British Photographic Industry News Sept 2017

SEE INSIDE FOR: NEW CANON, NIKON & OLYMPUS CAMERAS + EISA TRADE AWARD WINNERS!

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SEPTEMBER 2017 • £3

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THE BEST …in new cameras, new printers, new lenses and accessories, all must-stock & sell items this autumn for the photo trade!

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IN THIS ISSUE:

NEW PRODUCT CASE STUDY

ON TEST

ADVICE

We get hands on with Nikon’s new full frame DSLR in the 45.7 megapixel D850, available now & aimed at nature, fashion, commercial & wedding photographers

We take Sigma’s 24-70mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM ‘Art’ series lens for an exclusive ‘spin’ and report back with our pictures & verdict on the weather proofed optic

Shape up your photo business this September! Our resident business expert advises on how to do just that, indicating how to save £’s into the bargain

BPI News learns why a highly rated French photographer seeks out the services of a small Newark-based photo independent & swears by their Fujifilm print media

I AM CHASING MOMENTS

I AM THE NEW NIKON D7500. Don’t let a great moment escape you. Equipped with a 20.9MP DX-CMOS sensor, 51-point AF and ISO 100 to 51200, the new Nikon D7500 can achieve stunning images in low light and has a continuous shooting speed of 8 fps. Wherever you move, an intuitive, tilting touch screen and slim body with deep grip offer added agility, and you can share your images in an instant to your smart device*. Alternatively, capture movies in incredibly sharp 4K UHD to relive again and again. Go chase. nikon.co.uk *This camera’s built-in Bluetooth® capability can only be used with compatible smart devices. The Nikon Snap-Bridge application must be installed on the device before it can be used with this camera. For compatibility and to download the SnapBridge application, please visit Google Play® and App Store. The BLUETOOTH® word mark and logos are registered trademarks owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc. and Google Play® is a trademark of Google Inc.

EDITORIAL | September 2017

Photographic British

Industry

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published monthly by

T EDITOR Gavin Stoker Tel: 020 8274 0578 Tel: 07990 974 367 ART EDITOR Michael O’Connell EDITORIAL ENQUIRIES Please direct all editorial requests, news and press releases to info@bpinews.co.uk ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES Please direct all advertising enquiries and sponsorship opportunities to gavin@bpinews.co.uk.

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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 ©2017 Legacy Media Ltd. ISSN: to be advised.

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Shock of the new… with the warm glow of the familiar

here may not be a Photokina exhibition in maintaining momentum in the run up to happening this month – though it’s Black Friday, Cyber Monday and the whole back next year (and, unexpectedly, in essential festive season.

2019 too) – to get the trade enthused about But it’s not just all about the latest camera new product, but that doesn’t mean it’s quiet kit and related accessories. For photo labs for releases in September. Indeed, since we and print experts, there is opportunity too, last spoke, we’ve attended launches for Canon, with trade partners of both Fujifilm and Leica, Nikon and Olympus, all showcasing Noritsu/PhotoXport reaping the benefit of the kit heading into stores and on to shelves the re-emergent popularity of silver halide Gavin Stoker, either now, or over the coming pre-Christmas processes. We’ve details and case studies Editor months. The loose theme of this issue, gavin@bpinews.co.uk from both outfits this issue. therefore, quickly became all about the Before you push new product to your @GavinStoker new… or, rather, for the most part, evolutions customers, however, you might want to of existing products. choose September as the month in which you give your So, while we may not be finding ourselves in Cologne business a proper check up and MOT. Are you currently currently, there is still plenty going on. firing on all cylinders, or is there room for improvement, For those missing a gathering of the photo trade to either with regards to staffing, or other key areas in attend, however, there isn’t too long to wait. October 7th which money can be saved and thus a greater potential & 8th sees the latest Digital Splash in Liverpool, hosted profit made. We’ve suggestions on page 28. again by Wilkinson Cameras, while, later in the month Enjoy this edition and we’ll see you back here soon (Oct 28th) CameraWorld is inviting attendees at its dayfor our October issue. Don’t forget you can check BPI long CameraWorld Live event. Before either of these News out online at www.bpinews.co.uk at any point, though, Tetenal is opening the doors to its Leicester which boasts the offer of downloading new and past showroom to the industry (September 13th – see page 7 editions free-of-charge. Whatever else is going on in the advert for more). So, retailers are being quite pro-active world, the photo industry and our coverage of it rolls on.

CONTENTS 04 NEWS Nikon has details of its newest D850 DSLR & telephoto lens, there’s a new Canon ‘Selphy’ in a trio of colours, plus Tetenal & CameraWorld open doors to trade

12 FUJIFILM ORIGINAL PHOTO PAPER: THE ‘CRE8’-TIVES CHOICE With silver halide back on the rise, we speak to David Gates and Steve Watson of Cre8 Studios in Nottingham to discover how it’s attracting big name customers

08 EISA AWARD WINNERS To help your sales, we pick the highlights from the categories of this year’s European Imaging and Sound Association trade awards 09 SEE A CLEAR PROFIT WITH KENRO Own brand binoculars are the distributor’s new ‘hero’ product, along with a revamped film scanner to keep your customers busy on autumn evenings

16 CANON UNVEILS AUTUMN PRODUCT COLLECTION The key sales points of the EOS M100, four new ‘L’ series lenses, macro twin flash unit, plus several 3-in-1 and 4-in-1 photo printers for all the family

28 GET YOUR BUSINESS IN SHAPE THIS SEPTEMBER… AND SAVE £’S People and cash have an intertwined relationship when it comes to the success of any business. We find out how the trade can possibly make key savings

Subscriptions, back issues & BPI News online Overseas annual subscription £50 (Cheques payable to Legacy Media Ltd).

For details email info@bpinews.co.uk. View current and back issues online at www.bpinews.co.uk

Do you get asked for digital copies of passport photos? We have the solution As the number of countries allowing online passport applications increases so does the demand for digital copies. ID Station has simplified the process of scanning, cropping and emailing into a 10 second activity. Just enter the customers email address and click SEND. ID station will automatically crop the pictures to selected countries specifications and will make sure any digital copies are the correct size.

This includes the latest requirements for the UK and Republic of Ireland’s passport offices.

Unsure of the capital investment?

We also offer an easy leasing option on all of our passport photo systems with 2 and 3 year payment options available.

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BPI News | September 2017 3

NEWS

NIKON’S TELEPHOTO FOR ALL WEATHERS NOT CONTENT WITH the big reveal of its newest D850 DSLR this issue, Nikon’s latest lens in the AF-P Nikkor 70-300mm ED VR is aimed at sports, wildlife and travel photographers and claimed to boast a lighter, weather resistant build. Featuring not just Vibration Reduction but a subject-specific Sport VR mode enabling the tracking of fast and erratically moving subjects, along with the ability to control manual

4 September 2017 | BPI News

focus override simply by turning the focus ring, the optic is described by Nikon as ‘ideal for photographers who often have to shoot in grueling situations.’

SRP is £749.99 and it’s available now.

In related news, the manufacturer has released a series of images taken

by Polish travel photographer Lukasz Palka (www.lkazphoto.com) capturing the essence of Tokyo – the birthplace of Nikon – part in celebration of the brand’s 100th year (see our extensive interview with Managing Director John Walshe last issue)

and also to showcase the capability of Nikon’s zoom and telephoto lenses.

Pitched as ideal for travel photography, Nikkor lenses (along with D5, D500 and D7500 camera bodies) helped Lukasz capture a range of images showcasing Japan, taking in the crowds of the famous Shibuya Crossing to the heights of the Mori Tower, via Buddhist monks and, naturally, Tokyo street life and cherry blossom.

Four lenses were used for the ‘Cutting Through The Chaos’ photo

essay: the AF-S DX Nikkor 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3G ED VR, the AF-S Nikkor 24-120mm f/4 ED VR, 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR and 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR. For further details of how Nikon is celebrating its big birthday this year head to its specially created online ‘Anniversary Hub’, which includes a Virtual Nikon Museum showcasing the brand’s legacy and including a 360-degree virtual tour.

Go to: http://bit.ly/nikon-100 www.nikon.co.uk

www.bpinews.co.uk

NEWS

NEW SELPHY FOR Ricoh’s mini Theta SELFIE SHOOTERS big in Japan

BOTH SMARTPHONE AND CAMERA users are the target audience for Canon’s new ultra compact dye sub photo printer in the Selphy CP 1300. It features built-in Wi-Fi connectivity, tilting 3.2-inch LCD, hard copies in less than 60 seconds – 47 seconds to be exact – and is compatible with both Apple iOS and Android, meaning that users won’t need to download

an additional app. Canon suggests that by adding an additional battery pack, owners can slip their printer into a bag to take to family parties, thus offering high quality photo prints anywhere and everywhere.

Available this Sept in black, white or pink units, the Canon Selphy CP 1300 has an SRP of £129.99. www.canon.co.uk

PHOTOGRAPHERS MASQUERADING as Japanese anime and comic book fans (collectively known as ‘Otaku’) are directed to a new version of Ricoh’s 360° shooting compact in the Ricoh Theta SC Type Hatsune Miku, a collaboration with the eponymous illustrated character (also a virtual reality star), available in the UK from the end of September at £269.99 SRP. The limited edition camera features a specially drawn illustration on a blue/green body – on which the shutter sound has been modified to replicate that of a traditional camera. A dedicated image editing application also allows the character of Hatsune Miku to be part of the photographers’ own shots, whilst a dog tag key holder with a limited edition serial number plus an exclusive colour case in a presentation box – again

both with an exclusive illustration – complete the package. www.ricoh-imaging.co.uk

HAVE SIRUI, WILL TRAVEL WE MAY BE IN THE LAST gasp of ‘summer’, but tripod brand Sirui has just launched a new travel unit in the Sirui NT-1005X, a compact tripod that features a built-in monopod. With a collapsed length of 36cm, it can be extended to 148.3cm in height by attaching the removable centre column. The integrated monopod is easily

removable, it is claimed. Also featured is Sirui’s E-10 ball head, which has a load capacity of 8Kg – thus making it suitable for both DSLRs and mirror-less cameras – plus a spirit level, with 360° panning and a safety lock mechanism. SRP is £179.99. www.sirui.eu

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BPI News | September 2017 5

The full facts of Nikon’s new full frame DSLR Having initially teased us last month with merely a logo and the promise that its new premium DSLR in the D850 would be ‘full frame, high resolution and high speed’, Nikon subsequently invited BPI News along to the camera’s official London unveiling. There, we found members of the trade making very positive noises about ‘the one camera you have to have’…

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ikon’s newly launched D850 – available this month at £3,499.99 SRP – naturally follows on from the existing D810 (which currently remains in the market), encompassing new technologies, features and performance enhancements that are a direct result of user feedback, claims the company.

So, to whom should specialist photo retailers be directing their sales pitch? Actually, quite a diverse range: aspiring and professional photographers, hobbyists who capture nature and landscapes, commercial

©National Trust Images/Matthew Antrobus

Complimentary 12 month national trust membership with the lumiX FZ200 or FZ72 ©National Trust Images/Matthew Antrobus

onal trust 200 or FZ72

BPI NEWS EXTRA

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

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

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A3 Poster

©National Trust Images/Matthew Antrobus

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

Marketing Director Jeremy Gilbert shows off its newest DSLR which it promises will ‘empower’ photographers and is ‘hugely important’ for the brand

sports, fashion and weddings, as well as ‘multimedia content creators’.

‘Liberating and empowering for the photographer’ At the London launch, Marketing Director Jeremy Gilbert described the D850 as “one of the most anticipated products of recent times,” adding that its release would be “incredibly liberating and empowering for the photographer, so I would personally position it as the one camera you have to have.”

Instead of a trade off between high speed and high megapixel capability, the D850 seeks to deliver both. Core spec includes a 45.7 MP Lumix National Trust POS backside-illuminated full frame sensor (delivering 45.4MP files), whopping Description • Complimentary National 153-point AF system, ISO 64-25,600 Trust Membership light sensitivity, Campaign 7fps shooting speed POS (boosted up to 9fps if using optional grip), a battery life of 1840 shots from a single charge, a 3.2-inch touch and tilt LCD, illuminated buttons, plus the useful ability to adjust the size of the Raw file being captured, dependent on the user’s needs (choose from Large, Medium or Small options).

