Last week I wrote that I had, in spite of the heavy rains hitting Vancouver, attended the Vancouver Used Camera Sale. The heavy rain began near Chilliwack as we drove down on Saturday and didn’t stop until some time Sunday afternoon after we had left the sale. Needless to say, it was a very wet weekend.
As I drove through the early morning rain I wondered if the rain would lower the number of attendees at the Camera Sale. I usually say that I hope for rain for the camera sale day. Vancouverites are used to rain and don’t seem to have any problem with driving to get to some event. I will say that my experience with the camera sales is if the day is clear and warm the attendance will be low, if the day is rainy the attendance will be good. It seems as citizens of that city get out of doors and stay out any time the weather allows and when it’s a day of rain they find other places (like the Camera Swap and Sale) to fill their time.
I did wish for rain on Sunday, but gosh I didn’t expect the deluge that greeted Vancouver that weekend and the normally quick drive would be slower than usual. Not wanting to get caught in the line up that I knew would be at the underground parking’s elevator I told Jo to sit with the car next to the no parking sign in front while I packed equipment in. Of course I got wet!
I had reserved two tables for the carload of photo equipment I packed and was hoping for plenty of time to get everything ready and have time to say quick hellos to some of the other vendors before excited people started coming in. But by the time Jo and I got our table set up there was a long line outside the hall’s entrance that led down the hall and the six hours of standing and talking began.
The regulars that never buy were there walking round and round with something to say at every table. I always recognize them and wonder what I have that they are interested in and what they have to tell me this time. They’ll pick up a camera and tell me their experience with it give me their expert advice, then moving to the next table. Nevertheless, they are always entertaining and I wouldn’t change a thing.
It’s a fun day for all kinds of photography enthusiasts. As with recent years most people were again looking for film cameras and that’s what most vendors had on their tables.
I always meet and talk to memorable people that are as excited about photography as I am and its that excitement makes for an enjoyable day. Gosh, that’s almost as much fun as using the cameras. And I was able to take time to walk around to check out all the interesting cameras. It’s what keeps me making the long drive to Vancouver every year.
Stay safe and be creative. These are my thoughts for this week. Contact me at www.enmanscamera.com or emcam@telus.net.
