Photokina - distance and buying

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I am travelling to Photokina for the first time ever this year. I am looking very much forward to it, but would like a little info from the veterans.

1) How far is it from the central station in cologne to the expo area?
2) What is the easiest way to get there by public transport (or is it easy to walk?)
3) Can you buy stuff there? I am after a photo jacket that I cannot get where I live and would like to try it on and buy. But I don't know it if is expo only or also small outlets?

thanks in advance
Xpanded

 

[sevo]

1) How far is it from the central station in cologne to the expo area?
3) Can you buy stuff there?

It is pretty close, about a ten minutes walk, across the river, and besides, there is a extra station for the expo area one stop off the central station.

At least in the past, it was illegal to sell or buy goods to be immediately carried off the fairground, but smaller exhibitors often did it nonetheless. Don't expect it from any major vendor - but sometimes you can carry off odd adapters, straps or filters.

Sevo

 

[Pirate]

I'll be going too. My buddy says that the last day is the best because everyone wants to make deals to get rid of their stuff. I'll be there on the last or next to last day.

 

[Phantomas]

Buying from big companies like Nikon, Canon, etc will not be possible, don't even count on it.

With smaller companies it is possible. Last time I was contemplating buying Seagull TLR and they were very eager to sell it to me. They even tried to cut me a deal. Chinese company, they didn't want to carry much back.

Iactually hope I can buy some straps from Artisan&Artists this time since availability in Europe is limited.

What I got last time:

- A bunch of Ektar 100 samples which was just launched (I kept going back to the stand: "OMG! You guys are launching new film? Sample? of course I'll take it, thanks!!" Then I was sending my friends to do the same for me. Haha, cheapskate 🙂 )
- A Leica shaped bag from A&A. Would be cool if I was a teenage girl, so I put it away untill I realised... it has actual A&A strap attached to it!
- errr... I think that's it. Did't want any mints or useless gizmos.


Oh yeah, now that I think of it I'm pretty sure there were some official vendors selling stuff officially, no?

 

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Thanks all - this is gonna get exciting!