SRS is closing down

Just saw on the SRS website they are closing for good on Thursday. What a pity. They have always been great to deal with in my experience and will be missed. I do go to the Chesham shop a few weeks back and was surprised at how little stock they had. I did wonder if the writing was on the wall. ☹️

We will miss you, SRS!

Eeeek!!!

They were always good to me whenever I bought something from them.

It makes me wonder how many other photographic stores are close to going the same way...

Steve

I think we shall be missing one or two other things too before very long. Watching Ebay (like it or lump it) gives a very good indication of how things are progressing in general. The number of sellers who are gathering mountains of similar items - one presumes for very small outlays - and offering large job lots of them is increasing daily. They don't even differentiate brands and offer say, 5 -7 lenses or 10 SLR or even DSLR camera bodies in a heap. This trend isn't picking on any particular maker but appears to be saying that the whole idea of photography as we all know it is rapidly becoming history. Even relatively modern items that were purchased for 4 figures maybe five years ago (DA*300mm for example) are appearing for £150! If the box-shifters cannot make a go of it then where does that leave things?

It says a lot about the guys at SRS in the way that they are closing down - warranties, repairs, etc will be handled by Chiswick Cameras, unsold commission sale items returned to customers, they've handled what must be a very difficult time for them with such grace and consideration for their customers.

I've only ever had good experiences and advice from the guys, I wish them all the best

What a shame. They only recently moved to Chesham.

Oh! That is such a shame. I have bought from SRS in the past, more than once. Outstanding people, knowledgeable and helpful, plus exceptional customer focus. Really sad to read this.

Well said, and so do I.

That was a bit of bad news to start the day. I've used them for all my new purchases for quite some time. Wish them all the best, but d***

K.

Wow...didn't see that coming...what a shame.

I've bought quite a few new and used cameras/lenses off them in the past and always found them great to deal with.

They were very invested in Pentax...maybe that hasn't helped as Pentax business has presumably rapidly diminished over the past 2-3 years.

I bought my K+5 and K1 11 from them and my camera bag. Apple is to blame for putting cameras on there iPhones and the rest followed.
I found SRS very useful and friendly.

Wow, that's a shame. I always got the impression that they were kept pretty busy, but maybe things have changed in the last few years.

Most of my bought-new Pentax gear came from them - the K-3, grip, spare battery and my DA 35mm Limited I think too. A few years back they tracked down the only FA 35/2 spare lens hood in Europe for me when I lost the little slide-out tab. Always a real pleasure to deal with. I wish all their staff well for the future.

I have been thinking about this post since I read it yesterday, and it comes soon after the news about Pentax. I believe the current situation reflects economic conditions as well as the impact of phones and AI impacting photography (who needs a 300mm lens when you can simulate it). As Pentax users, we are a small niche within a niche, so tend to take these events to heart, especially when SRS was considered "part of the family". I hope the team there resurrects their business in another form but it will be difficult as things stand. Weirdly, I love that they kept their name as a computer retailer while selling cameras.

It feels like a real inflection point but there are still enthusiasts for Nikon rangefinders and Linhof large format cameras. I hope we have enough of a community to keep going like that and enjoy what we do.

Anyway, enough rambling - must look for that 300mm lens at £150!

There's a DA* for £350 BIN and another on auction with a couple of days to go currently at £271. The only £150 300mm I've found is an M, not DA*.
Yes, the same thing has been happening as has happened over the years in many other areas. 200 years ago there were horses everywhere, it was the only way to get around. Then trains and, later, motor vehicles arrived. Horses are now mainly just for enthusiasts who appreciate them for what they are, not as a means of transport. 100 years ago and more there were pianos everywhere, most middle class homes had one, they were in pubs and clubs, and there was always someone who could knock out a tune to entertain whoever wanted to listen. Then came recorded and broadcast music. Pianos were destroyed in their thousands. They are now mainly just for enthusiasts who appreciate them for what they are, not as a means of general entertainment. If there is a piano in a home, pub or club it is probably digital, not 'real' (or in my case, one of each ). Piano tuners are rare, there is only one 3-yr course in the UK. But pianos, pianists and piano tuners are still around, they are now just a specialist minority and no longer part of mass culture.

Steve

Always had excellent service from SRS and have purchased the majority of my Pentax kit from them, a sad loss to all us Pentaxians

I looked on their website a week or so ago and did notice they didn't have any Pentax in stock whatsoever.

Just seen this.

It is dark, dark day indeed.

Heartfelt sympathies to all at SRS.