Pixel 25th June 2013

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ISSuE NO. 897

THE NEXT LEVEL

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PHOTO - IMAGING - VIDEO - AUDIO - TV - PRINT - MOBILE - STATS - PEOPLE - RETAIL - BUSINESS - NEWS

News Pentax: Dramatic Range Expansion Pentax has launched the K-50 DSLR, a robust and lightweight model with highK-50 speed shooting, highsensitivity shooting and high-precision AF. Launching alongside the K-50 camera body, are K-500 two different weatherresistant lenses.

The K-50 will be available in 120 different colour Q7 variations as part of Pentax’ colour-to-order service.

Pentax has also announced K-500, which has been developed to resemble the higher end K-50 at a lower cost, and the Q7 digital interchangeable-lens camera.

Last but not least, Pentax announced the Pentax-07 Mount Shield Lens.

A Winning Day! The Life Media Group events team were proud to welcome dealers and manufacturers to the inaugural Pixel Indie 150 on Wednesday June 5th.

The event was held at Daytona Milton Keynes, and gave attendees the chance to network, see product demonstrations and take advantage of exclusive on-the-day offers as well as taking part in the racing event.

Sponsorship from Canon, the PMA, Samsung, Swains and Fujifilm, Direktek and Kodak meant that attendance, participation and refreshments were free for all the retailers who attended.

See page 8 for the full report, comments and feedback.

www.pixel.co.uk

25th June 2013

JACOBS RETuRNS...

Anthony Jacobs, MD of the now-defunct imaging retail that bore his name, is back with a new business: the cherished camera company. Here he talks candidly and exclusively to Pixel about his new venture, his take on the trade today and whether he’ll ever come back to the high street So Anthony, we understand that the Cherished Camera Company will deal in second hand equipment. Why did you feel this was the right market to move into?

I suppose the biggest problem facing high street retailers on new equipment is competition from the internet. Margins are tight to begin with, and there are almost always cheaper outlets online for those consumers for whom the price is the final selling point. Obviously I had several years of experience of this at Jacobs and it struck me as unsustainable. However, not working in the trade was not suiting me – there’s only so many books you can read and National Trust sites you can go to! – and my thinking was that I could put my history in photography to good use.

As for secondhand, It’s an area of the market that I find interesting. I place no confidence in compact cameras because they are being replaced by mobile phones, and the middle of the market faces intense price hammering. The top end is where hobbyists are attracted, and the area where my expertise is best used.

In today’s market, a lot of people are buying high end equipment secondhand to bring the cost down and

Anthony Jacobs Continued on Page 14

...AND WILkINSON EXPANDS Wilkinson Cameras takes over ex-Jessops store, becoming the largest independent imaging retailer in the region After David Parkinson expressed a desire to take on ex-Jessops retail spaces in an interview with Pixel earlier this year, we are pleased to be able to reveal that Wilkinson Cameras is opening a brand new flagship store in Liverpool.

After considerable negotiations with the photo retailer’s administrators, David Parkinson succeeded in obtaining the store that Jessops used to own there. He commented: ‘The new Wilkinson Cameras store in Liverpool is a great step for us. For a long time we’ve looked at having a presence in the city and the demise of Jessops has only increased the importance of having an experienced photo retailer in town to support the photographic community.

‘Our core values – expert knowledge, first class

customer service and comprehensive product range – will be key to all we offer in the new store. We’ve been in business 27 years, so have a wealth of knowledge and expertise to share – we look forward to opening the doors on the new Liverpool store and David Parkinson welcoming customers old and new!’

The new store - which is located at 51 Lord Street, in the heart of the city centre close to Liverpool One shopping centre and leisure complex - will open on 1st August.

Established in 1986, the latest store opening will mean Wilkinson Cameras takes its number of stores to 10 in the North West – making it the largest independent photo retailer in the region. The new Liverpool store will also be creating up to 5 new jobs for the city. www.wilkinson.co.uk

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THE INSIDER

Saying what you’re thinking and asking the difficult questions. Each week the Insider reports from the front line of our industry I’m saddened by the news that there will be no more Focus on Imaging…but perhaps not surprised. I think the show was becoming less and less important for retailers, unless of course you were one of the chosen few who sold there. That being said, I have never missed a Focus personally, I’ve always found it a very helpful insight into the mindset of the trade. I believe that Mary Walker has contributed hugely to the photographic trade.

Reading between the lines – and I have no facts to speak from here, purely my own wondering - I suspect that the direction of Focus, or lack thereof, as far as the new

boundaries of the imaging sector is concerned, is why Mary threw in the towel. What I mean by that is that the change of our imaging landscape has made the larger manufacturers reluctant to commit 100% to the event.

Working closely with Pixel as I do, I was one of the first to hear that the Pixel team are amongst the challengers considering putting on a replacement show. As a friend and for the future of the industry, I hope that their clear view of how the imaging trade is expanding means that they will secure the support needed to make such a show the success it could be.

Canon’s 90 Millionth EF Lens Another mile stone for Canon Canon has reached another manufacturing milestone - the company’s 90-millionth EF-series interchangeable lens.

EF lens production milestones: • 1995: Production of EF lenses surpasses 10-million units.

• 2001: Production of EF lenses surpasses 20-million units.

• 2006: 30-million EF lenses produced.

• 2008: 40-million-unit milestone reached in April.

• 2009: 50-million units produced.

• 2011: 60-million units reached in January.

• 2011: 70-million units reached in October.

• 2012: 80-million units reached by August.

