QotW What is your favorite camera store?

Jim Hully · Oct 8, 2025

Today? That's easy living in the USA, B&H. Great service and great prices.

But can I go back in time? Back to a time when there were dedicated photo stores everywhere. Many full to the brim with new & used cameras, lenses, accessories, etc. I could spend hours in those stores. Growing up the the UK in the '70s & '80s, there was only one store that stood out from the rest, that was Jessops of Leicester.

They would publish a price list that was the size of two legal-size papers. On both sides, printed in the tiniest font, was the price of everything camera related. No images, no advertising, just prices. I would scan that thing and image what I could buy if I had money. When I did have enough money I asked my Dad to drive to the store, we lived in Stoke-on-Trent to buy my first camera. It was 1978 and the store was nothing more than a warehouse with a small sales counter. There were no showrooms or display cabinets, everything was new and you had to know what you wanted. I bough a Yashica FR1 with 50mm f/1.9 lens for 199 pounds. I would return many times over the next few years despite there being plenty of local camera stores.

I'm an old fogey now, and remember those days with great affection.

Mitchell Clark · Oct 8, 2025

gipper51 said:
Mathew Anderson said:

We want to know:

Where is it located and what makes the area special?

Click to expand...

Schillers Camera, St. Louis, Missouri, USA. Special since they've been in business since the late 1800s (seriously)

gipper51 said:

What makes your favorite store stand out?

Click to expand...

These days they stand out because they are the last "real" camera store left in the St. Louis area. Everything else has closed down over the last decade. Creve Coeur Camera was a small local chain that had a pretty awesome main store, but they're gone. Schillers was always the best of the bunch, which is why they are still here. They are always busy when I go in, which is typically a Saturday. It's not a huge store, but but they carry all the major camera brands.

gipper51 said:

Any memorable experiences? Surprising finds? Unique services?

Click to expand...

They offer lots of services beyond gear sales. Print services, including canvas and metal, photo restoration, film developing, audio/video transfers for old media, rental gear, photo classes, they lead workshops and group outings around the local area. Many of the employees have been there 20+ years and they know their stuff.

gipper51 said:

Overall, what keeps you wanting to go back?

Click to expand...

Finding gems in the used gear department is my main attraction these days. They don't list used inventory on their website, so it's always a treasure hunt when you go. Never know what you'll find in those cabinets. I've bought way too many lenses I didn't know I wanted just because...there it was! Finding something cool unexpectedly in good ol' brick-and-mortar store is a feeling online shopping will never replace!

I've bought plenty of new gear from them over the years, most recently my R6II the week it was released. I'll support the local stores when I can!

Old photo snipped from Google, but still looks the same

Putting this on the to-do list for the next time I visit St. Louis. I suspect my sister will be extremely bored, but it seems extremely cool.

Jack Simpson · Oct 8, 2025

..... all the camera stores I worked at in Vancouver, BC. :-D which were, in chronological order: July 1992 > Broadway Camera (my launch pad), WesPro Camera, Dunne and Rundle Cameras (Foto Source) --where, I think, I started to feel comfortable --, Gastown Photo and, lastly, Leo's Camera Supply > mid-March 2020.

my favourite was, probably, Dunne and Rundle because it had a family atmosphere

Me, on my last day at the Granville Street (Dunne&Rundle) location, where they had been since 1929, albeit three locations.

.. and the family atmosphere members

and, the actual family members who owned the company

Cheers,

Jack

--
STREET PHOTOGRAPHY DOCUMENTARY:

(*UPDATED NOV 16th*)MY BLOG.... www.nakedmanonawire.blogspot.com
****MY EMAIL ADDRESS IN IS MY 'VIEW PLAN'****
It's amazing what one can do when one doesn't know what one is doing

Jack Simpson · Oct 8, 2025

BAK said:
Thanks for the tip. I'm considering Smith and Wollensky's near The Strand, so will be in the neighbourhood.

I can second the London Camera Echange, as mentioned by @ahaslett.

