Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2003/09/20
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]I see something different occurring: photo shops catering film-based cameras will become its own niche cult, akin to lovers of 78rpm records. There will be a few stores throughout the world with this specialty, and dozens of home-based businesses catering to specific sub-niches (enlargers, film, processing, slide mounts and projectors, etc.) We may even see the emergence of specialist fairs, again akin to stereo-photography lovers or old music fans. As volumes drop for film, get ready for the disappearance of all but a few types of film, a dramatic increase in prices, and much slower turn-around times for developing and printing/mounting. I believe that we will be able to enjoy our Leicas in 2020, but the 36 exposure roll of C-41 film will sell for the equivalent of $15-25 in 2003 dollars. For those who collect cameras, I urge you to consider a marketplace in the not too distant future (say five years) where most people consider old mechanical cameras difficult and expensive to use--and where most pros wouldn't touch one with a ten-foot pole. If you bought your Leicas and lenses as an investment, you might want to rethink that strategy now. I'm considering all of my Leica equipment as lost money--if its value plummets to zero tomorrow, I won't shed any tears. However, I'm also not expecting it to hold much value in the coming decade, either. Given the economics of the industry, the corner photo shop will likely disappear altogether. Today those shops survive on two things: expendables such as film and processing, and pre-packaged picture frames (which have a three-times markup in most shops, if not higher. There's a reason why the frames are front-and-center when you come into any camera store!!!) As film sales drop, the lab volume will also decline. Fewer trips in for pictures mean fewer impulse sales for frames. Take away these two huge profit centers and the store is left with fairly low-profit cameras. Digital cameras, as the article notes, have even tighter margins and the added disadvantage of a very short shelf life before obsolescence. J - -----Original Message----- From: owner-leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us [mailto:owner-leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us] On Behalf Of Nathan Wajsman Sent: Saturday, September 20, 2003 11:59 AM To: leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us Subject: Re: [Leica] Now Departing...Your Favorite Specialty Camera Store Jim, In a way this is not unique to camera stores. In most US cities (and in many other countries), the downtown specialty shops are struggling to compete with the suburban megastores or online sales. The shift from analog to digital only makes the situations more difficult--although one could argue that back in the analogue days a customer would buy an SLR and not come back to the shop for several years. With digital, the replacement sales are higher due to the shorter product cycles. Some retailers will be able to take advantage of that opportunity, other won't. I like to shop at small stores, IF they provide the things that large stores or online stores cannot: personal service, knowledgeable staff and good after-sale support. When I lived in Zurich, there were several smaller shops in town selling Leica, but mostly what they provided were higher prices. On the other hand, whenever I am in London I stop at RG Lewis, where I am greeted by name and can always have a chat with the manager. I bought my M7 and my Voigtlander 35mm lens there. I am sure they will stay in business until the owner decides to retire. Nathan Jim Shulman wrote: > >From Today's Philly Inquirer > http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/6815816.htm > > All things we've talked about on the LUG. > > Jim Shulman > Bryn Mawr, PA > > -- > To unsubscribe, see http://mejac.palo-alto.ca.us/leica-users/unsub.html - -- Nathan Wajsman Almere, The Netherlands e-mail: n.wajsman@chello.nl Mobile: +31 630 868 671 Photo site: http://www.wajsmanphoto.com - -- To unsubscribe, see http://mejac.palo-alto.ca.us/leica-users/unsub.html - -- To unsubscribe, see http://mejac.palo-alto.ca.us/leica-users/unsub.html