Since production began in 1987, development has expanded to a total of four production facilities: Canon Inc., Sdn. Bhd., Utsunomiya and Oita. www.canon.co.uk

PHOTO

News NewLED Video Lights Kenro has announced the launch of two new cost-effective LED Video Lights by Reflecta, to the UK and Irish market for LED the first time.

Video The new Reflecta LED Light Video Light is available in two models featuring either 105 or 210 dimmable LEDs, allowing for better exposures to be taken during unfavourable lighting conditions. The 210 version has a suggested retail price of £186.00 and the 105 version has a suggested retail price of £99.60.

DIY SLR! Lomography have introduced the Konstruktor - a do-ityourself SLR camera that clicks and screws together in a few easy steps to form a fully-working 35mm camera. It also offers a top-down viewfinder, an easy multiple exposure function, and a detachable 50mm f/10 Lens! More options to further customise the Konstruktor will be made available in the future as more interchangeable Lomography lenses and accessories for this model are planned.

A Bird Fair in the Hand

Independent retailers Rapture Photographic take matters into their own hands and establish the Norfolk Bird Fair “The county of Norfolk has one of the largest bird watching communities with an array of different habitats, which attract birds on migration to several key reserves located throughout the county,” says the organiser, Rob Wilson of Rapture Photographic. “With this in mind, it seems logical for Norfolk to have its own bird fair and we are proud to announce that the event will be held in the grounds of the beautiful Mannington Hall in 2014.”

The Norfolk Bird Fair will take place on 17th and 18th of May 2014, and the team at Rapture, who are organising, are already lining up attractions for visitors.

“The event will be lots of fun for the individual or family, interested in birds and wildlife, from the beginner to the hardened ‘twitcher’ and

we hope the charities such as the Hawk and Owl Trust and Norfolk Wildlife Trust will provide many activities for the whole family to enjoy.

“Our main goals are to provide an event for ‘birders’ where they can look at the latest equipment from a variety of bird and wildlife related companies which will include optics, digital photography, holiday companies, photography and artwork, books and field guides.

“We hope to attract both Canon and Nikon, the two leading camera manufacturers, to have stands where the budding photographer can look and touch the latest digital cameras and spotting scopes, and there will be a retailer area where the equipment you looked at can be purchased.

“We also intend to showcase Norfolk

enterprise and the companies relating to organic and naturally produced products which may include locally produced chocolate, honey, bread, cheese, jam and so on. Around the marquees will be plenty of space for children’s activities, relaxing, and there will be plenty of opportunity to walk around the grounds of the Hall.”

“The event is a year away but we are busy looking for businesses, caterers, food stalls and charities to make the weekend a success for all. Anybody interested in taking part in the event is invited to get in contact.”

For more information, keep an eye on the website at www.norfolkbirdfair.com

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News Hähnel has Launched the Tuff TTL for Nikon Priced very competitively, the Tuff TTL is well-made and durable, constructed using tough rubber.

Digital channel matching provides reliable TTL connections and eliminates the risk of interference from other wireless products.

The Tuff TTL is very user-friendly with easy to use controls and is powered by AA batteries . Also available for Canon, the Tuff TTL mount carries an RRP of £100.

Reflecta Announces New Macro Solution Kenro has launched a new product designed to provide macro photographers with a cost-effective way of shooting detailed images: the Reflecta DigiMicroscope Professional.

Photographers can now enjoy close-up photography without the associated price tag with its microscope capable of producing up to 12MP and up to 500x zoom.

The DigiMicroscope Professional carries a suggested retail price of £205.20 (incl VAT).

Nikon Europe Launches New Website Nikon Europe has launched a redesigned website to deliver user-friendly product navigation for consumers. The new website is already live in 26 languages for 36 markets across Europe as well as South Africa. The UK version of the web site can be found at www.nikon.co.uk Visitors to the website, which gives Nikon a more consistent brand presence by reflecting the aesthetic of the I AM Nikon marketing campaign, can enjoy a more feature-rich experience than ever before.

Correction/Apology Pixel would like to extend sincere apologies to the team at Focus on Imaging regarding the image that appeared on the front cover of last issue.

The image that accompanied our article was not cleared for press use and should not have appeared. We are sorry for any confusion this may have caused.

Nikon Launches Summer cashback

Nikon UK today launches its summer cashback promotion offering up to £80 cashback The cashback promotion includes the Nikon 1 S1, J3 and V2 from 30th until 4th September 2013. The S1 and the J3 are subject to £50 cashback offers, and the V2 allows consumers to claim £80.

Nikon is also offering a summer D-SLR cashback promotion offering up to £150 cashback. The promotion includes the Nikon D5200 and D600 until 31st July 2013 Consumers can receive £50 cashback on a

new Nikon D5200 (body only or with 1 or or £150 Cashback on a Nikon D600.

Simon Iddon, Product Manager says: “The Nikon 1 range offers the perfect travel companion so a summer offer seemed appropriate!”

New Market Segment for Zeiss

The first two members of the new ZEISS lens family ‘Touit’ are available to dealers, effective immediately With the extreme wide angle lens Touit 2.8/12 and the robust standard lens Touit 1.8/32, both for Fujifilm X and Sony NEX cameras, ZEISS is entering the new market for compact system cameras (CSC) with autofocus, interchangeable lenses. The new lens series is characterised by a powerful optical and mechanical design, which fully exploits the potential of the cameras thanks to the low distortion and stray-light absorption. Noteworthy is also the professional product design of the new lens family, which has already won several design prizes.

“With Touit photographers can use ZEISS lenses on two leading mirrorless system cameras,” says Michael Schiehlen, Director of Sales at ZEISS Camera Lenses.

