The vanishing local photography store: If you're in Chicago and wish/need to shop for photo gear (new and used), consider Central Camera, Chicago's oldest camera shop. Friendly...

JPetrie Loc: Chicago

If you're in Chicago and wish/need to shop for photo gear (new and used), consider Central Camera, Chicago's oldest camera shop. Friendly service, family-owned and fun to wander through. 230 S. Wabash, under the el tracks.

rjaywallace Loc: Wisconsin

Worked about a block south of this great shop and bought there for more than 16 years. Good people.

Dick Z. Loc: Downers Grove IL

JPetrie wrote:

If you're in Chicago and wish/need to shop for photo gear (new and used), consider Central Camera, Chicago's oldest camera shop. Friendly service, family-owned and fun to wander through. 230 S. Wabash, under the el tracks.

Great store. I bought lots or photo stuff there and even traded a lens for a twin lens reflex camera. Purchased my first Nikon F2s SLR there way back in 1974. Still have it and it still works. Yes, great camera shop. If your in the area give it a look. :) :) :) :) :)

Mojoni Loc: Eastern Tennessee

Friends used to drag me out to get me out of there 😄😄😄

walterh Loc: Seaford LI, NY

Thats a good thing to do. I try to purchase from my local stores. On Long Island NY Berger Bros in Amityville along with Cameta Camera are really good places to shop, knowledgeable staff and competitive prices.

cucharared Loc: Texas, Colorado

I've found a couple of nice camera stores. In Garland (Texas) there's Garland Camera Shop - been there forever. Nice folks. Family owned.

In Colorado Springs I chanced across Mike's Camera. This is a REALLY good store with knowledgeable folk behind the counter and scads of goodies on racks and in the cases behind the counter. If you're ever in CS it's worth a look-see.

Also in Colorado Springs is CameraWorks. They deal in a lot of used stuff and always seem to have a good selection of lenses, along with camera bags, tripods, etc. Again, worth the look-see.

ron

Hammer Loc: London UK

JPetrie wrote:

If you're in Chicago and wish/need to shop for photo gear (new and used), consider Central Camera, Chicago's oldest camera shop. Friendly service, family-owned and fun to wander through. 230 S. Wabash, under the el tracks.

Its really sad that shops like this are getting rare. In the UK they are very rare, although there are some chains that still exist but these do not give the service that the smaller shop can give.

The demise of these shops may contributing to the surge in the use of phones for photos rather than DSLR etc. Just came back from holiday where we were touring as part of a group. Lots of people had cameras and did not even know that their SD cards fill up! Loads problems that would have been solved if bought from a real shop, what salesperson would let them leave without spare cards! The diopters on viewfinders caused problems, now I know why cameras are sold without viewfinders. Please don't think that I am belittling these people, its just that they have bought a box of the net and not a camera with service .

guitarbts Loc: Charlotte, NC

We have Biggs Camera in Charlotte,NC. Great place! :thumbup:

DavidPine Loc: Fredericksburg, TX

We are really lucky to have Precision Camera in Austin. They have a very large inventory, great camera repair department, printing department and a fantastic learning center. All the employees are helpful and knowledgeable. It's a great meeting place for the APPA.

Grnway Loc: Manchester, NH

There's no substitute for personal, and knowledgeable, service! While I do buy from B&H photo, I also make a point of buying from Hunt photo. The folks down there know me and I'll buy from them even if I know B&H has it for a little less.

lukan Loc: Chicago, IL

Central Camera is iconic. The sales staff is very knowledgeable and nice, and their pricing is competitive. They are a great asset to the photographic world.

Collie lover Loc: St. Louis, MO

I also prefer to purchase locally. I purchased my camera from Creve Coeur Camera. They have several stores through the St. Louis area. I also buy photography related items from Schiller's. They only have one store.

TXYank Loc: Granbury, TX

In northern Texas, I am lucky enough to have two local camera stores nearby. The closer of the two is Fort Worth Camera and, for a longer drive, Arlington Camera. Have bought from both stores. Great service and knowledgeable people.

Leitz Loc: Solms

JPetrie wrote:

If you're in Chicago and wish/need to shop for photo gear (new and used), consider Central Camera, Chicago's oldest camera shop. Friendly service, family-owned and fun to wander through. 230 S. Wabash, under the el tracks.

What's vanishing about it??

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

JPetrie wrote:

If you're in Chicago and wish/need to shop for photo gear (new and used), consider Central Camera, Chicago's oldest camera shop. Friendly service, family-owned and fun to wander through. 230 S. Wabash, under the el tracks.

I don't live there, but every year my wife runs the Chicago Marathon. I always drop in. It is (physically) a small shop, but they pack in the product. They always seem to have everything on their shelves. Even the most unusual things you can think of. Great little store.

Here in Philadelphia, you have to drive out of town to find a good store. Allen's Camera in Levittown is a great place!