Re: [Leica] Re: San Jose Photo Fair

["Peter Choy" <pmcchoy@earthlink.net>]

It's only the second time I have been to the SJ fair.  But it strikes
me from this limited experience -- and veteran swap maven Jerry Haussler
seems to agree -- that when you have a two day event, all the serious
wheeling and dealing takes place within the first couple of hours on
Saturday morning. That's when the trophy items and esoterica briefly
emerge and change hands.  As a result, some of the dealers are pretty well
done and pack up and leave toward the end of the first day.  But there
seemed to be a number of individuals interested in selling items privately.
FWIW.

Peter.

P.S. The most impressive thing about the SJ fair was that the cokes
cost $4.


> John Gong wrote...
> I'm wondering what your observations are of the photo swap meets. In the
> past half decade, I've gone to one per year to ramp up my Leica gear.
> Attendance seems to have held steady, or has been on a slow decline. Maybe
> I'm also tired of seeing the same vendors there. Bargains from those folks
> are few and far in between.
>
> ................................
>
> John, et. al.
>
> I have been going to the SJ event for at least six years. When I arrived
> this morning I was dismayed to see what a paltry turnout I had driven 80
> miles to engage. There were probably half the former number of tables. Also,
> a few of my favorites were absent. In particular, I always patronise William
> from Sebastopol who has surpluss supplies and equipment. For several years I
> have counted on buying 100 ft. rolls of TMX for $10 and 250 sheet boxes of
> 8X10 Polycontrast III RC for $40. Last year he sold me 100 sheet Supra II
> RA-4 8X10 for $10 per box. He was absent and missed.
>
> However, in a few minutes the "paltry turnout" met all my expectations. I
> got 250 sheets of Polycontrast III RC 8.5 X 11 for $50. I sold the 135/2.8
> Elmarit with "eyes" that I found too awkward and heavy to a buyer from
> Japan. Down the aisle I negotiated a good price for the 135/4 Tele Elmar
> that I really wanted from the start. On the way out I got a jug of Agfa
> Sistan for about 40% of list price.
>
> The first negs from the new 135 are in the dryer right now. I louped them
> wet and the were superb.(At least the ones that were in focus..)
>
> I have to say it was worth the drive today and much better than sweeping
> Fall leaves. (Yes Luggers, we have them in California, but they are ugly
> brown).
>
> Clearly, there is an attrition amongst the ranks of traditional photo
> enthusiasts. Real "camera stores" are closing or turning into Wolfe outlets.
> Much has been written on the'net about these changes, but, this was the
> first time I saw it so clearly at a camera show. My local pro shop, Seawood
> Photo, has stopped sending a half dozen guys and two big trucks to the
> shows. Now they use eBay.
>
> Let's follow Peter C's suggestion to have a BALUG table and get-together
> next January 6th in San Mateo. We may be all alone. Maybe we already are....
>
> Bill Lawlor
>
>
> p.s.  Erwin & Mike = Left Brain & Right Brain=No Brainer
>     (Sorry, I couldn't resist..)
>
>