Supporting Your Local Store - Do You? [Archive]

dcsang

08-07-2008, 06:12

Since about 1998, I've been buying things online.
A lot of things.

My first digital camera came from Ebay.
A classic; the Kodak DC-120 (http://www.amazon.com/Kodak-120-DC120-Digital-Camera/dp/B00005QXZY) was about $300+ various import taxes, brokerage fees, etc.

Since then, anything I found "cheaper" than what it cost locally was purchased online.

Nowadays though; and probably since the last few years at least - if I can find something new locally, I'll usually buy it locally, even if it costs upwards of 25% more. Mostly because I want to support my local shops. (I'm not talking the Big Box stores like Best Buy, or such but my local "mom & pop" shops). This goes for most consumer items but in our case here, I'm talking camera shops.

If I can't find it locally, I then would look to the "usual" vendors - ones from here (Tony @ Popflash, Messr Gandy, Messr Pinto, Senor Abrahamson etc.) and B&H.

Do you patronize your local camera shops or has the advent of the internet (hmm... the web is now about 14-15 years on.. maybe it's beyond its "advent" stage :D) caused you to do nothing but buy online?

Curious,
Dave

kshapero

08-07-2008, 06:20

Down here in Florida there are no local stores that can even remotely support my particular (rangefinder) habit. Therefore since I am in NYC quite frequently, I treat Photo Village as my local store, than move on to the usual suspects, if needed.

hunghang

08-07-2008, 06:21

For items that do not have a great price difference (i.e. ~ 10-15% difference), I spend the extra money to buy from the little/independent local stores.

brachal

08-07-2008, 06:26

I buy film, filters, etc locally, but I don't think I've even seen a film camera in a local store in a long, long time. If I wanted a D300 or something like that, I'd probably buy it locally, but DSLR isn't on my list.

kully

08-07-2008, 06:28

Supporting your local store is great in theory, but my two local stores are staffed by rude, grumpy men who don't seem to want to sell anything.

So I buy online, but I go to www.robertwhite.co.uk, because it's not faceless.

sienarot

08-07-2008, 06:29

If I feel they deserve my support, then yes I do. Whenever I'm in the need for something, The Camera Store (http://www.thecamerastore.com/) is the first place I go to. Fortunately (my wallet says unfortunately) it's on the way home from work so it's never too inconvenient to make a stop over there.

However if a store has lousy customer service, I see no reason why I would support them. I used to take all my colour development to Vistek. I put up with their lousy service so long, I got fed up and learned how to do my own C41 processing. Heck, I've even offered to do some people's processing just so they don't have to go there!

mervynyan

08-07-2008, 06:30

internet is the closest store, it is right in front of me.

other than food and clothing, I don't shop local any more, not even go to the mall for holiday special.

but i get on my usual schedule, just not shopping.

capitalK

08-07-2008, 06:32

The only local mom and pop gives me a decent deal on expired film. There's a fridge in the back that used to be full but they don't sell much anymore. When I showed them my new Bessa I think they were disappointed I didn't buy a new camera from them (they don't sell film anymore anyway) but I explained that it probably means their fridge will be cleaned out pretty soon.

usagisakana

08-07-2008, 06:34

I had up until recently, but that is changing. The costs of film are horrendously overpriced, and developer isn't cheap either. Not only that but they barely keep any in stock. I plan on buying all film and chemicals over the net from now on. If I need something at short notice I buy from there, otherwise I order over the net.

dcsang

08-07-2008, 06:36

However if a store has lousy customer service, I see no reason why I would support them. I used to take all my colour development to Vistek. I put up with their lousy service so long, I got fed up and learned how to do my own C41 processing. Heck, I've even offered to do some people's processing just so they don't have to go there!

hehe... Derrick, it's good to see that most Vistek "service" is the same whether it's here in Toronto or out west in Calgary.

Dave

sienarot

08-07-2008, 06:52

hehe... Derrick, it's good to see that most Vistek "service" is the same whether it's here in Toronto or out west in Calgary.

