features and its build. Plus the people who’ve witnessed demos tell us that they’ve never seen quality like it.”

PhotoXport MD Derek Fieldhouse rapidly running out of stock,” reveals Derek. “I can guarantee people will be impressed with the quality, as it turns out a stunning print. It’s a very well engineered machine and is in a very solid frame. So the chance of movement when you’re printing, and the print head is flying back and forth, is greatly reduced.”

Noting that 90% of dry labs in Japan are still running the original Green dry lab, it goes without saying that the IV iteration offers reliability in spades.

“It’s a well proven product that is absolutely solid,” agrees Derek. Additional enhancements include the fact that the top of the Green IV is made from metal, whereas on the original Green Simplex it’s plastic. There’s also the fact that it can produce high panoramic prints at 12x69.2-inches, which Derek believes no other machine can match.

“A true panoramic print that can faithfully reproduce what someone may have taken on their iPhone is not currently offered on the high street.

However, with the Noritsu Green IV

you can do a true panoramic, so it’s down to the people who’ve now got the machines to drive the marketing. I think there is a growing appetite to print panoramas, as people have got phones full of them, and of course prints from phones is a key market segment.”

Another advantage is the fact that the Green IV will output 670 6x4-inch prints per hour, which is described as best in class. Its removable external cassette is also a bonus, allowing the dry lab to fit through a standard doorway while also allowing it to use a larger roll of paper – at 101 metres – than its predecessor. And because it’s removable there is the opportunity to invest in a couple of cassettes and load them with different sizes of paper – which, thanks to a quick release handle, makes for an equally quick changeover.

In short, it’s not hard to see why PhotoXport is currently witnessing huge popularity for the Noritsu Green IV. To enquire about availability and place an order, contact Derek now on 0116 2675907. www.photoxport.com

Don’t miss out. Call PhotoXport about the Noritsu Green IV dry lab now on 0116 2675907 14 November 2018 | BPI News

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BPI News Awards 2019

2018 AND ALL THAT: PICK YOUR TRADE WINNERS We’re already thinking ahead to the end of 2018 and the start of the next – which means the return of our BPI News Awards. This year we’re widening the categories to introduce some brand new ones. So which names and products will be getting your vote?

H

aving been running this magazine since September 2015 and editing it since 2012, it’s time to change things up as we approach another year’s end and contemplate the start of a new one – one that’s fecund with fresh hopes, dreams and horizons.

Until now we’ve kept our annual BPI News Awards really simple and asked you to vote in just two categories – Product of the Year and Campaign/ Promotion of the Year. Don’t worry; we’re still keeping it simple this time around, but broadening the scope to include awards for more of those items and individuals that make the photography trade what it is. For example, one of our new categories is ‘Retailer of the Year’.

We’ve also brought the voting and the closing date for votes forward, with winners notified in March and featured in our April edition.

OUR NEW AWARDS CATEGORIES – AT A GLANCE To provide inspiration for how you cast your vote – and for whom or for what – here are the revised categories for our latest awards: n Retailer of the Year n Pro Camera of the Year n Consumer Camera of the Year n Accessory of the Year n Printer of the Year (dye sub, dry or wet lab) n Print media of the Year n Innovation of the Year n Launch of the Year n Campaign/Promotion of the Year n Overall Product of the Year To help you with the above, we’ve provided the following ‘refresher’ of key stories, key products and promotions featured throughout the past year’s worth of BPI News publications.

FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION

Fujifilm X-H1 Fuji has been one of the busier manufacturers throughout 2018 in terms of announcements and, to an extent, innovations. A case in point is this model, which kicked off a new APS-C sensor incorporating mirror-less range more obviously aimed at professionals than its X-T3 and X-Pro2 cameras (see BPI News March 2018 for our original report).

As if that wasn’t enough, it then extended its medium format range with the GFX 50R and the forthcoming ‘GFX 100 Megapixels’.

Of course, 2018 has pretty much been the ‘year of mirrorless’ – and there have been plenty of exciting options. But which has been a best seller for your business, and excited your customers the most?

In no particular order, some memorable launches these past 12 months for us – which could be variously picked as either Pro Camera of the Year, Consumer Camera of the Year, Product of the Year or even Innovation of the Year – included…

Panasonic Lumix GH5S By contrast it’s been a relatively quiet year for Panasonic in terms of cameras, though the year started promisingly with this Four Thirds sensor format mirror-less camera that stood out as the first to unequivocally nail its video capture credentials to the mast (read our February 2018 edition for the full report). Its 4K resolution was the headline feature, with stills resolution dropped to a relatively modest 10 megapixels.

So, simply run an eye over or finger down our list of suggestions – we’re sure you’ll have a lot of your own to add – and see what jumps out at you. Then dig out your smartphone, tablet or carrier pigeon and send us your choice/s.

We’ll be revealing and presenting the winners at The Photography Show in March, and reporting on them in the April cover edition of BPI News that follows.

Don’t delay, cast your votes in the BPI News Awards today!

16 November 2018 | BPI News

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Look ahead: BPI News Awards 2019 October 2018). The result was a device that suggests Canon is getting serious about mirror-less – while the adapter needed for owners to make use of the manufacturer’s 70+ EF and EF-S lenses provides a gateway to plenty of sales opportunity for dealers.

Leica M10-P One of the more memorable releases from Leica in 2018 owes much to the full frame M10 rangefinder, with the cameras sharing most of the same features, as well as near identical build. The ‘P’ version does, however, have the advantage for street and portrait photographers of stealth, via a near silent shutter and the omission of that iconic red dot logo, while the touch screen LCD at the rear aids usability. Read our September 2018 edition for the full story and interview. full frame α9 camera that comprises an impressive 693 phase detection points and 425 contrast AF points. See BPI News March for our original news report.

The above are just a few suggestions for possible category winners to get the ball rolling. We’ll pick some more of our favourites that fit the other categories in the next couple of issues.

Nikon Z6 and Z7 As detailed in BPI News September issue, Nikon’s much-discussed full frame mirror-less system camera, a deliberate attempt to claw back some market share from Sony’s A7 system, in fact turned out to be a duo of cameras. In one of the more interesting development decisions this year, Nikon both eschewed use of an SD card plus opted for a brand new lens mount that required owners of existing F mount DSLR lenses to purchase a £250 adapter to continue to use them.

But this then provided a gateway to an enviable ready-made system.