Senior Product Manager for Imaging Tim Carter drilled further into Wobbler the new pro-level camera’s highlights, adding that the D850’s screen is “the most extensive Nikon touch screen to date”, featuring, for example, the ability to direct focus to a subject

and subsequently fire a shot with a finger tap. With a nod to fans of the Instagram app, the camera offers a 1:1 image aspect ratio, and is a “comprehensive multimedia DSLR” by further featuring 4K UHD video recording in full frame format. Slow motion video recording (with the camera shooting at 120fps in DX format) and up to 8K-time lapse facility “in exquisite detail,” according to Tim, plus built-in electronic vibration reduction, are also included.

A tool that’s ‘truly professional’ The camera’s magnesium alloy weather sealed body construction, which omits a built-in flash but includes a big and bright viewfinder and a shutter rated at 200,000 activations, was also described as “truly professional”. It features dual card slots, for example, for deployment of both XQD and SD media, and has a buffer memory allowing the camera to shoot up to 51 full resolution sequential Raw files. Focus shift sequences of up to 300 frames can also be captured, whilst there is a further totally silent shooting option (when using the electronic shutter) – this being perfect for those occasions when photographers don’t want a camera sound to disturb a bride and

Nikon D850 at a glance: n 45.7 MP backside-iluminated full frame sensor (delivering 45.4MP files) n 7fps shooting speed (boosted up to 9fps if using MB-D18 grip) n 3.2-inch touch and tilt LCD n Dual card slots for XQD and SD media cards n Light sensitivity range of ISO 64-25,600 n 4K UHD video recording n 1840 shots battery life (again expandable via optional grip) n Magnesium alloy weather sealed body construction groom’s special moment, for example.

Whichever way you look at it, the D850 appears a bit of a beast.

For photo retailers wondering about accessories to piggyback on a sale, these include the optional MBD18 Multi-Power Battery Pack, which has an SRP of £369.99. Nikon told us it was also launching a ‘Digitiser’ to use with the camera, with an ES-2 adapter.

Using this accessory and a macro lens, the D850 allows users to quickly convert negatives (or slides) to JPEGs at a higher resolution. www.nikon.co.uk

The Nikon D850 releases September 7th at an SRP of £3,499.99. Speak to your Nikon rep for more or visit: www.nikon.co.uk to take a speCial piCture you need to go to speCial plaCes Now you and your family can discover hundreds of new special places with the National Trust and capture every stunning detail with the award-winning new LUMIX FZ200 or FZ72.

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

21/08/2013 13:56

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Tetenal Open Day

Save the date!

Wednesday, 13th September 2017 Leicester

Fine Art Printers, Giclée Masters in Cardiff, choose the perfect time to upgrade

Meet the experts of leading photographic brands at Tetenal We are delighted to announce that we are holding a Tetenal Open Day in conjunction with leading brands Epson, EIZO, Wacom and Hahnemuhle at our centrally located headquarters just off the M1 in Leicester.

As part of this informal event you will have the opportunity not only to engage with our Area and Product Managers at Tetenal but to meet representatives of leading brands in the industry. Product experts from Epson, EIZO, Wacom and Hahnemuhle are joining us for the day to demonstrate their products and answer your questions.

For more information on the Tetenal Open Day and to register for a free ticket, visit: www.tetenal-open-day.eventbrite.co.uk

“

Product Demonstrations: • Epson (SureLab D3000, D700 and Large Format Printers) • Kodak (APEX and Kiosk Systems) • DNP range (Dye Sub Photo Printers and Kiosks) • CS1 Kiosk • Wacom (Graphic Tablets) • EIZO (Colour Monitors) • Sunbounce & Sun-Sniper (Reflectors and Camera Straps) • JOBO (Analogue Processing Equipment) • Canvas Wrapping & Stretching

Contact us for more details | TEL: 0116 281 5741 | marketing@tetenal.uk.com

BPI NEWS EXTRA

BIG IN EUROPE: EISA AWARD WINNERS 2017 – 2018

Big names are again out in force among the winners in this year’s EISA (European Imaging and Sound Association) Awards, for which there are 19 photography categories. BPI News brings you the highlights…

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t’s that time of the year again when trade magazines – 50 in total, across 20 European countries – recognise the stand outs in our industry, naming them among the Best Products in the EISA Awards 2017 – 2018. Regulars including Canon, Nikon, Fujifilm, Olympus, Panasonic, Sigma, Sony and Tamron are all present and correct.

Tamron’s 18-400mm was rewarded for ‘innovation’

The lenses In fact, Tamron picked up two awards, with the gong for ‘Photo Innovation’ going to its 18-400mm f/3.5-6.3 DI II VC HLD. The judges said of the lens, aimed at travel, safari and sports photographers, that it ‘will also appeal to any photographer looking for a single lens solution to cover all their shooting needs’. Best ‘DSLR Zoom Lens’ went to the Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD, of which EISA said ‘the speed and accuracy of the autofocus system has been improved, as has the effectiveness of the built-in VC (Vibration Compensation) system.’

Sigma was also recognised for its excellence, with the 135mm f/1.8 DG HSM ‘Art’ series lens bagging best DSLR Lens. Describing it as

‘an extremely capable performer’, the awards’ bigwigs added: ‘Sigma has managed to make the autofocus fast and accurate, which is impressive for such a bright lens.’

The Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L III USM also made the grade as best Professional DSLR Lens. This was described as being ‘better built than its predecessor and gives astounding sharpness over the entire image’.

Olympus likewise gained recognition, bagging best Compact System Camera Zoom Lens for its M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-100mm f/4.0 IS Pro. This was hailed as an ‘incredible travel lens, as well as a general purpose zoom.’

Two Sony lenses also received plaudits. Best Compact System Camera Lens went to the FE 100mm f/2.8 STF GM OSS, whilst the FE 70-300mm f/2.8 GM OSS bagged Professional Compact System Camera Lens. The latter was described as ‘an impressive lens covering the most popular angles for sports and action photography.’

The cameras In terms of praise for camera bodies, it was all about DSLRs, CSC’s and premium compacts – reflecting the market itself. The Panasonic Lumix DC-GH5 – a previous BPI News Product of the Month for May – was heralded as the best ‘Photo & Video Camera’ by EISA this year, of which it was said: ‘it provides an excellent

A prior BPI News Product of the Month and TIPA winner already, Panasonic’s GH5 was also recognised by EISA

compromise between image quality, features and price’.

The ‘big two’ of Canon and Nikon

were also represented. The Canon EOS 5D Mark IV and EOS 77D picked up awards for Professional DSLR Camera and Consumer DSLR Camera respectively. Of the former, it was said: ‘the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV will remain a class leading camera for several years to come.’ Best Prosumer DSLR Camera meanwhile went to the Nikon D7500, the judges remarking: ‘the D7500 is a capable and versatile tool in the hands of a passionate photographer.’

Picking up a pair of awards was Fujifilm, with its Instax Square SQ10 taking top prize in the Instant Camera category for being ‘the first hybrid instant camera that lets you take and print square photos (62x62mm)’. Best Consumer Compact System Camera was awarded to the same manufacturer’s

X-T20. The latter was called ‘a great all rounder’ for its ‘comparatively affordable cost.’

Finally, four Sony models caught

the attention of the judges. Best Camera was awarded to its Alpha 9, while Prosumer Compact System Camera went to the A6500. Best Superzoom Camera was the Sony RX10 III while best Compact Camera went to the RX100 V. The judges called the A9 ‘a groundbreaking mirror-less camera, that in many ways surpasses traditional DSLR rivals.’ www.eisa.eu/awards/photography

BPI News is your mouthpiece to the industry. Send your news to info@bpinews.co.uk 8 September 2017 | BPI News

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BPI NEWS EXTRA

See a clear profit with Kenro’s new optical products & albums Distributor Kenro updates us on perfect products for your customers to while away the autumn – in a revamped film scanner and photo albums, as well as a new own-brand binocular range – thereby enabling you to see a clear profit…

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one-stop-shop for high margin, great value and superb quality photo & video products, Kenro is presenting its retail partners with a triple whammy of new lines to stimulate sales through September and into the autumn.

The ‘hero’ here is Kenro’s own branded binocular range. These devices not only offer great optical quality at affordable price points, but also enough margin to ensure dealers envisage a clear profit.

“There are six models in the initial line up, to suit all pockets and requirements, and over time we’ll develop the range further,” promises MD Paul Kench. “A number of the retailers that we sell to do very well with binoculars and optical products, so we felt it was an opportunity for us to add a high quality, mid-range binocular with a classic design at a good value price. We’ve researched the market and put together this initial range to a very positive response from the trade. Our offering is very competitive in terms of price and quality, whilst the packaging is very contemporary.

“We’ve got the 10x25 KNBL101 ultra compact binoculars (£14.94 SRP) and then the 10x50 KNBL301 (£34.98) for bird spotting, 16x50 KNBL302 (£39.96) for more faraway subjects or the night sky, and 1060x30 KNBL303 Zoom binoculars (£49.98). We also have two sets of

opera glasses in the KNB201 and KNBL202 3x25 (£25.98), which make for an ideal gift, or stocking filler, for a friend or relative who enjoys the theatre.”

Scan this great new proposition A further new product in the Kenro Film Scanner is described as having a ‘refreshed’ design. Featuring a 2.4inch LCD and 14 megapixel CMOS sensor, this can produce interpolated scans up to 22 megapixels.

negatives in their attic and it’s an ideal opportunity as the nights draw in to digitise and share those memories either via email, social media or print. It’s about breathing new life into old photos.

“The advantage is that it not only has a screen but that you can also insert an SD card. You can also connect it to a computer via USB 2.0 but, because of the SD card facility, you don’t need to do that to be able to use it. Just plug it in, put an SD card in the back, sit in front of the TV with a coffee on a dark evening and

Again, says Paul, these are pitched at photographers who have been travelling and want somewhere to house their prints. The fourth new option is Kenro’s ‘Piazza’ PA301 album, which boasts a chocolate brown leather effect exterior with attractive stitching detail. “You can slip your own photo inside the front cover and it offers space for 200 6x4-inch photos, thereby making an ideal gift for someone who wants to preserve their memories.” The new album prices run from £14.94 to £23.58, SRP.

“Scanners are very popular in the months between September and December. Most people have got shoeboxes full of family memories… and it’s an ideal opportunity as the nights draw in to digitise and share those memories.”

– Paul Kench, MD, Kenro Ltd “Scanners are very popular in the months between September and December,” Paul advises. “Most people have got shoeboxes full of family memories, or slides and

preview the pictures on screen. It captures an image as if you’re taking a picture, writing it to SD card as a JPEG image. Once you’ve done that, you can then share them.” SRP is £107.94.

Kenro albums: opening the book on profit Kenro also has a group of new albums to offer the trade in the run up to Christmas. The Hol117 is a new ‘global traveller’ album for 200 6x4inch photos, whilst the Hol118 and Hol119 are available to house 200 6x4-inch photos and 200 7x5-inches respectively; both feature a refreshed ‘Old World’ map type design.

Paul concludes: “The binoculars and scanner, as well as our albums and frames, are all profitable addon purchases to be selling when someone comes into your store.

They provide a good healthy margin for dealers. We’re always trying to develop accessories for photo dealers so they can enjoy a profit when they sell.”

Get in touch with Paul and his team via sales@kenro.co.uk or call 01793 615836. www.kenro.co.uk

Add these new products to your own stock, now! Get in touch via sales@kenro.co.uk or call 01793 615836. @bpi_news

BPI News | September 2017 9

BPI NEWS EXTRA

Olympus focuses on travel photographers with OM-D E-M10 Mark III A compact, lightweight interchangeable lens camera suitable for travel photography, yet one with chunky rounded buttons and a larger grip. That’s the ‘best of both worlds’ promise from Olympus that arrives in the shape of its third generation E-M10…

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porting a bigger grip, bigger metal control dials and a built in flash – yet weighing a manageable 500g – the third generation of Olympus’ compact system camera, aimed at photographers who like to travel, has arrived in the OM-D E-M10 Mark III. “Lightweight is the key thing here,” confirms Olympus UK Marketing Manager Georgina Pavelin. “In that respect it’s similar to the Mark II, but with a few new exciting features.

The dials are obviously bigger and the intention is that it’s easier to use.

Cosmetically it’s very nicely designed.”

Lightning in a bottle: Olympus Marketing Manager Georgina Pavelin and Head of Consumer Business Ian Tolley show off the globe trotting Mark III

With availability from the middle of this month (September), there are differently priced options for customers. These are either bodyonly at £629.99, a combination that comes with a 14-42mm ‘EZ’ pancake lens for £699.99, or a double zoom kit – comprising camera body plus 14-42mm ‘EZ’ lens and 40-150mm standard lenses for £799.99 SRP. Available body colours are silver or black.

