Gear of the Year 2009

The Photography Industry’s Most Prestigious Awards

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M[bYec[ The Gear of the Year Awards are brought to you by Bauer Media, publisher of the UK’s leading photography magazines, Digital Photo Photography and the and Practical Photography, website www.photoanswers.co.uk This supplement highlights some of the great products that have scooped awards in the 2009 ceremony that took place in London in September. The venue was packed with eager representatives from the world of photography, from retailers to manufacturers, and they all had one thing on their minds – would they be one of the chosen few to receive a prestigious Gear of the Year Award?

How we pick the winners In the first instance, we take a look to see which products have been released over the year and then from this we compile a shortlist of the best products in each category. The shortlist of entries are then debated and judged by a panel of industry experts from both our own specialist technology journalists and invited experts from the world of photographic retail. This includes some of the UK’s most well known retailers such as Warehouse Express, Park Cameras and Camera World. The shortlist is whittled down to a category winner and highly commended runner-up. The best retailer awards are decided by you our readers, through the Photo Answers website.

What the future holds This is our 24th year of supporting the photographic industry with our own recognition of the best of the best in products and services. The awards have changed a lot in those 24 years to encompass many changes in design and technology. It’s very much a digital age and the categories reflect this, as well as recognising those brands that are pushing the boundaries towards new technologies that will influence the entire future of photography. This year has seen a whole new category in digital imaging emerge, in the form of compact DSLRs. These cameras are technically not true DSLRs as there is no prism and mirror arrangement, but they do have removable lenses so to many are the digital SLR of the future.

It is likely then that these models will have a category of their own next year. As to what else may appear on the horizon? Well just make sure you keep reading PP and DP to stay up to date!

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BEST PRINTER

BEST SOFTWARE

WINNER: Canon Pixma Pro9500 Mark II

WINNER: Adobe Photoshop Elements 7

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Epson Stylus PX800FW

HIGHLY COMMENDED: OnOne Plug-in Suite 4

BEST COMPACT CAMERA

BEST ENTRY-LEVEL DSLR

BEST ADVANCED DSLR

WINNER: Panasonic LUMIX DMC-TZ7

WINNER: Nikon D5000

WINNER: Pentax K-7

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Olympus E-450

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Nikon D90

BEST PROFESSIONAL DSLR

BEST LENS

BEST BRIDGE DSLR

WINNER: Nikon D3X

WINNER: Sigma 150500mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM

WINNER: Canon PowerShot SX10 IS

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Nikon AF-S DX 35mm f/1.8G

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Sony Cyber-shot HX1

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Ricoh CX1

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Canon EOS 5D Mark II

BEST STUDIO KIT

BEST CAMERA SUPPORT

BEST CAMERA BAG

WINNER: Elinchrom BXRi 500/500 kit

WINNER: Joby Gorillapod Focus

WINNER: Kata 3N1-30 Sling Backpack range

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Interfit EX150 MkII kit

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Giottos MT8246B tripod

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Camera Armor Seattle Sling

BEST GENERAL CAMERA ACCESSORY

BEST GENERAL IMAGING ACCESSORY

BEST STUDIO ACCESSORY

WINNER: H채hnel HW433 Pro Remote Control

WINNER: Wacom Intuos4 pen tablet

WINNER: Bowens Ringlite Converter

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Hoya HD Filter range

HIGHLY COMMENDED: X-Rite ColorMunki Photo

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Interfit Strobies range

BEST SPECIALIST RETAILER Park Cameras

BEST RETAILER Jessops

INNOVATION OF THE YEAR

PRODUCT OF THE YEAR

Fujifilm EXR Sensor

Olympus E-P1 PEN

BEST ONLINE RETAILER

Warehouse Express

Product of the Year WINNER

Ebocfki ;#F' Taking the Product of the Year title is no mean feat, but then again the Olympus E-P1 is not your average camera.