Canon EOS R Like Nikon and its ‘Z’ series, Canon courted controversy with the introduction of the EOS R, introducing a new lens mount in the ‘RF’ to get optimal benefit from the camera’s full frame 30-megapixel sensor (see BPI News

Sony α7 III Yes it costs a sizeable amount before you’ve even bought a lens but this jack of all trades option for DSLR photographers swapping over to a mirror-less system squeezed it all in: 4K video rather than just Full HD, 10fps capture speed (up from the 5fps of predecessors), plus an AF system inherited from its similarly

HOW TO VOTE If this has whetted your appetite, mail us with your choices in all, or as many categories as you like, to info@bpinews.co.uk. Plus, as every individual vote counts, share your nominations with your customers and also get them to Tweet us their own winners to @bpi_news The nominees with the most votes are our

eventual winners. It’s as straightforward and transparent as that! So don’t delay, have a think, and make sure you use your vote.

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

CLOSING DATE FOR VOTES: THURSDAY FEBRUARY 28TH 2019.

WINNERS ANNOUNCED IN BPI NEWS APRIL COVER. Send your choices to us @bpi_news or email info@bpinews.co.uk @bpi_news

BPI News | November 2018 17

BPI News Product Focus

SIGMA’S THREE STAR LENSES BECKON WISE MEN

The lens specialist has three top quality, full frame pro lenses to seduce the trade and its customers that, when combined, cover a comprehensive focal range from 14mm to 200mm, all the while maintaining an f/2.8 maximum aperture

T

here’s a trio of stars in Sigma’s firmament as we enter the busiest sales period of the year in the 14-24mm f/2.8 DG HSM Art, 24-70mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM Art and 70-200mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM Sports.

“This power trio of full frame, pro-spec lenses in combination deliver the answer to most photographers’ prayers; namely covering a broad focal range from 14mm to 200mm, all at f/2.8.” Sigma UK’s General manager Graham Armitage tells us.

Another reason why you should be adding them to your wish list of stock for this Christmas is they’re award winners to boot. For example, the 14-24mm f/2.8 DG HSM Art series lens for full frame DSLRs won an EISA Award back in August for ‘Best DSLR Zoom Lens 2018-19’.

Mountable on Sigma, Canon and Nikon cameras and also compatible with Sony’s E-mount models if using Sigma’s own MC-11 converter, the EISA judges noted that it was ‘rare to find a bright, extreme wide-angle lens of its kind with very high sharpness, virtually no linear distortion and almost no sign of chromatic aberration. With extremely good build quality, well protected against dust and

A winning combination this winter: three full frame Sigma lenses covering the full focal range from 14mm to 200mm

“This power trio of full frame, pro-spec lenses in combination deliver the answer to most photographers’ prayers; namely covering a broad focal range from 14mm to 200mm, all at f/2.8.”

Graham Armitage, Sigma UK General Manager

Sample images taken on Sigma’s 14-24mm f/2.8 Art lens by photographer Wataru Nakamura

scratches, this is a lens you can use with confidence in poor weather conditions.’

The collective of tech journalists from across Europe also praised its ‘reasonable price’ and said that for landscape and architecture photography the lens ‘stands out from the competition’.

The above is on top of a TIPA Award it had previously picked up in May this year – with the other star lens on this page, the 24-70mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM Art, likewise rewarded at the same event.

While the 14-24mm f/2.8 took ‘Best DSLR Wide Angle Zoom Lens’, the 24-70mm was acclaimed as ‘Best DSLR Standard Zoom lens’. It’s worth noting this latter optic incorporates the latest electromagnetic aperture control for specific Nikon cameras, while the Canon mount version is compatible with Canon’s Lens Aberration Correction function.

Described as an everyday lens, the 24-70mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM is eminently suitable for street and reportage work, thanks to its broad reach. It’s just as capable for candid portraits, travel photography, nature and landscape photography. Further advantages include that constant aperture throughout its

zoom range, optical image stabilisation system, plus the ability to deliver shallow depth of field (‘bokeh’) effects described as ‘outstanding’. Again the lens is dust and splash proofed and features a 9-blade rounded diaphragm and 37cm (15-inch) close focusing capability.

The newest Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM Sports series lens, unveiled at Photokina this year and flagged up in our show report last issue, boasts a sturdy yet flexible construction that blends magnesium, polycarbonate and a thermally stable composite. It features nine FLD glass elements, full weather sealing, focus limiter plus focus recall functions and an Arca Swiss compatible tripod mount. Available in Canon, Sigma and Nikon mounts this December, expected pricing is in the region of £1,300-£1,500, but this was still to be confirmed as we went to press.

Speak to your local Sigma rep for more on the above 14-24mm f/2.8 DG HSM Art series lens, the 24-70mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM Art lens plus the 70-200mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM Sports lens, including current pricing and availability. www.sigma-imaging-uk.com

All lenses sold via Sigma Imaging UK come with the benefit of a three year limited warranty. www.sigma-imaging-uk.com 18 November 2018 | BPI News

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Print News

EXISTING NETWORK MEMBERS EXPAND AFTER YEAR OF GROWTH UNDER KODAK EXPRESS BRAND

While 2018 brought many new members to the Kodak Express network, it has also been a successful year among existing members, including Kodak Express stores in Trowbridge and London Southgate.

Kodak Express Southgate Brish Fones & Imaging in North London joined the Kodak Express network in February this year and have seen great growth since opening their doors.

and ID photos. In addition to their instore services the business benefits from the Kodak Express website. Store Manager Abdul Rashid explains:

Building on some initial experience in the photo industry, the mobile phone shop purchased two Kodak G20 kiosks as well as a CS1 kiosk through Tetenal, enabling them to offer a wide range of photo gifting products, including canvas, prints from mobile, passport

"It's great that we have our own Kodak Express website as part of our network membership. It gives us the opportunity to offer a wide range of products to our customers. Anything that we can't produce in-house is done by a fulfilment partner. For our customer it

doesn't make a difference as they can pick up their order in store or have it delivered to their home address."

Following the success of his Southgate branch, Abdul has decided to also add photo retail into his established offlicence shop in London Woodgreen.

He outlines the reasoning behind this decision: "Footfall in the Woodgreen area is great and we have already proven that the photo retail concept

works in Southgate, so integrating it into our existing off-licence store will be a good opportunity to generate extra revenue. Thanks to the Kodak kiosk we can offer a range of photo products while only using a small amount of floor space. We are currently in the process of changing the shop layout to create a dedicated photo area which should be ready in time for the Christmas shopping period."

"Trading under the Kodak brand makes our business much more recognisable and gives us the opportunity to really stand out on the high street."

Abdul Rashid, Store Manager Kodak Express London Southgate

Kodak Express Trowbridge Since becoming a Kodak Express member in May 2017 Premier Prints had a successful year and a half.

After establishing their store in a smaller business unit, they have now committed to larger premises in Castle Place Shopping Mall right in the heart of Trowbridge town centre. Before the move in September business owner Andrew Smith turned the spacious

premises into a clean, modern and product focused shop layout. In addition to a centered table display of frames and photo books, one of the walls has been transformed into a creative product display with different shaped boxes that each contain a photo product. A bank of four kiosks on the opposite wall invites customers to simply walk in and place their orders directly through the kiosk.

