PIXEL

ISSUE NO. 871

APRIL 2012

© The magazine that understands the world of imaging, past, present and future

The Insider

In a world of digital shopping and contactless transactions, is cash king?

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Movers, shakers, decision makers plus all the news 3-10 that’s fit to print the big interview

Fujifilm’s Adrian Clarke on professional products dictated by industry trends

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THE BUSINESS

The views, facts and figures shaping imaging retail today

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THE NEW WORLD OF IMAGING

The technology you can’t afford to ignore, which is expanding our retail world

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LAUNCH PAD

12-13

INPrint

Every issue we bring you an essential update from the printing frontline

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The inside track

Essential updates from the 14 Photo Marketing Association

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Canon announces development of digital cinema camera with 4K video capture

THE NEWS

The latest imaging products launched that you should not miss

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Canon has announced the development of new digital cameras capable of recording 4K-resolution (4,096 x 2,160 pixels) video. Targeting both the motion picture and high resolution digital production industries, the EOS C500 will offer 4K RAW output and will be available with Canon’s EF mount and the industry-standard PL mount.

Announced simultaneously, the EOS 1D C DSLR will also support 4k video capture. Canon also launched four lenses which support 4K and will be compatible with these cameras.

In November 2011 Canon announced the EOS C300 – the first camera in the Cinema EOS System, marking the company’s entry into the motion-picture and digital production market. The EOS C500/ EOS C500 PL will be based on the same advanced

Canon’s EOS C500

platform, adding support for 4K RAW video capture, and 4:4:4 sampling during 2K capture.

For the details on all of these releases, see Launch Pad on page 13.

Kodak Requests Permission to Pay $13m in Bonuses Pioneering photographic company believes payments will help to secure the business’ future whilst it undergoes reorganisation.

Kodak has asked the US Bankruptcy Court for permission to pay bonuses to 300 members of staff, adding up to a total of more than $13 million.

Some commenters have reacted with shock that a company which has filed for bankruptcy protection should intent to pay out such a sum, but Kodak points out that it will help to retain a large number of employees who could be crucial to the company’s timely recovery.

In a statement to Pixel, Kodak said: “Kodak has filed a motion with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court requesting approval to implement an Employee Continuity Plan - a retention plan similar to plans adopted by other companies during the 127481 4 positions 4 Led’s 48% Lighter than compact chargers 10% smaller than compact chargers For AA 29% & AAA 9v 15% faster than a compact charger 4.3-9hr charge time

restructuring process. The Employee Continuity Plan is designed to make sure Kodak has the ability to retain employees in mission-critical positions based on business needs throughout the Chapter 11 process. If the motion is approved by the court, the company will provide incentives to a limited number of employees, based on their critical roles in developing and delivering a profitable, sustainable business strategy.

“We firmly believe that we are on the right path to creating a sustainable and profitable company.”

This month, Kodak has also withdrawn its motion to end supplemental health care benefits for about 16,000 Medicare-eligible retirees. The company will create a committee to examine retiree benefits. www.kodak.com

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The Insider

Saying what you are thinking and asking the difficult questions. Each issue ‘The Insider’ reports back from the frontline of our industry.

I spend a lot of my time travelling the motorways and dual carriageways of this country, visiting towns, cities and villages.

Not always on a work basis but often that is the reason for my final destination. However, whatever the reason for my travels, wherever I am I can’t help myself from observing the different retail landscapes which I find.

These, as you can imagine, vary greatly depending on my geographic and therefore, subsequently my economic location. But I have started to notice an interesting common denominator and it’s one that has got me thinking... regular Insider readers will notice that’s something I do quite a lot.

What I find on my travels is that Increasingly, small retailers are telling me that they do not accept cards or cheques and that cash is the only method of payment they accept. This is usually followed up by some advice as to where the nearest cash machine is if I find myself a little ‘short’.

Initially, this took me aback, but increasingly I am beginning to accept this retail position more and more with a resigned shrug.

Of course the reasons for this demand for cash are obvious.

Instant cash flow (and who at the moment isn’t suffering from cash flow issues?) and an opportunity to be creative (but of course not dishonest, perish the thought!) with your tax returns.

But what are the down sides? If there are any?

Of course the nature of your business will dictate how many purchases are being made on a credit card rather than on a debit card, but that is a pretty simple equation to work out by looking at your bank statements. If the majority are currently on debit card then the customer has access to the cash immediately and there should be no reason for them not to be able to pay you in cash, particularly if there’s a handy ‘hole in the wall’ nearby that you can direct them to, therefore negating the wait for the bank to pass on the payment via the debit banking system and the associated bank charges you may incur.

Yes, it’s a risk that if they are only able to pay by credit card you may lose the purchase but by offering that service you are rivaling the cutthroat arena of online sales, which you may not be able to win anyway as well as incurring credit card service costs.

This made me think: if you are a small business, why not cancel the credit card services you currently offer (as many did with American Express and the accepting of cheques) and base your pricing models on cash payment only.

