British Photographic Industry News October 2019

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OCTOBER 2019 • £3

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With organisers confirming a host of big names for 2020, we find out why some equally important players have dropped out

Fresh ideas for profiting from print shared by Cre8 Studios in Newark, whose customers include both the famous and amateur

Two new wide format printers are heading retailers’ way this December. BPI News reports back from the London unveiling

Why the only way is ethics when it comes to running your business, plus important points to consider if passing the baton to new owners

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Editorial | October 2019

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

r perhaps fearful, seeing as October, as anyone with young children will know, is the month of Halloween. However we’re hoping to be pleasantly surprised rather than shocked by what is to come, even if the industry remains, like the wider world of business, rather unpredictable. This month, some of our big news stories include the fact that Nikon, Olympus and Leica have dropped out of next May’s Photokina – delivering a blow for both visitors and organisers – and Jessops has lost its long-serving CEO, who isn’t being replaced. More positively, Nikon is teasing its next flagship DSLR, Leica coincidentally features as our product of the Month, and there are new products galore from a host of big names to get customers through your doors to boost your bottom line.

Increasingly, it seems, a lot of the innovation at the moment is happening in the world of print rather than cameras.

While successive generations of DSLRs

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and mirrorless are defined by the fact that their auto focus performance is a smidgeon faster and more accurate than previous generations – important, for sure, but perhaps not always reason enough to upgrade – those manufacturers also (or alternatively) involved in photofinishing are coming up with ever more inventive and creative ideas to help retailers make a sale. And, as most will be aware, make a much higher margin per product when doing so; which is reason enough to think about adding a dry lab, kiosk or even large format printer to your photo business. We’ve sensible options peppered throughout this edition of the mag, so please turn our pages and peruse them.

As we hurtle toward what’s traditionally the busiest trading season of the year, our business feature this month examines the importance of ethics – the morals, values and principles that guide an organisation – and suggests that firms who take their ethical responsibilities seriously do better financially over the long term. We also take a look at handing on the baton to younger family members if you’re coming up to retirement, and how this can be achieved in a way that is the most sensible and fiscally sound. Readers always tell me they enjoy our business articles – while we also hear from many retailers approaching retirement and considering their next move – so we hope our free advice proves invaluable.

As always, do let us know if you’ve a particular topic you’d like us to highlight.

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NEW NIKON DSLR, LENSES & MOVIE KIT With the announcement that it currently has a Nikon D6 pro DSLR body (right) plus AF-S Nikkor 120-300mm f/2.8E FL ED SR VR lens (below, right) in development, the manufacturer is showing that it hasn’t forgotten its traditional customer base.

That said, there is a new movie kit being launched for its Z 6 mirrorless model.

The revelation that there is a D6 on the way marks the 20th anniversary of Nikon’s single digit ‘D’ camera series, which began with the D1 in 1999. For its part, the new telephoto zoom lens marks the 60th anniversary of the Nikon F mount, adopted for the D series.

The newest zoom is, unsurprisingly, aimed at sports photography.

While we don’t have release dates and pricing for the above yet, we do for another new Nikon lens: the wide angle Nikkor Z 24mm f/1.8 S (right).

This arrives October 17th for £1049 SRP

and is described as an ultra sharp prime lens for capturing each scene with life-like clarity. Thanks to near silent AF it’s also said to be great for shooting video, while minimum focus is as near as 0.25 metres.

Finally, for the aforementioned full frame mirrorless photographers there’s the accurately named Nikon Z 6 Essential Movie Kit (right). This is said to provide the ‘pure essentials’ in order for filmmakers to

quickly get rolling. The kit comes with a Nikon Z 6 camera plus FTZ mount adaptor to allow for seamless integration with a wide range of F-mount Nikkor lenses.

Availability was from mid September, with pre-orders open now at an SRP of £2,639.

“With the Nikon Z 6 Essential Movie Kit, Nikon is delivering a long-awaited solution for advanced and professional moving content creators who want to take advantage of the Nikon Z 6’s high-level video capabilities,” Nikon UK’s Senior Commercial Planning Manager Robert Harmon believes. “As it focuses on the core needs of videographers, with no unnecessary accessories, it’s the ideal start-up kit to shape your personal video workflow with Nikon – and it has the advantage of our soonto-be-released RAW recording capability, making it a future-proof investment.” www.nikon.co.uk

New ‘X’ camera duo broadcast by Fuji Fujifilm chose an online video ‘summit’ broadcast from a studio in Shibuya, Tokyo late last month to announce the long-term rumours are true and it is indeed working on an X-Pro3 (right) mirrorless camera.

With more still to be revealed at an official launch on October 23rd, Fuji divulged that, in a move to please the photo purists, the X-Pro3, interestingly, has a ‘hidden’ LCD at the back, which flips open to allow shooting at waist level. A 10th Film Simulation mode has also been added to the camera in ‘Classic Neg’, while the body is fashioned from hard-wearing titanium. The manufacturer also revealed that it is working on an XF 50mm f/1 lens for the series, although this is still at the concept stage.

We have more detail however on another new release in the Fujifilm X-A7 (right) APS-C sensor mirrorless model,

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available from the end of this month. It’s compact and lightweight (at 320g body only) and comes with a suggested price tag of £699. Customers to pitch it to include photographers on the go, plus social media types including video bloggers (or ‘vloggers) in particular and ‘content creators’ in general. As well as featuring a 24.2 megapixel chip, the entry-level camera can shoot 4K video at up to 30fps (Full HD clips

also at up to 60fps) and comes with a larger than average 3.5-inch touch screen 16:9 aspect ratio LCD, which is also, for the first time in the X series, a vari-angle screen. The camera’s kit lens is a 15-45mm f/3.5-5.6 OIS zoom and the bundled battery is capable of delivering 440 pictures per charge with the camera placed in economy mode. www.fujifilm.co.uk

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PHOTOKINA PLOUGHS AHEAD, AS BIG NAMES DROP OUT Big photographic ‘beasts’ including Nikon, Olympus and Leica have cancelled appearances at the forthcoming Photokina show in Cologne, scheduled for May 2020. Trade visitors will recall Olympus had nothing new to show at the previous Photokina 2018 and hosted an Olympus Playground aimed at encouraging creativity instead. The lack of Nikon and Leica might be seen as slightly more surprising however – particularly when Leica has a German headquarters.

With Photokina’s organisers admitting the industry is in transformation – on the one hand the ‘classic’ camera market reports declining sales, while on the other the enjoyment of photography itself continues to grow – it nevertheless expects to see further growth and innovation in the areas of mobile, motion and digital imaging.

President and CEO of Photokina venue Koelnmesse, Gerald Böse, believes: “Photokina represents a unique opportunity to show the world that the themes of photo, video and imaging have not become less relevant.

We are relying on the major players of the industry to make the greatest possible use of this opportunity.”

Organisers add that the share of younger visitors to Photokina has also

exhibitions and fairs. As a result, we have decided not to participate in Photokina 2020 on this occasion. We see other, more effective, opportunities within Europe to reach our customers and communicate with them directly about our products.

We intend to review the decision to exhibit at Photokina every year.”

Olympus takes a similar line. It told us: “Our decision was taken based on a continued loss of significance of the major industry events. We believe we can reach our target groups and stakeholders in other ways. We are therefore using the capacities that are freed up to make it possible for people to continue to experience photography.

Olympus continually attends The Photography Show and holds many workshops throughout Europe.”

The next Photokina is scheduled for 27th to 30th May 2020. www.photokina.com

increased over the past two events – and that the ‘new situation’ changes nothing.

“We look forward to strong demand and applications from both the new and the classic segments of companies like Canon, CEWE, GoPro, Sony, Panasonic, Kodak Alaris, Sigma, Tamron, Carl Zeiss, Hasselblad, Hahnemühle, Arri, Rode Mikrophones, DJI and Insta360”, concludes Christoph Werner, Vice President of Koelnmesse.

BPI News got in touch with the companies who have dropped out of next year’s event for comment. Nikon told us: “We regularly review our participation in trade events, in accordance with Nikon’s guidelines and policies on global

JESSOPS: OUT WITH THE OLD Rumours of management changes at Jessops over the summer were confirmed when former CEO Neil Old updated his LinkedIn page early September to reveal he is now the MD of Signet Jewelers.

As those in the trade will be aware, Old had been with Jessops for the past seven years, overseeing a period of great change for the photo independent, as Dragon’s Den Star Peter Jones rescued it from administration and began a programme of store re-openings up and down the country, with the aim of building a group of around 50 stores, rather than the original 200+. Former Marketing Manager Michelle D’vazPlant also left Jessops over the summer, and is replaced by Geraint Evans.

BPI News reached out to Jessops for comment and received the following update: “After seven years, Jessops CEO Neil Old has now left the business to move on to a new opportunity with Signet.

Old news: departed CEO Neil pictured at Jessops’ refitted Bromley branch last year. The company doesn’t plan to fill his vacated role

BIG INTERVIEW: BPI News spoke to Neil Old in May 2018. Read the interview online by scanning the QR code to the right or following this link: bit.ly/bpi-may2018-p10

Neil has played a crucial role in building Jessops following its buyout by Peter Jones CBE in 2013. Jessops wish him the very best going forward and thank him for all of his contributions to the continued growth of the company. Due to the strength and breadth of Jessops’ senior management team and entrepreneur Peter Jones continuing to lead the business as Chairman, the business is not currently searching for a replacement.” www.jessops.com

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

BPI News | October 2019 5

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AGFA JOINS KODAK ON THE COMEBACK TRAIL European distributor GT Company has been in touch to reveal not only new Kodak branded cameras on the way, but also new Agfa Photo branded product.

