Camera Store in Chicago
Apr 7, 2014 07:28:02 #
Hope this is in the right section. With the closing of Calumet recently, is there anyone who can tell me if there are any good camera stores in Chicago left besides Central Camera? Thanks in advance.
Apr 7, 2014 07:43:02 #
Sadly, camera stores are experiencing the same problems the big electronics stores are. Customers coming in, picking their brains, trying the "feel" of cameras, and then going out onto the internet to see what prices are available. I feel so bad for the small merchant today.
Apr 7, 2014 07:48:50 #
thats what i'm seeing. we've lost pretty much all our stores here. it is sad that they were not able to compete. but think about it. you can go to amazon, get what you want, no delivery charge not tax and it shows up 2 days later. i used to love browsing in the old family owned camera and hardware stores. best Buy and Home Depot don't cut it anymore. thanks for your response.
Apr 8, 2014 07:39:59 #
shpyle
Loc: South Central Kentucky
Try Central Camera at 230 South Wabash in the Loop. They've been around for years.
http://centralcamera.com/
http://centralcamera.com/
Apr 8, 2014 07:44:08 #
insman1132 wrote:
Sadly, camera stores are experiencing the same problems the big electronics stores are. Customers coming in, picking their brains, trying the "feel" of cameras, and then going out onto the internet to see what prices are available. I feel so bad for the small merchant today.
I don't know camera stores in the Chicago area. But, I purposely purchased my camera from the local camera store even though I paid a little more. I figure that the extra cost was compensated for the information and having someone to discuss options with.
Good luck with your search.
Apr 8, 2014 08:40:03 #
There is one other camera store in Chicago.
Dodd Camera
http://www.doddpro.com/
They have a parking lot too.
Dodd Camera
http://www.doddpro.com/
They have a parking lot too.
Apr 8, 2014 09:01:40 #
GeneinChi wrote:
Hope this is in the right section. With the closing of Calumet recently, is there anyone who can tell me if there are any good camera stores in Chicago left besides Central Camera? Thanks in advance.
No... There used to be a very good one untill the employees got greedy. The name was Altmans Camera.
:cry: :cry: :cry:
Apr 8, 2014 09:54:22 #
Dick Z. wrote:
No... There used to be a very good one untill the employees got greedy. The name was Altmans Camera.
:cry: :cry: :cry:
:cry: :cry: :cry:
Yes there is, see my response above yours
Apr 8, 2014 10:00:31 #
shpyle wrote:
Try Central Camera at 230 South Wabash in the Loop. They've been around for years.
http://centralcamera.com/
http://centralcamera.com/
Went there while in Chicago last year. An interesting, packed to the gills, quirky store. I liked it. I was looking for the recently released Sigma 18-35, which they did not have (but then no one else could get it then either) I got from Amazon after I went home.
Apr 8, 2014 10:27:32 #
shpyle wrote:
Try Central Camera at 230 South Wabash in the Loop. They've been around for years.
http://centralcamera.com/
http://centralcamera.com/
I bought my first Nikon there A Nikon F2S back in 1974. I also Traded a lens for a Ceroflex 2 1/4 twin lens reflex camera. :P :P :P
Apr 8, 2014 12:59:26 #
3 and 1/2 hours south of Chicago in Muncie, Indiana is a very nice Camera Shop (Jacks camera shop). Mom and pop store and very nice wonderful people who help you and are very informative. Jacks Camera Shop......
http://jackscamera.com
http://jackscamera.com
Apr 8, 2014 13:21:06 #
GeneinChi wrote:
Hope this is in the right section. With the closing of Calumet recently, is there anyone who can tell me if there are any good camera stores in Chicago left besides Central Camera? Thanks in advance.
Bill Skinner was the manager of the Calumet store on Cherry St in Chicago. He's attempting to put together an investment group to open at least a couple of stores with inventory from Calumet.
Also, if you're willing to drive out to Glen Ellyn, there's a very good store called PJ's Camera on Roosevelt Road. It's got a nice "Mom and Pop" feel to it, but they carry a good inventory and they know their stuff.
I miss Calumet a lot, especially for their rental program.
Good luck!
Apr 8, 2014 13:32:29 #
lukan
Loc: Chicago, IL
GeneinChi wrote:
Hope this is in the right section. With the closing of Calumet recently, is there anyone who can tell me if there are any good camera stores in Chicago left besides Central Camera? Thanks in advance.
Hi Gene, YES there is a good camera store in Chicago, in Bucktown on Armitage (2840 West) named Dodd Camera. They're excellent to deal with, especially Nathan, the young store manager who is very knowledgeable and works long hours. They'll soon have EVERYTHING, but they already have a lot.
Central Camera has been around since 1899, but their inventory is a tad limited. They have great expertise in Nikon, Canon, Fuji, Pentax and Leica.
Dodd's is here to stay as well, since they'll soon have everything in stock that they don't currently have. Give 'em a try! :thumbup: :thumbup:
Apr 8, 2014 14:58:15 #
mikedent
Loc: Florida
Used to visit Central and Altman's with my Dad many years ago as I grew up in Chicago. Mom bravely tagged along, we both wanted to leave as soon as possible. I wish I could visit them again now! Don't have any real need to go back there.
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