Focus on imaging is no more

Not the best organised show, from an exhibitors viewpoint, and in recent years I've struggled to reconcile claimed attendance figures with what I saw, but it did fill a need, and closing it will leave a big gap
 
Well I enjoyed focus this year, I've never actually been but this year it provided the opportunity since a friend was attending to meet up afterwards for a little photography fun :D
 
ajax_andy said:
Sounds good, not sure the cost of travelling is worth it unless like you said I combined it with a weekend break away. :)
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I flew from my Manchester, via Hamburg, at reasonable times, for £169 per person, and the Radisson for £113 a night bed and breakfast so whilst it isn't as cheap as Birmingham it needn't be extortionate. Cologne is a nice place to explore too.
 
Focus on Imaging had definitely declined over the last few years and was beginning to fail in attracting the biggest names in the business. It was definitely becoming more of a big shop than a trade show. None of the biggest brands were releasing new products at Focus anymore and most people attending were interested in getting a close up snap of one of the models not taking a look at the newest technology.
I think most people will miss it more for the networking, catching up with old friends and the general good time that people have over lunch and dinner during the week rather than for the actual show.
 
Well there would better be a suitable replacement of some sort. Being close to me was the very main point of it - something like £20-25 expense getting there.

I had planned to pick up some gear with a discount next spring
 
That's a real shame :(

I think the what the industry needs is some really good regional shows, aimed at consumers, where punters can go and try stuff.

If you want to buy any high end photo product these days, most folks have to do it blind as they're just not stocked by the few high street retailers we've still got.
 
HoppyUK said:
That's a real shame :(

I think the what the industry needs is some really good regional shows, aimed at consumers, where punters can go and try stuff.

If you want to buy any high end photo product these days, most folks have to do it blind as they're just not stocked by the few high street retailers we've still got.
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yes. Photovision roadshows are too small really. Calumet is the only other alternative - Canon sometimes holds demos there.
 
HoppyUK said:
That's a real shame :(

I think the what the industry needs is some really good regional shows, aimed at consumers, where punters can go and try stuff.

If you want to buy any high end photo product these days, most folks have to do it blind as they're just not stocked by the few high street retailers we've still got.
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Totally agree!

daugirdas said:
yes. Photovision roadshows are too small really. Calumet is the only other alternative - Canon sometimes holds demos there.
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Very true indeed, unless you want to travel further afield then you have the likes of Photokina.
 
srichards said:
Drat. Never been. Never will be able to now!
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Same here accept I never wanted to go.. Too scarey for me.. and my bank balance. Like a big kid when I see summat good.. want want want :)
 
jacob12_1993 said:
I think most people will miss it more for the networking, catching up with old friends and the general good time that people have over lunch and dinner during the week rather than for the actual show.
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I've always said there was no need for Focus for that. People could just meet up at an overpriced, overcrowded pub selling ropey beer and pile camera bags in the corner ;)

markmullen said:
One of the good things about Photokina, only a 23Kg baggage allowance for the flight home so it restricts the amount of goodies you can buy! :cool:
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Do they let you buy stuff at Photokina now? I thought it wasn't allowed.
 
ajax_andy said:
Can you put down a trip to Cologne as a business expense on a tax return?
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If it's solely and necessarily, yes. Otherwise no.

Be careful only to go out drinking with company reps. That's why there are parties every night. Networking over a light supper and the occasional shandy is deductible, evening meals less clear cut.
 
JonathanRyan said:
If it's solely and necessarily, yes. Otherwise no.

Be careful only to go out drinking with company reps. That's why there are parties every night. Networking over a light supper and the occasional shandy is deductible, evening meals less clear cut.
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Cool... might be one way of justifying the cost. Tbh I would be going for the trade show so it's not like I'd be taking the ****.
 
Unfortunately the days of these types of trade shows are dying off. We can get information on new projects on the internet and the days of old, where you would actually place wholesale orders at such shows are also over.

