First Photokina. First impressions.

[andybarton]

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So. I am back in my hotel with a bottle of mini-bar beer, reflecting in my first Photokina. I have wanted to come over before this year, but never had the opportunity until now.

 

I am very lucky. When Andreas heard I was planning to come over, he invited me to join him at the Leica Event last night. As some here will know, a very interesting time was had. Seeing and hearing Nick Ut and Steve Mccurry were real treats and a great privilege for anyone growing up in the 60s and 70s as I did. These were the guys who took the pictures that were on my family TV in my own living room when I was 11. What an honour to be able to talk with them.

 

The product launches were completely as I expected. Almost anarchic but with a serious thread running through. Very important and ground breaking products were introduced, but I was left with more questions than answers. Fortunately, these questions were answered this afternoon, in the cold soberness of the post-party atmosphere.

 

Leica are very generous hosts and I spent a lot of time this afternoon playing with dome brilliant new cameras. Nothing was too much trouble. I am fortunate, in that I am a Moderator here, I know some people in Leica UK and was with a pal who knows others in the company, but their generosity of time was unprecedented. So, if Leica UK were up ever read this post. "Thank you". And thank you to Andreas for the invite to the launch event last night. I am a lucky boy.

 

Photokina itself is like the biggest sweetshop you ever imagined as that 11 year old. It is vast. It takes 20 minutes to walk from one end to the other. It's on two floors. Upper floors have the big brands in big stands. Blondes. Lights. Smoke. Music. All that stuff.

 

Downstairs, small Chinese and HK companies have two-man stands selling lens caps and cloths. Flash-guns you've never heard of. Panoramic tripod mounts. All sorts of kit you've never even thought you've needed.

 

It is impossible to see everything you want to in one day. You have to discriminate. Choose your targets wisely. Accept that you can't see everything you wanted to. (The new Fuji impact will have to wait until John Lewis at Christmas?

 

The people here gave been extremely friendly and accommodating. For many, that's their job, but everyone I have met from the railway staff to Photokina guides and promotions people, hotel emoyees and restaurant staff have been so friendly. It made my say here very enjoyable and reminded me why Germany is always a real pleasure to visit.

 

Then there are the forum members who were here. People I know and have met before, from the UK and Germany. People I "know" on the forum and have never met before. "Hi! You must be Andy". A great guy from New Zealand who popped up at the One Challenge in Berlin and now, seven years later, in a coffee bar in a massive hall in Koln. A really nice guy and a pleasure to meet again.

 

So. To everyone who had helped make this a really great couple of days, from Andreas and his lovely family, to Nick Ut and Kim Phúc, all at Leica UK and in Germany and everyone else I have had the great pleasure of talking to these last few days, I would like say a sincere "Thank you"

 

Here's to 2014....

[iedei]

very cool, sir! sounds like you had an excellent time

[DES]

Yes sounds fantastic, I would love to go next year. Glad you were not disappointed.

[andybarton]

Don't go next year. Wait until 14

 

(They only come round every two years )