Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2000/11/05
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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..)