“We are addressing this market because it offers interesting application possibilities for sophisticated photographers and because the segment promises very interesting growth.”

By supporting Fujifilm X and Sony NEX, ZEISS has decided on cameras with an APS-C sensor in order to guarantee maximum image quality. The APS-C sensor is the largest possible sensor currently available on the market for this segment.

PENTaX Efina FREE Softbox Pentax ricoh has announced the Offer worth £160!

Efina digital compact camera ...and it’s available in pink, red, silver and green, The Efina incorporates an Pentax Efina optical fivetimes zoom lens, 14.0 megapixels, HD movie recording and a 2.5 inch LCD monitor in its slim, card-sized body.

In addition to the Efina, a new White Blue model has been added to PENTAX’ WG-3 line-up.The new White Blue model features a vibrant white body, accentuated by a vivid blue trim. Its aluminium-alloy front panel has been treated to achieve a silvery shimmer finish; and the edge has been given a matte-black coating to highlight the brilliance of its bright-coloured appearance.

The WG-3 White Blue will be available in the UK in July.

RRP £289.99.

Bowens’ stockists will be able to offer photographers the chance to pick up a free softbox worth when they buy a Gemini 500R twin-head kit or any Gemini Pro twinhead kit before August 31st Robert Cook, Bowens’ marketing director wants the offer “to be the deal of the summer!

The Lumiair Octobank 90 softbox is ideal for fashion and portrait work and we are giving one away any Gemini Pro twin-head kit.”

The Bowens ‘best value’ Gemini 500R kit comprises: 2 Gemini 500R monolights; a 90cm dual-use silver/white umbrella; 2 support stands; 1 Pulsar Tx and receiver module; a 120° wide-angle reflector; a 60x80 cm softbox; 1 Traveller Studio Case and now a Lumiair Octobank 90 softbox. Lumiair softboxes will accept an extensive range of ring adapters and can be used with almost all flash systems.

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PHOTO

Calumet Launches New Website Dedicated to Rental Calumet’s Simon Browitt explains the retail brand’s new emphasis on rental

Following a comprehensive survey, Calument has launched a new website dedicated to its retail business.

Simon Browitt, head of Calumet Rental in London said: “Now, it’s never been easier to rent equipment from us. We have an extensive inventory of photographic equipment; cameras; digital equipment; lighting and studio products. It could be a Canon 600 mm lens – which costs upwards of £10,500 to buy – but we’ll rent it for £90 a day plus damage waiver insurance. Or, at the other end of the scale, we could hire out a remote timer from about £10 a day.”

He added: “Navigating and placing an order on our new site is simplicity itself. We’ve been both listening to and working with our customers in recent weeks and now our rental process is much more like an online enquiry form. You simply go to the site, search for the products you need, add them to your basket, choose the dates you need to rent and return the equipment. Finally, just decide whether you want your items shipped to you or collected in-store and click ‘send’.

We get back to you very quickly. It’s all about flexibility. It also means you can now prepare

Simon Browitt Head of Rental in London

your rental order in the evening if you wish.

We will be on the case the very next (working) day.”

Growing numbers of photographers also use the rental option to test new technology without having to purchase it.

Added Browitt: “It’s obviously a good idea to test drive latest equipment before investing - plus it doesn’t make a lot of sense to buy, say, a tilt and shift lens costing £1866 if you only need it once a quarter. It’s far more cost effective to rent it for £36 (plus damage waiver and vat) a day from us.

Additionally photographers don’t need to worry about servicing challenges – all that is carried out by us within the rental costs.”

News The “Mini M” Arrives!

The hotly anticipated Leica compact that many dubbed the Mini M before Leica X Vario its release has been unveiled.

Presenting: the Leica X Vario which features a 16.5-megapixel APS-C format, CMOS image sensor, a zoom lens covering a range of focal lengths from 28 to 70 mm (35 mm equivalent) and Full-HD video recording.

The Leica X Vario is the world’s first compact camera to combine a large, APS-C format, CMOS image sensor with a zoom lens. It also has the distinctive look and feel that you would expect from a Leica camera.

An extensive range of accessories is also available to adapt the Leica X Vario to photographers’ particular needs.

The suggested retail price of the Leica X Vario is £2,150 inc. VAT; the set (with the X Vario camera protector and carrying strap in tan leather) SRP is £2,250.

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SPEcIaL REPORT PHOTO

News

The Cost of card Vs cash

Nikon UK Coolpix Promotion Even more new deals to offer!

Marumi: Versatile Filters Kenro have announced the availability of a range of new Variable Neutral Density Filters from Marumi which feature adjustable ND2-ND400 light control.

Available in nine different sizes, they are designed to create great effects used alone, minimising the need to carry several different kinds in order to create the desired effect.

JP Introduces Westcott The Rapid Box is a new range of portable Speedlite Softboxes with adjustable flash bracket and carry case. Constructed from solid aluminium to minimize weight, yet retain durability. The Rapid Box opens and closes like an umbrella, no support rods or adapter rings are needed. The optional screw-in deflector plate will minimize any hot spots.

Prices range from £23 to £180. www.jpdistribution.co.uk

Are you paying too much to be paid?

In addition to current cashback offers, Nikon UK today announces a new promotion giving customers the chance to win one of over 1200 exhilarating prizes with purchases of selected Coolpix Zoom cameras.

Until 31st August 2013 (inclusive) Coolpix customers have the chance to win an exhilarating experience, from indoor sky diving experience, to a Silverstone challenge. To be in with a chance of winning, customers simply have to register their purchase online and answer a question online, at www.nikoncoolpixoffer.co.uk.