While we’ve seen occasional new product from Kodak licence holder JK Imaging over the past few years – it’s coming up to two decades since we last saw an Agfa branded camera, though Agfa Photo has a heritage stretching back some 150 years.

Showcased at electronics trade show IFA last month, the Kodak Pixpro AZ1000 (below, left) is described as its newest super zoom, boasting a whopping 102x optical zoom lens, 20 megapixel backside-illuminated CMOS sensor, 19.5mm wide angle lens and the ability to shoot 4K video.

Arriving this autumn, the price at the German show as given as €549.

More interesting perhaps is a new rugged and waterproof model in the

Kodak Pixpro WPZ2 (below, right) digital compact, which arrives in a hard-to-miss bright yellow hue. Specification includes a 4x optical zoom and, while it’s resistant to dust, shocks and freezing conditions, it can also be fully submerged to depths of 15 metres. SRP is just €149.

Likewise available via the GT Company, which is not only distributing but also manufacturing a new Agfa range of instant cameras and portable dye sub printers, are two point-and-shoot cameras

in the Agfa Photo Realpix Square S (above, left) and Realpix Mini S (above, centre). These instant models are joined by two mini photo printers – the Realpix Square P (above) and Realpix Moments – while a third dye sub device in the Realpix Mini P (left) will be available December. All Agfa Photos products are circa £100/€100 SRP – making them very affordable options, especially for gifting in the run up to Christmas.

As regards UK stockists of the Kodak cameras, GT Company tells us that while the products will be available on Amazon, it is also in discussion with Dixons/Carphone Warehouse, Argos and PC World. Presently the Agfa line up is only available via Amazon. www.kodakpixpro.com www.gtcompany.fr

Profoto: ‘C’ what we did there The lighting specialist has been exploring ever more portable solutions of late, so it’s no great surprise that it now has smartphone photographers, influencers and bloggers in its sights with the release of the Profoto C1 and C1 Plus, available now.

“What has changed is that from

today forward, Profoto is committed to supporting all image creators, regardless of what camera they are using; smartphone or other cameras,” admits Profoto’s CEO Anders Hedebark. “That is why we developed the Profoto C1 product range and the new and intuitive Profoto Camera app for smartphones.

You connect them to the camera and then in auto mode it’s point and shoot.

The app will calculate the exposure and flash power for you, based on the surrounding light conditions.”

The C1 pair is described as delivering natural looking light with a soft, gentle fall off – partly due to the shape, which Profoto describe as ‘round, like the sun.’

The C1 Plus gets its moniker because it’s compatible with a range of light

shaping accessories, from a dome diffuser to colour gels and grids for those who want to get more creative. These snap on and off via its magnetic mount. www.profoto.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 October 2019 | BPI News

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Hähnel’s Chinese takeaway CANON: CARRY ON AT YOUR CONVENIENCE After offering us up a new EOS M6 Mark II mirrorless and EOS 90D DSLR last month, Canon is firing a further warning shot across the bows of competitors by unveiling its compact and portable EOS M200. Weighing just 299g (without lens) and aimed at smartphone users looking to make the jump to an interchangeable lens camera, the pitch to your customers here is ‘DSLR quality yet smartphone convenience’.

At the M200’s heart are a 24.1 megapixel APS-C sensor and a Digic 8 processor, while its user interface has been designed to hold the hand of first

timers. Naturally we get the ability to shoot 4K-resolution video here too, which includes a 4K time-lapse feature.

The rear LCD is also handily of the tilting variety. For those retailers looking to make that extra (and future) sale, remind customers that by investing in an EF-EOS M mount adapter they’ll have access to Canon’s entire EOS lens range, which may just tip the scale in this camera’s favour.

Available in a choice of black or white bodies, the EOS M200 is available this month at £499.99 SRP. www.canon.co.uk

Third time lucky for CameraWorld Live Following an event at Brand’s Hatch back in the summer, the London leg of CameraWorld’s product showcase and retail opportunity is back for a third year running, with a location at 155 Bishopsgate, handily adjacent to Liverpool St Station.

The date for your trade diary is Saturday October 26th, with scheduled opening times from 10am to 5pm.

Ostensibly a consumer-targeted event, Jason Mitchell and Tony Stent promise visitors will be able to touch and try products this year from brands including Benro, Tenba and Saramonic – and experience some ‘UK firsts’.

Undoubtedly a big part of the lure for attendees will be the retailer’s show deals, plus experts on hand to advise and demonstrate. Informative photography

seminars, live studio demonstrations and tutorials provided by pro photographers on a wide range of subjects are an added attraction, as is the ability for visitors to trade in unwanted kit. www.cameraworldlive.co.uk

Photo accessory specialist Hähnel has been newly appointed exclusive UK distributor for Leofoto. For those already not in the know, Leofoto is described by Hähnel as one of China’s leading producers of finely crafted photographic equipment, which, for over a decade, has included carbon fibre tripods. In fact, its state-of-the-art factory, employing over 300 engineers, can manufacture up to 2,000 tripods per day. The hook up with Hähnel follows a couple of years in which the Chinese manufacturer has been building its business throughout Europe and offering distribution opportunities to selective partners.

Anyone in the trade looking to place an order will be reassured by the fact that Leofoto’s tripods are covered by a 10 year warranty and any service or repairs will be undertaken by Hähnel’s in-house customer support and repairs team. The tripods are manufactured using 10 layers of TORAYCA carbon fibre (described as a high end Japanese fibre), while all aluminium components are precision machined.

Find out more at www.leofoto.com and get in touch with Hähnel via www.hahnel.ie

FIRMWARE MAKES FINE THE SONY α9 The manufacturer has released a software tweak for its full frame mirrorless camera. Downloadable for free via the Sony Support site, the Version 6.00 update claims to deliver key functions including Real-time Eye AF for animals (alongside human subjects), interval shooting, plus compatibility with Sony’s own handheld RMT-P1BT Remote Commander. Selecting either animal or human Eye AF mode, depending on the shooting situation, is now an option, while the aforementioned Interval Shooting function allows the creation of time-lapse videos.

In addition its manufacturer says the firmware improves the overall stability of the camera and makes it more user friendly.

For example photographers can assign ‘My menu’ to appear when first selecting the menu button, while it’s also now possible to select the Focus Frame Colour, allowing for a choice between red, grey or standard green. www.sony.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 October 2019 | BPI News

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‘S’ EXPRESS: MEET PANASONIC’S 6K SHOOTER A year after its fledgling S1 and S1R full frame mirrorless cameras were announced at Photokina 2018 – controversially being the first in its range to jettison the Micro Four Thirds format – the electronics firm has officially launched its third ‘S’ series option in the impressively specified Panasonic Lumix S1H, which went on sale last month at £3,599.99 SRP. A professional tool aimed at video makers as much as, or more than, photographers, the 24.2 megapixel model is notable for being claimed as the world’s first full frame camera capable of recording 24fps video at 6K resolution in 3:2 aspect ratio. It can also manage 5.9K at 30fps in 16:9 widescreen ratio, as well as 10-bit 60p 4K/C4K. Unsurprisingly, stills shooters also get a 6K-photo mode – which allows for the ‘best’ image to be selected from a 30fps 6K resolution burst, providing the equivalent of an 18 megapixel image file.

Other S1H features include body integral anti shake system, 3.2-inch touch screen LCD, 1.8-inch top plate status display panel, plus compatibility with L-system lenses and accessories. More than 45 L-mount optics – including over 10 from Panasonic itself – are scheduled to be available by the end of 2020. And of course L-mount adapters extend creative possibilities even further

Special K: Panasonic is upping the ante with its new S1H full frame L-mount mirrorless camera, allowing photographers and videographers to enjoy the benefit of 6K resolution. Newly compatible 24-70mm lens shown below

for your photographer customers.

Off the back of the camera launch, a firmware development (due for availability in early 2020) has also been revealed that enables the output of maximum 5.9K/29.97p RAW video data from the S1H to an Atomos Ninja V 4K HDR monitor-recorder over HDMI. Again, this should make it even more appealing for serious videographers.

In related news, the manufacturer has

also unveiled two new lenses.

The Lumix S Pro 24-70mm f/2.8 for its L-mount cameras was due to go on sale at the end of September for £2,249.99 SRP. Arriving at the end of this month for the Micro Four Thirds system meanwhile is the Leica DG 25mm f/1.4 II ASPH lens, which has a suggested price of £579.99. www.panasonic.co.uk

NEW AMBASSADOR FOR OLYMPUS Olympus has announced the latest of its brand ambassadors working with the manufacturer on workshops and the supply of imagery. This time however, the main accent isn’t on stills photography, as new recruit Jimmy Cheng (www.jimmycheng.photography) is being given the role of Video Ambassador.

The brand suggests that video is a natural progression for many stills photographers and many are focusing on the video features already within their Olympus cameras. Combining these with Olympus high quality audio products, it believes, will enable its photographer customers (and yours) to produce more professional videos and add an extra dimension to their portfolio.

Olympus Marketing Manager Georgina

Pavelin says: “It’s great to see so many photographers moving into the video sector and learning new skills to extend their offering to customers. Video is also a great way to self-promote, via social media. Jimmy has been using Olympus kit for seven years and we were very impressed by his You Tube channel (Red35 Photography) and engagement.

We are pleased to introduce Jimmy as our Video Ambassador and look forward to supporting video events to combine our audio and imaging products in delivering a compact solution.”

