®
ISSUE NO. 900
NX300 - WINNER BEST ADVANCED CSC
NX300 - WINNER BEST ADVANCED CSC
Photo - imaging - video - audio - tv - Print - mobile - stats - PeoPle - retail - business - news
News The Big Interview It’s an even bigger interview this issue as we delve into the topic of high street regeneration with Bill Grimsey on the back of his hardhitting alternative to the Portas review. Don’t miss our discussion on the fight to save the UK’s town centres on page 13.
Good Weather, Good News! Figures from the Office for National Statistics and the British Retail Consortium suggest that retailers giving themselves a pat on the back may be in order! Both showed strong retail growth in July. The total value of sales growth reported by the ONS was 5.1 per cent in July compared with 2.9 per cent a year ago. In June the growth rate was 3.9 per cent. BRC Director General, Helen Dickinson, said: “These are very strong sales figures, and they demonstrate just how well retailers have responded to the recent good weather. We are seeing a tentative recovery taking hold. UK retailers still face significant challenges, but the outlook is gradually improving.”
The OTHER Big Interview So much to talk about, so little time! Following the news that WPS Media would be taking on Fujifilm’s film business under the new retail brand PhotoUK, we spoke to MD Darron Hartas about the future of the UK’s film market. Read all about it on page 9.
Pixel august 2013.indd 1
www.pixel.co.uk
21st August 2013
A DAte to CElEbratE
We are pleased to announce that this year’s Pixel trade awards have been confirmed for Friday 15th November The venue for this year’s event will be the Riverbank Park Plaza. As always, a champagne reception will be followed by a sumptuous three course meal, after which the trade will celebrate its champions for the year. As always, the Pixel Trade Awards will be TRADE AWARDS entirely dictated by Pixel reader votes, and voting will be opened by category in the coming months - we will keep you updated. As always, the night itself will feature entertainment and a special celebrity guest to hand the winners their accolades! This year, the chosen charity benefactors of the night will be Action Medical Research for Children, who
2013
will receive the proceeds of our very special auction for a limited number of very exciting items. The Pixel Trade Awards is a truly enjoyable evening designed to get the trade together for an evening of celebration. Once again, we have worked to secure deals that make this glamorous occasion one which is affordable - we want you to be able to join your peers to commemorate the industry’s achievements over the last year, so there will be accessible deals on tables and preferential rates for accommodation. To book a place at the awards or find out more, contact Simon Skinner - 01323 433700, simon@lifemediagroup.co.uk
Room at the top Focus switches back to entry-level DSlr as Compact System Cameras show signs of being past peak growth It had to happen sooner or later and it appears for the first time that Compact System Cameras may no longer offer the best growth potential in the imaging market. Commenters throughout the trade have been torn on this issue since the format first appeared – was the exponential growth of these models due to spectacular interest in this new type of camera, or did figures seem better than they truly were because they started from a base point of zero? In any case, it appears that this first spike of enthusiasm has now passed and manufacturers are turning their efforts to other areas. Nikon’s latest financial forecast showed a revised prediction for sales of interchangeable
lens cameras that’s over half a million units less than the initial figure. Nikon have been quoted as attributing most of this anticipated shortfall to lower than expected sales of the 1 system. Nikon have indicated that, in response to this, they will be refocusing efforts on driving new business at the entry level of the DSLR market, which past trends and anecdotal evidence shows would be considered a welcome move by many imaging retailers.
16/08/2013 11:33
2 www.pixel.co.uk
Pixel August 2013.indd 2
15/08/2013 15:17
THE INSIDER
Saying what you’re thinking and asking the difficult questions. Each week the Insider reports from the front line of our industry You can say what you like about Mary Portas, but... well, that’s just it, really. You can say what you like about Mary Portas, because whilst we were all very keen for her Government-backed retail review to be the injection of life our high streets needed, all this time later it seems to have made little if any real difference. But when you ask people who Mary Portas is, exactly, they’re not sure. A retail expert? A TV presenter? It’s hard to distinguish. Few people may have known exactly who Bill Grimsey is either, but a look at his retail history in this instance says all you need to know.
Here we have an attempt at reinvigorating high streets which is proposed by someone with considerable, measurable success in having turned around retail businesses. His book and subsequent lobbying for more concise action for our town centres is something I feel more confident in getting excited about, and I’m looking forward to seeing what we out there on the front line can do to help.
Practika in Liquidation UK operation to “wind up” following tough trading period
Speaking exclusively with Pixel, Peter White told us that, “tough trading conditions in a sector which has been decreasing in scale and value in recent years has forced us to seek advice from our accountants, which has ultimately led us to wind up the UK operation of Praktica after controlling the brand in the UK for the last 13 years”. He followed by telling us that he would be retiring, after working on for longer than he had originally intended to and that he was hopeful that the German operation of Praktica, which will continue to operate, will speak with other distributors
to potentially take on the UK license, ensuring that the brand retains its presence in the UK market. Peter also informed us that: “we have an agreement with Germany, that they will look after all servicing and helpdesk inquiries for the foreseeable future”. We feel it’s a great shame to see any brand drop out of the UK market but with Praktica, there is a rich heritage in imaging that we hope is not gone for too long. We also wish Peter a happy and healthy retirement with the very best of wishes from everyone here at Pixel.
A Different View Nikon has announced two new compact cameras in its COOLPIX line up
The connected Nikon COOLPIX S6600 with vari-angle LCD screen, built-in WiFi for easy sharing and a 12x zoom NIKKOR lens; and the ergonomic Nikon COOLPIX L620 with enhanced zoom and Full HD movie. They’ll both retail for £199.99 from September. The COOLPIX S6600’s vari-angle screen is specifically designed to help compose images and shoot from high or low angles, eliminating the guesswork required for taking a self-portrait picture at arm’s length. What’s more, Gesture Control allows the user to shoot stills or video and even control the zoom with a swipe of their hand when the screen is in self-portrait mode. Also announced is the COOLPIX L620, a new addition to the high zoom L series. The
18 megapixel CMOS BSI sensor, combined with a 14x wide-angle NIKKOR zoom lens, ensures the COOLPIX L620 gets top quality results every time, while its intuitive operation puts fun and freedom at the heart of photography. The COOLPIX L620 features Easy Panorama, blur reduction, lens-shift vibration reduction (VR) and Target Finding AF (autofocus). It will be available in black and red.
