Rant: Why is it so hard to find a good film camera store?

[RichieT]

I know what you mean. The smaller places are being replaced by the big box stores and the internet and the services the big box's don't supply aren't enough to support the small stores. Hardware stores are put out by home depot and music stores by sam ash and guitar center. I used to go to the smaller stores and pay a little more because of the better service but you can't even find them anymore. It's a shame.

 

[LeeStar]

Definitely sad, but reality. Yeah, even though I really can't afford to, I might consider patronizing the one camera store close enough to me that overcharges for everything -- but not after I saw the crappy quality of the photo CD I paid too much for. And only someone who has no interest in photography would pay for a CD with no negatives! I did just find a studio that's under an hour away, that supposedly will develop negatives for only $2.50 a roll. They advertise one hour service as well. I'll be calling them on Monday to get the details, as their website wasn't too clear on details. They are mainly a portrait studio, so they don't sell gear. They are in Cumming, GA.

 

[Newtricks]

I didn't think it was possible but this both blows and sucks... I live in a suburb of Los Angeles and there's not a decent "film" camera shop within a hours drive. I was looking to buy an Ebony 4x5 last year, once it became clear that film, chemicals and other supplies would all have to be bought online and shipped... I bought a Nikon DSLR.

 

[terri]

I didn't think it was possible but this both blows and sucks... I live in a suburb of Los Angeles and there's not a decent "film" camera shop within a hours drive. I was looking to buy an Ebony 4x5 last year, once it became clear that film, chemicals and other supplies would all have to be bought online and shipped... I bought a Nikon DSLR.

I thought Freestyle was in LA? On Sunset Blvd someplace.

Edit: Had to check my memory. Here you go: Freestyle!

I know LA is huge, but it still may be worth a trip for you. I've only dealt with them online but I'm a big fan - never had a problem.

 

[minicoop1985]

My local camera shop is great for buying film and film cameras-reasonable prices, good service, and a huge selection of used film cameras including a ton of Leicas, Olympii, medium format like Mamiya... hell I even bought my Hasselblad 1600f from them. Developing... yeah. They do a GREAT job, but... They run film in batches based upon when they have enough to run. That being said, after running it, they take their sweet a55 time printing things and scanning them. Took me a lot longer to get film back than they mentioned it would be. There is a lab here in town, but I haven't tried them yet. They're next, I think.

 

[Soulz3urn3lack]

I have to drive a little over an hour for a decent camera shop and I'm not even sure they do much film. It's sad =(... Well unless I want walmart or Walgreens to screw my prints up again.

 

[Braineack]

rant: why is so hard for me to make money selling stuff no one uses or produces?

 

[gsgary]

rant: why is so hard for me to make money selling stuff no one uses or produces?

Your way behind the times film is making quite a come back

Sent from my GT-I9100P using Tapatalk 2

 

[Soulz3urn3lack]

rant: why is so hard for me to make money selling stuff no one uses or produces?

rant: why is so hard for me to make money selling stuff no one uses or produces?

Your way behind the times film is making quite a come back

Sent from my GT-I9100P using Tapatalk 2

Agreed with Gary, there's a decent little market for film nowadays. Maybe not enough to harbor multiple film shops in the same city but enough to keep stores open.

 

[gsgary]

rant: why is so hard for me to make money selling stuff no one uses or produces?

rant: why is so hard for me to make money selling stuff no one uses or produces?

Your way behind the times film is making quite a come back

Sent from my GT-I9100P using Tapatalk 2

Agreed with Gary, there's a decent little market for film nowadays. Maybe not enough to harbor multiple film shops in the same city but enough to keep stores open.

A Leica,Nikon and Sony dealer i use said their film sales have doubled on last year

Sent from my GT-I9100P using Tapatalk 2

 

[Soulz3urn3lack]

rant: why is so hard for me to make money selling stuff no one uses or produces?

Your way behind the times film is making quite a come back

Sent from my GT-I9100P using Tapatalk 2

Agreed with Gary, there's a decent little market for film nowadays. Maybe not enough to harbor multiple film shops in the same city but enough to keep stores open.

A Leica,Nikon and Sony dealer i use said their film sales have doubled on last year

Sent from my GT-I9100P using Tapatalk 2

That's good to know, I think the digital excitement has started to wane. Places like impossible project, and lomo have really helped keep it alive and interest focused. Also some people hate hipsters but I think they play a good role in keeping film alive also.

 

[Braineack]

rant: why is so hard for me to make money selling stuff no one uses or produces?

Your way behind the times film is making quite a come back

Sent from my GT-I9100P using Tapatalk 2

Agreed with Gary, there's a decent little market for film nowadays. Maybe not enough to harbor multiple film shops in the same city but enough to keep stores open.

A Leica,Nikon and Sony dealer i use said their film sales have doubled on last year

Sent from my GT-I9100P using Tapatalk 2

yeah yeah, just playing devil's...

 

[rexbobcat]

There is exactly one camera store where I live, and because of that they do everything. They make digital prints, sell and develop film, and also sell equipment. But they've also been here FOREVER without much competition in terms of specialized needs. Sure, people can order online, but a lot of the time they don't know what they need so they go the camera store for advice.

The only thing is the price of convenience. Their lenses/cameras are ridiculously expensive when compared to online options.

 

[Soulz3urn3lack]

There is exactly one camera store where I live, and because of that they do everything. They make digital prints, sell and develop film, and also sell equipment. But they've also been here FOREVER without much competition in terms of specialized needs. Sure, people can order online, but a lot of the time they don't know what they need so they go the camera store for advice.

The only thing is the price of convenience. Their lenses/cameras are ridiculously expensive when compared to online options.

I know what you mean, our local camera shop has a high markup on some stuff. Being a bit Naive I bought a 32gig Sandisk extreme pro (95mbs) and paid almost double what others stores were charging...My mistake for not looking around but still.

 

[Pav10566]

Well, it will be the first time that I can actually claim that we are better-off in Europe! I have my film rolls developed in the local Supermarket...you can give in film rolls or have your digital memory card pictures printed out. Development of a roll 24 or 36 + 10X15 print by Fuji Print services cost €4,50 (about $6,10) and there are plenty of shops that sell decent equipment, new and vintage. Of course prices are higher than they are in the USA for modern equipment.