He's done it, Dragons Den star and business dynamo Peter Jones CBE has managed to pull together the recovery plan that will see the reopening of Jessops stores from this weekend. Its a remarkable turn of fate that could see up to 500 people working across the top 50 stores that are due to be re-open in the next few weeks. In an ambitious program that will see the best locations beginning trading at a rate of one per day. Peter Jones has taken the helm of the collapsed 78 year old retailer that closed it doors in January 2013. He has assigned himself as both Chairman and Chief Executive. Best known for his end of the line position on Dragons Den, combined with his stripy socks and enigmatic but usually good natured approach to the candidates that pitch their business ideas to the five business leaders. He has been known to deliver a knock-out punch to the ridiculous or rude, but sage advice even to those who's idea seems a little far fetched. He regularly take a punt where his compatriots fear to tread, having backed businesses featuring ice-cream, sausages and hot and spicy Jamaican sauce. Could it be that Jessops is to become his latest taste of success? We wish him all the best, and welcome the reopening of photographic stores across the UK. A round of applause, and a "we're in!"
Read more...Canon have co-launched two exciting new DSLR models today. The EOS 100D and EOS 700D models. These could be two of the best selling and most important DSLR cameras of recent times. Why? Well between them they have the full set of features and performance that any beginner or hobbyist creative photographer or film maker could require. And to pack a punch, the EOS 100D shows just how small an interchangeable lens DSLR camera can be. Its been to the gym and got trimmed down. With other camera brands splitting their R&D teams between Compact System Cameras and DSLR ranges its been telling that Canon have only recently joined the mirrorless party, with a relatively "so, so" model. In the meantime Canon have been working on drastically redesigning every element of the cameras internal components, whilst leaving in place the APS-C sensor. Its quite a feet of engineering, but what it really means is that photographers and film makers can still use all of the huge range of Canon EF and EF-S lenses available. Brilliant! The EOS 700D retains the size and performance of the normal DSLR. But with its slightly better AF system and marginally higher frames per second rate it will suit those that prefer a slightly larger, heavier hold. The best of both you might say? We cannot wait to get our hands on the new EOS 100D and EOS 700D, lets hope they are not too long away.
Read more...Nikon have today revealed the new D7100 as a replacement for the popular D7000. Keeping with the same body design and ergonomics Nikon have heavily reworked the internals to deliver an improvement in image quality never seen before from an APS-C sensor. Boasting a new 24MP APS-C sized CMOS sensor, the major advantage is the removal of the Low-Pass filter. This should increase the fine resolving and recording capabilities of this high resolution sensor. Further improvements to both the AF and Metering systems bolster the cameras capabilities. Sheduled to be available from 21 March priced £1099.99 body only; or £1,299.99 in a kit that includes an 18-105mm VR lens. It will be shown at Focus on Imaging show in early March at the NEC.
Read more...Buried away in the lens press release is the most exciting news of all. Most people are simply not going to hear about this, but it could be the biggest development to hit the NEX, Alpha and Handycam models yet. A remote control. Yes you read it right. A remote control that is cabled, and operates both zoom and video start/stop. Together with taking pictures as well. I know........... GENIUS! OK, why am I making such a fuss? Simply, Until now Sony has enjoyed some of the best video capable cameras and video cameras. The crazy thing, no NEX or Alpha could be activated to start or stop recording of video remotely. You could via Handycam, but only with an unreliable IR remote. This new RM-VPR1 model provides all that control through the new Multi-Interface connection. However, slight err on the side of caution. There are many other devices now using connection, such as the XLR microphone, lights, viewfinder....depending on your model and your purpose. Now we need a splitter to enable multiple devices to be fitted together. Do you want the really good news? The RM-VPR1 will be available from May and only €65.......dont tell everyone, they'll all want one :o)
Read more...It seems like a very long time since 2006 when Sony first entered the DSLR market with the acquisition of Minolta. A lot of development has happened, new models and technologies introduced. However there has always been one gaping hole in the whole alpha platform. A premium 50mm. Why? You ask,is this important? Well, since time and memorial photographers have relied on three popular focal length of lens. 35mm, 50mm, and 135mm. When Sony announced the a100 back in 2006 they immediately offered two of these, but the 50mm was missing. Sure, there was the 50mm F1.4, a carry over from the previous Minolta system, but it wasnt 'premium'. There was the Zeiss 135mm F1.8, a quite fantastic lens. And a 35mm F1.4 G another carryover from Minolta. But wait no more, we have the full set. Welcome the Zeiss 50mm F1.4 SSM, I for one cannot wait!
