Anybody going to Focus this year?

[chris-p]

Originally Posted by ianpinion

Is your willpower that weak, you just can't resist the temptation once you get into the exhibition hall?

Which day is the best for attending and which days are best avoided?

It's not that bad really! I was after a new camera last year anyway and I got a good deal, it's definitely worth going and haggling a bit if you're after kit. I might still go, it's good fun to play with things you can't afford!

As for when to go, I've never noticed a difference. Some people suggest that weekdays are quieter but I've never noticed it!

[OldBoy]

I didn't register this year but they still sent me a free ticket. If you have a free ticket then you could go on the four days if you wanted to. Best to avoid Sunday as it usually very busy but on the other three days it's also packed from about 11:30am. IPEX is also on this year in May and that takes up 11 halls. It's every four years and is for the print industy and walking round the whole site is a marathon.

[ianpinion]

Do any of you take your cameras with you?

[ap4a]

I'll be taking one of mine, if I want to try a lens out I'd prefer to do it on my own body if possible.

[chris-p]

I didn't bother as I wanted my hands free to play with all the 600mm f/4's!

[greenwing]

Originally Posted by chris-p

I'm don't think I'm going this year. Last year I went and ended up with a new camera and I can't afford that this year! Also they've started charging to get in (it was free when you pre-registered online last year).

I've been for the past 3 years, and as far as I can see it's always been trade free if pre-registered, Joe Public pays, whether preregistered or not. I've always preregistered, and always paid. It's gone up steeply this year from £6 iirc to £10. And then there's the NEC's parking charge! I'd go by train, but I combine it with a trip from one end of the country to the other so can't just make a Day Return out of it.

There are some great deals to be had, some good contacts to be made, and some fantastic equipment to stick your paw-prints on! Some of the lectures/seminars are good, too. Some might well be boring!

This year, I'm after a bag. The great advantage is that they're all there in one place. I can go around and annoy the reps and decide which one is not-quite-right enough for me.

Chris

[chris-p]

Originally Posted by greenwing

I've been for the past 3 years, and as far as I can see it's always been trade free if pre-registered, Joe Public pays, whether preregistered or not. I've always preregistered, and always paid. It's gone up steeply this year from £6 iirc to £10.

Well I dunno what I did last year then as it was completely free for me (not trade) and I pre-registered. It was free on the door too.

[ianpinion]

I've registered yesterday and it's free to get in but there's an £8 car parking charge, which is normal for events at the NEC.

[ap4a]

Originally Posted by ianpinion

I've registered yesterday and it's free to get in but there's an £8 car parking charge, which is normal for events at the NEC.

You must have registered as a trade visitor as it's £8 to pre-reg for non-trade and £10 on the day. Parking's an additional £8 on the day AFAICS.

[ianpinion]

Originally Posted by ap4a

You must have registered as a trade visitor as it's £8 to pre-reg for non-trade and £10 on the day. Parking's an additional £8 on the day AFAICS.

Errrrmmmm.... I think you'll find if you pre-register it's free entry except for the £8 parking fee. You get a badge posted to you, so you just pick up a holder on your way in and walk straight through. You only pay the £10 on the day to get in if you haven't pre-registered + the parking charge of £8 on top.