Pixel Magazine 8th May 2012

ISSUE NO. 872

APRIL 2012

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

The Insider

Does the future of imaging lie in the Home Cinema industry?

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08/05/2012

Photo Market to reach $82 billion Latest research from market forecasters BCC predicts a bright future for photo!

THE NEWS

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

Pixel speaks to Nikon about their focus on the enthuiast photographer

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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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BCC Research claims the photography market should reach $82.5 billion by 2016.

The global digital photography market was valued at $65.6 billion in 2010, and $68.4 billion in 2011.

The 2016 prediction reflects a 3.8 percent annual growth rate.

Cameras and lenses account for the bulk of the photography market, the firm reports, representing 55 percent of global sales. This market segment was valued at is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 5.8 percent, reaching $49.8 billion in 2016.

The photo print industry is struggling to maintain growth, however. In 2016, the segment is expected to slide in sales, decreasing to $24.7 billion, down from $25 billion in 2011.

Nikon launches the D3200, featuring new guide modes and wireless connectivity

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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

“Photography services account for several hundred billion more in revenues and the opportunities for providing these services digitally have become big business.” www.bccresearch.com

Expertise for Beginners

LAUNCH PAD

The latest imaging products launched that you should not miss

www.pixellive.co.uk

Nikon has unveiled the D3200: a new entrylevel DSLR camera designed to be the easy first step of a long and fruitful and enjoyable DSLR

photography hobby or even career.

With a 24.2 MP sensor, new guide modes and the potential to wirelessly connect to a smartphone or mobile device for instant picture sharing, this new model is set to follow the outstanding sucess of the D3100 and capture the growing market of consumers stepping up to DSLR photography from their compact camera.

Rather than adjusting settings automatically, Nikon’s Guide Modes show the user how to capture the shot they want.

For more on Nikon’s wireless connections, take a look at The New World of Imaging on page 7; for full details on the D3200, see Launch Pad on page 12 and for Pixel’s exclusive interview with Nikon’s enthusiast category manager, Simon Iddon, see page 4.

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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.

As any regular reader will know, I try my best to bring an informed eye to what’s happening in our industry. I try and reflect on what I see day to day with the benefit of having been in this business for a long time and having lived through the changes, challenges and developments that have faced us. Recently however, I have started to realise that a number of innovations that have been coming our way have relevance to a much wider world than just that of the imaging retail industry.

You may or not beware that over the last six months Canon have been laying down some pretty heavyweight markers within the filmmaking industry. In short they have been taking on Hollywood with big filmmakers Martin Scorcese and Ron Howard on their team. They kicked off in the heart of the beast at Paramount Studios in Los Angeles with the worldwide launch of the C300 (C for Cinema) and have followed up with the one, two of the recently launched EOS-1D C and EOS C500. Now what does that all mean I hear you say, we’re only just getting our heads around the concept of explaining a stills camera shooting video to our customers, why are they bombarding us with more film cameras? Well, hold on a minute because these are not just cameras, just as Sony’s F65 is not just a camera. Why? Because these are 4K cameras, not in price, but in quality.

4K is the emerging standard for resolution in digital cinematography and computer graphics and its name is derived from its horizontal resolution, which is approximately 4,000 pixels. This designation is different from those used in the digital television industry, which are represented by the vertical pixel count; for example 480p, 576p, 720p, and 1080p. 4K represents the horizontal resolution because there are numerous aspect ratios used in cinema — so while the horizontal resolution stays constant, the vertical resolution depends on the video source. In the film world, smaller-grain

structures enable more detailed images to be exhibited. In the move to digital, pixels replaced grain as the basic elements of an image. The smaller the pixel size and the greater the number of pixels in an image frame results in the ability to display more detailed and realistic images.

Those are the facts and the figures but what does it mean? Well, these new 4K cameras are going to completely change how we view the moving image at home. The cinema experience really will be achievable at home, in fact the home experience will be better than many of the multiplex cinema experiences of today.

We have been able to improve the audio quality of our home cinema systems for some years now and apart from the arrival of bluray we have been able to very little to improve the visual experience other than by getting bigger and bigger televisions. We will in the not too distant future be able to watch 4K created content such as films and broadcast programmes on 4K screens and most importantly for our industry you we will be able to view self created 4K created stills and moving images on those same 4K screens. It’s the future of viewing and therefore it is the future of digital image capture and therefore it is the future of our industry. I think.

