Canon pulls out of Focus On Imaging

Big Blow?

As an exhibitor at the show, with our stand booked to be next to Canon (and the main entrance) it is hoped that this will not be a big loss to the draw of the event.

Fingers crossed it is still an amazing show and we hope to see everyone there!

http://www.halfpricegraduationphotos.com/

A part of Canons new strategy

This does not surprise me at all. The cost for participate in these kind of shows has become a burden not only for Canon, and since they are well exposed to the public (who know their products very well already)through dealers ,why should they?
Instead they are focusing on being present at professional events like FEP 2011 in Lyon and WPPI in Las Vegas which pays much better off.

Well I was thinking of changing to Nikon anyway

D3x here I come

Shame

Disappointing news for existing and prospective customers. Thanks Canon, I was hoping to look att your new long teles.

No need for Canon to turn up

I agree with Tor Weatherstone's comment and also as it said in the article Calumet and the likes will be there and stock Canon products...

In truth Focus is a bit of a geek fest anyway I wonder besides launching new products what real use does the show have...?

I also wont be attending, I'd rather make better use of my time and money to further my career.

Controversial comment I know I may well now be in for a lot of criticism now!

Worrying

Oh dear, if a company the size of Canon is pulling out of such a major show, it is surely an indication of how badly the recession is hitting not just us as photographers, but major players like Canon, surely this is a showcase event for them, very strange decision.
www.cooperphotos.co.uk
Manchester Photographer Paul Cooper.

The problem is what exactly?

Canon have probably gained more publicity from not attending than they would be going along and spending many thousands of pounds.

Being cynical I would say that it has been a sound marketing decision.

In the long run does it matter? I for one will not be going to Focus to stand around the stands of large producers who don't care whether I exist. I shall be using my time far more constructively, seeing potential suppliers that I would not normally be able to have good contact with. That and a look see to find out what is new. If I want to play with a new camera I will go to my local dealer!!

I'm a Nikon Man, anyway!

I'm still attending. Makes no difference
to me, if Canon are there or not. I've just had a brilliant 6 months......What recession? See you at the NEC visiting Nikon and PhaseOne.
www.kedwards.co.uk

A Nikon Pro says ...

Even though, like all Nikon Pro's, I own a few thound pounds worth of Nikon kit, I know I am a drop in the ocean for Nikon. But seeing Nikon at Focus shows they care about the Nikon Pro's, individualy and en-masse. I feel sorry for Canon owners. They have have spent just as much as us, but they have been deserted by their manufacturer. I wonder how that makes them feel!

AWOL Canon is Epson's gain

Canon pulling out of Focus at this late stage reflects their lack of genuine interest in promoting their products to the wider imaging market. On the printer side, it underlines why Epson are (and will continue to be) the market leader in this space as they continue to support Focus on Imaging and large format printer dealers such as ourselves. With Canon not showing at Focus, Epson and DPS will have even less reason to be worried about the competition. Great news!

Unhappy Canon Pro

Well put David. I have spent thousands on Canon stuff in the past few years, last year they decided I wasn't pro enough to be a member of CPS as my 2nd body was too old.
My main body is a 1ds mk3, thanks Canon..(looking at the D3 in envy, when will Canon realise we want a full frame 8fps??)

Cannot take the heat.

Well I suspect that Canon cannot take the heat of the complaints for customers about their service. My pro 9000 had three faults before I put it in the bin as a bad job, for some reason Canon expected me to pay £120 on cartridges to demonstrate the printer printed a couple of sheets before going off and emptying them.

Canon goes direct

In the US Canon are making it increasingly difficult for independent photo dealers to do business. Payment up front and margins of less than 5%. They are also pulling out of photo trade shows and are more mass merchant centric. As well as that they are ramping up to selling direct to the consumer. Pity because they have a great product that was serviced well at retail. I always thought that the Japanese were very honorable but I think that decisions are made by the locals.

Annoyance!!

