Hi ... Looking Glass has a customer base comprised largely of students, and many are learning photography through the use of film. It's not likely that they'll give up on film so quickly. Plus they're the only store around that carries a wide range of film types and brands. Just try getting Efke at any other place in the east bay. In addition, even some of the local digital masters, such as Rob over at the Light Room, buy their film there (at least he did a few months ago when I ran into him there).
There's still a big place for film in the east bay and the bay area in general. You may think otherwise, and the market may be shrinking, but the demand is still strong. Consider how crowded the Looking Glass is at times. Consider that they are the only place in town with a full range of darkroom supplies and chemicals, and that they even have a rental darkroom available. In fact, they almost have a monopoly in the area when it comes to conventional photography. Try going into Saber's to buy chemicals, or to get good information about various films. Now that Rich and Eric are no longer at sarber's in Berkeley, the sales staff sometimes has a hard time addressing even the simplest questions. hell, twice in the past 18 months I went into sarber's (they are actually a little more convenient for me) and asked for TX. Once they were OUT OF STOCK! and the other time the sales droid didn't know what TX was. I wanted to by Xtol and ID-11, went into sarber's only to discover that they didn't have any - meanwhile Looking Glass had a truckload of the stuff. So, while film may be dying, and you may think that Looking Glass "should" do more digital, they seem to have a pretty good understanding of their customer base. And you've failed to mention the stock of digital cameras that they do have. It wasn't long ago that the Nikon rep was there giving a demo on the various DSLR cameras and lenses, so the store's not completely lost in the dark ages. So, while YOU think they're "way off," they don't seem to feel the same way, and, as far as I'm concerned, I'm glad that they are providing for my film and darkroom needs - and at a reasonable price as well. And there are a lot of east bay photogs who feel the same way. You think film is dead and dying? Pick up a copy of the latest Photo Directory from Momentum publications. The last time i counted there were more labs providing film services than those providing digital service. And there are more labs in the local bay area providing custom B&W services - developing, printing, internegs, and so on, than I bet you're aware of. Add color to that mix and you may well be blown away by the number of business that depend on film for all or a great percentage of their business. Pay a visit to The Photolab on 5th Street and do a traffic count. They specialize in B&W processing. Anyway, time for me to shut up. Shel > [Original Message] > From: n/a <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > I'm not going to say which store of the ones you named.... > > Gee, thanks guys for ignoring my attempt to be polite and not outright > name the store I was interviewing with! I was trying to be nice and > not say "who" I thought was being just a tad backward thinking re film > vs digital...I guess I shouldn't have mentioned Berkeley at all > though? It's not a hard guess....I feel bad now because they just > might be reading this you know, and I'm not inclined towards being > openly snarky. They're nice people. They're just not as ready to go > digital as they could be....Personally, I think they are WAY off, > but.... > > > > On Thu, 13 Jan 2005 12:43:05 -0800, Shel Belinkoff > <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > I believe the Looking Glass on Telegraph Avenue was being discussed. > > There's also Sarber's on Solano Avenue, and Peterson's (I believe), a small > > shop on College Avenue south of Ashby. Plus, of course, a few shops in > > Oakland, which is quite nearby Berkeley > > > > Shel > > > > > [Original Message] > > > From: Cotty <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > > > > > Shel, please enlighten those of us who know not of any photo shop in > > Berkeley. > > > > > > Not Cavo, surely??? > > > >
