How's Your "Local" Camera Shop

Whiskeyman

Whiskeyman

Senior Member
I visited my "local" camera shop today, and their shelves were bare of new cameras. They still have quite a bit of accessories available for purchase, and used cameras, both digital and film.

I asked about when they expect new cameras, and they informed me that they are slowly getting gear in from Nikon, Canon, and Sony, but they have waiting lists to purchase almost every camera model that they sell.

Times are tough! How's your shop doing?

WM
 
Browncoat

Browncoat

Senior Member
My "local" shop is about an hour drive. They have a popular online store, so they've been able to weather the storm and remain in business. Selection is spotty: bodies and lenses are hit or miss. Tripods and bags are almost completely gone.

I generally avoid going there because of the distance. Anything I order online arrives at my door within 2 days and shipping is cheaper than the gas I'd spend. Been there twice since March, and this social distancing crap makes for a lousy shopping experience.
 
Marilynne

Marilynne

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Had no problems when I got my second D500 in May. Called, they had it in stock and I picked it up the same day.

Haven't been there since.
 
Whiskeyman

Whiskeyman

Senior Member
FredKingston said:
Closed at beginning of the pandemic...after 40 years... They just quit. Didn’t even try to sell the business
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What was the name of the shop, if you don't mind, Fred. I visited a camera shop in PSL when I live in Stuart in the '80s. (Back in the '80s , when we all thought that the area had exploded with people and didn't know that it really hadn't, yet.)

WM
 
Whiskeyman

Whiskeyman

Senior Member
Marilynne said:
Had no problems when I got my second D500 in May. Called, they had it in stock and I picked it up the same day.

Haven't been there since.
Click to expand...

So you're carrying two D500s now, Marilynne? I'm thinking about getting another D500, but I have to wait until our house refinancing closes, which could be up to two months since the credit union processors have so many applications. (I had to wait over two months to even turn in my application, by appointment.) I am also thinking about getting a D850, instead of the D500. I just can't make up my mind.

Wayne
 
Whiskeyman

Whiskeyman

Senior Member
Browncoat said:
My "local" shop is about an hour drive. They have a popular online store, so they've been able to weather the storm and remain in business. Selection is spotty: bodies and lenses are hit or miss. Tripods and bags are almost completely gone.

I generally avoid going there because of the distance. Anything I order online arrives at my door within 2 days and shipping is cheaper than the gas I'd spend. Been there twice since March, and this social distancing crap makes for a lousy shopping experience.
Click to expand...

My "local" shop is also over an hour away, but we have occasion to drive over that way every so often, and when we do I try to visit. They deal with a lot of used gear and often have some really interesting items in stock. I spent about thirty minutes in the store yesterday while my wife and daughters were elsewhere, and I was the only patron in the shop the entire time.

Theis shop will also entertain offers on some of the used gear; yesterday I got a MB-D17 for my D500 for a bit over $150. It still has the registration card and has no flaws on the outside. I know that I once said that I was done with these before, but I like the idea of having the battery pack on the D500.

I agree with you about the convenience of current online shopping. The problem I see at my house is that it's too easy; there seem to be purchases arriving at our door every day.

WM
 
Marilynne

Marilynne

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Whiskeyman said:
So you're carrying two D500s now, Marilynne? I'm thinking about getting another D500, but I have to wait until our house refinancing closes, which could be up to two months since the credit union processors have so many applications. (I had to wait over two months to even turn in my application, by appointment.) I am also thinking about getting a D850, instead of the D500. I just can't make up my mind.

Wayne
Click to expand...

I dropped the first D500. It still works but the rear display cracked and you can't read/see anything. I used it for two months before I decided to get another. Waiting for Nikon to get back on track before sending it in.
 
Whiskeyman

Whiskeyman

Senior Member
Marilynne said:
I dropped the first D500. It still works but the rear display cracked and you can't read/see anything. I used it for two months before I decided to get another. Waiting for Nikon to get back on track before sending it in.
Click to expand...


Ouch! Now I believe I remember you posting about it earlier. I dropped mine in June, but it was onto very soft ground and only from about two feet. So far, I've not discovered any issues with it; I was very fortunate. Knock on wood!

Wayne
 
Fred Kingston_RIP

Fred Kingston_RIP

Senior Member
Whiskeyman said:
What was the name of the shop, if you don't mind, Fred. I visited a camera shop in PSL when I live in Stuart in the '80s. (Back in the '80s , when we all thought that the area had exploded with people and didn't know that it really hadn't, yet.)

WM
Click to expand...


Jiffy Photo... It was in Fort Pierce on US 1... I've been in PSL since the late '70s, the only retail camera store that I'm aware of ever existing in PSL was a Ritz in the Treasure Coast Mall... that's been gone for ages... The next further south of me was a client in Stuart, Stuart Photo. They closed about 4 years ago because of declining business... They were in a high rent shopping center and Dennis, the owner, had health issues and didn't feel moving was worth the effort, so he closed...
 
Woodyg3

Woodyg3

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Mike's Camera in Boulder, and with several branches in Colorado and California, seem to be doing well. I admit that I haven't been to the store in quite a while, but their website shows most everything in stock.
 
Whiskeyman

Whiskeyman

Senior Member
FredKingston said:
Jiffy Photo... It was in Fort Pierce on US 1... I've been in PSL since the late '70s, the only retail camera store that I'm aware of ever existing in PSL was a Ritz in the Treasure Coast Mall... that's been gone for ages... The next further south of me was a client in Stuart, Stuart Photo. They closed about 4 years ago because of declining business... They were in a high rent shopping center and Dennis, the owner, had health issues and didn't feel moving was worth the effort, so he closed...
Click to expand...

I must be thinking about some other location, because I believe my search was before the TCM opened in the mid-to-late 1980s. At the time, I had moved from Stuart to Jupiter.

WM
 
hark

hark

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Allen's Camera is the closest to me - and in all honesty I haven't been in there since before the pandemic. So I have no idea what they might possibly have in stock. It's a family business but does a great job with internet sales, too.

https://allenscamera.com/
 
Needa

Needa

Senior Member
Challenge Team
There are two camera shops near me. Haven't visited either recently.

Reef Photo and Video
Specializing in underwater photography.

https://reefphoto.com/

Only purchased sensor swabs there.

Delray Camera
Which Marilynne kindly shares with me.

Delray Camera | Home

Purchased several lens there and a tripod.
 
BF Hammer

BF Hammer

Senior Member
The Camera Company in Madison, WI is my local shop. They still have 3 stores across the city. I am concerned about that downtown location as is was very close to ground-zero of the summer "peaceful protests" with the associated looting and destruction of property. I know the windows are boarded like all of their neighbors. I have not been in for a visit since COVID restrictions in the spring. Bought my D750 there 18 months ago.
 
Danno_RIP

Danno_RIP

Senior Member
Mine is doing pretty well. It is about 45 minutes from the house. They closed for a while but then went to curb service and then full open. I have been able to get my Z lenses there when B&H could not tell me anything. I have bought my 85 1.8 with a 2 week wait and my 14-30 f4 with no wait. they also had cameras and lenses in stock. They do have an online presence and two other stores in Louisville, Ky which helps.

I now go to them first. If I can find a buyer for a slightly used kidney I will go there to get the 70-200 f2.8 Z mount S lens, but I am not holding my breath Oz
 
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