PHOTO
News First names for The Photography Show! Nikon and Olympus have confirmed their attendance for The Photography Show. Lined up to take place at Birmingham’s NEC, between Saturday 1 and Tuesday 4 March 2014, this new event will combine features for consumers and trade. Olympus National Marketing Manager Mark Thackara says: “Olympus has signed up in a big way. We plan to complement the existing plans with some interactive action of our own. We can’t say too much at the moment but the aim will be to keep people entertained and engaged!”
Floating Images One Vision has launched their latest wall display product, ‘Image Float’. This product has so many variations it’s set to be a creative’s dream. Your primary image sits above its base which can either be the same image or one of ten pre-designed, stylish backgrounds. There are three contrasting frame mouldings to finish off the product Black, Light Wood and a bright reflective Silver which once again can radically change the overall look of the product.
Photobooks: Hot Gadgets The Gadget Show has crowned CEWE Photobook number one in its 2013 photo book review test. CEWE came out as a clear winner for free downloadable software, outstanding print quality, the ability to add video to the book, and the handy app. You can read all about CEWE’s new software in Inprint Issue 9, which is out now.
Ricoh/Pentax Rebrand Continues Following the initial announcement that the Pentax-Ricoh business would be rebranded ‘Ricoh Imaging’, this change has now been actioned on major Pentax websites. Domain names are in the process of changing, and whilst the Pentax Twitter and Facebook pages will retain their current names, they now carry the Ricoh Imaging logo. The Pentax brand will not disappear entirely as interchangeable lens cameras from Ricoh will be Pentax branded, whilst compacts and other items will come under Ricoh.
www.pixel.co.uk 3
Pixel August 2013.indd 3
16/08/2013 15:25
News
Manfrotto and Gitzo Attend Birdfair 2013 Manfrotto and Gitzo will be at the 25th annual British Birdwatching Fair taking place this year at the Rutland Water Nature Reserve from 16th to 18th August. Joining them as special guest will be photographer and cameraman Simon King. Manfrotto will be exhibiting their range of tripods and heads designed to give birders and photographers superior results. Making its Birdfair debut will be the new Manfrotto 500AH Lightweight Fluid Head – perfect for birders with spotting scopes, digiscopers and HDSLR camera users. Also on display will be a range of Gitzo tripods, heads and monopods.
Cashback on Sekonic Sekonic and JP Distribution will be running an end-user cashback promotion until mid autumn. Customers purchasing any of the following Sekonic products, from authorised UK and Republic of Ireland resellers, will be entitled to claim up to £40 cash back on selected purchases, by redemption of a voucher and valid proof of purchase. • Sekonic L-308S - £20 Cashback • Sekonic L478D/DR - £30 Cashback • Sekonic L758D/DR/Cine - £40 Cashback Promotion ends 31st October 2013.
New Lumix GX7 Plenty of features for low light, but not light on features! Panasonic has launched the LUMIX DMC-GX7. The GX7 offers advanced image quality in low-light; manual and creative controls across images and movies; and the world’s first built-in 90-degree tilt-able Live View Finder (LVF) on a DSLM body. The LUMIX DMCGX7 is high-end in terms of both style and quality. Alongside the retro design, the camera
boasts optimum image quality through achieving the perfect balance of the newly developed 16 megapixel (MP) Digital Live MOS Sensor and the Venus Engine image processor, enabling stunning results in low-light. With a raft of manual and creative controls plus an advanced Auto-Focus system, the LUMIX DMC-GX7 is a dream for the creativelyminded enthusiast.
Art on the Move
Harrods exclusive Olympus Pen comes with... a Vespa! Olympus’ new ‘Art Edition’ is a uniquely collectable first collaboration between urban artist Susie ‘Suzko’ Lowe and fashion photographer Jay McLaughlin, designed to present the power and portability of the PEN system in a new way. To give the kit a unique twist, no two will be the same. Each will be a one off lovingly painted on and illustrated by hand by urban artist Lowe in a design flowing through the scooter, helmet and camera. The fact that Suzko is an urban artist goes hand in hand with street art and street photography, a favourite style of McLaughlin
and also a genre of photography for which the Olympus PEN range is ideally suited. For £16,000, art fans will be able to buy the package which includes a hand painted helmet; 2 Olympus PEN E-P5 Bodies in white (one custom painted), a host of lenses, a flash, a white leather neck strap, a case, a jacket for the camera and of course, a Vespa.
Getting Out There With Accessories ... but even if a custom Vespa is a bit out of your customers’ price range, there’s no slumming it with the accessories for the E-P5 A premium product like the Olympus PEN E-P5 is bound to warrant a few more pounds spent on accessories, and Olympus have stepped up to that need with genuine leather accessories. The Premium Series consists of
a camera bag, body jacket and neck strap all crafted from high grade soft leather that compliments the design, and quality, of the E-P5 perfectly. The Premium Series leather accessories will be available from the end of August 2013 and have
Nikon’s Finest
the following recommended prices: Premium Leather Camera Bag: £349.99 Premium Leather Body Jacket: £129.99 Premium Leather Strap: £89.99
Winners of the Nikon Photo Contest 2012-2013 announced
Nikon has announced the winners of the Nikon Photo Contest 2012-2013 in a record year for the competition. Almost 100,000 entries from 153 countries and regions were submitted. Ms. Dina Bova’s submission, “Elegy of Autumn”, is the winner of the Grand Prize.
Judges selected one Grand Prize winner, a total of 48 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners from each of the categories. In addition, the best work captured using a NIKKOR lens was selected for the NIKKOR Award; and a single work selected for the Participants Award for Most Popular Entry.
4 www.pixel.co.uk
Pixel August 2013.indd 4
15/08/2013 15:19
PHOTO
Bringing the Braun
ATTN: SECONDHAND DEALERS!
