My first U.S. camera show in 15 years -- bummer

[Kevin Caulfield]

You surprise me, Kevin. I have lived in Melbourne most of my life and I don't know of any big camera show twice a year.

Edit (one hour later): Ah, I now realise that you are talking about those swapfest type events that they hold at Box Hill Town Hall at sparrow-f**t on Sunday mornings. My mindset on reading the initial post was trade-type shows. Sorry, I am not qualified to comment because I have never been to one, mostly for aforementioned reason - guess I'm not sufficiently motivated. Prior to my membership of APUG I didn't even know that such events existed.

I too didn't know about it until relatively recently. They used to be held in Camberwell.

[wotalegend]

I too didn't know about it until relatively recently. They used to be held in Camberwell.

Ah yes, they did used to be held in Camberwell, an even worse location (for me) and still way too early on a Sunday morning. I guess that not going to them has helped my financial situation, in a back-handed sort of way.

[Brian Legge]

There is a yearly one near here in Puyallup and now that I look at the fairgrounds website it looks like it is gone this year. Since I move up here two years ago I've went and it was bigger than the one I went to in Hayward, CA. It had at least what seemed like a few hundred visitors and 40 or so vendors.

Ha! I haven't made it to the Puyallup one... and despite growing up in Castro Valley, I didn't know about the Hayward one at all.

I plan on going out to Puyallup this year. Any idea if the early admission is worth while? I'm guessing most of the vendors are selling over ebay prices anyway, etc but I'm still tempted to go early.

[TheFlyingCamera]

I also went to the Tyson's show this past weekend. While it was mostly junk, and pretty thin on the ground at that, there were bargains to be had if you were looking for what they were selling. There was an (older) 16x20 dry mount press in good condition for $75, and a big Majestic tripod and head for $50.

[David Brown]

Is this the way it is elsewhere around the U.S., in your experience?

When I moved to Dallas in 1989, the Dallas/Ft. Worth area had six (count'em 6) shows a year - every two months. They were huge and hundreds of people attended. I've bought a little of everything over the years.

However, in the last several years, a big decline. We're down to two shows a year and the last one (In January) was just pitiful. Each time I go to one, I say it's going to be the last, but this time I think I meant it.

[domaz]

Ha! I haven't made it to the Puyallup one... and despite growing up in Castro Valley, I didn't know about the Hayward one at all.

I plan on going out to Puyallup this year. Any idea if the early admission is worth while? I'm guessing most of the vendors are selling over ebay prices anyway, etc but I'm still tempted to go early.

The Puyallup camera show is going to be in Renton this year- a change of venue because the fairgrounds are too big for them anymore.

[CGW]

There's no denying that online auction and local listing sites have thinned old school photo swap meets. Here in Toronto, there are still big spring/fall shows with 2 smaller meets annually. Attendance has gradually declined but they're still worth doing for short-dated film and odds-n-ends. It's also cheap entertainment. Still, I find quality and price on gear to be askew at most tables, though I usually visit known sellers first, scan the rest, and reserve the remaining time looking for offbeat stuff like old mugshots or books. Overall, the institution seems healthier here, thanks to a large, active photo community in and around Toronto.

[bsdunek]

Our local guy, Sam Vinegar, puts on ten shows this year. You can see the schedule at http://www.photorama.com/
I agree the shows are nothing like they were in the 80's and 90's, but there are still bargains to be had. Also they used to be two day and are now one day. Unlike eBay and other auction sites, you can see and touch what you're considering buying. I would, though, like to see shows like the 'old' days, but I guess the interest just isn't there.

[willrea]

The Puyallup camera show is going to be in Renton this year- a change of venue because the fairgrounds are too big for them anymore.

Thanks for letting us know! I was worried is was gone. Last year it still took up most of the room, although last year was a decline from the year before.

[willrea]

Ha! I haven't made it to the Puyallup one... and despite growing up in Castro Valley, I didn't know about the Hayward one at all.

I plan on going out to Puyallup this year. Any idea if the early admission is worth while? I'm guessing most of the vendors are selling over ebay prices anyway, etc but I'm still tempted to go early.

I've never done the early admission. I've only bought a few things from when I go. I usually get some good stuff from the pile of free stuff though :P