Dave

I'm sure it's a cooperative effort, Dave! A friend of mine was wanting to purchase a lens from Vistek here in Calgary, but they didn't have it in stock so they had to order it from Toronto. I can't recall all the exact details, but it boiled down to my friend not getting the lens because Toronto just didn't want to send it to Calgary so he had to turn elsewhere for it.

Keith

08-07-2008, 07:01

One of the major camera stores in Brisbane has a pretty decent stock of film ... I just don't feel like paying $10.00 a roll for TRI-X or the same for HP5. I bought a $350.00 tripod off them for the sole reason that some friends gave me a $200.00 voucher from the particular store one year for my birthday.

Funnily when I was in there getting the tripod I spotted an M8 in the cabinet and asked if they had sold any. The salesman said "Not one ... what sort of fool would pay that much money when you can buy the DSLR next to it for a third of the price?" When I mentioned that I had just bought an M8 he slunk away ... such salesmanship! :p

photogdave

08-07-2008, 07:14

Damn straight I do!! The ONLY internet shopping I do for camera gear is right here on RFF!
I've been a proponent of shopping local for years - look under my avatar. I understand that many, many member here simply don't have that option based on their geography or lack of service in nearby stores. I guess we're pretty spoiled here in Vancouver because we have at least five stores that stock pro level gear and are easy to get to. At least three of them still deal with used gear and a couple of them are staffed by knowledgeable working photographers.
I know for a fact that some people go into these stores to fondle gear, take up the sales staff's time with questions and then go buy online because they can save a buck. These people should be shot. If everyone who has a choice bought online then ALL the retail storefronts will go under and there will be no place to get a good old-fashioned, hands-on, try before you buy experience with the latest gear, or the nifty used gems.
IF you have a local store nearby that offers good service and reasonable (compared to other stores NOT the internet) pricing, please support it!

rolly

08-07-2008, 09:36

If I am buying a bottle of developer or a box of film, I tend to shop for price because on such expendables the service is not as big an issue as it is, say, for my MP or a lens. Generallly I get these supplies locally. I live in a big city where there is lots of camera and film activity, but if the store has mediocre service I feel no loyalty at all towards them, even if they are local. In fact my best camera experiences come from the internet-- for example, just to name one of several outstanding and personal experiences with online dealers-- Tony Rose seems to care very much about giving good service and a good price, plus he knows cameras and lenses, and after a while there is a real relationship with someone like that and you feel confident working with such a person...just as if he were local. The internet enables communities of interest like RFF so it seems natural that after a while you develop meaningful relationships with people you relate to every day or week even if they are in Brisbane or Paris or Jerusalem, Toronto or LA. It's not an either/or-- I think business relationships develop like friendships based on good experience, and the vendors who encourage a good experience seem to do fine whether in cyberspace or real space.

scorpius73

08-07-2008, 09:48

Andrew Sowerby

08-07-2008, 09:55

I buy film and get processing and scanning done at one of the "pro" downtown camera shops in Halifax. They do good work, they're friendly and the prices are reasonable. Besides, if it doesn't stay open the photo majors from the local university will have zero job prospects when they graduate!

photomoof

08-07-2008, 10:10

My local stores are B&H, Adorama, Kurland Photo, but of course I shop online, why would I go to the store? Nothing there but shelves and counters. Once in awhile I visit Kurland photo and go out to a local coffee shop with Eli, but if I wanted to buy something, I would have him send it over to me by messenger. :p

The information about what to buy is on the RFF, etc. There are no photo mavins at the stores like there were 30 years ago.

photogdave

08-07-2008, 10:35

The information about what to buy is on the RFF, etc. There are no photo mavins at the stores like there were 30 years ago.

Can't agree with this. RFF is a great resource for RF cameras but for the average DSLR shooter the internet is a minefield of misinformation, one-sided opinions and unnecessary brand bashing.
At least a camera store employee who sells a number of different brands and has the opportunity to try them all, can offer an objective opinion. They often have real world results for the customer to view, not to mention offering equipment rentals or demos.

dcsang

08-07-2008, 10:53

ashapiro

08-07-2008, 11:02

I patronize Village Camera in South Orange. He's been in the business for well over thirty years and gives me expert advice on cameras, accessories, and chemicals. He also has a large stock of used film cameras should I suddenly have a GAS attack.

photomoof

08-07-2008, 11:20

Can't agree with this. RFF is a great resource for RF cameras but for the average DSLR shooter the internet is a minefield of misinformation, one-sided opinions and unnecessary brand bashing.
At least a camera store employee who sells a number of different brands and has the opportunity to try them all, can offer an objective opinion. They often have real world results for the customer to view, not to mention offering equipment rentals or demos.

