SHELF SHOCK

<p>I ventured into my local camera shop today, the first time in maybe three years. I was SHOCKED. As I walked in, to my right, there was a room devoted to chemical processing. Papers, chemical packs, etc. interestingly, it is an old bank vault, complete with armored door and vault lock mechanisms. (an old bank building taken over by Milford Photo, in Milford,CT). I circled the shop, and there were bins if anachronisms--35mm film, and plastic recepticals, etc,. BUT there was a room of photo-stations. I assume computers running some photoshop or other program to make instant ink-jet prints. Clearly one third of the floorspace devoted to digital printing. I circled further, and went into the camera sales area, and here I got my most serious awakening. The shop that this one replaced always had an area of used equipment. There was nothing! NOTHING! Not a -K1000 or Ricoh, or Cosina or Sears traded in for the budding student. Every camera on every shelf was digital. Whether point and shoot or SLR, there was not a film camera to be seen. WE ARE A DYING BREED. Long Live the old farts who still cherish the clunk of a mechanical shutter and film! Please don't misunderstand, I fully understand that to stay in business, the shop MUST be in time with what sells. I just miss the GOOD OLD DAYS!</p>

<p>Today I saw literally thousands of film cameras for sale (at a photo show near Boston - <a href="http://our.web-scheduler.net/?CID=259&sid=&ID=73704&t=1256389200&v=event">anybody interested click here</a>) but unfortunately it was overwhelmingly not stuff I really wanted to buy. But if you're interested in seeing a ton of old Leicas and Nikons, and some interesting view cameras and all the usual MF stuff, and haggling over some expired film, go tomorrow.</p>

<p>I did score a 280PX flash and a lead lined film bag for $1 each, and got to handle a 50th anniversary black Minolta XD (there was a contest with one going to the person in each state who owned the oldest Minolta camera; this was the Rhode Island sample and appeared never to have been used).</p>

<p>I wish I could make it that camera show in Boston.<br>

I do think the supply of used film cameras is dropping on a local basis. Up until recently, I could go to several local camera stores and find film cameras that were traded in on digital. It was great to see them close up and handle them. I bought a bunch.<br>

My cameras I bought in EX++ condition included a Leica M6 classic, F100, F4s, F3HP, Canon F-1, Bronica ETRS, Nikon F, F2, Nikkormat FT, FT3, FTn, Kodak Retina IIIC (big C), Pentax K1000, and a few others.</p>

<p>The only mom & pop store in my area still has a show case of used film stuff, however they price a well worn N90 for $399. A couple F3's and f2's, K100's and Minoltas, fairly battered and expensive.</p>

<p>There is an art college right next door and I think they do a fair business with the students. They also sell darkroom supplies.</p>

<p>There used to be a store in a neighboring town that was a treasure trove of everything prior to auto focus. Every do-dad you could think of. I bought, traded and learned a lot from Don, the owner. The place reminded me of "Olden Camera" in NYC, but with fair prices. Sorry to see it go.</p>

<p>The lack of classic, used gear in local camera shops has more to do with Ebay than digital photography's popularity. By the time they pay rent, bills, counter help, etc... they need to charge $400 for a Crown Graphic I can get on Ebay for $200. I do miss walking in and fondling the gear, but as much as I love 'em I'm not paying $125 for a 35mm SLR I can find on Ebay for $40.</p>

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<p>My local camera shop had a showcase full of used gear (film, digital, etc.) and I'd always stop by and look at it whenever I was there. Then suddenly it all vanished - I asked what happened and they said it was all shipped to their main location, destined to end up on ebay. They said every shop in the chain did the same thing, so they only sell the used gear via ebay now - no chance to examine or inspect, or just window-shop.<br>

There's not a single film camera left in the shop now - and their entire film stock consists of about 2 dozen rolls of 35mm.<br>

Sigh.</p>

 

<p>Too true!!!!<br>

I'm beginning to feel like a social misfit when I look for used film equipment. Ebay is definitely hurting local sales to the few of us looking to USE a film camera. Even yard sales and estate sales finds me battling ebay dealers to look at a film camera-they are all scooped up immediately and later sold online. On the other hand, the junk that is left ,noone wants, least of all a collector/user.<br>

What's worse, I just took a 9 day vacation to Portland,OR and then Las Vegas. I spent a day at the south rim of the Grand Canyon. I carried a Pentax ME, with M42 lenses. There were more than a thousand people in and around the visitor center and most had cameras. I was especially attuned to what they were using. NOT ONE FILM CAMERA IN EVIDENCE! I MEAN IT! Sad Sad Sad. In Portland I visited my favorite Goodwill and found dozens of film point and shoots and a few decrepit none-interesting and beat up lenses for sale. Joe Sixpack is dumping his point and shoot for digital point and shoot. I guess the rest of the film mechanical marvels are on EBay.<br>

What's to become of film?</p>

<p>I was surprised that your local shop still caters to film and paper. I haven't been able to find any local sellers with any thisng short of a one-shot use of fixer or a single combi-kit for 5 rolls and this was in the dark corner where if you asked no one could find it!<br>

There are lots of smaller shops selling photogear but digital is mainstream and their selection of film has dwindled to less than 5 sorts in most places. Amazingly the chain drugstore has a better selection and better price. Imagine the drugstore has 400CN and Fjichrome, and the photo shop doesn't have any slide film or any B&W! Go figure.<br>

I fear more that 35mm film will become scarce and then expensive... it's still relatively available, but I often hear surprised exclamations from others that I can still find film.<br>

While it'S amazing what one can do with digital, I still enjoy and want to use my old cameras.</p>

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<p>A couple of weeks ago, I attended the Texas State Fair...one of the country's largest and most popular State fairs. I have done so each year for longer than I care to admit. The surprising thing to me this year was that I was <strong>not</strong> the only person carrying a film camera. I saw a Nikon (FM, possibly FE--was black and had been used very hard), a Canonet GIII, one of the last of the Canons (some model of Rebel)...and one Olympus Stylus a woman was using. Last year, I didn't see a single film camera.<br>

Jon</p>

<p>Hello all.<br>

Same thing here in the great white north.<br>

Camera stores are rare to non existent that still sell used film stuff.<br>

Ten years ago the stores that did not adapt to the digital age<br>

went out of business.<br>

I miss Xxxxxx photo developing but he did not or could not adapt in 2001.<br>

I can still see him selling his stuff on the sidewalk just before the store died.</p>

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