Fujifilm were the other big camera name at Focus. They were showing the S5700 / S700 camera that was announced last week (although not the A900 or A820). It was next to the older S5600 model and was noticeably smaller and lighter, yet still retaining a 10x zoom lens and with a much larger LCD screen. The other highlights were the F40d and Z5 (first announced at CES in early January). Fujifilm were also keen to point out that a growing number of models had the new dual xD / SD memory card slot, citing demand from repeat buyers with a vested interest in SD cards as the principal reason. Finally, the new S5 Pro DSLR has already crept onto the store shelves, with retailer Jacobs offering it for a show special of £999 body only.

HP and Epson were both at Focus 2007, although neither had any brand new products on show. HP were heavily pushing their large-format Z series printer range (which we’ve enthusiastically reviewed), whilst Epson were concentrating on the Stylus 1400 and 3800 models.

There were a couple of notable monitor manufacturers at Focus on Imaging 2007. First up were NEC, displaying their brand new 26 inch NEC 2690WXi wide-angle display aimed at the general consumer (although at £868, still not cheap), plus their much more expensive professional range of SpectraView models. It was also the first time at the show for EIZO and their extensive range of ColorEdge monitors. I’ll be getting hold of some to review in the coming months.

Longridge has a number of new mount cutters and accessories planned for 2007, to be unveiled at Focus on Imaging 2007 in the UK. A new multilingual DVD is now included with every Longridge Mount Cutting System, whilst the Longridge SprintMat is a section of laminated board that encourages the blade to continue in the straightest line possible. Longridge has also introduced its own bespoke blade. More new products will be announced at the show.

DayMen International Ltd has an impressive line-up of guest speakers at Focus on Imaging this year, so don’t miss your chance to learn from some of the UK’s top professional photographers. Speakers include Colin Prior, Joe Cornish, David Ward, Eddie Ephraums, Bjorn Thomassen Tom Mackie and Geoff Waugh. In addition, as part of Lowepro’s 40th Anniversary celebrations this year, Lowepro’s chairman, Uwe Mummenhoff, will be adding to this impressive line up – talking about the company’s relationship with conservation group Polar Bears International - and sharing his experiences from a recent trip to Churchill in Canada to photograph the bears in their natural habitat.

There will also be free training for visitors to Focus given by Apple Authorised Training Centres on Apple’s new Aperture 1.5, the first all-in-one post-production tool for serious digital photographers. Visitors will be able to will learn how to easily import, manage, edit, catalogue, organise, adjust, publish, export and archive their images more effectively and efficiently than ever before.

Nikon UK has announce their seminar schedule for this year’s Focus on Imaging photography show, which takes place from the 25th February - 28th February at the NEC in Birmingham. Speakers this year will focus on two key areas: Inspiration and technology. Inspiration talks will incorporate a whole host of topics including travel photography from Steve Davey, time lapse and animation from Martin Shann, as well as inspirational talks from Apple. The technology seminars will be led by Nikon experts and partners including Epson, Microsoft and Mitsubishi. Nikon will have an exciting new stand to ensure more hands on contact with the products and the Nikon team will also be on hand to give advice and answer any questions.

Website: Download the Seminar Schedule (PDF)

Focus on Imaging 2007, Europe’s biggest annual imaging event, takes place as usual at the NEC in Birmingham, UK. It opens on Sunday, February 25th and runs until Wednesday, February 28th. Nikon will have an exciting new stand, which will enable more hands on contact with the products and allow visitors to get advice from the team of Nikon experts. A number of Nikon’s products which will be getting their exhibition debut at the show. PhotographyBLOG will be there to bring you all the latest news.

Focus on Imaging Press Release

Wtih yet another record attendance and more exhibitors than ever before, Focus on Imaging has once again underlined its status as Europe’s most important annual photographic and imaging industry event. The final audited attendance figure for the 2006 show, the 17th, was 28,778, compared with 28,381 in 2005. “This is a superb result at a time when the industry is going through a very difficult time,” said show organiser Mary Walker. “It demonstrates just how important Focus is for everyone in the industry as it gives them a unique, all embracing showcase for their products and services.”

Epson UK Press Release

Epson Stylus Photo RX640 makes its show debut at Focus on Imaging 2006 - Stand Number C10 - Along with a huge range of consumer and LFP products, Epson will be showcasing its latest addition to its award-winning all-in-one range, the Stylus Photo RX640.

