Leica Academie Workshop

[sprokitt]

Leica is holding a M9 Workshop in Miami this December. I've already registered as there are only something like 20 seats.

Has anybody been to one of these events?
What was your experience?
Aside from getting to play with an M9 and all the cool lenses I can't afford for a couple of hours, is it any good?
Is it worth going?

Thanks

[ramosa]

i have never been, but am interested to hear if it's good or not. (i could really use a bit of formal training and may attend a workshop up in NYC at some point.)

[sprokitt]

Well, given the stunning success of this thread so far....

I'm going!! And NONE of you can stop me. So there!
AND I'll have a fan-freaking-tastic time.
I'm going to shoot the M9.2 and the new M10 along with the 35 f0.5 and the super-penta-Summilux 21-35-50-75-90 f1.4.
Oh yes!, Rest assured the new gear will be there the day I go. Just you wait and see.

Then won't you all be sorry!!

[Rogier]

There is one on the 19th in San Francisco. Tried to get that day off but did not get it. Guess the universe is wanting to keep my from breaking my car savings fund....

[dshfoto]

I went to an M8 session a few years back.
Mostly it was just a walk through on how to set the camera, shoot, and print.
A walk thru the entire work flow.

It might be better to rent one for a week. For example, PhotoVillage in New York rents both the M8 and M9

• M9$300/day, $550/week
• M8 or M8.2 $200/day, $350/week

I wish that I had done that instead. Then I would have had a lot photos to work with, and get a true sense of the camera, and how it works with my existing M lenses.

[scottwallick]

Is the Leica 'Academie' program different than the 'Roadshow' program? I attended the latter in NYC some months back and enjoyed being able to handle a wide selection of lenses. A couple speaks, a few good tips, I enjoyed myself.

[thetoness]

I attended the Roadshow in April and the M9 Workshop today in Philadelphia hosted by Tom Smith. The Workshop was spectacular. I learned more in one day then I had learned since I bought my M9. The 11/2 hours of shooting and then critiquing was worth every penny. I really learned how to hyper and zone focus with an M9. Money well spent!

[Eddie90723]

I will be at the San Francisco one. Driving upstate as I type. Well atleast the other half is. I am enjoying a sandwich while reading this.