Issue 985

2018

ISSUE NO. 985

BILLINGHAM: INTRODUCING THE HADLEY PRO SMALL

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE:

SONY A7III RELEASE

BRONCOLOR SIROS TEST

LEICA €2,400,000 C A M E R A S A L E

H A S S L E B L A D I K E A PA R T N E R S H I P

CANON’S THREE RELEASES & MORE

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OFF THE NEWS PRESS

WELCOME To Pixel Magazine

What an exciting month it’s been with a plethora of new releases in the imaging world, of course, precisely timed with The Photography Show 2018.

Next issue we will be reviewing the show and be giving our opinion on who stole the show.

Canon have really made a statement this month with their releases and Sony have impressed as always.

Two brands seem to be no more but that’s the nature of this ever evolving beast we call photography!

We hope you enjoy this jam packed issue and remember, if there is anything you think Pixel should know about, just reach out to us.

Canon Aims for 50% Market Share of Interchangeable Lens Cameras Canon’s CEO has said that Canon ‘will go on the offensive and work to expand our sales in the mirrorless market’ to reach a goal of 50% marketshare of the entire interchangeable lens camera market. The comments by CEO Fuji Mitarai

were made at the company’s annual corporate strategy conference and come just a week after Nikkei reported that Canon was now willing to cannibalise its DSLR sales in order to grow its mirrorless marketshare.

Luke & Mandy, Co.Editor in Chief

Maplin Falls into Administration

The company made the decision after failing to raise finances through a rescue deal - a move first reported by Sky News.

Maplin is owned by private equity firm Rutland Partners.

They called in administrators from PwC after talks with Edinburgh Woollen Mill broke down amid disagreements over the continued involvement

Catch all the latest news at www.pixel.co.uk

of Rutland. At present time, the chain is continuing to trade normally as they continue their quest to find a potential buyer.

We’re told that staff have been paid their February wages and will continue to be paid for future work while the company is in administration. Hopefully a buyer will come to fruition and the Maplin brand can still have a future.

Afga Vista Colour Film Fades Away Film photography in general has been regaining momentum for a while now. Unfortunately, no matter how popular and trendy it is, some film types will still fade... According to the latest report from Japan Camera Hunter, the latest 35mm film to be discontinued is popular and super-cheap Agfa Vista.

Shouldn’t come as overwhelmingly shocking as it’s a poorly-kept secret that Vista was actually produced by our favorite Japanese film manufacturer but it still stinks to high heaven. It’s a beloved and wonderful inexpensive color film that earned a huge following and the PTSD from the untimely demise of Kodachrome and Neopan relapses not insignificantly.

Still losing business due to passport photo code?

Start producing HMPO photo code today with our state of the art biometric photo system - ID Station Pro For more information

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OFFNEWS THE PRESS

SONY:

UNVEILING THE A7 III MIRRORLESS CAMERA

Just a few short weeks after Fujifilm launch their X-H1, another mirrorless camera is upon us. The new Sony A7r iii is a stunning camera at a very attractive price point. It incorporates great features from the two current flagships, the A9 and A7r III. Highlighted features: •

•

•

Newly Developed Full-frame 24.2MP[i] Back-Illuminated Exmor R™ CMOS Image Sensor with Evolved Image • Processing Wide ISO range of 100 – 51200 (expandable to ISO 50 – 204800 for still images) and 15-Stop[ii] Dynamic • Range at low sensitivities

•

World Class AF system featuring 693 phase-detection AF points covering • 93% of image area, 425 contrast AF points and fast and reliable Eye AF

•

Continuous Shooting at up to 10 fps[iii] with either Mechanical Shutter or Silent Shooting[iv] and full Auto Focus/Auto Exposure tracking

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5-axis optical in-body image stabilisation with a 5.0 step[v] shutter speed advantage High Resolution 4K[vi] Movie Shooting with full pixel readout and no pixel binning across full-width of full-frame sensor The longest rated battery life of any Mirrorless camera at 710 shots per charge Upgraded operability and functionality including addition of joystick for adjusting focus points, Dual SD Card Slots, SuperSpeed USB (USB 3.1 Gen 1) USB Type-C™ Terminal and more

Our first impression is that the A7 iii is going to be very attractive for many professional photographers, but also enthusiasts with the budget. With the expected price to be £2000 (body only). The features are very high spec for a camera at this price and will suit a lot of photographers needs. A lot of professionals who have made the switch to Sony still use their old camera as their second body. We can see a lot of these people investing in the A7 iii as their official second body and the final step in the complete switch.

