Washington (D.C.) Camera Show 3/20/10

[Thomas Wilson]

Just an F.Y.I. for any interested Chesapeake Region photographers.

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/pho/1649409499.html

I'll be toting along my B&J Grover 5x7 kit in hopes of selling it. If anyone here would be interested just send a P.M.

The kit includes:
Original case (Ugly & gray)
Original tripod (Still tight)
12 (maybe more) film holders (Some need to be re-taped)
8½" Commercial Ektar w/ case and original black & yellow box
Lens is perfect

 

[TheFlyingCamera]

Any idea of what you want to get for this?

 

[Thomas Wilson]

That's always the tough part. I was planning on shooting for $500.00 at the show, perhaps $400.00 for an APUG member. The mounting flange for the lens is mounted to the B&J lens board, so "Parting out" this kit would not be to anyone's advantage.

 

[C A Sugg]

I was wondering if that outfit was history. Last time I looked at photorama.com, there were no upcoming listings. I do have a hard time taking them seriously though, with all the typos on the site. (or using "aloud" for "allowed.")
I'd love to go, as I've got some items I'd like to shop around, but really don't want to spend most of a wonderful day in a car and "BEST WESTER" meeting room. Plus, so much is going on here.
Charles

 

[Thomas Wilson]

I was thinking the same thing so I called the number listed in the Washington C.L. listing. I spoke with Abraham, the show's promoter, and he told me that the show is very much on. There are 40+ tables sold.

He also said there is a show in Philadelphia on Sunday. I'll check the C.L. listings later today for that show.

 

[C A Sugg]

I didn't doubt that it was a go. It's just that the wording doesn't exactly inspire confidence that it would be worth the drive. (I've definitely done my part to clamp the Written Word firmly to the skids.)
Back in the '80s, I almost lived at those shows. Some filled armories. But, I've only been to one post-fleabay; 4-5 years ago. That was smaller than most telephone collector's gatherings.
BTW, how are dealers on trades these days?

 

[Barry S]

The last DC area show I went to was depressing. A lot of surly, unhappy and unkept people with bad prices and bad attitudes. Thomas, if you plan to offer your outfit to the dealers, don't be surprised if any offers you get are below $200--more likely closer to $100. The dealers will offer one third or half of what they think it will sell for--it's just business. Honestly, you'd get more money selling it here.

 

[C A Sugg]

Showing of "An Unlikely Weapon: The Eddie Adams Story" at the James River Film festival tomorrow afternoon. (with the producer) Nope, not going to DC.

 

[TheFlyingCamera]

To add to what Barry said, if you are trying to sell to patrons at the show out of your coat pocket, you'll likely get tossed out of the show. The vendors paid good money for their tables, and won't take kindly to someone else coming in and effectively undercutting them and/or "stealing" customers.

 

[c6h6o3]

Thomas:

Are you willing to sell any of this lot piecemeal? I need 5x7 holders. I'll give you a better price than you're likely to get at the show. You could sell me a few and still have enough left to offer as part of the kit at the show.

 

[Barry S]

So, did anyone go to the show--and did you buy or sell anything?

 

[Thomas Wilson]

Yup, I went. I was underwhelmed, but managed to sell some items for a reasonable price to a New York dealer.

K.E.H. was there and had about 15 people waiting in line to sell their gear.

There were slim pickings and nothing screamed "Buy me." Just a small assortment of consumer grade 35mm, some interesting folders, 3 or 4 Hasselblad bodies, 4 or 5 monorail 4x5's, and a couple of really BIG lenses.

I'm glad I didn't drive far.

 

[c6h6o3]

Did you sell the 5x7 kit?

 

[Thomas Wilson]

I sold the 8½" and the film holders but held onto the camera and tripod. I managed to keep the mounting flange with the lens board. If anyone is interested in the camera sans lens & holders give me a shout.

 

[Barry S]

About what I expected, although I wonder about those big lenses. Just curious--how much did you get per film holder?

 

[C A Sugg]

I guess it's good to know that that I have an excuse not to make the trip when I'm fresh out of others; like foul weather, Mixing Bowl contruction or snipers running amuck. Actually the best reason is the all too familiar two hour drive back, kept company by deepening misgivings about what I'd just bought, sold or traded away -- the latter usually trying to "fix" oopsies from a previous show. (Not that that ever stopped me.)
And I actually made it to the Adams film. Decent bio-pic, though it mostly fleshed out what I already knew. Except for one personal factoid -- his widow was an aquaintance / neighbor of mine -- three decades ago.