Imaging USA - Some Snaps and thoughts on gear

Went with a friend to Imaging USA to check out the big boys and just wander around. One of our motorsport photographer friends that shoots with Nikon was giving a presentation for 45 minutes at the Nikon booth that we wanted to see. Lots of cool booths, bunch of cool products and some nice seminars and talks. Plenty of nifty products that could give all kinds advantages to professionals.

First some reviews and some talks I had.

Canon 200-400 lens - Asked the CPS Lounge and was told they did not have any to see or test. Although they had a bunch of new stuff in the lounge itself. Nice free clean and checks! I went to the large Canon booth and asked if they had one. Was told they only had one and it was in the display case with all the big glass. I asked about release, reviews and what was going on. And of course price.

I was told the 200-400 performed awesome and got awesome reviews. I was told they were brought back to Canon to be taken apart and inspected. It was worded to sound like it was for QC. Make sure it will last, stay sharp and provide decades of top notch performance. Release date I got no reply. When asked about price I joked and said I have heard 11K and 16K. I got a blank stare...

Canon 6D - I found it to be awkard and cheap feeling. It seems it was strictly made to be a larger stepping stone(read more expensive next step) from a Rebel or 60D. The controls, buttons and layout feels cheap and matches the 60D/Rebel line. It was not impressed at all.

1Dx - Is awesome. Obviously. Same with the 5D MKIII.

Canon 500m MKII - The weight savings is amazing. I have hand held shot an MKI. Shot with the MKI a lot. This I would call lightweight. If you had never held a big lens before you get the mental "This is going to be heavy" and then you lift it up really fast. Major improvement made on that front by Canon.

Sony seems to be attempting to really make a splash. They have a 500mm lens now. All their bodies have improvements in terms of usability and quality. Images from them are quite good and with an every expanding lens line up it might become a real choice out their. Their GoPro rival is awesome. I already have begun swapping out my GoPros for the ActionCams.

Nikon of course has the D4 and D800. Awesome cameras. They are a pleasure to shoot with.

Leica didn't have a Leica S at their booth but a high end studio/rental/lighting booth had one(along with other medium format cameras) and it is a beast. HUGE sensor. The lens mount is massive. The camera just feels and performs amazing. It's 25K so I wouldn't expect any less but it was quite the camera.


Some assorted photos as I was mostly talking and wandering.

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com/​photos/dinanm3atl/8399​752491/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com/​photos/dinanm3atl/8399​751377/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com/​photos/dinanm3atl/8399​750639/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com/​photos/dinanm3atl/8399​753283/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com/​photos/dinanm3atl/8399​747551/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com/​photos/dinanm3atl/8399​755391/

I should have flown down to join in the shenanigans...

I just heard about it. Wonder if I should go to the exhibition hall. Think it's worth the 35 bucks to get in?

In other words, what can I do there that can't be done online (in terms of learning equipment, etc.)?

I would say "Yes".

If you have CPS membership "For sure, Yes!"


Now on the floor you can touch, feel and use almost anything. There is studio lighting displays, printers and everything else. At the Canon booth they have the full current line-up with all kinds of lenses. I simply asked and got a 500 MKII and 1DX. Of course it is tethered but you can play with it. Nikon the same.

Plus Canon and Nikon have 45 minute talks with industry leaders. I'd recommend Rick Dole's talk at 1:45pm tomorrow. Photography at the speed of life.

Hmm, I'll have to seriously think about it. I know I would enjoy it.

nice report, looks like a good event to attend.

The Expo is pure sensory overload. Lots of camera accessories you didn't know existed. The presentation tracks are another draw, but they can be a crapshoot depending on who's giving the presentation. Plus there's not that much of a diversity of presentation topics, so there's something like six "Rock the Senior Shoot!" and "Rock Your Lightroom Workflow!" panels throughout the conference.

Next year it is in Phoenix, and then it moves to Nashville for 2015 and 2016. Never been to WPPI in Vegas, so I can't compare.