The brand reveals Jimmy (pictured) is currently shooting on the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II and E-M1 X. www.olympus.co.uk

BPI News is your mouthpiece to the photo trade, so use it! Send your press releases and news items direct to: info@bpinews.co.uk 10 October 2019 | BPI News

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BPI News Product Focus

KODAK MOMENTS’ ‘AFFORDABLE & SCALABLE’ PRINT STATION Following last month’s news of a long-term deal supplying the Timpson group, plus new Kodak Moments Retail Software, the manufacturer is introducing a new affordable M1 Order Station with which to tempt the UK retail trade…

T

he Kodak Moments division of Kodak Alaris has introduced its first piece of new hardware in quite some time: the compact and sleek Kodak Moments M1 Order Station.

Described by the company as an affordable entry-level model, this would be suitable for any business looking to get into print fulfillment to swell their possible customer base, to update an older set up – or who simply wants to take advantage of the growing market for producing prints from smartphones.

Indeed, one of its main aims is to drive traffic to bricks and mortar retailers.

Key features of the new station include a more compact, 13-inch tablet-like screen to provide for easy and intuitive operation – as well as minimising the need for it to take up valuable floor space. Although the interface may be smaller, there’s no compromise in terms of what’s on offer.

The same Kodak Moments Retail Software V9.0 is featured here, as found on the larger kiosk screens – and indeed

M1 Order Station at a glance: n Affordable and scalable photo printing solution n 13-inch tablet-like screen display n Generates additional revenue and footfall for retailers n Powered by intuitive Kodak Moments Retail Software n Streamlined and user friendly for your customers n Print from camera cards, smartphones via tethered lead, Bluetooth or Wi-Fi with the aid of the Kodak moments App, or via USB n Allows for the creation of high quality prints, cards and collages

Under starters’ orders: Perfect for anyone looking to get into offering a photo finishing service for the first time, the new M1 Order Station in its various configurations boasts a small footprint yet big potential

Harness the powe r of Kodak Moments.

SC AL AB I LIT Y

The M1 Order Station gives retailers who are interested in entering the photo printing category a convenient, easy, affordable solution that serves their customers and drives additional in store revenue.”

Kodak Moments’ President Nicki Zongrone the new station can be connected up to larger printers. Suggestions include the Kodak 305 printer or 6900 Photo Printer. In short, this is an affordable and scalable photo printing solution.

MEET DEMAND – AND INCREASE IT!

AN D PE R FO R M AN C

E

Introducing the M1 Order Station.

In a rapidly transfo rming market, with smartphones changing the face of the photo printin g industry, agility is the key to staying ahead of the curve.

Compact, scalable and affordable, the new M1 Order Station features worldclass Kodak Mome nts Kiosk Software that is design ed to help you expan d your services and increa se your revenue.

Believing that consumer demand for photo printing is still strong – given that more than a trillion photos are taken by consumers annually, it’s claimed – Kodak Moments says that, in order to succeed, retailers must provide their customers with a streamlined and user-friendly system. It believes the Kodak Moments M1 Order Station is very much it… and is seeing interest from a variety of retailers as a result.

It goes without saying that the Kodak brand is one that’s still trusted

worldwide and very much remains synonymous with taking and enhancing customers’ favourite photos, turning such memories into long lasting prints in a myriad of shapes and sizes.

“Smartphones are changing the face of the photo printing industry and retail kiosks are changing the way consumers engage with brands,” says Kodak Moments’ President Nicki Zongrone.

“Our goal with the M1 Order Station is to give retailers who are interested in entering the photo printing category a convenient, easy, affordable solution that serves their customers and drives additional in store revenue.”

For the retailers’ part, all they need is a power socket and a few square feet.

To learn more, please visit www.kodakmoments.com/M1 where a short demonstration video can also be viewed.

Point your browser at: www.kodakmoments.com/M1 where a short demonstration video can also be viewed.

12 October 2019 | BPI News

www.bpinews.co.uk

BPI News Product Focus

ONE ‘L’ OF A CAMERA SYSTEM FROM SIGMA Sigma has unveiled its own L-mount ‘fp’ camera to add to its burgeoning line up of L-mount compatible lenses – thus ensuring the Japanese manufacturer can offer dealers a complete system...

T

he biggest news story at the last Photokina was the teaming up of the Sigma, Panasonic and Leica brands to form the L-Mount Alliance – with the trio sharing Leica’s ‘L’ system mount in the development of cameras and lenses. While Panasonic has recently announced its third full frame L-mount camera (see News this issue), the expectation was that Sigma’s focus would, naturally, be on producing compatible lenses.

All that excitingly changed last month, however, with the unveiling of the L-mount compatible Sigma fp camera body, aimed equally at filmmakers and photographers. This sits alongside the 11 L-mount lenses it has already revealed, with three further additions, as detailed below, bringing the current total to 14. Put simply, Sigma now offers dealers and their serious photographer customers one ‘L’ of a system.

Sigma fp benefits at a glance: n 24.6 effective megapixel 35mm full frame sensor (no Foveon chip this time) n 4K cine capture at 24fps n Up to 120 fps cine capture in Full HD mode n Cine mode also boasts 12 bit Cinema DNG Raw capture n EF and PL glass can be mounted on the camera via Sigma’s new MC-21 (EF-L) and MC-31 (PL-L) adaptors, respectively n Face and eye tracking AF n Responsive touch screen n New Tone and Colour modes n Lots of fp mounting accessory options, including grips, viewfinders and flash units photographers and cinematographers to explore, a delivery date and pricing for the Sigma fp is expected soon.

As we touched on last month there are also three newly available ‘L’ system lenses to direct your customers to which, incidentally, are also available for the Sony E-mount. These are the Sigma 35mm f/1.2 DG DN, 45mm f/2.8 DG DN and 1424mm f/2.8 DG DN. All are available now.

The 45mm is part of Sigma’s Contemporary range. Suitable for

WORLD’S SMALLEST & LIGHTEST FULL FRAME MIRRORLESS Sigma has fashioned its new 24.6 effective megapixel fp camera (‘fp’ being an abbreviation of the musical term ‘fortissimo pianissimo’) to be compact enough to take anywhere, while nevertheless including the power of a full frame sensor at its heart. Breaking with company tradition, it’s Sigma’s first not to feature a Foveon sensor. Added to this, the body weighs just 370g, while dimensions of 112.6x69.9x45.3mm further aid portability.

Despite the compact size, the ‘fp’ has big ambitions. Sigma UK’s new General Manager Paul Reynolds enthuses that: “the quality of the 12bit RAW, 4K video is high-end enough to be used on Hollywood movies… it really is a fullyfeatured cinema camera in a tiny box.”

Not unsurprisingly we’re told it is fast becoming very popular with the cinema market off the back of initial showcases, including at Amsterdam’s IBC trade show.

Boasting an impressive 18fps continuous burst rate for shooting stills, the camera further demonstrates its professional mettle by being weather

sealed at 42 points to protect against splashes and dust. Add to this the fact that it can be rigged with as many accessories as the user chooses, including grips, viewfinders and flash units. As a further bonus, because this is an L-mount compatible camera, the ‘fp’ can be used with lenses and accessories from many other brands, not just Sigma itself.

While the L-mount camera may be pro grade, its manufacturer has ensured it remains highly intuitive to use. For example, we get facial recognition and eye tracking AF to ensure pin-sharp subject accuracy, it includes a responsive touch screen and photographers can switch between stills and video capture with one finger movement.

With evidently lots for serious

Well played: Sigma’s new ‘fortissimo pianissimo’ full frame L-mount camera will have as much appeal to filmmakers as photographers, being powerful despite its compact proportions

All lenses sold via Sigma Imaging UK come with the benefit of a three year limited warranty. www.sigma-imaging-uk.com 14 October 2019 | BPI News

www.bpinews.co.uk

News

“The Sigma fp’s video feature is high-end enough to be used on Hollywood movies… it really is like a cine camera in a tiny box.”

Sigma UK General Manager Paul Reynolds everyday use, it’s capable of delivering beautiful bokeh. Operability and build quality is claimed as ‘outstanding’, with the lens’ stepping motor enabling high speed and highly accurate AF. SRP is £549.99.

The 35mm is Sigma’s first f/1.2 maximum aperture large diameter prime lens and forms part of the manufacturer’s ‘Art’ series. A perfect candidate for use with the fp camera, its maker claims the lens allows for creation of ‘astounding resolution and large bokeh effects’. It’s £1459.99 SRP. The 14-24mm zoom likewise slots into the ‘Art’ line up. This high performance wide-angle zoom is pitched as ‘the definitive lens for astrophotography’. Its construction, made up of one FLD glass and five SLD glass elements, has been arranged to suppress chromatic aberration to the edge of frame. SRP is again £1459.99.

Speak to your local Sigma representative NOW for more on the exciting new Sigma fp full frame camera and L series lenses.

LOWEPRO KEEPS ON ‘TREKKING The camera bag brand’s Pro Trekker range has just been re-designed and upgraded to deliver what it claims is greater performance, more utility and convenient versatility to its intended audience of both enthusiast and pro photographers.

Highlights of the re-booted, premium priced range include a modular two-piece carry-on design for its Backpack 550. When flying, a detachable lid is said to fit under the seat while the main backpack module can be stashed in an overhead compartment. Similarly its Roller 450 model can be converted from a backpack to a rolling case, there are stow-able harnesses provided for the Backpack 350 and Backpack 450 models for easier handling, while further features of the range include All Weather covers, durable materials and

zippers – all said to enhance protection from the elements. Suggested retail pricing for the four new packs ranges from £220.95 up to £360.95. www.lowepro.com

Ready for the photo robot revolution?

www.sigma-imaging-uk.com

One day soon it seems we truly will all be replaced by robots; that’s if a story coming from Mitsubishi Electric, placing it ‘at the heart of the photo robot revolution’, is the shape of things to come. It claims its compact CP-M1E (right) dye sub printer is helping innovative party and event robots – specifically the Eva Photography Robot from the company Service Robots (www.servicerobots.com) – deliver prints faster and with less need for human help.