To discuss joining the Kodak Express Network contact Tetenal TEL 0116 289 3644 www.tetenaluk.com marketing@tetenal.uk.com

GERMANY • FRANCE • UNITED KINGDOM • POLAND

© 2018 Kodak Alaris Inc. The Kodak and Kodak Moment trademarks and Kodak trade dress are used under license from Eastman Kodak Company.

Managed in the UK by Tetenal Ltd | TEL: 0116 289 3644 | www.tetenaluk.com

News

OLYMPUS SPONSORS NEW PHOTO NORTH FESTIVAL The photo stalwart has announced it is sponsoring a new photography related event taking place in picturesque Harrogate in early November, curated

by Olympus Visionary Peter Dench and Sharon Price. Its participation includes discounted tickets to the event when entering ‘Olympus’ into the promotional box at the checkout when booking online.

You’ll need to get your skates on though, as the event takes place from November 9th until the 11th. Needless to say, a team from Olympus will be on hand at the event and demonstrating its latest

kit. Plus, to commemorate 100 years since the end of the First World War, the festival will showcase Tom Stoddart’s Shadows of War, featuring reportage photography of the battlefields and war memorials in Belgium and France.

Festival Director Sharon Price says: “People are so passionate about photography and this festival shares insights from some of the true heavyweights for a really immersive, deep dive into their works. We have one perfect venue, with headline events and renowned photographers confirmed

and the list growing weekly. The festival format, workshops and seminars is a unique offering for day trippers, or those wanting to get the most out of a long-weekend away with a really high-quality cultural experience.” www.photonorthfestival.co.uk

MANY HEADS MAKE DSLR INNOVATION ‘LIMITED’, AS MIRROR-LESS LIGHT WORK FOR MANFROTTO CONTINUES TO GROW Industry watcher Futuresource has outlined why it believes mirror-less technology is the current star of the show in relation to the international camera market. It cites the fact that industry confidence in the sector, as well as the pace of innovation, has continued to grow, ‘whereas the industry consensus is that the opportunity for further DSLR innovation has become somewhat limited’. It also believes that specialist retailers are offering more extensive support for mirror-less, which will ultimately benefit end users, while noting that – of course – mirror-less bodies are typically smaller in size, lighter in weight and mechanically simpler than DSLRs. While this is a limitation for some who actually prefer larger DSLR style grips, it adds that some manufacturers are marginally increasing the size

of some mirror-less models.

There is good news for the consumer as well as retailer, in that increased competition among the mirror-less brands and the relatively fast pace at which mirror-less models are updated, compared to digital SLRs, often results in more significant price discounts, Futuresource believes. And, while the range of mirror-less lenses is still not as extensive as that for DSLRs, mirror-less manufacturers are offering a growing range of camera bodies and lenses for both enthusiasts and professional end users. Third party lens manufacturers including Sigma have also launched new mirror-less lenses in 2018, thus increasing credibility for the mirror-less segment, it suggests.

Technology has also played a part in popularity. Futuresource notes that throughout last year 35% of mirrorless cameras sold were equipped with 4K-resolution video compared with only 7% of DSLRs, with this set to rise to 51% of mirror-less cameras versus 9% of DSLRs in 2018. With 100% of mirror-less cameras offering Wi-Fi connectivity when compared with two thirds of modern DSLRs, mirror-less performance too is, it says now ‘almost on a par with DSLRs’.

Agree or disagree with any of the above? As ever send us your views to: info@bpinews.co.uk www.futuresourceconsulting.com/reports

The Italian support stalwart has redesigned its 492 (below, left) and 492LCD centre ball heads and expanded its range with the introduction of the 490 model (below, right) – the latter being described as the simplest centre ball head in its range, while all three are said to be aimed at amateur photographers.

The 492 (SRP £54.95) and 492LCD (£64.95) heads are able to withstand a load of 4Kg, and are said to be ideal for attaching a variety of accessories, such as an LED light, a light reflector, a monitor for video recording, or a compact microphone.

Finally, the 490 is said to be very reliable and easy to use, with one knob operating the entire head. This also can support a payload of 4Kg and is said to be ideal for amateur photographers needing a quick, smart and simple head for their CSC or mirror-less camera. SRP is £44.95. www.manfrotto.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 20 November 2018 | BPI News

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BPI News Product Focus

EXTENDED PLAY: ACT FAST TO GRAB A DEAL FROM DPS GROUP & EPSON

As the nights get darker the deals on Epson large format printers via the DPS Group just get brighter. Until the end of November there’s an extended three-year warranty on P-series printers from the P6000 to P20000, helping you get the best out of seasonal sales

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here’s no time to waste if you want to grab a great deal from Epson re-seller The DPS Group this month. Until the end of November, in conjunction with Epson, it’s offering an extended three-year warranty on the manufacturer’s acclaimed P-series range of printers; a deal encompassing every model from the P6000 up to the P20000. As you’ll recall, this range directly replaced Epson’s popular Stylus Pro printer line up and includes some of the biggest, heavy-duty devices available to the photo trade.

There is one caveat however: “Get your skates on, as you’ve only got until the end of this month to take advantage of Epson’s generous three year extended warranty offer,” confirms the pro-active DPS Group’s MD Maneesh Patel. “So speak to us today to find out how Epson’s P-series printers, from the P6000 to the P20000, can make for the perfect partner for your print fulfillment service.

“Better still, we’re offering demonstrations in our purpose built showroom for anyone who wants to try before they buy. Book an appointment to be talked through the capabilities by one of our in-house experts, so we can help determine which printer is best suited to your particular business requirements and tailor-make you a solution that will deliver reliability and profit.”

HIGH QUALITY, HIGH VOLUME LARGE FORMAT PRINTS

A big deal on Epson’s big guns: Order a range topping P20000 (above) or a P6000 (below) this month to get an extended three year warranty for added peace of mind

As many in the trade will be aware, Epson’s flagship P20000 replaced the old Stylus Pro 11880, and is recommended

by Maneesh’s team for those looking to add industrial heft to their print fulfilment. At 64-inches wide it’s designed for mini labs and photo retailers. Plus there’s versatility built in too: as well as printing photographs, its size enables it to additionally produce signage and

Another option for those in the UK trade looking to go big and deliver both high quality and high volume of output is the 44-inch wide format P10000, which has been developed for photographic laboratories and copy shops, or, as with its larger sibling, any business wanting to offer an in-house large format printing solution.

