10th October 2014
ISSUE NO. 931D
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FUJIFILM CLOSE film Processing Lab, RICOH’s new t0ough camera range, GoPro Announces HERO4 lineup, HTC Announces WiFi Connected Camera
Panasonic Teams Up With National Trust
HTC launches ‘ultimate selfie phone’
A new joint marketing strategy has been drawn up to benefit both parties
HTC has announced the new Desire Eye, with a front-facing camera offering the same 13MP resolution as the rear camera. This latest addition to the Desire range is designed with selfie-takers in mind. Main features include: • Two 13MP BSI sensor cameras • Rear camera has f/2.0, 28mm lens. • Snapdragon 801 processor • 16GB internat storage RRP: TBC
New Drone Airport Bag ©nationaltrust images/Martin Murray
Think Tank Photo has launched a Airport Accelerator backpack for quadcopters. The case, which contains 10 compartments, can fit the DJI Phantom 2 and all equivalently sized DJI quadcopters with the DJI or GoPro cameras still attached, meaning photographers only have to remove the drone’s rotors to pack it up. The case allows space for the drone, transmitter, rotors, range extender and other optional accessories, while still being a practical international and domestic plane carry-on size. This is an ideal accessory for retailers already stocking drones. Find out more at www.thinktankphoto.com
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A new long-term partnership has been signed between Panasonic and the National Trust, Europe’s largest conservation charity. The deal will enable Panasonic to use historic National Trust sites and properties for a variety of promotional events, while the National Trust will benefit from access to Panasonic’s latest technology. Visitors will be able to borrow the latest LUMIX cameras to capture happy memories of their day out, and National Trust rangers will be invited to get hands-on with Panasonic’s Toughbook PCs in the great outdoors. Panasonic will be holding events at selected National Trust sites throughout the year.
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Andrew Denham, MD at Panasonic UK, said: “This partnership marks the start of a long-term relationship with the National Trust, which we feel generates tremendous value for both parties. Panasonic is dedicated to creating a better life for consumers, and these aims match well with those of the National Trust.” He added: “We have huge admiration for the National Trust and the fantastic work that they do, so are very excited to announce this partnership. The National Trust has a long history in creating and curating places of incredible beauty, and we look forward to helping visitors capture precious memories of their visits to these outstanding places.”
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Rod Hebden, Head of Corporate Partnerships at National Trust, said: “We’re very pleased to work with Panasonic on this exciting partnership. Our staff and volunteers will now be able to capture, film and share images and stories of the special places we care for using Panasonic’s state-of-the-art cameras. Many of our Rangers, who work in some of the remotest parts of the country, will be equipped with the latest notebooks to help them keep on top of their conservation work, looking after our beautiful landscapes. And we’ll work with Panasonic to see how we could cut energy usage at some of our properties.”
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Welcome To Pixel Magazine For me the most interesting announcement of the week has to be the periscope style RE camera launched by HTC. Like Sony (with its lens-style cameras), HTC is attempting to close the gap between smartphones and digital photography through innovation. Critics have questioned the point of the RE camera (do people really want to carry around an extra device in their pockets?) but that is beside the point. Whether the bizarre-looking RE catches on or not, the point is that the camera and smartphone markets are merging. Smartphone cameras are becoming more sophisticated, while powerful digital cameras are becoming more compact, portable and ‘connective’. The perfect balance between portability and power may be a long way off, but at least these new products hint that manufacturers are attempting to meet modern demands. For imaging retailers, this can only be good news. As long as there is
innovation in the market, there can be movement. Elsewhere in this issue, we report on some of the latest accessory launches, Ricoh’s latest waterproof WG (now with a WiFi option), and of course GoPro’s latest wearable action cam. As always, please do get in touch with any news, views or feedback. Zoe@pixel.co.uk Zoe Editor
Ricoh’s Tough WG Range Gets Connected
New WG-30 launched, with WG-30W equipped with WiFi Ricoh has expanded its popular waterproof compact camera range with the new WG-30 and WG-30W. The two new models improve upon the existing WG-4, WG-4 GPS and WG-20, offering higher quality images, better waterproofing and, in the case of the WG-30W: WiFi allowing for instant communication between
smartphones, tablets and laptops. Like its predecessors, the new tough cameras are crush-proof, shock-proof against falls of up to 1.5 metres and freeze-proof to temperatures as low as -10ºC. However, while the WG-20 (launched in February 2014) was only waterproof to 10m, the new models dive deeper at 12m. The sensor has also been
Fujifilm to Close film Processing Lab Fujifilm confirms closure of E6 slide film processing facility in November Fujifilm has confirmed its intention to close the E6 slide film processing facility in November this year, ending its sixyear partnership with Leeds-based professional laboratory CC imaging. This ceasing of E6 processing operations was planned last year to enable customers who have remaining rolls of Fujichrome Sensia process-paid film enough time to get them processed. Fujifilm’s prepaid processing vouchers are only valid up to the closing date of 1st
November 2014. CC Imaging will continue with its full range of existing lab facilities after the closure, including the E6 slide film processing line. Customers will still be able to have their transparency films processed as normal, just not under the ‘Fujifilm Processing Laboratory’ brand after 1st November 2014. For any queries, please contact the Fujifilm Processing Lab by email: info@fujifilmprocessinglaboratory. co.uk, or call 0113 244 8221.