Customers did 10 percent less of their shopping with cash in 2012 than the previous year.

The major gainers have been debit cards, and newer methods such as PayPal, as online and selfservice shopping grows. Increasingly people also prefer debit to credit cards as they try to manage their under-pressure finances – leaving cash and credit cards the big losers.

The British Retail Consortium’s Cost of Payment Collection Survey shows that banks continue to levy unjustifiably high charges on retailers for handling card payments. The average cost to a retailer of having a credit or charge card payment processed was 25 times higher than for cash (38p versus 1.5p).

Credit and charge cards account for only 10.6 percent of transactions but over half (50.1 percent) of costs, and total costs associated with those cards were up by 7 percent, even though use is down on the previous year.

Nikon COOLPIX Zoom cameras included in the promotion: L320; L610; S6400; S6500; S9400; S9500; P520; S9050. www.nikon.co.uk

Single or Double Deck?

You Decide!

CP-D7

CP-D70DW • Single Deck • Weighing only 12kg • 4x6" (or 2x6" multi-cut), 5x7", 6x8" and 6x9" print options

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0DW

£975 +VfrAoTm

Mitsubishi Electric’s leading dye-sublimation printers, the CP-D70DW and the CP-D707DW, have long been sought after durable printers used by professional event photographers, capable of producing 4x6", 5x7", 6x8" and 6x9" full bleed to edge stunning photographs. Choose from the CP-D70DW which is small in size, but the ideal portable printing solution capable of holding substantial volumes of photo paper and printing up to 200 6x8" prints from one roll of media. Or consider the CP-D707DW, our unique ‘double deck’ design printer combining two individual printers into one chassis, producing two independent print sizes from one printer or used as a high volume, high speed solution delivering up to 800 6x4" prints at a rate of approx. 6 seconds per print. The choice is yours!

CP-D7

07DW

£1349 +VfrAom T

CP-D707DW • Double Deck - Two printers in one chassis • Double print speed, double print volume • 4x6" (or 2x6" multi-cut), 5x7", 6x8" and 6x9" print options

printer.info@meuk.mee.com

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SPEcIaL REPORT PRINT

Free credit control Bundle for Hard-Pressed Printers

Guides to tackle late payment and accessing credit for free

The Forum of Private Business has pledged to help printers struggling with cash flow issues by issuing free copies of a new credit control package it’s produced.

The not-for-profit organisation has identified the print sector as a sector severely affected by late and slow payment, and is one which could gain the most from the free bundle, which includes hints, tips, and advice on how small business can manage

all their credit needs, from being paid on time, to accessing external finance.

The bundle contains a copy of the Forum’s credit control guide, which features templates for invoices, tips on how to handle bad debtors, and ways to negotiate shorter payment times. There’s also a guide on what firms can do to improve their credit rating, and another standalone guide, written by a former bank boss, on

Switch frame in the Frame for Honours The new addition to Fujifilm’s acclaimed Wunderbar range, the Switch Frame, has been nominated in the Fine art Guild’s 2013 Innovation Award

The Switch Frame is a new solution for wall art display and offers a quick and easy method of changing the image on a wall. It allows people to change the image in their frame in seconds - it doesn’t require any tools or special skills. Once hung, the frame stays put and the image changes so there are no extra nail holes to worry about.

Peter Wigington, Marketing Manager for Fujifilm Photo Imaging Group commented on the announcement: “It’s a great honour to be nominated by the Fine Art Guild and pleasing

that their judges recognised the innovative design of the frame. The Switch Frame was launched at Focus on Imaging in March this year and the initial feedback from the industry has been very positive, hopefully this recognition from such a well-respected body will further enhance the frame’s reputation.”

Venture Productions Joins Network of Certified ‘Digigraphie by Epson’ Providers

Venture Productions has become a Certified ‘Digigraphie by Epson’ laboratory shortly after purchasing their Epson Stylus Pro 9900 44-inch inkjet printer Venture specialises in photographic printing, handmade framing and assembly of contemporary artwork.

“We bought the printer based on Epson’s reputation, and soon after became a Certified Digigraphie Lab,” says Paul. “Many of our Quarter Page Ad.pdf 15/5/13 09:30:40 photographers and artists want to print limited editions using inkjet technology and

this certificate gives them the opportunity to add value and exclusivity to their work.”

The ‘Digigraphie by Epson’ certification enables artists and photographers to add exclusive value to their limited edition prints, by guaranteeing exceptional, repeatable quality.

Each print is embossed with the ‘Digigraphie

by Epson’ seal of authenticity.

how to get your bank manager to agree a loan or overdraft.

“It’s common knowledge that the print industry is unfortunately used to rather long payment times from their customers,” said Forum spokesman, Robert Downes, “so we’re fairly sure our guide can help some printers shrink these down a bit, and give them a good steer for future contracts – and that’s got to help. We know cash flow remains a huge barrier to growth, and late payment is a persistent problem.”

What You Should Know About Digital Label Printing

UK based CS Labels launches Essential Guide for packaging and graphic designers CS labels has launched a comprehensive free guide discussing the pros and cons of digital labelling, and why suppliers are making Simon Smith the switch. The guide, which also contains real life case studies, can be accessed on their website.

CS Labels Managing Director, Simon Smith said: “After reading many articles that describe the advantages of digital label printing I decided it was time for us to create our own and dispel some of the myths surrounding the technology. We’ve been very bold by investing in innovative equipment, to the tune of £1.5 million over the past year.