Of course the past is littered with Betamax’s, Sinclair C5’s and Laser Discs and you may therefore dismiss this premise as pure 1970’s Tomorrow’s World rubbish. But be aware that we are not talking about the far future here we are talking about the near future. The Canon and Sony cameras are real and here now, they are not cheap but they are for sale and cinemas, which take the quality of their projections seriously are already upgrading to 4K. When we all have digital televisions what will be the reason for us all to upgrade? The answer is 4K. This week’s thought is a sobering one and it is this. The future for our industry may well be in cinema. I’m ready for my close up Mr. DeMille…

FOCUS

News Colour Confidence to Distribute iPowerUp Color Confidence, the leading distributor into the Apple, imaging and creative channels, have today announced their appointment as UK distributor for the iPowerUp range. iPowerUp develops advanced accessory mobile power products for consumers and business professionals.

The iPowerUp products are available for pre-order immediately from Color Confidence, and stock will arrive during April.

Geoffrey Clements, Managing Director at Color Confidence commented: “The iPowerUp range of products is a significant addition to our extensive product portfolio.

It adds a high quality selection of iPhone accessories to our existing offering for the mac market and further solidifies our position as a leading distributor into the apple channel”.

For more information, dealers can download the iPowerUp dealer pack from the Color Confidence dealer zone on www.colorconfidence.com/reseller

Sony: Reorganisation and Job Cuts Confirmed Following reports in April of job losses at Sony, Sony has provided Pixel with the following statement about the company reorganisation.

“As you know, Sony’s new President and CEO, Kazuo Hirai, has announced plans to revitalise Sony’s electronics business. Sony Europe is proposing significant organisational changes to simplify its consumer business, increase customer responsiveness and speed up decision making. Ten sales companies will become one integrated team covering Sales, Marketing and Business Support areas such as finance, logistics, HR and communications. The proposed changes are subject to local consultation and may result in efficiencies and headcount reduction.

“We can confirm that Gildas Pelliet, currently Managing Director for Sony UK and Ireland, has been appointed European Marketing Head (Consumer). Chris Bowen, currently Sales Director for the UK, has been appointed Country Head UK and Ireland, and will continue to manage the commercial relations at a local level. Shaun Dorrington has been appointed Marketing Head for UK and Ireland.” www.sony.com

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The Journey Begins The D3200 is just one of the latest releases to be aimed at the step-up photographer. Pixel speaks directly to Nikon about how the manufacturer is targeting the enthusiast sector, and what retailers can do to make the most of the opportunities it offers.

Simon Iddon, Product Manager for DX DSLR and Nikon 1 products

Judging by comments at a recent event, some of the consumer press were confused as to how the new D3200 sits with the Nikon 1 range. How do you respond to this?

The D3200 and Nikon 1 were designed to meet different demands for very different target audiences. For us the distinction is really clear, and I hope that once everybody has had a look at both cameras, they will understand how these cameras have two completely separate purposes.

The D3200 is for people who have an interest in improving their photography, who are interested in developing their hobby over the long term but are just starting out on the path of DSLRs. This kind of customer is interested in taking great pictures but they admit that perhaps they don’t know much about photography itself. The features and benefits of the D3200 were created to meet these needs – such as the 24.2 megapixel image sensor that allows them to crop into photos without losing details or to print large canvas pictures. The enhanced Guide Mode feature is also included to guide and educate them how to achieve techniques such as blurred backgrounds in images, showing water flowing, capturing reds in sunsets, all of which are difficult for a beginner as they may not know where to start. By not only helping them to achieve these complicated shots, but by showing them how it is done and the settings they need to use in future, this function has been designed to help to grow their interest in photography. All of these features were included to meet the demand of the target customer who wants a more serious camera and to be able to take great images - that’s the D3200.

The Nikon 1, on the other hand, is all about simplicity with a sleek design and minimal buttons combined with an intuitive menu interface. The camera is packed with groundbreaking technology and amazing new shooting modes like Motion Snapshot and Smart Photo Selector, plus full HD movie shooting with the ability to capture still images at the same time.

This is more about offering more features than a comact camera - including, of course, access to more lens options and other accessories.

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The audience for the Nikon 1 is therefore the enthusiastic compact camera user who wants better quality photos and more options, or the serious photographer who wants an everyday camera to compliment their existing kit, without the bulk and weight of DSLR equipment. It’s more of a lifestyle choice.

The features and design combined therefore make the Nikon 1 a very different proposition to the D3200 and I really don’t feel that they conflict with each other in any way.

How important is the enthusiast sector for Nikon?

It’s a very wide bracket, and to me it’s the most important in a way, as it’s the beginning of a consumer’s true interest in photography beyond every day snapshots. If we can capture their interest at this level and be the camera of choice for first-time DSLR users and those graduating up from a compact camera then as the customer grows with the system, they are more likely to stay with Nikon and upgrade within the Nikon range.