As well, when trying to assist folks on various UK photo forums, I would sus out LCE and send links

Cheers,

Jack

BAK said:
BAK

Laowa_Stephen · Oct 8, 2025

[No message]

thayes15 · Oct 8, 2025

All been mentioned but,

Ted's camera stores down here in Melbourne is a franchise, but very helpful and knowledgeable. I stepped into a Ted's store one day not intending to buy anything but they had a Nikon Plena on the shelf. I asked if I could put it on my Zf and try it and they said `sure.' They took it out for me and told me I could go outside and wander around and take some photos with it. I did not leave any I.D. behind or anything of value. They just left me use it. I loved it so much I bought it.

Mainline photographic is a store in Sydney Australia and is great for buying Voightlander lenses. Fully stocked very helpful and prompt service.

And then there is God. B+H photo in NY. I went to NY in 2018 for 10 days and the one souvenir I brought home with me was a B+H shopping bag which now hangs up on my study wall. I know right.... but I assure you all I see a good psychotherapist! lol

gipper51 · Oct 8, 2025

Mitchell Clark said:
gipper51 said:

Mathew Anderson said:

We want to know:

Where is it located and what makes the area special?

Click to expand...

Schillers Camera, St. Louis, Missouri, USA. Special since they've been in business since the late 1800s (seriously)

Mitchell Clark said:

What makes your favorite store stand out?

Click to expand...

These days they stand out because they are the last "real" camera store left in the St. Louis area. Everything else has closed down over the last decade. Creve Coeur Camera was a small local chain that had a pretty awesome main store, but they're gone. Schillers was always the best of the bunch, which is why they are still here. They are always busy when I go in, which is typically a Saturday. It's not a huge store, but but they carry all the major camera brands.

Mitchell Clark said:

Any memorable experiences? Surprising finds? Unique services?

Click to expand...

They offer lots of services beyond gear sales. Print services, including canvas and metal, photo restoration, film developing, audio/video transfers for old media, rental gear, photo classes, they lead workshops and group outings around the local area. Many of the employees have been there 20+ years and they know their stuff.

Mitchell Clark said:

Overall, what keeps you wanting to go back?

Click to expand...

Finding gems in the used gear department is my main attraction these days. They don't list used inventory on their website, so it's always a treasure hunt when you go. Never know what you'll find in those cabinets. I've bought way too many lenses I didn't know I wanted just because...there it was! Finding something cool unexpectedly in good ol' brick-and-mortar store is a feeling online shopping will never replace!

I've bought plenty of new gear from them over the years, most recently my R6II the week it was released. I'll support the local stores when I can!

Old photo snipped from Google, but still looks the same

Click to expand...

Putting this on the to-do list for the next time I visit St. Louis. I suspect my sister will be extremely bored, but it seems extremely cool.

I think you'll enjoy it. Definitely worth the trip. Also, Microcenter is 2 minutes down the road from Schillers. If you consider yourself any level of computer geek and you've never been to one...do oneself a favor

Jack Simpson · Oct 8, 2025

Laowa_Stephen said:
Matthew, Thank you for the topic, it's one of my favorite.

My Judging Criteria:

Inventory Quality & Range (New & Used)

Staff Knowledge & Service (Helpful is more important than a knowledgable)

This is where I shone, usually to my bosses collective chagrin, I would listen to what the customer was looking for and, if we didn't have it or something similar, I would, on occasion, check other shops or let the customer know where to check out. On occasion, the customer would come to thank the store and, once in a while they would purchase something from our shop .. like this customer did .. he came back to purchase a tripod knowing full well the other shop had a great selection of tripods

I snapped the customer and my sales associate ..

Cheers,

Jack

Laowa_Stephen said:
Store Atmosphere & Layout (Inviting, Well Merchandised)

Community Engagement (Classes and Events)

Unique Features / Standout Factors

Overall Vibe

Current favorite is Rockbrook Camera in Omaha, NE. It's a lovely store with a great mix of products and services. Previous #1 was Horn Photo in Fresno, CA but I've not been in since ownership changed.