Our experience means we understand the various challenges and benefits with digital print. We have produced this guide to aid anyone in the industry, showing them how they can leverage the technology.”

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ON TRack fOr SuccESS Pixel’s first Indie 150 was, by all accounts, a roaring success. Even the unpredictable summer weather held out for the 60 drivers who tore up the Daytona Milton Keynes racetrack in the name of networking!

Retailers who attended were treated to 150 minutes of endurance racing in teams of four, breakfast, lunch and drinks by the sponsors. Whilst waiting to race, all the drivers had the chance to talk with friends, be introduced to new contacts and ‘talk shop’ with retailers, distributors and manufacturers from across the wider photo and CE trade – a valuable opportunity for all involved.

This format for the event was crafted specifically to give suppliers a chance to support and communicate with retailers outside of their usual business channels. Those who went that extra mile to sponsor the event and be present on the day – namely Canon, the PMA, Samsung, Swains and Fujifilm, Direktek and Kodak – demonstrated the value they place on independent retail and gave dealers the opportunity to approach them with questions in a relaxed environment. Hopefully this will result in further open communication and new business relationships forming, with other suppliers following suit.

Event Organiser Simon Skinner commented: “It was brilliant. It turned out to be everything

we’d hoped it would be and even more, in that we wanted to bring the industry together for some valuable networking and to introduce some less familiar distributors and manufacturers to our readership particularly photo retailers. Such suppliers included MicroP, CVP and MTF who may not have been familiar to all attendees at the start of the day, but certainly are now.

“We also wanted to provide something that would be a fun day out. I appreciate that events and entertainment budgets have all been scaled right back, which was why we wanted to make something that so many would enjoy free to attendees.

“The general consensus is that there’s not enough of this type of event in our industry nowadays, so we are extremely glad to have got so many people together. I can’t thank Canon enough for being the lead sponsors of the event. A special thanks to Philip Cooksey from Canon for presenting the prizes, especially considering his baby boy was due to be born imminently! Baby Cooksey

“Just a quick message to you and the team to say a BIG THANK YOU :) from Simon and Richard at Stourport Photo Centre for the Pixel 150 event.

We had a great time, and judging by the smiles most people did to. So Thank You very much for a GREAT day”

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SPEcIaL REPORT EVENTS

“Just a note to say many thanks for the great day yesterday” Nick and Kieran The Photo Studio Tewkesbury

was delivered the following day and the whole family is doing well, so congratulations to them too.

“Events of this sort do take a lot of organising and I am very pleased that this was so well supported. Hopefully next year we will see this event grow with more suppliers present.”

Captain of the winning team, Mike Tapa of MTF said: “we had a fantastic day and we won, which definitely helps! We’re big racing fans and it was great to socialise and meet up with people from the photographic trade.

“It was a great event and very well organised. Now that there’s such a crossover of product offerings between the photography and broadcast industries, it would be very beneficial for us to foster a closer relationship with the major brands in the photographic trade, and the retailers who stock them. A day like this was a great way to break the ice and I have come away with new contacts and new friends.

And a trophy, of course, which just makes it all the better.”

Watch this space for more events, including the announcement of the 2013 Pixel Trade Awards, which will be coming soon.

See the results on page 10.

“Just a quick note to say a big thank you to all you folks at Pixel for such a great day out! It was a great chance to meet old friends and make a few new ones” -Richard Rodgers

Mike Tapa, MTF

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SPEcIaL REPORT EVENTS

HEAT WINNERS

2ND PLACE

3RD PLACE

TEAM: MTF 1 Mike Tapa - MTF Maneesh Patel - Digital Photo Solutions Stefanos Teodorou - MTF Peter Terret - MTF Best Lap: 69.251

TEAM: Direk Tek Scott Payne - Direk Tek Bharat Khima - Calumet Jamie Cook - Calumet Gareth Watson - LCE Worcester Best Lap: 71.223

TEAM: Canon 3 Roscoe Atkins - Park Cameras Andy Steel - Park Cameras Tammy McGeer - Park Cameras Andy Sands - Chiswick Cameras Best Lap: 71.979

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TEAM: MFT 2 John Story - Camtronics Sean Baker - Camtronics Simon Anoniou - Cameraworld Michael Howl - Cameraworld Best Lap: 70.686

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TEAM: SAMSUNG 2 Steve Skears Skears Photographic Jordan Hodder Skears Photographic Paul Wrede Clocktower Cameras Sam Bryant Clocktower Cameras

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TEAM: SAMSUNG 1 David Tucker - Samsung Paul Scott - Samsung Kelvin Hendry - Micro P Tom Chandler - LCE Leamington Best Lap: 70.94

TEAM: PMA L Matthews - Great Western Cameras L Jones - Great Western Cameras Dean Feast Campkins Robin Aveling Campkins

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TEAM: CANON 2 Richard Calcutt WEX Photographic Andew Cowell WEX Photographic Piers Fuller WEX Photographic Chris Burgess Canon

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TEAM: CANON 1 Phill Baxter - CVP Mark Forth - CVP Sundeep Sohul - CVP David Fidler - Canon Best Lap: 73.171

TEAM: SWAINS/FUJI Wendy Gray Frost Photo Centre John Stanley Frost Photo Centre Arvinder Kaur Knowle Photographic Kulveer Padda Knowle Photographic

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TEAM: HUNGRY EYE Phil Cooksey - Canon Dean O’shea - Dean & Smedley Mark Cooper - Dean & Smedley Paul Henry - Fujifilm Best Lap: 75.044

TEAM: PIXEL Mohamed Jagahi Creative Photographic Reza Jagahi Creative Photographic Richard Rodgers Stourport Photo Centre Simon West Stourport Photo Centre

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TEAM: KODAK Nicholas Jones The Photo Studio Keiran Hunt The Photo Studio Becca Marshall Direk Tek Natalie Drake Direct Tek

Thank you for organising a great day at Daytona.