With current owners describing its operation as ‘like going back to the darkroom, yet error free’, the printer features a resolution of 600x600 dpi and, once again, a PrecisionCore MicroTFP print head. To help ensure high precision and accurate results every time, the SureColor SCP10000 features a newly developed camera based paper feed stabiliser and media inductive roller system.

“You’ve only got until the end of this month to take advantage of Epson’s generous three year extended warranty offer. So speak to us today to find out about Epson’s P-series printers, from the P6000 to the P20000.”

DPS Group MD Maneesh Patel point of sale material. A PrecisionCore MicroTFP print head delivers prints to a maximum 2400x1200dpi resolution, whilst its print head structure is said to result in fewer vibrations and more accurate ink drops and ink placement.

As one of Epson’s largest authorised partners, Maneesh confirms that the printer is a significantly superior successor to the previous Epson model, plus the time it takes to produce a print is rapid compared to competing products out there. “The DPS Group can help BPI News readers make the decision to upgrade to the Epson SureColor P series from their existing Epson Stylus Pro range or from any other brand they might own – for example Canon or HP,” he further promises.

A further plus for BPI News readers thinking about partnering with the DPS Group for their large format Epson printer needs is that you will also be able to take advantage of the DPS Group’s on-going low prices for the compatible inks; in the case of the P20000, to take one example, that’s Epson’s UltraChrome Pro 10-colour inkset.

So don’t miss out on that extended three-year warranty! Get in touch with Dave Harrison via 020 8460 3690 or dharrison@dpsb.co.uk to request a demo and discover the advantages of using an Epson P-series printer in your own business. www.thedpsgroup.co.uk www.dpsb.co.uk

Contact the DPS Group’s Dave Harrison for a demo on 020 8460 3690 or dharrison@dpsb.co.uk or visit www.dpsb.co.uk NEVER MISS AN ISSUE! Read BPI News online at issuu.com/bpinewsonline

BPI News | November 2018 21

Minilab News

ALL ROADS LEAD TO SUCCESS WITH FUJIFILM

Last month the pro-active manufacturer struck out across the British Isles with its print solutions roadshow, taking in Exeter, Cheltenham, Harrogate, Heathrow and Livingston in Scotland. Here Fujifilm UK’s Marketing Manager Peter Wigington outlines its key focus – namely to showcase the profitable range of personalised print solutions offered via Fujifilm Imagine kiosk software…

T

o make a success of something, sometimes you’ve just got to get out on the road and sell it.

That’s just what Fujifilm, along with distributor Swains, did last month when it embarked on its inaugural ‘Solutions Roadshow’, calling in at various cities the breadth of Britain. Here 100 photo retailers attended the five road show dates to catch up with exciting products and promotions being showcased for the peak pre-Christmas sales period.

“The aim was to showcase the range of personalised print solutions that minilabs and retailers can offer to their customers via the Fujifilm Imagine kiosk software in-store, online and via the mobile phone app,” Fujifilm Marketing Manager Peter Wigington reveals.

Said range may well be greater in size than you might imagine – hence the roadshow – and featured digital printing solutions including ‘Shacolla’ (double sided self-adhesive panels that can be utilised for photo displays), square prints, stretched canvas options, aluminum panels, posters, roll up banners, plus photo gifts including mugs, T-shirts, printing on slate and the perennial favourite of mobile phone covers, which, if not done instore, can be directed to the company’s outlook service providers, if so desired. As we’ve learnt

Above: Fujifilm celebrates the Solutions Roadshow’s success, with (L-R): Peter Wigington, Jamie O’Dell, Tony McCarthy, Danny Williams (Swains), Katie Frost (Swains), Wendy Gray (Inspires Consultancy), Mark Wade, Paul Henry & Greg Corbyn

Swains’ colourful, comprehensively featured stand, as described

by MD Danny Williams in this article

before in BPI News, personalisation of print products is big business, and here Fujifilm was demonstrating this is an area in which it excels.

“We also showed a range of display furniture in the form of trestle tables, crates and ladders that, in combination, demonstrated how retailers could create visually exciting merchandised displays in store,” Peter enthuses. As we’ve noted in the past, in challenging times merchandising and promotions are more important than ever to the photo retailer, with the above mentioned range of shelving solutions making it easy for stores of any size to create exciting and visually inspiring merchandised displays.

With the Christmas gifting period almost upon us, road show partner Swains also showcased its album and frame solutions, with MD Danny Williams attending all the events apart from Heathrow.

“Many customers reacted very favourably towards the full range of new frames and photo gifts products on display,” recalls Danny. “It’s very difficult for our sales force to show the complete range, but the shows gave us an opportunity to display both the Christmas lines and our new lines for 2019.

“Another winner at the show was our online passport solution, which was demonstrated at each venue, along with a new LED back panel that eliminated shadows. With the government promoting online renewals, it answered many of the challenges now faced by photo specialist retailers.

“Finally, we were lucky enough to be given the only sample in the UK of the new Epson FF-680W to demonstrate at the shows. It will be available from January and allows retailers to scan up to 30 6x4 prints in just 30 seconds. With an estimated cost of £600, it proved a winner at each event. Our sales force will be taking pre-orders from mid-November.”

DEMONSTRATION OF THE INNOVATION The roadshows were open from 2pm to 8pm each day to entice visitors from the photo trade and, additionally, says Peter: “included demos for existing member retailers of our extensive range of wide format media. All of our welcome guests took away a presentation box of 10 of our most popular media offerings, including poly cotton canvas, fine art canvas, re-

Boost your print sales in 2018! Get in touch with Peter direct on 01234 572138 or via photoprintservices_uk@fujifilm.com 22 November 2018 | BPI News

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Fujifilm Advertorial

position-able adhesive vinyl, art board and a metal panel. They also took away a presentation box with a set of four 8-inch ‘Casbar’ canvas stretcher bars, with a pre-printed and cut image on poly cotton media so they could make up the product for themselves – and witness how effective and easy it was to do so. Across the shows, unsurprisingly some 70% of visitors comprised our existing members, who had been inspired to find out even more what Fujifilm can do for them.”

While orders for both Fujifilm DX100 dry labs and Epson Workforce Pro printers were taken from existing retailer partners, Peter adds that it was encouraging that the other 30% of attendees were new prospects, including retailers interested in finding out more about the membership benefits of the independent photo retailer marketing scheme. Aside from roadshows like

Above: Kiosks and printers galore showed the trade how they can quickly and easily produce profitable prints and order photo gifts

Below: As well as products, Fujifilm showcased its merchandise display furniture, including trestle tables, crates and ladders

The aim was to showcase the range of personalised print solutions that minilabs and retailers can offer to their customers via the Fujifilm Imagine kiosk software in-store, online and via the mobile phone app.”

