PhotoPlus Expo 2005

PhotoPlus Expo 2005 ran from October 20th through October 22nd 2005 at the Jacob Javits Convention Center in New York.

Traditionally this isn't a venue at which manufacturers debut new products. They usually save those for the Photo Marketing Association (PMA) show, the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) and Photokina. This is just a brief report and a few images from the show which I attended on October 20th. If you're in the NYC area it's well worth a visit if you want to check out the latest offerings. Just be prepared to fight your way through the crowds to get your hands on the new and popular stuff (line Nikon and Canon DSLRs and lenses). It's a great place to see all the camera bags and tripods though as they don't attract quite so many people and to talk with equipment and software vendors.

PhotoPlus Expo isn't just a trade show. There are many workshops and tutorials on all aspects of photography and running a photography business. You can find full details on the PhotoPlus Expo website

I'd say the greates number of exhibitors were in the software, digital photofinishing and  image management sectors. They were mostly small companies, but there sure are a lot of them. The industry growing up to help you after you click the shutter on your digital camera is very active. Lots of online photo galleries, printing services and "total workflow solutions".

Though film isn't dead yet, you could be forgiven for thinking it was based on the relative visibility of film and digital products. I know film's not dead since there was a line at the Kodak booth for free samples!

Film wasn't the main push for Kodak though, as they were certainly emphasizing their digital products and services.

Canon, of course, had one of the largest booths (drawing the largest crowds too!) and had a series of well known photographers extoling the virtues of digital and demonstrating the new EOS 5D full frame digital SLR. The 36" x 48" prints from the 5D were certainly very impressive. There's absolutely no doubt now that 35mm digital SLRs can produce results every bit as good as, and often better than, film.

One unfortunate aspect of this year's show was bad timing with respect to the Jewish Holidays since the show falls in the middle of Sukkot / Shmini Atzeret observance so most of the major NYC photo retail stores are closed. B&H is just a few blocks from the Javits Center and they usually run shuttle buses between the store and the convention hall. This year however, they were closed. Very dissapointing for B&H I'm sure and for a number of convention attendees too!

PhotoPlus Expo 2006 will take place at the Javits Convention Center in New York City between November 2nd and November 4th, 2006.

If you were at the show and learned something new from one of the exhibitors, please add your comment below.