This is also the level at which they start to need accessories, such as Speedlights and

People have now fully embraced video recording on DSLR, and we know it’s the future. additional lenses, so sales of camera bodies in this area have lots of potential. Historically we have performed very well in this sector, with the D3100 being the best selling D-SLR camera in Europe last year, so it’s an area i which we feel confident Succeeding in this sector is fundamental to us achieving our ambition to be the number one brand in DSLRs, so it’s absolutely crucial that we continue to bring out great products which will inspire consumers who are considering purchasing their first DSLR and encourage a loyalty to the Nikon brand which will hopefully stay with them for life.

What features are this audience looking for in their cameras?

What’s brilliant is that the enthusiast user is exactly that: enthusiastic, so the more functions

and features you can show them, the more excited they will be about getting their hands on a camera and going out to shoot with it.

On a basic level, ease of use is very important for this type of customer, because they don’t have the experience to match their interest at this point. This is why we’ve worked really hard on developing features such as Guide Mode and an intuitive, natural menu system, so that we are able to help them take the shots they want whilst educating them about photography, which should stand them in good stead and help them to continue and grow their interest, rather than doing everything for them automatically, although of course the auto modes are there for quick opportunities.

Industry research shows that three quarters of Western European Digital camera owners edit their photos after taking them, and what we found most interesting was that in the UK the most common form of editing is cropping.

That was part of the motivation behind the 24.2MP sensor in the D3200, because as well as giving them an image quality which is sure not to disappoint, it will give them the ability to crop into their images without compromising on detail.

The D300 is very much a product of its time and the great new technology we have at our disposal. The d3100 was a best seller, as I mentioned, and this next step up offers the addition of the 24.2 Megapixel count, which is still something consumers use to judge the specifications of a camera at this entry level.

Once they have learned a bit more about photography, they do come to realise that this ins not always the most important consideration but it’s a good headline-grabbing stat to have, and an easy point for retailers to use when they are selling the camera. Bigger image sensors do tend to have related issues such as increased noise, so we made sure we only released this camera once we could compensate for that and release the product we wanted to. It also coincided with the wireless unit being ready, which is just another great selling point that can be used with this camera.

Video is also now a must-have, and something which is a strengh for Nikon too. Not everybody uses Full HD video all the time, but I think if a customer has the choice between two similar cameras and one offers great video recording, they might favour it just in case an opportunity comes up and they think ‘I wish I could have filmed that’!

THE BIG INTERVIEW

What areas of the trade do Nikon identify as having potential for growth in the near future?

We have experienced fantastic year on year growth across all key categories in a very tough market and therefore we have seen growth in most areas of trade. Hopefully this will continue, and we want to really strengthen our Coolpix compact range as well as these prominent releases in the enthusiast and DSLR sectors.

The brand is spreading widely, which is great news.

Compact System Cameras is our newest market, and we do want to expand on the success of the Nikon 1 with more lenses. We’ve proven that this area works for Nikon, which gives us the confidence to invest and grow in this area.

How are you working with retailers to help them make the most of this growth?

Working with our retail partners is really important, especially when it comes to synchronising their in store activity with our own promotions, as ensuring that we are aligned is key to driving sales. Ensuring that their displays feature the latest POS materials is also important to achieve this.

We have found that Secondary Pacement is key to acheiving sales, especially when they are lead by a promotion such as an advertising campaign or a cash back offer. We have found that when products are placed by brand and by sector it makes it a more effective customer journey and makes it easier for customers to find the products they want if they are browsing by type, for example looking to but a compact system camera. Then having a second, prominent place for a key model helps to capture a sale if they have walked into the store having heard of a specific model.

We are investing heavily in Above The Line activity, such as TV advertising campaigns, to drive customers into stores, and producin POS material to back these up.

On a less direct level, I think that features such as Guide Mode give retailers something really interesting which is easily demonstrated, and helps them to create a bit of retail theatre, which is really important in high street sales in particular.

up Auto Focus noise, and by adding an external mic input connection this issue can be resolved, so adding external mic input into the D3200 was an important step forward.

Sound quality was also an important consideration on the D4, as it has been designed with video broadcast professionals in mind. It’s something camera buyers are increasingly going to be looking for, going forward.

The wireless connection option is a major selling point for the D3200. What prompted this development?

The growth in popularity of social networking and image sharing is a key trend, and wireless connectivity has grown in acceptance in recent years and therefore offering our customers the ability to seamlessly integrate their camera with their Smart Device was a logical step forward.

Nikon did have a camera with a wireless upload function years ago, but the market wasn’t ready for it at the time. This area has now matured and it’s a feature which consumers are actively seeking and interested in. It’s a big thing for a retailer to be able to sell and a big step forward for Nikon.

What do you think are the most significant trends currently shaping the imaging industry?

