Topic: Focus on imaging 2012

[Ken B: eyes, I just do eyes.]

So I finally decided to go to the big imaging event at NEC Birmingham.

I went on the Tuesday to try and avoid the big crowds. What did I discover up there?

Well:

- Photographers overall are a fairly ugly bunch so lucky most are behind the lens 
- In the last 4 years since my last trade fair, nothing much has changed.
- Everyone hangs around the Nikon and Canon stand looking for silver bullets to improve their photography
- Studio lighting and kit is still the same with a few variations of design
- Constant lighting sources have improved
- Software has been updated a bit but not significantly
- Adobes demo was just appalling, no one knew what was going on
- There are variations of stuff but nothing ground breaking or game changing
- I touched a brand new Linhof Master Technica, I still haven't washed that hand.
- Patterson's 5x4 dev tank insert looked well designed but a bit unconvincing in its build
- Fuji stand was overflowing, Kodak stand was more Bauhaus, to be nice about it.
- Giotto do a reverse folding tripod which looked cool.

Overall the show was fun but I won't go to another for the next 5 years. With the new 36mp Nikon and whatever mp Canon, Phase one backs and Capture One all singing their siren songs of delight and modernness - I weakened and blew my hard earned cash on some new stuff, you will forgive me for doing this. My final list of purchases included a whizzo new type of lens case from Lowepro and .......









5 x rolls of 120 Delta 400
5 x Rolls of 120 Ilford 3200

Mmmmmmmm nice fresh new rolls of film, what a treat!

[Late Developer]

Hi Ken.

Lara and I have been to the last 3 or 4. I was very interested in digital photography (simultaneously to my interest in film, I might add) when it was growing exponentially. However, aside from the stink that Canon's late withdrawal from the last one created, the events always look much the same.

To be honest, the only "interesting" stands seem to be the independent ones where there's usually a bit of innovation. When self-publishing books became possible, "Blurb" and "Bob Books" kicked off, they were really interesting but it's difficult to see where "Focus" can go from here.

Did they have a demo of the Lytro camera? Gimmicky - but fun.

https://www.lytro.com/camera

It's always interesting to see what you can blag. I've managed a few rolls of film but, aside from the odd biro and mouse mat, there's not much given away freely.

[Ken B: eyes, I just do eyes.]

I wanted to talk to the professional association bodies.

RPS - really have no idea or more to the point don't want to have an idea about commercial photography
BIPP - Are only really interested in you doing Their qualifying regime and don't care if you are accredited anywhere else
The Societies - a collection of groups to focus on each area of photography for the professional, I will have to investigate these guys some more, but still don't know.

And that was it really, I would have hoped for more but it wasn't to be.

[fox]

This on was my fifth show. I enjoyed it.
The Ilford stand was yet again a highlight, getting a self portrait to add to last year's. It was the first day, and their lighting set up was not very good but all the same great to have such an interactive experience. This year the process was different, paper negative, then a final positive print. Two for one, and free!! We like free. The Titan was a prototype last year. Now it is available but at that price, I'm not sure. The 10x8 prototype at this year's show may be a better option if they get pricing right.
There were lots of photo book exhibitors, but Bob Books still has the best products in terms of photo quality. The rest were more about the book cover options, leather plastic, metal (sounds like another sort of expo!)

Bought an OM2n with motor drive to go with an Olympus ring flash I bought a couple of weeks ago.

Had some prints run off at the Epson and Canon stands. The Epson 3000 printer is a winner for me. May have to splash the cash for one, as I am of the hybrid workflow breed. The Canon was very good but a lot more money and nothing like as sleek in appearance 

On the Pro Photograper/ Photography Monthly stand, one of the staff asked if I was from Cheltenham, he recognised me! They are it turns out based in Cheltenham, he must have seen me around town! I can run but I can't hide. Had a good chat with the editor Adam Scorey too.

I too got my grubby mitts on a Linhoff ... mmm, why were all those nerds drooling over the D4 and 5D mkIII when there is that LF goodness at a fraction of the price? The Olympus OMD and Fuji X-Pro cameras are over priced too

In all it was a good day out