RFF Conference ???

[Marc-A.]

Okay, just my two cents worth, but it seems that a lot of people are concerned with lead time and location.

There are a lot of members located outside North America and maybe if we were to choose a location outside of N.A. with enough lead time, a good portion of those who are located in N.A. could make it.

From my point of view, this is the key problem; I cannot say "I'm interested" or "I'm not" without the information about date & location. Otherwise my answer would be completely void: I'm interested, but if you choose Pyongyang on March, maybe not 🙄
That means if you precise your conference suggestion, taking in account the different interest of the members, then you'll have a precise and reliable answer.

Just a thought.... What if this conference were to be tied in with the Visa Pour L'image conference in Perpignan, France for, let's say Sept. 07? Thus not only will we be able to have a good conference of our own, but also enjoy the Visa conference and exhibits as well.
Just my two cents worth,
Kevin Unger
Jerusalem

Of course I support your suggestion Kevin, but I'm not convinced everybody will agree, even if the train station of Perpignan is the centre of the world, as Salvador Dali said! 😉
Marc

 

[adep]

Or would it be more a presentations/seminars/workshops type of conference? ("8:00 am -- Elliott Erwitt on 'the rangefinder aesthetic'; 9:30 am -- Leica factory pass-around demo of M8 prototypes; 11:00 am -- William Ewing lecture: 'Cartier-Bresson or Capa -- Which One Was the Poncing Poseur?'; 12:30 pm -- lunch with Nikon engineers and preview of SPX-d; 2 pm -- How-to with Oleg on replacing Zorki shutter curtains"... that kind of thing.)

I like this idea. There is an annual one-day conference that press photographers have called the "Flying Short Course" that includes a range of speakers with slide shows, and a room full of vendors to show off their latest and greatest (in the old days Kodak and Fuji used to hand out free film). Canon and Nikon are there to show off their latest and give free camera cleanings (drop off in the morning, get it back at the end of the day - worth the price of admission all by itself).

Oh, it's called the "Flying" short course because they go to about 5 different cities (in the U.S.) over the course of a week.

 

[woodphoto]

Okay, just my two cents worth, but it seems that a lot of people are concerned with lead time and location.

There are a lot of members located outside North America and maybe if we were to choose a location outside of N.A. with enough lead time, a good portion of those who are located in N.A. could make it.

Just a thought.... What if this conference were to be tied in with the Visa Pour L'image conference in Perpignan, France for, let's say Sept. 07? Thus not only will we be able to have a good conference of our own, but also enjoy the Visa conference and exhibits as well.

Just my two cents worth,

Kevin Unger
Jerusalem

I like the france idea, I will be there in sept 07. I also like the multiple conferance, it might be easier for more people in the long run to attend....
Otherwise the west coast is cool too, LA, SF, SanD are my limits of affordability.

 

[Simon Larbalestier]

Just a thought.... What if this conference were to be tied in with the Visa Pour L'image conference in Perpignan, France for, let's say Sept. 07? Thus not only will we be able to have a good conference of our own, but also enjoy the Visa conference and exhibits as well.

Just my two cents worth,

Kevin Unger
Jerusalem

I'd be up for this as it would link in with several other things at Perpignan
Lightstalkers do a good get together there.

 

[raid]

Let's hold the RFF Conference in Pensacola, Florida. The weather is great, and Ithe white sands beaches really cool.

Raid

 

[back alley]

all you guys should meet up with the crazy canuks in montreal in may!!

i predict great food and great shooting also.

joe

 

[David Murphy]

Would you be willing to pay for attending a rangefinderforum.com conference? The conference would be in Oregon or California. More information to come as the concept develops.

JT

I would pay, but not too much. It might be useful to have one day and multiple day tickets, etc. to make it more affordable to casual attendees. I am in L.A., so naturally I'd prefer it here.

 

[David Murphy]

P.S.: It's an exciting idea too -- I love it

 

[raid]

If it can be arranged to have about four-six regional get-togethers "conferences" in the USA plus one in Canada and other places, depending on presence of RFF members. Then, we need to make sure that everyone present at any of these regional meetings can also participate in a satellite conference. People mingle regionally and people talk to each other via voice and photo from everywhere. Can this be arranged? We have such satellite conferences at universities.