Innovation is always welcome in any product line, but for photography the E-P1 brings to the table a new breed of DSLR. The PEN, as it’s known, uses a 12.3MP FourThirds sensor. This is the same quality of chip that the brand uses in its range of E-System DSLRs, but the PEN is considerably smaller in design. This is where the camera differs from a traditional DSLR, as the prism viewfinder is missing in favour of a Live View 3in LCD screen. The camera also has a Micro FourThirds lens mount, so lenses are much smaller but still at the quality you’d expect from a DSLR. In short, the E-P1 gives you DSLR quality images but in a much more compact package. The PEN is very intuitive in use and offers full manual control alongside a wide range of pre-set programme modes, including some creative filters.

With HD video capture and an impressive 3fps drive speed, the E-P1 offers superb value for money.

@K:=;I½ 9ECC;DJI Olympus E-P1 PEN is “theThemost exciting camera to come out this year and is undoubtedly Product of the Year 2009. The PEN heralds a whole new class of compact style DSLR

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For more info visit: www.olympus.co.uk

Best Advanced DSLR WINNER

F[djWn A#As one of the more established photographic brands, Pentax DSLRs come with the pedigree of an historic brand.

The K-7 is the latest offering and by far the best DSLR from the brand to date. This quite excellent camera sports a 14.6MP sensor and no less that 77-weather/dustproof seals on its durable magnesium alloy body. With a 100% viewfinder and a rapid 5.2fps shutter, the K-7 offers the enthusiast a package of features to outclass many models in the same price bracket. Features include a large 3in LCD with Live View, face detection and HD video recording.

There’s a 77-segment metering system that delivers very accurate exposures, and for the creative-minded 16 digital filters to experiment with. Pentax has also upgraded the in-built stabilisation to a new-generation SR (Shake Reduction) mechanism and added dust reduction for the sensor too. All in all, the K-7 is a very comprehensive DSLR that shows Pentax has not lost its touch when it comes to providing exactly what is needed for the right price.

@K:=;I½ 9ECC;DJI Images are superb and the “amazing array of features will satisfy the most demanding enthusiast. For those after an advanced pro camera in a more compact body, the K-7 makes the perfect choice

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For more info visit: www.pentax.co.uk

Best EntryLevel DSLR WINNER

D_aed :+&&& Nikon has dominated camera awards over the last few years, so it’s no surprise to find the brand among this year’s winners with the D5000. Resolution is an impressive 12.3MP, which for an entry-level offering will provide superbly detailed images. This DSLR may be light in weight but it is loaded with features. There’s the usual mix of shooting modes, but also the Nikon D-Movie mode and a rather useful vari-angle 2.7in LCD panel with Live View – perfect for shooting either stills or video from difficult-to-reach angles. The D5000 is incredibly easy and intuitive to use too, with a menu system that is both clear and educational. A wide array of 19 scene modes will come in useful for those desiring a quick point-and-press operation but who also want to be creative. Internal technologies include the now widely recognised D-Lighting to help improve the tonal range both before and after capture, while the wide sensitivity range will help you out when light levels are poor.

@K:=;I½ 9ECC;DJI With the fantastic “D5000, Nikon has demonstrated that buying a DSLR for the first time doesn’t have to mean you are stuck with entry-level quality

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For more info visit: www.nikon.co.uk

Best Lens WINNER

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With so many lenses released every year, it’s a tough battle to attain the top spot. Sigma has, however, seen off a wealth of competition with this quite excellent 150-500mm superzoom. This lens is ideal for a range of action photography, from sports to wildlife, and the built-in Optical Stabiliser (OS) helps you to control potential camera shake when using it. This stabiliser is effective to 4 stops, which means you can confidently shoot at slower shutter speeds than you may otherwise have considered without a tripod. The lens includes three Special Low Dispersion (SLD) glass elements that improve the optical performance. You also get fast and relatively quiet operation thanks to the HSM motor technology that powers the autofocus. Coming from an independent lens manufacturer means this lens is available to fit more than one brand of camera, and it’s an affordable option too. Few lenses offer such great quality and zoom range for this price, making this Sigma lens superb value for money.

@K:=;I½ 9ECC;DJI exactly what it says on “Does the tin, and does it well.

