Camera stores in Chicago area?? We plan to visit in the next few weeks our children in Naperville,Il, near Chicago. They are thinking of buying a DSLR; can anyone suggest shops in that...

GeorgeH Loc: Jonesboro, GA

We plan to visit in the next few weeks our children in Naperville,Il, near Chicago. They are thinking of buying a DSLR; can anyone suggest shops in that area which carry a good selection of DSLRs, Pentax, Sony, etc, in addition to Canon and Nikon. I think their best shopping strategy is to handle the various makes; I will of course be on hand to extol the virtues of my Mighty Pentax K 5. :lol:

I really don't want them hitting Best Buy or other big box stores which usually have uninformed personnel!

threedeers Loc: Northern Illinois

Near the Fox Valley Mall at Rt 59 & Rt 43. Just bought a lens there and was very satisfied with price and service.

http://procam.com

Leitz Loc: Solms

GeorgeH wrote:

We plan to visit in the next few weeks our childre... (show quote)

Since your children live close, you might ask them.

GeorgeH Loc: Jonesboro, GA

Leitz wrote:

Since your children live close, you might ask them.

Well, we're about 700 miles away, actually.

OddJobber Loc: Portland, OR

I think Leitz meant the kids live close to Chicago. :XD:

twindad Loc: SW Michigan, frolicking in the snow.

Calumet Photo is in Oak Brook at Rte 83 and 16th St. Very professional, very knowledgeable. About 20 minutes from Naperville. I recommend them to everyone.
As threedeers said, Procam is very good, too.

rjaywallace Loc: Wisconsin

Central Camera on Wabash Ave in the Loop - close to the Palmer House and near many nice, family-friendly restaurants. Also w/i a few blocks of the Art Institute and Buckingham Fountain. Central Camera is an old-line store with knowledgeable clerks - look them up on line. They don't focus on mail-order business (but can arrange to ship some purchases). Their style is primarily aimed at hands-on sales. Worked nearby for 16+ years and Central was my go-to store.

GeorgeH Loc: Jonesboro, GA

OddJobber wrote:

I think Leitz meant the kids live close to Chicago. :XD:

Sorry, Leitz! My mistake.

Thanks for the suggestions. I've dealt with Calumet by mail for used items, although not recently. An old company.

GeorgeH Loc: Jonesboro, GA

OddJobber wrote:

I think Leitz meant the kids live close to Chicago. :XD:

Sorry, Leitz! My mistake.

Thanks for the suggestions. I've dealt with Calumet by mail for used items, although not recently. An old company.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

If you want to go old school, stop by PJ's Camera and Photo Supply at 662 Roosevelt Rd, Glen Ellyn, IL 60137 that is in the general Naperville area. The reopened Calumet mentioned already also is the same general area.

Frank47 Loc: West coast Florida

threedeers wrote:

Near the Fox Valley Mall at Rt 59 & Rt 43. Just bought a lens there and was very satisfied with price and service.

http://procam.com

Agree. :thumbup:

Darkroom317 Loc: Mishawaka, IN

rjaywallace wrote:

Central Camera on Wabash Ave in the Loop - close to the Palmer House and near many nice, family-friendly restaurants. Also w/i a few blocks of the Art Institute and Buckingham Fountain. Central Camera is an old-line store with knowledgeable clerks - look them up on line. They don't focus on mail-order business (but can arrange to ship some purchases). Their style is primarily aimed at hands-on sales. Worked nearby for 16+ years and Central was my go-to store.

Central Camera is fantastic! I walked out with a wonderful Calumet monorail when I was there earlier this year. Great service and knowledgable staff

Thurm Loc: Chicago

Live in Naperville. Calumet photo in Oakbrook is unfortunately closed. Believe it or not the best buy at Fox Valley Mall has some really informed sales people. That said they only carry Nikon, Cannon, and Sony, and seem to have a real slant toward Sony.

nightowl Loc: Chicago Suburbs

Thurm wrote:

Live in Naperville. Calumet photo in Oakbrook is unfortunately closed. Believe it or not the best buy at Fox Valley Mall has some really informed sales people. That said they only carry Nikon, Cannon, and Sony, and seem to have a real slant toward Sony.

Calumet Photo in Oakbrook is open, I was there on Friday, they reopened almost a year ago. Great staff but closed on Saturdays. PJ's in Glen Ellyn also has a good staff but a limited selection, very small store, showroom room is the size of a three car garage. I haven't been to Procam but have heard good things.

lukan Loc: Chicago, IL

nightowl wrote:

Calumet Photo in Oakbrook is open, I was there on Friday, they reopened almost a year ago. Great staff but closed on Saturdays. PJ's in Glen Ellyn also has a good staff but a limited selection, very small store, showroom room is the size of a three car garage. I haven't been to Procam but have heard good things.

Calumet in Oakbrook is, in fact, open. Their sister store, Wolf Camera, is in Highland Park, which is where I get more than half of my stuff. The other half is spread between Central Camera (downtown) and Dodd Camera (on Armitage in the city). Great places, all! :thumbup: