Another Shop Gone

[Flack]

Just read that West Yorkshire Camera's are to close, one of my favorite Photography shops, always honest and helpful and a good sense of humor. Also very fair prices.

 

[Keith Haithwaite]

We are closing.

This has been a difficult decision. After an incredible 12 year journey, West Yorkshire Cameras has reached the end of the roll. We are closing. Sunday the 17th of November will be the last day the shop will be open to the public. After this, we will continue to operate online as usual whilst we...

wycameras.com

 

[Dave_P]

Sad to see them go - I never visited the shop personally but they always had interesting stuff in, and were pretty straight up to deal with for both buying and selling (which I did quite a few times over the years). Mainly fair prices, always pretty accurately described and well photographed stock (unlike some dealers!) with occasional bargains to be had. Strong social media meme game too. Interesting to hear what they had to say about post-Brexit trade with Europe limiting their stock options though. Hopefully someone else steps up in the Yorkshire area to fill the void.

 

[Paul Kay]

This has been the story since my student days. Back then (~1980) you could walk around London from camera shop to camera shop, some of which were Aladdin's caves (some modelled on caves I think) of photo equipment of varying ages and decrepitation. Many small towns could support a photographic shop too. But those days are long gone, wth fewer and fewer able to survive the competition online and the high costs associated with a physical presence. I last visited an actual photographic shop over 2 years ago and that was only to say hello because I was back in the area, befire that its now over 5 years. Sad to see WYC go. I have bought from them (online) and their enthusiasm was obvious. Pity.

 

[Soulstar89]

Oh. I never bought from them but always sad to see a store go.

When I started my film journey silver print was located in elephant and castle. I was gutted when it closed and went online only.

 

[Ian Grant]

I had no need to use West Yorkshire Camera's but did notice they became far more active on the Internet in recent years, and their prices were fair & reasonable.

Long before the Internet (late 1960s) I was buying my materials mail order, these days I buy online. The last time I visited my current film & paper supplier's shop was 1977 when I bought a 5x4 enlarger and camera from them. I did use Silverprint from not long after Martin Reed left Goldfinger (on its closure), until they moved.

A good onlineprescence & service is critical these days to help support physical stores.

Ian

 

[Soulstar89]

I had no need to use West Yorkshire Camera's but did notice they became far more active on the Internet in recent years, and their prices were fair & reasonable.

Long before the Internet (late 1960s) I was buying my materials mail order, these days I buy online. The last time I visited my current film & paper supplier's shop was 1977 when I bought a 5x4 enlarger and camera from them. I did use Silverprint from not long after Martin Reed left Goldfinger (on its closure), until they moved.

A good onlineprescence & service is critical these days to help support physical stores.

Ian

Wow Ian that before I was born lol. This is a massive eye opener to Hear this.

As I live in London I go to process supplies located in Farringdon. They have always been super helpful with advice and it’s a short bike ride to get to. Soul who worked at silverprint was one of the people who encouraged me to explore film opened parallax once silverpoint closed which is located in Brixton. Those are the two shops I use. I do buy online though.

I couldn’t agree more that online and its presence is important. I’m just a sucker for physical stores and interaction.

 

[Ian Grant]

I couldn’t agree more that online and its presence is important. I’m just a sucker for physical stores and interaction.

I think West Yorkshire Cameras have a good online presence, but it sounds like their rent/lease increase is crippling.

It was Process Supplies I visited in 1977. Ironically I was buying from a company Martin Reed worked at in the early 1970s selling ex-Government surplus film & paper.

Ian

 

[Soulstar89]

I think West Yorkshire Cameras have a goo online presence, but it sounds like their rent/lease increase is crippling.

It was Process Supplies I visited in 1977. Ironically I was buying from a company Martin Reed worked at in the early 1970s selling ex-Government surplus film & paper.

Ian

Oh how ironic was process supplies. They are a nice family. I came in and spoke about not being happy with my fomapan 100 developed sheets. I was speaking to a printer who was in the store and he gave me some advice. Process then went behind the counter gave me a bottle of hc110 that a customer only use once.

I presume process supplies own where they are as it’s been the same family since it opened. I was surprised when I read this.

Yes I agree West Yorkshire will be fine.

 

[soupdragon]

I bought a ton of stuff rom WYE.
Sadly, most of it required servicing or additional parts. For example see my thread "Shutter Service UK"
I also bought a Schneider 90mm XL 110 Degrees from them which had a roughly cut paper shim between the shutter and front element group for an unknown reason..
To add to that, my Tachihara 8x10 was covered in something tacky on both the bellows and the camera body.
It took nearly three weeks to clean it properly.
They delivered my Horseman 4x5 with the wrong lens board held into place with a folded bit of cardboard.
My Schneider 240mm arrived with a front filter but no lens caps in contradiction to what the sales guy offered.

I will say that they are pleasant to deal with and their prices are competitive.

And yes, I will miss them as I do with all analogue suppliers.

 

[jhotopf]

Gutted to hear they are going, most of my purchases were from them.

I used to frequent Mr Cad when he was in Croydon, a veritable Aladin's cave. Visited their London shop a few times now. The best deal I got was T-Max 100 5x4 at £15 a box for recently expired stock.

 

[Soulstar89]

Gutted to hear they are going, most of my purchases were from them.

I used to frequent Mr Cad when he was in Croydon, a veritable Aladin's cave. Visited their London shop a few times now. The best deal I got was T-Max 100 5x4 at £15 a box for recently expired stock.

Yes mr cads is in Victoria now. I forgot about them. I’ve bought some mamiya Rz67 accessories from them