Kenro named UK & Ireland distributor for Braun Photo Technik
* Stolen Kit Alert *
Kenro has been appointed the UK and Ireland distributor for Braun Photo Technik, effective from now on. Founded in 1915, the German brand produces a comprehensive range of digital products for a wide audience, including Bluetooth speakers, digital photo frames, video action cameras, plus binoculars, batteries, chargers, bags and amateur tripod kits. The company are renowned for their range of Slide Projectors and accessories. Paul Kench, MD of Kenro, said: “Braun Photo Technik is renowned for their rich history
Secondhand dealers are being urged to watch out for a hefty bag of photo kit that went missing from outside photographer Alex Nail’s house in the Bristol area as he was in the process of loading his car to go to a job. Alex is offering a £500 reward for information that leads to the recovery of the equipment, whether it turns up in a local store or on Gumtree, eBay etc. He’s also offered a proportionate reward for recovery of any parts of the kit individually. Here is a list of what is missing, with serial numbers where possible: Canon 5dmkII – serial number 2931525414, with Kirk L-plate attached; Canon 16-35 II – minor knock and scratch on front filter thread; Canon 70-200 f4 IS – serial number 29592, new condition in Canon lens bag; rare Gitzo GT2541EX tripod, with plenty of scratches, with RRS BH-40 head attached; Lee filters in a filter pouch and a Dell u2311 monitor You can contact Alex on 07884472206, alex@alexnail.com It may be advisable to keep an eye put for a grey and blue Deuter 28L rucksack, which held most of the gear when it was taken.
in creating products that meet the needs of their customers so we are delighted to be working with them. With Braun Photo Technik products, retailers will be able to tap into a new range of customers who are looking to purchase products which have multiple uses, and we are looking forward to bringing these products to the UK and Irish public.” Kenro has a sales force covering the whole of the UK and Ireland, which is always on hand to offer support to retailers.
I AM VARIETY
A balanced choice from Nikon, ideal for entusiasts
Nikon has announced a new DX-format zoom lens with a broad reach from wide-angle up to telephoto, a compact build and Vibration Reduction. This versatile lens is a great all-rounder. Ideal for amateur photographers as it allows the freedom to shoot a wide variety of subjects without changing lenses and is optimised to meet the requirements of today’s high
megapixel D-SLR sensors. Well-balanced in terms of size, weight, price and image quality, this lens offers a worthwhile combination of precision NIKKOR optics, a broad focal range and a lightweight build. RRP: £579.99
www.pixel.co.uk 5
Pixel August 2013.indd 5
16/08/2013 15:19
PHOTO
News Panasonic Pre-Orders Pay Off! Cconsumers can redeem a free leather case and battery worth £69.99 when they purchase a DMC-GX7 camera. This enticing offer is set to be a firm incentive for those looking to purchase the new GX7 through authorised channels. Effective until the 30th September 2013, the free leather case and battery is claimed by consumer redemption to Panasonic via www.panasonic.co.uk/promotions.
EISA Cameras of the Year The European Imaging and Sound Association have made their prestigious product selections for 2013, making recommending a product from a certain category the easiest job you’ll have all day! Canon picked up SLR of the year for the Canon EOS 100D and Advanced SLR of the year for the EOS 6D, along with a lens award. Advanced Compact of the year went to Fujifilm for the X100S, and Action Cam of the year was the GoPro HERO3 - the Black Edition, naturally. Camera of the year was the Nikon D710, whilst Olympus picked up Advanced CSC of the year for the PEN E-P5 and Travel camera of the year for the Tough TG 2. Photo-Video camera of the year was awarded to the Panasonic LUMIX DMC-GH3. Eisa’s photo innovation of the year was Samsung’s Galaxy NX. Samsung also won CSC of the year for the NX300. Sony’s Alpha A99 was chosen for Advanced Camera of the year, and the Cybershot HX50/HX50V picked up best compact camera.
I am Light Control Nikon releases ideal flash for beginners
Nikon has introduced a new entry-level flash unit, the Nikon SB-300. Compact, lightweight and versatile, this portable Speedlight is ideal for novice photographers who want to go beyond the limitations of a camera’s built-in flash and explore more creative lighting possibilities. Compatible with Nikon D-SLRs and COOLPIX cameras equipped with an accessory shoe, it allows control of the quality and direction of light in order to add impact to images. The extremely easy-to-use flash attaches via the camera’s hotshoe, and is conveniently powered by two AAA-size batteries, which are readily available across the world. Sales begin on 29th August, RRP £139.99.
Forever Autumn Kenro Plans Ahead for Autumn Fair 2013 Autumn Fair, held at Birmingham’s NEC 1st- 4th September 2013 is a key event in Kenro’s calendar. The team will be using Autumn Fair to showcase their 2013 range to retailers looking to increase profits in the busy Christmas period. Retailers visiting Stand J45 will have the chance to view over 30 new lines in the gift frame range plus many new additions to their album range. Kenro will also be displaying a number of best-selling items on their new Albums and Frames retail POS stands. Visitors will also have a first-glimpse at a number of new photo frame ranges due to launch in Autumn. In line with Kenro’s previous selections, all the new products offer opportunities for retailers, together with excellent profit margins.
Sony School at Pinewood New educational facility emphasises Sony’s commitment to help filmmakers capitalise on new and evolving digital technologies
Sony is opening a new Digital Motion Picture Centre, located at Pinewood Studios. Scheduled to open later this summer, the DMPC(E) has been designed as a resource for training on Sony’s latest cameras, combined with workflows from industry partners that are setting new standards in cinematography. Cinematographers, film crews, rental and post production facilities and freelance operators will have the opportunity to learn more about the latest techniques and equipment available, and get handson experience of the various parts of the production chain. The facility will feature Sony’s CineAlta™ family of Super 35mm cameras, including the ground-breaking F65 and the new F55 and F5 models. The most up-to-date tools for end-to-end 4K workflows and both 4K and
HD displays for viewing pictures in professional and home environments will be key features. As well as fulfilling a requirement for training, the DMPC(E) will also play an important role in helping Sony capture user requirements to drive product development.
6 www.pixel.co.uk
Pixel August 2013.indd 6
16/08/2013 15:20
10
DSLR*
1.33s
0.12s
AUTO FOCUS
AUTO FOCUS
LIVE VIEW
LIVE VIEW
Vs 3x
10x
NO-FI
WI-FI
ZOOM
FASTER, CLOSER, SMARTER
See why LUMIX G is the better choice at panasonic.co.uk/lumixg
Pixel August 2013.indd 7 106261 Lumix G6 Pixel 320x232.indd 1
www.pixel.co.uk 7
*DSLR vs.LUMIX G6 and similarly sized lens correct as a 14/06/13.
