Informative yet slightly depressing

[medform-norm]

That is what I felt when looking at Don Wiss's images of camera store fronts in Manhattan, and there's another page for Brooklyn.

These store fronts look none to pleasing to me from a visual or a consumer perspective, but maybe that's just culture shock.

Informative: yes. And maybe we could post some more pics of the shops we buy at - it gives things a more real feel to it. Internet is changing my perception of 'storefronts' immensely, so it's time to get the feet back into the litter, dust and dirty shopwindows of reality. Also, it makes ones contacts with dealers a little more 'real' even if we just communicate with them via the web.

For instance, we've bought some stuff from Jay Tepper and I spoke to him on the phone and all my experiences have been very nice, but there's a big white void where his face should be. Same goes for MidWest Photo and some other US companies. A pity, really.

Do other analog people feel the same way?

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

Here's one that's almost too depressing to post. This was the best photo bookstore in New York for many years. They also sold vintage cameras, mostly as display pieces, but many worked.

 

[mikewhi]

Yes, I loved A Photorgapher's Place. Jam packed with great books. It was great while it lasted. I have been to Adorama, too. It still looks like it it's in the same spot but with new signage. Inside, it's tiny and packed with used equipment. I havent been to this new B&H location (although it isn't exactly new), but ther previous location was very nice. It was a great experience just walking in and looking around. The sales people were actually very nice when I was there.

The worst place was 47th St. Photo - remember their ads. To buy something, you sent upstairs, stood in line like at the post office and orer what you wanted an dpaid right there. There was no customer service and they didn't anser any questions. They just took you money and you left.

One of my favorites was the old Olden's Camera - it was several floors jammed with new and used stuff and it was a realy treat just wandering around the place. I also like Lens & Repro a lot, too.

We still have Glaser's in Seattle, but even that is shrinking it' inventory substantially.
There is Photo Tech also, but they aren't stocked like Glazer's is.

-Mike

 

[Jorge]

Funny that they did not show Best Buy and Circuit City, they are the ones selling the most cameras now, in their computer peripherials dept... :rolleyes:

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

Olden and Lens and Repro are still great places to visit, and the customer service is pretty good, but the prices are on the high side (the same goes for the B&H used department).

Does anyone know if Olden owns the building they're in? I can't imagine how they stay in business if they have to pay rent on that space in Herald Square, and I'm guessing they're not the mailorder powerhouse they once were.

 

[JG Motamedi]

I think Olden moved. Their store on 6th Avenue is closed, with a sign that they moved somewhere in the neighborhood. I haven't been inside there in years, probably since 47th Street photo (yes, a horrid place) closed.

Although it is true, that I often have no image of who I am dealing with, I find that I now "meet" and continue to correspond with more photographers simply through buying/selling on eBay and participating on internet forums.

In any case, places like Photogizzmo and Lens and Repro still exist.

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

JG--Are you coming out to the Asbury Park get together? Bruce is driving from Brooklyn, and it would be a good opportunity to put a few names with faces.

 

[JG Motamedi]

David,

Unfortunately I can't make it, I have a prior obligation but I hope to come to another outing.

jason

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

Alas, but keep an eye out for the next Traveling Portfolio gathering at my place, if there are no postal hangups between now and then. I think there are about five more people on the list before it comes back to NYC.