Nostalgia for the old camera store?

Besides getting to use the display cameras and lenses, another perk I enjoyed from those days was vendors would often give use sample products (film, photo paper, etc.) to try and my dad usually gave me the task of testing the sample products. I remember testing a roll of Fujicolor N100 when I was still in high school. It was a couple of years before we stocked Fuji and by then our runaway best seller was the Fujicolor 400 (which debuted before Kodacolor 400). I remember testing some Agfapan 100 and 400. I also got to try a few rolls of GAF ISO 500 B&W Super 8 movie film as well. Fun times.

Here was a nice window display I bid on. But got too high for my budget. It was a 35mm neg.

I wrote the seller to see if they would sell a scan for $20, but not interested. Camera stores can go for big money on eBay.

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BERN'S CAMERA in ALBANY,N.Y. that specialized in LEICA where I bought my still owned 1955 LEICA M-3 with 50mm 2.8 ELMAR for the princely sum of $175.00. Oh for the "good old days"!

I forgot to cite I bought the M-3 in 1969

Another perk of having a family camera shop was that when I needed to upgrade camera gear, there was a space in the shop reserved for me where I could display equipment I wanted to sell. Over the years I sold several SLR's, numerous lenses, a VCR, and even a couple of telescopes. Proceeds went toward new gear. I still miss the large darkroom we had in the store.

Wow cool old thread... Reading through replies on page 1, I found this (quoted below). I wonder if any of these still exist? I live near Harrisburg, so both places mentioned aren't too far away. Currently around there, I know fo, via Instagram, a place in York, PA named Retro Photo York. Not having been down there, I don't know if there's an actual SOTRE, or if they exist mainly for internet sales? Honestly never looked to see if they have a website but they have a presence on social media for sure.

 

Also nearby, we have- still in existence after many years in business, Fine Art Photo. I used to visit them quite a lot when I first got into shooting film. their turn-around times were slow I believe he told mer because he'd wait til more than just me would bring in film before sending an order to whatever lab he used. That lab did an OK job of developing the film but their "proof prints" were absolutely terrible. And no scans available. It didn't take me too long to realize the whole world is developing film now and everybody has scans to send you- no need to even have proofs. That said, he's still open, in fact they have just moved recently and have a shiny new store! Everything is laid out beautifully, it's very well put together. They sell 35mm film, and I've been buying some Ektar 100 & Tri-X 400 from them. A few months ago they also had 35mm Fuji Provia and I bought a roll or two. Sadly it hasn't been there any time lately, and the owner's been sorta grumpy about it. Maybe it's a covid thing? World shipping lines clogged up, or perhaps something to do with the recent trade war thing? Sanctions or whatever? But I still go in to get Kodak Tri-X and Ektar. I'm pleased to give them some business.

 

 

QUOTE="steven_p, post: 3796167, member: 1840601"]<p>I've been in Olden Camera a couple times. Kinda spooky, riding that rickety elevator. There was D & G Photo (Don and Gerri) in Wrightsville, Pa that was chocked full of old and oddball stuff. They went out of business years ago. I used to BS with Don for hours.<br>

There still remains, Coe Camera in Lancaster. Their new and used pricing is not competitive at all. I feel guilty going there to look because of their mark up, so I don't. There is an art school next door and I think that is the only thing keeping them in business.</p>

On 5/24/2009 at 2:58 AM, john_layton said:

<p>On the Church St. pedestrian mall in Burlington, Vt. (2nd floor - look for the street-level sign)...Its called Lezots Camera, and they have a great inventory of both film (lots of great old Nikons, Canons, Leicas, Blads, etc.) and digital gear - a huge assortment of lenses, plus darkroom stuff...and wonderful folks who know their stuff! About an hour and a half from my home in Newbury, Vt., and definitely worth the trip!</p>

My Nikomat FTn has a repair sticker from Lezot's Camera Repair dating from 1980. Apparently this camera spent some time in that area, before it moved South to Tennessee and my subsequent ownership. Thanks for that history. 

Edited October 18, 2022 by Kent T