Sony call this their ‘basic’ model, but the features say otherwise. That isn’t a bad thing, Sony just seem to be so great and creating such high spec models at great price points.

A lot of Sony’s best technology is in this camera. Although there is nothing completely ground breaking in these features, its such an important release and really solidifies Sony’s mirrorless lineup as arguably the best there is today.

OFFNEWS THE PRESS Our favourite features in detail: Full-frame Image Quality The newly developed 24.2MPi backilluminated Exmor R CMOS image sensor is paired with a front-end LSI that effectively doubles the readout speed of the image sensor, as well as an updated BIONZ X™ processing-engine that boosts processing speed by approximately 1.8 times compared to the α7 II. These powerful components work together to allow the camera to shoot at faster speeds while also enabling its impressive ISO range of 100 – 51200 (expandable to ISO 50 – 204800 for still images) and an overall 1.5-stop[ix] improvement in image quality. The camera also features a massive 15-stopii dynamic range at low sensitivity settings, ensuring outstanding overall performance at all settings and in all shooting conditions, with significant advancements in accurate colour reproductions of skin tones and the vibrant colours of nature.

This new full-frame model can also output 14 bit RAW format[x] even in silent and continuous shooting modes, and is equipped with a 5-axis optical image stabilisation system that results in a 5.0 stepv shutter speed advantage.

High Quality 4K Video The new α7 III is an outstanding video camera as well, offering 4Kvi (3840×2160 pixels) video recording across the full width of the full-frame image sensor. In video mode, the camera uses full pixel readout without pixel binning to collect about 2.4x[xiv] the amount

of data required for 4K movies, and then over samples it to produce high quality 4K footage with exceptional detail and depth.

An HLG (Hybrid Log-Gamma)[xv] picture profile is available on the α7 III as well, which supports an Instant HDR workflow, allowing HDR (HLG) compatible TV’s to playback beautiful, true-to-life 4K HDR imagery. Further, both S-Log2 and S-Log3 are available for increased colour grading flexibility, as well as Zebra functionality, Gamma Display assist and proxy recording. The camera can also record Full HD at 120 fps at up to 100 Mbpsvi, allowing footage to be reviewed and eventually edited into 4x or 5x slow motion video files in Full HD resolution with AF tracking.

Upgraded Build, Design and Customisation Sony’s newest full-frame camera is equipped with a variety of enhanced capabilities that were first implemented in the α9 and then again in the α7R III. These include dual media slots, with support in one slot for UHS-II type SD memory cards. Users have a variety of options for storing their content in each of the cards, including separate JPEG / RAW recording, separate still image / movie recording, relay recording and more.

Battery life has been greatly extended as well – with a CIPA measurement of up to 710 shots per chargeviii, it offers the world’s longestviibattery life of any Mirrorless camera, as the new camera utilises Sony’s Z series battery NP-FZ100

that offers approximately 2.2 times the capacity of the W series battery NPFW50 utilised in the α7 II. The new camera features “My Menu” functionality which allows up to 30 menu items to be registered for instant recall when needed. Users can also apply star ratings to their still images through the camera controls for easier image playback and review, and edit the first three characters of all still image files. Additionally, there is a total of 81 functions that are assignable to 11 custom buttons, and the camera is both dust and moisture resistant[xvi].