I will say, if you're a camera store still in business in 2025 you've figured our how to do at least a few things right. But what those things are is different fore every store.

Last month I was in Dallas and went Garland Camera > Competitive Camera > Arlington Camera > Fort Worth Camera > Denton Camera Exchange in a day. Each store is very different, there are some overlaps in offerings, but each store has a unique vibe and variety of offerings.
(It's been a few years since I made it to HCE, hopefully I'll be back through soon)

--
STREET PHOTOGRAPHY DOCUMENTARY:

(*UPDATED NOV 16th*)MY BLOG.... www.nakedmanonawire.blogspot.com
****MY EMAIL ADDRESS IN IS MY 'VIEW PLAN'****
It's amazing what one can do when one doesn't know what one is doing

Jack Simpson · Oct 8, 2025

gustabod said:
Where I live in Tasmania (bottom of the south pacific) not a lot of choice, CameraHouse is a local franchise, otherwise Amazon is your friend. In Melbourne (Australia) Cameralane offers excellent advice, service and range, easy to deal, free shipping (cameralane.com.au). And as any self respecting photographer does, whenever I travel I have to stop at the "local" with repeat visits to the likes of Map Camera in Tokyo, or B&H in NYC.

As I'll be traveling through Canada next month, any recommendations in Montreal or Quebec?

Hi gustabod,

In Montreal ..

"Excellent Photo -- https://excellentphoto.ca/?srsltid=AfmBOop-SmfRrFFlFMvngmlGRRcg3Gy4WI4aXvbdplFcRB8BIwh2ZCEG

"CamtecPhoto -- https://www.camtecphoto.com/en?srsltid=AfmBOop5CgFf-7z19wLC0JDE5JCOdwFNj4pOHWsNjkCsPZNPMldIYb0Y

In Quebec City ..

"Gossellin Photo .. https://gosselinphoto.ca/

"LeClerc Camera ... https://leclerccamera.ca/?srsltid=AfmBOopEAI-V5KhrTM63_uzajFv6bId4_NEuN6Bk1sKd_pPLJtfJ-lpZ

Hope this helps and Happy Trails and Good Shooting / shopping

Cheers,

Jack

gonzalu · Oct 8, 2025

Enough said.

photoac · Oct 8, 2025

Photac

Alan Sh · Oct 9, 2025

What a strange question. Surely, it depends what country/county/state/town you live in and whether you can actually get to the store or do everything over the internet. If the latter, then I would guess country still matters.

What are you going to do with this information? Will it determine who you let advertise with you? [Yes, that's a joke].

Plus, personally, I go to Amazon for accessories and a store for cameras/lenses - apart from MPB for second hand lenses if they have some good deals.

I live in the UK - I like Wex and I like London Camera Exchange because I can get to them easily and my local stores have friendly people in them - but I also like Fujifilm although I've only ever bought 2 things from them (and returned one). But they have the friendliest and most helpful people of all. And I have used other stores in the UK as well.

Also, define "favourite"? People you get on with? best prices? Decent return policy? What else?

You might also ask "who would you never deal with and why" - that might bring out some really interesting answers.

Alan

jwhig · Oct 9, 2025

Wex which has a huge selection of camera equipment. Both online and with showrooms, one conveniently close to me.

Poppamies · Oct 9, 2025

Alan Sh said:
What a strange question. Surely, it depends what country/county/state/town you live in and whether you can actually get to the store or do everything over the internet. If the latter, then I would guess country still matters.

What are you going to do with this information? Will it determine who you let advertise with you? [Yes, that's a joke].

Plus, personally, I go to Amazon for accessories and a store for cameras/lenses - apart from MPB for second hand lenses if they have some good deals.

I live in the UK - I like Wex and I like London Camera Exchange because I can get to them easily and my local stores have friendly people in them - but I also like Fujifilm although I've only ever bought 2 things from them (and returned one). But they have the friendliest and most helpful people of all. And I have used other stores in the UK as well.