Warning "photogdave" thinks the following to the "most ignorant statements I've ever read on this forum," read at your own peril. Who knows he could be right? :D

Well Dave, just not my experience (but I do live in smart-ass NYC), but what would a camera store employee possibly know about photography in this day and age? Few if any have ever even taken a photo seriously. The vast majority go home and think about cameras about as much as a garbage man goes home and reads about garbage.

Then add into that mix the fact that many of us buy from orthodox stores, where the concept of a creative life in photography, or the arts, is totally alien.

Even the most enlightened salesman can only tell you what is selling, unless he is a photo hobbyist. I will continue to watch my pro friends, and read journalists who talk to them.

Sure there are exceptions, but few advanced photographers work in photo stores.

Yes the information about what is selling and what is breaking, that you can find out from B&H or Adorama is useful. Some salesmen like those at Adorama do pay attention to what is said to them by their important buyers (the pros).

However in my 40 years of photography the only truly reliable outside source of information remains my friends. Right now I am considering a return to Nikon in the form of a D700, a friend has just taken delivery on one. I called her today to talk about first impressions, because she is a pro, who has owned many Nikons, and is in a position to give me good advice.

Roger Hicks

08-07-2008, 11:41

My nearest dealer is 30+ miles away and has a very small stock with almost nothing I want, and at very high prices. I don't think I've ever bought anything there except a couple of developers (2d and 3rd choice) and a couple of batteries.

But even when I lived in Kent, I bought very little at the nearest decent store (Canterbury Cameras/Brian Cowley) except processing; almost all my 35mm C41 was done there (the rest, plus 120 C41 and all E6, at my nearest pro lab). I also bought second-hand, especially darkroom and accessories. Again, too little choice, and in too small quantities: 20+ rolls of any single emulsion would normally more than clean them out.

There was another amateur store that cost 30-50% more than mail order and never had anything I wanted, so he had to order it anyway. And he wouldn't order it until he had consolidated a big order, so instead of 2-3 days it could take 2-3 weeks.

At that time (7 years ago) there were about 8 stores within a 20 mile radius and there was enough business for one at best -- which I think is what now survives.

If you use much of anything, or have specialized needs, there are VERY few traditional amateur-oriented stores that are any use -- though two of my favourites in the UK are Bernard Hunter in Bristol and Camerex in Exeter.

Cheers,

R.

photogdave

08-07-2008, 12:04

Well Dave, just not my experience (but I do live in smart-ass NYC), but what would a camera store employee possibly know about photography in this day and age? Few if any have ever even taken a photo seriously. The vast majority go home and think about cameras about as much as a garbage man goes home and reads about garbage.

Then add into that mix the fact that many of us buy from orthodox stores, where the concept of a creative life in photography, or the arts, is totally alien.

Even the most enlightened salesman can only tell you what is selling, unless he is a photo hobbyist. I will continue to watch my pro friends, and read journalists who talk to them.

Sure there are exceptions, but few advanced photographers work in photo stores.

Possibly the most ignorant statements I've ever read on this forum.
The whole world does not model itself after NYC.

drewbarb

08-07-2008, 12:06

Then add into that mix the fact that many of us buy from orthodox stores, where the concept of a creative life in photography, or the arts, is totally alien.

Actually, as a former employee of one of those "orthodox stores" (I assume you mean the New York stores owned and largely operated by Hassidic Jews?), I can tell you that some of those orthodox folks are actually photographers. You don't think they get married, have children, have regular lives like the rest of us, and want all those special events photographed? Do you think they have to go outside of their own communities to find those services? Guess again.

