In pictures: A look back at Photokina 2014

 

Gizmag looks back at a bustling Photokina 2014 (Photo: Paul Ridden/Gizmag)

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Every two years Cologne in Germany goes photo crazy. Photokina is the focal point for everyone who is passionate about taking photographs or recording video, or sitting back to enjoy looking at both. Over the past week, Gizmag has covered the big news coming out of Germany. Now we take a look at some new releases that didn't make the front page, and catch up with some show favorites.

Nikon chose to break news of its new full-frame DSLR ahead of Photokina, but that didn't prevent us from pushing through the crowds at the Messe to grab a few brief moments with the mighty D750. Zooming in on a few sample shots taken at speed (6.5 fps) revealed very sharp and clear low light photos thanks to the high ISO range (and the high resolution of the 3.2-inch tilting monitor) of the 24 megapixel prothusiast camera. Autofocus was quick and quiet, and aperture adjustment during Full HD video recording was really smooth.

By contrast, Canon decided to wait for just before the doors were opened to the public to announce its Mark II EOS 7D. Enthusiast photographers were invited to test the continuous shooting prowess of this 20.2 MP camera by trying to snap shots of a soccer player firing a ball towards the line of trigger-happy Mark II testers. Yes, I had a go and can report being pretty impressed by the clear images of the projectile as it flew in my direction like a bat out of hell.

Gizmag also got to handle the powerful NX1 from Samsung, the enormous H5D-50c from Hasselblad and the heavy-but-beautifully-made Leica S (Type 007).

Unusually, if pressed to choose a booth favorite it wouldn't be the classy Leica hall and gallery. Pansonic's presence may have been a visual feast, and the Fujifilm booth buzzing with activity. But my pick would have to be the Airstream, long-board bench seats and music-and-video producing Volvo Sugga that was Red Bull's Illume Exhibition Tour stand. Most entertaining.

Have a browse through our Photokina gallery for some of our favorite memories of the 2014 expo.