The α7 III features high-resolution, high-contrast, fast-start XGA OLED TruFinder™ with approximately 2.3 million dots for extremely accurate, true-tolife detail reproduction. “Standard” or “High” display quality settings are also available for both the viewfinder and monitor as well. It also is capable of seamlessly transferring files to a smartphone, tablet, computer or FTP server via Wi-Fi®, while also offering a SuperSpeed USB (USB 3.1 Gen 1) USB Type-C™ Terminal for increased flexibility in power supply and faster image transfer speed during tethered shooting.

For more information visit www.Sony.co.uk

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OFF THE PRESS

BILLINGHAM:

PROUD TO INTRODUCE THE HADLEY PRO SMALL

We are big fans of the homegrown Billingham brand, this new release excites us greatly. We look forward to getting out hands on one to test as soon as they hit stores.

B

illingham has added the Hadley Small Pro to its renowned Hadley camera bag range, offering exceptional protection for small mirrorless system cameras, rangefinders and mid-sized DSLRs. Precisionengineered at Billingham’s manufacturing facility in the West Midlands, the Hadley Small Pro builds upon the successful Hadley Small – one of the company’s most popular bags – with the addition of several practical new features designed for professional photographers.

Rugged, weather-resistant yet extremely compact and light, the Hadley Small Pro is perfect for travelling, or for carrying smaller equipment on location shoots or daily photographic work. The new bag will be available in six classic colour combinations from the end of March 2018 from authorised Billingham stockists and www.billingham. co.uk, and will have a suggested retail price of £200 including VAT. Colour combinations available from launch: Khaki Canvas/Tan Leather - Khaki FibreNyte/Chocolate Leather - Sage FibreNyte/Chocolate Leather - Burgundy Canvas/Chocolate Leather Black Canvas/Tan Leather Black FibreNyte/Black Leather As with all Billingham products, the Hadley Small Pro is made in England, and crafted from the company’s highly durable canvas or colour-fast FibreNyte material. These hard-wearing textiles are bonded to Stormblock material: two layers of fabric fused with butyl rubber for ultimate weather resistance. Due to its special composition, Stormblock never requires ‘reproofing’, remaining water-resistant for its entire life.

Following feedback from Billingham customers, the bag has been enhanced with a number of new features. A strong, padded, leather-reinforced handle has

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been added to the top cover to provide extra comfort and a secure grip. The adjustable, shuttle woven polyester shoulder strap is now detachable, transforming the Hadley Small Pro into a stylish, compact messenger bag when removed, ideal for photographers wishing to use it as carry-on luggage.

A handy rear pocket, featuring a waterrepellent zip for protection against adverse conditions, allows owners to stow important documents such as passports or tickets for quick and easy access when on the move.

A durable rear luggage strap enables the bag to be conveniently retained on a trolley suitcase handle for fuss-free transportation.

The Hadley Small Pro’s premium quality fittings and buckles have been manufactured from solid brass, while the trims and straps are made from the finest full-grain leather.

Each bag has been carefully finished and numbered by an individual Billingham team member and carries a unique serial code, and the signature Billingham logo has been embossed into leather on the front main flap.

Its sculpted top cover protects the contents from the elements, while inside the bag, a generously padded fullsized insert delivers excellent impact protection for valuable equipment, which can be unclipped and removed if required, to convert the Hadley Small Pro to a work bag, compact travel holdall or day bag for personal belongings.

Harry Billingham, director, said, “Once again, we have listened to the feedback and specific requests from our loyal customers, and have integrated the most-wanted features into this newlydesigned model. Created with mid-sized DSLRs and CSCs in mind, the Hadley Small Pro is deceptively spacious and versatile, and can be configured with the supplied accessories and inserts to suit the individual photographer’s needs. We believe users will welcome the additional functionality, comfort and convenience of the Hadley Small Pro, which has been painstakingly engineered for ultimate portability and protection.”