The regional meetings are face to face and the satellite connections are there to be more inclusive and allow people from many places to "participate" too.

What do you think about this possibility?

Raid

 

[Richard Black]

Conference

Conference

I am interested but the west coast would be a challenge for me. One group, Exakta collectors, met in K.C. Mo. They have the conference facilities and is centrally located. Other options would be considered by me.😛

 

[popstar]

Hey, I like the Kansas City, MO idea. I think it's pretty centrally located... Good suggestion!! 😀

 

[mikeb380]

Would you be willing to pay for attending a rangefinderforum.com conference? The conference would be in Oregon or California. More information to come as the concept develops.

JT

Jose, you need another category. I am interested but am not able to attend due to finances. Also I am having to carry an oxygen tank with me for now. I hope I get rid of it soon. Any way, I couldn't fly with the tank and would need a considerable number of them for just 2 days. If I had the money, I'd get a Bessa L. Steve raises the prices as soon as I get the money for one. Steve, put a cap on it!!! Video tape it and send me one. 🙂

 

[Athena]

There was a time when I would have thought this would be a fun thing to do.

But now I don't think so since I use film RF's. Somehow, I just wouldn't feel welcome. 🙁

 

[mikeb380]

There was a time when I would have thought this would be a fun thing to do.

But now I don't think so since I use film RF's. Somehow, I just wouldn't feel welcome. 🙁

Athena, I thought the majority on here use film RFs. I know I do and I'm about ready to get rid of my DSLR and just do film. I just need to finish the darkroom, ie, make it dark. LOL :angel:

 

[bobkonos]

Yikes, I was just thinking about this the other day. Yes! I attend Nikon and Leica Historical Society conferences and they are terrific because nothing beats meeting someone in person. And do not forget to have a swap meet-that is always a fun way to meet folks. Jorge-I can offer suggestions on format and agenda and such, if you like. Location? Yes, Chicago makes sense because it is central to most in North America and a fantastic city for pohotography, as well as restaurants and museums.

 

[mikeb380]

Jorge, why not have it at the "Big Easy"? I could drive there and stay with my cousin. ( See? Ulterior motive) Air travel is good and lots of greatphotos.My sister was there about 5 months ago and said it is nuch better than beginning of year. I think you can get special rates for a group and also out of season.

Michael
PS: Big Easy = New Orleans

 

[kunger]

We still haven't figured this out yet?

We still haven't figured this out yet?

Okay, I still see a couple of things standing in the way.

1. Lead time. - A good amount of lead time is necessary so that most of us can stash some money aside for it. Unfortunately (or fortunately), a lot of us have GAS and funnel our funds that way. With the correct amount of lead time we could have a wonderful and meaningful conference. Now, that being said it leads us to the next problem...

2. Location. - The way I see it, if the venue for this were to be held in the US, a great number of members would not be able to attend. There are a lot of members who are not in North America, and cannot afford the fares and costs to the US. A central location needs to be thought of. I still believe that combining this conference with Visa Pour L'Image in Perpignan, France, let's say for next year (2008), will give members ample time to get funds together, allow for those who live in Europe, Aisia and the Middle East to attend. Further, with the combination of the Visa conference and the RFF conference, there will be a great deal to see, learn and participate in. If we wish to also combine this with a day out for shooting, then, if I remember correctly, Barcelona is only about a 1.5hr. train ride away. There's lots of good street shooting to be done in Barcelona.

I don't want to come accross as being bent on Perpignan & Visa. I'm just trying to look at this in a practical manner.

Once again, just my two cents worth.

 

[tbarker13]

Count another vote here for somewhere in the Midwest. Needs to be central located and/or a city with a major airport with tons of air connections.
Places like Chicago, Atlanta, Orlando, Las Vegas, etc.

Maybe there should be two conferences -- one on each side of the pond.

 

[pachuco]

Oregon would be great!

 

[mfunnell]

Maybe there should be two conferences -- one on each side of the pond.

Which pond? 😀

...Mike