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Calling all Hogs: what is your best/ favorite LOCAL camera store?
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Mar 26, 2014 12:18:42   #
LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field
 
rdgreenwood wrote:
Clearly, I'm lucky! I have two stores within reasonable travel distance. Allen's Camera in Levittown is about an hour away from me, but they have "one of each," so it's worth the drive. Their store front is a letdown, but once you're through the door you feel like Alice, newly arrived in Wonderland.

Closer to me and well supplied is Bryn Mawr Camera Shop. The staff are incredibly knowledgeable and eager to help. Their prices run on the high side, but they back what they sell and are loyal to their customers.

We have quite a few other stores in the area, but the above two are the only ones I'd send a new photographer to. One aside: I urge people to buy from their local stores, because the personal attention can't be matched by an online retailer; and when you're about to go on vacation or to a shoot you've been drooling over for years, "1-800" doesn't cut it.
Clearly, I'm lucky! I have two stores within reas... (show quote)


Ditto. Unfortunately, I'm within walking distance from ProPhoto in Portland....

;-)

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Mar 26, 2014 12:24:47   #
gatega1958
 
Although it is fifty miles away, National Camera Exchange in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area is excellent. From printing to camera equipment they are knowledgable, and customer friendly. I hope they can hang on in a world of cyber sales.

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Mar 26, 2014 12:25:20   #
gessman Loc: Colorado
 
We've gone from a store on every corner to just a few. We even had a couple of wholesale stores where I bought large and medium format supplies, plus several pro labs in and around Denver but all that has dwindled to about ten stores, one with multiple locations, Mike's, a few labs, a few used stores, and a couple of repair places. We do have Slideprinter that focuses on processing slide film and printing from slides. All this is available at yellowpages.com.

I went into Mike's on Colorado Blvd yesterday to get some batteries for my handheld meter and was pleasantly surprised to see about 20 people in there at about 3:30 pm, a good sign. I had to wait in line to pay. Denver was a hub for photo activity in the days of film but is a mere shell today. We aren't disadvantaged here for availability but it's not quite as convenient as it once was.

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Mar 26, 2014 12:25:24   #
dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia
 
rdgreenwood wrote:
Clearly, I'm lucky! I have two stores within reasonable travel distance. Allen's Camera in Levittown is about an hour away from me, but they have "one of each," so it's worth the drive. Their store front is a letdown, but once you're through the door you feel like Alice, newly arrived in Wonderland.

Closer to me and well supplied is Bryn Mawr Camera Shop. The staff are incredibly knowledgeable and eager to help. Their prices run on the high side, but they back what they sell and are loyal to their customers.

We have quite a few other stores in the area, but the above two are the only ones I'd send a new photographer to. One aside: I urge people to buy from their local stores, because the personal attention can't be matched by an online retailer; and when you're about to go on vacation or to a shoot you've been drooling over for years, "1-800" doesn't cut it.
Clearly, I'm lucky! I have two stores within reas... (show quote)


I will need to check Allen's out now that Calumet is closed.

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Mar 26, 2014 12:31:10   #
stephena Loc: Carmel, Indiana
 
Robert's in Indianapolis and their branch store in Carmel, Indiana.

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Mar 26, 2014 12:46:43   #
DebAnn Loc: Toronto
 
In Toronto we have Henry's which has several locations. Extremely well stocked and knowledgeable staff. We also have two locations of Vistek which caters to real pros as well as amateurs. They are also very well stocked and know what they're talking about. There are some others where you can buy top equipment but that don't have as well-informed staff.
lukan wrote:
I have two decent camera stores in Chicago (a metropolitan area of over 7 million people), that are still open. Helix and Calumet are gone, as is Shutan. Ritz ans Wolf have combined and there are very few, and carry only Canon, Nikon, Olympus, a few Fujifilm point and shoots, and a few Pentax.
The only two are Central Camera and Dodd Camera. Phototronics is extremely sparsely stocked, and are strictly Nikon keeners. I'm interested in hearing what you all have locally that keeps their doors open, as opposed to B&H, Adorama, etc.; btw, nothing wrong with the latter, just asking about the LOCAL brick and mortar, and your opinions.
I have two decent camera stores in Chicago (a metr... (show quote)

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Mar 26, 2014 12:47:33   #
lovesnature
 
Bedford's camera and video is great in Little Rock, Arkansas. They educate their customers about the products and they offer wonderful classes about photography :)!

