Best Film and Camera dealers in the US?

DavidH

DavidH

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I finally move to the US on Thursday and was hoping for the benefit of some of your experience in supplies and suppliers...

I can get my favourite Tetenal color chemical kits from B&H but what about film stock (Fuji and Ilford) and other generic processing bits and pieces? The UK is well served by outfits like Firstcall, Silverprint, RK and 7dayshop...but I'm at a loss when it comes to the key players in the USA...

...luckily, I don't need any more cameras... ;)

I know some of this info is scattered about in various threads but I was hoping to get a short, up-to-date list of some names. I'm bringing some 30 rolls of film that need immediate processing and am off on an extended shoot in South Africa in a couple of weeks so need to restock. And I'm leaving most of my processing gear here in the UK in storage.

(I've bought a house in Orlando - am opening a US branch of our production company there...which is a great move...I get paid in dollars and the last few years have seen me crucified on the exchange rate...)
 
Two places in Orlando you should be aware of:

1st, Orlando Camera Exchange on Fairbanks in Winter Park just a few blocks off I-4. Strictly used gear, nothing new. Good selection and great owner (Greg). Actually a pretty good Leica selection. Plus an excellent camera repair man (Michael). Does not do internet sales and does not take credit cards. Also prices vary as to customer's attitude.

2nd is Colonial Photo & Hobby, corner H/W 50 & H/W 17-92 a/k/a corner Mills & Colonial. Full line pro camera shop with competitive camera & lens prices but high on film.

I'd have to say that KEH is the best place in the U.S. to buy hardware but I like the price of used equipment.

B&H is the place to buy film and those little things that no one else has used.
 
I live in VT and get nearly all my supplies from B&H. They ship fast- their cheap/slow UPS gets here in 2 days, and they nearly always have everything when I want it (been waiting on some filters that were backordered presently). Top that off with consistently great pricing and ease of return should the need arise.
 
Thanks guys - B&H it is then for the accessories. And thanks Bob for the local dealer tips - will go visit them when I'm sorted.
 
Freestyle. Every time I return to LA I make a stop...they carry almost every conceivable film, paper, and chem...not only that but that have printed samples of every paper on the walls.

Too bad they don't ship overseas, though...I only visit home maybe once a year :(
 
I have always been a big fan of Adorama. They have a top notch lab for prints as well and reasonably priced.
 
There is absolutely no question in my mind: B+H. Best prices on films and utterly reliable.

I use Adorama, too, but there are several quirks that make it more difficult.
Cann't rely on their used equipment grades, they say they have stuff on stock but then they don't, etc.

Roland.
 
BrianPhotog said:
Freestyle. Every time I return to LA I make a stop...they carry almost every conceivable film, paper, and chem...not only that but that have printed samples of every paper on the walls.

Too bad they don't ship overseas, though...I only visit home maybe once a year :(
Click to expand...
:confused:

What? I've ordered from Freestyle several times with no problem. Shipping is expensive, last time I paid $70 freight for $200 worth of goods but it's still cheaper and, most important, a bigger selection than to be found here in Norway!
 
ferider said:
...I use Adorama, too, but there are several quirks that make it more difficult.
Cann't rely on their used equipment grades, they say they have stuff on stock but then they don't, etc.

Roland.
Click to expand...

Same goes for my experience with Adorama-
 
I've ordered from freestylephoto.biz, calumetphoto.com, samys.com, bhphotovideo.com, keh.com, bostick-sullivan.com, and inkjetart.com for many different things from leica bodies to palladium printing kits.

Kevin from Bostick&Sullivan is extremely helpful for any questions you may have. Only problem i've ever encountered was with calumet shipping. I ordered USPS 2-day on a holga with some film and it never came. I called to complain and my cust serv rep was a complete asshole to me. Otherwise, they have all been quick to ship and very reliable. Also on a side note, Freestyle is probably the only shop around that takes returns on any of their products, which is pretty amazing.

Good luck!
 
There is a photo store here in Salt Lake City, Utah that does online sales.
www.pictureline.com
They are a great store with great people. They sell Leica MP, M7 and M8 and have a great selection of film and accessories.
Brian
 
I use Freestyle & B&H for 120, Megaperls for Acros 135 bulk and may use them for Acros 4x5 sheets in the future, and Badger for domestic supplier of Acros in loose 4x5 sheets.

I purchase used camera gear from KEH, eBay, LFf, and my own crew of ne'er-do-wells.
 
Dick we live in a price sensitive world and the internet has changed everything. The only one of the three I have personally dealt with was Don Chatterton, and I found him seemingly always irritable and inflexible on price. I am sorry he is out of business but he is in the same business as Tony Rose and Tony does OK. I run a tiny business myself and I have to constantly re-invent myself to stay competitive. Also being pleasant and constantly exceeding service expectations really works if you are supplying goods/services and that is increasingly true when a customer can now so easily find an alternative supplier.
 
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