ZOOM
15/08/2013 15:17 12/08/2013 16:55
THE NEXT LEVEL. To capture all the best action, today’s filmmakers want a camcorder that meets their demands for speed, quality and versatility. The JVC GC-PX100 has the ability to capture 500fps full HD video, in an array of time-lapse and super-fast recordings to keep pace with life in the fast lane. It features a wide angle F1.2 Super Bright Lens that supports a healthy 10x optical zoom with optical image stabilizing. There’s plenty of shooting formats to help match with editing software including MP4, AVCHD, MOV and iFrame, all stored and ready to transfer from the SD / SDHC / SDXC memory card slot. Built in Wi-Fi offers the ability to connect to an existing WLAN or function as a standalone access point and the many wireless features help expand the cameras function, connecting with free downloadable Android and iOS apps including JVC's CAM Coach app. To find out more contact the JVC sales team on 020 8208 7676 or sales@jvc.co.uk
www.jvc.co.uk/gc-px100
8 www.pixel.co.uk
JVC0023_GC-PX100_Pixel_ad_v2.indd 1 Pixel August 2013.indd 8
13/08/2013 15/08/2013 10:10 15:18
SPECIAL REPORTS
Last Man Standing PhotoUK’s Darron Hartas talks to Pixel about the decision to take on Fujifilm’s analogue film business. Why were WPS Media the right people to take up this challenge and form PhotoUK? PhotoUK’s owners, WPS Media, have a very long established relationship with Fujifilm across a number of divisions (Professional Film, Photofinishing and Motion Picture. I became Fujifilm Professional’s PR consultant back in 2001 and WPS Media still handles PR and marketing services for Fujifilm’s Photo Imaging division. As film sales began to decrease, WPS Media became Fujifilm Professional’s partner in supplying film directly to the end user via an commerce website at www.fujilab.co.uk something we created and managed on behalf
Camcorders in growth despite competition from DSLRs, compacts and phones How large is the market for film? Is it likely to continue indefinitely, even in the face of discontinuations? PhotoUK could well be the ‘last man standing’ in the film market. While it’s still available for sale, we’ll be selling it. We obviously have no control of ‘if and when’ the manufacturers cease particular lines, but it does make economic sense for them to continue to reduce the range - as long as they stick to the most popular lines. The market for film is not large in the UK, but judging how difficult it is for some European photographers to purchase film stock, the UK is probably one of the most buoyant markets outside the US. It’s inevitable that Fujifilm and Kodak will
We have a good cross section of customers for film, but the majority fall into the ‘old school’ camp. of Fujifilm for 7 years. As the market continued to change it become less commercially viable to run such an operation and WPS Media took 100% control of the online operation, renamed it PhotoUK.co.uk and expanded the product range to include Kodak and Ilford film.” Why is the film market still important in the UK? Although we’ve seen a number of film lines dropped over the years, Fujifilm has kept its transparency offering available - albeit in a reduced range. There are two quite distinct markets for film: the old school who have no desire to upgrade all their equipment to digital and learn how to use it and then there’s the new school of younger arty people who see film as something a bit different and quite ‘cool’. The UK is notoriously creative and individualistic and has a very fragmented creative scene. What types of customers do you find are still looking to buy these films? We have a good cross section of customers for film, but the majority fall into the ‘old school’ camp. There are still a lot of people who are very precious about their slide collections and still shoot and add to them on a regular basis. Slide projectors are not dead! Landscape, flowers and railway photography are very popular subjects for film users.
Camcorders On Top Again
continue to decrease the range of film types available. Fujifilm’s recent announcement of the discontinuation of its Provia 400X was a bit of a shock through. This was a very popular film and the only ‘fast’ speed transparency film left in production. Now photographers are left with just 100 and 50 ISO speed transparency film. This will mean they either have to ask the lab to ‘push process’ the film to gain more speed or start to use a tripod to keep the camera still! PhotoUK has managed to source probably the last batch of Provia 400X 35mm which is being offered for sale exclusively via ourselves. Might you branch out into other products that would appeal to those who enjoy analogue photography? We have bold expansion plans for PhotoUK, but we’re not aiming to stock a diverse range of photo products. Our core site is analoguefilm based, but we realise that most film users also have at least a digital compact so we’ll be offering other relevant photo products. We already stock a full range of Reflecta film scanners and slide projectors, together with a good selection of Benro tripods and camera bags, all sourced through the UK Distributor, Kenro. This is all backed up by some consumables such as negative filing pages, folders, etc. I can see us being where photographers come for things they can no longer get wherever they used to buy them!
The global pro camcorder market enjoyed a positive Q2 of calendar year 2013 as market volumes increased by 14% from the previous quarter, according to Futuresource Consulting’s latest figures. The market reached an all-time high in 2011, but has struggled to replicate this success since then so this is a welcome uplift. “The pro camcorder market is becoming increasingly commoditised as lower end products are capable of much more than they have been historically, both in terms of image quality and functionality,” says Adam Cox, Head of Broadcast Equipment at Futuresource Consulting. “This is great news for end users who can get more value for money, but less so for vendors as ASPs are dropping significantly.