Classic looks, robust feel Whilst the camera has maintained a 16-megapixel CMOS sensor and its ‘classic’ retro design, it also features a TruePic 8 processor, 5-axis image stabilisation built-in, plus 4K-video, which can be utilised by videographers at frame rates of 30P, 25P or 24P. This being an Olympus camera, there are of course Art Filter digital effects on board, with a new addition this time being ‘Bleach Bypass’“to mimic old film processing” says its maker. There has also been a change to the shooting menu, with the addition of an Advanced Photo Mode to let photographers ‘fine tune’ their images, according to Olympus,

as well as gain access to creative settings such as Live Composite and Multiple Exposure.

With the camera feeling both comfortable and sturdy in the palm, even with relatively compact 14-42mm kit lens attached, images and video are composed either via the rear LCD screen – which can be tilted and is also a touch panel for directing the camera’s focusing and firing off a shot (thereby literally feeling familiar to anyone stepping up from smartphone photography) – or via eye level OLED viewfinder. The latter boasts a high 2.36 million-dot resolution, thereby ensuring a lifelike image.

Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark III at a glance: n 16-megapixel Four Thirds CMOS sensor n TruePic VIII processor n Improved larger grip n Improved larger control dials n 121 contrast AF points n 4K video capture n Built in Wi-Fi connectivity n 5 axis image stabilization n Sequential shooting at 8.6fps n Available in silver or black bodies n Available as body only or in lens kit combinations

Audience and accessories Accessories for the 16-megapixel OM-D E-M10 Mark III include a premium, genuine leather body jacket, issued in black or brown.

Olympus’ Georgina reiterates that while its PEN range is still the blogger’s camera, the Mark III is an “ideal travel companion. I think we will probably see some bloggers progress to this if they’re looking to get a bit more technical, although

we’re not promoting it as a bloggers’ camera. Potentially we may also see entry-level photographers stepping up from smartphone photography and looking for a more professional solution. It’s so easy to use, whilst you’ve also got plenty of manual options too. The lightweight build makes it perfect for travel.”

For more details speak to your local Olympus rep or simply visit www.olympus.co.uk

The OM-D E-M10 Mk III is aimed at the travel market, with SRP’s starting at £629.99. For more, visit www.olympus.co.uk 10 September 2017 | BPI News

www.bpinews.co.uk

N 1 WE’RE NOW

O

THE UK’S BEST-SELLING PHOTO MAGAZINE

Officially the UK’s best-selling * monthly photo magazine!

We’re delighted to announce that we’ve taken top spot in the UK monthly photo magazine market, making us the nation’s favourite source of camera techniques, gear advice & editing tips.

A huge thank you for all your support!

*Print 34,410 Digital 4,773 Total 39,183 (ABC January – June 2017)

Contact Anna Skuse for all sales & marketing enquires / anna.skuse@bauermedia.co.uk / 07887 993990

MINILAB NEWS

FUJIFILM ORIGINAL PHOTO PAPER: THE ‘CRE8’-TIVES CHOICE

BPI News learns why a highly rated French celebrity and fashion photographer seeks out the services of a small Newark-based independent and their Fujifilm Original Photo Paper options, suggesting trade partners should add it to their own offerings ‘tout suite’, if they haven’t already…

L

ast issue we highlighted Fujifilm’s new ‘Make it an Original’ silver halide photo paper campaign and website – both of which focus on creating awareness of the blossoming silver halide marketplace – plus spot-lit a recent trip to the manufacturer’s massive Tilburg plant in Holland, producing the photo paper on which over a third of world’s prints are output.

This month we’re examining how this translates at grass roots level for the trade – with exceptional results. So says Newark in Nottingham-based photo independent, Cre8 Studios: “Fujifilm Original Photo Papers are simply the best on the market and the best move we ever made.

Customers love the colours, the stability and the durability of the range… we never have any problems.”

A fresh, contemporary interior and clear exterior signage means Fujifilm FDIS’ member Cre8 Studios attracts not only passing custom but also the patronage of world class pros, like photographer Michel Haddi, who has been a customer of owners David Gates and Steve Watson (pictured) for five years now

“Fujifilm Original Photo Papers are simply the best on the market and the best move we ever made.

Customers love the colours, the stability and the durability of the range… we never have any problems.”

– David Gates & Steve Watson, Cre8 Studios Run by David Gates and Steve Watson, the business (at www.cre8studios.co.uk) is also the go-to option for world-class portrait photographer Michel Haddi, whose subjects have included Angelina Jolie, Cameron Diaz, Clint Eastwood and David Bowie, and is one he has had a strong connection with for years.

“Cre8 is a very special studio for me,” the pro admits. “They just give me what I want; always and without fail. In my experience the smaller the organisation, the harder it will work to give you the very best service possible and go the extra mile when necessary.”

‘Control freak perfectionists’ Michel (whose images can also be viewed at www.michelhaddistudio. com) has been working with Fujifilm for the past 35 years and splits his time these days between London and New York.

“I used to work extensively with Fujiflex silver halide papers. I must have thousands of prints on that medium,” he notes. “I believe that Fujifilm paper is simply the best

in the world. My recent exhibition in Florence was output on Fujifilm Original Photo Paper. The quality is simply outstanding.”

Michel adds that the secret to his success comes down to knowing exactly what he wants and working closely with the lab to make it happen. For their part, the guys behind Cre8 add that: “we are control freak perfectionists – I am sure that helps!”

In fact, Cre8 Studios have had both feet firmly in the Fujifilm camp

Boost your print sales in 2017! Get in touch with Peter direct on 01234 572138 or via photoprintingservices_UK@fujifilm.com 12 September 2017 | BPI News

www.bpinews.co.uk

FUJIFILM ORIGINAL PHOTO PAPER PROMOTION Globe trotting French photographer Michel Haddi’s (pictured left) subjects have included the late David Bowie, on right. But wherever he travels, he always returns to Fujifilm Original Photo Paper and the services of Cre8 Studios

“I believe that Fujifilm paper is simply the best in the world. My recent exhibition in Florence was output on Fujifilm Original Photo Paper.”

– World-class portrait photographer Michel Haddi for more than four years, almost as long as it’s been working with photographer Michel. “I worked in a large pro lab before coming to Newark 22 years ago,” says the business’ David Gates. “And sometimes size and volume means some work doesn’t get the

attention it really should. Quality control can become an issue as you get bigger. My partner Steve Watson and I will never allow any product out of our studio unless we are 100% happy with it.

“Michel Haddi called us five years ago asking about our service. He

brought us a small batch of images that were going into a book he was producing. He loved the results we produced and he has been a regular customer ever since. He also has a lab he uses in Paris, but he prefers to use us whenever he can.”

Flag-bearers for independents in the FDIS network A case in point, Cre8 recently printed, packaged and dispatched over sixty large format exhibition

Accept no substitutes: ‘Make it an Original’ “Our ‘Make it an Original’ campaign – launched over the summer – is all about highlighting the compelling advantages of photographers using silver halide papers,” explains Fujifilm UK’s Marketing Manager Peter Wigington. “We are seeing

Enhance the value of your photos by printing those you the most on Fujifi love lm’s original phot o paper. Your phot become a one- of-ao will kind item, keeping its intense and brillia colours for a very nt long time. It will be your personal ‘original’. www.originalphoto paper.com

exciting exponential growth in this sector. So the website will provide access to a raft of information, including background stories, tutorials, videos and tips, alongside invitations to special events.

“We are also making available new marketing toolkits for our trade partners, complete with ‘Make it an Original’ support artwork and logos

to be used as a key ‘call to action’ for their customers,” he adds. “We have new ‘proof of quality’ seals they can apply too – guaranteeing their clients exceptional quality, amazing colour longevity, brilliant whites and continuous tone – alongside a portfolio of high-res images highlighting the ways in which photo papers, including Fujicolor Crystal Archive Supreme High Definition, Album Paper XS and Textured Paper Canvas, can be used to increase profit margins.

“The toolkit further comprises informative sales sheets, ongoing POS materials – and even a short movie that brings these outstanding silver halide photo papers to life. This is all part of Fujifilm’s drive to ensure your photographer customers can store and showcase their most significant

images (output to Fujifilm Pro Gloss paper) to Florence, where Michel was having an exhibition.

“To be honest the packaging, which took us hours, was more of a challenge than the printing”, admits David. “One wrong move and we would have had to reprint. We were working on very tight deadlines.”

Working with world-class professionals enables small studios like Cre8 to be flag-bearers for small independents within the Fujifilm FDIS network.

“I think it’s great for our industry generally that big names are prepared to work with smaller outfits where they know they can get exceptional and bespoke service,” concludes David.

And Cre8 can look forward to many more years working with Michel, as he has no plans to retire.

Ever. A martial arts expert with over 40 years’ experience (and a book dedicated to his kick-boxing son) he concludes: “I am a mercenary.

I am always thinking about the next gig.” Browse the new Fujifilm website dedicated to photo papers for yourself at www.originalphotopaper.com and place an order for your own business.

Moreover, to discover how being part of Fujifilm’s dealer network could also inspire and enrich your own business, call 01234 572138 or email photoimaging_uk@fujifilm.com

“Our ‘Make it an Original’ campaign is all about highlighting the compelling advantages of photographers using silver halide papers.

We are seeing exciting exponential growth in this sector, and have made new marketing toolkits available to our trade partners, to be used as a key ‘call to action’ for their customers.”

– Fujifilm UK Marketing Manager Peter Wigington images printed on quality papers with matchless longevity assurances.” www.originalphotopaper.com

Boost your print sales in 2017! Get in touch with Peter direct on 01234 572138 or via photoprintingservices_UK@fujifilm.com @bpi_news

BPI News | September 2017 13

BPI NEWS PRODUCT FOCUS

Sigma zoom suggests real alternative for pros

How viable are the third party lens manufacturer’s products for photo pros seeking affordable, high quality alternatives to optics provided by ‘the big two’?

BPI News takes a spin with a Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM ‘Art’ standard zoom lens to deliver its verdict…

T

he trade has long recognised that Sigma can provide high quality, great value alternative options for photographers favouring Canon and Nikon gear when it comes to lenses – and dealer margins are equally competitive! A case in point is the Japanese manufacturer’s 2470mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM zoom lens, which Sigma pitches as built for ‘top level’ use, featuring as it does ‘Art’ class optical quality and arriving at £1,399.99 SRP. The lens is helpfully compatible with Sigma’s optional USB Dock, thereby allowing for future firmware upgrades, and has been tested with its own ‘A1’ MFT measuring system to ensure optimum optical excellence – particularly when married with cameras boasting a high megapixel count.

The optically stabilized zoom also features a newly designed HSM

Sigma’s latest 24-70mm lens is pitching itself as a ‘go to’ standard zoom for professionals, able to take in both wideangle and up close subject matter

“We were rewarded with very naturalistic looking imagery. Zooming in slightly to highlight the features of subjects resulted in sharp foreground detail and attractively blurred backgrounds, further accentuating and enhancing whatever we were choosing to highlight.”

(Hyper Sonic) motor and a metal lens barrel designed for high rigidity.

Its pitch to your customers is that this is ‘the definitive large diameter standard zoom for any shoot’; and those taking place in harsher conditions too, as it features a dust and splash proof mount with rubber sealing.

Also included in its construction are three SLD (Super Low Dispersion) glass elements, plus four aspherical lens elements. Promising to deliver bokeh effects that are ‘a cut above’, further features of note include fast AF with full time manual override, a rounded diaphragm designed to minimise flare and ghosting, lens barrel engraved with its year of release plus a high precision, durable

brass bayonet mount.

With the above in mind, we were eager to take the 24-70mm lens for a spin to see whether its performance in the field matched its on-paper promise.

A thrill to shoot with…

The construction of the chunky metal lens barrel immediately feels the ‘real deal’ when it emerges from the box and is weighed up in the hand. If your customers are spending this sort of money they will expect a product that’s built-to-last and that’s what we get here. Twinning our review sample with a Canon DSLR (Nikon and Sigma fits also available), we felt we had a solid (in every sense of the word) set

up for capturing landscapes, portraits, still life shots and more – Sigma itself suggests ‘news and nature’.

That degree of weather-proofing is a bonus when taking it out and about.

