News and Opinion All the latest news and gossip from the processing and lab world InfoStation SONY TRANSFER BUSINESS TO DNP


It was announced on 22nd November that Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd. (DNP) and Sony Corporation reached an agreement to transfer Sony's worldwide professional digital photo printer business (excluding the manufacture of printers) to DNP. DNP, the world's largest manufacturer of Dye Sublimation Print Media, will


establish a framework to ensure that the supply of media for all instant photo printing kiosks and ID photo printers installed by Sony, continue without interruption. The agreement further includes the transfer of related business accounts and a number of Sony employees to DNP. DNP Fotolusio Co., Ltd. is DNP's global photo printing subsidiary.


EVENT PHOTOGRAPHERS: BEWARE 'BRIDEZILLA'


Royal wedding bells in the air have highlighted the risks to photographers from brides with unrealistic expectations, say Infocus Insurance, who are dealing with more wedding-related claims all the time. With wedding photography costing up to £2,000, experts say brides are becoming more demanding than ever before. Steve Hewlett, Director of In Focus Insurance, says photographers are being stung by couples trying to blame them for all manner of perceived failures. He says: “More professional indemnity claims are being made each year because of angry bridezillas. As celebrity weddings are plastered all over our magazines, blushing brides want the same treatment as them. The royal wedding will only serve to heighten the trend with more pressure on brides to look perfect. “We’ve seen many cases where images are actually of a high quality but the bride just doesn’t like how she looks and has refused to pay the photography bill. In some cases, brides have even sued for damages. It’s vital photographers have insurance so independent advisors can be appointed to check if the photography is of an appropriate standard. “It’s understandable brides expect the highest quality but in reality, most celebrity wedding shoots cost far more than the average bride spends on professional photography. If the pictures don’t turn out the way the bride wants, then photographers are in big trouble. We’ve dubbed it ‘bridezilla syndrome’ and the number of claims is rising.”


SPRING FAIR IN THE AIR DNP Fotolusio & Sony flaghip photo labs MAX DEAL FOR FUJIFILM


Fujifilm has announced a major agreement with Max Spielmann to supply the leading high street photo chain with an additional 200 Epson wide format printers on top of the 40 already installed in its branches around the UK. The deal follows a meeting at the PMA Convention and Trade Show in America last year between James Timpson, managing director of Timpson (the owner of Max Spielmann), and representatives from Fujifilm. Robin Hamblett, Senior Business Manager from Fujifilm, explains more: "During the meeting in Anaheim James Timpson made it clear he was keen to make speedy progress in enhancing the photo offering in Max Spielmann stores, so once we were back in the UK we worked closely with the team at Epson to provide them with the solution they required." Following a thorough product evaluation the team at Max Spielmann decided the Epson 7900 24" was the printer to take their stores to the next level. The introduction of the Epson 7900 and its swift return on investment has accelerated the replacement of Max Spielmann's older equipment with the initial order for 140 units being quickly increased to 200. Max Spielmann’s Digital Director, Ivan Sestan says: “We are very satisfied with what Fujifilm have done on such a large project.


Fujifilm is finalising plans for the forthcoming Spring Fair exhibition, where they will be exhibiting in Hall 3, stand D45, with exhibition partner Epson. The companies will be launching two new Epson printers, the 17" Stylus Pro 4900 and the 24" Stylus Pro 7890 at the show. Both machines are high speed, low maintenance printers that provide high quality, professional prints. Visitors to Spring Fair will also be able to see a demonstration of the new version of Wunderbars, Wunderbars White. Wunderbars White is constructed of Swedish Pine and uses a


slimmer profile wood (33mm x 46mm) than previous models. They come in packs of 24 with sizes ranging from 8" up to 30". Fujifilm will also be showcasing the new version of its Easy Studio Print (ESP) software, which is designed to make printing large format easy by handling sizing, orientation and colour management. It ensures all media settings are correct and avoids errors saving on media and ink. The new version includes a host of new features including full colour editing, easy addition of text and a new 'Periscope' facility to allow for remote technical support. Photo balloons and Fujifilm's re-launched range of cut-sheet paper and photoboard will also be there. The show will be held at Birmingham's NEC, 6 - 10 February.


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