One of the most significant trends in the imaging industry is the growth of image sharing and the social aspect of photography. Consumers really want engagement with their photography and videos, they want to be able to share them and receive comments and feedback as quickly as possible, so there is a growing importance in the need to make it easy for customers to capture great images and easily share these images with friends and family. With the D3200 we have introduced the ability to wirelessly connect to a Smart Device, which will help us meet this trend and is our first step into this new area.

Video is really important too, and convergence is fundemental as a part of the imaging trade now. People are quickly becoming very serious about having image capture, HD video recording and image sharing all in one device, because it offers them convenience in terms of having to carry less equipment around with them and also in terms of being able to use intercangeable lenses in their video making.

It’s a very exciting time, there’s so much happening so quickly and we’re proud to be at the forefront of thes advances.

Do you think it will eventually become industry standard?

[Laughs} Well, Nikon had the first video DSLR and look what happened there!

Nikon’s recent releases have also featured advanced sound recording options. How significant is this?

People have now fully embraced video recording on DSLRs, and we know it’s the future so it was important for us that the sound quality matched up to the outstanding quality of the image. With built-in mic, there can be the problem of picking

www.nikon.co.uk

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

The changing shape of online phoTO Futuresource examines the online photo channel and finds contuning growth as photobooks overtake standard prints in terms of sales, by value.

The online photo market in the UK continues to gain traction, growing nearly 20% last year to reach a value of €150m.

A further 15% growth is expected in 2012, realising a market value of nearly €170m. This figure includes photo prints, photobook and photo-merchandise products such as calendars, cards, canvas, posters and other single image gifts.

The shape of the market continues to shift, and the value of photobooks ordered online has now overtaken prints as the most valuable product, worth nearly €45 million in 2011 compared to €30 million for online prints.

Photo-Merchandise makes up the remainder, reaching nearly €75 million in 2011, largely driven by photo-cards and wall décor, which combined account for nearly c.70% of the merchandise segment.

Online Mail Order is the driving force of the channel in the UK, accounting for 88% of online

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market value for all products. Online Pick Up in Store is growing in popularity in the UK, but has had limited availability to date. Jessops, Tesco and Asda are currently the key drivers of Online Pick Up in Store; it is now available across all Jessops stores. Tesco offers the service across 150 stores but is expected to increase the coverage this year, while Asda offers the service across 200 stores. Boots and Timpson do not currently offer this service but both are thought to be considering launching a service this year.

Competitively, the market leader for nearly all online photo products is Photobox. The company has dominated this space for a number of years and with its recent purchase of Moonpig, continues to consolidate its position.

Other key producers include CeWe Color and Harrier who produce for some of the leading online and retailer websites such as Snapfish, Truprint, Jessops and Tesco. With the rise of photobooks and photo-merchandise we have

seen many newcomers enter the photo segment such as Moonpig and Funky Pigeon in the card segment, Vistaprint in cards and calendars and Hello Canvas for wall décor.

Moving forward Futuresource expects the Online channel to continue to be a key driver of growth for the photo market, accounting for 40% of the total UK Photo Market by the end of 2012.

For industry comment, forecasting and trends contact Joanna Wright at Futuresource Joanna.wright@futuresource-hq.com

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THE BUSINESS

Double Trouble

The ‘double dip’ recession may take the wind out of our sails (and sales!) after a positive start to the spring in March.

Consumers are likely to snap their purses shut in respons to the news that a double dip recession is now official. Figures from the Office for National Statistics showed a sales lift in March, but industry bodies including KPMG and the British Retail Consortium have warned retailers to observe the reports of revival with some caution, as they have been artificially skewed by unseasonal weather and fuel-crisisinduced panic buying. “On the face of it these figures look good and indeed the retail sector had a much stronger end to the first quarter,” commented Helen Dickenson, head of retail at KPMG. “However, they need to be interpreted with caution – particularly as the ONS figures have been open to challenge over recent months.

They continue to show some anomalies not reflective of the underlying reality of the structural change ongoing in the sector. For example the

ONS figures suggest smaller stores with 10 to 99 employees are growing sales by between 12 to 19.6 per cent in value terms, but the reality is that independent retailers are being hit the hardest by the current challenging environment, as the store vacancy rates at 15 per cent shows.

“The headline growth figure of 5.7 per cent was boosted by fuel sales, where consumers both stocked up given the threat of the tanker driver strike and had higher prices to contend with. When considering retail sector performance, it makes more sense to exclude fuel sales.”

The BRC added that the warm weather we saw in March contributed heavily to the growth, with clothing and garden supplies driving most of the lift as people prepared to enjoy sunshine. www.statistics.gov.uk www.brc.org www.kpmg.com

And the Winner is...

Each year, the best products from the imaging world are tried and tested by a board of technical experts from the imaging press, and the best of the best are recognised with a TIPA award to keep all year!