The Photo Robot is linked wirelessly to a print station, where an operator (human) can complete sales and hand over prints from Mitsubishi ‘s CPM1E printer. It’s certainly a step up from placing

photo booths at events and parties.

Service Robots’ Director Tim Warrington adds: “I wanted to be able to tell clients I have a new robot with the best new printer out in the market. I also wanted one that meant no changing the paper roll half way through an event.”

Meeting this need was the 750 6x4-inch print per roll capacity of the new CP-M1E, while its smaller size has saved on kiosk and print station build costs.

“The speed and quality of printing are excellent”, Tim adds. “We can offer a range of print sizes and the printer has more features for a lower cost. The improved media capabilities mean more choice of products for the customer, and more sales.” www.mitsubishielectric-printing.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 NEVER MISS AN ISSUE! Read BPI News online at issuu.com/bpinewsonline

BPI News | October 2019 15

Minilab News

FUJIFILM HELPS PARTNERS GET CRE8-TIVE Newark’s Cre8 Studios may have been partnered with Fujifilm for their photofinishing requirements for a while, but they’re not resting on their laurels or missing an opportunity to update and innovate, as BPI News discovers…

I

n interesting times for retail, it helps to be fleet-of-foot and adaptable to whatever life and the industry throws at you. Better still, it can literally pay to stay ahead of the curve, as Fujifilm independent photo retail partner Cre8 Studios, of Newark in Nottinghamshire (www.cre8studios.co.uk), would testify.

Bucking the trend, Cre8’s Steve Watson and retail partner David Gates happily say they have seen an upturn in profit this past year.

With Cre8 Studios having been trading since 1995, business is, according to Steve, currently divided between 70% print processing and 30% taking photographs for paying clients. The latter is partly because Steve’s own background is in photography (and also film making), having bought into David’s business four years ago. “We got together because David has always handled my printing and photographic gear,” he reveals, as an aside. “In the early days I was doing a lot of family portraiture and used to bring all my orders to David.

Don’t get me wrong, I tried other places too – but I always found David was ‘on it’. He has got such a vast knowledge of print, he can look at an image and say ‘ah, that needs a bit of blue.’”

Cre8 Studios has been partnered with Fujifilm for the past five years, having

On brand: Lots of Fujifilm signage and a busy window display leaves potential customers in no doubt of the services Cre8 Studios can offer

previously been with another wellknown industry brand. Steve says that the difference they notice is in Fujifilm’s extra level of communication. “It feels like Fujifilm are looking to make their mark in the industry and put their stamp down,” he adds. “It’s a good brand and actually the whole team are lovely and supportive.”

RE-THINK & RE-FIT TO REAP THE REWARD

Screen of dreams: Front-of-house Fujifilm kiosks invite customers to touch and try, surrounded by lots of ideas for transforming digital images into tangible, physical products

Like many of Fujifilm’s independent photo retail partners, Cre8 Studios underwent a recent re-fit, introducing what they describe as a more ‘rustic’ feel to the shop in an era in which scrap booking and crafting are becoming more popular – possibly as a reaction to the otherwise fast pace of daily life.

“We try and keep things moving along on a regular basis,” Steve Watson notes.

“Change is important. Because of the rise of smartphones and printing dropping off, we’ve had to re-invent ourselves. I keep an eye on trends in interior design and noticed the house and home magazines were saying ‘rustic’ was going to be the

next big thing. So we took a punt in that direction and our customers liked it. If you’ve got a fairly plain, almost rough background, it seems to help your images jump out and off of it more.”

Since the refit the duo has noticed an upturn in business, with sales of frames in particular doing well. It’s hard to pin success on one particular area, however, as they note their customer base is a ‘real mix’. Photo restoration services and family albums are currently proving popular with the over 40’s, who have grown up with photographic prints, while for the ‘younger crowd’ scrapbooking is popular. “And I know they do well with that on the continent,” Steve adds.

“Since I’m a film maker too, I’ve been looking at producing ‘memory books’ for customers to share with elderly relatives who maybe have Alzheimer’s and dementia.”

In terms of promoting and marketing their business, David and Steve are further investigating the fields of podcasting and video blogging – with a view to offering training in shooting video for social media.

To discover how Fujifilm can inspire ideas and help boost the profile and bottom line of your own store or minilab, 16 October 2019 | BPI News

www.bpinews.co.uk

Fujifilm advertorial A DIVERSE PORTFOLIO WITH FUJIFILM

It feels like Fujifilm are looking to make their mark in the industry and put their stamp down. It’s a good brand and actually the whole team are lovely and supportive.”

Steve Watson, Cre8 Studios

Traditional photo printing hasn’t been forgotten, however, and with 6x4-inch prints and enlargements still the most popular orders, four Fujifilm order kiosks have been set up at the front of the store, supported by a wet-based lab and large format printing at the back.

Steve reveals the larger printer allows them to reach beyond the consumer

wanting regular 6x4-inch prints. As we previously covered in BPI News, September 2017, in the past Cre8 Studios has provided exhibition prints for celebrity portrait photographer Michel Haddi on Fujifilm Original Photo Paper (see www.michelhaddistudio.com).

Michel’s high profile subjects have famously included David Bowie, Blondie and Kate Moss. A big name like Michel will work with a smaller outfit like Cre8 because he knows he can get exceptional service and results.

A strong partnership: L to R: Cre8 Studio’s David Gates and Steve Watson feel Fujifilm is supportive of their business ambitions, while being ‘lovely’ to work with

Sales are taking off: the guys are always looking out for new ideas to make a sale, including licensing images to produce their own range of mugs

“He comes to us because he needs that quality and experience; it’s David who prints; no one else. We recently sent over half a million pounds’ worth of his prints to Milan. David is very good with keeping his finger on the

that can actually produce anything, whether it’s graphic art or Dave on the photography side, or me with the video.”

A case in point is a future Christmas promotion it is proactively planning.

“Last year, off our own back, we bought a

pulse and it’s paid off. Again, we’re always looking for new markets.”

The business is seeing not just an increase in orders via its Fujifilm kiosks, but also via the Fujifilm Imagine app, which it is intentionally pushing a lot more – along with an increasingly diverse portfolio of products.

Coinciding with the 75th anniversary of the Normandy landings that turned the tide of the Second World War, it has also licensed an image of a Spitfire plane produced by a local artist, with a view to reproducing it on mugs and other merchandise. In fact Steve is keen to offer said mugs to the trade, with five units being the minimum order.

“There’s good margins on them because they’re very unique,” he reasons, adding his passion derives from the fact that he is, himself, exRAF. It’s also good practice for a retailer to tie in any promotion with a topical issue, of course. “We make a point of always looking for those new markets,” Steve confirms, “And we don’t expect that they’re always going to be on our doorstep. We have a great back office

big Santa Claus backdrop from America, which looks incredible. The plan is to shoot 20 seconds of video along with a still image and ask the customer to download an app, whereby when they point their phone at the image it comes alive and the video plays: imagine it as being a bit like the framed Hogwarts portraits in the Harry Potter films. As far as we know, we’re the only people doing that. Again, it’s about trying to tap into different markets – and all about education. We also have info boards plastered all over the shop, so they’re in customers’ faces.

We’re constantly talking to our clients and asking them ‘do you know we do this?’”

The duo are happy in the fact that the incredible range of products from Fujifilm and its affiliates, some of which they first encountered at its dealer event back in May, provides them with the ammunition to do just that.

So, to learn more about how Fujifilm Print Services can help advise, inspire and improve your own business and turnover, get in touch with Marketing Manager Gloria McCann now on 01234 572138 and visit www.originalphotopaper.com

get in touch with Fujifilm’s Marketing Manager Gloria McCann on 01234 572138 or view www.originalphotopaper.com @bpi_news

BPI News | October 2019 17

News

2020 vision FUJIFILM ‘BREWS’ CREATIVITY IN PRINT ‘in the bag’

Manufacturer of posh camera bags Billingham has a new carry-all in the multi-colour option shape of the Hadley Pro 2020 – that it claims builds on the popularity of its best selling Hadley Pro range. As it result it maintains the original’s dimensions, capacity, ergonomics and format for a suggested £240. Manufactured in the West Midlands and with your customers protected by the peace of mind of a five-year guarantee, the bag is described as robust and easily accommodating of most DSLRs or almost any mirrorless camera plus three to four small medium sized lenses and accessories. Internal dimensions are 340x80x210mm, while external size is 430x140x280mm. The Hadley Pro 2020 is available now. www.billingham.co.uk

As previously reported in these pages, the print giant is due to be hosting its ‘My Life’ exhibition at London’s Truman Brewery, just off Brick Lane, on October 24th to 27th as we went to press, creating a literal image of what life is like in modern Britain. This is the culmination of an ambitious plan to invite amateur photographers to upload their images to an online portal and receive a free Fujifilm print in return.

On top of this there was the chance to

have their photograph/print exhibited in the show and be entered into a draw to win one of a host of prizes, including Fujifilm cameras. The idea behind it all is, of course, to get people (particularly the younger generation) not just taking pictures but also to get them to see the value of their images in print. Indeed the tagline to encourage entrants was: ‘your photo is worth printing’.

For more, and to get an update, visit fujifilm-printlife.eu/London

E’S ARE GOOD, FOR SONY Having already announced an RX100 VII compact and full frame A7R IV camera over the summer, its E-mount APS-C mirrorless line up has now been swollen with the addition of the lightweight bodied Alpha 6600 (below) and Alpha 6100 (right)– along with two new E-mount lenses in the E 16-55mm f/2.8 G standard zoom lens and the E 70-350mm f/4.5-6.3 G OSS super telephoto zoom. The new lenses mean that there are now a total of 54 available for its E-mount system.