“Between 2010 and H1 2013, global ASP has fallen by over 20% - more than $1,000. However, if volume growth keeps up with the decline in price then the industry stays in a reasonable shape.” “In the short to mid-term the gauntlet has been thrown down to the pro camcorder vendors: giving people a reason to buy cameras, and thus keep volume growth going, or face the consequences. Innovation is becoming increasingly important, especially as the threat from non-traditional products such as DSLRs continues to gain traction. Luckily, the pace of change in the professional video market is rapid. While 3D may not have lived up to the hype, 4K, wireless connectivity, HDR and HEVC are just some of the many technological advances that are permeating through the industry, giving pro camcorder vendors ample opportunity to develop significant improvements to camcorder performance and functionality.” www.futuresource-consulting.com
www.pixel.co.uk 9
10:10
Pixel August 2013.indd 9
15/08/2013 15:21
The NX Big Thing Pixel speaks to Nick Porter, Head of Digital Imaging, Samsung Electronics UK and Ireland, about opportunities presented by Samsung’s new connected range You’ve just introduced the new Galaxy NX, can you tell us a little more about it? It’s a brilliant new addition to our range, that combines cutting edge optical performance and outstanding connectivity with the power of Android, all in one stylish package. The result is a new type of connected device which allows users to capture incredible shots, edit them on the camera using the suite of photo apps and then instantly share with anyone they choose, from wherever they might be. Connectivity seems to be a key part of the Samsung camera range, does the Galaxy NX reflect that? Absolutely. All of our NX range of compact system cameras feature Wi-Fi, enabling customers to share their shots with ease. For many photographers, they want to be able to backup their images safely, view them on their TV or tablet, and share with friends and family. Our Wi-Fi connectivity lets customers do all of those things quickly and simply, whilst the Remote Viewfinder function lets them use a smartphone or tablet to control their camera – opening up new creative possibilities. The Galaxy NX is the world’s first interchangeable lens camera with 3G/4G LTE capability, letting users share their shots from wherever they are. They can be sure of stunning images every time, plus the inclusion of the Android operating system lets them edit their shots on the move, giving them complete locational freedom. Will customers need a data SIM in order to take advantage of the 3G & 4G features? Yes, customers will need to use a SIM and data contract if they want to benefit from all the innovative 3G & 4G features. Alternatively they can use Wi-Fi hotspots to stay connected. With more and more operators launching 4G, with its breathtaking speeds, there’s never been a better time to embrace this opportunity. The Galaxy Camera and the Galaxy NX both utilise the Android Operating System. Is that a key part of your plans moving forward? Through our market leading range of smartphones, we’ve seen how the functionality
of a smartphone can be used to improve the photographic experience. Customers can choose from an entire universe of Android apps to help personalise their camera and do more than just shoot amazing photographs and video, from editing images to adding special effects to staying in touch with friends and family. Android is an amazing platform, and whilst people probably know it best, having used it on their smartphone or tablet, it was originally conceived for imaging, and, in combination with the 4.8” HD touch screen display, delivers a new level of usability beyond conventional DSLR and other cameras. Just how important is the photography business to Samsung? Imaging is a huge part of Samsung’s business, and a key part of our plans both now and in the future. Our camera range continues to go from strength to strength, we’ve led the way in connectivity and the adoption of Android,
“Customers can choose from an entire universe of Android apps to help personalise their camera and do more than just shoot amazing photographs and video”
10 www.pixel.co.uk
Pixel August 2013.indd 10
16/08/2013 12:35
SAMSUNG
Nick Porter, Head of Digital Imaging
www.pixel.co.uk 11
Pixel August 2013.indd 11
16/08/2013 12:35
SAMSUNG
“We are the number one in smartphone and TV and want to continue to grow our strength within the camera business too”
which gives the ease of use and familiarity of a smartphone, but we’re also developing and strengthening our NX system cameras, with our thirteenth lens – the 10mm Fisheye - shipping later this year. We’ve a very proud history of innovation and our products deliver incredible image quality, with the NX300 winning a growing numbers of accolades including both the prestigious EISA and TIPA awards this year. In addition, the Galaxy NX has recently been awarded the European Photo Innovation Award by EISA, who noted that “no manufacturer has done more than Samsung in the quest for making cameras that allow the photographer to communicate with the outside world”. What can you offer photographic retailers who are interested in becoming Samsung dealers? We’re really keen to let customers get their hands on our products and there’s no better place than their local photographic dealer. We’re developing a growing network of independent dealers and would be delighted to speak to new prospects about building a partnership. Besides our awarding winning products and innovative marketing campaigns, our retail team deliver market-leading in-store executions, including bespoke fixtures featuring our TV’s and tablets to help engage the next generation of photographer. Dealers can simply talk to their distribution partner or contact us directly.
Finally, what are your ambitions for the Samsung brand in 2013 and beyond? We’re growing our reach within consumer markets all the time. We are the number one in smartphone and TV and want to continue to grow our strength within the camera business too. We’ve been number one in Compact System Cameras for much of this year, and with recent additions such as the NX300 and Galaxy NX, we see our sales continuing to expand. Whilst consumers might have always aspired to own a DSLR, we believe that a compact system camera is actually much better suited to them. Using the same APS-C size sensors as DSLR’s, we can capture amazing detail, whilst the compact form factor means our NX models can be taken with you anywhere, so you never miss a moment.
Copyright Life Media Group LTD 2013 ©
www.samsung.com
12 www.pixel.co.uk
Pixel August 2013.indd 12
16/08/2013 12:34
Pixel Pixel M
Impossible Shots Made Possible
www.delkin.com sales@delkineurope.com 0800 1313559 8 www.pixel.co.uk delkinad_HE.indd 1
Pixel July 22013.indd 2013.indd 8 15 Pixel March Pixel August 2013.indd 13
www.pixel.co.uk 15 www.pixel.co.uk 13 13/02/2013 15:38
31/07/201317:05 11:00 27/03/2013 16/08/2013 11:23
SPECIAL REPORT
MOBILE DEVICES
News ‘Appy Days! Photography Week has been named one of the ‘60 best consumer tablet apps in the world’ by the Tabby Awards. The awards are the only competition for the best tablet apps from around the world. The judges particularly praised the use of user-generated content which sees the best reader photo each week getting published on the front cover.
Backwards Innovation LG has launched the G2 mobile, which features all its buttons on the rear of the device, making this the first smartphone to be completely devoid of side buttons. Longpressing on the rear-mounted volume keys allows users to launch the camera, making photo capturing even easier than before. LG has also added a 5.2-inch Full HD display in the G2, the largest display designed for one-handed operation in the popular 2.7-inch smartphone category. The G2’s high-resolution camera comes OIS AND 13mp without a protruding lens.
Newpro aim their scopes at mobile birdwatchers! New at Newpro, the PhoneSkope enables most modern Smartphones to be fitted to the majority of popular ‘scopes on the market today. This is one of the first products we’ve seen to target these two traditionally distinct but popular areas of the market with a crossover product and is sure to be of interest to anyone who regularly serves these markets! PhoneSkope will be shown for the first time in the UK at the ‘British Birdwatching Fair 2013.