So, without further ado, here are the Technical Imaging Press Association’s pick of imaging products for 2012 in full: Best Photo Software: Adobe Photoshop Elements 10 Best Compact Camera: Samsung MV800 Best Expert Compact: Canon PowerShot G1 X Best Rugged Compact: Pentax Optio WG2 Best Superzoom Camera: Fujifilm X-S1 Best CSC Entry Level: Olympus PEN E-PL3 Best CSC Advanced: Panasonic Lumix GX1 Best CSC Expert: Sony Alpha NEX-7 Best CSC Professional: Fujifilm X-Pro1 Best DSLR Entry Level: Nikon D5100 Best DSLR Advanced: Sony Alpha SLT-A65 Best DSLR Expert: Nikon D800 Best DSLR Professional: Canon EOS-1D X Best Video DSLR: Canon EOS 5D Mark III Best Premium Camera: Leica M9-P Best Professional Videocamera: Canon EOS C300 Digital Cinema Camera Best SLR Video Accessory: OConnor O-Focus Dual Mini Best CSC Entry-Level Lens: Tamron 18200mm F/3.5-6.3 Di III VC Best CSC Fixed Focus Lens: Olympus M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 12mm 1:2.0 Best CSC Expert Lens: Panasonic Lumix G X Vario PZ 14-42mm Best Entry Level DSLR Lens: Sigma 18200mm F3.5-6.3 II DC OS HSM Best Expert DSLR Lens: Sigma APO MACRO 180mm F2.8 EX DG OS HSM

Best Professional DSLR Lens: Canon EF 8–15mm f/4L USM fisheye lens Best Multifunction Photo Printer: Canon PIXMA MG8250 Best Expert Photo Printer: Epson Stylus Photo 1500W Best Photo Service: Fujifilm Fotoservice Pro Best Fine Art Inkjet Paper: ILFORD GALERIE Prestige 310gsm Best Tripod: Gitzo New Systematic series Best Mobile Photo App: Snapseed Best Professional Flash System: Nikon SB-910 Best imaging Innovation: Nokia PureView Digital Best Mobile Imaging Device: Samsung GALAXY Nexus Best Photo TV Display: Samsung Smart OLED TV Best Photo Monitor: Samsung SyncMaster 24/27A850 (PLS) Best Photo Projector: Epson EH-TW9000W Best Imaging Storage Media: Sony XQD Memory Cards Best Accessory: Vanguard BBH-200 Ball Head Best Photo Bag: Vanguard Heralder series Best Digital Accessory: Wacom Intuos5 series Best Colour Management System: X-Rite i1 Display Pro TIPA has just completed selection of the board for next year, who are sure to have an interesting selection of products in the running. But will the models which just missed out on being eligible for this years awards have been superceeded by then? Time will tell. www.tipa.com

News

May is... Lomography Lab Month To celebrate a year since the opening of their London lab, Lomography are holding a month of special events in their gallery stores. In that year, Lomo say they have processed 13,926 rolls of film across the 3 UK stores and online.

Here’s a rundown of the promotions that will be taking place during ‘LomoLab Month’: Week 1: Ready, set, shoot: 10% off all standard 35mm & 120 film processing.

Week 2: Movie Madness: Process 5 LomoKino films get 1 processed free.

Week 3: Big It Up: Half Price Enlargements - 10x10, 10x8 from digital files only.

Week 4: Panorama-Rama: 10% off all panoramic camera processing: Spinner 360, Sprocket Rocket & Horizion services.

Each Store will be running a series of instore workshops events and competitions throughout May. www.lomography.com

Bron and Hasselblad to Merge Operations Hasselblad USA and Bron Imaging Group have announced an agreement through which the two companies will merge their operations in the U.S., effective immediately, creating a combined company known as Hasselblad Bron Inc. The transaction will combine Hasselblad USA and Bron Imaging’s distribution channels and sales forces. Additionally, customer support, repair operations, marketing and administration will be combined into a single operation.

The partnership is an expansion of an existing two-year marketing relationship between the companies, through which the companies worked closely together to develop their brands in the professional photography market.

Under terms of the merger, Hasselblad Bron Inc., will be a single entity providing support for all of the brands of the combined company.

The new Hasselblad Bron Inc. will relocate to a single facility this summer. www.hasselbald.com

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THE NEW WORLD OF IMAGING

Remote Control

The Rumour

Is the facility to control shooting remotely via mobile devices going to be the next must-have function for imaging products?

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!

Are we witnessing he beginning of 2012’s hottest trend? The release of Nikon’s D3200 was accompanied by the I AM Connected wireless connection kit, allowing users to wirelessly upload their photos using their smartphone or tablet, and to control their camera through the same device.

