So, I lost track of the thread where I posted this thought, and was busy re-arranging furniture at home, but I found it again!

I suggest Saturday August 6th, maybe meeting at a nice café in Mitte around noon, perhaps 12.30 or so, drinking a coffee to get to know each other, then going for a photo stroll in whatever direction people prefer, and then convening towards evening for a bite? People would of course be free to join for only a part of this, or join for the whole thing. If everything goes well, it might be nice to meet every 2 or 3 months for a chat about cameras, lenses, printing, paper, pinhole caps for our cameras, or whatever, perhaps to present portfolios, get critique in person, and so on. At this point there are 5-6 of us who might join at any given time, and perhaps others might join with time, so there should be enough general interest. Bernhard cannot join this time, but one week later he could, but Heinz can join this time, but not the next weekend...

Post your thoughts here, and when we get close to agreement, we can swap email addresses, Handy numbers, or whatever.

Hmm, there was more enthusiasm on the Zeiss thread. Alternatives:

- Sunday August 7th.
- Different time.
- Just coffee and chat.
- Just photo walk.
- Just dinner/beer.
- Your suggestion.

I will definately be in Berlin on the 6th and will join the meeting.

I am in Berlin from Wednesday to Monday or Tuesday, so Sunday would also be possible, but I need to know as soon as possible as I have to arrange other appointments.

Carsten: you may want to change the thread title to English.

Heinz

I would absolutely join a meeting in Berlin for some friendly chat and inspiration and perhaps a beer or two.
But, for me such a short notice doesn't work. I would need to lay my hands on a cheap ticket and in this case I unfortunately will be busy at work as well.

Saturday the 10th of September?

Maybe that is more of a suggestion about a suitable time span for the notice; seeing Heinz will be there and perhaps other members as well on vacation in Germany at the time...

Next time?

best,

Jonas

If this goes well, I certainly intend to try to make it regular, perhaps every 3-4 months to avoid annoying people. Once this one is over, we can chat about a future meeting, and the date for it?

if this is open to non-Germans, I would love to join

I'll drop to Berlin on Sunday 14th of August to leave my family for "annual week of shopping in Berlin" as I call it,but have to get back the same day (somebody has to pay the bills )

I think the idea is good - knowing in advance I can arrange to take part.

Carsten; that's fine, and a good idea!

philber: I can't imagine it wouldn't be open... even to folks living in France. I know I would love you to join! I hope to see you there, the next time!

philber wrote:
if this is open to non-Germans, I would love to join

One of my grand,grand fathers was german so I believe I may have some chance....

Well, if you look at it this way, my father was born in the final days of the Hapsburg empire, Peire (in Budapest). So maybe that helps me qualify....

philber wrote:
if this is open to non-Germans, I would love to join

Off course that was an open invitation for everyone who would love to join.

We started that idea over at the Zeiss images thread and Carsten opened this new thread to announce that to the fellow alt forum friends.

I am sure - as Carsten already said - that we will repeat this from time to time, so feel free to participate in this thread even if you can't make it this time. From later this year or beginning of next year I will be a citizen of Berlin also, so I am sure that this will continue.

Philippe, please join if you can. I would love to meet you.

Heinz

and all of you can try my 35 f:1.4 if you can use a Canon mount...

another Habsburgian applying to attend
not this time though. I'll be on some beech in Greece

Our royal family is German so I'm in too
Seriously thought I can't make it on this occasion as I need to be around to collect my wife from the airport on 7th August, but will be up for it on future occasions.

Never been to Berlin and definately need to see more of Europe

philber wrote:
and all of you can try my 35 f:1.4 if you can use a Canon mount...

Are we allowed to bring a Leitax mount? You are of course welcome, as are other Frenchies, Italians, Spanish, Portuguese, Croatian, Bosnian, and everyone else in the world. The only restriction is Berlin

johnahill wrote:
Our royal family is German so I'm in too

! Well, I am a British Subject, so you'll be in good (being facetious here) company.

Interesting that so many non-Berliners are interested in joining up. I had no idea I guess Berlin is rather central and flights can be had cheaply these days.

Perhaps a meet near Christmas to visit some christmas markets?

My great grandmother was German and my great grandfather was born in the Habsburg empire (Croatia) so perhaps I qualify as well. I can't make it this time but I'd love to join in on a future occasion.

Well, let's try to settle on the afternoon of Aug. 6th this time, and then start discussions about when we should meet again. How does mid-to-late September sound to everyone? We can also make it later... Christmas is of course also a possibility, but I would think there would be enough time to meet in between, and anyway, the Weinachtsmärkte are not necessarily great photo ops, although Glühwein could make up for that