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PhotoPlus Expo 2016
28th September 2016
Like A Kid in A Toy Store
As a long time follower of all thing photographic, I’m attracted to places where I can see, touch and fawn over new and innovative photographic equipment, accessories and services.
The conference includes daily photo walks where attendees will explore the sites and streets of New York City accompanied by well-known professionals.
One standout is the Drone+ Seminar led by photographer George Steinmetz as he shows his aerial films. Also joining him are representatives form the FAA that will explain regulations concerning commercial drone photography.
PhotoPlus takes place October 19-22 at the Jacob Javits Convention Center. With the completion of the #7 subway last year, getting to Javits is an easy ride from other areas of the city.
If you share my enthusiasm for photography, visit PhotoPlus Expo 2016 for more details. Maybe I’ll see you there.
Written by: Arnie Lee
PhotoPlus Expo
09th November 2015
Following are some of the exhibits that I stopped by during my visit to PhotoPlus Expo. |
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There were an abundance of live seminars and demonstrations on the expo floor. These covered a large gamut of photo topics: better use of equipment, lighting techniques, wedding and portrait sets, directing and posing subjects, post-processing and software usage.
Many well-known photographers and educators were on hand for the seminars and floor demos: Hanson Fong, Joe McNally, Lindsay Adler, Tamara Lackey, Terry White, Julianne Kost, Scott Kelby to name a few. With more than 100 classes, there is learning for every photographic category. |
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EquipmentFor those interested in trying new cameras and accessories, all of the major manufacturers had exhibits and representatives to demonstrate their wares and answer questions. Even hard-to-find accessories such as these long lenses were available for hands-on trial for the many interested photographers.
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ServicesMany attendees use the services available at PhotoPlus to clean and/or service their equipment Here is a Canon rep cleaning a DLSR while the owner waits. The major manufacturers Canon, Nikon, Sony and Panasonic all had technicians on hand to provide service to those with extended service contracts. They also provided complimentary cleaning.
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Barber Shop Leather AccessoriesI was attracted to goods at the Barber Shop booth. They had a very attractive collection of leather camera straps and cameras bags. Barber Shop is an Italian company and these goods were exquisitely stylish and solidly made. For more information visit Barber Shop. |
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LowePro Camera Bags |
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Based on my many years of satisfaction with their products, I stopped at the LowePro booth. On display were several dozen of backpack style camera bags in sizes varying from small for a single camera to extra large for two cameras with six or more lenses.
I took to their Urban Reporter which looks more like a messenger bag rather than a conventional camera bag. It has room for a laptop, a large camera and ample padded storage for several lenses and accessories. I also saw their new DroneGuard. This is a case designed to carry a drone (e.g. DJI Phantom) and accessories. This makes transporting the drone convenient and safe. You can learn about their product line by visiting LowePro. |
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Tornado Hexcopter DroneDrones are available in many different sizes and sport a wide variety of features. It’s almost essential that these flying devices have excellent digital equipment, stabilization and easy control if the desired end result is quality photography and video. At the Yuneec booth, the Canadian company’s product director Mark Padilla gave me a demonstration of their Tornado H920. This professional drone has a lightweight carbon fiber body controlled by a sophisticated remote that includes “pilot view”, video downlink and instrumentation. The camera provides full 1080 HD. Since the drone’s landing pods are retractable, the camera has an unobstructed view. Additionally, it is mounted on a controllable 3-axis gimbal for steady shots. For more information please contact Yuneec. |
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Below you can see Mark giving me a demo of the Tornado H920:
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Cotton Carrier HarnessesAs an outdoor photographer, I typically carry two or more cameras on assignment and headed to Cotton Carrier to look at their products. Their “vest” holds one or two handsfree depending on the options selected. Each camera is held to the vest using a locking connector and leash. They also have a Speed Belt for holding a camera at waist level. You can learn more about their lineup at Cotton Carrier |
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Epson SureColor P800Over the years I’ve owned several professional quality printers. The most recent was limited to 13″ wide prints. I’m now interested in a printer for making larger prints and stopped to talk to the Epson representative who demonstrated their new SureColor P800. This device can make 17″ wide prints on a very wide variety of papers, has several paper handling features including roll feeder, uses large capacity ink cartridges with enhanced black and white printing. The samples produced during the demo were superb. The SureColor P800 is now on my wish list. You can find out more about the P800 by visiting Epson. |
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Kodak PixPro SP360 Action CameraKodak’s Rep Amanda Drain gave me a demo of their innovative PixPro SP360 Action Camera. As its name suggests, it captures 360 degrees as 1080p HD video. The camera itself is a cube with a dome on top. It’s weather resistant and ruggedly designed to withstand drops and knocks. It has Wi-Fi and NFC connectivity and can be controlled with either IOS (Apple) or Android devices. |
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If you’re ready to experience the PhotoPlus Conference next year, mark your calendar for October 19-22 at Jacob Javits Center in New York City.