As to the differences between the two cameras, Sony says the Alpha 6600 has

been designed to meet the needs of the ‘most demanding’ photographers and videographers, while the 6100 is targeted at users looking to make the step up to shooting with interchangeable cameras, and shooting photos and video in a variety of different scenarios. Both cameras feature a 24.2 megapixel sensor, a Bionz X processor, a touch panel rear LCD plus a claimed ‘lightning fast’ auto focus response time of 0.02 seconds.

Out this month, the Alpha 6600 has an SRP of £1450 body only, or it’s £1800

when bundled with an 18-135mm lens.

Also available this month, the 6100 comes with an SRP of £830 body only, or it’s £900 if buying the version that includes a 16-50mm lens, or £1150 for a twin lens kit that adds in an 55-210mm zoom.

The two lenses also arrive this month. The 16-55mm has an SRP of £1200, while the 70-350mm is £830. www.sony.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 18 October 2019 | BPI News

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BPI News Product Focus

PHOTOTEQ CELEBRATES 1ST YEAR WITH STRONG & UNIQUE PRODUCTS A host of household brands in the photo trade – including BLACKRAPID straps and H&Y filters – are joined by some innovative new names, all under the one roof of year-old distributor PhotoTEQ…

B

ased out of leafy Buckinghamshire, distributor PhotoTEQ, under Managing Director Paul Genge, is celebrating its first year of trading.

Though the company may still be relatively young, its MD has a long history in the photo trade, Paul having previously worked in key trade-facing roles with Johnsons Photopia, RED Digital Cinema, Daymen, Sony and Minolta before that.

With Paul out on the road covering most of England, up in Scotland he has recently recruited another longterm industry figure to showcase his growing PhotoTEQ portfolio, in Stirlingbased Olive Oakley. She is described as ‘incredibly popular’ with photo dealers.

He adds: “She covers all of Scotland, the North of England and Northern Ireland. She already had experience of selling BLACKRAPID into the trade. Honestly, everywhere I’d gone, I only heard good things about her.”

Coinciding with the first anniversary of PhotoTEQ, it’s not only its geographical coverage that is growing, but the breadth of its offerings too, with another new name and product range recently added. evoc Photo Bags – originating from Munich based bag specialist evoc Sports (www.evocsports.com) – join a family of products for which Paul tells us he is already exclusive importer and distributor; the others being camera strap specialist BLACKRAPID, H&Y Filters, Spudz cleaning cloths (below) from Alpine

Innovations, camera-themed pins and patches from Official Exclusive, plus rapid-access bags from Cosyspeed.

As you may expect, there is a wide array of evoc bags available in various sizes and at various prices, from hip packs worn about the waist to fullblown backpacks and roller bags for a greater amount of photographic gear.

INTERNATIONAL BRANDS, COUNTRYWIDE COVERAGE BLACKRAPID (shown left) was, by contrast, historically a brand associated with Johnsons Photopia, but when that company folded in 2018: “It immediately became very clear BLACKRAPID wanted to stick with whatever I ended up doing next, which is ultimately what set me on this path,” Paul adds.

“H&Y Filters said the same thing, so we’ve continued with them and in both

cases have increased their UK business.

The H&Y Filters range has also been expanded out and we now offer their full range in its entirety, which I’m very happy about, as they’re continuing to innovate and deliver, with some very smart products that the customer is picking up and enjoying. The dealers that we currently have stocking it are doing very nicely with it.”

The range of available Spudz camera and lens cloths has also been expanded since PhotoTEQ picked it up for distribution, with a number of variants in terms of design and

To enquire or order in all of the above brands, get in touch with PhotoTEQ MD Paul Genge 20 October 2019 | BPI News

www.bpinews.co.uk

PhotoTEQ Promotion bags certified vegan. “I bought one myself on the Internet, got it shipped over from Germany and thought it was brilliant. Since they weren’t currently being sold in the UK it was a no brainer to reach out to them and pick the brand up for exclusive UK distribution.”

Meanwhile, the retro themed pins and badges (top right) that celebrate some of the most iconic cameras of the past from Official Exclusive (retailing for £9 SRP) were an Instagram discovery for Paul; quickly added to his portfolio the week before The Photography Show back in March.

Going on to sell in their hundreds at the event, he is now offering them to UK dealers too.

Like the other products here, the badges are perfect for piggybacking on the sale of a camera or lens – and at the price they’re offered these are an impulse-buy for your customers. “I was impressed by how intricate the badge designs were and how representative of the cameras they were,” Paul marvels.

“I’d never seen anything quite so accurate, and we’ve sold thousands of them. We’ve now got about 15 stockists,

Current PhotoTEQ stockists include major names in Park Cameras, Wex Photo Video, LCE and Carmarthen Cameras (the latter of which we featured in BPI News Sept), as well as single store locations focusing on developing and printing.

Naturally PhotoTEQ wants to reach out to the photo retail trade in even greater numbers, and invites you to get in touch now via the contact details at the end of this feature. “Whilst the photo market is our core focus and we’re in the big stores, we’re equally happy to deal with smaller, single-store independents or chemists and opticians alike,” Paul concludes.

“What I’m pleased with is that we’ve Boxing clever: got a mixture of brands each offering colour. There’s a red cloth, a yellow Paul Genge has spent something unique and special… which cloth and an orange cloth, for example, the first year of his new is attractive to a wide range of accounts making them a perfect match for certain distribution venture who are buying from me. BLACKRAPID big name camera brands – plus two PhotoTEQ building up an impressive portfolio sizes of cloth at 6x6 and 10x10-inches. is a leading brand in the market with of strong and unique over a million units sold worldwide and The name Cosyspeed may be less brands that should has been the majority of our business in familiar to some, but, like EVOC, this is a do well for any photo year one. Now I’ve German brand. retailer. For example new ‘evoc’ bags for got evoc in readiness “I came across “We offer the full H&Y Filters range, which I’m very outdoor use, shown for year two, we’re this brand when happy about, as they’re continuing to innovate and above looking to mount a I was looking for deliver some very smart products. The dealers we have serious challenge in a camcorder bag I stocking it are doing very nicely with it.” that very popular could wear about PhotoTEQ MD & owner Paul Genge segment of sports and my waist, but outdoor bags; it’s a which still left both who I provide with a wooden framed strong company that is diversifying.” hands free,” explains Paul. “Cosyspeed’s pin badge board that sits on an easel It wouldn’t take much imagination focus is on a range of hip-worn very and allows them to make a nice display to say the same, increasingly, of fast access bags that can carry small next to their used cameras or developing distributor PhotoTEQ itself. bits of equipment such as a mirrorless and printing counter. Customers like To find out more about the must-stock brands camera and a lens, or a camcorder. them because they’re funky and cool.” falling under the PhotoTEQ umbrella, get Within virtually one second you’ve got That just leaves PhotoTEQ’s newest in contact NOW via sales@phototeq.com or the top flap open and the camera in acquisition in evoc, a leading brand in call 01280 811199 or 07855 062722. your hand.” The bags themselves are of the alpine sports and biking market, quality construction, and the company is which already has a global reach. “Their www.phototeq.com very ethical (see also this issue’s ethicsteam is wonderful and they’re very themed Business Feature), with all the cool, active people who make brilliant product,” Paul reveals. “They do a backpack, for example, that has a deployment canister inside it. If Paul has expanded the range of H&Y you should be snowboarding or Filters (left) available skiing and there’s an avalanche, to UK dealers, while you pull a cord and it inflates and recently taking on envelops you with an air cushion. the Cosyspeed brand, who provide rapidWhile the brand is massive in the sports access hip-worn bags and action markets, they’re relatively (shown right) suitable new in photo and have never been for cameras and promoted in the UK until now.” camcorders

via sales@phototeq.com or calling 01280 811199 or 07855 062722. See more details via www.phototeq.com @bpi_news

BPI News | October 2019 21

News

PHASE ONE’S ‘TRAVEL READY’ FIELD CAMERA Digital medium format photography specialist Phase One has launched what’s possibly the highest-end travel camera we’ve seen to date in the XT Camera System. The pitch is that the 150-megapixel full frame medium format camera system marries extraordinary image quality and extraordinary photographic technology – wedding Phase One’s IQ4 Infinity Platform with Rodenstock optics – but packs it into a travel friendly design.

Phase One Product Manager Drew Altdoerffer says: “The XT Camera System is designed to elevate both your creativity and image quality by providing the best possible components, in the smallest possible package with intuitive controls, all of which allows you to focus on the moment.”

That’s enough for fine art landscape photographer Reuben Wu, who adds:

“I love the XT. The combination of the Phase One IQ4, a compact camera body, and an incredible lens is just what I need. I can easily fit the camera with two lenses in my small shoulder bag, and still barely feel like I am carrying anything.”

With the manufacturer’s suggested retail price for the XT IQ4 150MP camera system including a lens of choice currently at a whopping $56,990, however, this is very much the specialist tool. www.phaseone.com/XT

SIGMA GOES ‘MAVERICK’ WITH NEW CINE LENS DEVELOPMENTS High end and specialised they may be, but there’s no doubt the photo trade has steadily pursued the possibility of reaching into other compatible markets, such as video and cinematography – witness Sigma making three new cine related announcements this month.

