"On another note, last night, Mark mentioned that everyone should support their local photo store or they will end up disappearing. I think, unfortunately, that's a plea of desperation. I think that price and Varity drives the market, not patronage. If a store does not take advantage of the market place (internet), they are destined to fail no mater how much money you throw away supporting them. You'd better have a dam good product in order to survive these days if you're just catering to the local population." Arley

While I agree with Arley to a great extent, I will say that I buy from our local camera store whenever I can. I know it's a little more expensive but I do get a return on my investment.

For those who are completely confident in all things photographic and have no need to consult the guys on Lancaster Blvd the internet provides better selection at better prices. But, when I started out I needed a lot of help and I still need advice occasionally. I'm going to guess that many of our experts spent a lot of time, in their early days, hanging out at the local camera shop, learning from those who knew more than they did. Now they have no use for those guys.

It's sad to say but King's may go the way of H&E and the rest. If they do I think that it will be a great loss to our photographic community, maybe not the experts, but to the novices and amateurs.