When I mean cash, I literally mean notes and coins, not debit cards.

This may seem like a retrograde and foolish measure to some, but if you think it through it makes complete sense. Well, it does to me anyway, however just to make sure that my take on this and that of the small businesses that have been rejecting my plastic friend’s advances has not been brought on by an overdose of Easter chocolate, I decided to put the premise to people I know who own small businesses.

Unanimously, they agree that the outline I have presented here would work for them and that it made sound commercial sense.

They could find no reason not to do it, other than they may lose sales by not offering credit card payment.

No problem, I said, why not offer credit card payment online only as part of a soft adoption of this radical new thinking with an incentive to pay in cash in person, in store where they would also benefit from specialist expert and friendly service? This version, they could find no grounds to disagree with.

Of course I have to be honest at this point and declare that my innovative new approach to product purchase and payment is neither innovative nor new.

The excahnge of one physical thing of value for another is as old and as proven as time itself. It’s almost Biblical in its simplicity and age, if not older. As we all suffer the effects of uncontrolled access to credit it is the small business’s that are saying no to a process of payment born in the ‘flexible friend’ days of the early eighties and yes to a simple form of payment, which has existed for centuries.

I know that we are involved in the cutting edge of image capturing technology but that does not mean that we can’t keep the payment for that technology simple. If your current business is suffering from cash flow problems, ever increasing banking charges and overly competitive pricing maybe it’s time to look at a new way of positioning your small business. You may be the first in the retail imaging industry, but you definitely will not be the first in the UK. Just make sure that you are not the last.

FOCUS

News Canon Unveils New Cashback Deal Canon has announced its latest Cashback scheme, which is called “Power to celebrate!” and features offers on selected DSLRs, lenses, accessories, compact cameras and inkjet printers.

The Cashback will run until Tuesday 5th June 2012 and the last claim date for the promotion will be 31st July 2012.

Models included within the promotion include the EOS 600D body only and with lens kit, which qualifies for £50 cash back value, and the EOS 550D body only and with lens kit entitles the buyer to £30 cash back value.

There is also £25 to £175 cashback available on the range of EF Standard Zoom lenses, £60 to £100 cashback on EF Wide Zoom lenses and £25 to £60 on Macro lenses. Speedlite buyers can qualify for £25 cashback, Pixma purchasers for £30,and those buying a Canon Powershot could qualify for £30 cashback, depending on the model.

For further details and full terms and conditions please visit www.canon. ie/euro2012cashback. Full details will also be posted at www.pixellive.co.uk

Sony: Reorganisation and Job Cuts Confirmed Sony has confirmed that it is to undertake a company restructure, which will include axing 10,000 jobs - around six per cent of the company’s workforce worldwide.

Sony’s new CEO, Kazuo Hirai has outlines a revival strategy for the brand centering around mobile phones, with other markets such as gaming and imaging also playin a major role.

A year on year loss of the record $6.4bn is currently predicted for Sony, and the company’s market value has dropped my nearly twenty per cent in the last month.

Hirai said that Sony would become a leading player in the smartphone market, a mission which began with the purchase of Ericsson’s half of Sony Ericsson recently and is aimed to triple Sony’s current revenue. It’s hoped that this will allow Sony to regain market share from rivals Samsung and Apple, the latter of which Sony had the opportunity to buy in the early 1990s and which now holds thirty times Sony’s market value.

It’s rumoured that Sony is also seeking partners for a new venture, manufacturing batteries for ‘green’ vehicles. www.sony.com

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THE BIG INTERVIEW

breaking the mould Pixel speaks to Adrian Clarke about Fujifilm’s groundbreaking X Pro-1 camera and the brand’s continuing quest to fill the untapped parts of our market with innovative products.

Adrian Clarke Senior Vice President, Fujifilm Europe

What’s the latest news from Fujifilm HQ, Adrian?

Like many Japanese companies, our fiscal year has just ended and we’re fairly happy with that, I think. The fixed lens market is a bit down universally, which is reflected in our results . I think it’s also a case that the industry expected growth in several areas which did not come to pass. Still, there are plenty of positive areas, such as interchangeable lens cameras which are very promising.

How has the reaction to the X Pro-1 been so far?

Better than we expected, if anything. Obviously the opinion of journalists, photographers and enthusiasts is a very important marker for us, and so far we’ve been very pleased with the response and reviews. It’s been positivelty received almost globally. I think users appreciate that time and thought has gone into developing something a bit different: it’s not just another camera, and we’ve found that it’s going down really well.

What industry trends dictated the development of the X Pro-1?

We’d seen really strong growth in the interchangeable lens market, and we wanted to apply our photographic expertise to bring out something really interesting for that market. With fixed lens cameras in decline, CSC is brilliant as it’s given brands a chance to look at small and versatile cameras in a new light.

We chose to develop a premium product because we thought that was an area in which we could make a real difference, and in which the market isn’t already saturated. So far, other brands have left that high price point and high quality to DSLRs, but there’s no reason a serious photographer could not use a CSC to the same end.

