I was thinking of making a trip to NYC in order to browse through the studio lighting equipment at the B&H Photo store. But I would rather spend the time in Europe instead. Does anyone know of a store anywhere in Europe with a large selection of studio lighting gear? In particular, I am interested in looking at Hensel gear. What would be the best store for that?

thanks

Robert White, in Dorset, has some, as I recall, though since I've never bought any, I can't tell you how extensive it is. Give them a call (www.robertwhite.co.uk) before visiting.

You could also speak to Teamwork, in London (www.teamworkphoto.com).

Instead of just visiting stores you might want to actually visit the manufacturers. For instance actually go to Hensel. I am sure they and others would welcome you.

Maybe that is what I will have to do, as Europe does not seem to have any type of photography "superstore" akin to B&H Photo in the U.S., at least as far as I can tell.

Some years back when Jessops was a serious camera shop as opposed to a cheesy chain, their single shop in Leicester UK [pronounced Lester BTW],was the place to go to see all the kit. Not sure if they still have that store or if it stocks the same wide range of kit.

In Madrid you can try Fotocasion (http://www.fotocasion.es/). In spite of its name, most of the equipment they sell is brand new. It is in the area of El Rastro, a tipical flea market in the heart of the city.

The advantage of Madrid is that if you cannot find what you were looking for, you can always enjoy the nighlife.

Manuel

There are some stores that carry a lot of lighting, but I really think the best way to see light stuff, is go to a big fashion studio that has most everything. For example on any given day at LEStudio the have their own Broncolor, Prophoto, and Balcar, lots of hot lights, Kino etc,and photographers come in with just about everything else that exists. I went to B&H and although it's nice to see some of the stuff that I don't have it doesn't look like there is much to learn from what they had on display.

'Yurp' is a big place. Any country in particular? There is also some water between the UK and the rest, making travelling inconvenient

If you can make fast decisions, go to the trade show 'Focus on Imaging 2008' in Birmingham / Great Britain, Feb 24 - Feb 27, 2008 or wait and go to the Photokina in Germany in September, that will be quite a big store to browse.
http://www.hensel-studiotechnik.de/english/index.html

Calumet (from Chicago) is in Hamburg, Berlin and Munich, but they don't seem to carry Hensel.

Angela