Camera Show...

[kevinfromwebb]

Hey, I'm just getting back into photography after a few years of using a small nikon p&s... Years ago we used to go to the different camera shows to look around and get used lens, filters, bags,etc... I noticed a show in Grapevine in a couple of weeks... Anybody know much about the show??? I didn't know if it was worth going to...
appreciate your help...

Kevin

[toverman]

I didn't see the specific listing, but if it's like the one I went to last year it can be interesting. It isn't huge, and it's hard to tell what will actually show up, but if you're looking for vintage gear it might be worth a shot. The prices on newer gear weren't all that thrilling to me.

[Hogleg 44]

What Todd said...
Very little new stuff. Nearly all vintage.

[cooltouch]

I used to sell photo gear at camera shows, but it's been quite a while. Almost 15 years since the last time I attended a show as a dealer. Back then, you had basically three types of dealers of camera gear: those who catered to collectors, those who catered to pros, and those who catered to amateurs.

Of these three groups, the latter was the most subject to change. I've always figured this was due to a couple of factors: economic forces (cameras are bought with disposable income by amateurs) and technological advances. It's hard for a dealer of amateur level gear to find recent technology at a cheap enough price where the resale will show a profit.

On the other hand, dealers in collectibles are selling to a group that is more investment oriented, and dealers in pro gear are selling to a group that must buy it as tools used in their ongoing businesses. Thus, these dealers seem to be a little less subject to market fluctuations.

That's been my rationale at least.

So, if you're looking for collectibles or for pro-level gear, it might be worth your while to attend. If you're looking for amateur-level gear, selection could be spotty. It will depend a lot upon how well the show is promoted and how big of a dealer turnout is expected. Predicting prices is always risky, but in days gone by, prices were typically somewhat less than mail-order. I wouldn't be surprised if dealers nowadays are using eBay to determine prices.

-M

[Big Dog]

The show in Grapevine will be much as you remember, just much smaller. Ebay, other internet selling, and digital has all but killed these kind of swap meets. Still, it can be a couple of hours' entertainment, if nothing else. I make almost all of them in DFW, but I will be out of town for this one. They are held in Grapevine twice a year. DFW used to have 6 a year and some of them were huge!

[CaptainTom]

I went to Grapevine once and wasn't overwhelmed by anything.
I won't be going back.

I'll go to a gunshow and just drool over the number of weapons on display.

[bondarnes]

At the one in January the busiest booth was a guy buying used gear. He might have been from B&H, but I wouldn't swear to that. He bought a ton of MF film stuff, but wasn't paying very much. I had a table and will probably go back again. I still have a bunch of Novatron lights that I need to sell.

[kevinfromwebb]

Thanks Guys... I'll still try to go but it's good knowing what to expect... Who knows what I might see or find out there... I remember the shows we went to years ago, before ebay and internet, late 80's and early 90's... Some in Dallas and a few at Will Rogers and they did have a lot of stuff...

Thanks again for the info...

Kevin

[cooltouch]

Originally Posted by kevinfromwebb

I remember the shows we went to years ago, before ebay and internet, late 80's and early 90's... Some in Dallas and a few at Will Rogers and they did have a lot of stuff...

Back in those days I lived in the Los Angeles area. I traveled a lot to shows: San Francisco Bay area, San Diego, Santa Barbara, and the big West Coast show that was twice a year in San Jose. Went to Denver once, and Phoenix a couple of times.

Each December (or was it January?) I would put together a tour and head for Texas. First the Houston show, then the next week, New Orleans, then the week after that, Dallas. Because I had family in Houston, this sort of thing was possible -- I'd just hang out at my mother's for a few days and then at my sister's for a few days between the shows.

It got to the point, by say 1992 or so, that in L.A., there was a show almost every weekend. The market was saturated and the L.A. area was in a major economic recession. Lots of show back then where the dealers were doing good just to break even.

Then came along the Internet, eBay, digital, and everything changed. Oh well. It was a lot of fun while it lasted.

[kevinfromwebb]

Went to the show last week, nice day for a ride... Mostly old vintage stuff, a lot of lenses for older film cameras... Arlington Camera had a booth selling some discontinued Lowe bags, etc... One booth selling tripods and heads, one selling background cloths, beside that not much... Most tables had older lenses and a box of older filters, bags...
I enjoyed it but probably won't make much effort to go back...

Kevin

[Jeephoto]

My son and I went on Saturday and we had a blast! We went from table to table looking at all types of photo equipment. Most of the tables featured vintage equipment, but there was some modern stuff.

The best part for me was showing my 21 yo son various cameras, darkroom stuff and lighting equipment. I would pick something up and teach him what it was and how it was used. I saw things there that I haven't seen in years; it was like reliving my early days of photography again, 30 years ago.

I recently got into vintage large format/medium format photography equipment; Speed Graphic, Rolleicord, Yashica 44 TLR, Holga/Diana, Omega 4x5 view camera. I've spent months reading and scouring the 'net for information and photos. The camera show allowed me to actually handle and look at all types of cameras. I enjoyed it so much I wanted to go back Sunday just to look around.

If I had had the money, I would have bought a Graflex Century Crown Graphic and a 6x9 roll film back.

I just ended up buying a wooden case/trunk to hold my Speed Graphic 4x5.

I wish I could have sold my Novatrons to buy the Century.

Overall, I thought it was a success.

[Big Dog]

Originally Posted by Jeephoto

I recently got into vintage large format/medium format photography equipment; Speed Graphic, Rolleicord, Yashica 44 TLR, Holga/Diana, Omega 4x5 view camera. I've spent months reading and scouring the 'net for information and photos.

Have you been to: www.apug.org ?

[tropicpine]

I greatly enjoy using 'vintage stuff'.
As I was in Dallas working I went to the Grapevine show. I found a backup camera body and yet another piece of darkroom equipment.

I will be attending the show in Houston where I live on the 10th.

[cooltouch]

Originally Posted by tropicpine

I greatly enjoy using 'vintage stuff'.
As I was in Dallas working I went to the Grapevine show. I found a backup camera body and yet another piece of darkroom equipment.

I will be attending the show in Houston where I live on the 10th.

Glad you mentioned this. I didn't know there was one coming up here in Houston. I googled this. In case anyone else is interested, here's the pertinent stuff. Scroll about halfway down for the Houston info:

http://www.photorama.com/dates.html