Professionals and enthusiasts love their SLR kits, but there are occasions when they want something smaller and lighter which will give them comparable results. As well as providing those, the X Pro 1 has features additional and above those of some other cameras a pro would own, so it gives them more options and is proving a success for those reasons.

What inspired the X Pro-1’s retro look?

Fujifilm is a traditional photographic name: people do still use our film and associate us with our rich film heritage, so we wanted to invoke that with the look and feel of the new cameras.

The X100 was quite retro in appearance and that was very popular – people like that combination of slightly quaint aesthetics with state of the art technology. It’s very fashionable at the moment and seems likely to continue to be for some time to come.

What influenced the technology included in the X Pro-1?

Photography is advancing at the enthusiast level, and it’s nothing to do with megapixels now.

It’s about speed, noise reduction, the level of control a photographer has and the experience of taking a photograph. These factors are what professional photographers tell us are important.

The main factors we considered were: what market shall we address; what sensor shall we use; and should we develop our own mount and lens system or use an existing one? The decision to target professionals and enthusiasts was easy, and we have so much to offer in terms of

sensor and lens technology that we were really able to make a stand out product here, the likes of which is offered by no other manufacturer. We then went on to add more features that set the camera apart, such as functioning without an optical low pass filter. It just goes to show that with imagination, there’s still plenty to be done in digital cameras.

Where do Fujifilm stand on the idea of video being an important consideration for photographers now?

It has definitely become more important, although I would say that for professional and high-end enthusiast photographers, it’s not their top priority. It’s one of their priorities, but not the most important. The X Pro 1 does produce good video but that wasn’t what it was designed for: we designed it as a camera which would be used by someone wanting to take professional quality photographs.

I’m not sure it’s as high a priority as people are saying… obviously it is very important, but I think it varies across the industry. What has made video so exciting in the last few years is that it’s an area in which cameras can still be worked

Fujifilm’s X Pro-1

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on and improve, and have plenty to offer. As such, it is something we are focusing on, just not particularly with the X Pro 1.

What’s next on Fujifilm’s product roadmap?

Our compact system is going to be the focus for a while. It’s really important that it doesn’t turn into a one camera shop so there will definitely be more camera models at some point, and we’re in the process of bringing out new lenses. This is our highest priority at the moment.

Bridge cameras are also an important area for us, as we currently have more than 50% of the global market in bridge cameras so we’ll be working on sustaining and growing that. It compliments a CSC offering nicely so we do not feel these areas conflict with each other. In fact, I think they’re our strongest card.

Improving quality at the entry level and lowest price points is also important. This area is very important in the worldwide market and very key in some non-European areas. We expect to see quite a lot of action in this market this year.

The 3D market has been quiet for a while… what’s happening there?

I’ll be honest: it’s not been as successful as we would have liked. I think our products were a bit ahead of their time, as we and several other manufacturers might have overestimates the demand for 3D technology and how quickly it would take off. I think the overall economy has had a hand in the fact consumers have not yet fully adopted 3D televisions and therefore are not quite ready to form a whole market for producing their own 3D content.

That said, our 3D sales are steady, I just wouldn’t call it a mass market. It’s still relatively nichè, but we will continue working in this area.

It’s not a priority at the moment, though.

How is the film business at the moment?

We are still making and selling film. Even though analogue is quite trendy at the moment, we still see that year on year film sale are declining in the UK, although in other parts of the world it’s still a major product. Here, we’re looking at a market that’s less than a tenth of what it once was, and

It will be interesting to see just how much of the interchangeable lens market CSCs take. a product which is becoming more expensive to manufacture because of the price of silver. We will continue to produce film, though.

What will Fujifilm’s major considerations be in the next year?

Firstly, the high value of the yen is causing struggles for many businesses that manufacture in Japan, but fortunately although we’re a Japanese based company, most of our manufacturing isn’t done there anymore.

The high cost of silver also has the potential to have an impact on any business in the analogue

trade, as it affects both film production and wet lab printing.

A general shift in consumer habits is also a challenge for all camera brands, as phones are now taking great photographs and having the advantage that they can share instantly on social networks. Connectivity itself is an issue about which there is a lot of chatter in the industry but no real direction, so we may see a change to that this year.

I’ll be interested to see how much of the overall interchangeable lens market compact system cameras will take. This could be a threat for DSLR manufacturers who don’t have a presence in this sector, and I think it will be the big question this year!

How important is diversification across the market to Fujifilm?

I think strength in a variety of areas is key to Fujifilm’s continued success. Like many of the brands who were our competitors twenty years ago but have since disappeared or are now struggling. We began as an analogue business, but adaptio and innovation are important to remaining relevant. We have some great core technologies which we’ve been able to extend out into the medical, graphics and photographic trades, including our skincare range which has just been launched in the UK! Many people didn’t think we were serious when we first announced its intoduction, but it’s being well received so far and it’s a good example of how a brand which has its roots in analogue technology can change to reach into the future. www.fujifilm.co.uk

The magazine that provides retail solutions for the print professional, distributed free with Pixel magazine.