Shooting at the widest possible angle can occasionally introduce a degree of distortion into our shots, but even at the widest 24mm setting that is not the case here and we were instead rewarded with very naturalistic looking imagery that retained sharpness right into the corners. Zooming in slightly to highlight the features of subjects resulted in sharp foreground detail and attractively blurred backgrounds, further accentuating and enhancing whatever we were choosing to highlight. We were shooting with

the lens handheld in low light and also out in the open in bright sunshine and were able to derive consistently pleasing results from our combo of Canon DSLR and Sigma lens in both sets of circumstances, avoiding instances of subject blur and camera shake by bumping up the ISO and taking advantage of the Sigma’s optical stabilizer – since our camera body does not provide that feature built-in. It’s worth noting that the lens’ external moving parts feature thermally stable composite (TSC) which is resistant to thermal expansion and contraction – another plus in its favour, when moving from shooting in a cool interior to outside on a baking hot summer’s day.

In conclusion, this feels like a ‘go-to’ lens for higher-level Canon users, who just want to strap on one optic and have it deliver the goods in a wide range of shooting scenarios, and flatteringly render a broad range of subject matter.

Speak to your local Sigma rep about getting in stock of the Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM ‘Art’ zoom lens in good time to ensure you have an autumn best seller on your hands. www.sigma-imaging-uk.com

All lenses sold via Sigma Imaging UK come with the benefit of a three year limited warranty.

14 September 2017 | BPI News

www.bpinews.co.uk

MINILAB LATEST

& PHOTOXPORT RIDE THE WAVE OF SILVER HALIDE RESURGENCE Since our previous issue, Noritsu’s proactive UK partner PhotoXport has been undertaking an impressive number of installations, not just of Green series drylabs, but also its silver halide-based 3704G wet lab, as PhotoXport MD Derek Fieldhouse explains…

S

ince we last spoke about Noritsu’s impressive 3704G wet lab in our June issue, when we noted it had enjoyed sales figures seven times higher this year than the previous one, part due to the availability and popularity of new papers, Derek Fieldhouse’s team at Noritsu’s exclusive UK distributor PhotoXport has undertaken its ninth installation. A Noritsu 3704G with Quad Magazine System has been freshly placed with Jane Stapleton School Photography in Derbyshire.

The business’ MD Steven Deverill says: “We’ve been running Noritsu labs for 12 years and they’ve always been very stable. Although it was an obvious choice for us considering our volumes, we took an overview of all the systems available. The 3704G ticked all the boxes and after a smooth installation we are looking forward to many more years with trouble free Noritsu equipment.”

“Noritsu continues to grow in the UK, with extra impetus from the recent resurgence in silver halide printing,” acknowledges Derek Fieldhouse. “So we continue to see strong growth in the installation of wet systems. It’s very encouraging and we’re really rattling ahead with the supply of these machines.”

Wet or dry, PhotoXport’s the place to buy With the ‘G’ on the 3704G denoting a new type of laser, this is the ideal heavy-duty machine for those

When it comes to maximum productivity, the Noritsu 3704G, via PhotoXport, is hard to beat!

“Noritsu continues to grow in the UK, with extra impetus from the recent resurgence in silver halide printing.

And while the response has been phenomenal to the 3704G, so is the quality of output. It’s outstanding..”

–PhotoXport MD Derek Fieldhouse looking to maintain the silver halide route. “We’ve had a massive run on wet labs, which have out-sold dry labs this year,” Derek confirms. “Part of that’s down to the new papers that are coming out; for people with real volumes of orders then the wet lab still makes sense. We’ve sold

some machines in Loxley Colour and in Sim2000 – obviously the quality is the thing that is driving sales. Our customers are wowed. It’s not cheap but the thing is, once you install a 3704G wet lab, it just runs. It’s a beautiful machine.” seven times what we’ve sold last year, To find out about installing which is pretty phenomenal. The new your own 3704G wet lab, taking generation G laser is becoming a bit direct advantage of PhotoXport’s of a hit – it lasts longer and makes for close links with Noritsu Japan, and greater efficiency. gleaning expertise direct from the “And while the response has been source, get in touch with Derek phenomenal, so is the quality of Fieldhouse now on 0116 2675907. output. It’s outstanding. We’ve put www.photoxport.com

Noritsu QSS-3704G wet lab advantages – at a glance:

Jane Stapleton School Photography is just one of a growing number of businesses reaping the benefit of Noritsu’s wet lab

n A High Resolution Direct Modulation Laser Engine at the heart of the QSS-3704G enables higher resolution prints than could previously have been imagined n The solid state design of its laser ensures better results and enhanced reliability compared with previous models n 640dpi resolution and 12 bit colour depth n Prints over 2,100 6x4-inch prints an hour, or 614 10x8inch images an hour – delivering the maximum in productivity n The QSS-3704G is available either with a 6-inch or 10-inch print sorter

n Prints over 2,100 6x4-inch prints an hour, or 614 10x8-inch images an hour – delivering the maximum in productivity n The QSS-3704G is available either with a 6-inch or 10-inch print sorter n Versatile magazine configurations include either a Dual magazine System (Standard), a Triple Magazine System, or even a Quad Magazine System. The ability to set up to four paper magazines provides a huge advantage in paper changeover efficiency, says Noritsu

For more on Noritsu’s leading wet or dry lab solutions, call PhotoXport’s Derek and the team on 0116 2675907. @bpi_news

BPI News | September 2017 15

BPI NEWS EXTRA

CANON UNVEILS AUTUMN PRODUCT COLLECTION

Hot on the heels of its EOS 6D Mark II and 200D announcements, this month the photo giant reveals the new EOS M100, four new ‘L’ series lenses, one flash and a range of new photo printers. BPI News discovers what the trade should be stocking & selling this autumn…

C

anon has got September and the run up to the crucial pre-Christmas trading season off to a flying start. It’s launched an exciting and diverse range of new products with which to stimulate the market, entice dealers and – most importantly – enthuse customers.

In replacing the EOS M10, the EOS M100 is Canon’s newest EF-M mount compact system camera. Described as both ‘fashionable’ and ‘quality’, it feels solid in the palm, powers up in an instant, and is compact enough with retractable zoom lens to slip into a jacket pocket or shoulder bag with ease. It arrives in a choice of three body colours: white, grey and black – with Canon also promising a range of nine coloured jackets for owners to accessorise with, including red, black and turquoise.

It’s also worth pointing out that if your photographer customers buy an optional mount adapter – thereby providing dealers with the opportunity to make an additional sale – the EOS M100 can also be used with Canon’s entire range of existing EF and EF-S lenses.

Wireless/Bluetooth connectivity for uploading images to Instagram and social media sites, on-board

creative filters, plus a sleek stylish design are just three of the EOS M100’s key selling points. Another is an intuitive touchscreen that allows users to swipe through their images, and flips up to enable ‘selfies’ and ‘vlogging’. Aiding the latter, a Smooth Skin mode can be deployed with five different levels selectable for an enhanced glow.

The EOS M100 arrives this October, in plenty of time to be a Christmas bestseller. Body only price is an affordable £449.99 SRP, while there are three lens bundles: the EOS

M100 + EF-M 15-45mm f/3.5-6.3 IS STM at £569.99; an option that additionally adds the EF-M 22mm f/2 STM for £699.99 all-in, or one that combines the 15-45mm with an EF-M 55-200mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM for £769.99 (all being the manufacturer’s suggested retail prices).

Arriving a month later is another new product in the MT-26EX-RT macro twin flash unit at £1079.99 SRP. Said to build on its MT-24EX predecessor, the new model boosts illumination power (increased over its predecessor to 26/78 at ISO100),

is more flexible, has enhanced durability and improved usability with it. Its high brightness white LED focus lamps allow the camera to properly focus on a subject and allow the user to preview the effect before their shot is taken.

New clip-on diffusers are supplied for each head to soften the light, with flash recharging time given as 5.5 seconds or even swifter at 2.5 seconds if using the optional CPE4N compact battery pack. A flash indicator on the LCD panel shows the progress of the charge. Radio Wireless Master functionality has also been added to the MT-26EX-RT to allow it to control other Speedlite flash units wirelessly. Availability is from this November.

New lenses worth looking into

Canon’s EOS M10 has a replacement in the newly launched EOS M100, available in a trio of colours, easy to use and perfect for the ‘selfie’ generation

Canon’s premium L-series lens line up is also swelling this autumn, with four new optics landing in November.

These are the EF 85mm f/1.4L IS USM (£1,569.99 SRP), TS-E 50mm f/2.8L Macro (£2,499.99), TS-E 90mm f/2.8L Macro (£2,499.99) and TS-E 135mm f/4L Macro (£2,499.99). The EF 85mm f/1.4L IS USM lens is being pitched as

Canon’s new autumn collection includes one new compact system camera, four new premium lenses, 16 September 2017 | BPI News

www.bpinews.co.uk

NEW CANON COLLECTION LAUNCH

Faces in the frame: (L to R) Canon UK’s Neale Conroy, Susie Donaldson and Daniel Benjamin showcase new lenses and CSC

delivering flattering skin tones and beautiful perspectives with attractive ‘bokeh’ for portrait and wedding photography.

The macro lens trio meanwhile offers creative features including specialist tilt, shift and rotate movements, as well as, naturally, macro functionality. The TS-E 135mm f/4L Macro is said to ‘enrich’ the range with its focal length, while the TS-E 50mm and TS-E 90mm replace existing models in the TS-E 45mm f/2.8 and TS-E 90mm f/2.8 respectively.

The 50mm is ideal for landscape and

From 3-in-1 to 4-in-1: PIXMA printer range revamped There are also a host of new photo printers with which to entice camera-owning customers, said to be up to 35% smaller than the previous generation.

Kicking things off, Canon’s 3-in-1 multifunctional inkjet printer line up – aimed at providing creative fun for the whole family – receives four new models in the PIXMA TS9150 (the six ink range topper),

Canon’s Mike Burnhill demo’s the MT-26EX-RT macro twin flash unit (left) and journalists get hands on with the ‘TS’ series Macro lenses (right)

architecture shots, as well as being suited to the studio, while the 90mm and 135mm are better suited to portraiture and macro photography in the studio, says Canon.

When used for macro photography, the three lenses produce half-life size images with a maximum magnification of 0.5x.

The TS-E 135mm, to take one example, allows photographers to be 49cm from the subject and still obtain this magnification.

TS8150 (also featuring six inks), TS6150 (five colour inks) and TS5150 (practical, affordable).

The sales pitch here is that the printers are compact, stylish, easy to use, and offer Wi-Fi connectivity for printing from smartphones and tablets.

It’s not just about high quality prints however, as the new machines allow families to get creative with hidden message printing (via a new Canon app, ‘Message in Print’) plus print square photos straight from Instagram.

Screen sizes range from 2.5 inches on the TS5150 to a 5-inch touch screen on the PIXMA TS9150. Thanks to an Auto Duplex Print feature, double sided documents can also be printed here, increasing speed whilst saving paper. A two-way paper feed allows users to simultaneously load plain paper in the front cassette and photo media in the rear. The TS9150 model additionally provides the ability to add creative filters to images via its touch screen, when printing direct from an SD card. Prices for the 3-in-1 printers range from £89.99 to £249.99 SRP. For those looking for a compact 4-in-1 machine for the home office, further new offerings from the PIXMA range comprise the TR8550 and TR7550. These also feature Wi-Fi connectivity, enhanced user interfaces, five ink cartridges, large touch screens (4.3-inches and 3.0-inches respectively), which can be conveniently tilted, plus Auto Duplex Printing and an Automatic Document feeder.

Other clever features include twoway paper feeding, enabling printing from both the rear and front of the printer. In practical terms this means that different sized paper sheets can be be loaded at the same time and, since the paper feeds can hold up to 100 sheets of plain paper, the printers have a possible 200 page A4 plain paper capacity.

For those looking to employ the scanning feature, a ‘Document Removal Reminder’ tells the user when a scanned document is left on the scanning unit, to avoid administrative mishaps. Plus, for easy management of files, a 20-sheet ADF feature allows the scanning of larger documents in a single operation, thus saving time.

The TR8550 further has the benefit of a built-in SD card slot, which gives the benefit of printing from and scanning to removable media. The

Canon’s new autumn 2017 products at a glance: Get in touch with your local Canon rep to ensure you have sufficient stock of the following in the run up to Christmas 2017: n Canon EOS M100 compact system camera, available in three colours with a choice of body only or three differently priced camera + lens bundles n Canon MT-26EX-RT macro twin flash unit, with Optical and Radio Wireless function to control other Speedlites n Four new Canon ‘L’ series lenses in the EF 85mm f/1.4L IS USM, TS-E 50mm f/2.8L Macro, TS-E 90mm f/2.8L Macro and TS-E 135mm f/4L Macro n Four new 3-in-1 PIXMA series printers in the TS9150, TS8150 TS6150 and TS5150 n Two new 4-in-1 Home Office printers in the PIXMA TR8550 and TR7550

TR7550 has an SRP of £179.99 whilst the TR8550 is £199.99.

