Chicago Camera Store? Spending a few days in Chicago, in the Lombard area. It would be fun to visit a good photo store. I see Helix Photo is nearby. Does anybody have experience with...

DStone Loc: Outside Winston-Salem, NC

Spending a few days in Chicago, in the Lombard area. It would be fun to visit a good photo store. I see Helix Photo is nearby. Does anybody have experience with it, or are there other recommended shops?

Thanks for any advice.

BebuLamar

PJ camera in Glen Ellyn (which is next town to Lombard) is a decent small shop. Helix is a good store. I think they only have the store in Chicago now. They closed the one in Oak Brook. I bought from them in the 70's and early 80's

rjaywallace Loc: Wisconsin

I lived in the western suburbs of Chicago for more than 12 years. One great store is PJ's Camera and Photo, 662 Roosevelt Rd, Pickwick Place Plaza in Glen Ellyn, IL. Large store located on the west end of the plaza, store frontage and entry are *not* visible from Roosevelt Road. Family owned. Great customer service. Highly recommended.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

The other's beat me to PJ's, worth a stop for someplace physical.

jlsphoto Loc: Chcago SubBurbs

Helix in Itasca https://www.helixcamera.com/

Procam in Aurora http://procam.com/locations

Only 2 real photo stores in the Suburbs.

If you get downtown to the loop go see Central Camera http://centralcamera.com/

All very good Camera Stores.

BebuLamar

jlsphoto wrote:

Helix in Itasca https://www.helixcamera.com/

Procam in Aurora http://procam.com/locations

Only 2 real photo stores in the Suburbs.

If you get downtown to the loop go see Central Camera http://centralcamera.com/

All very good Camera Stores.

Oh Procam is now at the same location that used to be Lion Photo. Wolf camera bought out Lion Photo long time ago. I assume they close now but I am glad there is Procam in the place. I lived in Aurora for 37 years.

DStone Loc: Outside Winston-Salem, NC

Thanks, all. I'll tell the store you sent me.

Mary Kate Loc: NYC

DStone wrote:

Spending a few days in Chicago, in the Lombard area. It would be fun to visit a good photo store. I see Helix Photo is nearby. Does anybody have experience with it, or are there other recommended shops?

Thanks for any advice.

Bring a bullet resistant vest and hope for the best.

spcherub

If you are into Leica equipment, you can visit Tamarkin at 300 West Superior Street, Suite 202
Chicago, Illinois 60654

Satman Loc: Indy

Have the product shipped to your home and save the sales tax,,

hankm1 Loc: Mount Prospect IL

Mary Kate wrote:

Bring a bullet resistant vest and hope for the best.

But leave your narrow mindedness at home . . . .

rjaywallace Loc: Wisconsin

Mary Kate wrote:

Bring a bullet resistant vest and hope for the best.

Mary Kate - that is a pretty sucky comment about an area with which you are not personally familiar, especially coming from dirty, smelly, gang-ridden, crime-ridden NYC. I've lived in both areas and I'll take metro Chicago anytime over NY.

Satman Loc: Indy

There are good areas in every town,

I enjoyed the old SouthSide of Chicago, but I still walked the street side of the sidewalk..in the early 6Os, love the Loop and 25 cents got you on the L, go anywhere you liked..

...Miggs Field, was a great place to spend the day,

In Chicago, it is a fast walk, in NYC it is a fast run..

BobHartung Loc: Bettendorf, IA

DStone wrote:

Spending a few days in Chicago, in the Lombard area. It would be fun to visit a good photo store. I see Helix Photo is nearby. Does anybody have experience with it, or are there other recommended shops?

Thanks for any advice.

IMHO Helix is just a shell of it's former self. Last time there I was not impressed. Central Camera is downtown, but they have a real snob factor as they sell Leica and want you to know it.

BobHartung Loc: Bettendorf, IA

Satman wrote:

There are good areas in every town,

I enjoyed the old SouthSide of Chicago, but I still walked the street side of the sidewalk..in the early 6Os, love the Loop and 25 cents got you on the L, go anywhere you liked..

...Miggs Field, was a great place to spend the day,

In Chicago, it is a fast walk, in NYC it is a fast run..

Meigs Field closed on March 31, 2003.