Sigma has a tough battle against the branded lenses, but time after time this lens manufacturer delivers the goods

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For more info visit: www.sigma-imaging-uk.com

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=h[Wj Z[Wbi \hec ekh H[jW_b[h e\ j^[ O[Wh If you like the look of this year’s winning products, then look no further than our retailer of the year, Jessops. Jessops has been voted as the UK’s top retailer by our readers for 14 consecutive years and this is down to Jessops’ excellent product range and commitment to its customers. With over 200 stores nationwide, Jessops has become a household name that is synonymous with excellent customer service.

With a passion for photography and staff that understand your needs, Jessops can offer you photographic advice for life.

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An all-rounder that excels at outdoor landscape photography.

The massive zoom grabs images from afar and the unique Sweep Panorama function lets you create amazing widescreen pictures by shooting a burst of frames at a single click. Professional SLR features and performance in a compact.

FH?9; This classy ( -/ Jessops exclusive is brimming with Fujifilm’s state-ofthe-art EXR technology, delivering superior quality and control. Features a Super CCD sensor for amazing detail, powerful 10x zoom and wide-angle for breathtaking panoramas.

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?9; Capture more *( light and achieve great picture clarity outdoors with these durable HD filters.

Made with toughened, scratch-resistent and water-repellent glass, they’re built to last in tough conditions.

Great for on-the-go photography, this lightweight and extremely affordable lens delivers great performance both indoors and out. The Silent Wave Motor offers quick and quiet autofocus on subjects as close as 1 foot away.

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Small in size but big on performance, the D5000 is a great entry-level HD DSLR. Very flexible and easy to use, an impressive range of automatic features helps to capture every still or moving image. A vari-angle LCD monitor makes it easy to shoot from any angle and can be flipped, tilted or turned.

FH?9; For anyone ( // who is looking for a great camera and HD camcorder in one, this stylish compact hybrid is ideal.

Designed to satisfy the keenest of photographers, the TZ7 sports a Leica wide-angle 12x optical zoom, image stabilisation, and advanced Intelligent Auto for creative control.

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H?9; For super */ steady shots, just sit back and wait for the right moment to arrive thanks to this radio-controlled SLR shutter release with a range of up to 80m.

Also a great gadget for taking baby photos, or getting closer to wildlife.

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Offering an ultimate solution for creative shooting, the full frame EOS 5D Mark II delivers outstanding resolution and a true wide-angle experience through the large, bright viewfinder. Fantastic reproduction of colours and subtle tonal gradations make this ideal for professionals or amateurs who want the best.

Light yet rugged.

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FH?9; A ground-breaking ,*/ true ‘compact DSLR’ unveiled with the Micro FourThirds lens technology combines a pocket-sized camera body with interchangeable lenses. A quality metal body combined with the elegance of a rangefinder delivers super image quality and portability.

Allows photographers to be fast and experimental.

Ideal for the photo enthusiasts taking a step up to create a home studio, the kit comes with a handy DVD offering a complete start-up guide and tips for use.

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Best Software HIGHLY COMMENDED

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There are so many different types of software and plug-ins available for the popular image-editing packages like Adobe Photoshop, Lightroom and Apple Aperture, but the OnOne Plug-In Suite 4 is a cut above the rest. It’s actually a bundle of individual packages, including the professional editions of Genuine Fractals 6, Photo Tools 2, FocalPoint 1.1, Photo Frame 4, Mask Pro 4.1 and Photo Tune 2.2, and these can all be plugged into Adobe Photoshop CS2, CS3, CS4 and Lightroom 2, and used in Apple Aperture 2.1. In simple terms, the suite covers six common tasks. Genuine Fractals allows you to enlarge images to produce bigger prints than the file size may normally allow, while Photo Tools offers pro effects like filters. Colour correction is the specialist area for the Photo Tune plug-in, and superb border designs are yours for the taking with Photo Frame.

Cutting out or masking images becomes a lot easier with Mask Pro and FocalPoint allows you to create selective focus and vignettes with ease.