To order stock of any of these, please get in touch with your local Canon rep.

Daniel Benjamin, Product Marketing Manager at Canon UK & Ireland concludes: “We had a strong start to 2017 with some exciting products entering the market, like the EOS M6, 77D, 200D and 6D Mark II. We’re reinforcing this in the second half of the year with our latest collection of cameras, lenses and printers, empowering our retail partners in this crucial trading period.” www.canon.co.uk

Jay Sinclair, Canon’s Print Product Specialist shows off the latest PIXMA printers line-up, which boast up to 35% smaller footprint than their predecessors; a perfect fit for any home or office desktop!

one macro flash unit, four 3-in-1 printers plus two 4-in-1’s. See www.canon.co.uk @bpi_news

BPI News | September 2017 17

NEWS

Elinchrom’s revolutionary pack LIGHTING SPECIALIST Elinchrom has a new offering for trade members with pro photographer customers in the weather-resistant, lightweight and compact ELB 1200. The pitch is that this is ‘the premier adventure light for photographers’, and should be available by the time you read this. Weighing just 4.3Kg, with built-in Skyport protocol, the ELB 1200 is said to be ‘revolutionising’ the photographic industry, by allowing photographers to carry smaller, more powerful packs on location.

There’s two all-in sets available: the

BPI NEWS PRODUCT FOCUS

PERFORATED PRINT MEDIA FROM DNP

Japanese print specialist DNP has a clever new idea to boost your print profits…

ELB 1200 Pro To Go and Hi-Sync To Go Set, which is priced at £3,299 SRP, whilst the ELB 1200 Pro To Go and Hi-Sync Roll Set is £3,499. www.theflashcentre.com

DNP’s perforated media comes in all shapes and sizes – with enough variety to satisfy customer demand and prove itself cost effective for your business too

L DIREKTEK FOCUSES ON CANON THE DISTRIBUTOR SUGGESTS there’s a trio of new Canon binoculars worth its trade partners looking into in the 10x32 IS, 12x32 IS and 14x32 IS, boasting 10x, 12x and 14x magnification levels. The new range is the first to feature Canon’s new ‘lens-shift’ Image Stabiliser (IS) system offering users higher optical quality and a more stable viewing experience.

All three models newly include two modes of Image Stabiliser operation. The Standard IS mode reduces handshake while the user is spotting their subject; once the subject is acquired, Powered IS mode provides a rock-steady view, claims the distributor.

18 September 2017 | BPI News

The range is available from Direktek this November. It is inviting the trade to get in touch to order stock now via sales@direktek. co.uk or simply call 01494 471100 www.direktek.co.uk

ooking for a novel print idea that could, ahem, ‘separate’ you from the competition?

If so, BPI News regular DNP – Dai Nippon Printing – could well satisfy your needs with its perforated print media.

The idea here is that you can expand your revenue stream whilst keeping customers smiling by including vouchers, coupons and promotional materials alongside prints. No special print drivers or firmware is necessary, as DNP printers recognise DNP perforated media as a standard sheet.

In practice, 4x6-inch perforated media allows social media users to print 4x4-inch photos that resemble vintage square pictures (or, alternatively, square format Instagram postings). Another option is a 6x8-inch sheet with three perforated strips.

The layout and design of this high quality dye sublimation media can of course be customised by you to suit your needs, so as to attach ‘call to action’ items, including vouchers, coupons, logos and sundry promotional materials.

The 4x6-inch perforated media that produces a 4x4-inch square print can be used on DNP’s DS40 printer and comes supplied as 400 prints per roll, with two rolls in each

box, thus providing 800 prints per box.

An alternative is 4x6-inch perforated media (available for the RX1HS) producing two 4x3-inch prints. This provides 700 prints per roll, two rolls are provided per box and thus a total of 1,400 prints per box. A further option is provided in 6x8-inch perforated media (available for the RX1HS) providing three 2x3inch images per print.

To place an order or find out more, get in touch now via sales@dnpphoto.eu www.dnpphoto.eu

DNP perforated media benefits at-a-glance: n A fun option that can also expand your revenue stream n Social media users can have a 4x4-inch square image printed from 4x6-inch perforated media n Perforated media also allows for the attachment of vouchers, coupons and promotional materials alongside the core image n High quality dye sublimation media produced and manufactured by DNP, a world leader in print n Layout and design can be customised by you to attach ‘call to action’ items

www.bpinews.co.uk

DP-SL620 ALL-IN-ONE COMPACT KIOSK

Do much more with DNP!

H STYLIS DESIGN

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DS-TMINI ORDER TERMINAL + DS620 PRINTER Design bb&b - Photos: ShutterStock, DNP

DP-SL620 can be connected to all DNP printers

Biometric passport photo function

4 exclusive photo finishes

Panoramic prints

Ideal for retails

Validates ID photos to meet the official requirements for any country

Glossy, Matte, Luster* & Fine Matte* with one media

Up to 6x20”with DP-SL620 and up to 8x32’’ with DS820 connected

Low investement, great returns

The biometric passport licence must be purchased

*Available for DS620 and DS820

DNP PHOTO IMAGING EUROPE sales@dnpphoto.eu www.dnpphoto.eu

NEWS

‘LEICA’ THE LOOK OF THIS? THE PREMIUM CAMERA BRAND has a revamped 24 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor incorporating compact system camera in the Leica TL2 (£1700 SRP), designed to tempt smartphone users to step up to a dedicated capture device. Arriving in either silver or black body, outwardly its TL2 appears very similar to its TL

predecessor thanks to a continuation of a very minimalist design largely eschewing physical buttons for smartphone-like operation via large back-plate LCD. But, inside, its manufacturer claims, this is a very different beast indeed.

Response times have been improved. With selections made via its touch sensitive monitor, touch control is 8x faster than its forebear, whilst the TL2 is 5x quicker to power up. This is in part due to a new processor, which has also provided the ability to shoot DNG files separately from JPEGs. Other enticing features include a light sensitivity range stretching from ISO100 to 50,000, 4K video capture at 30fps, stills capture up to 20fps for 29 consecutive frames, integral Wi-Fi (with a dedicated Leica TL app available for Android and iOS phones), plus a whopping 32GB internal memory.

TETENAL OPENS DOORS TO THE TRADE AS 13TH PROVES LUCKY FOR SOME MARK DOWN WEDNESDAY September 13th in your diary if it isn’t already: BE A SMARTER TRADE INVESTOR that’s the day WITH THE GUYS FROM LEICESTER the Leicester E based print and photo solutions supplier opens its doors to the trade – inviting them to its Last year BPI News visited Tetenal in headquarters Leicester to report on its revamped to sample leading brands, showroom and product areas – don’t including Epson, EIZO, Wacom and miss the opportunity to drop in yourself Hahnemuhle, whose experts will this year! all be joining Tetenal for the day to demonstrate their products and Managers. Please register your answer visitors’ questions. interest and receive a free ticket The informal event will also in response at: provide the opportunity to engage tetenal-open-day.eventbrite.co.uk with the company’s recently For more info on the Tetenal revamped product areas (featured Open Day, turn to the page 7 in BPI News July/August 2016) and advert this issue. chat with its own Tetenal Product www.tetenal.uk.com TETENAL PROMOTION

BPI NEWS PRODUCT FOCUS

and demo show off their new Epson showroom Left: Craig Bird and Mike Fawcett proudly longer than distinguished history stretching back room. Above: Tetenal has a long and innovations in wet and dry chemistry you might think and involving many

UK HQ in the city of solutions supplier Tetenal’s ever-expanding the photo trade…

BPI News visits leading print and photo worth of stock, ready to fuel and empower Leicester, where it holds a million pounds’

have, so they can be time starved.

No longer can businesses dictate when their customers place their orders, we have to be available to order 24 hours a day, and so the continual development of our website is crucial in offering a modern customer experience.”

“Another part of that improved customer services is that we’re expanding our technical team to eight. We have a very technically knowledgeable team here, which allows us to take on warranty and support work on a large proportion of the hardware we supply and offer

Customer service “We’ve got 34 staff here and stablished way back in 1847, at the core they’re all really hard working,” most of us in the trade will enthuses Tetenal UK MD Mike know the present-day Tetenal “We’re adapting to the modern Fawcett. “So, as well as focusing on by the brands it represents, supports world and changing how we market our products, we focus on our staff and distributes in the UK; Epson and ourselves, with customer service at and that means training them and Kodak – in particular its 120-strong the core,” outlines Mike. retaining them.”

Kodak Express store network – spring “Although we still have sales The other big news is that, immediately to mind. But probably people out on the road, along with growth over continual to thanks what most of us don’t appreciate dedicated Product Managers, we the past five years, the company is is that, as an organisation, Tetenal have had to adapt to how people in its workplace too: it has investing a with own, its of reach has a global want to do business, which means recently refreshed, re-furbished and large German base, complete with our website is now an essential enhanced its Leicester premises.

25,000sq metre plant, and, closer part of our business armoury. Many It now sports a large, open-plan to home, headquarters in Leicester, of our customers don’t have the upstairs office and three swish supplying Britain and Ireland. Its in-store staff they used to additional downstairs demo rooms – two geographical position means that wholly dedicated to Tetenal’s key it is ideally suited to supply most of Epson and Kodak brands – plus the country – enabling it to offer a swish boardroom proudly displaying fast turnaround on goods and a next Leicester’s cityscape in the manner day delivery service. Up to a million of New York’s Manhattan. pounds’ worth of stock is kept at its “We’re proud of our heritage – demand. ll fulfi to warehouse Craig (Bird, Marketing Manager) and I are both Leicester lads,” notes Mike. The doors of the different rooms display 7-inch vinyl records depicting the most significant of the Beatles’ albums, suggesting a fun, welcoming and moreover creative environment. Naturally, Tetenal is inviting its retail and minilab partners to drop in for a first hand a Leicester office and showrooms display Space to create: Tetenal’s recently refurbished tour and demonstrations, now that to printers to Gisella Graham picture frames, wide range of products, from wide format the goods first hand! it has got a lot more space to play in.

Epson’s SureLab D3000 is a key product Tetenal and its customers

for

For more info on Tetenal and its range

10 July/August 2016 | BPI News

Japanese bath crystals. The trade are

invited to pay a visit and sample

of products – and to book a demo

or a site visit

www.bpinews.co.uk

a much wider range of support services. No one could ever accuse Tetenal of just being box shifters.”

The point being made here is that a partnership with Tetenal is to place your business in safe hands, with the supplier keen to show that it offers a ‘cradle to grave solution’ – looking after your kit for the

duration of its lifespan.

Tetenal’s new Kodak demo room / showroom in Leicester is geared towards giving Kodak Express owners an idea, or vision, of what their shop could look like should they choose to refresh their

go. Subtlety doesn’t sell. A lot of the time we’ve found store owners aren’t putting their high ticket items on the wall; they just fill it with all the same frames. So our message is ‘be inspired’ and try to raise the value of each order over time. There is still a lot of value in the Kodak brand and we’re managing to communicate that well.”

still remains the core and everything we do is still all about print, but it makes those stores become a destination for something slightly

different.”

You may have noticed that Tetenal has also revamped its own logo and branding recently – complete with elegant gold lettering and German bear visual reference, on a crisp white

background.

As we mentioned in our new piece last issue, another premium product line that Tetenal is focusing on with the appointment of its newest recruit Dave Beck, is studio gear. This includes California Sunbounce light brands we’ve got to offer. We’re about modifiers, SunSniper camera straps, support and advice; it’s not just ‘here’s Savage accessories and Tetenal a box and we’ll move it from A to B’.”

Paper Background Rolls. “We know In terms of Epson printers, Tetenal the dealers that we can work with, is seeing its biggest growth area as with regard to this,” says Craig, with inkjet mini lab or micro lab. The jewel Mike adding: “We want to give our a in the crown here is the D3000, with retailers their own a studio offering micro lab comprising anything from and encourage them. It’s worked watch this space.” two up to eight Epson D700 printers. street high some for well particularly Tetenal Marketing Manager Craig “And we’re selling huge amounts of photo retailers and we wanted to Bird adds: “We continually try and these,” enthuses Mike. “It prints up to solution complete a with up come and help Kodak Express stores evolve A4 in size and 39 inches in width so including lights and backgrounds, diversify in a changing market. Photo you can do panoramic prints. It’s an which will help them compete and erent diff of inkjet, so there are lots drive traffic and add revenue.” materials you can put through. But Craig adds: “There are two parts both dye sub and inkjets have their to it, really, as we’re also offering benefits. We’re a solutions provider Sunbounce, which is all the reflectors and we want to invite as many and light manipulation – obviously customers to come over and see us reliant on weather – and then as possible, so we can tailor a solution another part is SunSniper straps. that’s going to work for them.”