Written by: Arnie Lee
PhotoPlus Conference & Expo
12th October 2015
I have a strong interest in staying on top of the rapidly evolving picture taking techniques and amazing new advances in photo equipment. One way of doing this is for me to attend the various conventions and meetings. On my docket is the upcoming PhotoPlus Conference & Expo.
Next week I’ll be going to New York City and the Javits Center where PhotoPlus runs from Wednesday, October 21 through Saturday, October 24th.
Traveling to New York is always an enjoyable trip for me. I was raised in Westchester, just a stones throw from NYC. I’m anxious to ride the subway to the brand new Hudson Yards station (across the street from Javit’s). Taking the subway will save me a couple of miles walk from Grand Central to Javits.
What is PhotoPlus?
Since 1983, PhotoExpo has grown to be the largest photography show in the US. The conference is geared towards amateur and professionals who can sit in on more than one hundred seminars and classes ranging from posing and lighting techniques to business and promotional practices. Seminar and class instructors are led by noted professionals who are anxious to share their know-how. With New York City as a backdrop several accompanied photo walks are scheduled for attendees can explore the city photographically.
PhotoPlus also attract attendees to the expo where more than 200 exhibitors are showing their latest equipment, supplies and services. They’ll get hands-on time with cameras, lenses, flashes, gadgets, and accessories galore. Several large vendors are on hand at the expo for those ready to buy new equipment. Many vendors present live on-floor demonstrations of their equipment and services so attendees can see the products in action.
As an interested photographer, if you’re in the New York City area next week consider attending. Here’s where you’ll find more information at the PhotoPlus Conference & Expo.
Written by Arnie Lee
PhotoPlus Expo 2014
18th November 2014
This is one of my favorite shows for learning about new photographic equipment and accessories. I’m now preparing a series of articles that highlight some of the new products from the show. You’ll see them shortly.
Written by: Arnie Lee
The Delivery Man Finally Cometh
31st December 2013
The Backorder Has Arrived
This past October, I was in NYC to cover PhotoExpo 2013. It’s a large trade show for the photographic industry where new equipment, accessories, services and the like are on display.
One of the nicest things about trade shows is that you can have some hands-on time using the new hardware and ask in- depth questions that the reps are able to field.
However, due to the usual holiday confusion, I have yet to open the carton. In the next few days, I hope to try it out. Since it’s 10 degrees outdoors here in Grand Rapids, I think the underwater testing will have to wait unless I decide to try it out in the bathtub.
But with the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) right around the corner (next week), I just might take it with me to Las Vegas and jump into one of the pools. I’ll fill you in when I have more to report.
Written by: Arnie Lee
PhotoPlus Expo – Redsnap
19th November 2013
High Speed Photography and More
As I was walking the aisles of the PhotoPlus Expo, an impressive photo caught my attention. It was a stop action of a glass bottle as it was shattering into hundreds of small pieces.
I was at the booth of a company named Triggertrap and they were showing off its Redsnap trigger. This device is unique in that you can use one of several sensors to trigger your camera or flash.
The good news is that this looks like a promising product.
The bad news is that the Redsnap is not yet available. Triggertap has been raising money to build and distribute the Redsnap through a Kickstarter campaign. The goal was to raise £50,000 but they surprisingly raised £290,000.
I learned that the electronics and enclosures for the Redsnap are now being finalized. Small production batches will be available for Kickstarter contributors beginning in December and January and full production is scheduled to begin about May of next year.
Retail prices have yet to be determined. For more information go to the Triggertrap site.
It looks like an interesting accessory. I hope to review one when they become available.
Written by: Arnie Lee
MakerBot and 3D Printing
14th November 2013
3D Printers will soon be Commonplace
At this year’s Consumer Electronics Show, I spent some time scouting out 3D printers. These are devices that can build or construct a three-dimensional solid object. For a couple of months, I studied the literature and researched several models via the Internet.
A couple of months later while I was in New York City, I stopped by a store in downtown Manhattan. It’s not your usual store – it’s for “techies” like me. MakerBot, a manufacturer of 3D printers had opened a store right in Manhattan. If the staff could prove to me that using their Replicator 2 was simple, I’d buy one.
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PhotoPlus Expo – Accessories from Joby
09th November 2013
Hand Grip and Shoulder Strap Combo
For much of my shooting, I’m out in the field exploring and enjoying the outdoors, nature and landscapes: you get the picture. I like to travel light so I rarely use a camera bag or backpack. As I’m walking, hiking, climbing, bending, kneeling and at times crawling, my cameras get a mighty good workout from jostling around on my shoulder and banging against my side.
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The UltraFit Hand Strap with Plate sells for about $35. The Pro Sling Strap sells for about $30.
After talking to Joby and seeing it in action, I’ve already placed a set of these on order.
Written by: Arnie Lee
Photoplus Expo
25th November 2012
for both professionals and consumers
When someone asks me where I’m from, I usually volunteer a two part answer: “I grew up in New York but I live in Michigan”. Still after almost 40 years, it’s a treat for me to return to New York to see friends and family.
