RE: [Leica] My Other Camera is a Testa Rosa

["Austin Franklin" <darkroom@ix.netcom.com>]

Buzz,

I agree with your points about Hunt's, but my conclusion is quite different.
It may depend on whether you're a collector, user, professional or just
window shopping and need that "camera store" feel.  I did business with
Hunt's when they were a little hole in the wall, and  pretty much only Jack
and Joel were there...and the shelves and back room were stuffed to the
ceiling...and it took an hour to rummage around and find what you
wanted...but they had it.  Today, it's a very good, IMO, mid level store for
the "average" amateur or beginner...and it does have pro stuff, and pro
rentals.  It's become the "Home Depot" of area camera stores...I always go
there with high hopes, but seem to not always get what I was looking for.
But, sometimes, I am pleasantly surprised.

I went there to get some release paper for dry mounting, and they had never
heard of such a thing...but funny enough, I found someone who found some in
some back room, under a shelf, nibbled by rats...but it was what I was
looking for, and I was happy.  They have a reasonably good selection of
camera bags, and as has been said, darkroom chemical supply is fantastic, as
is their film supply.  Their frames and mounts aren't bad either.  I'd never
buy a camera there, though at their yearly "event", you can get very very
good deals on new gear.  You can check most things out there though...as
they do have a decent selection of pro 35mm and MF gear.  Gee, they even
carry Gepe slide mounts...

Mail order (B&H)/eBay has served me the best over the past 5 years, but
prior to that, it was pretty much Hunt's was the only game in town.  I still
have an account there, and still go there once or twice a year.

One of the main reasons for going there, for me, isn't Hunt's, but Caruso's
Pizza up the road...it's some of the best Pizza I've ever had, and makes the
trip worth the trip ;-)

Regards,

Austin


> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us
> [mailto:owner-leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us]On Behalf Of Buzz
> Hausner
> Sent: Sunday, January 05, 2003 11:58 AM
> To: leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us
> Subject: RE: [Leica] My Other Camera is a Testa Rosa
>
>
> My warm regards to Steven Alexander!
>
> Zeff photo on the Belmont/Cambridge line has increased their stock of
> darkroom materials over the past few months, but Steven is correct, that
> Hunt probably still has the greatest range available around Boston "off
> the shelf."  He is correct, also, that I neglected to mention
> Newtonville Camera which has an excellent Leica department, though I
> still think that Carl at Park Square seems to have the closest
> relationship with Leica USA and can get you what you want before anyone
> else can.  New England Photo remains the place to go for that odd Leica
> filter or finder or shade, at least to touch an M-6 Rooster, and to pick
> from a dozen or more M-2s and 3s; it's the candy store.
>
> I'll look for you at Kolbo, Steve!
>
> 	Buzz
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us
> [mailto:owner-leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us] On Behalf Of Steven
> Alexander
> Sent: Sunday, January 05, 2003 9:55 AM
> To: leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us
> Subject: Re: [Leica] My Other Camera is a Testa Rosa
>
> on 1/4/03 7:17 PM, Buzz Hausner at buzz.hausner@verizon.net wrote:
>
> > There are no reasonably priced film places in the Boston area.  The
> best
> > source for used and exotic Leica stuff in the Boston vicinity is New
> > England Photo in Arlington Center, where Ara will be extra nice to you
> > if you tell him your other love is a Ferrari.  Park Square has the
> best
> > stock of new Leica gear and seems able to get the rarest new lens
> faster
> > than anyone.  All shops charge exactly the same prices.  Levine's
> hasn't
> > been a good Leica dealer in many, many years.  The closest good source
> > of Film for you would be Zeff on Blanchard Road nigh the
> > Belmont/Cambridge border.  Stay the hell away from Hunts.
> >
> > Rearing my head again after two or so years...
> >
> > Buzz
> >
> Most of Buzz's advice I will concur with; however, leaving out
> Newtonville
> Camera which has outstanding selection of new and used Leica stuff I
> would
> add to PS and NEP and Hunt does have largest selection of darkroom (b&w)
> stock around as well as the best film prices...not the best to be found
> in
> the world.  Also small correction, Hunt closed their mail-order business
> last year and yes Buzz is so right, they just do not have knowledgeable
> sales staff or folks who care about anything and their general photo
> stock
> sucks.
>
>
> Happy snaps,
> Steven Alexander
>
>
>
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