OnOne Software also have an app which allows wireless control, called DSLR Camera Remote HD, with versions for the iPhone and iPad. The app works in conjunction with a WiFi-enabled computer and compatible Nikon or Canon DSLR camera to allow the user to adjust camera’s settings, fire the shutter, review images, get a live viewfinder preview, and record video. The app also features an Auto Bracketing mode for expanded exposure brackets, a Burst mode for continuous shooting, and the ability to save low-res versions of images to the iPad

Rumour has it that... both Canon and Nikon may be working on new entrylevel full frame cameras.

It’s suspected that one of the two names might anounce their version at the beginning of the summer, but who will be first is the subject of much guesswork at the moment.

Both manufacturers have been subject to delays on major models over the last year, so commenters are also speculating on when a model announced for the summer would actually reach the market.

Via Petapixel

for emailing and sharing. Apple’s own camera connect kit is also proving extremely popular, so Nikon’s wireless unit looks to be a success before it even hits the shelves.

Expected in mid May, the WU-1a is a USB dongle that lets photographers connect their camera to smart mobile devices. Designed to enable easy sharing, backup and remote camera control, the WU-1a is equipped with built-in WiFi for direct camera-to-device communication without the need to connect to external Wi-Fi hotspots first. Users can send high-quality photos and movies directly from their D3200 to a smartphone or tablet, or control their camera from their smart device. This makes it exceptionally useful for those who want to take advantage of the bigger screen on the tablet to compose more elaborate shots. www.nikon.co.uk

Blooming Unique

Rumour has it that... Aptina Imaging may be developing a new CMOS sensor for DSLRs, and according to unofficial sources, the technology will be used in Nikon cameras.

Aptina have confirmed that they are working on large format CMOS sensor technology but would not confirm the suggestion that the client was Nikon. We shall see!

Via Aptina Imaging

They do say that necessity is the mother of all invention, as Movetech have demonstrated with this experimental product for time lapse video.

Rumour has it that... specifications may now have leaked for the rumoured soon-to-be-released Sony a37 and NEX F3 cameras. The a37 is thought to have a 16.1 MP sensor, tiltable LCD, full HD video with face detection and availability of around June.

The Nex-F3 is thought to share the same sensor, plus the latest Bionz processor, MP4 Codec, large battery capacity and built in flash. It’s thought the models will retil Fuji Quarter Page Advert.pdf 18/11/11 16:44:24 for similar price points.

Via Photorumours

Movetech UK has helped Don Dennis of The Flower Essence Repertoire Ltd demonstrate the nature of orchids by supplying a small turntable with a versatile control box. The revolving turntable and controller allow him to rotate a flower at time-lapsed intervals to create slideshows and videos of the orchids coming into bloom as well as allowing stills to be taken from various angles.

Don Dennis explains: "Creating rotational views of orchids manually, using the timer function on my camera, was tough as I had to turn the orchid in 700 increments every 4 seconds. An internet search found Movetech UK, who took on my bizarre request.

“I also realised I wanted to create a rotational time-lapse video - so Movetech UK created a control box, with complete flexibility of run-time, speed of rotation and length of pauses. The turntable can be set on a continuous rotation at from 4 rpm to one-thousandth that speed, and

for the timed pause I set the 3 primary controls to enable a turn every 2 minutes, with a full revolution taking about 45 hours.” healingorchids.com/otherorchidvideos.html

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Frontier Series

DryMinilab Series

Epson Wide Format Printers

ASK Instant Printers

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Call Fujifilm Photo Imaging on 012354 217724 or email photoimaging@fuji.co.uk

Quick Print Station

Xerox Phaser

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.

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www.pixellive.co.uk 11 Find out more at www.fujifilm.co.uk/x-pro1

Your Essential Guide to the Latest Launches

Name: Nikon D3200 RRP: £599.99 Release Date: Immediate

Name: Hasselblad Phocus 2.6.6 RRP: Release Date: Immediate

The D3200 is for photographers who have never used a D-SLR camera before.It features Guide Mode, previously seen on the popular D3000 and D3100 plus Scene Recognition System, Scene Auto Selector in Live View and Scene Modes that will apply the most relevant setting. The D3200’s 24.2 megapixels is useful for both cropping and printing large images, keeping memories alive without a loss of sharpness.

Nikon’s Active D-Lighting automatically adjusts the lighting while retaining detail in both dark and bright areas With an easy-access movie record button, the D3200 offers full HD movie recording with optional external microphone input and in camera editing.

Wirelessly transmitting images from the camera to an Android smart device is now possible by using the optional WU-1a Wireless Mobile Adapter.

Because a Wi-Fi connection is not needed transfer images from the camera to a smart device, the WU-1a Wireless Mobile Adapter is ideal for travelling.

