Going to NYC, what to get for $100

stompyq

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My wife is having orientation for her new job in NYC and i'll be going with her to get thing sorted out. I'll have a few hours to kill in NYC (Manhattan) and thought i would visit Adorama (never been their). I have $100 set to get something. Since i'am planning on doing my own B&W processing i was thinking of getting a tank and reels. BUT open to ideas and places to better spend my photo budget.

I shoot 35mm RF and 4x5 LF. Also use my Nikon D200 a fair bit if that helps.
 
B and H

B and H

If you have not been, I would also strongly suggest B&H photo. Worth a visit even if you don't plan on buying anything.

How about getting some film or film related equipment such a bulk loader and cassettes?
 
Honestly, you can order pretty much anything from either place online so I would say defintely hit B&H just for the pure spectacle of it.

Edit: just saw your post about already visiting B&H...doh
 
Honestly, you can order pretty much anything from either place online so I would say defintely hit B&H just for the pure spectacle of it.

True. I'am assuming adorama isn't as crazy? do they have better access to gear, meaning you can actually touch it instead of having to convince smug sales guys that your actually serious?
 
True. I'am assuming adorama isn't as crazy? do they have better access to gear, meaning you can actually touch it instead of having to convince smug sales guys that your actually serious?

Same deal, just a smaller scale and the gear comes up from a hole in the ground (instead of a conveyor belt).

The used display "shelf" at Adorama is cool. They fill it with Leicas, Rolleis, etc and you can fondle stuff. So maybe that's another reason to check adorama out.
 
What don't you have?

They have decent sized used departments.

Perhaps:
  • A folding MF camera, like an Ikonta
  • A small RF, like a Olympus XA
  • A lower-end TLR
  • A flash, like a Metz 36 C-2
 
By all means, go and look around.

But remember if you wait until you get home and order what you want on line, the savings in no sales tax will pay for the shipping. Plus, you will not have to schlep your purchases around all day and back home on the plane.
 
By all means, go and look around.

But remember if you wait until you get home and order what you want on line, the savings in no sales tax will pay for the shipping. Plus, you will not have to schlep your purchases around all day and back home on the plane.

Bob, I live in Rochester NY, so the tax is the same but i save on shipping. I'll also be driving (I HATE driving in NYC...) so no pain with flights. And thanks to this place i'll only be carrying my M6 and 2 lens kit. Carrying a lot of weight all day is not that big of a deal. I lug a 4x5+digital kit around most weekends
 
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What don't you have?

They have decent sized used departments.

Perhaps:
  • A folding MF camera, like an Ikonta
  • A small RF, like a Olympus XA
  • A lower-end TLR
  • A flash, like a Metz 36 C-2

Interesting suggestions.

Never tried a folder
Have a XA (and absolutely love it to death)
TLR -Now thats a idea. Are there decent TLR's in my price bracket?
Flash - No. My SB800 is enough juice (plus does the thinking for me as well)
 
There is an absolute glut of used high quality darkroom equipment out there. It sells for pennies on the dollar at the high end, the low end is free. So I would certainly look around and buy used tanks and reels at home.

Buy film. That is the one thing you will be assured of using. Plus no opportunity to a great deal on used film.
 
Sounds like a good chance to buy something that you could find online but would benefit from choosing in person. Strap, bag, etc.

Or if you're lucky, an Olympus XA-4 (28mm lens) to go with your XA. Recent eBay price range is $65 to $200.

If I weren't guessing that there's no shortage of used photo books in Rochester, I'd suggest looking for something in that vein.

BTW, nice Flickr set!
 
The used equipment desk at Adorama is really its main drawing point. It's easier to look at and fondle cameras at B&H. Check out, at the new counter, if you don't have it, the AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8. It's about $100.
 
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