photo stores/photo ops near Las Vegas?

I'll be going to Las Vegas next month. I'm looking for camera stores in Vegas, especially ones that have a lot of used/vintage large and medium format gear. Anybody have any recommendations?

<p>

I'm also looking for interesting photo ops near Vegas, specifically landscapes. Any suggestions here, too?

<p>

Thanks,

Hi,

<p>

Good photo ops in the Las Vegas area? I think it is pretty hard to

beat the Valley of Fire and the area down by Boulder/Hoover Dam.

<p>

Sorry, I don't have any experience with the photo shops there.

<p>

Fred

Great photo ops in my opinion:

<p>

Red Rocks - just north of town

<p>

Death Valley - closer than you might think

<p>

Vegas itself - worthy of critical study

Hi Mark,

<p>

I live in upstate N.Y., and just spent a week out in Vegas last

month. If you're into small, nearly ghost desert towns, you might

want to give Nelson a try. It's only about 30 minutes outside of

town - just take RT.95 south till you see on the left hand side the

turnoff to RT.165 and the sign for Nelson. There's people living

there (which for me is kind of hard to believe) but there's also a

very interesting assortment of abandoned wooden structures, as well

as alot of interesting desert plants... It's only a short trip from

Vegas so give it a try. Good luck!

<p>

Mark

Hi Mark,

<p>

The previous post about camera stores pretty much sums it up. Of the

three I'm partial to Casey's. They are located adjacent to the

Liberace Museum on Tropicana. As for landscape shooting in Late July

and early August be prepared for HOT temperatures. Generally

temperatures at dawn will be around 90 and temperatures around dusk

will be between 105 and 120 depending on where you are. I generally

don't use my LF gear around Las Vegas during these months. However,

for landscape photography I would recommend Mt. Charleston (which

will also be much cooler), Valley of Fire, and the area around Hoover

Dam/Lake Mead. Will you be shooting color or BW? Also do you intend

to hike or stay close to the vehicle? If hiking, and you are not

used to the desert, you can't underestimate how much water you will

need and the value of a broad brimmed hat.

<p>

There are a few individuals who post on this site who are also from

the Vegas area and it would be good to here from them as well. If

you have any specific questions please feel free to email me directly.

Any extended range beyond Las Vegas or do you have to stick pretty

close for conventions and the like. I'm in Tonopah, 200 miles away,

and there are mining town relics here.

<p>

http://www.losalamos.com/jimgalli/

<p>

The other place that is a must is the ancient bristlecone forest in

the White Mountains east of the high sierras.

<p>

Jim

Thanks for all the answers so far - I really appreciate it. In

answer to the above questions, I'll be shooting b&w, and I'm using

12x20 so I'll be relatively close to the car. (The longest distance

I've humped it so far is two miles, but not in anything like 100+

degrees! And thanks for the hot weather advice - my canteen and

Tilley hat are on my list.) I'll have my family with me, which will

actually be the more limiting factor (i.e. I'm not going to make any

really extended trips to locations away from town unless they're on

our route). The good news is I've lobbied (successfully) for a side

trip up to Zion, which should be nice. I don't really expect to make

great images on a short trip to an area, but I'm looking forward to

it nonetheless.

<p>

Cheers!

Mark, if you are shooting 12x20, and you are going to Zion, you

definetly need to shoot at Bryce canon, its an additional 1.5 hrs,

but well worth it in that format... If you are interested in

used/vintage gear, caseys camera, next to the Liberace museus has

some neat items...

Mark,

<p>

A word of caution about shooting in Nevada State Parks, as opposed to

National Parks. The state statute regarding photography in state

parks is often construed by park rangers to mean all big cameras are

outlawed (because only professionals use them). It is not uncommon

to be harassed, especially in Valley of Fire. Generally, I carry a

copy of the state statute with me for reference although it is

difficult to convince some rengers that my equipment is used for a

hobby. You may also wish to get a copy of the federal regulations

regarding photography.

<p>

Here is the Nevada statute.

<p>

Commercial Photography. Authority: NAC 407.050

<p>

Fees range from $40 to $3,000 per day depending on the size and

complexity of the filming operation.

<p>

Persons who take photographs or motion pictures in a park for

commercial purposes are required to have a filming permit.

Applications for permits must be made at the park prior to the

filming date. The permit stipulates restrictions and obligations that

must be met by the permittee. "Commercial" photography means

photography that is meant for financial gain. Included under

commercial photography are sales of photographic images for

advertising, motion pictures, television productions or portfolios.

The archiving of images by persons who use photographic skills,

equipment or resources to provide a photographic product for sale is

also considered commercial photography.

<p>

Have fun shooting. One last thing, there is no private vehicle

access to the main canyon at Zion during the summer. There is a

shuttle bus that stops at several locations. It is inconvenient if

your lugging big gear but it makes the experience of the canyon

infinitely better.

Kevin - Thanks for the heads up - I'll print out the statute and

take it with me.