Anyway, the problem with listening to camera store employees (like listening to anyone else) is that they may have good advice and information and pure motivation, or they may not. Vendors and employers sometimes offer salesmen various rewards for selling certain items or volumes, making them push those lines. I have seen salesmen I've worked with push items they use the same way folks in internet chat rooms sometimes talk about how great their gear is, trying to justify their won purchases. Worse yet, I've even seen salesmen play all kinds of games out of boredom or contempt. Like trying to sell specific items they privately think are junk, or deciding to push a given random item, or trying to convince a customer looking at one item to buy a competing brand for no reason other than manipulation.

Anyway, with all that said, yes, I do try to shop locally whenever it makes sense to do so. I live two blocks from a very good locally owned camera store, part of a local chain, and later this afternoon I will go over there to pick up film I dropped off yesterday for processing. I try to buy whatever I can from them, but I still buy sometimes from the big NYC stores for items like chemistry and paper my local place doesn't carry, and buying large quantities of film and such. But batteries, a few rolls for the weekend, a new camera strap or bag, or other useful bits I find there, I buy there- mostly in an effort to give them my business.

manfromh

08-07-2008, 12:21

I buy my film online from a local store. They usually have only few rolls in the actual store.

jrichie

08-07-2008, 12:25

I bought my M8 from my local store - Wellington Photographic in Wellington, New Zealand.

I support them all the time because they have very good prices, great service and are always helpful [fully staffed by photographers].

There aren't many other places in the world that are actually better as a 'shop'.

they should be paying me commission for saying this!!

Steve Bellayr

08-07-2008, 12:31

I have a local/professional store process all my film. Why deal with the chemicals? I find developing negatives repetitive and let them do it. I buy some recently out of date film from them & picked up a Nikon s2 (with a recent cla) at a great low price. They are very competitive on new digital if I ever needed one.

robin a

08-07-2008, 12:33

Here in Pensacola we have a local store thats gone digital,and Ritz.The local has some good guys who will share advice and help with small things.We can still get film and processing and they will "special order". Robin

photomoof

08-07-2008, 13:10

Possibly the most ignorant statements I've ever read on this forum.
The whole world does not model itself after NYC.

Well thanks Dave, your kind remarks are appreciated.

Everyone keeps saying that their local stores are staffed by photographers, and I suppose since almost everyone on earth has taken a photo, that must be true. But not "photographers" whose opinions I want to base $10,000 decisions on.

Sometimes I despair that anyone thinks at all, but I am sure you must be right about this, although you got it all wrong -- It starts "Jane you ignorant slut."

Actually, as a former employee of one of those "orthodox stores" (I assume you mean the New York stores owned and largely operated by Hassidic Jews?), I can tell you that some of those orthodox folks are actually photographers. You don't think they get married, have children, have regular lives like the rest of us, and want all those special events photographed? Do you think they have to go outside of their own communities to find those services? Guess again.

Probably it depends on the community, I admit I never paid attention to who was taking photos at weddings I have been to. There were zillions of cameras however. :p

Worse yet, I've even seen salesmen play all kinds of games out of boredom or contempt. Like trying to sell specific items they privately think are junk, or deciding to push a given random item, or trying to convince a customer looking at one item to buy a competing brand for no reason other than manipulation.

When I was in college, selling bicycles, we used to do this all the time to snotty people we did not like, especially the ones who never tipped us when we took their kid's bikes to their cars. Working in a store can be very boring, each new customer is just your entertainment for the day. Sadly screwing around with adults is pretty much standard among a certain age of males.

dmr

08-07-2008, 13:28

We have one remaining local "real" camera shop. It's not only surviving, but thriving, having opened up a third branch a year or so ago. (http://www.rockbrookcamera.com/)

Yes, they've been selling more and more {d-word} stuff lately.

I did buy a monopod there recently. A bit higher than B&H or Adorama, but it was there and I could see what I was buying.

However (comma) ...

(rantmode)
I would give them more business, but they REFUSE to be competitive on film prices! Why should I pay 50% more than I do at Target' for the same stuff? Film is really what I buy the most of, photo stuff, that is.

But wait, there's more. A guy I know went there a couple months ago for a roll of Fuji 1600 and they told him it was discontinued!