Loxley Signs deal with Smugmug Loxley Colour lab forms exclusive new venture with leading online protfolio website SmugMug.

Professional and serious amateur photographers across Europe are set to benefit from a groundbreaking new business link between international photo-website leader SmugMug and pioneering Glasgow-based prolab Loxley Colour.

The new deal offers a turnkey online business solution, enabling photographers at all skill levels to easily and cost-effectively showcase and profit from their work.

Working hard at Loxley

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Chris MacAskill, Co-Founder and President of Smugmug said: “Most photographers want to focus on their creativity. They are mainly timepoor and have little interest in the challenges of setting up and managing their online presence, or fulfilling orders for high quality prints which is often out of their budget as well as requiring too much time and effort to set up for the potential profit. But they still want to capitalise on their creativity – and that is where SmugMug and Loxley Colour have placed our new venture.

“We have created a seamless solution whereby photographers, across the full range of photodisciplines, can easily showcase, market, sell and deliver their work to their clients without needing the finances or know how that setting up this sort of operation for themselves would cost.”

Multi-award-winning Scottish portrait photographer and SmugMug user Trevor Yerbury added: “This allianceis exactly what the industry has been waiting for. This new service means we can now simply upload our images; add our price lists and let SmugMug and Loxley Colour

do the rest. We can still use our own custom domain, watermarks and logos. Plus, we can control the look and the feel of our website and Loxley then handles all the output requirements.”

SmugMug Pro subscriptions start from around £13 a month or £94 a year – and the new service guarantees zero ads and spam, 365 days, a year customer support, easy SEO and site stats and unlimited photo and video uploads.

Said Ian Loxley, Managing Director at Loxley Colour: “This partnership means that photographers will never again have to manually take and fulfil orders for high quality prints. This new ecommerce solution gives customers the ability to sell prints and digital downloads for their photo and video inventories.”

The new SmugMug and Loxley Colour service is now live. www.smugmugpro.com and www.loxley.smugmug.com

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Going Mobile

From the biggest brands to the smallest shops, new results show that businesses risk losing trade if they fail to engage consumers via their mobile phone. Pixel investigates.

A major study by design agency Foolproof has revealed the extent to which the quality of mobile interactions are driving the overall brand perceptions of today’s consumer.

The in-depth quantitative research programme, called ‘Going Mobile’ - also highlights how a poor mobile experience can often deter customers from any further engagement with a brand.

Most alarmingly in the study, 47% of smart phone users stated that they have ceased dealing with a brand completely as a direct result of its mobile service or app not being good enough. When asked to choose words to describe a company which offers a poor mobile service, most of those users chose terms such as ‘unprofessional’ and ‘out of touch with their customers’. 81% of people surveyed stated that a mobile service or app has to make a strong first impression if they are to continue using it.

Caroline Ahmed, Head of Practice and Insight at Foolproof explained: “Mobile devices are changing how consumers think, feel and act.

From shopping and banking to entertainment, mobile is creating valuable opportunities to engage with consumers in new ways, at new times, and in new places.

From this research, we have seen how established brands are struggling to fill these new spaces in consumers’ lives and how the need for innovation in mobile product and service design has become a strategic issue for protecting and growing market share. Retailers should be mindful that they may only have one chance to get it right with mobile users, before they default to better-performing competitors.”

Mobile devices are redefining how consumers organise their lives by opening up new times and spaces in their busy days. Consumers are now able to bank, shop, research and gamble on the move which, for brands, has opened-up new ways to connect with their customers.

Winners of this new space will be smart brands with a customer-centric vision for mobile. However, these increased opportunities will be hard-earned. www.foolproof.co.uk

Plenty of Potential

The latest findings from market experts GfK show that digital cameras are still in decline, but there was plenty to be positive about in February.

The Imaging market in February declined by -7% in value with the main category to affect that being digital cameras. Not a surprise to see compact cameras in the spotlight when talking about market declines in the past year or so. However, DSLRs came in as an unexpected contender this month.

Shortages in DSLRs supply were defining the market movements over the last couple of months, but in February 2012, DSLRs achieved only 75% of the value sales seen in the same period a year ago.

Compact System Cameras (CSC) on other hand continued to enjoy growth with 13% value uplift on last February. If we take into account

that the growth rate last year was very prominent - 85% - the increase, achieved on top of an exceptionally strong trend last year, is promising.

Another very positive result in February for CSC was the increase in average price for a camera body to £409 – a rise of £36 on January. This is a stimulating sign for a relatively new category - demand is increasing and is not triggered only by discounting in the segment. There have already been several new highly anticipated products launched in CSC this year and with a few more still to come, we would expect the positive trend shown in these early months to continue throughout the year.