We really enjoyed it. I wasn’t very good but would love to do it again. And thank you to Samsung for sponsoring our team!

Thanks again, Paul, Clocktower Cameras Phil Cooksey giving Mike Tapa his first place trophey

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SPEcIaL REPORT

MOBILE DEVIcES

New Start for Smartphones

World’s Smallest Portable Bluetooth & USB Printer

andy Marken reports from the Qualcomm conference

Smartphones sales surpassed those of featurephones this year; and even if prices remain unchanged the percentage shift will continue. However, if mid- to low-end smartphones are introduced this next year, the disappearance of featurephones could take place very quickly.

During the first quarter of the year, device players shipped more than 418M phones and smartphones accounted for more than 51.6 percent of them, according to IDC. To keep their sales at full tilt, smartphone manufacturers want to persuade low-cost featurephone users to upgrade and become

a part of the totally connected world.

That means working towards a smartphone unit in the $100ish range.

By introducing a new family of low- to midrange smartphones, low income families and people in developing countries could have added computing/communications capabilities at a price they can afford. With internet access and other limited features, people could more readily afford more versatile devices.

Manfrotto Expands High-End Photo Accessories Manfrotto launches the new KLYP case for iPhone 5 together with the KlypApp and PIXI tripod

Manfrotto is breaking new ground with the launch of the new KLYP case for iPhone 5 together with the KlypApp and the PIXI tripod.

The KLYP offers a method for attaching any camera support and additional light to the iPhone, with its two ¼ thread and a cold-shoe “clip-on” connectors. The KlypApp completes the overall product concept

facilitating iPhone users in shooting their videos and pictures by simply clapping their hands.

The continuous LED PIXI Tripod light, to mount on top of the KLYP case, guarantees brighter images in low light situations, vivid colour, natural skin tones, while avoiding the typical “red-eye” effect.

KLYP case for iPhone® 5 will be on sale starting from £24.95.

Media Tablets: Driving the IT Industry New data from GfK points to tablets and their peripherals as the saviours of IT retail at the start of 2013, offering a promising slice of the IT spend to retailers Media tablets: driving the IT industry outside of the traditional IT retail sector too “The IT retail market grew in comparison to April 2012,” explained GfK’s report, “with both sales volume and value up 0.5% and 1.5% respectively. As expected, media tablets and tablet peripherals have been a key contributor and will continue to play a crucial role in driving the industry’s growth throughout 2013.

“In April 2013, the product category grew 24% in value in comparison to the same time last year and now accounts for 35% of all the IT spending through the Retail Channels.

“The growth of these devices is also having a major impact on more traditional computing form factors such as notebooks and netbooks. In comparison to April 2012, notebooks were down 2% in value terms while netbooks experienced value declines of 14% over the same time period.”

TOTAL IT

Great Britain: Retail Channels Sales Units % Apr 12 Apr 13

13,4

Sales Value % Apr 12 Apr 13

9,2

2,5

4,1 4,0 2,5 3,5 4,4

POINTING DEV 3,7

5,2

KEYING DEV

4,4

5,7 5,4

5,6

28,6

35,3

VISUAL CAMS

2,1

COMM. CARDS

3,4

COMM.DEVICE

13,1 14,2

DIGITAL ASSISTANTS MULTIDISC DRIVE MEMORY MODULES

9,0

MM-DEVICES MEDIA GATEWAYS

7,5

SOFTWARE

17,5 18,2

STORAGE

9,0

USB MEMORY

6,0

MONITORS MEDIATABLETS

9,6

17,0

Featuring PlanOn’s new cloudbased Mobile Enhanced Print Application, PrintStik prints from Android and Blackberry smartphones (more platforms coming soon) via Bluetooth, as well as from computers and laptops through USB, for printing anywhere, anytime. Pre-loaded with 20 pages of selfcontained paper (no ink needed) for 600 dpi resolution printing and a rechargeable battery, PrintStik is the smallest mobile printer (only 1” x 2” x 11”), making it easy to carry in a coat pocket, laptop bag, or purse.

Zooming in on Cameraphones Samsung’s new version of the S4 is just as much high-end compact as it is smartphone Combining 10x Optical Zoom, a 16 Mega Pixel CMOS Sensor, OIS and Xenon Flash with Galaxy S4 technology, the Galaxy S4 Zoom is another leap forwards in the already staggering cameraphone market.

Simon Stanford, Vice President of IT & Mobile Simon Standford Division, Samsung Electronics UK & Ireland said: ‘Combining our expertise in digital imaging and smartphones, the Galaxy S4 Zoom is a converged device that delivers on all fronts and is a product we are excited to be bringing to the market.”

The new Zoom Ring offers an intuitive way to access the Galaxy S4 Zoom’s key features.

During a phonecall, a twist of the Zoom Ring April 2013 will activate the In-Call Photo Share feature.

The Zoom Ring can also be used to activate the Quick Launch and Shortcut features, giving instant access to multiple camera modes.

The S4 Zoom offers ‘Photo Suggest’, which instantly connects the user to huge libraries of images, “to help you find and compose your best shots, anywhere in the world. Photo Suggest can even direct you to the ideal nearby location for that perfect photo.”