Apple still top of Tablets Futuresource anticipates total tablet sales will exceed 252 million units in 2013, an annual growth rate of 63%. Growth in emerging regions exceeded 110% in Q2, versus 64% in North America, and 73% in Western Europe. Rapidly falling prices are helping to accelerate global tablet uptake, Despite facing increasing competition from brands such as Samsung, Apple still retains a dominant lead in the tablet market.
Apple and Samsung Driving Mobile Sensor Growth
Tech giants’ esture-controlled devices providing a boost for the market Light and proximity sensors in mobile handsets and tablets are set for expansive double-digit growth thanks to increasing usage by electronic giants Samsung and Apple. Light and proximity sensors detect a user’s presence to help optimise display brightness and colour rendering. Revenue for the sensors is forecast to reach $782 million this year, up 41 per cent from $555 million in 2012, according to the MEMS and Sensors Service at analytics provider IHS. The market is also expected to grow in the double digits for the next three years before evening out at about 8 per cent in 2017.
“The continued growth of the smartphone and tablet markets serve promisea bright future for light sensors,” said Marwan Boustany, senior analyst at IHS. “Market leaders in these areas are driving the growth, with Apple pioneering their adoption and Samsung later taking the lead in their usage.” Overall, the compound annual growth rate for the sensors from 2012 to 2017 equates to 19 per cent. The new gesture functionality, such as that found in the Galaxy S4, will see especially vigorous growth in the years to come, with revenue enjoying an astonishing 44 per cent annual growth rate from 2013 to 2017.
Survival of the Smartest Reality TV meets social media in online live-stream competition Samsung’s ‘SOS Island: Survival of the Smartest’ campaign is an interactive live-stream reality series in which a survival expert will train 16 global contestants for their best hope at surviving the competition at the centre of the online video series. It will be shot and live-streamed from the remote “SOS Island” in the Caribbean. Viewers will vote for a winner from the comfort of their PCs and smartphones. The last remaining contestant wins the grand
Weye Feye from XSories
Adding WiFi to DSLRs
XSories announces the Weye Feye, a new WiFi pack for DSLR cameras, compatible with all standard Canon and Nikon models. The Weye Feye was designed with professional photographers, birdwatchers, wildlife photographers and amateur photographers in mind. Remote camera control is possible up to 120 meters, and Weye Feye also enables the user to retrieve photos, even in RAW format, from the camera and transfer them to their smartphone/tablet whilst automatically backing up the content. The Weye Feye allows users to edit images directly whilst connecting to a network. It will be available at RRP £199 from October.
prize: their own island. The contestants will face rigorous challenges on SOS Island, demonstrating the photographic capabilities of Samsung’s GALAXY S4 Zoom smartphone and GALAXY NX camera. They will share the images direct from their devices to the Samsung Camera Facebook page. ‘SOS Island’ will broadcast on YouTube and Facebook from September 30th to November 31st, 2013.
Bamboo Loop Goes Android
Wacom´s app software group releases creative photo-sharing and messaging app for Android smartphones
Wacom has announced its second app for the Android platform. Bamboo Loop marries creative photosharing with messaging, meaning that photographs taken on a smartphone can be doodled on before forwarding to a friend. These ‘digital cards’ can then be returned by the recipient with a comment, a smiley face or a drawing, so a card can ‘loop’ back and forth. It can also be shared on social media platforms. Unlike many apps in which a photo is added separately to a text message, in Bamboo Loop photos take centre stage and can be illustrated and personalised with the built-in editing tools. Additional Style Packs for the loop can be purchased from the app marketplaces.
C
M
Y
CM
MY
CY
CMY
K
14 www.pixel.co.uk
Pixel August 2013.indd 14
16/08/2013 11:27
AV & COMPUTING
PNY for Pros PNY Technologies have unveiled the SSD Prevail 5K, the latest in PNY’s new line designed for the high-performance enterprise market. Like its predecessors, PNY’s SSD Prevail 5K delivers a solid combination of performance, price and endurance. This drive is designed for use in a professional environment such as CAD/CAM workstations or video
New SSD ideal for imaging and video professionals editing, RAID server storage or cloud computing. Professionals, such as engineers or designers, have the highest demands for reliability and performance when they use the most complex applications. Whereas other conventional HDDs display standard read/write speeds, the PNY SSD Prevail 5K displays faster, more powerful read/ write speeds.
Image-Accurate Display for Pros NEC Display Solutions Europe has announced the addition of three high performance displays to its PA Series desktop range The professional LCD desktop displays 24” MultiSync PA242W, 27” PA272W and 30” PA302W offer backlight technology to deliver uncompromising image quality for visually demanding applications. The new models combine outstanding AdobeRGB colour reproduction, 10-bit AHIPS technology and the latest screen uniformity and backlight stabilisation, which ensure accurate, reliable and stable images for professionals carrying out visual work. The professional desktop displays are built with a
mercury-free GB-R LED backlight, which provides a wider colour gamut (more than from a conventional white LED backlight), a longer lifetime than older legacy CCFL systems and finally generates considerable energy savings. Suitable for applications where accurate colour, consistent imaging and reliable viewing is necessary such as satellite imaging, video and photographic editing, precision engineering and broadcasting, the full range will be available from September 2013.
SanDisk Connect Update SanDisk’s new Connect line of wireless storage devices offers essential back up without USB connections SanDisk’s new Connect line of wireless storage devices offers essential back up without USB connections - ideal for tablets that don’t have this feature. The SanDisk drive allows Quarter Pagewireless Ad.pdf flash 15/5/13 09:30:40 users to enjoy up to 32GBof additional storage but are not available in 64GB, as previously
printed. The Connect flash drives allow users to simultaneously access photos, movies, music and documents on their drive from multiple devices around the house or on the go, with up to four hours of continuous streaming on a single charge. www.sandisk.co.uk
News AOS for Accessible 3D AOC’s new series embodies a highly competitive new generation of AHIPS and IPS 3D models, offering outstanding colour reproduction and wide viewing angles. The 69 series targets small businesses and home users. The new Advanced High Performance IPS panels ensure an impressive colour fidelity with viewing angles of up to 178° both vertically and horizontally, while offering an extremely wide colour gamut. The IPS 3D models in particular cater to the requirements of gamers and multimedia users with their flicker-free 3D and lightweight polarised 3D glasses. The models are available as of now, RRPs from £129 to £249.