The advanced zoom compact cameras also reached new heights this month. Bridge cameras had their highest ever share of digital cameras market – 14.3% in value and 10.8% in volume. That is, again, a trend related to an increasing demand within the category, not stimulated just by price drops. Average price for Bridge cameras in February was £210 – it has been gradually increasing in the past three months and is now returning to pre-Christmas levels.

For further information please contact Zhelya Dancheva in the UK on +44 870 603 8282 or Zhelya.Dancheva@gfk.com www.gfkrt.com/uk

THE BUSINESS

News Alpha Digital Services to Distribute VisibleDust Alpha Digital Services Limited, distributor of imaging related products, have been appointed as the exclusive distributor for the UK and Ireland for VisibleDust, leading manufacturer of cleaning products for Digital SLR cameras.

VisibleDust revolutionised the sensor cleaning industry by introducing the world’s first Sensor Brush, which is capable of attracting dry dust with enhanced staticelectric charges. The Canadian company uses its research into biochip technology to advance their ability to remove dust from the surface of delicate objects such as digital SLR sensors, which Alpha Digital believe is a valuable addition to the UK imaging market. www.visibledust.com

Ricoh Unveils New Global Brand Message Ricoh has announced the introduction of a new brand tagline: imagine. change. The new emotive phrase has designed to express its evolving brand presence around the world. The new messaging reflects a general shift toward services for Ricoh, which can be seen in the company’s ever expanding services portfolio including its Managed Document Services and other advanced solutions.

“The ability to change is a key element of a successful business today,” says Shiro Kondo, Ricoh President and CEO. “Technology is changing at an unprecedented pace, and there is increasing pressure for customers to change along with it. Those who cannot keep up will be left behind. At Ricoh, we are committed to helping our customers embrace change through innovation. That is what we mean by imagine. change.”

The global roll-out of imagine. change. highlights Ricoh’s customer-centric philosophy: moving forward with new ideas and new ways of improving lives, driven by innovation. Ricoh helps companies and individuals transform the way they work and harness their collective imagination. imagine. change. is more than a new brand tagline – it’s the essence of the Ricoh brand experience. www.ricoh.co.uk

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THE NEW WORLD OF IMAGING

The Billion Dollar App

The Rumour

Mark Zuckerberg speaks out about the importance of image sharing on Facebook, and exactly why one app was worth $1 billion.

The Rumour is a round up of gossip and hints currently circulating the internet. The views here are not necessarily those of Pixel Magazine and have not been communicated through official channels, they are simply things we have heard from those who may know!

Rumour has it that...Canon are working to fix a ‘light leaking’ issue on the 5D Mark III. A photographer known by the internet tag ‘birdbrain’ posted that Canon had responded to him, saying they were aware of the issue, which is caused by the AE sensor detecting light from the LCD panel. This alters he exposure value by approx. 1/3 of a stop. Whilst the change is not significant, Canon advise that it can be counteracted by turning off the LCD. Via PetaPixel Rumour has it that... Pentax’ lens range prices may be increased in the UK to reflect recent increases in the USA and elsewhere.

If the US prices are to be used as a benchmark, RRPs on lenses here could go up by anything from 15 to 90 percent depending on model.

At the time of going to press, neither Jessops nor Amazon UK were exhibiting the new pricing, but it’s rumoured to come into effect soon.

Via Pentax Forums Rumour has it that ...Olympus will be releasing a whole series of pancake lenses soon. It appears the manufacturer has filed a patent in Japan for f/2.8 pancake lenses in 14mm, 16mm, 17mm, 18mm and 22mm formats.

Those in the know, however, conclude that only one or two of these models will ever be released as brands based in Japan often file patents for several possible vesrions of a product, of which they only 16:44:24 Fuji Quarter Page Advert.pdf 18/11/11 intend to relese one or two.

Via Photo Rumours

the fact that Instagram is connected to other Facebook announced on 9th April that services beyond Facebook is an important it had reached an agreement to acquire part of the experience. We plan on keeping Instagram. The popular app allows users to features like the ability to post to other social add filters and effects to pictures taken on their networks, the mobile device and ability to not share share them, quickly your Instagrams and easily, through on Facebook if their social networks. you want, and The total the ability to have compensation followers and follow package for the people separately San Franciscofrom your friends based Instagram on Facebook. is approximately These and many $1 billion in a other features are combination of important parts cash and shares of the Instagram of Facebook. experience and we Mark Zuckerberg, understand that. founder and CEO of “We will try to learn Facebook, shared from Instagram’s the news on his own experience to build Facebook Timeline. similar features into “I’m excited to share our other products. the news that we’ve At the same time, agreed to acquire Taken with Instagram’s Nashville filter we will try to help Instagram and that their Instagram continue to grow by using Facebook’s talented team will be joining Facebook. strong engineering team and infrastructure.

