Pixel Weekly Roundup 17/07/14

17th July 2014

ISSUE NO. 920

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INSIDE

MANFROTTO’S NEW BACKPACK WITH TRIPOD POCKET, UK LAUNCH OF OLYMPUS PEN E-PL6, NICKI ZONGRONE JOINS KODAK ALARIS, NIKON’S FREE SOFTWARE APPLICATION, PLUS MORE...

Dreamstime Opens up World’s Largest Designer Community to Mobile Photographers Dreamstime, a distinguished leader in stock photography, has announced the release of Dreamstime Companion, a new free iPhone and Android app that enables photographers to upload their own images directly from their smartphones.

The uploaded images can be purchased by more than eight million Dreamstime users.

Dreamstime hopes to inspire both professional and nonprofessional photographers to explore and source photos that have a more updated, modern and ‘in the moment’ look. Mobile app users are encouraged to upload original images that have a unique concept and are authentic, similar to the company’s website image submission requirements.

SLR Magic Distribution SLR Magic via UK Optics Distribution have announced their latest trade price list. For more information on becoming a stockists, contact tonyedwards@ ukopticsdistribution.co.uk

DAVID BELL EXITS LEICA Since our recent interview (issue 916) with Leica UK Managing Director, David Bell, we have learned that he has exited the company

Since joining the company eight years ago, David has been at the forefront of Leica’s camera activity, steering the brand through a volatile market in recent years.

In an exclusive conversation with Pixel, we learned that Commercial Director Jason Heward has been named General Manager, effective immediately. Heward joined Leica Camera Ltd in 2012 as a Director.

Before joining the company, Heward had worked across a number of industries, and brings a breadth of experience to the role.

Commenting on his new appointment, Heward told us: ‘I am delighted to accept the challenges offered by this new position. This is an exciting time for the company and the industry as a whole. I am looking forward to working closely with our partners in the UK to drive brand growth, through new and existing opportunities. The priority is to maintain the position of the brand above and beyond the shrinking traditional consumer camera market’.

Mr Alfred Schopf, CEO of the Management Board of Leica Camera AG, observed: ‘David has made countless contributions to

Leica in the UK; I am grateful for his passion and commitment to the brand over the years.’

Pixel are also hearing of an agreement being settled with reseller powerhouse, CVP Group.

More on this as we publish a more

comprehensive feature on Leica’s shake up including more official comment from Leica in our end of month bumper issue. Till then, keep up to date with any developments by opening our new daily bulletins.

Nominated, Voted and Chosen by You!

The Pixel Trade Awards gives the UK’s imaging retail trade the opportunity to come together and support and recognise outstanding achievements in the sector at a ceremony held on Thursday 24th October at the Park Plaza River Bank - London Categories confirmed for this year include: • HARDWARE ACCESSORY MANUFACTURER OF THE YEAR • PROCESSING MANUFACTURER OF THE YEAR • OVERALL HARDWARE MANUFACTURER OF THE YEAR • INDEPENDENT RETAILER OF PHOTO -

IMAGING -

THE YEAR • MULTIPLE RETAILER OF THE YEAR • MASS RETAILER OF THE YEAR • INDEPENDENT PRINT/LAB OF THE YEAR • ONLINE RETAILER OF THE YEAR • MULTIPLE PROCESSING RETAILER OF THE YEAR VIDEO

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AUDIO

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TV

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PRINT

• CONSUMER MAGAZINE OF THE YEAR • CONSUMER IMAGING WEBSITE OF THE YEAR • CONSUMER MARKETING CAMPAIGN OF THE YEAR • OVERALL INNOVATION IN IMAGING • DISTRIBUTOR OF THE YEAR -

MOBILE

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STATS

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PEOPLE

• REP OF THE YEAR • RETAIL SALES PERSON OF THE YEAR For further information on attending this year’s event please contact Samantha Ash on 01323 411601 or samanthaash@outlook.co.uk -

RETAIL

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BUSINESS

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NEWS

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WELCOME To Pixel Magazine It’s a great shame that David Bell is no longer at Leica UK. He added a certain sparkle to a company that many saw as all beards, socks and sandals, and was a part of one of the most impressive and definitive brand transformations I have witnessed in the photo trade. Some would argue that the company has swung a little too far towards being a luxury Bond Street label instead of a proper camera maker, but no one could suggest that the about-face hasn’t been impressive. In a situation that has been predominantly about queue management and dealing with back-orders for both bodies and lenses that couldn’t be had for love or money, David has done a great job of adding some excitement to

Leica while maintaining the heartbreaking prices of its products.