Read more...Sony has replaced the popular and well respected 70-400mm F4-5.6 G SSM lens with a newer version, designated MK II. The newer version has improved LSI (Large Scale Integrated) circuitry for the SSM (SuperSonic Motor, so promises faster Autofocus with the a99. But, the biggest change is the addition of the new Nano-AR Crystal Coating to the lens elements. Sony’s Nano AR Coating with nano-precision structure contributes to high-quality images with reduced ghosting and flare. This proprietary Sony coating technology features aligned microscopic asperities that reduce the effects of the reflective interfacial boundary on the surface of the lens, thus dramatically reducing the amount of undesirable reflections entering the lens. However, the most dramatic change is the change back to a white body colour. The previous 70-400mm was the only A mount lens produced in silver. This was seen as off-putting to potential customers. All other premium lenses were coated white. We expect this lens to suddenly regain popularity for all of these various benefits. Available from Early March priced around £1800.
Read more...Sony has chosen to replace the popular and brilliant value for money NEX-F3 with a new version, the NEX-3N. Claiming to be the smallest and lightest interchangable lens camera in its class. (with notable * to define that class) This new model crams the much vaunted 16.1MP APS-C CMOS sensor into its tiny form. On the back is a 3" LCD with 460K resolution, it also pivots upwards to enable you to do self-portrait style pictures. More details are available below.
Read more...Sony announce the new a58 model to replace the previous a57. This new camera boasts an impressive 20 megapixel APS-C sensor. It will also ship with a brand new 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 SAM (Smooth Autofocus Motor) lens that aims to improve image quality by reducing ghosting and flare. This is important when shooting with higher megapixels. This model is expected to be in shops from mid April, priced around £450 body only.
Read more...Fancy an all in one zoom for your Panasonic or Olympus Micro 4/3rds cameras? Well Tamron can now offer you their proprietary VC (Vibration Compensation) mechanism in the new 14-150mm F/3.5-5.8 Di III VC. Its going to be available sophisticated metal finish in two colors - black and silver.
Read more...Panasonic has announced the Lumix G Vario 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 II Asph. Mega O.I.S - a new kit lens for Micro Four Thirds mirrorless cameras. It gets two aspherical elements to help make the lens smaller than the current version. Its likely to be kitted with both the DMC-GF5 and DMC-G5.
Read more...Nikon has announced the AF-S Nikkor 18-35mm F3.5-4.5G ED full-frame wide-angle zoom. This new ultra wide full frame zoom is a consumer-level option for photographers using the more affordable D600 model it's expected to cost in the region of $750.
Read more...Nikon have looked to improve their current 800mm lens with the introduction of this new version, together with matched 1.25x teleconverter. This super telephoto lens, which uses fluorite glass, will cost a heart-stopping $18,000 but you do get the teleconverter in that price, expect that combination to deliver a 1000mm F7.1 performance.
Read more...CP+ 2013: Sigma has announced including a 60mm F2.8 DN lens for mirrorless cameras and an updated 30mm F1.4 DC for APS-C DSLRs. Like these lenses, the 60mm F2.8 DN features a metal body and will be available for the Sony E and Micro Four Thirds mounts. It will appear as a 90mm equivalent field of view on Sony NEX cameras or as a 120mm on Micro Four Thirds bodies.
Read more...Sony add to the E-mount series with the new 20mm F2.8 lens for the NEX system. This is an APS-C sensor format lens and will equate to a 30mm F2.8 when attached to any of the current or previous NEX cameras. It will only work on crop mode on the VG-900. Expect it to be in stores from April onwards.
Read more...Canon have begun the process of retailing their photographic products directly through a new Canon Image Square store, in Calgary Canada. Opened 15th January 2013. Given the closure of Jessops, might Canon be looking to roll out similar store formats into the UK anytime soon? Watch this space! www.canon.ca/imagesquare
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