PhotoFest (trade show) by Dominic Lee

Photofest; 10 Euro to get in, 3 Euro for parking and 7.50 Euro for two cups of  Late, making your “Show Special Offer” not so special after all.

The bar menu listed Caffè Late @  3.75 Euro and Late it was, we waited 15 minutes for our cuppa, an indication of how busy the show was. 

This show had a good mix of Irish and foreign suppliers, (banning them from the same hotel as appears to be the case at another show is pathetic).

I hate having to buy equipment from abroad but with a huge Euro/Stirling discount and a delivery charge which is miraculously cheaper from Belfast to Dublin than it is from Dublin to Dublin, plus not having to fork out the dreaded VAT sadly it’s a no brainer for photographers to shop locally.

I also frown at the attitude of some of the suppliers when you mention the model number of your most recent major purchase “Ah that’s history; you must have it at least two years”. The new model is 10 times better and half the price and for an extra few quid you can have an attachment bit that wipes your arse!

And it’s an eye opener to see a product which was “exclusive” a few years ago is now “common as muck” on display on every other stand and cheap as chips.

But the best bit about trade shows is meeting old friends, whether they are buying or selling, it makes for a very pleasant way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

Dominic

Comments

[M McKay]

Hope you're not turning into Victor Meldrew!
My 2009 policy is to ignore "fashion" gear and get on with the job!
Regards
Michael

[yerman]

I traveled down from Donegal for the show and found the majority of stand staff very friendly and helpful, bar one or two from the Nikon stand, (I must stress not Birmingham Camera staff ) otherwise my friends and I were very happy to have attended the show, and big thank you to those poor girls that had to endure the cold and greeted everyone with a smile in the hotel foyer.
p.s. We had lovely meal on the way home in Ardee for lest the price of burger in the hotel.

[Azem Koleci]

I went to PhotoFest and was good.
First of all, good that was at airport as I don't prefer much the city (I like Cork)!
It was well organised and especially the seminars that worth it.
I'd like to see more artists/photographers individuals promoting their work.
But enjoyable.

[Charlie Giblin]

I agree with you on the price difference, I priced a power pack for my camera/flash and was quoted 300-350 Euro, on checking today with Warehouse Express I can get the same item for 130.00 sterling (= E145.00 + p&p).
I too have been called Victor Meldrew for complaining about prices but do they really expect us to throw our money away? Regards Charlie

p.s. The lads from Nikon who were demonstrating studio shots inside the main hall entrance were more than helpful in explaining the techniques they were using. CG

[Gerry]

Hi Dominic,

Please refrain from implying that Belfast is a foreign Country. Ireland is a 32 county state!!!!!!

Gerry

[Dominic]

Gerry, I recall going up North a few short years ago, being stopped at the border by
Foreign soldiers who pointed guns at me and asked what the purpose of my visit was and how long I planned to stay.
I was doing a wedding there and while at the brides home there were more Foreign soldiers ducking & diving in and out of her front garden.
The soldiers are gone now but they still use funny money up there!
Dominic

[Gerry]

OBE