One of our regular contributors, Fred Bonilla, brings perspective on his experience on the other side of the counter.

In our dealings with our clients and customers, we strive to meet or exceed expectations in delivering our products. And as a photographic equipment salesman, my job is to meet the need to get the proper gear in the customer’s hand to achieve what they want from photography. In many cases, it is work or hobby related where the customer uses the equipment to achieve a certain goal or record something for later reference. But more often than not, we see that we get cameras into our customer’s hands to record memories and events that are near and dear to their hearts and preserve them for generations to come. It is a fulfilling enterprise and frankly, it’s why I’ve invested so much of my professional and personal life in photography in the first place.

Nothing moves the human soul in such a personal way as photography does.

In my 30+ years as a camera salesman & photographer, I can name countless times when the power of photography has manifested itself as a healing and powerful force for good.

One such time was in the late 70’s in my first photo job as a manager of a Fotomat (remember them?) styled store in New York City. A middle aged woman brought in a roll of 110 color film for developing,urging me to take good care of it for they contained important pictures.

Being in my early 20’s, I gave my stock answer that it would be well taken care of, thinking to myself that of course, “to them ,they’re ALL important pictures”. Turns out that the roll was somehow exposed to light and it came back labeled “Unable To Print”.
When the woman came back and heard the news, she broke down and wept uncontrollably, then grabbed and urged me to send it back to the lab and do whatever it took to get any sort of image on paper.

Seeing her distressed state, I called the lab and asked them to print any image they could, and work any magic they can. What came back to this woman’s hand a day later was a faint picture of the woman and a young man, with a barely visible smile on both of their faces. Tears appeared again on this woman’s face, but they were joyful and bittersweet.

It happens that this young man was her son who joined the U.S. military and the photo was taken just before he went off to training. This was the last photo ever taken of him for he sadly died in a freak accident where he was stationed.

She hugged and thanked for my effort in preserving this for her (and it was of course none of my doing but the lab’s dodging, burning and other tricks) I learned then as Susan Sontag said that “To take a photograph is to participate in another person’s (or thing’s) mortality, vulnerability, mutability. Precisely by slicing out this moment and freezing it, all photographs testify to time’s relentless melt.”

Another example comes to mind in this TED talk from last fall from Stephen Addis, the CEO of the Addis Creson strategic brand agency in San Francisco. In just over 3 minutes, he shared his unique photographic tradition he shares with his daughter and in turn unfolded another page in the power of a photograph to touch our hearts and souls.

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And a link in case you can’t see the video here.

The photo industry has changed so radically from when I started and I hear the laments that the golden days are gone. Profit margins have shrunk, customers don’t know what quality is and demand to pay less for quality in the Instagram & Pinterest age. Digital,Digital,Digital! !But in watching the above video and the many instances of when I see the power of a photo manifest itself in someone’s life, it reminds me of the final line of the “Hokey-Pokey”, a truly hokey song whose dance I’ve never done (and will NEVER do!) . In all it’s urging to move arms & legs in & out, it then utters it’s final line.

“That’s what’s all about” Simple yet madly profound. I hope that as photographers and visual artists, we never lose sight of the joy and profound meaning a simple photograph can bring.

We all know that the race is on for the camera manufacturers to maintain relevance in the compact camera field.

We also know that for the most part, compact cameras actually do take better photographs.

So what to do?

Make cameras that are at a price point that gives you things like telephoto lenses, larger megapixel files, scene selections, etc., may be the best way to maintain.

Of course the toughest hurdle is the sharing aspect. Smartphones just own that space at this point.
With the exception of Samsung, all of the wi-fi enabled cameras have to stop off at a proprietary site before you share with Facebook, twitter, email or others.

The funny thing about all of this is that people know when you have made a better photo. A sweet smartphone shot is always called out because it’s not expected.

We use both/all. Smartphone, compact cameras, mirrorless cameras, DSLRs. And the quality difference is obvious between them all.
It’s all about what do you need the image to do.
So the major manufacturers, like Nikon, have come out with some amazing compact cameras for a low price point, and one even is the perfect outdoorsy compact camera.
Seriously, a 20megapixel camera fro $120.? Not bad.
And you won’t need a monthly plan to use em.
Wiat till you see what they came out with fro the pro and enthusiast.
Further down the post……..