For more information on Billigham’s beautiful bag, visit www.billingham. co.uk

The Fujifilm X-H1 is available to pre order from £1,699.00. Fore more information visit www.fujifilm.eu/uk

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FIRSTNEWS IMPRESSIONS

SONY:

NEED FOR SPEED

We got our hands on Sony’s XQD G Series Memory Card. It’s easy to overlook the importance of memory cards but using the right one is absolutely vital for your camera set up.

W

hen we got the Sony’s XQD G in our hands we were very impressed cosmetically. The build quality looks fantastic and it feels really robust. This helps have peace of mind when out shooting. Yes, failures and breakages are rare but they happen and they have happened to us.

With the technology of cameras increasing at such a rapid rate, the need for high speed cards is more important than ever. If your shooting landscapes you might happy to wait a few seconds for the camera to read your images and show them on the rear screen. However, if your shooting people or changing scenes, it’s often imperative that you can see the imagery as soon as possible.

Here we have listed some of the highlight features of the XQD G memory card.

Fast Data Transfer to PC

Dependable 4K Video Recording

Sony’s XQD/SD card reader and USB adapters are the best match for XQD G Series cards and dramatically reduce data backup time for a more efficient work flow. Transfers are twice as fast as CompactFlash card 4.

Sony’s unique controller ensures stable 4K video recording thanks to twoway communication to manage data bottlenecks with compatible cameras.

A 128 GB card offers approximately 100 minutes3 of 4K XAVC-S (150 Mbps) recording using cameras like the Sony 4K FDR-AX1.

Capture More Decisive Moments Sony XQD G series memory cards are designed to keep pace with the shooting speed of your camera to clear the memory buffer fast. You can capture more decisive moments and bursts of continuous shooting even with hi-end DSLRs. Get the Most out of Burst Shooting With their extremely fast write speeds, Sony XQD G Series Memory Cards are ideal for continuous raw burst shooting with hi-end DSLRs, letting you capture up to 200 RAW images which is 1.5-times more shots per burst than with Compact Flash cards.

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File Rescue Software Sometimes things go wrong and data such as photos and files get damaged or lost. Sony’s File Rescue is a powerful tool for recovering damaged or lost data that is simple enough for anyone to use.

Applying an advanced algorithm, Sony’s File Rescue realizes a higher rate of recovery for RAW image, MOV files, and 4K XAVC-S video files captured on both Sony and Nikon devices. Available as a free download to memory card customers.

It’s obvious that Sony are heavily invested in all areas of their brand. The attention that all of their products are given is truly remarkable and is why Sony are thriving.

Soon, we will be getting our hands on lot’s more imaging related Sony products. For now though, you can browse them all at www.sony.com

www.pixel.co.uk 9

OFF THE PRESS

SWAINS:

CAN YOUR CURRENT PASSPORT SYSTEM HANDLE THE NEW LEGISLATION? This month, we hear more about the innovative ID Station thats changing the face of an industry.

F

or those of you that produce passport photos, you will be aware that new Passport Office procedures were announced at the end of last year.

These laid out plans to allow customers who are undertaking passport renewals to upload their pictures direct to their online application forms.

In simple terms the process involves: · A code being provided at the point where the picture is taken in a Photo booth/ Photo specialist. · The code is then input via the GOV. UK website to retrieve your passport image when filling out your online renewal application form. · This image is kept on a secure online server for up to 6 months and can be accessed by the consumer multiple times.

PASSPORT PHOTO SPECIALIST

the

ICAO QUALITY TEST

100% PASSPORT APPROVED

HMPO Photo Code Service Biometric Passport and Visa Photos All Major Countries Professional & Reliable Service       fi                fi               certificate          

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‘The message to the trade is that at present there is only a very limited number of manufacturers who can currently produce these codes’ confirms Swains product manager Zygi Sakas.’ Even though it is a new service we are experiencing a high demand for it. There is a possibility that a number of passport providers will miss out with the changes but we have a solution to prevent that from happening’.

The new ID station service is also compliant with upcoming EU GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) laws. Future proofing your business!

