Had a great time, today. Once again I had a table where a couple of us were re-distributing equipment from photographers who have passed away, sorry that should read, selling equipment.
Actually most of the stuff we were flogging was rather rudimentary darkroom equipment, which honestly we thought we would struggle to move on. To our surprise we managed to pretty much clear our table, plus what was underneath and alongside and in front, not to mention what was between our legs.
Saw Shane looking underneath our table, thankfully I wasn't wearing shorts. Managed to move on some X-Ray sheet film hangers to him for a gold coin donation, thank you Shane.
One young budding photographer, final year in secondary school and doing wet photography, was looking for an enlarger; did we have a bargain for him. He managed to receive a superb 6x9 Meopta in pristine condition, complete with genuine Meopta timer and switch as well as a comprehensive neg carrier, apparently the better of the two available for this enlarger when new. Somehow we managed to include a set of Ilford multigrade filters; they just fell into one of the boxes. Then we convinced him and his mother, that for a nominal student price. A Jobo Varioformat 8x10" paper easel was something that he didn't need, but would make life really easy in the darkroom. We also offloaded (sorry sold) to him, a light box, great for perusing negatives, more or for less another gold coin donation job.
Then there was another quite elderly gentleman, walking stick equipped, who enquired about one of the canon 35mm camera bodies on the table. Unfortunately we told him we didn't have one of those special batteries that they take, that would allow him to test it out. He reached (eventually) into his rather voluminous shoulder bag and with our help he managed to fish out a battery for said camera, which was duly installed. We couldn't believe it, neither could he. The camera worked beautifully and for a nominal sum, he tottered off into the throng as pleased as punch.
Then there was the young(ish) lass down from the country via the train, looking to set up a darkroom. Eventually we loaded her up with a backpack full of stuff, plus there was another backpack on her front, then there was the shoulder bag, which we had to place the strap very carefully so it wouldn't rub her neck. To set it really off, we loaded her up with a set of four 12x16" deep trays carried in her hands. Last seen, she was waddling, literally, towards the local station to interchange at Spencer street to catch the country train to Castlemaine. We reckoned she was going to drop, when she eventually got home late tonight.
I'm not really sure what we were doing right, but we really moved shed loads of stuff. What we do know, is that somehow we seemed to be flogging stuff to people who were walking away with huge grins, really a pleasure to do business like that.
Super great day.
To top it off, as we were walking out with our empty boxes, I spied a Toyo G monorail sitting about two tables away. The price was right, the camera felt silky smooth and I can tell you it looks brilliant atop my Berlebach tripod as I sit here and type this. Probably took me a couple of minutes to spy, think, then buy, something I haven't done in a long time. A perfect ending to a perfect day.
Mick.