Also, define "favourite"? People you get on with? best prices? Decent return policy? What else?

You might also ask "who would you never deal with and why" - that might bring out some really interesting answers.

Alan

Windeguy · Oct 9, 2025

sam-taylor · Oct 9, 2025

My favourite camera store is Campkins Cameras in Cambridge UK. It's a wonderful, family run store situated just opposite Kings College in Cambridge. Owen Howell and his team are super knowledgable and always helpful. I can't remember how many times I've fired through an email to Owen at short notice and he's helped me out with kit or advice.

To me what makes a really great camera store is if they do more than just sell kit. The Campkins team give so much back to the community beyond just selling gear. They run a regular series of free talks and they're also the driving force behind the annual Cambridge Photography Show .

If you ever have a chance to visit Cambridge, make sure you stop in at Campkins. It's a proper old-school photography shop and an absolute gem.

Hal Wilson · Oct 9, 2025

In London; probably London Camera Exchange on the strand; the staff are lovely and it's been there for many decades, as long as I can remember. Probably the most money I've spent in a single shop ever, bar my regular food places. Proper old school decent camera shop. For sheer madness, and all sorts of old tat, it has to be Mr Cad. Eccentric old boys running a shop with millions of second hand items. If they have't got it, it probably doesn't exist. Grays of Westminster is certainly a shout forNikon users/lovers, but perhaps a little 'elitist' in its nature. Probably excellent if you have lots of money, not so great if you're on a tight budget or looking for a bargain. Mr Cad isn't that far away mind.

I used to love all the little camera shops around Bloomsbury/New Oxford St and that. Sadly pretty much all gone now. Places like RG Lewis, which was founded in the early 20th century. Lots of Jewish history in the camera trade; migrants from Europe coming with jewellery and watch-making skills, which translated well into making and repairing cameras etc. Jessops of course was a mainstay; there'd invariably be a fellow photography student working there at weekends, and they did a decent student discount. They'd have huge stocks of film and paper, so pretty much the 'go-to' place for many of us in that era.

Abroad, it has to be Blimie and Hermann's in NYC. I first went way back in the late 90s, and went back a few months ago. A bit of a difference! But an amazing shop full of just about everything you could possible need, with staff who actually know what they're talking about and are passionate about photography.

GeoffRG · Oct 9, 2025

Hal Wilson said:
In London; probably London Camera Exchange on the strand; the staff are lovely and it's been there for many decades, as long as I can remember.

They have been on The Strand for a long time but are gradually moving to smaller premises, they used to be next to West Australia House now they are nearer to Trafalgar Square.

Hal Wilson said:
Probably the most money I've spent in a single shop ever, bar my regular food places. Proper old school decent camera shop. For sheer madness, and all sorts of old tat, it has to be Mr Cad. Eccentric old boys running a shop with millions of second hand items. If they have't got it, it probably doesn't exist. Grays of Westminster is certainly a shout for Nikon users/lovers, but perhaps a little 'elitist' in its nature. Probably excellent if you have lots of money, not so great if you're on a tight budget or looking for a bargain. Mr Cad isn't that far away mind.

Mr Cad has always seemed somewhat down market but, as you say, if they haven't got it nobody has. Grays used to have extensive used stock but not so much now.

Hal Wilson said:
I used to love all the little camera shops around Bloomsbury/New Oxford St and that. Sadly pretty much all gone now. Places like RG Lewis, which was founded in the early 20th century. Lots of Jewish history in the camera trade; migrants from Europe coming with jewellery and watch-making skills, which translated well into making and repairing cameras etc.

I liked wandering those streets too, lots of obscure photographic bits to be found in small shops.

Hal Wilson said:
Jessops of course was a mainstay; there'd invariably be a fellow photography student working there at weekends, and they did a decent student discount. They'd have huge stocks of film and paper, so pretty much the 'go-to' place for many of us in that era.