“For years, we’ve focused on building the “This is an important milestone for Facebook best experience for sharing photos with your because it’s the first time we’ve ever acquired friends and family. Now, we’ll be able to work a product and company with so many users. even more closely with the Instagram team We don’t plan on doing many more of these, if to also offer the best experiences for sharing any at all. But providing the best photo sharing beautiful mobile photos with people based on experience is one reason why so many people your interests. We believe these are different love Facebook and we knew it would be worth experiences that complement each other. But bringing these two companies together.” in order to do this well, we need to be mindful Instagram CEO Kevin Systrom says he and about keeping and building on Instagram’s co-founder Krieger started Instagram “to change strengths and features rather than just trying to and improve the way the world communicates integrate everything into Facebook. and shares. We’ll be working with Facebook to “That’s why we’re committed to building and evolve Instagram and build the network. We’ll growing Instagram independently. Millions of continue to find new ways to create a better people around the world love the Instagram app mobile photos experience.” and the brand associated with it, and our goal is The transaction, which is subject to customary to help spread this brand to even more people.” closing conditions, is expected to be completed Zuckerberg was candid about speculation within the next couple of months. that Facebook would axe or alter Instagram’s www.facebook.com interaction with other social networks. “We think

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Your Essential Guide to the Latest Launches

Name: Panasonic Lumix GF5 RRP: TBC Release Date: June

Name: New Micromuff Models RRP: £312.95 to £21.95 Release Date: Immediate

With a new highsensitivity 12.1 megapixel Live MOS image sensor and new Venus Engine with Multi-process Noise Reduction, the interchangeable lens LUMIX GF5 is designed with sleek curves and a choice of four colours.

With Light Speed Auto Focus of just 0.09 and one touch focus lock, the GF5 will track a subject even if it moves, and the Pinpoint Auto Focus means you can zoom into specific areas in a frame to focus on with absolute precision.

The GF5 records 1080p Full HD video and stereo sound. Video is filmed in MP4 format so that it can be instantly transfered to portable devices for viewing and sharing. It also features many new filter effects – including Soft Focus, Star Filter, Toy Effect and more – letting the user apply visual effects without the need for post-production software. With just the swipe of a finger, filters can be fine-tuned for a perfectly balanced composition. The LUMIX GF5 even provides filter recommendations, as well as on-screen scene guides, hybrid control options - including both the intuitive LCD touchscreen, and physical buttons and dials. www.panasonic.co.uk

Wind (and even the slightest breeze) can destroy the sound recordings made when shooting video. The micromuff has been developed to elimnate the wind noise associated with built in microphones for clear exterior recordings without the hassle or cost of an external microphone. The Fat Boy is suitable for video capable DSLRss and a huge range of camcorders with built in mic with a total area of less than 25x25mm. Square.

The Skinny is suitable for the Panasonic Lumix range and others with built in mic with an area of less than 28x13mm. Rectangle.

The Growler attaches over external recorder body/mic and is secured with a drawstring and locking bead enabling a one-size fits all (most) solution. www.micromuff.com Name: Lensbaby Composer Pro for Mirrorless RRP: TBC Release Date: Immediate Lensbaby’s popular SLR creative effects camera lens, the Composer Pro, is now also available for Micro 4/3rds cameras (including Panasonic Lumix G Micro System and Olympus PEN), Sony NEX, and Samsung NX cameras. The Composer Pro for mirrorless cameras is compatible with the Lensbaby Optic Swap System and ships with the Double Glass Optic installed.

The Composer Pro’s metal swivel ball design makes the Composer Pro the perfect choice for discerning professional photographers and videographers who want to create ground-breaking creative imagery – and now they can do so with their mirrorless cameras as well.

The Double Glass Optic, a 50mm f/2 selective focus optic, creates a Sweet Spot of sharp focus that photographers can move around the photo by tilting the Composer Pro’s swiveling lens body. The Composer Pro is compatible with the complete range of creative optics in the Lensbaby Optic Swap System including the Edge 80, Sweet 35, Fisheye, Soft Focus, Pinhole/Zone plate, Single Glass, and Plastic. Each optic can be swapped into the Composer Pro to deliver a different creative effect. www.lensbaby.com

Name: Vortex Diamondback Binoculars RRP: £169 to £179 Release Date: Immediate Weighing in at just 505g and 525g respectively and sharing a close focus distance of approximately 5ft, the 32mm Diamondbacks add a welcome dimension to the range offering a binocular with a ‘full size’ specification in a size only fractionally bigger than the 28mm Diamondback compacts!

Both binoculars have dimensions of just 132mm x 112mm with the 8x32 having a field of view of 8 degrees and the 10x32 6.5 degrees.

They feature 3-position click stop eyecups making them suitable for spectacle wearers wishing a full field of view and the full focus range (from 5ft to infinity) is achieved in just over ¾ turn of focus wheel which as with all Diamondbacks is rubber armoured both for protection and for ease of use when using gloves. www.vortexoptics.com

12 www.pixellive.co.uk

THE LAUNCHPAD LAUNCH PAD

Name: The Canon EOS C500 and EOS -1D C RRP: £20,000 and £10,000, respectively Release Date: Q4 and October 2012, respectively.

