42nd Street’s advertised prices are lies. In order to get the advertised equipment at the advertised price, one is required to buy junk packages of add-on equipment at ridiculously high prices.

Last weekend I ordered from 42nd St. a grey market 105mm Nikkor for $700 (normal US import price around $900.) At that time the web site said they had plenty of that lens in stock. Two days later I got an email saying they over-sold their inventory and that they expected to fill the order in 4 to 6 weeks. At that time, and still to today, the web site says they have plenty of that lens in stock.

After several emails it turns out that they could find that lens, for immediate shipment, if I purchased an accessory kit for $150. That package included a $6 uncoated UV filter and a flimsy tripod and some other useless junk. If I did that I’d end up paying $850 for a grey market lens.

Bottom line, one spends way too much for what is advertised as a bargain when dealing with 42nd St. Photo. If you want a grey market lens, you are much better off going to e-Bay.

Tonight's show on CBS had a feature on a photographer by the name of Danny Clinch. He has been the back stage shooter for several big named rock groups for over 20 years. Springsteen was one of the stars this man has been shooting the longest. I knew R&R was a big buck business but this guy's operation is impressively huge. If anyone is interested CBS will be re-running the show on their streaming network. Anyone who has an interest in R&R and/or photography might find the show interesting.

Hi David,

My photography is slowly getting better.

But my Photoshop compositing skills are improving as well since I signed up for an online course titled Photoshop Artistry with Sebastian Michaels.

It is still hard to switch from Engineering style of learning to that of a creative style of learning.

Anyway, some of the images that I have been playing with are on Flickr if you want to have a look.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/25818712@N04/

Cheers,
Bill