These products are all higher-end.

For more info on Tetenal and its The bottom end of the market is range of products – and to book a where are the piranhas are fighting demo now – get in touch with the for their slice. These, by contrast, are team on 0116 289 3644 or e-mail good quality products that have an phil.barker@tetenal.uk.com. audience and a customer base.

“It’s about buying into Tetenal www.tetenaluk.com Express network, and therefore also buying into the is in support to the nationwide Kodak

premises.

“So when you do walk into a store you get inspired,” suggests Craig Bird. “We’ve worked with a few stores to help them get painting and give them a bit of a makeover – so customers aren’t just faced with a wall of frames. We’ve also helped by creating graphics – for, for example, ID services – to help them create an identity of their own in their local town and suggest their Kodak Express is the first place to

Upmarket offerings

As a pro-active partner, Tetenal continues to help its customers extend their product offerings and take their customer base upmarket.

As another part of that, it is offering a range of Gisella Graham branded photo frames, as featured in BPI News May. “We spoke to Gisella Graham about offering it to our Kodak Express stores and she was all for it. It’s very much in its infancy, so

One of Tetenal’s key roles ideas for store owners and its new showroom offers plenty of

– get in touch with the team on 0116

www.bpinews.co.uk

al.uk.com

289 3644 or e-mail phil.barker@teten

BPI News | July/August 2016 11

Smooth operator: Leica’s TL2 has a largely button free, minimalist construction, as modelled by its MD Jason Heward (bottom, left)

Extras for Leica retail partners to piggyback on a sale include an eye level electronic viewfinder in the Leica Visoflex EVF (Type 020). Also, whilst the camera’s bayonet mount allows direct use of TL and SL series lenses, options can be broadened

out further if your customers invest in a Leica M-Adapter L or R-Adapter L. The TL2 is also compatible with three flashes, leather holster accessory and pouches. www.leica-camera.com

Kodak debuts new 4K VR action camera WITH ACTION CAMERAS remaining in demand, the new Kodak Pixpro 4KVR360 – which follows on from the Kodak branded SP360 4K camera – was due to get its first outing and hands on opportunity at Germany’s IFA trade show in early September at the time of writing. Described as compact and ultra portable, the camera is claimed to capture every detail in interactive images and videos, taken from every angle. Boasting not one but two 20 megapixel CMOS sensors, the ‘4KVR360’ also offers users a choice of three multi view angles.

A Remote View App is provided for both iOS and Android, so users can see exactly what they’re recording in conjunction with a smart device (said smartphone or tablet essentially acting as a remote viewfinder for the camera). At the trade fair, the camera was due to be showcased in conjunction with a VR ‘flying machine’ and a small robot fitted with its 360 degree action cameras. Details on UK pricing and availability as soon as we get it – or simply head to the below URL to stay updated. www.kodakpixpro.com

BPI News is your mouthpiece to the industry. Send your news to info@bpinews.co.uk 20 September 2017 | BPI News

www.bpinews.co.uk

MINILAB NEWS

CC CC Imaging Imaging drive drive Business Business Development Development with with latest latest Epson Epson Technology Technology from from Tetenal Tetenal Professional Photo Lab CC Imaging in Leeds have recently welcomed a new addition Professional Photo Lab CC Imaging in Leeds have recently welcomed a new addition to their photo printing equipment - the Epson SureColor SC-P-20,000 to their photo printing equipment - the Epson SureColor SC-P-20,000 Left: Taginder Virdee, Lab Technician Middle: Chris Baxter, Head of Digital Printing Left: Taginder Virdee, Lab Technician Middle: Chris Baxter, Head of Digital Printing

CC Imaging Photo Lab Ltd CC Imaging Photo Lab Ltd Long-established business CC Imaging Photo Lab business Ltd has been Long-established CC serving customers Imaging Photo Lab for Ltd 50 has years, been offering acustomers variety of services serving for 50 ranging years, from photo printing, traditional film offering a variety of services ranging processing, from photo framing, printing, mounting traditional and film laminating to framing, large format printing.and processing, mounting laminating to large format printing.

With 2017 being their 50th anniversary the business is their currently With 2017 being 50th undergoing anniversary a range of changes linkedundergoing to a larger the business is currently business development plan.to a larger a range of changes linked business development plan.

Following the decision to increase their portfolio fulfil more printing Following theand decision to increase jobs, portfolio Managing Chris Rose their andDirector fulfil more printing identified the need to update their jobs, Managing Director Chris Rose existing printing equipment: identified the need to update“Since their the start printing of the year we have“Since seen existing equipment: a significant increase in our printing the start of the year we have seen volumes.

Thisincrease means in quality, speed a significant our printing and efficiency key which is why we volumes.

Thisare means quality, speed looked at how are thiskey canwhich be improved and efficiency is why we looked at how this can be improved

from a printer point of view and started talking to our trusted Tetenal.” from a printer point ofpartner view and started talking to our trusted partner Tetenal.”

made it a very smooth and troublefree experience.” made it a very smooth and troublefree experience.”

Epson as first choice As an experienced Epson customer CC Epson as first choice

Print times halved The delivery installation of the new Print timesand halved

Imaging Photo LabEpson Ltd has repeatedly As an experienced customer CC put their Photo trust inLab theLtd Epson Imaging has brand. repeatedly put their trust in the Epson brand.

As the only pro photo lab in the area to have 60” printer since servicing As thea only pro photo lab2010 in the area to B2B, a 60” Professional have printer sincePhotographers 2010 servicing and theProfessional Education sector, their highB2B, Photographers quality Stylus Pro 11880 was and theEpson Education sector, their highworkingEpson at capacity, so 11880 the time quality Stylus Pro was seemed right to purchase working at capacity, so the theEpson time SureColorSC-P-20000 in early July: seemed right to purchase the Epson SureColorSC-P-20000 in early July: “We know Epson inside out so it was the obvious way inside to goout forsousit was and “We know Epson upgrade our way existing format the obvious to golarge for us and printer to our the existing latest Epson upgrade largesolution. format Tetenal to have beenEpson guiding us printer the latest solution. throughout the entire whichus Tetenal have beenprocess guiding throughout the entire process which

Epson printer has been organised by The delivery and installation of the new the Tetenal Technical Services Team, Epson printer has been organised by allowing CCTechnical Imaging to integrate the the Tetenal Services Team, new printer their to workflow within allowing CC into Imaging integrate the one day.

As Chris confirms, the Epson new printer into their workflow within SureColor has one day. AsSC-P-20000 Chris confirms, thealready Epson proved to be a real improvement after SureColor SC-P-20000 has already the first to weeks: proved be a real improvement after the first weeks: “The previous printer was good but this one is even better. is faster “The previous printer wasItgood but with one the latest technology this is even better. Itand is higher faster speed – exactly what we needed.”

He with the latest technology and higher also explains how quicker turnaround speed – exactly what we needed.”

He timesexplains improvehow their daily turnaround production also quicker routineimprove and their bring times daily significantly production increased workflow: “As wesignificantly do a lot of routine and bring large format printing “As thewe improved increased workflow: do a lot of large format printing the improved

Right: Mark Senior, Lab Manager Right: Mark Senior, Lab Manager

speed is a big win for us. 10-foot prints used toistake or for 30 us. minutes toprints print, speed a big25 win 10-foot this print time is 30 easily cut to inprint, half used to take 25 or minutes now, print allowing work much this timeusistoeasily cut inmore half efficiently. now, allowing us to work much more efficiently.

Until the end of the year CC Imaging are planning tothe further drive their Until the end of year CC Imaging development As part of these are planning plans. to further drive their they are extending development plans. Astheir part portfolio, of these increasing their presence in the they are extending their portfolio, fine art business well as looking increasing their as presence in the for increased floor their fine art business as space well asfor looking business in the future. for increased floor space for their business in the future.

TEL 0113 2448329 TEL 0113 2448329 orders@ccimaging.co.uk orders@ccimaging.co.uk www.ccimaging.co.uk www.ccimaging.co.uk

Tetenal - the perfect Business Partner Tetenal - the perfect Business Partner Managing Director of CC Imaging Managing Director of CC Imaging Chris Rose comments on the Chris comments on the serviceRose he received

by Tetenal: service he received

by Tetenal: “The service has been really “The service have has been beenin touch really good. Tetenal good.

Tetenal been in touch throughout thehave entire process to throughout to update us onthe theentire latest process status. The update us on the latest status. The

delivery arrived within minutes of delivery arrived delivery within minutes of the scheduled time and the scheduled delivery has timebeen and setting up the machine setting has been smooth up all the the machine way through.

We smooth the way call through.

We also had all a follow-up a couple also hadlater a follow-up of days to check call if allaiscouple going of days later to check if all is going well.” well.”

Authorised Epson Partner Authorised Epson Partner TEL 0116 289 3644 TEL 0116 289 3644 phil.barker@tetenal.uk.com phil.barker@tetenal.uk.com www.tetenaluk.com www.tetenaluk.com

Tetenal Ltd Tetenal Ltd

| |

TEL: 0116 289 3644 TEL: 0116 289 3644

| |

www.tetenaluk.com www.tetenaluk.com

| |

uk@tetenal.uk.com uk@tetenal.uk.com

NEWS

Manfrotto has photographers in a spin

ADAPTALUX LIGHTING STUDIO GOES FROM KICKSTARTER TO RETAIL ADAPTALUX, LAUNCHED IN 2015 as a £100,000-plus Kickstarter project by inventor Samuel Granger, is now claiming itself as a British success story with worldwide export, a community of imaginative users and a distribution deal with Wex. On top of this, the Adaptalux Lighting Studio now has a new refined design, based around the principle of powering up to five LED sources on flexible arms with no loss of output even when all five are in use. In terms of application, the theory is that it gives photographers needing

precision control of light on very small subjects the same freedom as a full-scale studio does for big ones.

A Starter Pack sells for £182.99 SRP, and a comprehensive Combo Pack kit for £269.99, both with custom order options for photographers to choose their own preferred filter colours. Adaptalux claims its Lighting Studio took the UK market by surprise at last year’s Photography Show, where stock sold out, with the inventors now looking forward to 2018’s season of international trade fairs. www.adaptalux.com

… A SPIN THROUGH 360° that is, courtesy of its newly announced 360° Virtual Reality product range, aimed at both photographers and videographers. Manfrotto claims it is the first dedicated range of solutions – including bases, accessories and extension booms – supporting virtual reality creation.

Said to be compatible with the most popular 360° cameras, products start at £29.95 SRP and go all the way up to £634.95. www.manfrotto.co.uk

L’s belle for LumeJet

BPI NEWS ONLINE - YOUR TRADE ‘HUB’ DON’T FORGET THAT as well as the regular print version, you can catch up with all the latest news with our online edition at www.bpinews.co.uk. Simply click on any of the covers in our gallery to read and then click through to the ISSUU platform via the button below each edition to grab a downloadable

22 September 2017 | BPI News

PDF, if that’s how you prefer to digest your news. You can also follow us via our social media account on Twitter, where we’re simply @bpi_news to be informed of when there’s a new issue published and online for you to read - sometimes up to five days before our print edition lands on desks and doormats.

PRINT SPECIALIST LUMEJET has announced its latest development (no pun intended) in the L.Type print, which, it says, is the culmination of 15 years of research into silver halide. In short, LumeJet is applying 21st century digital technology to a century old medium – using digital print technology and colour management and fusing them with classic analogue silver halide materials to, it says, deliver a ‘faithful replication of a photographic vision with hitherto unseen precision and sensitivity.’

“L.Type prints from LumeJet have allowed me to produce high quality prints, the likes of which I have never seen before,” believes photographer Jonathan

Glynn-Smith. “L.Type reproduces the detail of an image with such clarity and sharpness that it will amaze any photographer wanting the very best. It helps to show the real character of the subject, which is faithful to the intent of my images.

L.Type is pure printing perfection for professionals and that is why it is now my print of choice.”

LumeJet is interested in speaking to trade partners. To get in touch call: 02476 992 649 or sales@lumejet.com www.lumejet.com

www.bpinews.co.uk

BPI NEWS PRODUCT FOCUS

AN EPSON DEAL FROM DPS GROUP TO SUIT YOUR BUSINESS TO A ‘T’

Seeking a high margin, profitable additional revenue stream? Epson specialists the DPS Group are inviting the trade to check out the service provided by the Epson F2000 direct-to-garment T-shirt printer by having your – or your customers’ – digital files transformed into a wearable garment.