Canon has announced the development of a new digital cinema camera capable of recording 4K-resolution (4,096 x 2,160 pixels) video. Targeting both the motion picture and high resolution digital production industries, the EOS C500 will offer 4K RAW output and will be available with Canon’s EF mount and the industry-standard PL mount. Supporting next-generation 4K-resolution video capture and RAW data output, the EOS C500/EOS C500 PL will achieve exceptional video results without any loss in quality. The camera’s uncompressed 4K output will unleash the full potential of Canon’s premium range of EF Cinema Lenses, combining with Canon Log Gamma, which delivers the high-quality video and wide exposure latitude required by digital cinematographers.

Furthermore, 12-bit RGB 4:4:4 signal during 2K (2,048 x 1,080 pixels) video output will deliver rich colour and high compatibility with image processes such as chroma key compositing. Support for frame rates up to 120p in both 4K and 2K resolution will provide enhanced creative flexibility, enabling high-speed (slow motion) video capture in high resolution.

The compact and lightweight EOS-1D C also supports in-camera 4K video recording with 4:2:2 colour sampling, offering greater creative freedom for video professionals.

The first SLR camera of its kind, the EOS-1D C offers a unique and highly portable package optimised for high-quality video recording. Advanced creative flexibility is provided with support for a range of resolutions and variable frame rates. 4K video is recorded using 8-bit Motion JPEG compression at 24p, and Full HD video capture is available at frame rates up to 1080/60p. The camera supports internal recording to CF cards at all resolutions up to and including 4K, offering enhanced mobility. Video can also be output to external recorders (excluding 4K video) via an integrated HDMI terminal using an uncompressed 4:2:2 signal.

The EOS-1D C also features Canon Log Gamma, which facilitates the capture of high-quality video rich in exposure latitude and dynamic range. Ideal for video professionals who want to retain the maximum amount of information without huge file sizes, Canon Log Gamma offers a dynamic range uniquely comparable to film, minimising shadow-detail loss and highlight-detail loss to provide greater grading freedom for colourists in post-production.

Based on the core specifications of the EOS-1D X, the EOS-1D C provides exceptional image quality and versatility, with an 18.1-megapixel full-frame CMOS sensor. Optimised for high quality video capture, the sensor provides video professionals with the freedom to adjust image resolution to suit a subject or desired output. During 4K shooting pixels are cropped to an area equivalent to an APS-H sensor, preventing the need to resize or scale the image, ensuring maximum image quality. Additionally, a Super 35mm crop in Full HD recording caters for cinematographers who typically work in the Super 35mm field of view. www.canon.co.uk

Name: Lomography La Sardinia Splendour RRP: £179 Release Date: Immediate

Name: Picture Keeper RRP: Varies by size Release Date: Immediate

Lomography have announced a new vesrion of their popular La Sardinia sardine tin camera, the Sardina Splendour Edition!

With its hammered metal finish, and with a matching retro-style Fritz the Blitz Flash available, this new camera is designed to transport the user back to the earliest days of street photography. www.lomographyuk.com

Picture Keeper Pro makes it quicker and easier than ever for a photogrpher of any level to backup their photo collection. Picture Keeper Pro’s unique, built-in software automatically finds and copies your photos with a single click.

Picture Keeper Pro works on multiple computers (PC & Mac) and keeps track of the photos already stored. The next time Picture Keeper Pro is connected, it only copies new additions and modified files, and stores them using the same folder names as on your computer – making pictures a snap to find. Simple, quick, and organized – Picture Keeper makes it easy to backup your photos just like you know you should. www.dspb.co.uk

www.pixellive.co.uk 13

INSIDE TRACK

Share and Share Alike New research finds that phones and tablets complement - rather than replace - cameras and computers for image capturing, editing and sharing.

Today’s connected generation of photo takers shoot, enhance and share more photos than six months ago, according to the 6Sight Social Imaging Survey Report. In addition, today’s photographers make pragmatic decisions about which devices, apps or services they could best use for various imaging tasks.

They are open for using newer alternatives such as smartphones, apps or social network sites, but at the same time they don’t shy away from using more traditional devices, software, or sharing methods if these better suit their needs, the survey found.

The survey was conducted among 1,065 North American photo-taking consumers, 76 percent of whom own smartphones and 90 percent own digital cameras. An additional analysis was conducted among 440 Europeans.

The survey found most people use several devices for taking photos. Nearly 60 percent of the survey’s digital camera owners who take at least one photo a month with that device also own a smartphone with which they take at least one photo a month. The respondents use smartphones most frequently to take photos, but digital cameras are used more for taking a larger number of photos.

The survey respondents enhance or alter on the average 25 per cent of their photos prior to saving or sharing them. No matter the popularity

of photo enhancement smartphone apps like Instagram or Path, there is no support for the notion people are shifting photo enhancement from the computer to smartphones or tablets.

More than 80 percent of the respondents still use their computer most to alter or enhance photos. In fact, the computer is also the device that has seen the biggest increase in use for photo enhancement.