The WU-1a also allows the user to remotely preview the screen and trigger the shutter from Android smart devices. www.nikon.co.uk

Hasselblad has launched Phocus 2.6.6 - a brand new version of its intuitive Phocus software, plus a new feature-rich Phocus Mobile 2.0 format for iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch.

Phocus Mobile enables wireless camera control Hasselblad says the innovative Phocus 2.6.6 software upgrade “provides uncompromising image quality and allows photographers to work quickly, efficiently and creatively with the world’s most advanced image files.”

Features in Phocus include: Hasselblad Natural Color Solution (HNCS); Sophisticated lens corrections for H and V System lenses; Advanced tethered camera control; Easy- to-use interface; Extensive customization options for individual workflow scenarios; License-free software with unlimited installations and no registration issues; Live video; Scene calibration and reproduction tools; Highlight recovery, shadow fill, clarity and dust removal tools. www.hassleblad.co.uk Name: Canon 4K Lenses RRP: TBC Release Date: September 2012 Canon have unveiled four new lens models supporting 4K resolution, which will be smaller, lighter and more compact than previous options, available with both EF and PL mounts,and available at competitive prices.

The expanded EF Cinema Lens series will include two wide-angle cinema zoom lenses, the CN-E15.5-47mm T2.8 L S (EF mount) and CN-E15.5-47mm T2.8 L SP (PL mount), alongside two telephoto cinema zoom lenses, the CN-E30-105mm T2.8 L S (EF) and CNE30-105mm T2.8 L SP (PL). Ideal for use with next-generation 4K cinema cameras, the new lenses will join Canon’s existing line-up of high-end EF Cinema Lenses. In addition to compatibility with industry-standard Super 35 mm-equivalent cameras, the four cinema zoom lenses will also offer superior flexibility. Each lens will feature a compact, lightweight body supporting a wide focal range, making them ideal for handheld shooting. www.canon.co.uk

Name: Adobe Creative Suite 6 RRP: £556 (Exc VAT) Release Date: Immediate New releases of 14 CS6 applications and four Creative Suites will provide users with the ability to download and install every Adobe CS6 application.

In Photoshop CS6, designers will experience incredible performance, powered by the Adobe Mercury Graphics Engine, enabling near instant results from essential editing tools. Illustrator CS6 debuts a revamped modern interface, and features include a new image tracing engine, easy pattern creation and ability to apply gradients to strokes. InDesign CS6 streamlines the creation of multiple layouts from a single set of content with new Adaptive Design Tools – Alternate Layout, Liquid Layout, Content Collector Tools and Linked Content. A brand new application, Adobe Muse, a radical tool that enables designers to create and publish HTML5 web sites without writing code, was also announced. www.adobe.com

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THE LAUNCHPAD LAUNCH PAD

Name: Samsung’s NX20, NX210 and NX1000 RRP: £899, £749 and £599 Release Date: June These new models are the first compact system cameras to deliver complete Wi-Fi connectivity, SMART devices with in-built Wi-Fi, allowing users to connect to wireless networks without any additional cards or devices.

Each model boasts a 20.3MP APS-C CMOS sensor and a wide range ISO (100-12800).

The NX20 The speed of the NX20 is a key advantage, boasting a shutter speed of 1/8000 sec to enable clear shots of action-filled settings. With 1080p Full HD Stereo Movie Recording (H.264), the new NX models also guarantee highquality video alongside DSLR-standard images.

The NX20 is built for the enthusiastic amateur or for the professional photographer looking for a camera that offers them the quality and control of their DSLR, but in a lightweight and easily portable body. It has been designed with the serious photographer in mind, incorporating an ergonomic hand grip and DSLR-style aesthetic to convey a professional look and feel. As standard across the range, the NX20 is also compatible with Samsung’s innovative i-Function 2.0 lens system. This enables users to control parameters using the lens itself, adjusting the image without moving from the subject. Samsung’s eco-system of professional-quality accessories includes nine bespoke i-Function 2.0 lenses, ranging from pancake to macro, providing pro-standard options for every scenario.

The NX210 The NX210 builds on the NX’s design heritage, with a premium metallic finish.

Like its predecessor the NX200, the NX210 also offers a 3.0” VGA AMOLED display for viewing images and Full HD movies in brilliant resolution. With easy access to Wi-Fi functions, the NX210 allows quick sharing with friends and family, whilst with Samsung Mobile Link users can show off their best images on phones and tablets.

NX1000 Rounding off the range, the NX1000 is highly portable and its eye-catching compact design makes it as useable as it is attractive. Available in stunning White, classic Black and eye-catching Pink the NX1000 houses a feature-rich range of specs, with technology such as Smart Auto 2.0 and the Smart Link Hot Key, making it simpler than ever to shoot and share great images instantly.

