Sometimes I really hate where I live...

[txdude35]

Actually it's more often than not, but alas, have to be here for a couple more years.
Anyhoo... the population of my city is about 750,000 with another 1-1.5 million right across the river in Mexico. All these people, and not a single decent photography store in the area. Not one. There isn't a single store in the region that sells or rents lenses, decent bags, monopods, tripods, nothing. The only place to get an EF lens in this godforsaken hellhole is BestBuy, and you can only get the kit lens or the 70-300 there.

Sometimes I just want to scream. I could understand if it was a smaller town, but this is ridiculous. In order to actually put my hands on a bag to see whether I like it or not prior to buying it I have to drive 4 hours north to Albuquerque NM or 5 hours west to Tucson AZ. Of course I could stay in Texas, but Austin is 9 hours away, Dallas 10.

I guess I don't have a point, just venting. I'm alone in a sea of sand out here, and I get frustrated when I need something and can't get it in this one horse town. As soon as the kids get a little older, I'm outta here.

[Franko515]

These guys rent lenses ;) At least you could try out lenses before you buy em :cool:

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=190688&highlight=rent+lenses

Hope this helps

[txdude35]

Thanks, Franko. I'm taking a trip next month and was wishing I could get my hands on a 70-200 or 100-400 without breaking the bank. Reasonable prices, great feedback. I appreciate it. Thanks again.

[liza]

I never buy from brick and mortar stores. Most people these days buy photographic equipment from B&H or other reputable online retailers. They're much cheaper and have anything you might want.

[txdude35]

True, Liza, and that's why I can't find anything here. The few stores there are can't touch the prices online. I'm just frustrated today. I've been wanting a new bag, but I don't want to buy another one online and be disappointed with it when it shows up. I want to put my hands on it to get a feel for it before I spend the money and not have to go through the hassle of returning it.

[Franko515]

Thanks, Franko. I'm taking a trip next month and was wishing I could get my hands on a 70-200 or 100-400 without breaking the bank. Reasonable prices, great feedback. I appreciate it. Thanks again.

:D It makes me happy to be able to help. Now if I just help 1000 more people I will have repayed this forum ;)

[DocFrankenstein]

Don't complain too much. At least you can order from BH and have it delivered for reasonable money.

I have all the stores I want... they just add 50-100% above the BH price. Makes me want to take some gasoine... I mean concerns me. :D

[nwyman]

it's not just where you live (and I lived in El Paso about thirty years ago). I'm on the East Coast, about an hour from Phila, Wilmington, Baltimore and DC, and if there's a good camera store in these parts, I have yet to find it. Very depressing, because I've lost the release plate to my Dyntran ballhead and can't find a replacement part. Don't have the model number, so I travel around with the thing in my trunk, hoping to stumble across a store that might have one.

[txdude35]

Well, I'm taking some comfort in knowing that I'm not alone. I thought it had something to do with being stuck in the middle of nowhere, but apparently I'm mistaken. Still sucks, though.

[jbkalla]

I'm near Denver, CO, and I have the same problem. I've just given up actually touching stuff before I buy it and order directly from B&H or NewEgg.

[BearSummer]

Hi txdude35,

unfortunately this is a problem of our own making. Because we all want to save as much cash as possible people would rather buy from B+H than from the local store. End result is that the local store just cant compete and closes. I can see the same thing happening here (in the uk). My not so local store is over an hours drive away, I have a jessops much closer but wont put money in their pockets because of their terrible staff treatment. Ordering online would be cheaper but then I wouldnt have this local store (Park Cameras).

I've seen the start of it here too. We used to have a camera warehouse near heathrow, and it was litterally a warehouse stuffed with camera gear. Amazing amounts of stock, chemicals, bags, lenses, books, dark room equip, albums, you name it they had it. They got ram raided a couple of times and the insurers hiked their rate, so they closed and I think went mail order. But you lost the ability to go and try it.

I do feel for you and I just hope that it doesn't happen here.

Best wishes

BearSummer

[txdude35]

I know what you're saying, BearSummer. I guess by the time I got into photography the few camera stores in town had already closed, so I haven't known anything but online ordering. The only time I've been in a fully stocked camera store was B&H, last year when I went to NYC with my kid's choir.
I would try to support a local store if I had one, tho. Some things are worth the money.

Jbkalla, I'm surprised that Denver doesn't have anything. I guess I just assumed that the bigger or more "metropolitan" cities would have stores. Goes to show I know less and less every day. :)

[jbkalla]

...jbkalla, I'm surprised that Denver doesn't have anything. I guess I just assumed that the bigger or more "metropolitan" cities would have stores. Goes to show I know less and less every day. :)


Actually, it's possible there IS a good camera store. I just haven't found it yet. Plus, I'm in the suburbs and don't goto Downtown much, so there may actually be something. If anyone knows, please tell me! I'll make a day of it and hit the Apple Store at the same time! :-)

[breal101]

I live very near the boondocks in Katrina land. I could move to NY, but then I couldn't afford to buy anything. The internet, UPS, and the post office are my salvation.