The first is a FF Classic Prime Line, based on the current FF Prime product line, but which, says Sigma, incorporates more non-coated optical elements to ‘achieve unrivalled expression’ and retain a high-resolution capability. Further features include what’s described as a ‘unique’ combination of low contrast and artistic flare/ghost in the image, along with the ability create beautiful bokeh effects if desired. We also get newly developed coatings on the glass elements. Launched at the end of 2019, Sigma says these will only be sold as a set of 10 primes. These are the: 14mm T3.2 FF, 20mm T2.5 FF, 24mm T2.5 FF, 28mm T2.5 FF, 35mm T2.5 FF, 40mm T2.5 FF, 50mm T2.5 FF, 85mm T2.5 FF, 105mm T2.5 FF and 135mm T3.2 FF. Secondly, PL mount lenses in Sigma’s FF High Speed Prime Line, which is its series optimized for large format camera

‘Big screen’ releases from Sigma: A new FF Classic Prime lens series (centre), joined by /i Technology compatible PL mount FF High Speed Prime lenses (left) and a PL to L mount lens converter (far right)

systems and 8K shooting, will be made /i Technology (a communication protocol) compatible from the end of this year. By using a /i Technology compatible cine lens with a cine camera that supports the same protocol, users can see and record lens metadata including focus distance, focal length and aperture.

Sigma reveals that prototypes of its /i Technology compatible FF High Speed Prime lens were used to shoot the Tom Cruise film ‘Top Gun: Maverick’, due for release in 2020. The manufacturer is currently considering a service for customers who already

purchased a Sigma PL mount lens that would make their existing lenses compatible with the protocol.

Thirdly, Sigma is flagging up the fact that by using its PL-L Mount Converter MC-31, filmmakers can utilise widely-used PL mount cine lenses on the newly announced Sigma fp camera (see also page 14 of this issue) and other L-mount cameras.

Exact dates and pricing for all of the above was still to be announced as we went to press. www.sigma-imaging-uk.com/cine-lenses/

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 22 October 2019 | BPI News

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BPI News Product Focus

CLOTHES ‘MAKETH’ THE PROFIT, ADVISE DPS GROUP & EPSON The DTG Solutions arm of Epson reseller the DPS Group is offering up the manufacturer’s ‘DTG’ (Direct-to-Garment) SC-F2100 T-shirt printer as a must-have option for retailers looking to expand their customer base and boost their bottom line…

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hristmas is on the way and that means prime gifting season.

When we think of photo gifts we typically imagine the production of mugs and key rings – but tote bags, T-shirts and, in fact, any manner of garments are another route to profit… and one being offered up to the photo trade right now by Epson reseller the DPS Group.

The tool you need to deliver goods to your customers (and profit to your business) is Epson’s direct-to-garment (or ‘DTG’) SC-F2100 printer. This autumn it could prove the lifesaver that makes all the difference to your bottom line.

The high-end printer is a device for printing on garments ranging from 100% cotton to 50/50 fabric blends. Because of the system’s use of four colour inks plus white ink, garment designs are promised to really ‘pop’. Moreover you won’t be twiddling your thumbs waiting for it to finish; it boasts an operational speed claimed to be twice as swift as the previous generation, thanks to the likes of Light Garment Mode and its quick-load platen. Maybe you saw it demonstrated at The Photography Show this year. If you didn’t, there’s the opportunity to book a demo with the DPS team at its Kent showroom.

Don’t lose your shirt: the DPS Group’s DTG Solutions division will print an order for you at nominal cost, so you can judge demand for a garment printer in your business up front

REMOVE RISK & REAP THE REVENUE Taking any of the ‘risk’ out of investing in such a machine, Epson specialist the DPS Group is giving you the chance to test demand up front, in offering to print your T-shirt or garment order and deliver it back to you. This conveniently allows you to build up an in-store or window display of printed garments that should, in turn, drive and build customer demand.

“Retailers can send T-shirt orders over to us for printing and we’ll deliver them back to the retailer at nominal

SureColor F2100 garment printer at a glance: n High quality garment prints at swift production speeds n Up to twice as fast as the previous generation ‘DTG’ printer n Four colour inks plus white ink for designs that really ‘pop’ n Option to print on 100% cotton garments or 50/50 fabric blends n Epson Garment Creator Software is intuitive and therefore easy to use n Integrated self-cleaning system means less downtime for the printer

“Retailers can send T-shirt orders over to us for printing and we’ll deliver them back to the retailer at nominal cost. This way, retailers can test demand for T-shirt printing without investing in DTG equipment from day one.”

DPS Group MD Maneesh Patel

A package ‘tailored’ to you: Partnering with the DPS Group also allows you to take advantage of its ongoing low prices for compatible inks

cost,” DPS Group MD Maneesh Patel confirms to BPI News. “This way, retailers can test demand for T-shirt printing without investing in DTG equipment from day one.” Just get in touch via the contact details below to take advantage of this winning solution this autumn.

A further bonus for BPI News readers thinking about partnering with the DPS Group for their garment printing requirements is that you will also be able to take advantage of its on-going low prices for the compatible

inks, making it the proverbial one stop shop. Plus, whatever your business or level, the company can tailor a package unique to you.

So don’t miss out on the opportunity to print garments for your customers on the run up to Christmas, to take advantage of the biggest gifting season of the year!

Contact sales@dtgsolutions.co.uk or call 020 8460 3690 now. www.dtgsolutions.co.uk

Book an Epson F2100 demo with DPS Group now on 020 8466 7230, email sales@dtgsolutions.co.uk or visit www.dtgsolutions.co.uk NEVER MISS AN ISSUE! Read BPI News online at issuu.com/bpinewsonline

BPI News | October 2019 23

BPI News Extra

NEW EPSON WIDE FORMAT PRINTERS BROADEN APPEAL To the possible delight of many BPI News readers, two new heavy-duty 12-colour workhorses have been unveiled in the 24-inch Epson SC-P7500 & 44-inch SC-P9500.

We report from the London launch…

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escribed by Epson’s UK Sales Manager for Pro Graphics Phil McMullin as “a further evolution of a successful formula,” the SureColor range of large format printers has been newly expanded to include the 24-inch SC-P7500 and the 44-inch SC-P9500.

Pitched at artists and photographers, in being able to print on fine art paper, canvases, photo paper and more, Product Manager Tom Owens pre-empted the reveal by divulging that Epson has maintained a 64% market share for 24inch printers, along with a respectable 50% market share for 44-inch devices.

Although outwardly there may not be a massive visual difference when compared to their predecessors – something that Tom referred to as “a solid, proven build,” inwardly the printers “set a new benchmark” according to their manufacturer.

Part of this is down to their deployment of a 12 colour Ultrachrome Pro ink set with K3 technology, which, conveniently, can be individually replaced when they run low. Said inks are claimed to offer exceptional dynamic range leading to “no more choosing between ink sets” for users.

The devices’ print heads use up to 800 nozzles for each colour to produce accurate dot placement and

A COMPLETE SOLUTION, IN PERFECT HARMONY Epson’s Phil McMullin adds: “In order to produce products that are truly innovative, we have to listen to what our customers really need, and what they don’t need. This allows us to build printers with no superfluous technology – and

“I believe that we’ve achieved something special that offers greater creative freedom and new potential business opportunities to our users…”

Epson UK’s Sales Manager for Pro Graphics, Phil McMullin eliminate misprints, while the printers can now print up to 4.3x faster.

Both printers are also “almost completely sealed” to prevent any possible intrusion of dust via their front and back covers. Despite this, users can access the print head, if needed, for maintenance purposes.

Paper now auto feeds to allow for a quicker change of media, while there is a newly installed 4.3-inch touch screen on board to improve usability. Epson’s customers can additionally customise the background colour and screen layout.

focus on what matters most to those who are using them, every day. With this is mind, I believe that we’ve achieved something special that offers greater creative freedom and new potential business opportunities to our users.

“To be able to offer 12-colour photo printers is a genuine first for us at Epson. This is further complemented by impressive print speeds, output quality and a user-friendly interface. Everything is designed to work in perfect harmony as we offer the complete solution – printer, inks, substrates, software and support.”

A harmonious solution: Epson UK’s team celebrate the launch of their two new printers in the SC-P7500 (shown) and SC-P9500, both of which are sure to prove popular with BPI News’ readership

At a glance: Epson SC-P7500 & SC-P9500 n Epson’s first ever 12-colour ink set, claiming to deliver its widest ever colour gamut with 99% Pantone coverage for increased accuracy n Advanced print heads use up to 800 nozzles for each colour n High speed & quality are combined, thanks to a μTFP12 print head with 300dpi resolution and 12 channels n 4.3-inch touch panel LCD which has a range of configuration options n Deeper blacks are achieved through black enhancement over-coating technology which results in even more striking and dramatic printed images n Both printers provide support for fine art papers, canvases, photo paper and more Availability for the new printers is scheduled to be from December this year, though their pricing was still ‘to be announced’ as we went to press. www.epson.eu

Make time to investigate Epson’s two new large format printer ‘workhorses’: the 24-inch SC-P7500 and 44-inch SC-P9500 24 October 2019 | BPI News

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Product of the Month

PRODUCT OF THE MONTH: LEICA Q2

Originally announced back in March this year, over the summer we finally managed to get to test and try the premium build 47.3 megapixel, full frame Leica Q2. Here’s what we thought…

Built like a tank and requiring a period of initial familiarity, the Leica Q2 is an ideal asset for anyone into street photography and a shooting-fromthe-hip photographic style

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f a single camera has an SRP of £4,250 you’d expect it not only to be crammed full of the latest technology and innovations but to be encased in a tank-like shell that will ably protect your investment – and that’s what we get courtesy of Leica’s new(ish) Q2. Hand crafted in Germany, a full frame sensor with a hefty 47.3 megapixel resolution is here married to a non removable 28mm Leica lens with bright/fast maximum f/1.7 aperture.

