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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.

At the Touch & Try Zone, FujiFilm showcased their new FinePix F60fd camera (an upgrade of the F50fd model), which uses a Face Detection Technology version 3.0, as fast as 0.036 seconds. They also showcased for the first time the FinePix S2000HD (an upgrade of the S1000fd), which enables the photographer to enjoy enlarged and high-resolution photos and movies taken with the camera by simply connecting an HDTV connection cable. The J camera models series (J150w, J120, J110w and J100), announced at the mid of August, were introduced at the show as well.

The Real Photo Technology Experience Area was specially established to allow visitors to experience the different FujiFilm cameras features and technologies. For instance, the Scene Recognition Auto function was introduced, intelligently identifying scenes and optimizing photographic conditions accordingly. The Wide Dynamic Range 400%, which suppresses over-exposure in scenes with a high contrast between dark and bright colors, was also introduced.

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 many 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 at the Cologne trade fair. When visiting the Photkina fair, it is absolutely a must to take advantage of the opportunity and to pay a visit at the different attractions of the beautiful Cologne city as well.

Cologne is the largest city both in the German Federal State of North Rhine-Westphalia and within the Rhine-Ruhr Metropolitan Area, one of the major European metropolitan areas with more than ten million inhabitants. It is one of the oldest cities in Germany, having been founded by the Romans in the year 38 BC. Cologne was granted the status of a Roman “city” in the year 50 AD. This city is considered to be a major cultural center of the Rhineland and has a vibrant arts scene. It is home to more than 30 museums and hundreds of galleries. Exhibitions range from local ancient Roman archeological sites to contemporary graphics and sculpture. Within Germany, Cologne is known as an important media center, including several radio and television stations.

The city’s famous Cologne Cathedral (Kölner Dom) is the seat of the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Cologne. It is a beautiful and huge structure, and visiting the Dom when the mass is conducted is a unique experience. Walking the ancient part of the city, where the road is built of small old looking stones, is also a must. Many bars are located here, offering the local beer which can only be consumed at the city of Cologne. Walking around there brings you back a few decades behind, as the only thing missing for my complete experience was a stone-age puffed dress (and maybe a handsome knight).

See you at Photokina 2010
We, at Fantasea, would like to thank everyone who took part in establishing the wonderful fair this year and especially for coming up 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.

-Sharon Rainis, Fantasea Line