The Nikon COOLPIX S5200: The Camera for Staying Connected
The COOLPIX S5200 is a versatile camera with a 16.0-megapixel backside-illuminated (BSI) CMOS sensor that captures high-quality images and video, even in low-light conditions. Featuring a wide-angle 6x (26mm to 156mm) optical zoom-NIKKOR glass lens, the compact and slim S5200 ensures crisp, detailed images in a pocketable body. Images and videos can be uploaded and shared instantly using the camera’s built-in Wi-Fi® capabilities1, allowing users to share images and videos with compatible smart devices via the Wireless Mobile Adapter Utility application1.

While sharing photos is fun, the COOLPIX S5200 makes creating flattering photos easy. Users have access to simple editing and shooting features including Best Smile Selector, a tool that automatically helps select the shot that best compliments the subject. In addition, an upgraded version of Glamour Retouch lets the user brighten faces using a variety of retouch effects. All shooting features, including Quick Effects and Target Finding AF, are accessible using the camera’s simple yet intuitive 3-inch TFT LCD monitor.

The Nikon COOLPIX L28: A Compact Camera for Everyday Life
The 20.1-megapixel COOLPIX L28 features easy-to-use shooting functions and streamlined operation that allow users to capture unique and expressive photos and videos effortlessly. Equipped with a 5x optical zoom (26mm to 130mm) and simple shooting functions such as Easy Auto Mode, this new COOLPIX camera allows the user to capture pristine still images and HD video at the touch of a button. The COOLPIX L28’s Smart Portrait Mode has six functions including Face-priority AF, Skin Softening, Smile Timer, Blink Proof and In-Camera Red-Eye Fix that allow users to take their creativity to new heights. For comfortable operation, the L28 also sports a 3-inch TFT LCD screen and an easy-to-hold grip and button layout that fits in a user’s hand comfortably. The COOLPIX L28 uses widely available AA-size alkaline batteries, so users can conveniently keep their cameras powered.

Pricing and Availability:
The COOLPIX S5200 will be available in February 2013 for a suggested retail price of $179.95* in Plum, Red, Blue and Black. The COOLPIX L28 will be available in February 2013 for a suggested retail price of $119.95* in Red, Black and Silver.
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While up at a trade show, there was a little soiree thrown by Canon.
Off in quiet section, a photo business analyst, and Ben Thomas from Canon, were examining a camera.
Had to peek in and see.
It was the new Canon PowerShot “N”.
Square, articulated screen, no shutter button, zoom lever.
And white.
Yes, it shoots HD video (1080p), and the flash can be set to be a constant light for video.
This tiny wonder, 3.09 x 2.37 x 1.15 inches caught my attention for the from factor alone.
It uses a micro-sd card (you have to buy yet more media cards.They are tiny, but usually come with an SD shell for uploading.
Yes, it has a zoom lens that goes from 28-224 optical (35mm equivalent).
Yes, it has a wi-fi connection that goes to the Canon site, and from there you can share.

How come Samsung is the only one hat lets you upload right to Facebook, Twitter, email, etc??

Oh well.

One of the big party tricks on this camera, other than the touch screen and the rings to shoot (watch the vid, you’ll see) is the creative mode.
You take the picture you want, and the camera takes 5 more. One B&W, One recomposes,one is Bleached, and 2 others I can’t remember. Decide on what you want to keep, and you still have your original.
Interesting, but we’ll have to use it more to see the results.

This Canon is pretty sweet and it seems to be a perfect point and shoot camera.
Oh, wait…one thing we forgot to mention:

It appears from these company specs that (look at 4) it can do a square image. very cool. haven’t seen this in a compact before.