Resolution aside, differences when compared to the original ‘Q’ from four years ago include the Q2’s newly water and dust resistant magnesium construction body, which also now provides Bluetooth connectivity. A further change is the insertion of an SL series lithium battery, which has boosted the number of shots possible from a single charge from the original’s modest 270 pictures to a more respectable 350-shot showing for the Q2.

Obviously this camera is a great tool for street photography, although I admit that we at times felt a little self conscious carting this camera around London’s back streets with the bright red badge on front signaling that we were handling an expensive bit of kit to those in the know. It’s a bit too big to be tucked into a pocket. Recognising this, Leica has of course more recently released stealth versions of various models; and a stealth-y

Q2 might also be welcome. Otherwise a piece of black tape does the job in making the camera a tad less conspicuous.

Otherwise the look here is very much a mix of classic Leica, laced with some modern minimalism. We get a clean and straightforward top plate control layout, with a recessed command dial/ thumbwheel, raised shutter speed dial and forward-placed shutter release button, encircled by an on/off power lever.

Response times are near instantaneous.

BETTER THAN THE ORIGINAL? The lens and aperture range provided here matches that of the original ‘Q’, meaning Leica has retained what it claims proved popular first time around. That said, although its maker may be pitching this as a full frame digital camera that’s easy to use, total newcomers will require a period of familiarity. For example, while this camera offers 4K capture, there’s no a dedicated record button to immediately implement this, though, after a bit of hunting, you find there is an unmarked back plate button that allows the user to flip between stills and video.

Apart from the bits we’ve already mentioned, improvements include the camera’s AF response, with Leica pitching a speed of 0.15 seconds as ‘super fast’. Further reassurance is given via a

cross hair visible through the camera’s eye level electronic viewfinder, or via the touch screen LCD below. This flashes in green when AF is achieved, though bright conditions make it harder to 100% always recognise this.

Nevertheless the resolution on this camera is so high, and the lens quality so sharp, that if you’re capturing portraits with the Q2 be warned that they can be fairly unforgiving, picking up every stray hair and facial blemish you’d care to imagine. That said, if you’re buying this camera for reportage, then ‘warts and all’ may well be exactly what you’ve always wanted. www.leica-camera.com

A full frame sensor and bright wideangle lens deliver eye-popping-ly sharp subject matter with shedloads of detail.

Shoot close up and you can get some attractive ‘bokeh’ effects too

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

BPI News | October 2019 25

Business Advice

THE ONLY WAY IS ETHICS

Running a photo retail business involves more than just stocking and selling product. It means dealing with the nitty-gritty of management, which few relish. Worse still, some tasks appear grim and dull. But, with proper consideration, any changes that need to be made can be for the good of all, as Adam Bernstein explains

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usiness ethics – the morals, values and principles that guide an organisation –have become increasingly important in recent years. Heightened levels of corporate scrutiny have helped to encourage and promote fair trade, social responsibility and good governance.

While news travels quickly, bad news travels at lightning speed – consumers, suppliers and investors vote with their feet when it comes to dealing with

businesses that aren’t doing enough, or have been exposed for wrongdoing.

There are benefits for organisations operating ethically and that needn’t be at the expense of profit. In fact, research by the Institute of Business Ethics back in 2003 found that firms who take their ethical responsibilities seriously do better financially over the long term.

Reducing the use of plastics, to take one example, has made organisations look

at their products and adapt them, or even introduce new ones, which has the positive knock-on of broadening their appeal and attracting a wider market.

Unethical behavior, on the other hand, can embed illegal activity within a business or make pro-organisational unethical behaviour – where questionable actions are taken because they seemingly benefit an organisation in the short-term – become the norm. One example would

Got an idea for a photo trade-related business issue you’d like us to cover? Let us know direct via info@bpinews.co.uk 26 October 2019 | BPI News

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Business Management Special be overselling the benefits of a product in order to hit sales target. The shortterm impact is financial gain, but down the line the consumer returns the product due to feeling short-changed.

Business ethics isn’t just another layer of bureaucracy; it needs to be woven into your business. This means procedures, policies and practices and rewards for the correct behaviour.

Ethics should be communicated through everything the business does, from POS material to its Facebook page.

Of course, having policies means that it’s inevitable that infringements will occur. The question then is how should they be dealt with? The answer is that it depends on the nature and the seriousness of the mistake: encouraging discussion of honest mistakes, rather than apportioning blame if the problem is minor. In essence, firms need to communicate that ethics are at the core of what they do, while providing clear guidance on what is and isn’t acceptable.

This will help line managers and employees challenge unethical behaviour.

PASSING THE BATON ON Every retailer needs a succession or exit plan; in other words, consideration given to passing on the baton. In a growing or long-term business, whether family run or not, there will come a point when the current owners need to hire external talent to maintain growth, or inject fresh energy by bringing the next generation on board.

There are two fundamental issues.

Firstly, does the current generation want to retire, and if so, when and on what terms? Secondly, does the next generation actually want to take the business on, and if so, what are their terms?

Any decision to join the family business should be a conscious one, rather than forced by a sense of obligation, and it should bring with it the skills and experience learned elsewhere. If not, it could generate inappropriate expectations for family members who, in reality, are neither suited to, nor motivated towards, life in the family business.

However, if, instead, a decision to sell has been taken, the family should take advice on all the options.

Businesses will generally be valued on the value of net assets plus a valuation of goodwill; a multiple of earnings; or discounted future cash flow. There are a raft of approaches and solutions, including discounted prices and stage payments. There are also more complicated solutions such as freezer share mechanisms, where no sale takes

Business ethics isn’t just another layer of bureaucracy; it needs to be woven into your business. Ethics should be communicated through everything the business does, from POS material to its Facebook page.” place but the senior generation lock in the current value of their shares to be left to the wider family – and the next generation actually working in the business receive the benefit of any growth in value during their time in charge.

But what of an ‘arm’s length sale’, where buyer and seller each act in their own self interest to try and get the best deal they can? The family will ideally want to be paid in cash, in full, at completion, rather than risk the possibility of deferred payment not getting paid because the business gets into difficulties under its new owners, or a dispute arises over what should be paid.

But that may not be possible, and the retiring shareholders may want to keep an equity stake, agree to be paid over time, or agree that some of what they get paid is subject to future performance.

Tax planning is key and the most important point is what is right for family members and the business itself. The UK presently offers a fairly benign tax-planning environment for family business succession, so that most family businesses can be passed on free of inheritance and capital gains tax.

However, the risk of paying a bit of tax pales into insignificance if passing on the family business to the next generation means also passing on a working lifetime of misery and a failing business.

Family businesses are peculiar entities, caught by both the need to compete in the marketplace and the need to keep familial factions onside. Whatever course is taken to secure the future of the business, one thing is certain – everyone needs to keep the lines of communication open.

HAVING WILL POWER Succession is one thing, but death comes to us all. Incredibly then, around 60 per cent of the UK’s population has no will and dying without a will means a deceased’s estate will be passed on according to the intestacy rules (the rules of what happens when someone dies without leaving a will) of October 2014. These state that if an individual dies leaving a spouse and children, the spouse will take the first £250,000 and the rest will be divided between the spouse and the children. If there are no children, the spouse inherits all.

The intestacy rules take no account of unmarried couples. If there are children, they will inherit everything;

if not, the estate goes to other blood relatives. The surviving partner receives nothing. Throw a business into the mix and the issue becomes quite murky.

There is a relief from inheritance tax through Business Property Relief (BPR), which is available for a business or an interest in a business, as well as land, buildings, plant and equipment used in a business, plus shares in unquoted trading companies. BPR is currently awarded at 50% or 100%. To qualify for BPR, the businesses must be trading.

Business owners often want flexibility after death and for this reason it can be useful to leave business assets in a discretionary trust in the will, with the surviving spouse and children as potential beneficiaries. Doing this can allow decisions to be taken after death, rather than trying to predict the future at the point the will is made. After death, the business interests can be kept in trust and income paid to the children, or shares can be transferred out to the children in appropriate proportions.

If uninvolved family members inherit shares directly, they may want a say in the running of the business, despite not having the skills or experience to be involved. Using a trust can protect against this.

Those using a trust should also include a letter of wishes, which although not legally binding, can give guidance to trustees on how use of the capital and income of the trust fund is envisaged after death.

It’s also important to ensure that company documents, such as articles of incorporation and shareholders’ agreement accord with the will. Some family businesses may only allow shares to be passed to direct descendants of the founder. If a will leaves company shares to a spouse, but the company’s constitution does not allow this, the gift will fail. Alternatively, if the business is run as a partnership, in the absence of a partnership agreement, the Partnership Act 1890 will apply and on the death of a partner the partnership is dissolved; a surviving partner would have to wind up the business.

Finally, it’s possible to leave instructions in a letter of wishes about the sale of the business and who the preferred buyer might be, as well as addressing issues such as who will manage the day-to-day running of the company until the sale is completed.

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 | October 2019 27

MAKE BPI NEWS YOUR BUS

Deliver a return on investment by reaching the key decision makers in your industry…

Explaining what your products and services can help them achieve.

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artner with BPI News, the UK’s longest running and best-established photo trade magazine and make your marketing budget work harder. Available as both a print version posted out to the industry’s key decision makers, plus an

online version hosted at bpinews.co.uk and on the ISSUU e-magazine platform, this is your golden opportunity to get your products and services seen!

From distributors to retailers, manufacturers to wholesalers, we’ll help increase the visibility of your brand

INESS PARTNER

GET THE B ES RETUR T NO

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vertisin g in BPI Ne ws: Co n tact gavin@ bpinew s.co.uk

Rea the ch all phot UK o t via rade ma g one azin e.

