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PhotoKina Wrap Up Report From Cologne
By Jason Heller, October 2, 2008 @ 02:00 AM (EST)
by Sharon Rainis, Fantasea Line
(photos by Sharon Rainis, Howard Rosenstein, except where noted)
September 27th Report
The Underwater Imaging World Stage
The program of the Underwater Imaging World stage included a few more attractions today. One of Todd Essick’s most popular models, Kristen Koscienlniak, was hosted at the stage today, sharing her unique experience with a wide audience that stopped by the stage. Apart from being interviewed by the Underwater Imaging World’s host, beautiful Kristen was also captured by many photographers standing near a large and famous image in which she was photographed with a shark, photogenic almost as much as she is. Howard Rosenstein, owner of Fantasea Line, referred to this image as “Beauty and the Beast”.
The Underwater Imaging World Stage
The program of the Underwater Imaging World stage included a few more attractions today. One of Todd Essick’s most popular models, Kristen Koscienlniak, was hosted at the stage today, sharing her unique experience with a wide audience that stopped by the stage. Apart from being interviewed by the Underwater Imaging World’s host, beautiful Kristen was also captured by many photographers standing near a large and famous image in which she was photographed with a shark, photogenic almost as much as she is. Howard Rosenstein, owner of Fantasea Line, referred to this image as “Beauty and the Beast”.
The Future is Analog
Or so claims a company named “Lomography”, which established a large department pretty much at the middle of the Photokina fair, also featuring some great rock shows. Lomography is the commercial trademark of Lomographische AG from Austria, a company that specializes in products and services related to analog photography. Characteristics such as over-saturated colors, off-kilter exposure, blurring, "happy accidents," and alternative film processing are often considered part of the "Lomographic Technique”. Users are encouraged to take a lighthearted approach to their photography, and use these techniques to document everyday life, as the cameras small size, simple controls, and ability to shoot in low light encourages candid photography and photo reportage. Many of the different Lomography camera models were displayed around a huge stage that hosted rock shows all day long. All the cameras showcased had two major characteristics in common: deliberately low-fidelity and inexpensive construction.
News from SEA&SEA
I paid a visit at the Sunpak booth today and was introduced to a few Sea & Sea products showcased at the show. The first was the Sea & Sea DX-1200 HD camera and housing. The camera makes use of a 3.0 inch LCD screen, and is capable of recording HD (high definition) videos at a size of 1280x780. The camera also features the Sea & Sea mode, which is basically a different color mode, specially programmed for underwater photography.
Or so claims a company named “Lomography”, which established a large department pretty much at the middle of the Photokina fair, also featuring some great rock shows. Lomography is the commercial trademark of Lomographische AG from Austria, a company that specializes in products and services related to analog photography. Characteristics such as over-saturated colors, off-kilter exposure, blurring, "happy accidents," and alternative film processing are often considered part of the "Lomographic Technique”. Users are encouraged to take a lighthearted approach to their photography, and use these techniques to document everyday life, as the cameras small size, simple controls, and ability to shoot in low light encourages candid photography and photo reportage. Many of the different Lomography camera models were displayed around a huge stage that hosted rock shows all day long. All the cameras showcased had two major characteristics in common: deliberately low-fidelity and inexpensive construction.
I paid a visit at the Sunpak booth today and was introduced to a few Sea & Sea products showcased at the show. The first was the Sea & Sea DX-1200 HD camera and housing. The camera makes use of a 3.0 inch LCD screen, and is capable of recording HD (high definition) videos at a size of 1280x780. The camera also features the Sea & Sea mode, which is basically a different color mode, specially programmed for underwater photography.
News from SEACAM
Following the classy and prestige nature of their products, Seacam designed their booth to feature an exclusive look, including black velvet covered walls, a well organized glass-fronted display cabinet and a convenient, highly equipped meeting room. They showcased their new strobe, the SeaFlash 150 Digital, featuring a high guide number of 14 underwater (which is equivalent to a 42 guide number flash on air). The new flash can use a Nikonos 5 or an S6 sync port, according to the system planned by the photographer, includes an emergency flasher and a built-in powerful focus light. They also informed me that they intend to showcase their new housings for the Nikon D3 and Nikon D700 cameras at the DEMA show.
News from Ikelite
Ikelite showcased their new housing for the Canon Digital 1000D Rebel XS and stated that it will be available soon. The housing, made of clear Polycarbonate, is depth rated to 60m/200 feet, makes use of Ikelite pioneered Quad-Ring seal glands and provides the photographer with access to all camera controls and functions. The housing size and weight near-neutral buoyancy and includes a quick release system for the handles.
In addition, Ikelite showcased many new compact digital camera housings that were designed for the popular camera models that recently hit the market.