If there is the beginning of a shift from computer to smartphone and tablets, it is for sharing photos. The survey’s respondents overwhelmingly share more photos than six months ago from their smartphones or tablets Although they also share more photos than in the past from their computers by uploading their photos to photo sharing or social network sites, they have started to use computers less for sharing photos through email or texting. Those who share more photos do so primarily because software, hardware or web services have made it easier to share photos. When people share photos in-person, they most often do so by sharing photos from their devices’ screens, topping “analog” methods such as photo prints and photo albums, and the traditional “living room screen,” i.e. the television.

The full 49-page 6Sight Social Imaging Survey Report is available from the PMA Store.

Best Buy Announce Store Closures

New research finds that phones and tablets complement - rather than replace - cameras and computers for image capturing, editing and sharing.

Best Buy, reported a $1.7 billion fourthquarter net loss, compared to net income of $651 million for the prior-year period. The fiscal fourth quarter 2012 results include $2.6 billion of charges primarily related to the actions announced on November 7, 2011, which consist of the purchase of Carphone Warehouse Group plc’s share of the Best Buy Mobile profit share agreement and related costs, and write-off and restructuring charges. Sales for the full year ending March 3 were $50.705 billion, compared to $49.747 billion last year.

Credits & Contacts

“We are taking major actions to improve our operating performance,” says Brian J. Dunn, CEO, of Best Buy. “We intend to strengthen our portfolio of store formats and footprints, closing some big box stores, modifying others to our Connected Store format, and adding Best Buy Mobile stand-alone locations.

“These changes will also help lower our overall cost structure. We intend to invest some of these cost savings into offering new and improved customer experiences and competitive prices, which will help drive revenue.”

Editor: Laura Knight 01323 437946 laura@lifemediagoup.co.uk

Editorial Assistant Harriet Weston 01323 411601 harriet@lifemediagroup.co.uk

Subscriptions Amelia Wellings: 01323 433708 amelia@lifemediagroup.co.uk

Editorial Director: Grant Scott 01323 437941 grant@lifemediagroup.co.uk

Managing Director/Publisher: Lee Mansfield 01323 411601 lee@lifemediagroup.co.uk

Production Design: Laura Knight 01323437964 laura@lifemediagroup.co.uk

Marketing Director: Simon Skinner 01323 433700 simon@lifemediagroup.co.uk

Accounts: Clare Fermor Amelia Wellings 01323 433708 clare@lifemediagroup.co.uk amelia@lifemediagroup.co.uk

14 www.pixellive.co.uk

NIGEL SPEAKS...

Each issue, the UK Director of the PMA brings us his personal view of our industry.

We have all read of Mary Portas’ plans for the High Street but will they work? The future of the High Street is, to quote one authority, “in the balance”. Is that a bit too sensationalist, a bit too headline grabbing?

Not at all according to a survey undertaken for Retail Week magazine which found that 40% of consumers are indifferent to getting involved in revamping their local High Street, and if you cannot interest the consumer in supporting the revamp, then what chance has such an initiative got?

One of the suggestions was to have longer opening hours, but more than half of those polled said this would not attract them to the shops. However it’s not all bad news, as 45% of consumers said a local market would attract them to their High Street, and local markets mean buzz, energy and activity – and sometimes bargains.

National Photography Month is about creating awareness, excitement and activity and is there for every High Street photo retailer, and the trade section of the National Photography Month website gives more details of how you can get involved. To access it, just email pmauk@pmai.org and request the password. www.nationalphotographymonth.co.uk

The company plans $800 million in cost reductions by fiscal 2015, which will include closure of 50 U.S. Best Buy big box stores in fiscal 2013 and reduction of approximately 400 positions in corporate and support areas.

Best Buy’s retail store strategy is to increase points of presence, while decreasing overall square footage, for increased flexibility in a multichannel environment. The company intends to remodel key stores with a new Connected Store format in fiscal 2013, and to continue to build out the successful Best Buy Mobile small format stores throughout the United States. www.bestbuy.com www.pmanewsline.com

Published by LMG SE LTD (Life Media Group) Park View House 19 The Avenue, Eastbourne, East Sussex BN21 3YD 01323 411 601

Printed by Gemini Press Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex 01273 464884

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 2012 ©

www.pixellive.co.uk 15

digital redefined

Combining cutting-edge technology, classic design and peerless fixed-length lenses, the X-Pro1 changes everything.

Pure photography. Pure joy.

Optical perfection

The XF series of all-glass, single focal length lenses offer unparalleled quality, and each has a 1/3-step aperture ring for tactile control of exposure and depth-of-field.

Revolutionary sensor

It isn’t just the X-Pro1’s carefully crafted casework that echoes the classics of analogue photography.

The revolutionary 16 megapixel X-Trans CMOS sensor has a radical new array inspired by the random pattern of silver halide particles on film. That means that moiré and false colours are virtually eliminated without the need for resolution-sapping low-pass filters.

16 www.pixellive.co.uk

Find out more at www.fujifilm.co.uk/x-pro1