Swains currently offer a number of passport solutions. ‘If you have never invested in passport photography before the standard ID station kit would be the way to go’ advises Zygi. ‘However if you are a business producing 30/40+ pictures a day you may want to step up to an ID Station Pro which offers a more powerful processor, more storage and a bigger screen.

For further information the trade is invited to contact Zygi direct via zsakas@ swains.co.uk or on 01485 536212 for the opportunity to book an instore Demo or visit Swains Kings Lynn HQ to view.

OFF THE PRESS

CANON:

THE WORLDS FIRST FLASH WITH AI BOUNCE

Canon have released a few products this month in the lead up to the photography show. You can read about them on our website but the one that excites us the most is their Speedlite 470EX-AI. A truly innovative creation.

C

anon have launched the world’s first flash equipped with AI Bounce – a new Auto Intelligent (AI) function that takes the fuss and uncertainty out of flash photography. This revolutionary new technology intelligently calculates and maneuvers the flash head position automatically to create optimum lighting for outstanding images. From photo enthusiasts learning how to use flash, to professionals looking for straightforward shooting, the Canon Speedlite 470EXAI is a must-have for photographers.

Key Features • • • • •

AI Bounce with Full-Auto and SemiAuto modes Guide Number 47 (m, ISO 100) Wide flash coverage 24 to 105mm Wireless Optical Receiver Large LCD and intuitive user interface

Pricing and availability The Speedlite 470EX-AI will be available to purchase from April 2018 with a RSP of £499.99/€599.99.

We are really excited about this Speedlite and look forward to more innovative products from Canon this year.

Accomplished portrait, lifestyle and wedding photographer Jo Thorne used the flash whilst it was in development.

Commenting on her experience, “Having used the Speedlite 470EX-AI on a few different shoots recently, the results are exceptional – far exceeding my expectations. The Speedlite 470EXAI’s set-up efficiency means I’m able to capture more in-action moments, which cuts down my post-production time and gives me an abundance of more images to choose from. Using this flash has reignited my love of light, something that can add immense value to an image.”

Revolutionary flash innovation – AI Bounce The AI Bounce function automates bounce photography within the flash.

This never-before-seen innovation uses a test flash to calculate the perfect angle for natural, flattering illumination, whilst automatically moving the motorised flash head into the optimum position for perfect lighting. The full-auto mode[1] carefully manipulates the flash head for every new shot, eliminating unwanted shooting complications. It also removes the time needed to evaluate the shot and reposition the flash head manually. As a result, photographers of all levels can confidently and quickly use the flash, reassured that the Speedlite 470EX-AI can help deliver consistently beautiful images.

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TESTED

BRONCOLOR:

ANTONY MEADLEY TESTS THE BRONCOLOR SIROS 400 S EXPERT KIT 2 This month, our Antony Meadley tests the Broncolor Siros 400 S Expert Kit 2 with WiFi/RFS 2. As you can see from the imagery in these pages, he really put the kit through its paces.

FEATURES

KIT •

2 x Siros 400 S WiFi/RFS 2

•

1 x 85CM Silver umbrella

•

1 x Softbox 60 x 60cm incl. speed ring

•

1 x synchronous cable 5m

•

2 x Basic M stand

•

1 x Flash Bag 2

•

1 x Accessory Bag

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The Expert kit comes with a two-part rolling case. The larger case holding both the lights, and the smaller case holding both stands, the umbrella, and the softbox. The two parts clip together solidly and it’s really easy to wheel around. This is a key feature for me and would be very attractive to other photographers who travel a lot for their work.

The lights are made in Switzerland and stylishly designed in black with pale blue accents. The packaging is also very professional with a matching style. The cosmetic appearance of lighting doesn’t affect image quality, but it’s much better

TESTED to turn up to clients with kit that looks great than kit that doesn’t. It helps cement your brand with the people that are paying for your images.

As the name implies, the output of each unit is 400 Joules (400Ws), and the unit has a 9-Stop Power Range easily adjustable in 1/10 or Full Stop Intervals using the rotary knob on the back.