Their store on the corner of New Oxford Street and High Holborn usually had the best range of film at reasonable prices, as well as a huge range of second hand kit. There was another shop on the opposite side of the road near the junction of High Holborn and Kingsway, I got my second F5 there. In those days there were several camera stores on New Oxford Street and High Holborn, most now sadly gone.

Hal Wilson said:
Abroad, it has to be Blimie and Hermann's in NYC. I first went way back in the late 90s, and went back a few months ago. A bit of a difference! But an amazing shop full of just about everything you could possible need, with staff who actually know what they're talking about and are passionate about photography.

john isaacs · Oct 9, 2025

tex said:
Service Photo in Baltimore, MD. Been going to them since the 1980's

Ace Photo in Virginia; Don't shop there often, but I have gotten great stuff there.

Then of course there's B&H.

Thumbs up on Service Photo, my LCS. Bought lots of new and used from them. Very knowledgeable and friendly staff. They gave me a good deal when I sold all my Nikon gear. They occasionally team up with Used Photo Pro (also known as Robert's camera) for trade-in events.

Unique Photo, Fairfield NJ (and Philadelphia PA). They put on some great events that I'm willing to travel for.

When I travel west, I try to stop and these stores, which have been awesome for me:

World of Photography, Grandview Heights OH (basically Columbus OH). Used to be known as World of Used Photography, and I've picked up some real gems from them over the years.

Robert's Camera, Indianapolis IN. They have a great selection of used gear, although they are more oriented to internet sales these days and have trimmed their used department. But I still find great stuff and like that I can try it out in the store...replaced my ultra stiff PL 100-400 because I could try the zoom ring on the one they had.

Jon555 · Oct 9, 2025

BAK said:
I am considering a trip from Toronto, and wonder if any of these three shops would be worth putting on my itinerary.

I know about Gray's of Westminster, and thought I might go just to see a Nikon S3 once again before I die. (I don't use Nikon any more, but have happy memories)

Comment or advice?

BAK

Depends what things you are after... my list of general camera shops (in my post elsewhere) would have (with some extra location info):
* Park Cameras just moved to a smaller store, just up the road from their previous larger store. In Rathbone Place, running north off the East end of Oxford Street.
* Wex in the Commercial Road in East London are the same size they used to be, but they moved their Rental centre into the far end of the shop and so there's a lot less sales space.
* Wex in Putney is smaller but I enjoy visiting, an actual new camera shop that opened!
* LCE on the Strand is small but there's still room for an interesting second-hand section
* Jessops in Oxford Street is also small, but handy.
* CameraWorld in Wells Street have moved into a smaller store, a short walk from Jessops, again just up the road from their old one.

MrCad in Victoria (well, I'd say that, seems to be Pimlico, in Upper Tachbrook St.) is an amazing used camera shop. A bit quirky though. Also they price on what they paid for it not what's the best example they have of a model. When I bought a 200/4 there I found the most expensive of the 3 they had was the worst... It seems to me that they do tend to like people who come in looking for something in particular...

Oh and places worth going for the view:
* 22 Bishopsgate - free but maybe worth booking, I've always just rolled up. Better with nice blue skies. Highest viewing gallery in London (uncoincidentally 10m higher than the Shard, which isn't free).
* Primrose Hill - off the North end of Regents Park. (I'd go here rather than Parliament Hill in Hampstead).
* Outside the Royal Observatory in Greenwich.
* Tower Bridge lift times: https://www.towerbridge.org.uk/lift-times - note if it just says "Vessel" it means a Navy ship.
* The look of the Thames varies greatly with the tides, the possible range low-high is over 8m! I have a Tides complication on my Apple Watch. At low tide there's a lot of sandy beaches and old woodwork, plus mudlarks searching for interesting things on the foreshore. At high tide there's a much more impressive amount of water.
* BTW there's a blue-railed walkway along the River just upstream of Tower bridge on the North bank. If the high tide gets to about 7.6m it will flood, it's deeper at the upstream end. People do try walking and some won't give up however deep it gets...

QotW What is your favorite camera store?

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