Bovine Doodoo!

I pulled up both the Fuji and the B&H web sites for him to show him it was not, and I ended up selling him a roll for what I paid from B&H. Maybe I'm in the wrong business. :)

Lately it seems like when I go in for odds and ends, they never have it. Until recently they had a LARGE pegboard with Promaster accessories, but it's maybe 1/3 of what it was a couple years ago.

I went there for a lens hood for the Mamiya, generic type. Nope!

Then I lost the lens cap for one of the GIII, generic type. Nope!

I needed a Wein cell for the meter. Nope!

I know I had seen all of these odds and ends there within the past few years.
(/rantmode)

Oh well. So it goes ...

PhotoMat

08-07-2008, 13:35

I used to try to shop locally as much as possible, but that is becoming increasingly difficult. There is no doubt that e-commerce has had a marked impact on local Mom & Pop stores -- I do not see them carry the inventories that they once had in the past. If the store has to order an item, I might as well order it myself. It becomes a downward spiral for the local retailer.

Same for film processing. The last time I dropped off some film for E-6 processing, I was shocked to find out that their prices had nearly doubled in recent months. According to the store personnel, lower lab volumes had necessitated the price increase. Consequently, I am now compelled to send out my E-6 work to another lab, thus adding another nail in the coffin of the local shop.

tmfabian

08-07-2008, 13:42

I shop local. But then again my local shop isn't exactly a small mom and pop shop either.

tbarker13

08-07-2008, 13:54

I've always felt like most of the local stores I've been around are geared more toward selling cameras to people who don't want to take the time to educate themselves about gear. I'll shop there for accessories, chemicals, etc.
(that's just a general feeling - I'm sure there are some great local stores or great reasons to shop at local stores)

But when it comes to buying new cameras or lenses, I go through one of the guys who support rangefinder photography: CameraQuest, PhotoVillage or Popflash for me.

photomoof

08-07-2008, 14:02

Since about 1998, I've been buying things online.
A lot of things.

For me it is just exhausting to buy in person. Even if I go to B&H there is still a chance they will not have the item I want in stock at the store, but will deliver it to me the next day, because it is at the warehouse (although it is amazing what is in the store). I have been told a number of times an item is in stock only to find it gone when I arrive (understandable, but unfortunate).

But it takes me two hours to go in and out of Manhattan to B&H, and only a few minutes to call them, and have the item messengered to me, or delivered by UPS, usually the next day, since it is local. So most of the time I do not visit, even B&H.

victoriapio

08-07-2008, 14:59

When I was a pro clicker I lived in Austin, Texas and used the Co-Op (Kodachrome and bulk rolls of Tri-X), Capital Camera for used camera equipment and Precision Camera for repairs and good used bins. Now I think only Precision is still around.

I now live in Victoria - 100 miles away - and there are no shops other than Best Buy - a great source for 2GB Sandisk Ultra III cards - $19.95 last week ;>).

Almost everything else is bought here, on getdpi or Fred Miranda for my DSLR stuff.

O.C.

Argenticien

08-07-2008, 18:21

For all the standard reasons, I very much want to have a local analogue camera store around. Two preferably, for competition. My particular pet peeve with online buying: paying $5 to ship a $5 filter or other such small, cheap part. Argh! Old stores with bins full of second-hand bits and bobs are the way to go!

In sparkling "New South" Charlotte, North Carolina, where new is worshipped and history is an inconvenience, we have two old-school stores clinging to life. (A third snuffed it last year.) I try hard to give these two my business, but they do make it difficult. When I was trying to buy a TLR: nope, just sold our only one. Rangefinders? No. (My one so far is a lucky eBay buy.) Efke film? Nope. My entire purchase history across these two stores is lots of paper, some film, all my color processing, and one Mamiya TLR lens.