@K:=;I½ 9ECC;DJI This OnOne Plug-In is a “superb enhancement to software editing solutions like Lightroom, Aperture and Photoshop, saving you time & greatly enhancing your ability to create stunning images

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For more info visit: www.ononesoftware.com

Best Camera Support WINNER

@eXo =eh_bbWfeZ <eYki The Gorillapod has now appeared in a number of sizes to suit a variety of cameras, from small compact to DSLR. The name comes from the way the camera support attaches to an object by wrapping itself around almost anything it can, a bit like a Gorilla climbing a tree. The Gorillapod is nice and compact, making it the kind of accessory that you can easily keep in your camera bag so it’s always to hand. The clever design allows the three legs to be wrapped in any direction, but the links are sturdy enough to support themselves on a tabletop. This means you can use the support like a traditional tripod as well as having the option to attach it to a branch, a bench, a fence – you name it! The Gorillapod Focus will support a DSLR with ease and the robust construction means that it is designed to last. For the price, this is a must-have tripod, even if you own a full-size model.

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“Justifiably awarded for its

flexibility and strength – it bends, flexes and grips all while supporting your DSLR – the Joby Gorillapod Focus dares to go where other tripods can’t!

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For more info visit: www.intro2020.co.uk

Best General Camera Accessory WINNER

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Camera accessories can cover a wide range of products, so this is a very difficult category to win. Hähnel produces an interesting selection of accessories, from replacement camera batteries to accessory handgrips, but this remote control stands out as the Best General Camera Accessory for 2009. It’s a wireless design, which means that you have a transmitter to fire the shutter and a receiver that is fitted onto the camera’s hotshoe. The range is a quite incredible 80m, which is more than you could ever realistically need, and the wireless signal will even work through obstacles like walls if required! Each remote can have its own four-digit code set, so you can pick an individual code to prevent someone else setting off your receiver. The frequency is licence-free, so it’s okay to use across Europe.

Bulb exposure can be achieved with the HW433 and you can pre-focus with a half-press, in the same way as you can on the camera’s own shutter button. Available in a number of camera fits, the HW433 Pro is well worth the money.

@K:=;I½ 9ECC;DJI We have seen a lot of “remote controls, but the Hähnel HW433 Pro is the first we’ve seen that is simple yet effective. This remote is quite simply one of the best you will find for the price

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For more info visit: www.hahnel.ie

Best Camera Bag WINNER

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Ib_d] 8WYafWYa hWd][ When it comes to great camera bags there are some brands that you know are going to deliver the goods, and Kata is right up there among them. The 3N1 series demonstrates a number of the brand’s innovations in a product that will both protect your camera against the elements and provide ample storage space. The bag can be carried in three different ways. You can put it on your back with straps over both shoulders for long distance travel, or reconfigure the straps to work as a sling for either shoulder. The third option is to set the X-position, which is an adaptation from the sling position, but designed for long distance carrying. The choice is yours – simply select the option that is most comfortable to you.

The unused straps can be hidden away in concealed compartments on the bag. This range of bags can fit in a great deal of kit, and the yellow interior means that it’s easy to see what’s in the bag so you won’t lose your lens caps and small gadgets in a dark pocket!

@K:=;I½ 9ECC;DJI Kata 3N1 range stands “The above the crowd with its versatile and clever 3-in-1 design of full backpack harness or left or right sling, and fully deserves the Best Camera Bag 2009 award

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For more info and demonstration video: www.bogenimaging.co.uk/3n1video

Best Studio Accessory WINNER

8em[di H_d]b_j[ 9edl[hj[h The studio domain has long been an area that many photographers dare not enter, but that is starting to change as kit becomes more affordable and DSLRs provide instant results. The ringflash has been very popular with the professional studio photographer, but it’s generally an expensive tool – until now. This Bowens Ringlite Converter allows you to get a ringflash effect from a standard Bowens S-mount flash head. The adapter is secured to the head and then your camera is attached to a bracket so that the lens points through the ring attachment.

The flash head works in the same way it would without the adapter, so you can set the power as desired. The light is reflected into the Ringlite using a series of mirrors to ensure an even distribution of the light. Despite the price being half that of a full ringflash head, build quality is superb and the setup very simple. This adapter will help you transform your portraits into stunning fashion images with a much more subtle and flattering lighting style.

@K:=;I½ 9ECC;DJI affordable way into “As anringflash portrait photography, the Bowens Ringlite Converter is hard to beat on performance and price. The perfect addition to any photographer’s studio

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For more info visit: www.bowens.co.uk

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