New Range of Umbrellas Profoto launches six new umbrellas
The new umbrellas are lightweight and portable, yet with a deeper shape giving photographers better control of the light spread. The range includes: Umbrella Deep Translucent S Umbrella Deep Translucent M
Correction! We would like to apologise for publishing a mistake in issue 930 regarding the Pentax 654Z firmware
improved, swapping the CCD in the earlier models for a backilluminated 16MP CMOS and newlydesigned imaging engine capable of HD video and low-noise images in low light conditions. Thanks to the WG-30W’s WiFi function, users can release the camera’s shutter and set various shooting functions from a distance, browse and download recorded images and movies,
Umbrella Deep Silver S Umbrella Deep Silver M Umbrella Deep White S Umbrella Deep White M The S versions have a diameter of 85cm, while the M versions have diameters of 105cm. Find out more at www.profoto.com/uk/ umbrellas
update and Pentax K-S1. We can confirm that there is no cost to the firmware update and the K-S1 has an RRP of £599.99. then share them with friends by uploading them to social networks and other websites – all via their smartphone. RICOH WG-30 RRP: £229.99 Availability: early November RICOH WG-30W RRP: £259.99 Availability: early January
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DynaOptics develops new zoom technology for smartphone
Technology company DynaOptics has developed a technology that enables smartphone cameras to zoom further than ever before – without a clip-on lens or app. The patented technology enables optical zoom capability through micron-scale, lateral lens movements. Traditional mechanically compensated zoom lenses require millimetrescale movements which take up more space. DynaOptics says: “By re-thinking conventional zoom systems, we have designed a system able to achieve the performance and manufacturability of today’s lens systems. Without the bulky footprint.” The company claims that because it utilises manufacturing and assembling techniques from mature industries (such as metal stamping and plastic injection moulding), it can produce a ‘low-cost, high-volume, highquality product with lower risk and capital requirements’. To find out more, visit www. dynaoptics.com
GoPro Announces HERO4 lineup GoPro has launched ‘its most powerful’ lineup yet GoPro’s new line of high-performance action cameras have new features including 4K30, 2.7K50 and 1080p120 video capture in the black model, and built-in touch display for convenience in the silver model. The company says the new HERO4 Black delivers ‘2x the performance’ of its HERO3 predecessor and is now able to capture ‘cinema-quality’ 4K video at 30 fps, reducing rolling shutter while still allowing for slow motion effects. The black model also houses a redesigned audio system which can capture high fidelity sound with
‘2x the dynamic range’ of previous models. Other enhancements include improved image quality, low light performance, highlight moment tagging and a redesigned user interface. The silver variety loses some of the black model’s video recording power but retains the same image technology and gains a touchscreen for enhanced usability. RRP: Silver - £289.99, Black £369.99
For a Rainy Day New Manfrotto Pro Light Elements Cover
Manfrotto has launched a new range of rain-proof camera covers for DSLRs, professional flash and lens attachments as well as compact system cameras. The Pro Light Elements covers are covered in a water-resistant coating for those inevitably rainy
outdoor shoots this winter. There are four models: the E-690 PL for small DSLRs or CSCs, the E-702 PL for a DSLR with a 70200mm lens attached, the E-804 PL extension lens sleeve kit which can be attached to the E-702 PL when shooting with an extra-long
Accessories: • Dual battery Charger + Battery charges two HERO4 camera batteries simultaneously. RRP: £39.99 • LCD Touch BacPac is ideal for the Black HERO4, which has no inbuilt screen. RRP: £59.99 • Smart Remote enables longrange remote control of up to 180m for the HERO4. RRP: £59.99 • Standard Housing is waterproof to 40m while still enabling maximum image sharpness through the flat glass lens. RRP: £39.99 • Floaty Backdoor keeps the HERO4 afloat during water-based activities such as snorkelling and surfing. RRP: £15.99
zoom, and the E-705 PL for a DSLR with a professional flesh and lens up to 70200mm. E-690 PL – RRP £49.95 E-702 PL – RRP £69.95 E-704 PL – RRP £74.95 E-705 PL – RRP £79.95
HTC Announces WiFi Connected Camera Digital communications company HTC has unveiled a handheld WiFi camera designed for iOS and Android smartphones. The new HTC RE has an unusual cylindrical design with an in-built sensor grip that automatically activates the camera - so no need for a power on button. It features a high-resolution
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16MP CMOS sensor, Full HD (1080p) video recording and has a 146º wide-angle lens with slow-motion and time lapse recording functions. With the accompanying RE app, users can operate a live
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viewfinder on the screen of their smartphone remotely. The app also automatically stores all images to the phone or to the cloud. Users can even stream live video to YouTube.
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HTC’s CEO Peter Chou said “Today, HTC is once again changing the way that people think about technology,” said Peter Chou, CEO, HTC Corporation. RRP: TBC
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