Kodak Alaris Promotion BPI News Product Focus

New KodaK Picture

signs

KodaK alaris KiosK software beyond the reach of your sales force…

Utilise the unique multi £m timpson deal getting you in front of decision makers marketing W in the UK photo trade and telling opportunities that BPI News them of the margins and profits provides, you can deliver for them. We’ll also including the likes t help push your product launches, our advertorial To retailers book anot quarter, single or double page advert or advertorial feature of contact informing just of what spreads - giving they should be stocking, but,gavin@bpinews.co.uk crucially, or call 0208 274 0578 you the chance how they should be selling it, along to get your Special rates discussed for a run of three or more sequential bookings. with details of marketing materials message across direct and in full! you can supply for that extra push. kiosk software, Alaris is launching innovative new The Kodak Moments division of Kodak g the print fulfillment process broadening its offerings and streamlinin

– the UK’s leading deal signed with the Timpson group BPI News learns of a new multi-year to Futuresource Consulting instant print kiosk retailer, according e may not have heard from the company in the pages of BPI News for a while,

company and have a great timpson are a forward thinking uK. the new deal pays vision for the photo market in the working relationship.” testament to our strong, positive for Timpson Paterson, Kodak Business Manager

Janice but Kodak Alaris and, specifically, its Kodak Moments division, has been diligently busy improving its offerings for those in the photo trade engaged in the business of print. us reaches A case in point: news now of a major new multi million pound, the multi-year contract signed with Timpson group, which famously stores encompasses 450 Max Spielmann and 120 Snappy Snaps franchises. of The Timpson deal is a continuation an already existing and well-established relationship set up in 2006, ensuring equipment printing photo supply of and print media. It highlights the high regard Timpson has for the brand, and the worldwide consumer recognition for that ‘Kodak moment’.

“It further pays testament to our xxx strong, positive working relationship,” adds Kodak’s Alaris’ Janice Paterson, Business Manager for Timpson.

“Timpson are a forward thinking company and have a great vision for the photo market in the UK.” Of course Timpson itself has very of well known photo industry brands and its own – namely Max Spielmann photo specialists Snappy Snaps.

Kiosks receive over 500,000 consumer For its part, Kodak Alaris remains interactions every day, and, again in the No.1 Instant Print Kiosk brand according to FutureSource, over Europe, for more than 10 consecutive two billion prints are produced years running, according to FutureSource on Kodak Kiosks every year.

Picture Kodak Globally, Consulting.

Big news from Kodak alaris this month: 16 September 2019 | BPI News

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he other big news this month is that there is new kiosk software too – Kodak Moments Retail – Software V9.0 Update, to be precise that streamlines the process of customers well and retailers achieving a print, as lines, as offering exciting new product including very popular personalised photo gifts. New and important and features include Apple AirPrint iOS Cloud Printing, plus eye-catching and attention-grabbing Mini Prints, which should make for an easy sale.

The advantage of the new Kodak retailer the for Picture Kiosk software easy is that, as well as being swift and for both store and consumer, content can be customised around seasonal opportunities. Naturally, in the modern era, there’s the further ability iPad iPhone, from wirelessly to print a or iPod Touch via Apple AirPrint, feature already built in to any iPhone into – so there’s no need to cajole them downloading a specific app to their res smartphone – as well as print high files that they’ve stored on iCloud.

This all makes perfect sense, especially with Kodak Alaris telling the us that 50% of consumers using kiosks now want to print from their media. phone, as opposed to other In addition, Kodak Alaris says that to 60% of iPhone users use iCloud

Timpson and Kodak Alaris have renewed a multi year, multi million pound deal that will see the retailer supplied with photo printing equipment and print media

new multi year, multi million pound

deal struck with the timpson group,

plus

www.bpinews.co.uk

New print borders and frames for a series of Mini Prints have also been introduced, creating a range of very eye catching and saleable products, including film strips that can be utilised as bookmarks or given as gifts

New Kodak Picture Kiosk software has been introduced to further simplify and streamline the process, from ordering a print to receiving a hard copy – including retrieving pictures from mobile phones and cloud storage

new Kodak Picture Kiosk software

@bpi_news

the back up their photos – so having hassle free facility to now print them via the Kodak Picture Kiosks’ addition of Wi-Fi bridging is a boon for any retailer looking to maximise revenue.

Naturally, transferring images from a mobile phone in order to print them requires an active Internet connection, in order to retrieve the original iCloud image, or Kodak Picture Kiosk with Wi-Fi bridging.

New products, easier thaN ever to implemeNt

the The company hasn’t just streamlined retrieve process by which consumers can is images and get them printed, there new product they can generate too.

As it sounds, ‘Mini Prints’ are a series of small, fun and trendy printed

to maximise product offerings &

the images. These can be arranged in that style of a strip of film, which means they make for great bookmarks and retro souvenirs, as well as wallet friendly prints. For the retailer, a new premium profit greater pricing option allows for potential from this unique product set, while an exciting on-screen visual ever presentation makes it easier than to choose the correct format. Choose 2x3from nine 1.3x2-inch prints, four inches, four 3x3-inches, two 3x4-inches, two six-inch prints or 3x6-inch prints.

The above can also be stylised with wide array of coloured border designs with differing patterns to really make them ‘pop’. Again, thanks to all-new to workflows, it’s easy for customers print create border designs for standard sizes, as well as posters and magnets.

Likewise it’s simpler now for consumers to make crops of their prints, with modifications selectable from the main ‘Prints & Enlargements’ menu.

In addition there is an expanded collection of Decorative Panels now available – including photo panels, decorative panels, collage panels and multi panels. A simulated wood grain effect option has been added to achieve a rustic appearance.

Finally, Kodak Moments kiosks are now compatible with HEIF (High Efficiency Image Format) files, a default format recently introduced

by Apple with its release of iOS 11.

For further information on the above, direct your browser to: s imaging.kodakalaris.com/retailer

ilers revenue. Visit: imaging.kodakalaris.com/reta

BPI News | September 2019 17

News

Wilkinson Cameras recruits photo ambassadors We’re used to big name manufacturers partnering with professional photographers to educate and inspire potential customers.

Independent retailer Wilkinson Cameras has now hatched a similar plan, in hooking up with four pro photographers for a series of events and talks over the coming year. These are wildlife photographer Kevin Morgans, garden photographer Clive Nichols, Digital Splash Photographer of the Year James Rushforth and astro photographer and ‘vlogging sensation’ Alyn Wallace.

“The aim is not just to promote the Wilkinson Cameras brand, but also support established or up and coming photographers, promote photography as a whole and hopefully encourage and inspire others on their own creative journeys,” promises Wilkinson Cameras’ Director Alex Wilkinson. https://www.wilkinson.co.uk/w/wilkinsoncameras-ambassador-programme-2020/ Kevin Morgans

Clive Nichols

James Rushforth

Alyn Wallace

SAMYANG KEEN ON XEEN Cine prime lenses appear all the rage this month (which may also be to do with last month’s IBC trade show in Germany – see also our Sigma story this issue), as a new range of Samyang XEEN CF lenses has been unveiled, as available via distributor Intro 2020. The pitch here is that these are the world’s first in their class to utilise carbon fibre for a lightweight yet durable construction, while they also offer support for 8K and full frame shooting. Compatibility is offered with PL mount, Sony E and Canon EF camera mounts. Manufacturer Samyang notes its XEEN CF range offers the five focal lengths most commonly used in the production of feature films, namely: 24mm, 50mm and 85mm (these three being made available in the third quarter of

209), plus 16mm and 35mm units to arrive during the first half of 2020.

In related news that’s slightly less high end and specialised, the distributor is also carrying the new Samyang AF 18mm f/2.8 FE lens, which is already available at £349.99 SRP for Sony E mount cameras. Described as being perfect for use with such mirrorless models, it’s the first super wide angle lens in its manufacturer’s self-declared ‘Tiny Series’ and features an ‘STM’ motor for fast, quiet and accurate focus. Promising a 100° angle of view, the 18mm lens weighs an unobtrusive 145g. www.intro2020.co.uk

LONDON CALLING… FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS The London Photo Show returns to the capital’s Southbank this month, with the premise of giving photographers from all over the world the opportunity to have their work exhibited at London’s Bargehouse Gallery, located in the Oxo Tower from October 15th to October 21st.

Exhibitors were also being invited to occupy the very limited available places at the time of writing – with exhibitor packages starting from just £195. For more visit the URL below.

Pro photographer Andrew Mason who founded the event back in 2016 to shine a light on undiscovered talent, believes: “The London Photo Show is a totally unique, accessible event that brings together aspirational and committed photography devotees under one roof, giving them the opportunity to build their profile and

get noticed, whilst offering visitors the chance to see some truly original artwork. We are passionate about ensuring that photography can be enjoyed by anyone and everyone – the show is built on an ethos of inclusivity and celebration and we can’t wait to open our doors again this October.” www.londonphotoshow.org

Mounting excitement for Cotswold Those retailers and minilabs looking to offer their customers an additional premium service are pointed in the direction of Cotswold Mounts, which is offering what it describes as a distinctive line in mount printing. The idea is that when ordering in and using its coloured fascia, white core mount board – expertly bevel cut to create a perfect white keyline in a double layer matt overlay – it will enhance your customers’ printed images and allow you to charge top dollar.

The supplier even advises that there is no need

to frame if the customer wants their print and mount supplied without – and Cotswold Mounts can supply a backing board and clear presentation bag to ensure the work looks premium.

It adds that its two-layer overlays with the white core keyline are great value, in costing less than two single layer mounts of the same size, while the outer and inner boards can be selected from a wide range of colours. Contact info@cotswoldmounts.co.uk or call 01242 248 884. www.cotsworldmounts.co.uk

BPI News is your mouthpiece to your peers in the photo trade. Send news & views to info@bpinews.co.uk 30 October 2019 | BPI News

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