The Flash Duration is between 1/2200 - 1/1000 second, depending on the power output (or 1/8000s if using the separate HS Flash tube). The charging time is between 0.02–0.95 seconds.

The stands are very easy to use with a novel twist-lock for the legs. They are slightly dampened to make lowering the lights more gentle.

For use on the floor, the stand adapter can be used with the handle to function as a built-in floor stand.

The 85cm umbrella is silver inside and black outside, and attaches by sliding into a rotatable holder on the side of the flash head. It is quite a shallow shape, so the falloff of light is quite soft.

The 60x60cm softbox comes with double internal baffles for a beautifully diffused light. For packing it comes apart from the mount, but it only takes a few seconds to assemble with practise, having four rods which slip into the mount. The broncolor mount is a two blade bayonet style.

Pushing the knob in accesses the menu settings for the following:

To fit the softbox, you replace the compact reflector which comes with the light.

The flash tube has a frosted glass front on a ventilated glass cover. This helps prevent hot spots.

The halogen modelling light can get very hot, so it is probably safer to use metal modifier mounts or black wrap. The unit has a built-in fan which is reasonably quiet.

On the back of the light is a button to turn the modelling light on/off/ proportional, a test button to trigger the light and a multi-function rotary knob.

This keeps the design very clear and uncluttered.

Turning the knob adjusts the output in either whole stops if a quick turn is made, or 1/10th stops if turned more slowly.

•

Speed mode: on or off. This optimizes the unit for a fast flash speed, but the light colour may shift to being slightly blueish

•

WiFi: turns it on or off or “private network”

•

Studio/Channel: used to switch channels for remote controllers

•

Lamp: this sets the lamp address for use with remote triggers

•

Sequence: this allows you to select how many flashes happen in a sequence (up to 50). If you want to adjust any timing features for this, you must use the app on a mobile device

•

Beep: turns the “ready” beep on or off

•

Sync: this sets the triggering to RF, light, both or neither

To create the image of Callum on the left hand page I used the Speed mode and a lower flash output to provide a very short flash duration.

The image below shows the type of effect you can achieve using the Sequence mode. I set one flash on the left with Sequence set for 7 flashes with a power setting of 7 (any higher and the refresh time was too slow for the effect) and made a makeshift snoot out of blackwrap to keep the light just on the hands. The other flash was placed on the right and fitted with the silver umbrella and set to a low output of 3 just to provide fill.

Wi-Fi CONNECTIVITY & MOBILE APP The WiFi works by either creating its own wireless network, or connecting to your existing wireless network.

You then connect your phone/tablet to this network and run the app which is called bronControl. The advantage of using your existing network is that you don’t lose your internet connection on your device.

The unit also has a built-in RFS 2.1 receiver for wireless control and triggering, however the controller is not included in this kit. It’s very important for brands to move with the times and Broncolor are definitely thinking ahead.

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TESTED

The flash duration and recycle time are both great. The flash tube of the Siros sits outside of the head, which will allow light to spread wider with some modifiers, resulting in more evenly lit subjects and softer light than with other brands currently on the market. For the image above of Millie, I positioned one flash with only the reflector directly behind her. I did this to create the shadow on the fabric and a rim light on her.

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The other flash with the silver umbrella was positioned to the right. It was 6 feet in front and slightly higher than her position. This was done to create fill light on her face.

This Siros kit has been really well designed. It was very easy to switch over accessories and manage everything which meant that I could focus more time on creating the imagery. I didn’t test the durability but everything feels very

CONCLUSION The Broncolor Siros flash heads themselves are fantastic quality and a pleasure to work with, being easy to setup and use. The modifiers included are probably not those which I would have chosen, but given that the price of the kit means that they are effectively being thrown in for free, I can’t complain. I would be very happy to have this in my studio.

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Resolution Master The 42.4MP back-illuminated CMOS sensor with the latest generation image processor captures the finest details, in 10fps high-speed continuous shooting with accurate AF tracking.

