Last year I had the chance to participate in one of the Leica Akademie Weekends with Craig Semetko and I can highly recommend it. The price of the 2012 course is $495, but you will receive a $150 voucher that can be used toward the purchase of any Leica serial numbered M products plus other freebies.
For more info check those links:
Craig Semetko also has a new book out:
Related posts:
11 Comments
and what did you learn and what it gave you for 500$?
I’m glad you recieved some benefit from it. But for me, no thanks, not for the money.
It’s been a while since my college photgraphy days but that much money would have paid for 5 classes – and did. Plus they went on or lasted for a lot, lot, longer. Now of course, that money wouldn’t stretch that far but……
“a $150 voucher that can be used toward the purchase of any Leica serial numbered M products” – but in view of the current shortage of lenses how long will it be before you can actually use it?
actually last year the voucher was $300
Sounds great. You could pre order a Summicron 50 Asph and use the voucher for it … I really like Craig Semetko and I wish they would offer this kind of workshop in Europe …
I attended Craig Semetko’s Leica Akademie Weekend at Venice Beach last October and the price is a bargain for what you get. First off Leica brings the entire lineup of lenses to these events. If you think this isn’t worth the admission price I suggest you check the price of renting a Noctilux for a weekend. Second, the presentations are first class and even though I’m an old guy I firmly believe that you are never too old to learn something new. Lastly Craig Semetko has produced fantastic work all over the world, has had gallery shows all over the world, and published a stunning book. Having access and feedback from an artist such as this is not the sort of experience one gets in the average community college photography class.
The rebate from Leica is just a nice little “thank you”, although I used mine toward the purchase of the new 21/3.4 Super Elmar M. It’s not everyday you can buy a new Leica lens for under list price.
I owned a Noctilux and found it a nice piece of glass but sold it for it’s limited difference over the other Leica glass I own(ed) and for it’s awkward imbalance it brought to the M bodies.
My Photography coursework was not community college class variety and I might add, a close friend teaches at a community college photography department and the department has a long history of a quality curriculum. Too, one can learn through many means – and it doesn’t have to be taught by a authored photographer either.
I would hope that for the $$$ spent, Leica would provide a good program. I would add that photography ‘course work’ provides an equal or better learning curve as it asks one to continually refine ones work and is continually critiqued by faculty and students.
Well, I’m glad you owned a Noctilux…but my point was that Leica brings ALL the M mount lenses for everyone to try over 3 days. Other than Leica Mayfair in London, or renting, I know of no other way to get your hands on the entire lineup, including impossible to find lenses such as the Noctilux, 35 Summilux ASPH FLE and the 90 APO Summicron M.
Most working photographers and advanced amateurs do not have the time to take a semester long course, no matter how talented the instructor. The Leica Akademie offers a compressed learning experience in fantastic settings at a very reasonable price. Perhaps if you had attended an Akademie class before simply dismissing it as “too expensive” I would have more respect for your comments.
Well it’s too bad you judge someone on real life experiences that differ from your own. I never said you wasted your money. By the way, I was an ‘advanced amateur’ and going to school, using Leica equipment, both loaned from them and my own at the same time.
Simple fact; Leica sponsors these to sell or encourage product sales while teaching a seminar. There is nothing wrong with that, as to your lack of respect – well that’s up to you – you are on your own.
Having had the privilege of attending the last English language course that Leica Akademie offered in Germany, on the M6TTL, I highly recommend any of their courses. The instructors were knowledgeable, and of course there is the Leica gear you get to use. Leica treats its students very well.
That’s good to hear! I am hoping to attend one of their (free) M9 owner workshops soon.