The first CSC range to incorporate Wi-Fi SMART features, the new cameras enable photographers to instantly share and back up both images and video.

On all of the new NX models, sharing to social networks such as Facebook directly from the device is simple, as is sending to friends and family via email.

Images can also be shared between devices, including the ability to wirelessly share to a Samsung smartphone or tablet using Mobile Link. www.samsung.com

Name: Agfa Photo Batteries RRP: Varies Release Date: Immediate

Name: Vtec Fish Eye lens RRP: £24.99 Release Date: Immediate

Roskerr Limited have announced that they will now be making Agfa Photo Batteries available exclusively to the Photographic Industry.

The full range is available in Lithium, Alkaline Rechargeable, coin cells etc.

Doug Kerr states “Agfa Photo Batteries are an exciting and obvious addition to our portfolio of Products from the largest names in the industry.” www.roskerr.co.uk

Vtec’s new camera lenses aim to make the iPhone thenext interchangeable lens camera sensation.

These camera lenses are a simple addition that will give the user better quality photos on the move right onto the iPhone, also enabling them to share their images with others immediately. The Vtec lenses are compact equipment, so they can be carried all the time. Vtec’s fish-eye lens offers circular 180° fish eye magnification, giving effect to any image taken. This lens is great for fun, quirky shots and also gives the distorted image a black circular border. The fish-eye lens comes with a hard-wearing durable cover for the iPhone that the lens screws onto. These lenses are currently only available for iPhone 3, 4 and 4S, but plans are in the pipeline for other phone models. www.vtec.co.uk

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INSIDE TRACK

PMA Teams Up With Equity Commerce PMA has announced an exclusive alliance with Equity Commerce, L.P., a leader in payment processing. Equity Commerce has provided business payment processing services for more than 7 years. Over the past several months, you may have seen or heard the news on our Preferred Program for PMA members. Equity Commerce is now giving away a free iPhone card reader to any PMA member that signs up for a new merchant account. www.equitycommerce.com

NPM is Almost Here!

In June, a celebration of photography will be held UK wide. The PMA’s Nigel McNaught provides Pixel with an update on marketing activity for the event.

The Photo Marketing Association and Photo Imaging Council (PIC) are behind the UK’s first nationwide month long celebration of photography. National Photography Month will celebrate photography at a time when the use of photography has mushroomed but in many ways its importance has diminished with the ubiquity of mobile phone cameras. The fleeting nature of the digital image combined with the storage of photographs digitally threatens the loss of our personal histories forever.

To help the public appreciate the importance of photography as the record keeper of our most treasured moments we have chosen the theme ‘capture and keep’. National Photography Month aims to encourage the nation to get more involved in photography, and to explore new ways to capture and keep their images. Highlights of the month’s activity include a nationwide schools programme, My School in Focus, a competition helping young people at Key Stage 3 to discover a sense of place through photography. The competition comes with a free resource pack produced especially for National Photography Month to encourage secondary schools to engage with photography and capture and keep images of the school environment, preserving a physical record of school life for years to come. The My School in Focus guidebook includes: • Preparing for your photography workshop • Advice on cameras and equipment, including mobile phone cameras • Ideas for using your images around the school, such as school plans and at open days • Photographic techniques and concepts.

Retailers and suppliers are getting behind National Photography Month with in-store demonstrations and special offers aimed at the target markets; competitions and promotions on cameras, accessories and print products.

A public relations campaign, commissioned by National Photography Month will target national, regional, consumer and specialist titles to support the activity taking place. To assist local retailers with their own publicity materials a ‘Marketing Tool Kit’ has been developed and is accessible through the ‘Trade’ section of www.nationalphotographymonth.co.uk . It includes posters, logos and a Public Relations Tool Kit, complete with template press release, helpful advice and useful information. A TNS Omnibus survey has also been commissioned to find out just how big a problem losing cherished digitally stored images is and the impact the loss has on individuals.

National Photography Month will be launched in London’s Trafalgar Square, the UK’s most photographed destination!

Kodak update Gallery App

New version of Kodak’s software offers advanced features for picture sharing.

Kodak says that with its improved Gallery app, you can “order prints using the one thing you always carry with you: your iPhone” for same-day pickup at a CVS or Target stores.

The Gallery app lets users upload, share and collect photos with friends in a group album. “Ever been to a party or taken a trip where a bunch of friends took pictures that you never saw?” Kodak asks. “Problem solved — just start a Group Album, invite your friends to add their photos and voila!

Everyone’s photos are in one place. “ The app can also share images by email, text, Facebook, or hundreds of other social networks.

Credits & Contacts

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

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