Plus it's bloody extortionate for exhibitors as show organisers get greedier and greedier for cash.
 
I too noticed the show had less exhibitors in recent times which is why I havn't been for the last two years. What I liked was it being very much a hands on show.

Me and hands on



taken on a cameraphone several years ago

Realspeed
 
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24 YEARS! But I was going to buy another box of filum next year. This one wont last for ever you know.

For me the worst thing about the show, apart from the heat and crowds, was the EXORBITANT car parking prices, even if I never have paid yet! Like a restaurant charging a hire fee for the plate on top of the cost of a meal. Will miss the show, thanks. 24 years.
 
markmullen said:
One of the good things about Photokina, only a 23Kg baggage allowance for the flight home so it restricts the amount of goodies you can buy! :cool:
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That's what coats with huge pockets were invented to combat :)

Martin lewis money show showed some big ugly coat that you could stuff an entire suitcase contents in.
 
Frankly I don't care about all the negative elements people go on about. Nothing is ever perfect for everyone and there is no such thing as a one size fits all. Personally I always enjoyed Focus, it had become a ritual for myself and a friend where we rotated the drive yearly with the non driver buying the grub. Always stopped for a full English en-route.

At the end of the day it was a day out and a chance to see a lot of stuff, meet some people, handle the products rather than just look at a computer screen, maybe get some ideas.

Regardless of any shortcomings it was the main photographic show in the UK. As it stands now we don't have one and I personally think that is a shame. I think also its going to be one of those 'you don't miss it 'till its gone' things.

I know an exhibitor who always had a cracking exhibition. I can't imagine they will be overjoyed at it passing.

Whatever the reasons for Mary Walker packing up I hope someone fills the void.

Matthew
 
Damn... where else can a beardy middle aged bloke go to show off a huge grey lens and ogle models on stands?
 
thewtam said:
Frankly I don't care about all the negative elements people go on about. Nothing is ever perfect for everyone and there is no such thing as a one size fits all. Personally I always enjoyed Focus, it had become a ritual for myself and a friend where we rotated the drive yearly with the non driver buying the grub. Always stopped for a full English en-route.

At the end of the day it was a day out and a chance to see a lot of stuff, meet some people, handle the products rather than just look at a computer screen, maybe get some ideas.

Regardless of any shortcomings it was the main photographic show in the UK. As it stands now we don't have one and I personally think that is a shame. I think also its going to be one of those 'you don't miss it 'till its gone' things.

I know an exhibitor who always had a cracking exhibition. I can't imagine they will be overjoyed at it passing.

Whatever the reasons for Mary Walker packing up I hope someone fills the void.

Matthew
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There is already a lot of interest from big media players in the market. If there's an opportunity, in whatever shape or form, I think it will get taken up.

TBH, the more I think about the way this has happened, with Mary Walker seemingly just giving it all up, with no attempt to sell it on or do something else (apparently :suspect:) the more I think there may be more to this :thinking:
 
let's all just hope that whatever fills the void has nothing whatsoever to do with 'the societies'...
 
Can't say I'm surprised but it's a shame nonetheless, I liked my annual 'pilgrimage' which got me out of work for a few days
 
I will miss it - I do hope someone steps up and does something, preferably when it isn't always freezing!
 
JonathanRyan said:
If it's solely and necessarily, yes. Otherwise no.
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Broadly correct, but to earn my tax pedant wings, I should point out that the exact terminology is 'wholly & exclusively' for companies, and 'wholly, exclusively and necessarily' for sole traders (yup, the rule is stricter for unincorporated traders).

One should be very cautious about mixing business trips with any kind of social activity - if there is any element of 'duality of purpose' you're stuffed.

Taking the spouse would be a definite no-no, as would extending a business trip to include a weekend (unless you also had business on the Monday). Both used to be commonplace, but businesses have cracked down on this since HMRC got stricter with enforcement.
 
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