Next best before going online to KEH or B&H, I'll try other towns' free-range, organic, shade-grown :D stores when traveling. Ball Photo in Asheville, NC (2+ hours up the mountain) is great. A new(?) tiny place in Philadelphia, 10th Street Camera, shows promise. Last year I saw Central Camera in Chicago for the first time and nearly wept at the sight of their inventory. Tried a minty C330 there, hesitated at its size so went home without buying, got burned on a smaller Yashica 124 on eBay, and weeks later finally gave up and phone-ordered (how quaint) from Central the very C330 I had seen previously, fortunately still there. (Love it now.) That'll teach me.

BTW, at all these places, don't curse their forays into digital. If their sales of digital to the masses in effect subsidizes the slow-selling vintage gear they stock and services/supplies they provide to us quirky film folk, more power to 'em. It doesn't get in my way, and keeps the stores alive for all of us.

EDIT: http://www.10thstreetcamera.com ... Certainly nothing from close to the 21st century in there. (Usual disclaimers apply: Not affiliated with, related to, etc.)

SolaresLarrave

08-07-2008, 18:35

The nearest store to my town is about 30 miles away. I do try to shop there. It's not like they need me that much; they have a very active business and actually sell chemicals, film and digital stuff. To me, the clincher is in the chemicals: they carry stuff I use, and if I'm in the area, I buy it. It's Holiday Camera in Geneva, IL.

Oh, they send film out for developing... and they charge a very pretty penny for it. Hence, for C41 I go to Walgreens (even closer!). For E-6, I have lots of Fuji and A&I mailers.

cosmonot

08-07-2008, 18:55

I'm close to two "decent" stores, probably the best two left in the area. One seems to be relatively easy to deal with, they value their used film gear (which they have a fair amount of) realistically even if the marked price is now way higher than market value. They will haggle, bargain and deal to make a sale.

The other store has scads of used film cameras, in varying states of workingness, does not mark anything with a price, and consistently values equipment like digital never killed film. I don't buy much there, but I go in and look fairly often, and sometimes ask if they have really esoteric and weird stuff just to see if they know what I'm talking about.

Film is available at both, but extremely overpriced.

Both seem to make their real money telling clueless buyers what point & shoot digital they need, and then making huge prints of the phtog's kids in their soccer uniforms. At least that's the best I can figure it out.

projectbluebird

08-07-2008, 19:41

Yes and no. All of the camera gear I buy is older than I am and there are no used camera stores in the area, so I get that online. usually by trolling ebay, or the classifieds. Some of the more special chemicals I use to mix my own are bought online as well, I just haven't been able to find them locally. Same deal with some of the bulk films I use.

I do buy some of my general films and chemicals from the local pro store, who has an okay but not great selection of both. HC-110 and P3200, most frequently. I'm there often enough that they recognize me, and occasionally we chat about the latest greatest shiny new wonder.

I don't have the money for the latest dSLR or Apple products, whether locally sourced or not. I plan to stick to my film RF's until film can no longer be bought, stolen, or made by hand. At that point, I think I'll take up painting.

Seele

08-07-2008, 22:39

I live in a moderately large business/shopping district; more than half a dozen malls, where people spend weekends here doing their shopping. There were a few photographic dealers here but now all gone.

For a brief spell I worked at one doing sales, and that shop was known to be staffed by people who really knew about photography - and did the best film processing and printing from negatives and digital media. This also meant customers went in to pick our brains, try out the cameras, get the prices, and then spent the rest of the day walking around the discounters looking for a better price.

Once I demonstrated several cameras to a woman in the morning and gave her the quotes, then in the afternoon close to closing time, she came in again telling me, in a very rude way, that she bought one at a discount store not far from there at a better price... and gave me the bird as she departed. Not a young punk mind you but a middle-aged, well-dressed woman you would expect to be well-educated and well-mannered.

If she found that by spending a whole day running around to find a price five dollars cheaper, with no extended warranty we threw in for free, as a "bargain" - without regards to time spent and the cost of two meals - and felt so smug as to return to the shop for the purpose of giving me the bird, it would be no incentive for the small independent operators to persevere.

ClaremontPhoto

08-07-2008, 22:57

jky

08-07-2008, 23:08

I second The Camera Store here in Calgary. Decently stocked and staffed (with all the issues here in this city finding appropriate help). In most cases I'll support the local place, but money is money and if the difference is difficult to justify (factoring in shipping, duty, wait time) then to online shopping I go (CQ, Popflash). On hind site, The Camera Store is pretty competitive in terms of pricing and therefore really haven't had the need to go online for most things...