He’ll be missed.

Damien Demolder, Pixel’s Editorial Consultant

Manfrotto Launches Backpack with BeFree Tripod Pocket

Manfrotto launches award-winning Advanced Travel Backpack for photographers

Manfrotto has announced the launch of its latest carefully designed photographic equipment carrier with multiple pockets, pouches and compartments for practically anything a photographer could possibly want to take with them on the road.

The backpack is designed to feel compact and highly portable, despite carrying a varied load. Thanks to a number of internal protectors with removable dividers and side zips, equipment can be neatly organised and easily accessible – ideal for photographers who need to set up quickly.

Sarah Bayley, Trade Marketing Manager at Manfrotto told Pixel the new backpack

is an improvement on its predecessors because of its ability to carry a diverse range of equipment while still providing space for personal items: “An extendable side padded pocket is specifically designed to carry a BeFree travel tripod. If users choose not to use the external pocket, the Travel Backpack also features adjustable hanging straps on the front.”

RRP: £109.95.

The backpack is available now – to find out more, visit Manfrotto

Pixel Catches Up With Last Year’s Awards Winner Manfrotto Pixel Magazine caught up with Chris Carr, Managing Director of Manfrotto, and last year’s winner of the Hardware Accessory Manufacturer of the Year 2013 at the Pixel Trade Awards Manfrotto started life in the garage of Lino Manfrotto in the late 1960’s and rapidly grew through the 1970’s when Gilberto Battocchio, a techanical technician, joined the team and within a few short years the partnership of Lino and Gilberto helped to make Manfrotto one of the world’s leading manufactures in photography accessories to date.

What did it mean to Manfrotto

to win the Hardware Accessory of the year award 2013?

To be recognised for anything is always a special achievement and we are grateful to Pixel and our partners that voted for us on this occasion.

Why do you think you won? What makes Manfrotto stand out from

its competitors?

I think this is something for the people who voted to answer but in general I think we work hard to ensure our partners are happy and also do what we can to drive people into the photographic hobby which is important for all of us.

How do you rate your chances for

winning again in 2014?

Slim. I think there a number of very strong manufacturers in the industry although it is always nice to be considered in the mix.

How good an opportunity is the awards night to network and meet industry leaders?

It offers a fantastic opportunity and if possible it would be great to attend this year.

Nikon Celebrates Patronage of The Open Championship

Nikon celebrates its long running patronage of The Open Championship, golf’s oldest and international Major, which takes places this year from 17th – 20th July 2014 The tournament will be hosted at Royal Liverpool, Hoylake, one of the oldest English coastal courses, which last played host to the tournament in 2006.

The prestigious sporting event will see the world’s best golfers compete to win the coveted Claret Jug, last year won

by Phil Mickelson who clinched his first Open title.

Nikon is set to have a strong retail presence at The Open, showcasing the latest in its classleading sport optics products to help spectators get closer to the action. The latest range of binoculars will be available for hire and purchase, including the compact, lightweight, powerful Prostaff 7S and the Aculon T01 models. For keen golfers looking to take their game to the next

level, Nikon will also be selling its latest laser rangefinders, including the COOLSHOT rangefinder, as used by golfing star and COOLSHOT ambassador Ian Poulter, which measure accurate distances up to a range of 600 yards to give golfers complete confidence in their club selection.

John Walshe, Managing

Director at Nikon UK, comments: “Nikon is honoured to be celebrating another year as Patron of The Open Championship and to be associated to such a prestigious event. The Open offers a platform to celebrate both world-class athletes and professional photographers who will be capturing the event for a global audience”.

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Nikon Capture NX-D – A free software application

Nikon has announces the release of the official version of Capture NX-D, its new development and adjustment software application for RAW images. Capture NX-D is available to download for free from at http://nikonimglib.com/ncnxd/ Capture NX-D is a software application developed to allow users to enjoy full-scale development of RAW images with simple operations. It enables high-quality photofinishing of images captured in RAW format – whether on a Nikon D-SLR, Nikon 1 advanced camera with interchangeable lenses, COOLPIX compact camera, or any other camera that supports RAW images.

Zurab Kiknadze, Product Manager, Nikon Europe, said: “We’re thrilled that we are able to offer Capture NX-D free of charge to people wanting to take control of their images.”

