Episode 30: The Camera Store Episode

Myself and most of the people listening to this podcast are well aware of what it's like to buy film cameras and photography gear, but less of us know what it's like to sell it.  On this, the 30th episode of the Camerosity Podcast, the gang and I bring on some current and former employees of various camera stores to give us some insight into what it's like on the other side of the counter. From Gene's Camera in South Bend, Indiana, we have owner Jack St. Pierre and regular guest Jon Gilchrist.  From Alpine Camera in Des Plaines, Illinois, owner Chuck Miller.  From South Florida, former camera store employee of Gold Triangle Department Store is Stephen Grasso, and finally, our own host and former camera store employee and owner, Paul Rybolt share with us stories of how things used to be, and also discuss some of the biggest changes they saw in the industry during their time. Joining our camera store crew are returning callers, Hong Lee, Mark Faulkner, Andrew Smith, Jess Ibarra, and Michael Gossett, and first time callers Andrew Almendarez and Steven Lederman who bring up other interesting topics like whether buying cameras make for good investments, whether lens fungus is contagious, and where the origins are of Kodak film. In addition to all of these exciting discussions, we witnessed the first ever "IN SHOW" purchase where Stephen Grasso buys something from Paul's eBay store!  Make sure you listen in and find out what camera it is! As always the topics and discussions on the Camerosity Podcast are entirely up to you.  While we make an attempt to have a general idea on how to get a show started, the topics almost always veer off into wild and unexpected directions.  If you'd like to ask us a question or wish to hear us discuss your favorite brand of camera or film, consider joining us on our next episode and steer us in that direction! Be sure to look for our next show announcement coming soon, and we will record Episode 31 on Monday, July 25th! This Week's Episode Introducing Gene's Camera in South Bend, IN and Alpine Camera in Des Plaines, IL How Does a Camera Store Survive Today in 2022 Compared to 20-30 Years Ago? / Diversify Dwayne's Photo Does Dip and Dunk / Do People Still Service Noritsus? What are the Biggest Changes to the Camera Store Industry? / Minilabs Were a Huge Change The Loss of Photo Processing Hurt Many Stores / Processing Brings Back Customers Three Times Mail Order and No Sales Tax Hurt Stores More than Big Box Retailers / Camera Stores Send Customers to Each Other The COVID-19 Pandemic Helped Camera Stores / Business Grew Because of Remote Video and Photography is a Good Social Distancing Activity Paul, Chuck, and Jack Reminisce About Camera Stores Long Gone / Altman Camera in Chicago Changes in the Age of Camera Store Customers / More Younger People Are Shooting Film Everywhere The Prices of Film Probably Won't Come Down / The Less Common Something is the More People Want It Are Cameras Good Investments? / Besides Leica, Mike Doesn't Think So, but Paul Disagrees Paul Is Selling a Leica M5 on eBay, Someone Should Buy It! Do Mike's Reviews Increase the Values of Cameras? / Franka Rolfix II Investments Are Questionable, But You Certainly Won't Lose Money on Cameras / They're Not Depreciating Anymore Standard Prisms for the Nikon F and F2 Have Great Value Today Paul Sells a Leica M5 on the Show / Use a Wein Cell in the Leica M5s, not a Cheap Alkaline Equivalent / Can't Test the Meter Without a Lens Michael Gossett Returns to Talk About his ASNCO Speedex He Bought from Paul / The Leica M5 Has a Great Shutter Speed Dial / Canon EF Mark Hama is Still Taking on New Work / Andrew Sends His Alpa to Radu Should You Keep Lenses With Fungus Away from Other Lenses? Theo's Latest Pickups / Franka Rolfix II / Mamiya U / Closter IIa / Mamiya Korvette Chuck Has a Huge Kodak Sign / Mike is Looking for a Hanging Kodak Promotional Light Someone is Selling a Roll of Kodak Verichrome Pan 620 for $155 on eBay / Ant