The real potential of full-frame is now unleashed.

INTRODUCING THE

16 www.pixel.co.uk ‘Sony’, ‘

FROM SONY

Discover more at: www.sony.co.uk

‘ and their logos are registered trademarks or trademarks of Sony Corporation. All other logos and trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

STORY

HASSLEBLAD:

IKEA TO LAUNCH SELECT COLLECTION OF HASSELBLAD MASTERS PHOTOGRAPHY

This story really took us by surprise due to the different positions of each brand in their relative markets. However, because of this it’s generated massive publicity but could this partnership be damaging to the Hassleblad brand?

IKEA has set out on a journey to democratize art and make it available to everyone. In collaboration with Hasselblad and seven professional photographers, IKEA has explored the art of photography, resulting in a selection of pictures from the Hasselblad Master Award extensive catalogue.

Art and photography are an important part of people´s everyday life and it seems it appears that importance is growing.

According to IKEA’s life at home research, people are moving from valuing practical benefits to appreciating the emotional aspects of objects. This trend seems especially strong for Millennials who put higher value on emotional features, such as art and design, in order to create a home that is unique and aligns with their personality.

“Photography is a vital way to express yourself and showcase the world from

your perspective. In this day and age with social media, this form of expression and art has become even more popular, creating a whole new group of everyday photographers. With this collection of images, both IKEA and Hasselblad aim to inspire people to continue capturing the world while offering stunning photographs to those looking to make their home unique,” says Marcus Engman, Head of Design at IKEA The collection, in collaboration with Hasselblad one of the world’s most iconic camera brands, will consist of eight exclusive pictures taken by photographers awarded for their long or even lifetime achievements in their profession. These images feature both nature and portraits, and were taken by Dmitry Ageev, Lars van de Goor, Hans Strand, Bára Prášilová, Ali Rajabi, Tom D. Jones, and Joachim Schmeisser.

“We want to share our love and passion of photography with the world and give a wider audience the chance to discover new art created by Hasselblad Photographers. This collaboration is a way to inspire people by bringing world class photography into their every-day life. Each image was hand selected for its beauty, composition, and aesthetics so that they add a level of emotion to your home.” Says Bronius Rudnickas, Marketing Manager at Hasselblad.

The collection called NORRHASSEL will launch in all IKEA markets starting in August 2018. We like the concept of this idea but can’t help but feel it could be detrimental to the prestige of Hassleblad and the photographers are involved.

www.hasselblad.com

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OFF THE PRESS

SHAWKAN:

DEATH SENTENCE IN CAIRO

Photojournalist Shawkan has been sentenced to death for covering anti-government protest in Cairo, Egypt.

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ahmoud Abou Zeid, an Egyptian photojournalist also known as Shawkan, is facing a death sentence in Cairo, Egypt. He was arrested in connection with an antigovernment protest back in August 2013, and prosecutors requested a death sentence for him on 3 March 2018.

As Reporters Without Borders write, Shawkan is one of more than 700 people currently facing a death sentence in Cairo. The prosecution requested the “maximum penalty” for all of them: death by hanging. The arrested people took part in the protest at Cairo’s Rabaa al-Adawiya Square in 2013.

Some of the charges include murder, attempted murder and being members of a banned organization named Muslim Brotherhood. However, as the source reports, Shawkan was just doing his job as a photographer.

Seeking the death penalty for a photographer who simply covered an

opposition demonstration is a political punishment, not an act of justice.

Shawkan’s only crime was trying to do his job as a photographer. He must be freed at once.

At the time of the protest, Shawkan was reportedly covering the event for British photo agency Demotix. He was arrested on 14 August 2013 and reportedly held without charges or trial

until March 2016. According to Reporters Without Borders, the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention has regarded Shawkan’s arrest as arbitrary. They have issued a report stating the details of the photojournalist’s arrest and imprisonment.

