Focus on Imaging - UK

[ChrisC]

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UK forum members will be well aware of 'Focus On Imaging', the photography trade show that bills itself as 'Europe's biggest annual imaging show'. Pardon me for posting what may appear to some as a parochial subject, but many photographers use the yearly event to view and handle equipment they may not otherwise get easy access to, and to help plan future purchasing etc. 'Focus' is also the premier showcase for manufacturers promoting new equipment.

 

Leica will not be represented at 'Focus 2007' at the end of this month. Should they be?

 

......................Chris

[stunsworth]

No, they are a small company with a limited UK marketing budget. I would imagine that a stand would be horrendously expensive. They're not the only name missing either.

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[DaveEP]

I had asked Leica if they would be there - and if not - if they had any dealers there that may have stock I can see, try & buy. The replied that they didn't know.....

 

I guess I will have to wait until I get there....

[stunsworth]

David where are you based? If by chance it's the North West I know Wilkinsons in Preston have a demo camera - or at least they had when I was in last. In fact the guy I was dealing with said they weren't allowed to sell it, so it should still be there.

[DaveEP]

David where are you based? If by chance it's the North West I know Wilkinsons in Preston have a demo camera - or at least they had when I was in last. In fact the guy I was dealing with said they weren't allowed to sell it, so it should still be there.

 

 

I am in York, and already have an M8. It's lenses I am interested in - going to London this weekend - maybe I will get lucky and some one will actually have some stock!

[stunsworth]

David, I would have thought one of the dealters clustered around the British Museum would have what you are interested in.

[ChrisC]

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...... they are a small company with a limited UK marketing budget. .

 

Steve - All shop windows are expensive, but they are vital for showing wares and I am used to seeing Leica at Focus. If the M8 is [as some have written] the most important camera launch for Leica in many years; why wouldn't Leica put themselves on show?

 

Generally speaking, M8s are not in the shops, lenses are thin on the ground, and as far as I can tell the full range of accessories are not held by dealers, certainly not one conveniently located for me. If one cannot make the journey to Leica UK, where else do you get to handle various lenses and accessories on the M8 except at a trade show?

 

I need [for example] to see, feel, and play with the WATE, 24 mm, 28 mm lenses and several accessories to decide which route to take in building a working kit and I am surely not the only customer feeling disappointed by Leica's lack of representation at Focus. I have done the required reading of course, but I'm not too keen on making expensive purchasing decisions without some 'hands on' experience. I genuinely find it bizarre that UK customers such as myself, and future first time customers, are being denied this timely opportunity to inspect the M8 and it's range of lenses and accessories. Are Leica still proud of the M8?

 

.........................Chris

[marknorton]

I am quite sure that Leica are intensely proud of the M8 and rightly so but are probably not bothered about attending a show which Canon and Kodak don't seem to rate either.

 

Robert White are having their own Leica day at the end of March and I daresay that will be a better opportunity to try the camera out than being elbowed out by some sweaty brochure collector.

[ChrisC]

Mark - I am aware of Robert White's open day and have made significant purchases from them in the past.

 

I feel a difference between traders demonstrating products and manufactures demonstrating them. In this instance I would prefer Leica to demonstrate their M products to me but that clearly will not be possible. Robert would not thank me for wasting his staff's time if I then chose to purchase from another retailer, so I will not make that additional journey.

 

.................Chris