Fujifilm Marketing Manager Peter Wigington the one described, there’s the brand’s independent photo retailer marketing program, which, as regular readers will be aware, includes marketing support, its Business Endeavour Program, plus on-going business advice from Wendy Gray at Inspires Consultancy.

In conclusion, Peter Wigington says: “I’d like to thank each and every one of the retailers who came along to our Roadshows. Unlike at an exhibition, we got a chance to spend more time with each retailer and really talk about their business and how the solutions we are creating can help them meet

the growing demand for personalised photo print. They are all so positive that it was a pleasure to meet them all.”

The final bit of news is that Peter is pleased to announce the winner of the free Solutions Roadshow draw, with the prize of a £250 Weekend Break for Two, is Dave Rasch of Phoenix Photographic, Rayleigh. Congratulations Dave.

As ever, if you’re wondering how partnering with Fujifilm can positively influence your own business, then best get in touch with Peter Wigington and his team direct on 01234 572138 or email photoprintservices_uk@fujifilm.com

Boost your print sales in 2018! Get in touch with Peter direct on 01234 572138 or via photoprintservices_uk@fujifilm.com @bpi_news

BPI News | November 2018 23

News

MILLENNIALS ‘STRESSED’ ABOUT GETTING THE PERFECT SHOT, SAYS CEWE REPORT With social media seemingly such an integral aspect of the daily lives of the millennial generation, a recent report by photobook specialist CEWE Photoworld has revealed that attempting to take the perfect image for social media is taking its toll on the mental health of this particular age group.

Suggesting that an average adult now can spend up to 44 minutes a day taking and editing photos, it adds that 44% of 25-34 year olds feel under immense pressure to take photos of their life to upload to social media, with 34% of the same age group now taking the majority of their photos due to the pressure of social media, rather than just to enjoy for themselves. Some 41% said the process had made them stressed or anxious, while 34% reported that their photo taking had caused an argument with their partner in the past (we’ve all been there, whatever our age demographic – Ed).

Unfortunately for the photo trade, however, CEWE notes that fewer people are taking photos to put into actual albums or frames, with the average person keeping 584 photos stored on their phone – and less than a third of these being of sufficient quality that the person who took them would want to look at them again.

Clare Moreton, Digital Marketing Director at CEWE Photoworld, says: “As a nation, we’re taking more photos than ever before, but the increase in smartphones and social

media has led to a throwaway culture where we are taking photos that we view once, never to look at again.

“With our research showing that huge numbers of people are getting stressed or anxious about taking photos for social media, we think it is time to bring the joy back into photography.

Photography should not just be a tool to create images to go on social media or that sit untouched on our phones – it should be used to capture and cherish our most important moments forever.”

On the back of its report, CEWE had run a nationwide competition

throughout October with the aim of helping to redefine photographs as precious moments captured in time, as opposed to disposable content. Twelve eventual winners were due to receive a £50 CEWE voucher, with the overall victor receiving a £500 voucher from Wilkinson Cameras. The winners go on to be entered into the CEWE Photo Award, which it describes as the world’s largest international photography competition for 2019, with opportunity to scoop 250,000 Euros in prizes. For more, visit the CEWE website: https://cewephotoworld.com/cewe-uk-competition

WIDEST ZOOM AVAILABLE FOR SONY FE CAMERAS Distributor UK Optics has announced a Laowa-branded lens that it is calling the widest zoom available for Sony full frame FE mount cameras right now. The Loawa 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 FE Zoom is also claimed as the smallest lens in its class at 910mm in length and 70mm in diameter while weighing a manageable 496g. With no electronic connections, it can also be used on Sony’s smaller APS-C sensor cameras, where it provides a wide focal length equivalent to 1527mm. Shortest focusing distance is

15cm, while the all-metal barrel of the lens houses 14 elements in 10 groups with one extra low dispersion element and two apsherical elements to deliver exceptional optical quality and performance. A rear filter slot is included to fit 37mm filters, while it also features a high quality chromium FE mount to ensure what it says is a solid coupling between camera body and lens. With stock due at the end of November, SRP is £899. www.laowalens.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 24 November 2018 | BPI News

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News

TACTICAL MOVE

BY LOWEPRO A new line up for the ProTactic series, which is claimed to be the number one seller worldwide for the brand, has been unveiled. The new series includes enhanced backpacks plus an expanded modular system and accessories, with SRP’s ranging from £11.95 for the quick straps, up to £259.99 for the 450 AW II. The newest backpacks are the ProTactic BP 350 AW II and the 450 AW II, which both fit between one and two DSLRs, with the latter being able to accommodate a slightly longer lens attached (a 70-200mm f/2.8, rather than the smaller model’s 24-70mm f/2.8), plus a 15-inch rather than 13-inch laptop.

Next up are purpose built lens cases in the ProTactic Lens Exchange 100 AW

and 200 AW, allowing your photographer customers to swap out a lens with one hand. The dual compartment design expands to temporarily hold two lenses during exchange, while there’s an all weather cover, easy grip main handle, plus removable and adjustable shoulder strap.

Another option is Lowepro’s allpurpose ProTactic Utility Bag 100 AW and 200 AW which both provide space for photo and video gear and a padded removable interior divider.

Again they feature a SlipLock compatible tab and an all weather cover.

Lastly there are a handful of ProTactic extras, including a Bottle Pouch, Utility Belt (Batman not included), Phone Pouch and Quick Straps. The latter adjusts from five to 13.5 inches. www.lowepro.com www.vitecgroup.com

Firm commitment from Panasonic Alert your customers to the fact that the electrical giant has revealed a raft of firmware updates for its mirror-less models, including the DCGH5S, the DC-G9, and the DC-GH5, the release date for which was late October. On the DC-GH5S the latest software fix is said to improve AF performance, righting cases where the focus point shifted to the background while tracking a subject in AFC mode. It has also claimed to have improved operating stability during Variable Frame Rate recording through HDMI output, improved video performance when shooting in Creative Video M mode and improved operation in general when dealing with specific lighting conditions, such as fluorescent lights, where the camera was previously slow to deal with changes in brightness.

For owners of the DC-G9, the latest firmware adjustments also improve AF performance and the camera’s reaction to specific lighting conditions, as detailed above.

The firmware for the DC-GH5, meanwhile, is also said to fix the same AF performance ‘bug’, and improve video performance in Creative Video M mode, as well as correct for the fact that time code was sometimes reset when the camera’s battery was replaced. It has also reportedly fixed an issue that didn’t allow an intended frame to be cut out of footage when shooting in 6K Photo or 4K Photo mode. Head to the Panasonic website for more. www.panasonic.co.uk

Could you have Magnum licked?

Do you, or your customers, have what it takes to join world renowned photographic collective Magnum, which is looking for the next generation of international photographers to join its artistic cooperative and follow in the footsteps of Robert Capa, Henri CartierBresson and, more recently, Martin Parr?