Panasonic, like Nikon and other major photo distributors, also established a studio-like stage, in which a beautiful model, wearing as little as possible, was captured by professional photographers using Panasonic cameras and photo equipment. Aside from the gorgeous model, Panasonic proudly introduced it’s Lumix DMC-G1 digital camera, which features a few different innovations. The new camera makes use of a Micro Four Thirds system, which enables the camera to offer the quality and versatility of a DSLR despite its compact size. In addition, the mirror and pentamirror viewfinder were replaced by a live view only system, using a high resolution electronic viewfinder on the large articulated rear screen. The LCD screen features a resolution of 460,000 dots, and the interchangeable lens system allows for different lenses to be used with the camera. At the moment, the camera comes with a 14-45mm F3.5-6.5 lens, but another 45-200mm lens is available. Panasonic also plans to release three more lenses to be compatible with this camera in the upcoming year.
One of the Olympus great attractions at the show was the prototype of a new camera, which makes use of the Micro Four Thirds System, as introduced a little earlier by Olympus. This system allows for high quality images to be taken despite the size and weight of the camera, which were both dramatically reduced. The new, still un-named camera will also feature an interchangeable lens system and was introduced for the first time at the Photokina 2008 show.
News from SanDisk
SanDisk came up with a creative way of drawing the traffic to their booths by announcing a photo competition among all visitors. They established a few live performances and declared that a winning show of these performances will award the photographer with a Nikon D90 camera and a SanDisk Extreme III 30MB/s memory card.
SanDisk showcased their new 4 and 8GM 45MB/s extreme IV cards, as well as 8, 16 and 32GB extreme III cards. In addition, 8 and 16GB cards are available at a speed of 30MB/s and are claimed to be the fastest when used in cameras such as the Nikon D90.
Last Day, September 28th
Today was the last day of the Photokina 2008 Show. Many visitors, mainly consumers, arrived at the fair and enjoyed their last chance to take part in the world’s largest photography event this year.
News from FujiFilm
Under the new slogan, “FUJIFILM FinePix, More than you imagined,” Fujifilm exhibited its new lineup of FinePix digital cameras. The Digital Camera Area was divided into three separate zones: Touch & Try Zone for the 2008 New Autumn Lineup, Real Photo Technology Experience, and Near Future Technologies. These zones displayed impressive lineups including the latest camera models, new photo experience technologies and near future systems.
The Real Photo Technology Experience section featured Fujifilm’s “Super CCD at Photokina 2008” which includes the structure and concept of Fujifilm’s newly-developed sensor and other leading imaging products. Fujifilm has also developed a brand new dimensional imaging system as part of its near future technologies which was offered to the new world of imaging as an imaging concept model.
FujiFilm also introduced a few attractions that drew some traffic to their booths. One of them was a professional photographer taking staged photos of visitors that volunteered to participate in the shot. Those volunteers were asked to wear some accessories, as sunglasses, and were captured in creative poses, staged by the photographer.
News from Sony
Sony showcased their new DSLR, the Alpha 900, which features a 24.6 MP 35mm full-frame CMOS sensor. This camera was the most popular camera among Sony booth visitors, as this camera was already announced months ago, and this was the first time one could actually put his hands on it. The A900 also features a SteadyShot inside full frame image sensor shift stabilization, high speed Dual Bionz processors, 5 frames per second burst, a 3.0 inch LCD screen (270 dpi), a new vertical grip and much more.
Some new CyberShot cameras, which were already announced in August, were introduced at the Sony booths, including the DSC-T700, DSC-T77 and DSC-T500.
Sony exhibited a well-designed aquarium, also displaying their different underwater products. These products include housings for both compact digital cameras and camcorders and lighting solutions. Most of Sony underwater housings are made from Polycarbonate and are depth rated to 132 feet.
Cologne
The Photokina show is held in September every two years at the Cologne trade fair. When visiting the Photkina fair, it is absolutely a must to take advantage of the opportunity to pay a visit to the different attractions of the beautiful city of Cologne as well.
Sony exhibited a well-designed aquarium, also displaying their different underwater products. These products include housings for both compact digital cameras and camcorders and lighting solutions. Most of Sony underwater housings are made from Polycarbonate and are depth rated to 132 feet.
Cologne
The Photokina show is held in September every two years at the Cologne trade fair. When visiting the Photkina fair, it is absolutely a must to take advantage of the opportunity to pay a visit to the different attractions of the beautiful city of Cologne as well.
Cologne - Photo by Uri Nevo
Dome - photo by Uri Nevo
Cologne Scene - Photo by Uri Nevo
Dome - Photo by Uri Nevo
See you at Photokina 2010
We, at Fantasea, and the team at DivePhotoGuide, would like to thank everyone who took part in establishing the wonderful fair this year and especially for coming up with the idea of hosting an underwater imaging section for the first time. We would like to specially thank Dennis Wilson, an event manager in the fair, who took such great care of everyone and made sure that all of ours needs are perfectly met. We hope to meet you all, visitors, exhibitors and event managers, at the Photokina 2010 fair.
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