New Darkroom equipment disappearing Buy Now

[Tin Can]

It seems people think there is an endless supply of any darkroom equipment, both new and used.

As the 500 watt enlarger bulb thread shows, maybe not.

I try to be proactive and make sure I find what I want for my darkroom now and as long as I live. Who knows? Mom is still kicking at 94. I may go today...or not.

Regardless, I think it is wise to buy what you can now. I bought new paper safes last year from Adorama, they still have them, I just checked and at cheaper than used prices. When I bought mine, they had free shipping on 20X24 paper safe. Not now.
So many have become spoiled by giveaways, that they expect this to continue. I doubt it. I see CL enlarger prices moving up.

Sandy king's book was a sellout in China. When China wants something, perhaps LF gear, they will get it. What if they love LF film?

I just bought 5X7 film made in Shanghai, from Taiwan. I have not shot it yet.

Somebody's seeing a market.

When the left over Darkroom gear, new LF cameras, new lenses are gone most likely we will never make them again. Yes custom is always available. Takes a winter to get a new custom camera.

Gas is so cheap in USA driving anywhere for something is now feasible.

My point is, if you want it, buy it now.

[koh303]

Why would you want to order a custom LF camera when shen hao and chamonix are on the shelve for next to nothing, brand new?

[Tin Can]

Why would you want to order a custom LF camera when shen hao and chamonix are on the shelve for next to nothing, brand new?

Is that a question.

[Tin Can]

I don't see bargain deals in CL anywhere near Chicago anymore. I have stopped looking mostly. I used to check just before sleep as many people, I surmise, drink a nightcap and decide to sell the 'junk'. If I see a late night CL listing, I call or email right then and have gotten deals.

Same thing happens here.

And I have told my relatives to be very careful handling and selling my junk. They know me...

[Old-N-Feeble]

It seems people think there is an endless supply of any darkroom equipment, both new and used.

As the 500 watt enlarger bulb thread shows, maybe not.

I try to be proactive and make sure I find what I want for my darkroom now and as long as I live. Who knows? Mom is still kicking at 94. I may go today...or not.

Regardless, I think it is wise to buy what you can now. I bought new paper safes last year from Adorama, they still have them, I just checked and at cheaper than used prices. When I bought mine, they had free shipping on 20X24 paper safe. Not now.
So many have become spoiled by giveaways, that they expect this to continue. I doubt it. I see CL enlarger prices moving up.

Sandy king's book was a sellout in China. When China wants something, perhaps LF gear, they will get it. What if they love LF film?

I just bought 5X7 film made in Shanghai, from Taiwan. I have not shot it yet.

Somebody's seeing a market.

When the left over Darkroom gear, new LF cameras, new lenses are gone most likely we will never make them again. Yes custom is always available. Takes a winter to get a new custom camera.

Gas is so cheap in USA driving anywhere for something is now feasible.

My point is, if you want it, buy it now.

(RE bold text) That can only be a good thing, perhaps not in the beginning, but certainly in the long-run. Imagine if millions of people drove the demand for these products higher than it's ever been. Imagine the innovative new products arising from such tremendous buying power.

[Tin Can]

(RE bold text) That can only be a good thing, perhaps not in the beginning, but certainly in the long-run. Can you imagine if millions of people drove the demand for these products higher than it's ever been. Imagine the innovative new products arrising from such buying power.

That was my hint...

[Jac@stafford.net]

Good reminder, Randy. I keep an eye out for things like condensers and film holder/carriers for my Focomat IIa because I cracked 'em back when they were in demand and paid through the nose to replace them, and it is more likely than ever that they will become lost as people trash things they don't understand. I know that my favorite (by habituation) Ilford polycontrast LF system will be dust-in-the-wind sooner than I like. OTOH, I erred in piling up Saltzman 8x10 enlarger stuff because I have nowhere to set it up!

[Old-N-Feeble]

That was my hint...

I'm sorry if I misunderstood but I read the post again and it still seems the message conveys doom for analog photography. If that's the intended message, it may be correct. However, if millions of people, either Chinese or nationalities, are added to the buying pool I still say innovative new products will emerge. Perhaps these won't be large format lenses or enlargers but maybe there's some hope for those too.

[Larry Gebhardt]

I agree, some things are going to go away from lack of demand. But paper safes are not technically complicated. If demand picks up someone will create a new line of them. I worry more about lenses and shutters. I can't imagine demand picking up enough to restart those industries. So I think we're going to have to accept a limited supply of what has already been produced. Over time I imagine that will drive up prices, and maybe at some point it will be profitable to restart a new line.

I wonder what the return on LF lenses and shutters will be over the next 20 years. Might make sense to invest in those. Some seem to be at rock bottom prices now, but maybe not. I imagine the premium ones will only go higher.

[Moopheus]

However, if millions of people, either Chinese or nationalities, are added to the buying pool I still say innovative new products will emerge. .

Millions? That seems highly unlikely. There's no reason for large numbers of people to suddenly decide they want film gear. Sure, some, but not a lot. At least, here I live, we see tourists and other visitors from all over the world, and they're all carrying the same digi stuff. Some stuff will be made them as long as it's relatively cheap to do so, but Shen Hao and Chamonix aren't producing large numbers of cameras.