I think 42nd Steet Photo is actually named with the notion that it evokes the memories of 47th St Photo from well over a decade ago. 47th St Photo was a fine and reputable store; a tiny cubbyhole of a place on the second floor of the building...and it is no longer around. B&H Photo seemed to spring up about the time 47th went away, prompting me to think many of the same folks moved to 34th and 9th. And of course B&H is unparalleled in its capabilities and customer service.

But 42nd street in Manhattan is more of a tourist mecca, and as a result the tourist-trap type businesses operate there. There are some on 5th Avenue near 42nd St as well - these are the kinds of places touting "50% off!" on signs in the window and then who try to sell you that $300 camera that they marked up artificially to $800 so 50% discount makes it "only" $400 to you. Real rip-off operations.

In the olden days, 32nd Street was the "camera district" as it were - Willoughby-Peerless, Olden, Spiratone and a few other major camera retailers were all side by side (45th street near 6th ave was the "stereo district", but 47th St Photo kind of stood alone insofar as camera retailers up there - except for Marty Forschner's pro camera repair facility which I think was on the same block). Of course, they are all gone.

B&H is an amazing place to visit - half a city block (but two floors) of pretty much everything you can imagine being available in the photo and video space. Adorama, which is just as highly reputable, is down on 18th street but their store is not the visual wonderland B&H is - though they carry everything you have to get to a counter and have a clerk assist you with most items.

But 42nd St Photo is a sham designed to fool those who vaguely remember the old days.