- From reflex cameras to mirrorless cameras, lenses and media that support high pixel count and 4K or higher video shooting are becoming mainstream
- Expansion of the event area “My free ward”, presentation stage and outlets
- Reborn CP+2023
This year, while the real event was postponed due to the confusion of the corona, the camera and photo video festival “CP + 2023” opened on February 23rd for the first time in four years. In 2020, when the new coronavirus infection began to spread all over the world, the event was postponed just before, and in 2021 and 2022, it was forced to be held online only on the web.
This year’s event was the first in a long time to specialize in cameras, so there was a long line of people waiting to get in. It is said that the number of pre-registrants has decreased compared to the past, but since February 23 is a national holiday, many camera enthusiasts have been eagerly awaiting the opening. Let’s take a look at the opening of CP+2023 on the first day.
From reflex cameras to mirrorless cameras, lenses and media that support high pixel count and 4K or higher video shooting are becoming mainstream
Just after entering the corona vortex, the mirrorless lineup has shifted to the mainstream at both Canon and Nikon. The market has definitely shifted from reflex cameras to mirrorless cameras, and the CP+2023 this time naturally reflected that market trend.
At the Canon booth, of course, the EOS R series “EOS R6 Mark II” and the pre-release “EOS R8”, at the Nikon booth, the Z series was the main focus, at the Sony booth, of course, the α series, at Fujifilm, the GFX series and X series, and at Olympus. OM SYSTEM and Panasonic naturally pushed out the GH6 and S5II, and it feels like the mirrorless machines are now available.
Of course, it is still possible to touch and preview the actual machine at any manufacturer’s booth, but each booth is disinfected with alcohol, etc., and sufficient measures are taken to prevent the spread of infection. , I was able to try the actual machine I was looking for with confidence.
Nikon booth on the first day of CP+2023Also, interesting things such as preview models at each booth stand out. At the Canon booth, a BMX bank was set up and BMX riders jumped around. The Tamron booth has a uniform image of “Neputa”, and the model is also dressed in a yukata. At the Sony booth, the telephoto lens test area has been expanded, and the fun of going up the stairs and aiming from top to bottom with a telephoto lens is produced.
Also, although it wasn’t a preview, at the Olympus booth, which has attracted many users due to the wild bird photography boom of the corona whirlpool, a beautiful PV featuring the kingfisher, which is popular with birders, was playing.
With the digitization of cameras, it is now possible to shoot video, and what lies ahead will be a wave of higher pixels. Naturally, when this happens, high-spec and highly reliable storage and media are required, and of course, popular storage manufacturers with high reliability are exhibiting at CP+ this time.
Nextorage and Kyokuto Electronics (SUNEAST) are inseparable manufacturers to ensure smooth shooting with the latest cameras. In addition, manufacturers of photography-related accessories such as ATOMOS, voice recording accessory TEAC (TASCAM), photography light maker Phottix, and general trading company Ginichi of camera supplies are exhibiting. It’s annoying that I can’t do it, so if you’re interested, please come to Yokohama and enjoy the real event.
Expansion of the event area “My free ward”, presentation stage and outlets
Another big change this time is the event area called “My Free Zone”. Here, public seminars are held, circles such as universities use it as a place for presentations, and ZOOMS photo exhibitions are also held.
Mr. Chitoyo Koyabu, the entertainer who loves cameras the most in the entertainment world, took the stage as the top batter of the public talk session, and talked about his own journey with cameras in a funny way. After this, there will be a lot of attention-grabbing public sessions, and I’m glad that it’s OK to watch while standing.
Once you enter the opening, it would be fun to walk around the opening until you find a session that interests you, and then come to the Jiyu-ku before the session to see it. Of course, closed seminars are also available, and you can listen to in-depth seminars by photographers and creators recommended by each manufacturer. There will also be seminars held independently at each manufacturer’s booth, and you will be able to absorb the latest camera information and shooting techniques to your heart’s content.
And another fun of CP + is probably the outlet. Many manufacturers and trading companies have prepared many products for camera enthusiasts this year as well. Among them, lens filter maker H&Y, which has become a hot topic recently, has outlet products at very reasonable prices, and other exhibitors have many outlet products waiting for you, so please check out the latest models. It may be meaningful for the upcoming shooting season to purchase bargain items at the outlet.
Reborn CP+2023
The big change in the past three years, when the real event was postponed due to the corona vortex, is that many overseas manufacturers have canceled their exhibitions. Although travel restrictions have been loosened, it is still difficult to come to Japan, and the number of exhibitors from camera product manufacturers that do not have branches or distributors in Japan has decreased significantly.
However, there are some benefits that come with it. The aisles were much wider, and the resting space was expanded, so it was possible to take a closer look at each company’s products and check them.
When the event was held in the past, the aisles were narrow and there was a lot of people colliding with each other. Also, when I get tired of walking, or when I sit down for a while to organize the novelties I received, I used to have a hard time finding a bench to sit on. However, this year’s event has a strong sense of consideration for visitors, as well as measures against infectious diseases, and it has become easier to enter for families who come with strollers, etc., making it a leisure time for families. It will be even more fun to enter.
In recent years, the position of the “camera” has changed significantly, and now it is possible to perform everything from film photography, which used to be difficult, to digital photography, and from photography to video shooting, all in one “camera”. Whether you want to enjoy yourself or your family, if you come to the real event CP+2023 for the first time in a while, you may be able to see a different kind of camera fun.