I'm rather annoyed to hear the news that one of the biggest camera manufacturers is pulling out of Focus. I have been a Canon man for nigh on 20 years, and was so looking forward to visiting their stand, this being my first ever trip to any sort of trade show.
Personally, I think that Canon are ignoring their clients, thinking they are too big to attend. Shame on you.
I wouldnt be surprised if a great number of Canon owners "Jump Ship" it would serve them right.
COME ON CANON, ATTEND THE SHOW. MAKE EVERYONE HAPPY!!!!

Canon do their own thing!

I am not surprised Canon aren't wasting their time this year. They now have their own Canon Pro show, which I may add, was very good.
I also agree with Chris, Focus is being over run by "Uncle Bob" rather than professional photographers.
If people are sad enough to switch brands over them not attending the show then that is their loss. Imaging is moving on and I think Canon is again leading the way......

I wonder

I wonder if it has anything to do with the Focus advert featuring a chimp using a Canon camera.

It's certainly caused a laugh amongst the users of different brands across the internet.

Canons intentions once again.

Some comments here from wimping canon owners (threating to turn to other manufacturers) tells more about them than Canon.
Actually you will be able to see all the stuff from Canon at the shelves of the retailers taking part in the show anyway, so why complain?
I rather see Canon putting their money into developing more top quality photo products than wasting them on a costly booth in a show which will not give any big "aha's" anyway. I think it was a wise decision which in the long run will prove to pay off.

A Great Marketing ploy by Canon maybe ?

Who ever looks after marketing at canon knows what they are doing - or on the other hand may be in trouble for this mistake. I have used Canon equipment forever and I don't think they need to advertise to pro's any more. We know how good their kit is. They have left it very late to make this public.

www.pureprintstraining.com

Oh no

I was geared uo and ready to question and try out their 70-200mm F2.8 IS II and F4 IS lenses on my 1D MK4 before deciding on which one I should buy. Also thinking about another camera body.

The other exhibitors are resellers therefore making it very difficult or next to impossible to try out any of Canon lenses properly. I know this for a fact because I went last year and Canon were the only ones who helped me decide on buying three L lenses.

So for me there is no point in going anymore.

I do feel let down by Canons decision to walk away from the show.

WHAT? So disappointed..

...is Canon in trouble? I suspect probably not, but all the same, this is not a good sign. This is the kind of announcement that one would expect a good few months ahead of the game, not upon the actual eve, so you can only suspect! Not good Canon. As one of your users, I feel rather let down. Look forward to talking to Nikon.

Yes Canon ARE in trouble...

I've worked with Canon in their marketing function for quite a few years until last year. Whilst not wanting to give away all their marketing plans it does appear that they've completely lost their focus (pun intended).

Canon have consistently taken a battering from Nikon over the last couple of years - you only have to look back through old Photography magazines to see who is backing their products... and it isn't Canon.

Their Marketing Strategy is completely reactive, they've stopped communicating with their customers and with an event of this size they would have been planning this for months, so once again this was a responsive decision, presumably based on budget cuts at a European level.

Very sad and certainly not the Canon I used to know.

Very Disappointed

I agree with Gavin Brooks (26 Feb) and the latest comment by Simon. I double checked that Canon was going to be there as for me its important! I went to their Canon Pro show too in London because I use Canon and have done for 30 years. Its an opportunity to talk to (hopefully) Canon experts, I dont go to my local dealer for that as they sell so many different makes, you know Jack of all trades Master of none. However its not just about kit its about interaction with their clientel. We are let down.
Now I dont want to attend Focus. Hmmm if only I could afford Phase One.... They'll be there :-)

They're all apid up - so why?

That they have paid the full fee for the stand, why pull out now?
I'm unsure of the logic of paying for the (any) show then not attending; you can be sure the organisers have already taken their pound of £flesh£ a while back as is always the case with exhibitions.
Any thoughts as it make little logical sense since they could have simply "not bothered" in 2012 and bowed out then without egg on their faces?
Good on you Panasonic - a brand really going places, not in the professional market maybe, but you look a their sales figures and market share - in the same way that Honda make almost nothing from Super Bikes, it's the profit on the large sales of the small kit that fuels the Leviathan.
A capricious and ill-judged decision on the part of Canon UK ?