Applicants are required to submit two to three photographic projects with up

to 80 pictures in total, with the deadline for submissions being January 31st, 2019.

Beyond that, the process of becoming a full member takes four years, with successful applicants first invited to become a nominee member and then able to apply for associate membership after two years. A further portfolio of work is required to clear the final hurdle and be considered for full membership.

Once elected though, a full Magnum member remains as such for life, or as long as the photographer chooses.

As those in the trade will be aware, Magnum was founded in 1947 by Robert Capa, Henri Cartier-Bresson, George Rodger and David Seymour and functions as a cooperative owned by its members, with its photographers currently continuing to chronicle the world and interpret its people, events and issues through visual storytelling.

Photographic portfolios can be

submitted via https://contests.picter.com/ magnum-photos/submissions-2019/ Submissions are open until 31st January 2019. Nominee members will be announced 1st July 2019.

BEST OF THE BEST: Sample images by recent Magnum nominees Lindokuhle Sobweka (above) and Rafal Milach (left)

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

BPI News | November 2018 25

Business Advice

FROM BLACK FRIDAY TO CHRISTMAS GOLD It’s the time of year when the trade should be bringing their ‘A’ game. With this in mind, resident business expert Adam Bernstein offers some tips on getting a maximum return from the seasonal opportunity that Black Friday and Christmas presents both manufacturers and their specialist retail partners…

B

lack Friday, the well-known American import, is upon us again later this month – and while many retailers take part, some have been hesitant in the past. It’s hard to tell by how much they’re missing out, but the truth is that many retailers have told us that the annual long weekend of discounts and deals can deliver as much revenue as the two weeks leading up to Christmas. With this in mind, it seems churlish to ignore it completely. So, with time tight, you might want to make note of the following quick tips for making a success of it, especially if a Black Friday related promotion is something you’re trying out for the first time. A lot of these pointers also

26 November 2018 | BPI News

relate to a potential to increase sales into Christmas – and, in fact, all year round.

E-COMMERCE COUNTS Like it or loathe it, e-commerce is the bedrock of any Black Friday promotion. As a successful retailer you’ll have a website, one that’s been designed to attract page views and that helps customers buy online with the same ease as if they were in the shop with you. But having a website doesn’t mean that new customers will find you; and if customers don’t know you exist, it’s a sure bet that they’ll not beat a path to your door.

There is a solution: your website needs

to be optimised for search engines and must offer consumers the route of least resistance when trying to buy from you. If customers can’t find what they want, see a paucity of product information, can’t read the basics such as delivery costs (and return policy), or have a tough time purchasing, they’ll navigate away and buy elsewhere.

As highlighted by marketingland.com, visitors to a typical website leave after 15 seconds. Remember, last year (2017) consumers spent around £1.2bn over the Black Friday weekend, which makes it very important to get your offer correct. You’ll be the loser if they leave your site quickly.

To maximise sales, firstly ensure that

www.bpinews.co.uk

Black Friday & Xmas retail special Retail is all about selling. But selling should not be at any cost and so it makes sense to be clever (but fair) with deals offered.” search engines can ‘crawl’ your website.

Next, use key words to attract buyers.

Thirdly, have your website optimised for mobile devices, and see that it is easy to navigate and search. Lastly, remember a picture is worth a thousand words, so use images to inform customers.

DON’T BE ANTI-SOCIAL Here is another tip – use social media to your advantage. To some it is the work of the devil. To others it’s just another promotional tool via which to make contact. The reality is that it’s somewhere in-between. And, as it has the potential to connect a business to millions of people, retailers cannot ignore the phenomenon.

As we’ve noted previously in BPI News, active audiences can, if energised, become your advocates and marketeers.

Unfortunately though, active audiences often go under utilised by SME businesses, because they don’t always have the time, resources and budget to support them. This inevitably means that many businesses are missing out, as online and social media is increasingly key to how some consumers undertake their research and buy products.

Research from Engage Hub in 2017 makes the point well. It found that 26% of 18 to 24 year olds said that social media is their preferred method of receiving messages from brands; one in five (20%) of those surveyed overall said they would prefer to receive marketing messages from brands via social media platforms; 57% said they are more likely to buy from brands they follow on social media; and 75% said that they have made purchases based on something they saw on social media.

Social media, apart from subscription fees and your time, doesn’t really require a huge budget. However, it does require some thought. Post in haste and repent at leisure.

To get this right, you need to find the best social networks for your target audience; develop your brand on social platforms; share products and branded content (with appropriate hashtags to make finding the content easier); follow and engage users; and consider using promoted posts (while noting the ASA rules on advertising).

CENTRALISE You may sell from one shop, send e-commerce goods from another, and/ or incorporate platforms such as eBay and Amazon into your sales push. If

@bpi_news

this is the case, you need to centralise control of your inventory, or else you’re likely to generate unhappy customers who order a product but find that it’s out of stock. The reputational damage will be worse than anything positive you get from the marketing you’ve done.

Interestingly, a report from Stitch Labs reckons that businesses that use their own site plus one marketplace can make 38% more than just selling from their own site. When adding two market places to the portfolio, the sales rise by 120% over own-site sales.

As we’ve noted though, multiple methods of selling make inventory control critical. Allied to this is the need to be able to deliver goods bought quickly. Remember, we live in a society where consumers want purchases now.

Firms that make mistakes here tend to do so only the once. The lesson is to be organised; use a reliable shipping partner; make the cost of delivery fair and easy for customers to calculate; and best of all, make sure they feel valued, via updates on the status of their delivery.

BE STRATEGIC Retail is all about selling. But selling should not be at any cost and so it makes sense to be clever (but fair) with deals offered. The whole point of Black Friday is that goods are sold on a ‘deal’, which means discounting. But discounting can work to both parties’ advantage when goods are sold in a bundle – you’re selling more to cover the lost margin, while the customer is overall getting more for their money.

A tip from experts is to offer extras within a bundle that adds value in the eyes of the consumer. For example, a camera is useless without a memory card (or film) and can get damaged without a case. Adding these two items – at a discount –makes the camera instantly more desirable and useable by the consumer, harder for them to make an online comparison (because not everyone’s bundle deals will be the same, even if the core component is), yet increases the revenue and hopefully profit to the retailer.

Alternatively, you could add extras once a consumer hits a level of spend – a free memory card and case on a £500 spend, a memory card, case and tripod on £1,000 and so on.