Affordable Audio
... in the nude!
NudeAudio, has announced the global introduction of their debut collection of four portable speakers under the Move range. Retailing between £19.99 and £99.99, the three Bluetooth speakers and 3.5mm wired speaker will be available this August. The “Move S” is an ultra-portable pocketsized version, which comes in both a Bluetooth and a 3.5mm wired variant. “Move M” takes things up a notch in terms of both size and bass, and the “Move L” offers the range’s biggest size, filling an entire room with a rich, warm sound. The Bluetooth speakers use 3.0 Bluetooth Technology and will stream music from any smartphone, tablet and most computers from a 10m distance.
C
M
Y
CM
MY
CY
CMY
K
www.pixel.co.uk 15
Pixel August 2013.indd 15
16/08/2013 11:23
Pick Up Your Own
Instant Digital Photo Printer Full Investment Returned With Profit
Using iPhone Cable
Fujifilm Quick Print Station How does it work? QPS invoiced at £1,478 and supplied with 2 rolls of Fujifilm Media (800x6x4” prints) *FOC29 Example Sell a set of 4 UK Passport Pictures £4.99 inc VAT x800 Generates £3,326.66 sales Ex VAT
Produces £1,848.66 Cash Profit after deducting cost of QPS Shows You 55% Profit on Return
Counter top design
POR on ID prints going forward over 97%
Simple touch screen operation Instant, quality photo prints Passport Photos ID Photos, Visas
MEDIA *131320
Fujifilm ASK300 6x4” Media 2 rolls per box / 400 prints per roll
132010
Fujifilm ASK300 5x7” Media 2 rolls per box / 230 prints per roll
N.A.S £91.69
132011
Fujifilm ASK300 6x8” Media 2 rolls per box / 200 prints per roll
N.A.S £102.43
131941
FOC Fuji Quick Print Station Header Card POS
Print sizes: 6x4, 6x8, 5x31/2, 5x7
Also Produces
Accessories 132506
Fujifilm QPS Travel Bag
99054
(100) Fujifilm Passport Folders
N.A.S £11.97
UK & all Foreign Passport sizes, with built in post office template
128788
Passport Photo Blind
N.A.S £19.99
PHOTO PRINTS
132209
UK Passport Photo Cutter (35x45mm)
N.A.S £16.19
INSTANT I-D PRINTS
N.A.S £73.01
N.A.S £125.00
Produces 6x4, 7x5 & 8x6 prints Each Kiosk has the ability to add two further printers Cost per print (6”x4”) UNDER 9p
Now Available with Split Payment Interest Free
Distributed By
3 consecutive month payments £492.67 a month + VAT
16 www.pixel.co.uk Speak to your Swains Regional Sales Manager or call us on 01485 536 200 Pixel August 2013.indd 16
16/08/2013 11:24
r
t
SPECIAL REPORT FOCUS
THE BIG INTERVIEW Pixel speaks exclusively with Bill Grimsey, who is spearheading a new review that looks at the future of the UK’s high streets. Aiming to go deeper than Mary Portas’ review, this frank proposal of measures required for regeneration urges both retailers and the Government to stop burying their heads in the sand
Bill Grimsey has worked in retail since the age of 15. His roles in that time have included Director at Bishops Food Stores, Director at Tesco and Chief Executive of store groups both in the UK and abroad. He has earned a reputation as a retail turnaround specialist for masterminding the recovery of DIY group Wickes, which had been at the centre of an accounting scandal that resulted in the suspension of its share price and the banks foreclosing. Another of these recovery roles was during Bill Grimsey’s five years at the helm of Iceland. Most recently, he worked with private equity backers heading the Focus DIY chain.
So Bill, your campaign promises to go beyond what has already been done in terms of looking at the problems today’s high street faces. How and why is this campaign going to be a more realistic solution for retailers? Well, I am one! I have been a retailer for 45 years now, so the review is coming from a retailer rather than a celebrity or personality. She’d done well to raise the profile and her review was a great opportunity to understand the future of retail, but I think it lacked depth… still, rather than picking apart the work Mary Portas has done, we thought we’d do our own. Working with me on this, I have a team of eight. Amongst that team I have retail experts, data experts, town planners, an executive in the UK regeneration project, tech experts, an independent fashion retailer, analysts… basically, a good cross section of people who feel the same way as I do about the high street. We all thought that the Portas review needed to go a lot deeper than it did. We’re all independent and doing this for free – in fact, we’re meeting the costs of the project ourselves, so it’s coming out of our pockets rather than putting anything into them! We have no corporate sponsors either – we’ve turned them down as we felt it might appear to compromise our aims if we had financial backing from a brand or organisation. It allows us to retain our impartiality. What’s been the timescale on this project so far? We established the project in February and went public with it in June. We’re aiming for a parliamentary review of the campaign in September, so it’s really beginning to gather momentum now. It’s a very full time job for me, but I don’t mind – far from it, I feel so passionately about this topic that I relish putting this amount of time and effort into it. Hopefully it will all turn out to be worthwhile. If you start from a different angle, you’re likely to end up in a very different place, and that’s why we’re so confident that we won’t
“We do have that foresight to see the way technology is going, so we need to be making those changes now rather than waiting for them to destroy businesses and towns” simply end up echoing the Portas review. Town centres and high streets can no longer rely on bricks and mortar retail, and retail can no longer rely on the high street. There is no point trying to save the retail high street in the incarnation we have known in the last decade or two – that would be to fight a losing battle. Instead, town centres must be revived as a social and cultural hub. Towns need a distinct vision in order to attract people to go there. Our campaign will involve no press stunts, no TV series, no Chas and Dave, which I’m sorry to say I believe detracted from the point. So what is the essence of what your report proposes? From the technology side of things, we need to have networked towns that are prepared for the future. Things like libraries need to change, as they will become increasingly important. Everything is becoming digital and connected, and we need towns to be set up in a way that can deal with that. We’re already very quickly approaching a time when there will be no need to carry your wallet or look for a parking space - a parking space will be pointed out for you, along with some offers and promotions that might be relevant to you personally and you will be able to make payments using your phone or indeed your face, as I saw on a technology news report just recently! The crux of what I’m saying is that town centres and retail need to change with technology rather than trying to resist it. Resisting it will not make customers go
