[weatherwise2]

Well I finally joined a photography club and love it. I wasn't sure about it; I have tended to be a lone photographer and not really much of a joiner. I went to one meeting in the spring and seemed okay so this spring when they had a opening I joined. They have weekly meetings in the evening and are very well organized with mentors, local stores showing equipment, outside speakers, local and paid trips, and lots of contests for points. Talking with everyone I found out of the 130 or so people in the club and maybe the 50 that come regularly I am the only pentax!

I suggest others consider this. I was surprised.

[Arpe]

Been considering joining one for years! But I'm too chicken. Well done for getting there, and thanks for telling us your story.

[JCSullivan]

Like Arpe - I'm still considering it but the night shift (my current excuse) keeps me from having a social life.

[roentarre]

I have joined a few clubs and socialised with different groups including various brand users.

After all, it is who you know and who you love to spend time with. Sometimes politics just get in the ways.

[cardinal43]

I live in a 55+ retirement community, and I joined the local photography club about 8 months ago. They have a number of trips, both free and paid. One of the down sides to working full time and living in a retirement coummunity is that a lot of the activities take place during the day, and I can't participate (stoopid job!). However, the camera club and the computer club (2 of my hobbies), meet in the evenings, so I can participate. There are 2 of us that shoot Pentax -- I have the K100D, and the other gentleman has an iST.

[cindy s]

I currently belond to two photo clubs. Lancaster Camera Club and Wrights Ferry/Well Spring Camera Club. Both meet in the evening, LCC on first Monday nights and Wrights Ferry on third Thursday nights. We go on field trips, hold competitions and critique nights, and we also have guest speakers. If you are interested in joining a photo club, don't think about it, join one. It's a lot of fun and it's also a learning experience too.

[heatherslightbox]

I just joined a recently formed club in my area last month. I haven't been able to make any of the monthly field trips yet, but I'm enjoying the camraderie. Counting myself, there's at least 3 Pentax users in the group (one of them posts here--that's how I found out about it). One thing I've already learned is that in this group, it's not about the gear, it's about what you can produce with the gear you have.

Heather

[cupic]

I too have recently attended my first meeting(although as a guest) and will join up soon.

A few have Pentax, canikians and the likes.Very impressed with one member on flickr name, eonn


cheers

[Taff]

i cant remember which pert of aus ur in cupid?

[cupic]

NSW east coast 1hr south of Sydney

cheers

[Taff]

too far for me to join you then mate lol

[TaoMaas]

One thing I've already learned is that in this group, it's not about the gear, it's about what you can produce with the gear you have.

I think that's pretty true in most clubs. I've been involved with a local club for 30 years now and only one person has ever given me grief about shooting Pentax. That person used to shoot Pentax, but switched to Nikon, so he's just trying to justify changing. I've learned that the best way to shut down critics is to beat them senseless in the competitions. (j/k)

[patrickt]

I joined a camera club 45 years ago and enjoyed the experience and learned a lot from people who knew more than I did. They arranged trips and events I wouldn't have been able to do alone such as a round-up on a ranch. I have a friend who is a professional photographer but his professional work is pretty boring. He belongs to a club, only open to other professionals, for fun and I can see the benefits to that.

I'm not in a club now, partly due to language problems, but would encourage anyone with an interest in photography to consider one.

[legacyb4]

Check out meetup.com for a local photography group as well. There's a fairly large one in Vancouver with a meetup scheduled this weekend for the Parade of Lost Souls.

[dws1117]

We have a local camera club that I've debated joining for a few months. It looks like it would be a fun learning experience as they have member of all skill levels.