DESKBOUND COMPUTING NETBOOKS

36,2

34,5

NOTEBOOKS

9,7

9,6

© GfK 2013 - All rights reserved | 5/2013

On the stationary devices side of the market, desktops experienced year-on-year volume and value declines of 17% and 26% in April 2013. All-in-one desktops fared even worse with volume down 42% and value down 40% in comparison to April last year.

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EMEA Product Manager

You’re passionate about photography. You’ve used DSLRs, Tripods, filters and flash guns. You’ve taken pictures of a landscape in the rain and people in a studio.

As our EMEA Product Manager, you’ll be expected to bring your own Passion for Photography to the tasks below PURPOSE:

QUALIFICATIONS:

Establish business strategy to achieve net sales, net margin, and SKU productivity for the 3rd Party brands within the DayMen EMEA Subsidiaries.

Establish long-term goals and strategy for 3rd Party Brands to ensure DayMen corporate objectives are met for the EMEA Market.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES: • To manage the lifecycle of 3rd Party Products from early development through to the end of life for the EMEA market.

• To focus on the Pricing and Placement of the DayMen 3rd Party Brands in the Subsidiary Markets.

• To be responsible for the Data management for 3rd Party Brands.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES: • Extensive and versatile photographic product knowledge • Effective communication skills • Ability to lead product teams, and work well with design and sales • Ability to travel both domestically & internationally as needed.

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• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing/Business or related field preferred • Minimum 5 years photography or other product marketing or related experience; or • Combination of education and/or experience may be substituted for degree • Previous product management in the photographic industry preferred

Founded in Canada in 1981, The DayMen Group has enjoyed an exceptional reputation in the photographic and consumer electronics industry. DayMen, the innovative manufacturer and leading distributor of the Lowepro, JOBY and Acme Made brands.

DayMen also distributes numerous high quality third-party imaging products and accessories, including Giotto’s, B+W, ExpoImaging and Tokina.

If you feel that you have the passion and commitment to join a fast paced working environment, then please send your CV with covering letter to recruitment@daymen.eu

www.daymen.co.uk 27/06/2013 09:16

SPEcIaL REPORT

aV & cOMPuTING

Soundbars remain ‘Hero’ Product for CE

The latest research from GfK shows that the soundbars market has more than tripled in the latest 12 month period, driven by sales of larger screen LED technology Lucy Twist, Account Manager at GfK comments: ‘The continued uptake in LED technology in increasingly larger TV screen sizes (43”+ TV’s now account for 13 percent of all TV volume sales), has brought with it a rise in thinner screens, smaller sound cavities, and a deterioration in sound quality produced by the TVs. This has been recognised both by TV manufacturers and audio-specific brands; putting more focus on

the soundbar category as a clutter-free sound upgrade solution, with retailers affording more space within stores to these products. The result is that the soundbar market has more

Film - How to fake It DXO Software capitalises on analogue trend DxO Labs has released version 4 of its analogue film simulation and creative effects software, reflecting the sustained trend for traditional film photography and for digital photographers to emulate this look. DxO FilmPack 4 adds 65 aestheticallypleasing renderings and new effects to help photographers give their photos a unique style, whether in colour or in black & white. With DxO FilmPack 4, photographers can apply

to their digital photos all the characteristic colour, contrast, and grain of analogue films, along with many original looks, filters, tonings, and visual effects — all of which can be infinitely combined and customised.

flash - Made Simple

PNY makes memory choices clear for photographers, bringing clarity back to the market PNY’s new line of SDHC Flash and CompactFlash memory cards offers a complete range of photography and video solutions that is easy to understand.

Adrien Thebault, Storage Media Product Manager for PNY Europe, said: “We’re bringing clarity back into a confused marketplace. We want consumers and professionals at all levels to easily recognise the right product for them.”

The Elite Performance range, is a solution to meet the precise needs of elite photographers, looking to use high burst-mode. The cards are available up to 64GB, with speeds of up to 100 MB per second.

The High-Performance Flash cards deliver the capacity, speed and performance needed to support the capabilities of advanced photo enthusiasts in need of ultra-fast transfer rates.

The SDHC Performance 30 MB/s cards are designed for the first-time DSLR users, hybrid cameras, and HD camcorders. The cards offer quick speeds at affordable prices, and are available in capacities up to 32GB, with maximum speeds of 30 MB/s.

The SDHC Premium range is the perfect solution for amateur photographers using point & shoot cameras and digital camcorders. The cards are available in capacities up to 32GB.

Perfect Photo Suite - Perfected onOne launches Perfect Photo Suite 7.5 onOne have now launched Perfect Photo Suite 7.5 for Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Photoshop Lightroom, Adobe Photoshop Elements, Apple Aperture, and as a standalone application.

It’s a free update for all Perfect Photo Suite 7 users, and will install over their current Suite 7 installation.

The update includes a new Quick View Browser, refinements to the Perfect Brush,

than tripled in the latest 12 months, with products that contain smartphone docking capabilities (both wireless and physical) offering a dual-purpose as a personal stereo. More recently, there has been a movement towards wireless docking (i.e. Airplay and Bluetooth); mirroring a trend seen in other more established audio markets with a shift from physical “cradle” docking to wireless docking’. www.gfk.com

Ghostbird Software to Boost Flickr Yahoo has acquired Ghostbird Software to help add to Flickr’s functionality.

Ghostbird created some of the top imgaging apps for iOS, including PhotoForge 2 which allows advanced image editing on mobile device, with features like layering and masking and KitCam, which enabled phone photographers to control exposure, white balance, and more.