back to their old ways – it will make them stay at home. Our report looks at how this can be done. The second half of the report looks at more familiar areas – things like business rates and parking regulations, which are all making it hard for small businesses especially at a time when the government is championing them as the saviours of the economy. In essence, it all needs reforming, from top to bottom. There’s no fair playing field between large and small retailers and rather than making incremental changes here and there, there needs to be a radical approach which settles it once and for all so that we can move on. Banking also needs to be addressed. We need local lenders who are part of the local economy, with a natural vested interest in how businesses are doing rather than just looking at contextless numbers. So, section two of our report is a recommendation of measures, plus a proposal for a sort of central ‘dashboard’ that will monitor towns’ progress. To what extent is any of what you suggest already happening across the UK? Of the 433 towns that we’re studying, we’re seeing a very wide range of levels of planning, from ‘none at all’ to ‘regeneration imminent’. The net result we are aiming for is a spread of town centre commissions, supported by local authoritites and with the aim of best practice sharing across the UK. If we could just zoom back in time to HMV in
www.pixel.co.uk 17
Pixel August 2013.indd 17
16/08/2013 11:24
sPeCiaL rePort FoCUs
1989, you’d see a great business. If you could look forward to where we are today, you’d advise them of the technological changes and steps that lead to where they are today, and I have no doubt they’d have done things differently. Right now, we CAN see how things are likely to change in the next decade. We do have that foresight to see the way technology is going, so we need to be making those changes now rather than waiting for them to destroy businesses and towns. So what does this mean for retail? Retailers are already finding themselves acting as showrooms for products which are then bought online. As an informal arrangement – and if they’re then buying the product from someone else – this is not helpful, but it speaks volumes about the way consumers are happy to shop. High street shopping, in the sense of the experience of physically going into a shop to look around, is something consumers enjoy. It is just juxtaposed now with tighter budgets and the convenience of being able to buy items online, usually for better prices. Stores which offer online ordering from instore, or orderonline collect-instore are seeing the benefits of
Credits & ContaCts
Managing Director/Publisher: Lee Mansfield 01323 411601 lee@lifemediagroup.co.uk Commercial Director: Simon Skinner 01323 433700 simon@lifemediagroup.co.uk Editor: Laura Knight 01323 437946 laura@lifemediagoup.co.uk
offering consumers those options. Augmented reality shopping using tablets and smartphones is also becoming more popular… essentially, the high street is going to become more about the destination and the experience, rather than where all the money changes hands, but physical stores will be a portal to better online sales. But it’s not just about the high street – it’s about entire town centres. Let’s get real: what is your area’s unique selling point? How does it compete against other nearby towns for daytrip visitors? When we overcome that hurdle, when we examine what is happening to our ghost towns and fix it rather than denying it is happening, then we will see our country revive. THAT is the process we are trying to get put into place. Do you feel there’s an element of denial going on? Yes. Everybody’s got their heads in the sand. Put it this way: if you’d been on the bridge of the Titanic and seen the iceberg first, are you saying it would have been the wrong thing to ring that bell and order the ship to turn? Of course not. There’s no shame in seeing an
Production Design: Laura Knight/Harriet Weston 01323 411601 harriet@lifemediagroup.co.uk
Subscriptions subs@lifemediagroup.co.uk
Editorial Assistant Harriet Weston 01323 411601 harriet@lifemediagroup.co.uk
Published by LMG SE LTD (Life Media Group) Park View House 19 The Avenue, Eastbourne, East Sussex, BN21 3YD 01323 411 601
Accounts: Clare Fermor Amelia Wellings 01323 411601 clare@lifemediagroup.co.uk amelia@lifemediagroup.co.uk
Printed by Gemini West 25 Hockeys Lane, Fishponds, Bristol, BS16 3HH 0117 965 5252
obstacle and acting to avert disater. Being too proud to admit that things as they are aren’t working will not do us any good. We need more than superficial change. Politicians need to stop paying lip service and spending money on moving a few benches around, hiring somebody in a Peppa Pig suit for the day and giving some balloons out. It’s all well and good for Mary Portas to tart up some window displays but we need real change at a level retailers can’t do for themselves: business rates, parking charges, these kinds of issues. So, we’re pleading with politicians to stop painting over the cracks and look at towns holistically, and actually produce plans which play to the town’s strengths and offer them a future. People are enthusiastic about saving the UK’s high streets and town centres, we just need to give this direction and apply it in a way which actually works, and that’s what our report is aiming for. We’re hoping for representation at the parliamentary conferences. As I said, we’re not for profit and we’re not aligned with any political party – we’re just using what we know and what we see to try to make some real difference.
All material in this publication is strictly copyright and all rights reserved. Reproduction without permission is prohibited. The views expressed in Pixel Magazine do not necessarily represent the view of Life Media Group LTD. Every care is taken in compiling the contents but the publishers of Pixel Magazine assume no reponsibilty for any damage, loss or injury arising from the participation in any offers, competitions or advertisment contained within Pixel Magazine. All prices featured in Pixel Magazine are correct at the time of going to press.
Copyright Life Media Group LTD 2013 ©
18 www.pixel.co.uk
Pixel August 2013.indd 18
16/08/2013 11:24
www.pixel.co.uk
Join us online
Your brand new trade portal is now LIVE!
• All of the latest news, back issues of the magazine, Pixel TV and the ever controversial Pixel Forum are all now live. • Come and take a look, let us know what you think and get involved. Every element of the new site is connected so it’s never been easier to share the news via social media. • All usernames remain unchanged, members will need to reset their password so it couldn’t be easier to log on and communicate with YOUR industry. Further developments are in the pipeline... The Pixel Imaging Guide trade directory - a comprehensive directory, including every manufacturer, supplier, event and publisher across the imaging industry. InPrint - Back issues of the UK’s leading retail print title, all at the touch of a button.
www.pixel.co.uk - Your Industry - Yourwww.pixel.co.uk Website 19 8 InPrint Pixel August 2013.indd 19
16/08/2013 11:30
20 www.pixel.co.uk
Pixel August 2013.indd 20
16/08/2013 11:24