USED CARS HISTORY

Cameras and Photography

If you're looking for a camera that requires no fancy accessories or particular savvy, you're probably in the market for something under $100—a basic point-and-shoot, no-hassle model. Your best bet is to rely on local superstores, which frequently offer promotional pricing on these cameras. Check ads for Kmart, Target, Wal-Mart, Best Buy and Circuit City, or visit Costco or Sam's Club. On the other hand, if you're serious about your photography and investing in esoteric earner equipment, look in on the local resources listed below or consider the many mail-order companie that advertise extensively in publications like Popular Photography. Ordering by mail, especially when dealing with brand-name products, can be a time- and money-saving option if you've done your homework and follow sensible consumer guidelines. The trade-off for mail-order savings? You forgo the personal service and technical support that local camera shops offer. I've listed two mail-order companies that my shutterbug friends consistently recommend for price and reliability. One other essential is required before tackling the advertisements, which can cover many pages: a magnifying glass!

B & H PHOTO-VIDEO-PRO-AUDIO (MAIL ORDER)

420 Ninth Avenue, New York, NY, 10011.

Orders: (800) 947-7785 (photo), (800) 947-1186 (video ), (800) 357-1999 (imaging), (800) 859-5252 (Pro-Audio). Fax (800) 947-7008. Information: (212) 444-6670.

www.bhphotovideo.com. MC, VISA, DIS.

Serious amateurs and professionals make pilgrimages here when visiting the Big Apple to make a connection to this community of like-minded people. B & H covers all aspects of its technical empire—from basic point-and-shoot cameras to the most esoteric equipment and supplies known only to professionals. Camcorders, VCRs, video monitors, videotape, printers, microphones, editing equipment, lighting, photographic paper, and other essentials for professionals fill this company's ad pages. Ordinary folks will zero in on binoculars, cameras, lenses, film, and accessories. The multilingual international staff is an asset for many shoppers

CAMBRIDGE CAMERA EXCHANGE, INC. (MAIL ORDER)

119 W. 17th Street, New York, NY, 10011.

Orders: (800) 221-2253. 24-hour fax order line: (212) 463-0093. Information: (212) 675-8600. Customer relations: (212) 255-3744. MC, VISA, DIS, C.O.D.

A good resource for amateurs and professionals— you could set up your own studio and darkroom by ordering from Cambridge. Some video cameras, camcorders, telephones, radios; accessories for all categories, too. Used department to sell and trade. Write for free Cambridge Camera catalog.

L.Z. PREMIUMS

241 E. Campbeil Avenue, Campbell. (408) 374-3838. T-Sat 10-6. MC, VISA. and financing. Parking: lot.

L.Z. has a loyal shutterbug following for its prices on cameras, accessories, and developing equipment. Kodak film is sold at dealer's cost; Kodak processing is 30% off. Major appliances, electronics (VCRs, faxes, beepers, home and car stereos), cameras (new and used), camera gear, and cellular phones are also sold. The floor selection is very limited, but their large catalog library extends your options. Prices reflect a modest markup, and delivery charges are reasonable. Forget hype and hustle; the staff is knowledgeable and low-pressure. No phone quotes.

PHOTO SUPPLY

436 Bryant Street, San Francisco.

(415) 495-8640. M-F 9-6: Sat 10-5. MC, VISA, DIS. Parking: garage at 435 Bryant.

This company serves the professional photographers and graphic arts firms that are concentrated in the SOMA area. The emphasis is on supplying products for mounting, storage, and presentation-allowing for direct purchase of many items that must often be bought through mail-order com-panies. Except for some very esoteric items, everything is discounted. Photography students, hobbyists, and other consumers seek out this resource to purchase albums, mount board, foam core, and archival papers for mats. All too often when one needs mat board for mounting, it can only be purchased in large sheets. Sizes here start at 8 by 10. You can also buy film, paper, and chemicals in quantity at discount prices. Everything for the darkroom too. Feel secure with its roster of brands: Kodak, Fuji, Agfa, and llford films and papers for starters. Check the bargain tables for "whatever."

SAN JOSE CAMERA & VIDEO

1600 Winchester Boulevard, Campbell.

(408) 374-1880. M-Sat 10-6, Th until 8, Sun Noon-5. MC, VISA, DIS. Parking: lot.

Photo buffs looking for sophisticated and usually expensive cameras and accessories will feel right at home here. Most major brands are on hand: Canon, Nikon, Olympus, Vivitar, Minolta, Pentax, Hasselblad, Mamiya, Leica, Gitzo, Yashica, Ricoh, Fuji, Bogen, Kodak, Metz and Beseler enlargers, Kodak carousel projectors, and Gossen exposure meters. Keeping up with the market, a full line of advanced photo system cameras are carried, as well as an expanded selection of digital cameras, scanners, and printers. This shop aggressively discounts video cameras from Canon, Sony, and RCA, ruffling the feathers of other dealers by not playing ball and offering products at higher prices, as they do. This place is a hero to consumers. For a close-up look at the world, check out the binocular department. You'll probably get the lowest price in the Bay Area by shopping here. Save gas if you're out of the area; order by phone and have it shipped UPS.