For this report, I’ll concentrate on several of the new digital cameras as these are the among the most popular.
Nikon D600
I first saw the Nikon 600 a few weeks ago at the huge Photokina Expo in Cologne, Germany. Nikon’s newest DSLR is positioned as a “prosumer” model. Its full-frame sensor, the same size as a 35mm film frame, offers an impressive 24MP resolution with superior light gathering power and less noise than the more common APS-C size sensors found in many consumer targeted DLSRs.
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Other notable features are:
- built-in flash with versatile wireless control of external units
- dual SD card slots – you can configure the D600 to record duplicate of images on both SD cards or to record jpg images on one card and RAW images on the other
- in-camera HDR capability – multiple exposures are combined automatically to capture a wider range of tones
- Active-D lighting – reduces very contrasty scenes to retain detail in highlights and shadows
- time-lapse – captures multiple frames at specified intervals
- full 1080p HD video at multiple frame rates
- uncompressed video output via HDMI cable
- external stereo input with visual auto level monitor
Users who want to transmit images directly to a smart device can purchase the inexpensive WU-1b wireless adapter. With this they can backup images and/or share images as text messages or online social media sites.
The D600 will prove to be a very capable model for those looking to upgrade from one of Nikon’s DX format cameras to a full-frame body. It’s available now for $2100. The price of the WU-1B wireless transmitter is $60.
Canon 6D
Pick up the Canon 6D, and you’ll immediately notice how much smaller (less wide) and lighter it is compared to Canon’s previous full frame 5DMkII and 5DMkIII models. The target market for the 6D is the prosumer who wants to upgrade from an APS-C frame size body, similar to what Nikon is doing with its D600 model.
Other features of the 6D are:
- 20MB full-frame sensor
- 11-point autofocus system
- high speed capture at 4.5 frames per second
- single SD card slot
- in-camera HDR – combines bracketed exposures to yield images which encompass wide exposure levels
- multiple exposure – superimposes up to nine separate images onto single frame
- full 1080p HD video at multiple frame rates
- built-in WiFi – sends images wirelessly to smart devices (computer,mobile phones) for backup or preview
- built-in GPS – adds location information to images
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One feature missing from the 6D is a built-in flash. Normally, this classifies the camera as a professional model. Originally slated for release December 15th, the Canon 6D was already shipping in late November. The price is $2100, same as the Nikon D600.
Sony NEX-6
I have to admit that I’m a big fan of Sony’s line of mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras (MILC). The newest member of the NEX series is the NEX-6. The MILCs are all much smaller and lighter than any of the DLSRs, making them very convenient to carry.
This model uses a hybrid autofocus system that addresses a shortcoming of the earlier models. Autofocus is now performed by combining fast phase-detection for coarse focusing with contrast-detection for precise focusing.
Many of the controls on the NEX-6 have been reworked from earlier models to change the settings faster and more conveniently. The high resolution electronic viewfinder lets the user preview the effect of the settings before the shutter is released.
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The 3″ LCD display has a 920K dot resolution and tilts 90 degrees upward and 45 degrees downward for easy viewing in a variety of shooting situations.
Among the innovative shooting features are:
- in-camera HDR – combines three separate images into a single image with wide tonal range
- adjustable DRO – dynamic range optimizer helps prevent overly contrast images
- multiframe NR – captures multiple frames and combines parts to produce single framewith least amount of moise
- sweep panorama – sweep your camera horizontally to take multiple frames which are stitched together in camera
- built-in flash
- built-in WiFi – sends images to mobile device or computer for backup or display
- full 1080p HD video
The Sony NEX-6 is available now with 16-50mm lens for $1000.
Thanks to the vendors from Nikon, Canon and Sony who provided me with much of the technical information that I’ve presented here.
The show management told me that more than 24,000 visitors attended this year’s Photoplus Expo. Based on my conversations, I recently added a new Canon 6D to my large inventory of photo equipment. I’m sure that I wasn’t the only one to have made a purchasing decision after the show.
Written by: Arnie Lee
PDN Photo Plus Expo
02nd November 2010
Last week I spent a few days in New York City at the PDN Photo Plus Expo. This show is held each year at the Javits Convention Center and attracts not only professionals but avid photographers who are interested in seeing, touching and feeling the newest equipment, speaking to major camera, lens, lighting and accessory makers, watching the many live picture-taking demos given by industry pros and sitting in on dozens of informative “how-to” seminars.
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Many thanks to the folks at Lowepro. They generously provided these convenient camera backpacks to all of the members of the press. |
I was somewhat surprised at the size of the crowds. With so many attendees, it was slow-moving traffic in the aisles. Lou Desiderio of the PDN Photo Plus Expo management confirmed that more than 24,000 visitors passed through the turnstyles to attend the show. In an otherwise “down” economic environment, this is good news to the many vendors who were exhibiting.
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