Nikon has also updated software functions for better image processing and operation in response to many requests, including the addition of an automatic retouch brush. In addition, Nikon will continue to add improvements, new features and upcoming camera compatibility in future versions of the application.

Olympus Confirms UK Launch of PEN E-PL6

The previously Japan-only PEN E-PL6 EXPRESSION Kit will finally make its UK debut, over a year after it was first unveiled

The new compact system camera is fully equipped with WiFi for allimportant photo sharing, in addition to FlashAir SD card and super-slim interchangeable electronic zoom lens.

P for Personality Olympus has designed the camera with style-conscious photography enthusiasts in mind, offering a light, compact body with a contemporary design. The camera’s software also allows users to get creative with their pictures, offering 12 Art

Filters and 6 Art Effects to: “Spread some serious envy online.”

E is for excellence The new 1:3.55.6 EZ pancake zoom lens is the world’s slimmest micro Four Thirds lens, delivers 16.1-Megapixel stills and 1080 Full HD movies.

N is for Network It seems Olympus is really driving the ‘sharing’ capabilities of the

E-PL6, with FlashAir WiFi card allowing quick transfer of photos and videos to smartphones via the Olympus Image Share app.

“The large and tiltable 3-inch monitor swivels up and right round so it’s visible from the front of the camera, giving you the flexibility to frame a whole new class of selfie – or other shots from unusual angles.”

RRP: £429.

Industry Leader Nicki Zongrone Joins Kodak Alaris

Kodak Alaris (KA) announces that Nicoletta (Nicki) Zongrone has joined the company as President of the Retail Systems Solutions and Event Imaging Solutions businesses, bringing a unique depth of industry and customer experience to the organization “Nicki has unparalleled industry experience and customer knowledge, raising ability to serve and solve the needs of consumers and retail partners,” said Ralf Gerbershagen, CEO of Kodak Alaris Holdings Limited. “She brings an incredible passion to our ongoing transformation.”

Along with this appointment, the company is also dividing the personalised imaging business into two units to accelerate execution and innovation in key markets.

Dennis Olbrich moves to the

role of President of the Paper & Output Systems and Film Capture businesses.

“Nicki and Dennis’ leadership will help us to provide creative new products and services for our diverse set of customers,” said Gerbershagen.

The Retail Systems Solutions team under Zongrone will focus on delivering world class solutions that make it easy for consumers to enrich, share and re-live their stories, their moments, and their lives.

“I’m thrilled to join Kodak Alaris

in its entrepreneurial startup phase,” said Zongrone. “It’s a truly unique opportunity to shape the consumer imaging experience of the future as the billions of images captured yearly continue.

I look forward to working with our retailers, suppliers and strategic partners to bring our vision to life.”

If you would like to know more about Kodak Alaris retail printing solutions please visit www.kodakalaris.com

DxO Optics Pro v9.5.1 Supports Five Additional Cameras PRIME technology helps the Sony a7s reach its full potential Thanks to its PRIME denoising technology, DxO Optics Pro 9 lets users fully exploit the Sony a7s’s entire range of sensitivity.

In fact, PRIME technology has been designed to achieve unrivaled image quality. Its algorithms analyze the structure of RAW images in depth: for each pixel, nearly a thousand neighboring pixels are studied to identify similarities and to reconstruct the information. Its outstanding denoising produces spectacular results: details and color saturation are preserved, particularly in dark zones, along

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with textures, for a natural-looking rendering even at the highest ISO values.

New DxO Optics Modules DxO Optics Pro v9.5.1 has been enriched with new DxO Optics Modules: 376 camera/lens combinations round out the library, offering support for Canon, Konica Minolta, Nikon, Olympus, Samsung, Sigma, Sony, Tamron, Tokina, and Zeiss lenses for many Canon, Fuji, Nikon, Olympus,

Panasonic, Samsung and Sony cameras.

DxO Optics Modules contain all the information about the characteristics of each camera and lens so as to permit DxO Optics Pro 9 to automatically correct distortion, vignetting, chromatic aberrations, and lens softness with an unrivaled level of quality. More than 19,000

camera/lens combinations are available today.

Availability The Standard and Elite editions of DxO Optics Pro v9.5.1 for Mac and Windows are immediately available in the DxO Labs online store (shop. dxo.com) and at photo resellers at a special discount through July 15, 2014: • DxO Optics Pro 9 Standard Edition: £79 instead of £119 • DxO Optics Pro 9 Elite Edition: £159 instead of £239. www.dxo.com

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