Focus on Imaging 2005 is at the Birmingham NEC for the next three days - here's what we found there today
Here is our updated Focus on Imaging 2005 show illustrated review:
Some of the interesting things you will find at the show:
Mamiya's 22 megapixel ZD medium format digital SLR (and this wasn't at PMA!)
Canon's new EOS-350D
Epson's new R1800 A3 archival printer
HP's new A3 Photosmart 8750 Pro printer
The Nikon D2X (but the D2Hs won't be in public display)
The Fujfilm FinePix S3 Pro and the latest FinePix compact models
Sigma's new lenses announced at PMA, though some are prototypes locked in a cabinet
Lots of stand seminars, including Nikon, Adobe and Lexar
Show deals from companies like Camera World, Jacobs and Mr Cad as usual
What you won't see:
Stands from Pentax, Olympus (apart from photo kiosks), Sony or Leica
The new Nikon D2Hs - there is one there but not for display.
And here is a selected stand by stand tour of the show floor:
Canon's stand was one of the more spacious ones.
That space was much needed to cater for the interest inthe new Canon EOS-350D.
As usual, Adobe was drawing the crowds at its seminar sessions, this year focussing heavily on Adobe's new DNG RAW format as well as Photoshop Elements 3.0.
After their financial woes in the last year, it was good to see Ilford back with a bustling stand.
Casio were on hand to demonstrate their tiny and rather cute Exilim EX-P505.
Nikon had the same stand design as last year.
Nikon's towering stand conceals a seminar theatre within, with an extensive programme running throughout the show.
You can also buy Nikon mugs there too.
Lexar also have hourly seminars to introduce their new Active Memory and LockTight technologies as well as Photo Mechanic, a fast software utility for managing images and which can take advantage of Active Memory and LockTight.
A definite scoop for Focus this year was the appearance of the 22 megapixel Mamiya ZD medium format DSLR. This is the only one outside of Japan. I asked why it was at Focus but not at PMA. The answer was simply: "We're not sure why it wasn't at PMA, but we asked ourselves why shouldn't it be here at Focus!"
Although the Mamiya ZD is locked in a glass case, you can wonder at the size of its enormous sensor chip. The same chip is used in an interchangeable back for other Mamiya bodies and that's on display too.
The Fujifilm stand was extremely busy, with a lot of interest in the new FinePix S3 Pro DSLR
Fujifilm also produce a lot of accessories, from memory cards to ink-jet photo paper.
The FinePix range of compact digicams can be seen on the Fujifilm stand, including the brand new F10 six megapixel model (above) that will be availble later in the spring.
The battle of the A3 photo printers is hotting up! If this interest you, there are a couple of Epson R1800s on hand for inspection.
HP is also demonstrating its new A3 offering, the Photosmart 8750 Pro - which is especially attractive for black and white prints.
Don't forget to stop by the extensive Travel Photographer of the Year (TPOY) competition entries and you can vote for your favourite too.
There are plenty of bargains to be had at the show as stands are allowed to sell to show visitors.
Finally, don't forget Konica Minolta, where you can try out the new Dynax 7D DSLR with anti-shake technology, as well as the rest of the KM digicam range.
We're at the show again on Monday - we'll update the news with more interesting show snippets if we find any.
Public show entry is £6 and for today, at least, in the East car park, parking was free. Focus on Imaging continues on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, from 10AM-6PM, exept for the final day when the show closes an hour earlier.
Full exhibitor details can be found on the
Focus on Imaging web site.
Also, don't miss Josh Waller's show reports at
DigicamReview.
