Support Your Local Camera Shop

With the demise of Jessops I thought I'd mention our local proper Camera shop. Campkins on Rose Crescent in the middle of town, there is another one on Kings Parade but as they have the same name I have a feeling they are owned by the same people.

They are great shops, full of knowledgeable staff who clearly love what they do and impart plenty of sound advice to their customers.

When I bought my first slr 25 years ago there were at least 8 specialist camera shops in Cambridge, along with KP Professional and 3 developing and printing labs. Now we have 2 shops.

I have to admit I buy plenty of stuff online, but I completely understand the value of these shops and so have bought a decent amount in store (5d came from a real shop in Cambridge, I walked home with it!). It is hard to try new lens, see if your kit will fit in a bag etc via the Internet, we need shops.

It is well documented that camera shops have seen their business suffer not only form online sales, but also from the progress of camera phones greatly reducing the entire market of point and shoot cameras. It is hard for these people, we should not forget them.

I realise I have ranted a bit and gone a little Mary Portas, sorry.

Cheers

D

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