26th February 2006 – The Stylus Photo RX640 is the ideal solution for photo enthusiasts who need an advanced photo centre for their digital imaging needs. Making it’s show debut at Focus on Imaging and with an array of features including CD-R printing, a high definition 2.5 inch Photo Fine colour LCD preview monitor and a 3200dpi scanner with built-in transparency unit, its set to be the main attraction at Epson’s stand this year. Visitors to the stand can expect to find a solution for all printing, scanning and viewing needs. From amateur photographic enthusiasts through to professional photographers, the Epson stand includes a device to enable everyone to free their photos.

Colour Confidence Press Release

- New ColorVision PrintFix PRO brings spectro-based printer profiling below £400 for the first time
- Bring your Eye-One Photo to the stand and watch the Eye-One iO make it fly
- X-Rite Pulse continues to attract new users to professional printer profiling

Birmingham UK, 24th January, 2006 - Colour Confidence, the leading independent colour management specialists, are pleased to announce the first showing of an array of new products on stand E40 at ‘Focus on Imaging’, NEC, Birmingham from 26th February to 1st March. Two brand new products on show are the ColorVision PrintFix PRO, and the GretagMacbeth Eye-One iO. For more details on these products before visiting the show, go to http://www.colourconfidence.com

Ricoh are attending this year’s Focus on Imaging Show, held at the NEC in Birmingham at the end of February. Not only do they have Andy Earl talking about his photography, Ricoh will also be unveiling a brand new addition to their range. Stay tuned for more details…

Ricoh UK Press Release

First time at Focus for Ricoh !

Andy Earl, top photographer from the music industry, will present a series of talks on the Ricoh stand.

Ricoh are delighted to announce that Andy Earl, photographer within the international music business, will be doing a series of talks on the Ricoh stand, N2, at Focus on Imaging 2006. Earl has had a highly successful career in the music scene with over 120 record sleeves and thousands of portraits including ones of Madonna, Robbie Williams and Paul McCartney. Earl has just opened an exhibition of his photographs taken of Johnny Cash at the Blink Gallery, London.

Corel Press Release

Corel to Demonstrate Award-winning Graphics Products

London, UK - 16 February 2005 - Corel, a leading technology company specialising in graphics and office productivity software, is pleased to announce that it will be exhibiting at Focus on Imaging 2005 - Europe’s biggest annual digital imaging show being held from 27th February to 2nd March 2005 at the N.E.C, Birmingham.

At the Corel stand (Q19), visitors can expect to see Corel’s three leading graphics products - Corel Paint Shop™ Pro® 9, which Corel now offers following its acquisition of Jasc in 2004; Corel Painter™ IX; and CorelDRAW® Graphics Suite 12 - as well as Corel’s other popular graphics products. Corel will be offering on-stand personal demo’s of each product, illustrating the power of the tools and the creativity they enable. Corel staff will be on hand to discuss the benefits of each product, features and pricing.

Focus On Imaging is the UK’s biggest photography show, taking place on 27th February – 2nd March, and PhotographyBLOG will be there to bring you all the latest news from the show floor. Nikon have released details of their seminar schedule which will run throughout all 4 days of the show.

Nikon UK Press Release

Focus on imaging will take place this year from the 27th February – 2nd March, at the NEC in Birmingham.

Nikon’s stand at the 2005 event will have an excellent range of the latest products for visitors to handle, including the new professional digital SLR, the D2X. Nikon personnel will also be on hand to answer any questions that you may have.

The line-up of speakers is particularly impressive this year and includes talks from the following guest speakers:

Sunday 27th February
12-12.30pm and 2.30-3pm

Patrick Woodhead – Images of a White Desert
In November 2004 Patrick and his team of explorers set out to cross the Antarctic in the fastest time ever. Armed with the latest in Nikon digital imaging technology, Patrick and his team were able to capture the subzero action. Patrick will be talking about his epic journey across the South Pole.

Focus on Imaging 2005 is the UK’s biggest photography trade show, held on February 27th - March 2nd. PhotographyBLOG will be there to bring you all the news from the show floor. Canon have got in early by issuing the following press release, detailing which products they will be displaying. With the PMA show held a week before Focus on Imaging, I’d expect a few as-yet-unannounced products to be joining this list.

Canon UK Press Release
 
Canon will be displaying the photography of 12 members of its consumer programme ‘Imagine’ at Focus on Imaging 2005 (N.E.C Birmingham, 27 February – 2 March 2005). The work will be displayed on Canon’s stand (L20) along with Canon’s latest range of class-leading consumer imaging equipment.

Imagine is designed to help Canon customers make the most of their product. It features a gallery where members are invited to publish photographs they have taken, and every month Canon awards a framed print to some of the most interesting entries. The Imagine Members’ Gallery on the stand at Focus is a selection of the best shots.