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Mar 26, 2014 12:55:52   #
John Howard Loc: SW Florida and Blue Ridge Mountains of NC.
 
All closed. Extinct. Online is all I have within a two hour drive. May be a business opportunity. Create a store with expertise and access to full product range. The opposite of Best Buy which is all there is. Oh, I forgot Walgreens.

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Mar 26, 2014 12:57:30   #
msettanni
 
dsmeltz wrote:
I will need to check Allen's out now that Calumet is closed.


If you're not already familiar with it, also check out The Camera Shop in Bryn Mawr. They're very well-stocked (from Leica to Pro Master) and whatever they don't have they'll happily order. Great staff, friendly and knowledgeable, who support what they sell.

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Mar 26, 2014 13:02:09   #
dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia
 
msettanni wrote:
If you're not already familiar with it, also check out The Camera Shop in Bryn Mawr. They're very well-stocked (from Leica to Pro Master) and whatever they don't have they'll happily order. Great staff, friendly and knowledgeable, who support what they sell.


I bought a used 70-300 from them years ago. I don't get out that way much unless I want Persian food from the Mediterranean Grill or Pizza from Crust (both a little past the movie theater).

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Mar 26, 2014 13:04:18   #
krajeski Loc: Connecticut
 
In Connecticut we are fortunate to have Milford Photo. They stock a large variety of equipment. Their staff is friendly and knowledgeable. Classes and photo processing are also offered. They also have a frame shop. They have spent a lot of time with me helping me to choose equipment.

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Mar 26, 2014 13:06:25   #
ExTech2
 
lukan wrote:
I have two decent camera stores in Chicago (a metropolitan area of over 7 million people), that are still open. Helix and Calumet are gone, as is Shutan. Ritz ans Wolf have combined and there are very few, and carry only Canon, Nikon, Olympus, a few Fujifilm point and shoots, and a few Pentax.
The only two are Central Camera and Dodd Camera. Phototronics is extremely sparsely stocked, and are strictly Nikon keeners. I'm interested in hearing what you all have locally that keeps their doors open, as opposed to B&H, Adorama, etc.; btw, nothing wrong with the latter, just asking about the LOCAL brick and mortar, and your opinions.
I have two decent camera stores in Chicago (a metr... (show quote)


Schillers in St. Louis is by far the best camera store in our area. Extremely knowledgeable and customer oriented. Although I live 60 miles away, I still manage to get t the store a couple of times a year. My spouse thinks they are great too.

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Mar 26, 2014 13:38:44   #
TomballLegend Loc: Tomball, Texas
 
lukan wrote:
I have two decent camera stores in Chicago (a metropolitan area of over 7 million people), that are still open. Helix and Calumet are gone, as is Shutan. Ritz ans Wolf have combined and there are very few, and carry only Canon, Nikon, Olympus, a few Fujifilm point and shoots, and a few Pentax.
The only two are Central Camera and Dodd Camera. Phototronics is extremely sparsely stocked, and are strictly Nikon keeners. I'm interested in hearing what you all have locally that keeps their doors open, as opposed to B&H, Adorama, etc.; btw, nothing wrong with the latter, just asking about the LOCAL brick and mortar, and your opinions.
I have two decent camera stores in Chicago (a metr... (show quote)


HOUSTON CAMERA EXCHANGE.

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Mar 26, 2014 13:47:45   #
Screamin Scott Loc: Marshfield Wi, Baltimore Md, now Dallas Ga
 
Atlanta really only has one (Showcase), but they are over on the other side of town from me & I'm 35 miles Northwest of Atlanta.... Keh is closer but has no showroom, online or over the phone only.... Now I can pick up or return things to them...They are about 25 miles away...

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Mar 26, 2014 13:54:21   #
nealabello Loc: SB Wine Country
 
lukan wrote:
I have two decent camera stores in Chicago (a metropolitan area of over 7 million people), that are still open. Helix and Calumet are gone, as is Shutan. Ritz ans Wolf have combined and there are very few, and carry only Canon, Nikon, Olympus, a few Fujifilm point and shoots, and a few Pentax.
The only two are Central Camera and Dodd Camera. Phototronics is extremely sparsely stocked, and are strictly Nikon keeners. I'm interested in hearing what you all have locally that keeps their doors open, as opposed to B&H, Adorama, etc.; btw, nothing wrong with the latter, just asking about the LOCAL brick and mortar, and your opinions.
I have two decent camera stores in Chicago (a metr... (show quote)


SAMY'S in our neck of the woods.

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