To conclude, whatever you decide to do, just first put yourself in the position of a customer – what would you want from a retailer taking part in a Black

How to have a cracking Christmas It’s not long until the festive season is upon us. Here, then, are some ideas to get the best out of the next couple of months for your business. n HAVE A SALE Just because you’ve recently had a Black Friday promotion doesn’t mean that you can’t have another sale. Plan something different, but just as enticing. Perhaps even avoid the normal convention of dropping prices between close of business on Christmas Eve and the start of New Year – it’s a sure-fire way to irritate customers and see product returns. n HOLD AN EVENT Christmas music, the smell of mince pies and cinnamon wafting through your store, a bucket of sweets, decorations… they all get people in the mood. Consider having something for (young) children to do, too. Apple do this well with low level tables and chairs and iPads. The point is this: howling bored children make parents with wallets leave quickly. Do remember to tie the event into your products, however – offer items that help customers take a good Christmas photo, give tips on how to edit and improve images, or make it easy to order photo albums as gifts. n USE EMAIL Email is simple, fast and cheap compared to Royal Mail, but you will need consent to email consumers. Don’t bombard them and, secondly, make the offer competitive and easy to understand. n WINDOW DISPLAYS Don’t forget that your shop window is the literal window into your world. Use light, glass and mirrors to create a display that generates interest. At the corporate end of the scale, Selfridges makes a point of world-class window displays at Christmas that are always a talking point. Do the same for your store (budget allowing!) and make it the talk of your own locale.

Friday weekend promotion? It’s highly likely you’d expect either new products, existing products on a better than normal deal, or both! Just don’t become a ‘me too’ box shifter, as a lack of uniqueness and differentiation will mean you lose out.

BPI News | November 2018 27

END 2018 WITH A BANG & GET OFF TO A GREAT START IN 2019... ...By booking coverage in BPI News (combined Dec/Jan edition has Nov 21st copy date!)

The Big Interview

The Big Interview

East MEEts WEst taka – or led at Fujifilm UK: Yoshi Managing Director instal working across the Mid summer saw a new for approximately 340 staff ty nsibili respo with , with leading ‘Yoshi’ – Nakamura latest ‘Big Interview’ Q&A t candidate then for our UK and Ireland. A perfec … trade photo figures in the

A

already s BPI News readers will business be aware, Fujifilm’s UK rcovers not just consume printing, facing photo imaging and devices and digital cameras, optical cial offset, lenses, but also commer , along with digital and inkjet printing ics. medical systems and diagnost all this is Newly appointed to oversee ‘Yoshi’ Nakamura, new UK MD Yoshitaka Asia Pacific who arrives fresh from its Yoshi’s career Photo Imaging division. aphy stretches with Fujfilm and photogr at which he back to 1992, and the point Imaging joined its Tokyo-based Photo naturally wanted division. Given this, we ties simulari to discuss differences and West – as and East between business in the the photo imaging well as the global state of a view with – it find y market as we presentl al bigger picture. to giving us the proverbi

ain rs consider how to entert most Japanese retaile When it comes to retail, whether that be in attract their curiosity, customers in store and or big event.” conjunction with a season

Left: Fujifilm’s new UK MD Yoshi Nakamura showcases the brand’s flagship medium format mirrorless camera Fujifilm GFX 50S; big in Japan and also in the West

retailing print. to the established way of of print it was possible tangible. This market trend We wanted to show that global and more accessible and accessories can be truly to make photo printing enjoy, generation of will diversify the way people and appealing to the new aphy. photogr to, ed now had only a and are introduc consumers who up until ies? The experience in What are the other similarit rather boring and sterile already you as a little phones photo mobile use of shop. By making l, and the issue a photo rather mentioned is quite universa bit more of a lifestyle activity, from phones camera file, we of how we encourage prints than the just output of a dising nt of enjoyme the is the same. Product merchan have sought to increase around the The results are is also similar: retailers consumers as they shop. needs for terrific increase in world experience the same really very good, with a value, spend. in growth d successful retailing. Choice, continue footfall and on top of that relevance are all key, and everything. with both X customer service means Q: Considering your success , how important series and Instax cameras what in both analogue Q: Leading on from that, is it to keep a presence from something that It’s can UK retailers learn ‘camps’? digital and promote unique position how Japanese retailers currently puts you in a s? turers… and sell Fujifilm product among camera manufac

nt category Instax is a really importa putting a lot for Fujifilm and we are the brand of effort into supporting means, growth worldwide. This we want to amongst other things that to the public see Instax being shown t manner. in a strong and consisten most Japanese When it comes to retail, Below: consider how to entertain The manufacturer has retailers their customers in store and attract likewise struck retail conjunction in be Instax its that gold with curiosity, whether The Wonder instant print analogue with a season or big event. cameras; reflected in designed was Photo shop concept this colourful display and provide a specifically to address this of an increasingly on experience broad product range ‘real life’, enjoyable, hands of antidote at Tokyo’s Haneda of photography, as a kind

us a bit BPI News: Can you tell date about how your career to led to your becoming MD? have been with Yoshitaka Nakamura: I – all of my career Fujifilm for over 25 years g Director – most recently as Managin graduating of Fujifilm Malaysia. After out in the Photo from university, I started There, for Imaging division in Tokyo. d my skills more than a decade, I develope business and knowledge of the Fujifilm marketing roles through sales and global America in before moving on to North bility for the 2005, taking on responsi business. After photo printing solutions to Tokyo six years in the US, I returned the Instax and to focus on the growth of division. the Asia Pacific Photo Imaging

Airport

News | 16 September 2018 BPI

to We have a mission in Fujifilm photography’, ‘Preserve the culture of to continue to which means that we want use photography explore how consumers for them. and to make relevant products to instant, We are committed to film, to expand and to digital. We continue our flagship the X Series range and to appeal GFX medium format system the beginner to a wider audience, from in just the last to the professional. Also, new Instax year we have launched two and a new SQ10 and SQ6 cameras SP3. These smartphone Instax printer format which feature the new ‘Square’ consumers. has huge appeal for our

customer Q: What do you think the UK right perception is of Fujifilm areas now… and are there any If so, that could be improved? how will you address them? survey We do have a regular tracking customers think of what consumers and think we do a about us. Whilst we always put the to is hy philosop good job, and our everything we customer at the heart of for improvement. do, there is always room ons innovati l technica some There are be able to which we would love to improvements accelerate, and there are procedures to some of our systems and nt. This takes impleme to want we which properly, but time, especially to do it in the end! we will always get there

you mentioned Q: Upon becoming MD, ’s presence and a desire to take Fujifilm to ‘the impact in the UK and Ireland mean by that? you did next level’. What ic Imaging, Besides Photo and Electron are very good which certainly in the UK other activities. businesses, we have many Imaging and Medical thriving a We have a large scale Diagnostic business, and Graphic and operation supplying the ally, leveraging Print markets. Addition technological the unique capabilities and have several expertise of Fujifilm, we Life Sciences other UK operations in . I will be and the Specialist Ink industry synergies in all looking to make strong and preparing of the various activities d growth. the company for sustaine

