Looking for a Photograph Store in Paris

[Henry Alive]

Hello everybody:
I will be visiting Paris this month, and I would like to go to some photograph store in order to buy second hand darkroom equipment and second hand nikon lens. Can somebody recommend me some places?
Thank you,
Henry.

 

[Roger Hicks]

Dear Henry,

The Boulevard Beaumarchais has so many camera stores that it is known as the Bd. de la Photographie: metro Bastille and walk up or Filles du Calvaire. there's one on the left (going up from Bastille) that has lots of s/h darkroom gear, often at fair prices, but Nikon lens prices are often quite high.

Bear in mind that Paris pretty much shuts down for August -- most of the Parisians who can afford the time or money are on holiday elsewhere -- so some shops might be closed, though I doubt it. Chris Nisperos can tell you: he lives a few minutes' walk from the Bd. de la Photographie.

Cheers,

Roger

 

[GeorgesGiralt]

Hi Henry !
I second Roger's advice. Add to this Prophot which sells film and the like. (but not gear).
You'll find sheet film and 120 film in stock here. It is 37 r Condorcet 75009; http://www.prophot.fr . You have also Artista, on the same league (72 r Mouffetard 75005; http://www.artista.fr/) an old shop.
Have a nice trip !

 

[Trask]

If you're gauge of what's a reasonable price is based on what you would pay in the U.S., you won't be very pleased here in France. Not only is the dollar at near-record lows against the Euro, but equipment is generally priced considerably higher than what you see in the U.S. The only gear I've purchased in the last year I've been living in Paris has been at camera fairs where I can bargain.

That said, I do know of a couple of shops on Beaumarchais that have used darkroom gear for sale -- if you're walking north from Bastile metro, they'll be on the left side of the street.

I do agree that Prophot has a pretty good selection of film and such. But oddly, they don't display their chemicals. I was dumbstruck when the sales lady said she had to go check their stock, since they "couldn't" put it out on display. A French photographer watching all this remarked to me that "this is
France, we can't just have things sitting out like that." I guess they're afraid someone will drink Rodinal and they'll be liable. Very odd.

 

[Guillaume Zuili]

Most of the stores in beaumarchais will be closed in august if not all. Close to Prophot on the same street, rue condorcet, you have Jipe-Labo. They used to have a lot of darkroom stuff but I know they suffered a lot with the digital onslaugh.
I don't know if they still have stuff but for sure will be open in august. I mean, they used to !

 

[John McCallum]

Another recommendation for Boulevard Beaumarchais. Best in Paris.

 

[Henry Alive]

Hello:
I want to thank everybody for the information about photography stores in Paris. I hope I will be able to take good pictures and, if it is possible, to find a good second hand digital timer for my Opemus 6 enlarger.
Thank you again,
Henry.