[HUG ] Swap, bop. a Loop Bop, a Lop Bam Boom....

Dear Fiends,

 

                 Wait a minute, that’s not how you spell friends – I’ll just 
push the spell checker. No, I guess, that’s right....Is this machine adjusted?

 

                Well, anyway, I seen it. 

 

                I went to the photographic swap meet this morning and I seen 
it. I seen the passing parade of photographers and collectors and dealers that 
make up the Perth scene. I was amazed at what I saw.

 

                Case No. 1.         A man who comes in to the shop I work for 
several times a week sporting a vast knowledge of a prestigious camera system 
and apparent ownership of enough camera gear to sink a ship....browsing amongst 
the cheapest lowest dreck on the tables. The plastic detritus of the 70’s - 
gear that was unsalable then – and buying it. He didn’t respond to eye contact 
or anything. It was like seeing a Baptist in Hooters.

 

                Case No.2.          The man who collects Nikaloltaxoflex 
cameras. I had a few for sale and so did others and I have never seen a man so 
loaded down with bargains in my life. At his last purchase stop with me( A 
motor drive) he wore 3 bodies, a lens case, a light meter, and was clutching a 
slide copier under his armpit. Had he sneezed, it would have killed someone 
with flying metal. He didn’t quibble on price, so I wish him all the joy his 
purchases may give him. His credit card manager may be sweating next month....

 

                Case No. 3.         Hasselblad Man. He had two bodies and two 
lenses and several backs and grips for sale. They were good with moderate wear. 
The spiel that he had is plausible – the price possible, if not spectacular. 
But the question arises – what possible business or artistic use was this 
particular combination put to? In the end, short of asking the question 
barefaced, I could only conclude that he did a fair number of beauty contests 
involving hanging out the side of a helicopter on a strap whilst trying to 
capture the interiors of buildings. No wonder he’s selling out – his nerves are 
shot.

 

                Case No. 4.         “ You take $ 150?” A fair question, but as 
it applied to a $ 250 lens a half hour before the show opened I felt it was in 
my interest to decline. Not to be put off by my refusal the buyer offered an 
alternative - $ 150. He obviously spoke and understood English, albeit as a 
second language, so I refused again. Thank Heavens he had the good sense to 
raise the offer to $ 150. This continued for a half hour until just before 
opening time when he realised that the doors were swinging to and pulled out $ 
250 and grabbed the lens. I live in a state that restricts the ownership, 
carriage, and discharge of large-calibre handguns. Pity....

 

                Case No.5.          “ I’m collecting digital cameras for an 
Rebel Artist’s Group in Indonesia and they can’t pay anything but if you have 
any DSLR’s that you wish to donate I might contribute toward sending them.” “ 
What have you got?”

 

                I swear this is the truth and I can supply a name and a phone 
number for the woman who said it. 

 

 

                I sold about $ 1600 worth of old gear there, so the morning was 
a fine time. Had I not sold a pennyworth I think I got value in entertainment.

 

Uncle Dick

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