Reporters Without Borders point out that Egypt is ranked 161st out of 180 countries in their World Press Freedom Index. In their statement, they have called for Shawkan’s immediate and unconditional release.

We will keep an eye on this story and hope he is released. We are horrified by this story but its good to be aware.

Photojournalists, please be careful in certain countries. The FreeShawkan movement has blown up on Twitter. If you feel strongly about this, we urge you to join in the conversation and voice your opinion.

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FUJIFILM:

FDIS MEMBER SCOOPS DX100 SMART LAB The Societies announce the winner of a Fujifilm Frontier-S DX100 dry lab drawn at their recent London Convention in conjunction with Fujifilm.

Now having a third DX100 to add to his collection, Simon’s work life will now be logistically easier. There will be less time spent changing paper sizes because he can have one of each of the most popular sizes programmed into each printer. Simon has been working with Fujifilm systems for a long time and knows how good they are, so it was a ‘no brainer’ for him when it came to opening his Bromley shop. He also has big plans for the future with the Fujifilm X range of cameras in his sights to stock …and who knows what will happen after that success.

The Fujifilm FDIS network were great with assisting Simon with his shop and

The very lucky winner was Simon Handley from Bromley Photo Centre.

Simon is a Societies member, who attended the event and is coincidentally one of Fujifilm’s newest FDIS members.

It must have been fate!

Fujifilm UK Accounts Manager John Grayson (on left) made the presentation to Simon. “The joint competition with The Societies is now in its third year and there are more and more entries each time.” “We also look forward to more people combining their photographic skills with the print business.” Commented John.

Simon is very familiar with the DX100. He currently has two sitting in his lovely shop that he opened just before Christmas and being split into two parts. The front is naturally a FDIS network print shop with Fujifilm Kiosks, photo gifts and t-shirt printing capabilities. Simon is also a freelance photographer, so the back is fittingly a photography studio where he specialises in new born and pet photography. The two sides of the store clearly go nicely hand in hand. People can get their family photographed and printed in the same place!

they really helped get it off the ground. It didn’t stop there though, with the FDIS team on hand to give help with vital marketing advice. They even provided the signage for the shop front. Fujifilm have become renowned for the amount of back-up they give members, sorting any technical issues straight away and this has been the same with Simon’s experience.

So all-in- all a winning combination!

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

OFF THE PRESS

LEICA:

THIS CAMERA JUST SOLD FOR €2,400,000, A NEW RECORD

A new world record has been set with a 1923 Leica 0 series camera selling for €2,400,000 (~$2,957,304) at auction, this is now officially the world’s most expensive camera.

T

his historic purchase was part of the 32nd Westlicht camera auction in Vienna, Austria, on March 10th, where the camera (serial number 122) had a starting price of €400,000. The price was bid up 6 times by the time the hammer fell, pushing the sale price above the $2.79 million paid for another Leica 0 series (serial number 116) at the Westlicht auction in 2012.

There are only 12 known surviving Leica 0 series prototype cameras in the world today of the original 25 that were produced by Ernst Leitz. We wouldn’t be surprised if we saw them

pop up at auction in the near future!

Only three of the surviving cameras are still in pristine condition.

These Leica 0 series cameras have been seeing a consistent price increase in recent years. Copies were sold for €353,000 in 2007, €1.5 million in 2011, €2.3 million in 2012, and now €2.4 million in 2018.

“It is the highest price ever paid for a camera at an auction,” Westlicht writes. “The 10 most expensive cameras of all times were sold by WestLicht Auctions during the last several years.” “The world record price of 2.4 million euros shows that the

myth of the Leica brand continues to grow,” says Leica owner and chairman Andreas Kaufmann.

91% of the 530 lots ended up being sold at the 32nd WestLicht camera auction, and nearly 100% of those lots contained Leica items. We will come back to this at the same time next year and see if the auction looks the same.

See you next month for all the latest industry news.

Pixel Magazine is published under lisence from Pixel Publications Ltd.

Photo: Š Jessica Keller, Switzerland

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