BPI News finds out more about this unique proposition…

T

he photo trade and their customers are being invited to take advantage of a trial offer: namely having a T-shirt printed and supplied to demonstrate the business boosting capabilities of Epson’s specialist F2000 T-shirt printer. “If there are retailers who want to try out the possibility of adding T-shirt printing to their business, simply send us a file from one of your customers and we’ll print the T-shirt for you,” says DPS Group MD Maneesh Patel.

Of the F2000 T-shirt printer, Maneesh enthuses: “This is a high-end device for printing on cotton; forward looking retailers can invest in them to add another revenue stream to their business. Investing in a T-shirt printer would also enable bespoke fashion labels to be created.

“We’re virtually the only place offering the F2000 in the UK, have worked on it directly with Epson and would like to invite the trade to witness a demonstration in our showroom.”

Time to get ‘shirty’ with the DPS Group This is a product that sits within the ‘Direct to Garment’ (DTG) Solutions element of the DPS Group, more details of which can also be found via www.dtgsolutions.co.uk In a nutshell, DTG Solutions is the place to go for advice and information on direct-to-garment printing – or simply get in touch directly with the team’s David Harrison (contact details below).

“Utilising our years of knowledge in the industry, we’re very excited to offer several print packages options, containing everything required to commence your own T-Shirt printing operation,” says Maneesh. “Give us a call today to find out more about how you can benefit from becoming a customer of the DPS Group.”

With packages centering around the F2000, retailers can take their first steps toward printing their own high quality, bespoke garment designs

Hang ‘em high: T-shirts in the window of a photography shop are great for drawing the eye of passing customers, as Michael Nash (pictured) has discovered

Putting shirts in the frame: Creating your own printed garments in-house for customers can add another high profit revenue stream to your business, whilst fashionably differentiating yourself from the competition!

– or established printers can add a new, high profit product line. The idea is that whatever your business or its level, DTG Solutions can tailor a package to suit.

Michael Nash, Manager of Photo Village, based in Orpington, Kent, has been using Epson’s F2000 T-shirt printer for a while now.

“Photo Village offers a wide range of photographic and print-related services,” he explains. “Our photo studio offers family portraits and new-born photography, as well as corporate headshots and product photography for local businesses. In terms of printing we do everything from photo, poster and canvas printing to t-shirt printing, workwear and promotional products. The F2000 offers a straightforward

solution and another potential generator of profit as a new service.

Anyone can come in with their designs or use ones that we provide and leave with a printed shirt within an hour.”

Those retailers whose interest has been piqued by the above will want to head to the DPS Group’s South London showroom, with Epson printers the main focus. This is the perfect place to see and test the latest products for the photo, retail and print trade in a comfortable and informal environment.

To take up this T-shirt demo offer, contact David Harrison on 0208 460 3690 who heads up the DTG Solutions division. www.dtgsolutions.co.uk

For enquiries about DPS Group products, call Maneesh Patel or Gary Crawley NOW on 020 8466 7230, or email sales@dpsb.co.uk @bpi_news

BPI News | September 2017 23

NEWS

Panasonic hears the call of the wild

PANASONIC UK HAS NAMED a wildlife camerawoman as its newest ambassador for its Lumix brand. Tania Esteban (pictured right), who holds a 1st class degree in Zoology and is a fully qualified CAA drone pilot, recently completed a MA in Wildlife Filmmaking in partnership with the BBC, whilst her film ‘A Lion’s Tale’

was nominated for a student Bafta Award.

Panasonic UK’s Head of Imaging Barney Sykes says: “We’re delighted to have Tania on board as a Lumix Ambassador. Her innovative documentary work with wildlife makes her a perfect fit to put the Lumix GH5 through its paces.

We are really excited to see more

That’s the ‘WandeR’ of Blackrapid JP DISTRIBUTION IS OFFERING stock of a universal wrist strap for smartphones to the trade in the Blackrapid ‘WandeR’, which comes with an SRP of £20. Described as the perfect accessory for ‘adventurous’ smartphone photographers, the simple but effective wrist strap features a flexible nylon tab that slides between a smartphone and its case. The nylon tether is then attached to the protruding loop. Blackrapid says the tab has been specially designed to be as unobtrusive as possible while

still affording easy access to the smartphone’s charging point.

For additional versatility, the WandeR comes with a Blackrapid TetheR-CLip carabiner, enabling users to attach their phone to theirbelt, bag or even camera strap.

The bundle includes a TPU coated nylon tether, 10mm cam lock and aluminium hook for wrist strap carrying. Both carrying methods rely on the nylon tether tab that attaches to the back of the phone. www.johnsons-photopia.co.uk

of the fresh and creative digital and virtual reality filmmaking she has become well known for”.

Tania will be using the Lumix GH5 on upcoming documentary work and creating content for the Lumix UK social channels. www.treproductions.co.uk www.panasonic.co.uk

Lights go out, as liquidators appointed for Bowens SAD NEWS for a long-standing trade institution. Rumours began swirling amongst the trade in July, subsequently confirmed by a posting in mid August, that Bowens, best known for its lighting equipment, had gone into liquidation. At the time of this magazine going to press, the website at www.bowens.co.uk was simply displaying a contact message for creditors, who should email restructuring.london.core@rsmuk. com or telephone 0203 201 8000.

Bowens, which had been in business since 1923, was acquired by investment firm Aurelius as recently as June 2016, along with Calumet Photographic. More recently, Aurelius has also acquired Wex Photographic and Fixation (see BPI News April 2017).

They say a week is a long time in politics. Given this unexpected news about Bowens, the same may presently be true of the photo trade.

We’ll endeavour to keep you posted on future developments. www.bowens.co.uk

SAMSUNG’S HIGH CAPACITY DRIVE ‘SMALLER THAN BUSINESS CARD’

IF THERE’S ONE THING today’s high megapixel count and 4K shooting cameras require, it’s robust storage solutions. With that in mind the Korean electronics giant has introduced a new portable storage drive in the aptly named Samsung Portable SSD T5. Delivering speeds of up to 540 MB/sec, the drive is designed to provide swift and easy access to data. What’s more, it’s smaller than a business card at 74x57.3x10.5mm and weighs just

51g, thereby comfortably fitting in the palm of the hand. It’s also shock resistant, capable of withstanding drops from up to two metres in height.

The aluminum exterior product comes with a limited three-year warranty and availability in two distinct metal finishes – Deep Black (1TB and 2TB models) and Alluring Blue (250GB and 500GB models). www.samsung.com/T5

BPI News is your mouthpiece to the industry. Send your news to info@bpinews.co.uk 24 September 2017 | BPI News

www.bpinews.co.uk

FUJIFILM PROMOTION

Fujifilm’s Mark Wade demonstrating the Easy Print RIP software

PRINTING THE EASY WAY Fujifilm join professional photographer, Maz Mashru, to assist with the installaton of his new printer and Easy Studio Print RIP software

W

hen professional photographer Maz Mashru was on the lookout for a new Large Format printer, The Photography Show at Birmingham’s NEC in March provided him with the perfect opportunity for some hands-on research. Eventually, he settled on the Epson SureColor SCP9000 – a 44” Large Format printer featuring a ten-colour pigment ink-set capable of producing 98% of Pantone®-certified-1 colours. And to make sure he got the very best out of his new investment, Maz also purchased Fujifilm’s Easy Studio Print RIP software.

Fujifilm’s John Grayston helps Maz unbox his new printer

Easy Studio Print Fujifilm’s RIP software, Easy Studio Print (ESP), is designed to make Large Format printing easier than ever before. The software automatically handles the sizing, orientation and colour management of your images, guaranteeing that you get accurate colour rendition and precise sizing for every single print. It ensures that all of your media settings are correct and can also ‘tile-up’ your images to make the best use of your media and reduce wastage.

The latest version of ESP, version 4, also makes it very easy to produce canvas prints and includes five different border types to choose from.

ESP is designed to be fully compatible with all Canon, Epson and HP Large Format printers.

As an internationally acclaimed award-winning photographer, Maz has been at the top of the photography business for 50 years.

When asked what most attracted him to the Epson SC-P9000 and Easy Studio Print software, he replied, “The RIP software is fantastic and is invaluable for resizing of the paper, which means that overall it’s less wasteful both in terms of material and also time. I would recommend using Fujifilm to any professional or studio. In terms of quality of customer service and

5 Easy steps Easy Studio Print uses a simple five-step process when printing: n Select the image(s) that you would like to print n Select the size. Choose one of many preset sizes or define your own n Select a template. Use a predefined template or create your own n Select your media n Print your images

helpfulness, there’s no one to rival them.”

Fujifilm’s John Grayston said, “We’re delighted to work with such a highly respected photographer as Maz, and his team of professionals, and it’s great to hear how happy they are with the kit and the service we offer.”

Fujifilm Professional Media A photo is only as good as the paper it is printed on. Our

Professional Media range features over 25 large format inkjet papers, fine art papers, matt bond papers and canvas all suitable for use with the latest large format inkjet printers from Canon, Epson and HP. When you combine our wide range of high-quality media with our ESP software, it becomes clear that Fujifilm is making large format printing easier than ever before.

For more information about Easy Studio Print please contact: peter.wigington@fujifilm.com

For more on Easy Studio Print get in touch with Peter direct on 01234 572138 or via photoprintingservices_UK@fujifilm.com @bpi_news

BPI News | September 2017 25

Photographic British

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PRODUCT OF THE MONTH

NEWS

SWAINS ON THE MOVE THE LEADING DISTRIBUTOR is moving from its current Hunstanton base, where it has resided for the past 35 years, to the ‘metropolis’ of Kings Lynn – and is celebrating the move with a revamped company logo to boot (pictured).

Swains believes its new industrial estate premises – which includes a spacious new showroom – will be ‘far more convenient’ for its carriers and any trade visitor.

Thanks to thorough planning, it promises a smooth transition that will not cause any inconvenience

or disruption to customers. Indeed, with the move taking place on Friday September 29th, it aims to be fully operational by the following Monday. That new address in full is: Swains international PLC, 26 Rollesby Road, Hardwick industrial Estate, Kings Lynn, Norfolk PE30 4LS. If any queries, the trade are directed to speak to their regional Swains sales manager or call direct on the same 01485 536200 number.

Latest offers and info can be found on its web site: www.swains.co.uk

Be a good Citizen DYE SUB PRINTER AND MEDIA specialist Citizen Photo has announced its latest printer in the CY-02, which is aimed at those printing high volumes. It claims 6x8-inch prints can be output at the speed of three prints per minute (compared to the two prints per minute delivered by the standard CY photo printer). The CY-02 also produces 700 6x4-inch prints and 350 6x8-inch prints per roll. The printer is available now, with initial orders coming with a Citizen branded carry bag (worth 100 Euros) whilst stocks last. Interested parties in the trade

should contact Gary Andrews, EMEA Business Manager, Photo Printers, via 07740 959067 or gary.andrews@citizen-europe.com www.citizen-europe.com

See the ‘World’ in a day INDEPENDENT RETAILER CameraWorld has chosen October 28th to host its own one-day photographic show at 155 Bishopsgate in London, which is free to enter. ‘CameraWorld Live’ is set to feature a host of big names showcasing their wares for visitors to touch and try, including Canon, Nikon, Fujifilm, Olympus, Panasonic, Tamron, Sigma, Zeiss, Sony, Billingham, Benro, Velbon, Lowepro, Vanguard, Domke and Epson.

“We’re thrilled to introduce CameraWorld Live,” says Tony Stent, CameraWorld Director and

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co-founder of the show. “We wanted to build on the success of our previous events and the reputation of the CameraWorld stores, and we’re confident it will deliver a fantastic experience for visitors and for the exhibitors involved. The feedback from camera brands and distributors has been exceptionally positive; there’s a real appetite for this type of event in London and we can’t wait for Oct 28th to be here!”

As well as a chance for customers to check out gear, a full programme of events and talks is promised throughout the day, including interactive seminars, live model shoots, Q&A sessions and guided photo walks. The show is open from 10am to 5pm. www.cameraworldlive.co.uk

NIKON COOLPIX W300

N

ikon’s latest Coolpix W300 compact was the camera we chose to take with us on our recent summer holidays. Why? It has a decent stills resolution, 4K-video (up to 30fps), a 5x optical zoom lens and comes encased in a robust, Tonka Toy like metal exterior that is regulation waterproof, crushproof, freeze-proof, and drop proof. It’s a camera for all seasons then, as suited to the forthcoming autumn months as the summer ones, and for those occasions when you – or rather your customers – only want to take a small pocket camera out and about.

