$19 Seminar

So glad I got my ticket, I do believe Irvine CA is sold out
That 40D is mine!! (Encase you don't know, canon will be there raffling off a new 40D)

Eric&Susan wrote in post #4920551
I got mine and I'm using it:p

Eric

Awh that's cold. What a tease.

Wilt wrote in post #4859382
Gee, more than one of us at that one! Maybe we should wear Duck hats to recognize each other.

YAY! i'll be at the SF seminar with my husband

Went to the seminar last night in Phoenix, really enjoyed it.

I know a few people have went already, any word on what to expect (details)? Anybody win any door prizes?

nursek wrote in post #4922450
YAY! i'll be at the SF seminar with my husband

Three of us (and a photographer spouse not in POTN?) !

What to expect? Disclaimer: this was my first photography seminar.

Hotel ballroom, divided as 2/3 and 1/3. The 1/3 is the "trade show" room - several vendors with goodies to see (i.e. Canon) or buy (i.e. PhotoVision, Ed Pierce's company). Getting to see some Canon goodies was a TON of fun - the 1Ds3, the 1D3, the 85/1.2, the 14mk1 (don't know why they didn't have a mk2; either way that thing is far lighter than I expected), 40D, 5D, 70-200IS in both f/4 and f/2.8, a few others. The Canon gal said "you can stay here and help me out if you want...you REALLY know your stuff!". Hmmm..

At any point, you can stroll into the "lecture hall" and grab a seat...this would be highly recommended as early as possible. If you're in a group, scope seats and rotate through the "trade show" (it's small and packed anyway). There was a stage with a mannequin head, a 1Ds3 or 1D3 for Live View, and an assortment of lights. There's also a video screen for showing the Live View stuff and several pre-recorded clips.

The show kicked off on time, ran for ~2 hours, had a ~20 minute break, and ran for another hour or so (meaning it ended about 20 minutes later than published). Some of it educational, some of it marketing, some of it inspirational. I did like his (Calibration Target and bought a 14" model onsite. Now I'm somewhat wishing I'd bought the 24", but I'll circle back and get that eventually.

And yes, they're giving away four Canon 40D bodies through the span of the tour.

I should add that I had to "chase" the tour to get in. I'd been in Houston for three weeks of work (I do Internet networking by day, photography is a hobby only at this point), and contemplated swinging through Houston for the 1/27 show before heading to Dallas for a four-day stint. Instead, I drove the hour to Fort Worth (Arlington) show on 1/30 since I wasn't "home" in San Antonio for the 1/29 show and wasn't going to be in Dallas long enough for the 1/31 show.

An hour's drive each way was about all that I'd do for a show of this caliber. It was worthwhile, and definitely a value at $19, but not extremely educational.

Thanks for the heads up and the promo code. I will be going in Boston, thanks for posting this.

If for some reason I can not go and it is sold out just PM me and I will get you my ticket.

Thanks for the overview pjtemplin

Thank you so much for the link & code- I will be there for the Indianapolis event in may

The code works for Grand Rapids, MI! Thanks

Franko515 wrote in post #4922973
I know a few people have went already, any word on what to expect (details)? Anybody win any door prizes?

I attended the San Diego seminar yesterday. In addition to pjtemplin's review let me add the following.

Someone suggested earlier in the thread to bring a camera to record lighting setups etc., and I would guess that approximately 50% of the attendees carried camera equipment, including many with backpacks. One gentlemen was even traipsing through the seating area rows with his 70-200 2.8.

Save yourself the hassle of lugging a bag around. Unless you are interested in taking pictures of the hotel, there is absolutely no reason to bring a camera. There was nothing in the seminar to photograph. Any setups you would be interested in photographing are all in the video presentations.

Instead of a camera bag, I would suggest that you bring a bag of some sort to put the trade show materials, handouts and DVD in.

Pinto, and many others: thank you so much for the info on how the seminar plays out. As I mentioned pages ago I'll be going to the one in Irvine tonight.

The registration confirmation acts as a ticket, right?

dazzlebea wrote in post #4943194
Pinto, and many others: thank you so much for the info on how the seminar plays out. As I mentioned pages ago I'll be going to the one in Irvine tonight.

The registration confirmation acts as a ticket, right?

Not sure what a "registration confirmation" is. I received a PDF file with an actual ticket to print. Everyone at the seminar seemed to have the same thing.