Seele

08-07-2008, 23:40

So, go to the local store and ask them to demo a camera, then you buy the same camera on the internet a little bit cheaper, then you take it to the same local store to explain to you how it works.

This is not sustainable behavior.

It's not even sane behavior.

Not quite: she spent the whole day running around this whole shopping area checking out the prices at the chainstore discounters, staffed by people who did not know one end of a camera from the other, and bought from the one offering the lowest price.

And of course, they never consider the extra cost in snagging a bargain at five dolalrs less ends up costing them much much more than getting it from the first shop anyway. Along with internet mail order, this certainly did not do much good to the local mum-and-dad shops who can indeed offer good advices and hands-on examinations of the products, but yet do not get sales.

hugivza

08-07-2008, 23:44

I shop locally whenever I can because to my mind it makes sense. Convenience and service often weigh heavier than a marginally lower price. I have known the owner of our local camera and film processing store for a long time. He makes a reasonable living but not a great living in my view. He is more concerned about the quality of his service. He knows what I want, appreciates,my custom, and suggests ways to improve my results, as he is a keen and accomplished photographer. I feel that I get more than I pay for.

Roger Hicks

08-07-2008, 23:51

I have a local/professional store process all my film. Why deal with the chemicals?

One word: control.

You can choose the dev and fine-tune it for the results you like.

Actually, it's cheaper and quicker as well. Figure in the cost of going to the store and the time it takes, apart from what they charge you, and developing your own looks even more attractive.

Cheers,

R.

ItsReallyDarren

08-08-2008, 00:01

I visit two stores in my area regularly. One is the only place I know near me that carries Rodinal and the other has the cheapest price on Fuji Neopan (in 120 at least).

Seele

08-08-2008, 00:07

One word: control.

You can choose the dev and fine-tune it for the results you like.

Actually, it's cheaper and quicker as well. Figure in the cost of going to the store and the time it takes, apart from what they charge you, and developing your own looks even more attractive.

Cheers,

R.

Digital changes everything; when the man in the street thinks he can save heaps by getting a camera and inkjet printer from the local chainstore discounter and does everything himself... that's until he needs to get a new set of ink cartridges.

Kristopher

08-08-2008, 00:20

Hi, my grain of salt

I live in Ottawa, Canada. I am PROUD to say that I buy only chemicals that can't be shipped here. Blacks? they simply don't care. Henrys: once sold Arista 24exp 6$ !!!!! Outdated Agfa paper (opened box) 100$... Outdated slide chemistry: 77$ (and no rebates available either...)
Vistek they don't care and screw up developpement ( I even offer a developpement service for a couple frustrated customers). All other small shops: TriX at 10$ a roll, no thanks. Even worse, before Polaroïd discontinuation: 48$ for 10 exp Type 600!!!!

All those figures are true, verify them if you don't believe me.

Film in Canada is so expensive, this is simply a hack. A big one, 33% or even 200% compared to US prices. There is always that bull**** about distributors that can't stock enough, small market and all. I am sorry, I don't get it. Canada is part of NAFTA, so Kodak (us made films) should cost the same price. And shipping from Rochester to eastern canada is not expensiver than shipping to Texas. And, before it changed, Ilford warehouse for Canada was in the north-est US, prices were a joke. Shipping to Ottawa is not more expensive that shipping to California.

The proof there is a bunch of crooks? Preloaded film cost 33-200% US price, Bulk rolls: always around the same price, and sometimes cheaper.... Try to find a logic to that. Chemicals? always about the same, even cheaper sometimes.

It seems that they got stuck when the Canadian dollar, that is now roughly 1:1 was 0.68 : 1...

This being said, if the price is the same in US and Canada, I buy here at stores that care about film photography.

I am really tired of Canadian bashing those not buying locally, I am sorry.

ps I am really sorry for being rude, but I had to take this of my chest.

Kris

urban_alchemist

08-08-2008, 01:19

Yup.

