scott_killian1 Posted October 25, 2002 Share Posted October 25, 2002 I've apparently completely lost my mind as I now have a nagging urge to make even larger negatives for contact printing. The resulting illness has me looking at various 8x10 cameras, particularly oldies like the Deardorff, Korona, Seneca, etc... I'm going to be in NYC on business next week and was hoping somebody on the forum could recommend a shop in the city that would actually have a selection of older 8x10 cameras (somebody other than B&H). I'm aware of eBay, but was hoping I could actually handle some of these cameras. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david_hall6 Posted October 25, 2002 Share Posted October 25, 2002 If you like old, cool stuff, you will LOVE Lens & Repro. It's downtown...22nd street or 18th street or something... They have everything. dgh Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david_goldfarb Posted October 25, 2002 Share Posted October 25, 2002 Lens and Repro. Find their current stock and address at www.lensandrepro.com. You might also try Ken Hansen, but I haven't been down there myself recently. You can call them at 212-317-0923. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimmy_katz Posted October 25, 2002 Share Posted October 25, 2002 I am always amazed that anyone uses Lens & Repro anymore. They have high prices but more importantly the rudeness of the salespeople is probably unsurpassed in NYC. This is really an accompishment! Most of the pros I know avoid them like the plague. Try Photo Habitat (212-473-5665) or FotoCare (212-741-2990) for knowledgeable people who seem to actually want your business. These guys are a pleasure to do business with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bob_salomon Posted October 25, 2002 Share Posted October 25, 2002 Photo Habitat, Photo Gizzmmo, Foto Care, Lens & Repro, Ken Hansen and that should fill most of your day. Dealers from Christopher St. to 52nd St and Madison Ave. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jason_greenberg_motamedi Posted October 25, 2002 Share Posted October 25, 2002 I have bought equipment at almost all of the stores so far listed. Lens and Repro is expensive, and Jeff Kay, the owner, can be quite grumpy and occasionally rude, however his knowledge and stock of older and obscure equipment is unsurpassed. Photo Gizzmo, Photo Habitat, and FotoCare are all good stores, with smart, helpful, and friendly staff, but small used stock. B& H and Adorama have used equipment, but their staff can range from helpful and knowledgeable (like Julio at Adorama) to completely ignorant (like most of the other sales people at Adorama) and rude (like many of the B&H used sales people). Another store is Camera Traders (on W17th), I have bought some great stuff there, however caveat emptor--buyer beware-- their equipment is not always in great shape, just be careful. Avoid Cambridge Camera at all costs. Remember, in a number of these stores you can offer your own price, or trade. Good Luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
._._z Posted October 25, 2002 Share Posted October 25, 2002 "I am always amazed that anyone uses Lens & Repro anymore. They have high prices but more importantly the rudeness of the salespeople is probably unsurpassed in NYC" I concur! Rude and condescending. I went there a couple of years ago to see if they had any Minolta Autocords in stock, and the rep disdainfully sniffed at my interest in "last century" equipement as he called it (coicidentally they didn't have one in stock) ... then brazenly tried to sell me a Yashica 635 (inferior 3-element lens) that he'd just gotten in. I guess the relevance of the date of manufacture was directly related to the odds of the rep being able to make a sale. The only positive thing I can say about them is that they once offered more money for a Canon rangefinder and lenses than B&H, Adorama or Camera Traders did. Still not high enough for me to sell it to them, but at least it's a point in their favor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david_goldfarb Posted October 25, 2002 Share Posted October 25, 2002 Jason's assessment is very fair, in my experience. Sure they're more civilized at FotoCare, but if you're looking for an 8x10" field camera, you'll have better luck at Lens and Repro. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimmy_katz Posted October 25, 2002 Share Posted October 25, 2002 I think that all the responses above are consistant and very accurate. Among assistants and pros, Lens & Ropro is famous for the tag "Where the pros always go...LAST!". Remember NYC has lots of great photo stores. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete_roody Posted October 26, 2002 Share Posted October 26, 2002 I have had only good experiences in dealing with Lens & Repro. Professsional service and they have many hard to find items. Ken Hansen is also very professsional, but their business is now mostly geared to medium format & smaller. Photo Gizzmo is also a good place to visit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jason_greenberg_motamedi Posted October 26, 2002 Share Posted October 26, 2002 I forgot to mention Calumet on W19th, not my favorite, but now and then they have somthing worthwhile, like their shutter tester. It is worth noting that many camera stores in NYC close Friday early afternoon, and remain closed on Saturday. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geoffrey_james Posted October 28, 2002 Share Posted October 28, 2002 I have a grudging admiration for Lens And Ripoff, because the guys know their stuff -- ask for GI (Geoffrey Itten). Jeff Hirsch at Foto Care is great. At Camera Traders you may be able to pick up a good lens. The whole trick to shopping is to define your needs -- which is kind of hard until you have a clear idea of what you are doing. It's a bit like shopping for a musical instrument that you have not yet learned to play. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geoffrey_chen Posted October 29, 2002 Share Posted October 29, 2002 Photo Gizzmo and Ken Hansen. Ken is moving away from LF and is doing house cleaning. Maybe you can find something cheap there. If you just want to handle some 8x10 cameras, go visit GI at Lens and Repro. If you are nice to Jeff Key, he might give you a "huge" discount, so you can buy a camera there. Second thought, Ebay has better prices. Cheers, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arthur_gottschalk Posted October 29, 2002 Share Posted October 29, 2002 Try Photo Gizzmo on Christopher St-- FIRST! Wonderful service, great stuff, good prices. I bought my 8x10 Deardorff there for much less than the ones on offer at Lens & Repro. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave_e._schneider Posted October 29, 2002 Share Posted October 29, 2002 Photo Gizzmo and Ken Hansen. Don't waste your time at Lens & Repro and Foto Care. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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