TV Smartens Up Sony has announced its latest Google TV offering with the NSZ-GS8 Internet Player with Google TV. The product plugs into any TV with an HDMI connection – and allows the users to search live TV, the internet and apps.

Users can type or use voice control, further opening up options for upselling wireless keyboards etc to keen users.

The new Internet Player with Google TV makes sharing photos and videos seamless with no fuss and no wires, and it’s also compatiple with iOS devices.

Sony’s blog about the product highlighted the ability to connect to the internet ‘properly’ - enabling free browsing and autocomplete rather than just offering automatic connections to Amazon, Netflix and the like.

tested compatibility with the upcoming Lightroom 5, performance improvements, and general bug fixes. Also included are tools that tackle problems commonly encountered in photo editing—Red Eye reduction tools and a Clone Brush that removes distractions.

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SPEcIaL REPORT FOcuS

THE BIG INTERVIEW contiuned from Page 1...

I’m confident in helping them find products to meet their needs.

So you’ll be extending independent retail-style customer service to online customers?

It may just be a website but customers definitely are invited to ring me and talk through their decisions and needs. I’m a retailer at heart, I just don’t see it as the right time to have a retail store at the moment.

I take it we’re not going to be seeing Cherished Camera Company stores on the high street any time soon then?

Oh I’ll never say never, but you’re right, it’s not in the immediate business plan. The crystal ball’s a little cloudy at the moment.

Do you feel the Jacobs pedigree is going to help with the new business?

One of the things people got from Jacobs, and I hope will continue to enjoy from Cherished, is confidence. It’s not about the hard sell, It’s about customers feeling confident that if they have any problems, they’ll be sorted out quickly – which of course, they are entitled to by law, but our friendly and personable manner is not what consumers have been conditioned to expect from internet sellers. There’s a real person behind the Cherished Camera Company’s website, and I intend for that to show.

What’s your take on the high street imaging trade now?

I can’t say I think it’s improved. In most cities it’s now difficult to buy from independent specialist retailer: you’re reduced to department stores. If you want specialist accessories – small things like eye caps or filters – you’re then forced to the internet. This is hard to swallow considering how popular photography still is as a hobby… after all, you can still find specialist bike stores in most areas, camping retailers and the like, but the nature of the photo trade is that the business was easily targeted by the internet.

In my honest opinion, the margin in new

cREDITS & cONTacTS

“It’s not about the hard sell, It’s about customers feeling confident that if they have any problems, they’ll be sorted out quickly” products as it stands just doesn’t support retail. I don’t see how the market can grow and continue to be popular if we get to a point where there’s no way for consumers to touch and try the products, so I think manufacturers need to be paying for the privilege of having retail presences as show rooms, effectively, by finding ways to put that margin back into retail. Of course, there are other areas of the business for retailers to make money on if done right, but the traditional revenue streams are struggling.

With that in mind, what’s your take on Jessops’ latest incarnation?

I think Peter Jones is a very brave man, put it that way. I’ll be very interested to see how it all works out.

You’ve clearly identified secondhand as an area of strength. What other areas in today’s imaging market do you see offering potential for businesses to grow?

That comes down to manufacturer developments. If they keep introducing more of the same with a few minor tweaks, consumers won’t get excited, but when technology comes along in leaps and bounds, it drives enthusiasm.

People place a lot of stock in CSC, but I see it going the same way as APS. Essentially, they’ve created a product first and then looked for an audience for it, which is the wrong way round. The concept itself isn’t actually new, it’s a rehash and for us at Jacobs, it wasn’t a concept that sold. For me, the best part of the industry is still DSLR, and getting more and more hobbyists to shop at this level is where the exciting potential lies.

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

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Speaking of major changes in the industry, what do you think of the closure of Focus on Imaging?

It’s a real shame. The problems start when manufacturers don’t see the necessity of putting their products in front of consumers for them to touch and try. Most of the big brands – with only a couple of notable exceptions – were in and out of the exhibition from one year to the next, and what does that say to consumers who want to try out their products?

Every year you’d see new things that perhaps had only otherwise been sold online, and that’s another opportunity missed. I think the knock on business that continues throughout the year will be missed too. It’s a great shame – Mary [Walker, Organiser, Focus on Imaging] did a great job for the trade.

Do you have any predictions for the imaging trade in the next few years?

A tough future. I wish I could say something more positive but I think most of the traditional photo sector who read Pixel would know I was lying if I said I saw business returning to the way it used to be. For those who wish to remain purely photo and stick to their traditional business, offering excellent service is key to becoming a destination store that dedicated enthusiasts will visit no matter what the internet tempts them with. For others, diversifying into higher margin products may be necessary to sustain business. And I say best of luck to all of you!

www.cherishedcameracompany.com

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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.

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Pixel M

Impossible Shots Made Possible

www.delkin.com sales@delkineurope.com 0800 1313559 8 www.pixel.co.uk delkinad_HE.indd 1

Pixel June 2013.indd 2013.indd 815 Pixel March

www.pixel.co.uk 15 13/02/2013 15:38

27/06/201317:05 09:17 27/03/2013

Power to explore Explore the full-frame world with the compact and lightweight EOS 6D. Featuring integrated Wi-Fi and GPS the EOS 6D is ideal for travel photography from stunning landscapes to pin sharp portraits.

Latitude 63,57.443N Longitude 19,22.8429W Lens EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM Shooting Mode Aperture Priority AE Aperture f/11.0 Shutter Speed 1/1600 ISO 400

canon.co.uk/EOS6D

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ŠRichard Walch. Canon Ambassador

27/06/2013 09:17