For anyone on a beach or poolside break, this camera is ideal – you can wipe off the sun cream and won’t be afraid to get it splashed.

Hell, you can even dunk it in the wet stuff to get those cool underwater images, whether we’re talking photos or video. We had the canary yellow version, so easy to spot on the bottom of the pool if you did want to throw it around or play ‘fetch’.

With battery, output ports and card compartment protected against ingress by thick, padded, lockable covers, meaning it’s almost impossible for either to open accidentally, there is a degree of peace-of-mind here when attempting photography in scenarios that you wouldn’t risk a smartphone or unprotected device. Shots are composed and reviewed via the 3-inch, 921K dot LCD. Even on cloudy overcast days,

Splash of colour: overground or underwater, the W300 proves a capable all-rounder

where we’d assumed the f/2.8 maximum aperture wouldn’t contribute much, the W300 is capable of delivering both detail and a surprising amount of contrast in its images, meaning that photos straight out of the camera require minimal (if any) tweaking post-capture.

OK, so at a manufacturer’s suggested £389.99, the W300 may not quite be the impulse purchase (or instant sell) you’d want it to be, but consider this – it’s probably all the toughened camera most of your customers would ever need. www.nikon.co.uk

BPI News | September 2017 27

BPI NEWS BUSINESS ADVICE With customers & staff back from their holidays, and just prior to the busiest sales season of the year, Adam Bernstein advises on making sure your business is operating to its fullest potential – and how to make adjustments if not…

P

eople and cash have an intertwined relationship when it comes to the success of any business, especially one in retail and even more so for the independent. So, how can the trade possibly make savings when it comes to key areas, including card processing fees and the management of staff?

N I S S E N I S U B R GE T YOU …

R E B M E T P E S S SHAPE THI S ’ £ E V A S D N A Shuffling the cards

Some are wondering if cash is on its way out. According to a survey run by UK Finance published in August (2017), 10% of adults aged between 25 and 34 shun cash and rely instead on cards and digital payments for their day-to-day spending.

Most retailers think of the banks as being the acquirer that processes the transaction. They don’t – they re-sell services offered by others. Santander, for example, sells on behalf of First Data while Lloyds uses Cardnet. The point is that while the banks are thought of as the experts that own the acquirer services, the reality is much different and it may be possible to get a better deal by going direct.

It’s almost impossible to give a charges benchmark as there are so many imponderables, such as risk, market power, transaction volume and so on. However, there are options for getting a better deal.

The first is obvious. Play hardball and negotiate as long as possible. This is clearly a gamble. The next option is to use what is termed an ‘independent sales organisation’ (ISO). Officially licenced and approved by the card processors, these firms resell a provider’s service en masse – they buy a block of ‘service’ and through economy of scale get a better deal, which is, in theory, passed on to subscribing retailers. The advantage here for retailers is

28 September 2017 | BPI News www.bpinews.co.uk

BPI NEWS BUSINESS ADVICE that they aren’t buying a cheapened look-a-like product; they’re buying the same thing that the banks are selling. Even better, because ISOs have the power of many, they can, to an extent, insulate their customers from price increases and can also help with the application process.

There are a number of firms that operate as ISOs, such as Handepay, Merchantservicesuk and Payatrader.

It also pays to remember that there are independent card processors such as iZettle and Square Reader with their own mobile readers, used in conjunction with smartphones.

Online comparison websites such as Cardswitcher and Merchantmachine are helpful. Filling in an online form should garner a comparison of the best deals.

Merchantmachine has a long, 93-entry, list of the various providers.

Some limited pricing data is available to view. Interestingly, no fees are listed for the big players. See merchantmachine.co.uk/providers/.

For the business wanting to switch, it’s just a question of finding the right deal. Services and terminals are virtually identical and are made by just three firms.

As with any contract, retailers should remember to benchmark service and price. They should never accept the first offer, as prices can vary by 40%. It’s important to consider not just the headline transaction charges but also the overall cost – including terminals, authorisation, non-chip and PIN transactions as well anything else that may be hidden.

Of course, when a contract comes to its end it’s worth asking if the acquirer can better their deal. This works with the likes of the insurers and Sky TV, so it’s something that should be pursued with the acquirer.

However, retailers wanting to terminate early should keep an eye on fees and notice periods – these can involve a three-month notice period for the service and the payment of the balance of (say) a four-year contract for the equipment.

From January 2018, retailers will no longer be able to charge for accepting cards. This makes it even more important to keep processing costs in check.

Dealing with difficult employees Having dealt with cards, it’s time to turn attention to saving time when dealing with difficult employees.

Because, regardless of how much time you invest in trying to recruit the best employees, inevitably one or more of them may prove to be incredibly difficult to manage.

If you identify that an employee is being difficult, you need to consider how serious their behaviour is. A good starting point is your disciplinary policy.

Cases of gross misconduct are generally straightforward; that is where the employee’s behaviour is so serious that it, if proven, warrants dismissing the employee immediately without notice or pay in lieu of notice. A difficult employee generally falls within the category of misconduct.

Dealing with cases of misconduct, particularly where misconduct is repeated, invariably involves a staged warning process – a verbal warning, followed by a first written warning, then a final written warning and ultimately dismissal with notice or payment in lieu of notice.

Whenever there is any allegation of misconduct or gross misconduct, a fair investigation should be carried out to establish the facts. Once the investigation has been concluded managers will be able to decide whether there is a disciplinary case to answer. If there is, then the employee should be invited to a disciplinary hearing.

Wherever possible, the disciplinary hearing should be conducted by an independent manager who was not involved in the disciplinary process. For small firms especially, it is particularly important to ensure that no decision is made as to whether the employee is guilty of misconduct until the conclusion of the disciplinary hearing.

The letter inviting the employee to the disciplinary hearing should confirm the allegation(s); that they have the right to be accompanied; and what the potential outcome of the disciplinary hearing may be.

Evidence collated during the

“As with any contract, retailers should remember to benchmark service and price. They should never accept the first offer, as prices can vary by 40%. It’s important to consider not just the headline transaction charges but also the overall cost”

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investigation should be sent to the employee with the invitation and they should be given reasonable notice – 24 hours is the recommended minimum – of the disciplinary hearing. Ideally someone should take minutes. This should be a member of staff more senior than the employee concerned.

After the disciplinary hearing, there should be a review of the evidence and the consideration of representations made by the employee before any decision is made and given in writing with an opportunity to appeal.

Lastly, the manager hearing the appeal should be someone more senior to the disciplinary manager, and someone who was not involved in the investigation or disciplinary process.

Trying tribunals But what happens if an employee doesn’t like the company decision and makes a claim? A recent Supreme Court case has potentially opened the floodgates for employees to bring claims against their employers.

Before July 2013, individuals were free to bring Employment Tribunal claims. However, in July 2013 the government introduced Employment Tribunal fees for anyone wanting to make a claim or appeal a judgement.

The fee to lodge a claim was £160 or £250 (dependent upon the nature of the claim) and the fee to pursue the matter to a final hearing was a further £230 or £950 (again, dependent upon the nature of the claim). If employees won, the tribunal judge could order the employer to pay any fees incurred.

After the introduction of tribunal fees, the number of claims being brought fell by 80%, but the ratio of successful claims did not change.

Whilst claim numbers where dropping, unrest in trade unions

was growing and Unison decided to challenge the government’s implementation of the fee regime, claiming not only that it was unlawful but that it indirectly discriminated against women. At the end of July (2017), the Supreme Court agreed and quashed the tribunal fee regime.

As a result of the judgement, no further fees can be charged by the Employment Tribunal until a replacement scheme is introduced.

This means new claims can now be brought without charge, again, and no hearing fees will be charged for claims already lodged.

As for those who have already paid tribunal fees, the Ministry of Justice has undertaken to reimburse them. What is not yet clear, however, is whether that undertaking extends to compensating employers who have been ordered by tribunals to reimburse fees paid by claimants, when their claims have been successful.

Without the deterrent effect of fees, employers now potentially face an increased risk of employmentrelated claims from current and former staff. It is also possible that some individuals might argue they should be permitted to bring claims in respect of past alleged breaches of their rights, arguing that the (now unlawful) fees prevented them from bringing a claim until now.

The government may try to act quickly to replace the system quashed by the Supreme Court.

However, in light of Brexit, there is already a hectic parliamentary schedule. When a replacement system will be debated and passed is unknown – it could be months or even longer.

Whichever of our points is most relevant to your own business, it would be prudent to spruce things up this September and get your house in order before the busiest trading season of the year is upon us…

BPI News | September 2017 29

NEWS

Rise in silver halide popularity ‘a bit like vinyl records’ LAST ISSUE WE FEATURED Digitalab amongst our news, who had then won an award for Large Trader of the Year. This month the Newcastle-upon-Tyne based pro lab is reporting that it has witnessed sales of film increase by

45% over the past six months. Part of this may be down to the fact that Digitalab’s owner Jill Rose is a die-hard champion of the silver halide process, but the business also suggests it’s due to the availability of high quality silver halide papers, including Fujifilm’s Original Photo Paper (see also pages 12 and 13).

“Many photographers still love the whole process,” says Jill, “They feel they are creating something tangible and more thought through with film. The process has real soul – a bit like vinyl records.”

The lab recently supplied Scarborough based York Place

Smartphone use ‘breeding new photography generation’ A NATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHIC Survey for 2017 with a questionnaire developed by Calumet Photographic has made some interesting if unsurprising findings, with 44% of almost 5,000 people surveyed nationwide saying they know someone who has been introduced to the discipline of photography after taking pictures on their phone. Of these a total of 58% said a DSLR was subsequently purchased, allowing them to extend their interest in the hobby.

The survey was created to find out about current trends in the photography industry and seek feedback from photographers about the latest equipment they’re using. Results also revealed that just 15% of respondents continued to use a traditional physical photo album to display their work, with 60% saying they favoured social media as a way of ‘exhibiting’ their work. This was followed by online

galleries (48%) and photographers’ personal websites (47%).

“The results have helped us to find out more about our customers’ journey, their industry views and approaches to their work,” says Calumet Photographic’s MD, Jon Warner.

“Photography is both a hobby and profession, which visually records the world around us for the enjoyment of current and future generations. However, as different technologies continue to emerge, we wanted to understand where new trends are heading, so we can continue to provide the latest equipment and knowledge in the industry.” www.calphoto.co.uk

Studios with film for an exclusive street photography series of prints shot in Sri Lanka. “After seeing the work Digitalab do in developing, scanning and printing film, we decided it was time to go back to our roots ad see what we could produce on this medium as part of our ‘Filmisnotdead’ theme,” say

Dom and Liam Shaw who run York Place Studios. The Sri Lanka shoot was their first street project shot on Fujifilm – Superia 200 film in fact – with the images output on Fujifilm Original Photo Paper. www.digitalab.co.uk www.originalphotopaper.com

Pentax’s silver dream machine THE PHOTO BRAND now wholly owned by Ricoh, has announced a new limited (to 2,000 units) silver edition of its 36.4 effective megapixel K-1 DSLR, originally launched in April 2016. Marketed as the Pentax K-1 Limited Silver, the camera features what’s described as a ‘high grade’ silver colour coating on the body and D-BG6 battery grip, to match the silver FA Limited Lens,

along with a special silver ‘SR’ badge on the front.

The metal hot shoe cover also features a mirror finish logo and the kit comes in an ‘exclusively designed’ product box. Apart from the firmware, Pentax says that the camera body’s features and specifications are exactly the same as the standard K-1 model. Available mid September, pricing for the limited silver finish K-1 is £2,149.99 SRP. www.ricoh-imaging.co.uk

Thinking outside the boom(box) for extra sales HERE’S A FUNKY item the canny photo retailer might like to sell alongside their current stock to broaden their custom base in the run up to Christmas: a retro styled portable cassette player – aka the ‘boombox’ to anyone who had their formative years in the 1980s.

Launched at the IFA trade show in Berlin this month by British company GPO, which is already riding the analogue revival by making vinyl turntables too, the GPO Brooklyn doesn’t just play tapes – currently being re-discovered by a new

generation, with a revival spearheaded by a host of new cassettecentric music labels – the device has a USB port for playback and recording, CD deck, DAB and FM radio, as well as being Bluetooth enabled. Just like the players of old, it’s big enough to throw a few breakdance shapes around too, measuring 60x30cm and sporting a chrome finish and retro backlight with VU indicators. SRP is £199. www.gporetro.com

BPI News is your mouthpiece to the industry. Send your news to info@bpinews.co.uk 30 September 2017 | BPI News

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