Re: B&H puts another local camera store out of business (with my

Matt Clara wrote:
 > Yes, Castle Photo of Lansing, in business for over 25 years, is 
closing its
 > doors.  I did buy all my darkroom chemistry from them, but B&H and 
all the
 > rest (meaning Adorama and a couple others) can't be beat for most
items,
 > including paper, even though it commands a premium in ****pping 'cause 
it's
 > quite heavy.  Castle Photo was a great resource, though (if you 
talked to
 > the right individuals), and I will miss them.
 >
 > The one good thing to come out of this is great sale prices as they 
seek to
 > dump their inventory.  I picked up a bunch of stuff there yesterday for
 > 40-50% off, including this ballhead for my medium and large format
 > equipment:
 > http://www.bhphotovideo.com/sitem/sku=272989&is=REG
(cost me $75--they
 > normally charged $125 for it).  Also, a couple filters, some photo 
paper,
 > two fidelity 4x5 holders, a strobo frame reflective light modifier, 
and a
 > couple other odds and ends.  Paid $250 for what would have cost me 
$450 (at
 > their prices, anyway).
 > Yes, yes, I know--I'm part of the problem.

We're all part of the problem, but I don't think B&H is the culprit. 
There is a general decline in the number of people who do darkroom work. 
  There is a general decline in the number of people who do prints at 
the store.  People are getting great (to them) photography from P&S 
cameras and they can send the files to Wal*Merde and drugstore chains, 
and others and pick up their $0.19 prints the next day... this after 
doing whatever suits them in photoshop...

The two store/labs closest to me have closed, one was an E-6 processor.

A third store, a Nikon specialist, is now an "Apple Authorized Reseller" 
and the Apple area of the store is about 2/3 of the customer walkin 
area.  They also process E-6.  They do stock 120 negative but not 120
E6...

The times they are a changin and it is due to the internet, digital and 
the fast paced lives that people live.

Cheers,
Alan

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