Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2005/04/23
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Today I drove down to Samy's to get a(nother) Domke bag. Samy's is a large camera store in Los Angeles, that sells everything from Instamatics to pro gear. Upon entering I was greeted by a large, slick Nikon booth, stacked with every camera they make. Looked like something from a tradeshow and I was glad to see Nikon put on a good show. The darkroom department had shrunk dramatically. Inkjet paper now occupied 70% of the wall. Chemicals were down to the basics, D76, Kodak stuff, some Ilford and Agfa. Everything you need, just in a less dominant location. When I got upstairs I was in for another surprise. Most of the film cameras were gone. The whole medium format section was gone, replaced by rows of inkjet and photo printers. The Leica shop had barricaded itself in it's corner, and it's selection of used gear had thinned considerably. Some guy was buying a black MP. The 1.4/50 Lux ASPH looks really nice. Most of the used gear was gone. Only a few Nikons and Canons remained. I walked past the glass case mortuary in the center in the room holding the "collectors pieces'. As I walked down the isle, my M4 reflected in the glass and with it's one eye peered at it's shiny relatives, stacked in neat rows and decorated with paper price tags, who's indicated price condemned them to a live in suspended animation. Huge selection of bags though... When I left I felt rather old for someone who is only in his early 30's... feli ________________________________________________________ feli2@earthlink.net 2 + 2 = 4 www.elanphotos.com