sly as Trading styles do vary enormou even though , there are We are finding that actually, you would expect. However diminished among the new film printing has, of course, similarities, particularly the UK? overall sales of aphers we see Q: How are you finding photogr of on quite dramatically, our generati young constant. It’s true into photography. photo paper remain quite today and their journey one of the most Fujifilm has The UK photo market is in Europe, that this is partially because In Japan and Asia, just like are some very but it’s also because aphy has advanced in the world. There grown its market share, Instax and analogue photogr the forefront of increasing on innovative companies at devices are being used in and this younger generati , digital boomed much is really there , and We have been very wholesaling and retailing interest in the production numbers to make prints. genuine a es have compani , these kiosk solutions This has been we can do to work with successful in producing and use of real photo prints. ambitions with mobile app their to further accelerate their and now we have several d by young people taking . prompte solutions which , creative and Imagine our own technical and e film cameras products like POP Book first photos using single-us to make photo a physical diary of consumers can easily use and being able to record and photo or via a kiosk. g Instax or Q: Worldwide, the camera products, whether remotely their life in a journal, attachin many can make printing markets have faced photo prints. I think we square people from – from years recent learned challenges in In a world of social Q: What lessons have you more of this in the UK. smartphone instead can be applied to printing less, or using a on to something the Japanese market that media it’s great to hold is Fujifilm all?

How at ies camera. d similarit of a dedicate the UK? Are there any potential issues? both address to ng continui

Find Fujifilm at Photokina

relevant Our success will come from earlier, meaning products, as mentioned able to access our trade partners will be and new a constant stream of existing in markets that innovations. We operate e, as well have a high degree of resilienc growth. We’ve as great opportunities for aphy and spoken about instant photogr are just smartphone printing, which will continue two areas to focus on. We products, to innovate new camera aphers as the demands of photogr features. push us to develop new

this year. Head

www.fujifilm.co.uk to Hall 4.2, A010 / B019.

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of future Q: Where do you see areas nity business growth and opportu Fujifilm coming from – for both ?

UK and its trade partners

Find Fujifilm at Photokina @bpi_news

this year. Head to Hall

up this month.

Q: Photokina is coming be attending, Will the Fujifilm UK team from the brand? and what can we expect nt Photokina is a really importa the main show, and readers will find a in Hall 4, Fujifilm stand at Photokin not just hugely on Floor 2. Photokina is for consumers important for us, but also We will be and our trade partners. solutions for showcasing products and – photo and both sides of our business rly looking print – and I’m particula easy and forward to showcasing how it to order photo intuitive we are making smartphone. services directly from a

e Just on e su more is ws e of BPI N ore ef to go b as!

Christm

does Fujifilm Q: Finally, what message readers?

UK have for BPI News’ the UK Even though I’m new to News is market, I know that BPI ed a highly regarded and establish would like I spirit, this In publication. readers and to equally celebrate your ul wonderf this in being for thank them the photo photo industry, along with continued manufacturers for their are aware We support. and interest strong trade that we are weak without rs, partners and dynamic consume to help us so I would like everyone photography!’.

‘Preserve the culture of

jifilm.co.uk

4.2, A010 / B019. www.fu

2018 17 BPI News | September

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Go ‘Wild’ with Benro this winter

There’s a couple of new Benro tripod kits available to the trade via Mac Group Europe – each with the option of either aluminium or carbon fibre construction – which are said to have been specially created for those with a passion for wildlife and nature. These ‘fern green’ liveried Benro Wild tripod sets each feature a BWH4 two-way pan and tilt head that is designed to support loads up to 4Kg in weight and includes a new Arca-compatible quick release system, making swapping kit quick and easy it’s claimed. Also featured are four leg sections in order that the tripods can be folded down to a very compact size. The design of the twist leg locks is also said to make it far easier to take them apart and clean them after bird watchers have spent a day in sandy, salty or muddy conditions.

Each kit is supplied with a carry bag, a set of spiked feet and a tool kit included. Direct your customers to the Benro Wild 1 Aluminium Birding Kit & BWH4 head at £150 SRP, or the Benro Wild 1 Carbon Fibre Birding Kit & BWH4 head for £300 SRP. Alternatively go for the slightly larger Benro Wild 2 Aluminium Birding Kit & BWH4 head at £180 SRP or the Benro Wild 2 Carbon Fibre Birding Kit & BWH4 head for SRP £340.

“We understand just how crucial stability is to birdwatchers and we know how robust products need to be in the environments they operate in – we’re confident that the Wild series tripods will deliver the qualities required,” promises Mac Group’s Product Manager for Benro, Mark Hoskins. www.benroeu.com

INTREPID VENTURE FOR ANALOGUE PHOTOGRAPHY LOVERS UK based analogue camera company Intrepid has been in touch about its successful Kickstarter campaign to fund the production of its ‘Intrepid Enlarger’, an attachment which it says it spent two years designing and turns any 4x5 film camera into a fully functional darkroom enlarger to make prints from 4x5, 120 and 35mm film. Additionally it suggests it can be used as a standalone lightbox to make digital scans from negatives.

The full kit consists of a Lightbox attachment to fit to the back of any Graflok 4x5 camera, a programmable timer to accurately control exposure, swappable carriers for film negatives, a multigrade filter holder and lens board to attach an enlarger lens. All that needs to be added is a tripod or copy stand plus an enlarging lens (or standard 4x5 lens).

The firm says the fact that it reached

its target within the first 20 minutes for its ‘ultimate DIY photography tool’ suggests that analogue film is not only alive and well, but there is a strong desire amongst enthusiasts to get it back in the darkroom despite living in a digital age. The Kickstarter online campaign had already been backed to the tune of almost £80,000 (from an initial £15K goal) as we went to press. www.intrepidcamera.co.uk

Lexar: finger clickin’ good Here’s a nifty gadget bearing the Lexar brand that feels like it’s been beamed in from the future: a portable flash drive for all that digital data that utilises fingerprint authentication as a security feature. The Lexar JumpDrive F35 can save up to 10 fingerprint IDs, to make sure that only the drive’s user and their closest collaborators have access to the contents. Boasting an easy set up with no software required to operate, file transfer speeds are up to 150MB/sec, while the drive comes with a limited three-year warranty. Available capacities are 32GB, 64GB, 128GB and 256GB. “The F35 combines reliable and secure data storage with biometric technology

to prevent unauthorized access to your files – adding an extra layer of security for your drive by using fingerprint authentication,” promises Lexar’s Director of Global Marketing, Joel Boquiren. “It is ideal for business professionals and photographers who require high-privacy protection to meet their needs.” www.lexar.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 November 2018 | BPI News

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