In London, Photocraft on Hampstead High Street (http://www.photocraft-hampstead.com/)

In Tel-Aviv, Fotofilm on Allenby (http://www.fotofilm.co.il/)

Don't buy online unless I have no choice.

Bobfrance

08-08-2008, 01:24

My nearest store used to be pretty good. They were Contax specialists and new their stuff. Now however they mainly stock 'toy' digicams and a few DSLRs.
The last time I visited I tried to buy some dev from them and was told it would take around three weeks to arrive. I bought it over the net instead and got it in three days. I've not been back since.

However I am fortunate to have an awesome shop about 40 minutes away in Manchester.
They have a massive range of secondhand stock, are very into rangefinders, and are willing to haggle and offer part exchange deals. The staff are all serious about photography and always happy to chat.

Also, Jem (the owner) is willing to dance if you point a camera at him. ;)

Like others have said, if it's not too much dearer, I'd always prefer to buy from quality shop than anonymously over the net.

Sparrow

08-08-2008, 01:43

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3182/2736474238_12c13ff11a.jpg

link (http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3182/2736474238_12c13ff11a.jpg)

Sparrow

08-08-2008, 01:45

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3277/2735635815_b949f29168.jpg (http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3277/2735635815_b949f29168.jpg)

Sparrow

08-08-2008, 01:50

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2364/2162705568_d9b3bfdef1.jpg (http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2364/2162705568_d9b3bfdef1.jpg)

Sadly, I’ve got more than one to support........life can be hard

ClaremontPhoto

08-08-2008, 02:45

If you buy local, whether a camera or a bag of apples, the money stays local.

We make the money go round our friends and neighbors.

Harry S.

08-08-2008, 03:18

No, I dont.

My local tries to charge $150 for a bulk film loader. I got the same thing as new from ebay for $30.

Velvia 135 rolls are $27

*sigh*

jky

08-08-2008, 03:55

Kris: you want film? try Photoco (based in Quebec I think). I've been buying from the mfor a little over a year. They have the best prices on bulk film here in Canada that I could find.

oftheherd

08-08-2008, 05:02

I live in Washington, DC. I try to support my local shop. My local shop is Penn Camera. The prices are usually more than B&H or Adorama. But, I try to support them because without them I will have to use Ritz Camera.

My "local" camera store would be CVS (for 1 hour) or Ritz (at Potomac Mall for expired film). However, Dominion Camera in Falls Church, VA, carries film and chemicals (small amount), and does their own developing of all film up to 4x5. Unfortunately I don't live in Falls Church. I usually only get there when I have to go to the local Kaiser. But when I do, I stock up on film or drop off development I'm not in a hurry for. They even take film from the mail, develop it, and hold it for people. The Penn store near Springfield Mall is decent too.

Dominion and Penn have used photo gear they sell for themselves and on consignment. However, I usually buy used photo gear from ebay as I am looking for my best price. Still, both stores are worth visiting from time to time. Their sales people are friendly and mostly know what they are talking about.

Kristopher

08-08-2008, 05:20

Kris: you want film? try Photoco (based in Quebec I think). I've been buying from the mfor a little over a year. They have the best prices on bulk film here in Canada that I could find.

Hi,

I know them, and I order bulk film since the price is ok. By the way it is true they are really great to deal with. Shipping is cheap and fast. However, the other formats are still really too much expensive. Moreover, they respect film photography a lot.

Dealers should fight to get better prices, otherwise they will loose all the market to the internet. I cannot fight for them.

Finally, yes Photoco seems to do its best.

Kris

Argenticien

08-08-2008, 05:27

However, Dominion Camera in Falls Church, VA, carries film and chemicals ... The Penn store near Springfield Mall is decent too.

Last I knew, you all have Fuller & D'Albert in Fairfax as well (if you live in or visit the Virginia side of greater DC). I used to get supplies there when taking photo class in high school 20 yrs ago. Having been away from DC for 10 years now, I visited them during a trip last year, for the first time in forever. Found them to have a small offering of used kit (mostly SLRs, and no MF), but at least still alive and kicking and selling accessories, supplies, etc.
—Dave