1) 16:9 – Large: 4000 x 2248; Medium 1: 2816 x 1584; Medium 2: 1920 x 1080; Small: 640 x 360

2) 3:2 – Large: 4000 x 2664; Medium 1: 2816 x 1880; Medium 2: 1600 x 1064; Small: 640 x 424

3) 4:3 – Large: 4000 x 3000; Medium 1: 2816 x 2112; Medium 2: 1600 x 1200; Small: 640 x 480

4) 1:1 – Large: 2992 x 2992; Medium 1: 2112 x 2112; Medium 2: 1200 x 1200; Small: 480 x 480

WiFi certified
HS System
Full HD 1920 x 1080
DiGiC 5
12.1 Megapixel CCD
(CMOS)28mm wide, 8x optical zoom
Intelligent IS
2.8-inch Tilt-up Touch LCD
Mobile Device Connect Button
Zoom Ring
Shutter Ring
Smart Auto 58 scenes
Hybrid AutoCreative Shot

Look for this in April 2013.
Cost about $300.

OK, seriously.
We are talking about a tripod. It is the Brian model. Lightweight, carbon fiber legs, one leg comes off to use as a monopod, and lots more. And we did bring it to your attention before.
But what we want to point out here is the company that brings us this tripod line, plus a lot more products for the photographer.
When we first met Danny Lenihan, it was outside the ThinkTank Photo booth at PhotoPlus Expo a couple of years ago.
In his hands was a prototype tripod: compact, lightweight versatile. And came in a sweet case.
The passion in this guys presentation of his new baby/product was palpable.
So the next year we had in our hands, the production model of Brian.
Wow.
Impressed, did all it should and promised. There were a couple minor production issues, but we knew they’d get worked out.
This past Oct, when we saw the latest iteration of the full 3LeggedThing tripod line, there was no doubt they had arrived.
The tooling on all of the parts was as clean as any gear we’ve used. We tried a new ball head that exceeded all of our expectations.
And the Brian just keeps getting better.

We use this tripod, and applaud the company for many reasons.
In a very tough marketplace, to see a new company enter, create, continually improve, and give consistent great value, warms our photographic heart.
There are a lot of products that come to play, but don’t have the heart. Or the design.

3 Legged Thing comes fully loaded with great product. And keeps on keeping on. Check out the rest of their line of products.

Now what that means is that everyone with a press credential goes to a hotel where manufacturers have arranged to present their new news. Alert the media, as the saying goes.
And we were alerted.
Although there were some crazy waits for key presentations (like Samsung), that were 2.5 hours long!
We love ya but, no way.
Others lines were much shorter, but the fact is that a lot of the products had been tipped before CES.
So we like to hit up special press events where smaller companies present their products. Like #Pepcom

Highlights:

Met the folks behind @Dropcam, the simplest home security camera we’ve seen. Why security cams on photoinduced?
Travel ever? Leave your house? Yes, you’re insured but wouldn’t you like to have some visual proof of what went down?

This camera sets up in 10 mins. plugs in anywhere, and watch your home/office from your smartphone. AND have a weeks worth of vid backing you up in the cloud for about $10. a month. It has a built in mic/speaker and allows you to talk to whomever may be on the other side.
OK, maybe you won’t catch a burglar (hopefully, that never happens),but you can tell Rover to stay off the couch from where ever you are in the world. Good dog.

#FitBit, the health tech item we loved last year, must have realized that it was so small, it was easy to lose (yeah, we did that) and announced a wrist band version.
One thing we particularly like about this unit, is it’s ability to track your sleep.

#Gogo, the airline internet carrier, gave us a real good tip: Seems that the prices have gone up since it was introduced, and the once great deal of $14 for the flight, became $6 for an hour and on up. a cross country trip gets ridiculous. So, the deal is- buy it before you fly, online and pay $14..And if you don’t use it, it remains in your account. Much better.

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#snappgrip had some samples at the show, where you add on a shutter, zoom button, and mode settings to your iPhone. $100? hmmm, maybe.But we just backed it on Kickstarter, and it only costs $47. USD.

#Gazelle was there. Know who they are? Only the best folks to sell your used phones, iPads, etc.
contact them, tell em what you have, and they send a box to ship the unit back to them. they examine, assess, and make you an offer.

Do it. We sold our iPhone 4 for $168. Take it in Amazon credit, and add 10% .Easy, peasey.

More products to come when we wrap up the show.
2 more days.

In the press room with the new media:

and the old guard:

The press do get taken care of, though.

Check this lunch-