Let's Hear it for Local Camera Stores!!!!

[squeaky_clean]

My local camera store used to be great. There was an oldel gentleman who would let me come in and ask all kinds of questions, play with anything I liked... And who would actually deal with. Their prices have always been high... Not just a little, but this gentleman would work with me. Bought my first camera from him.

Now, however, it seems that they have changed ownership or something. Almost everyone who works there is unfriendly and rude. There prices are higher then ever, and they won't deal. Period. I w looked at buying my Canon 50 1.8 mk II from them... Yeah, they wanted $130. I got it brand new off evil bay for $80. Hard to pay that much more.... I pretty mcuh avoid the place.

On the other hand, the used camera store that is next door is awesome. All the guys that work there are great, will answer any kinds of questions... I sat in there one day playing with lenses for over an hour, just trying to get an idea of what I wanted.

So that's my 2 cents.

 

[dmr]

Unfortunately, it sounds as if everywhere the small "mom and pop" shops are being killed off by big-box chain retailers.

While its true that prices are usually lower at the big boxes, they are in many ways so soulless and depressing to shop at.

Well, as sad as it is, people shop for price. The old cliche' "The bottom line is the bottom line."

Kind of ironic, a thread on another network quite a while back was griping about some of the legacy camera shops (Willoughby's, Spiratone, etc.) being run out of business by places like B&H and Adorama undercutting them.

But last night, walking home from work (ah, the joys of living in NYC)

Hmmmm ... I though you were upstate. 🙂 (Up river, at least.) 🙂

 

[ChrisPlatt]

It's one block from my place to the LIRR station here,
then one block from Penn Station to B&H.

I guess that makes B&H my local camera store! 🙂

"Excelsior, you fathead!"
-Chris-

 

[ch1]

.....Hmmmm ... I though you were upstate. 🙂 (Up river, at least.) 🙂

Divide my time b/w NYC (weekdays) and upstate (weekends) except when we are out in Tucson (not often enough!). 🙂

 

[Byuphoto]

I am fortunate to have a professional/ Wedding studio photographer that also runs a lab. he does his stuff so he knows what he is doing. Robinson's Photography, they will develop only my 35 and 120 color and will print to 40x60 for me and give me the pro rates.
I also do alot of business with Dee's photo. they have been in the same location for 60 years and have recently opened two new locations. they have an onsite lab and a rentable darkroom. They also rent all photo equipment. Henry is a second generation owner and very knowledgeable photographer. Unfortunately it is 126 mile away but I do go about once a month to the VA hospital there and they pay my milage so I get to visit for free.
www.deesphoto.com

 

[TEZillman]

Living in the suburbs of Chicago one has a pick of "local" camera stores to choose from. There are six within a 15 minute drive of my office, so I can go browsing on my lunch hour. PJs Photo in Glen Ellyn is probably my favorite. La Grange Camera and The Photographic Depot in La Grange are both good choices. Helix Photo and Lincoln Photo in Lombard are worth stopping at once in a while and there's a small chain called Holiday Camera with stores in Geneva, Oak Park and a couple other places that are also fun to browse in. There are three or four shops in the area that have closed in the past five or ten years, but overall those of us in the 'burbs are pretty much in hog heaven. Then there's downtown Chicago ...

 

[doubs43]

Hey Rob and Walker! If you make it to Wing's on April fool's day we ought to meet for a few minutes. We could at least swap stories about the great deals we're gonna get! Wing's is about a mile from my house---hard to stay away from... Paul

Paul, that would be nice. I'll be the old man with the old Leica hanging around his neck. Won't know which model until that day! 🙂

Walker

 

[Rob]

Paulbe, Doubs43...I might make it there but I would have to borrow a rangefinder to hang around my neck, I am out of them as they have gone to the folks in RFF lately.
Wings is 15 minutes from me. If you guys have stuff to sell, I think the tables are reasonable to rent. Bring cameras you want checked out as Alan(or his son) from Peachtree camera should be there to give a free checkup....

 

[aad]

Iris Photo in Northampton, Massachusetts, where you can get E6-in MF or 35-developed in 3 hours. Or traditional B+W, in 2. Of course, there's Dark Horse one town over that specializes in B+W, but will do E6 same day.

 

[Trius]

Bob: What is the name of the shop in Elmira? Not that I go to Elmira, but hey, it would be a good excuse for a road trip. 😀

Currently I don't purchase much, but here in Rochester we have several independents. Hahn Graphic is the one I like the most, Rowe is not bad but has gone digital and audio/video, and Wright Images, which has had a decent used/consignment section. Hahn has the most knowledgeable staff, IMO.

 

[RJBender]

CREVE COEUR CAMERA and SCHILLER'S
City Photo, St. Louis Photo and Jefferson Camera are no longer in business.

R.J.

 

[unohuu]

Local Camera Stores

Local Camera Stores

National Camera Exchange has a franchise here. One in Golden Valley where I live, one in Minneapolis where I work. Others around the Twin Cities where I shop. <a http://www.natcam.com There is also West Photo where I buy other things. Umbrellas, etc. There is no Minolta equipment here, apart from light meters. http://www.westphoto.com

I am lucky, although I have seen the demise of Custom Camera Repair and a couole of other small camera shops. Fortunately I can buy film, lenses, used gear, and accessories at both of the shops listed above. The staff are knowledgeable. I took a work colleague to WestPhoto last week. She bought her spouse a D70s and rare 18-200mm VR Nikkor for his birthday. It was a blast watching someone spend that kind of money for new equipment.

Luke

 

[Paulbe]

Rob---doesn't matter what kind of camera you have---or don't have. And Walker--I'll be older!!
As the date gets closer maybe we can arrange a time to meet--unfortunately that's the ONLY corner in Atlanta without a Starbucks but there's one not too far away...looking forward to it!
Paul

 

[kevino]

Raleigh - Durham

Raleigh - Durham

I live in the Raleigh/Durham area of NC. We're forutunate enough to have a few Independent Camera Stores that sell everything from digital to Holga and everything in between.

Camera Works on Carver Street in Durham was mentioned in a previous post. I've done a lot of business with them over the past several years. As a matter of fact I just picked up a sweet Canonet QL 17 GIII from them when I dropped my Bessa R off for repair. It's a great little independent shop.

Peace Camera is in downtown Raleigh. Good shop as well.

Southeastern Camera has 2 locations that I know of in the Triangle - Cary and Raleigh, and also one location in Wilmington.

We have more than our share of Ritz Camera as well. One in every mall and strip plaza.

The local shops seem to be doing OK though. They do plenty of digital business and also sell, service and repair film cameras. They're also well stocked in the darkroom supply departments as well. I hope they can all hold on and stay in business - they are all great folks to deal with.