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QotW What is your favorite camera store?
- Thread starter Mathew Anderson
- Start date
fototaker Tony
Active member
Fireside Camera on Chestnut Street in the Marina District of San Francisco!!
I am originally from San Francisco, and purchased way too often from Fireside during my 20 years in the Navy, then a few decades living in southern Spain. Ordered cameras, film, lenses throughout my 20 years in the Navy from Fireside, shipped to me aboard ships, and many bases through Europe and the USA. Great service! I recently got rid of all of my too many EOS cameras months ago, and all the gear went to Fireside. I then purchased two Sony a7cii from Fireside, plus a variety of lenses! Everything - as it's been throughout the last and current century - carefully packed! I have been there many times while visiting my City by the Bay, and the store is seldom empty! I highly recommend their great knowledge, friendliness, and great service!!! One of the very few photography stores in San Francisco that is NOT a chain store!!
If you visit, tell them fototaker Tony sez HOLA!!!
I am originally from San Francisco, and purchased way too often from Fireside during my 20 years in the Navy, then a few decades living in southern Spain. Ordered cameras, film, lenses throughout my 20 years in the Navy from Fireside, shipped to me aboard ships, and many bases through Europe and the USA. Great service! I recently got rid of all of my too many EOS cameras months ago, and all the gear went to Fireside. I then purchased two Sony a7cii from Fireside, plus a variety of lenses! Everything - as it's been throughout the last and current century - carefully packed! I have been there many times while visiting my City by the Bay, and the store is seldom empty! I highly recommend their great knowledge, friendliness, and great service!!! One of the very few photography stores in San Francisco that is NOT a chain store!!
If you visit, tell them fototaker Tony sez HOLA!!!
Last edited:
stephenkaus
New member
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The Looking Glass in Berkeley, California. I have followed this store through several locations. They have quality products and service. Sadly, it is now in a much smaller location, so there is not much browsing.
Robin Dr42
New member
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Houston Camera Exchange: great selection, notably in items that one has to touch and feel such as camera bags. Very helpful and knowledgeable staff. Easy and straightforward purchase of used gear and in turn good selection of pre-owned cameras and lenses. The neighborhood is not a relevant question for Houston (any drive less than 50 miles is considered "next door").
B&H Photo and Video in on West 33rd-34th Street in New York City.
Their prices are often high, but they have pretty much everything you could ever want when it comes to photography, videomaking, audio recording and editing, and computers for A/V work. I also know I'll always get what I ordered, which is not always the case with Amazon or eBay. They also do a regular online series on how to do better photography and video, which I really love reading through.
I've been buying my gear from them for thirty-five years now....
Their prices are often high, but they have pretty much everything you could ever want when it comes to photography, videomaking, audio recording and editing, and computers for A/V work. I also know I'll always get what I ordered, which is not always the case with Amazon or eBay. They also do a regular online series on how to do better photography and video, which I really love reading through.
I've been buying my gear from them for thirty-five years now....
Richard Fisher
Forum Enthusiast
For most things, Allen's camera. Been a customer for 30+ years. Get great service and excellent prices. All my dealings w/ Allen's (first Allen and more recently his son, Brandon) have been by phone or email. I have never been there - I live in Chicago and Allen's is outside Philadelphia.
For obscure and hard to find items, I go to B&H. Tremendous selection, great place to do research. Due to their high volume, it is hard to get their attention so they can do little to help you with hard to find items.
For obscure and hard to find items, I go to B&H. Tremendous selection, great place to do research. Due to their high volume, it is hard to get their attention so they can do little to help you with hard to find items.
billg414
Well-known member
I recently moved to Las Vegas and discovered my new favorite camera store, B & C Camera on Sahara Ave. They have a good selection of gear and the staff is helpful, knowledgeable and available. In addition, they provide a "community room" where my favorite camera club (The West Side Camera Club) holds meetings. Several times a year, the store runs trade-in days when an outside used photo service will buy gear and offer a discount from the store, usable on the day for new gear. In addition, manufacturer's reps are there on those days to offer advice and discounts.
Walt Jennings
Leading Member
Johnson Photography, Bradenton, Florida
Overrank
Veteran Member
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If you like Brutalist architecture there’s also
The Brunswick Centre
St Giles Hotel
The terrace at the back of the Institute of Education
( all Bloomsbury near the British Museum)
While you’re there Senate House at the University of London is worth a look ( served as some inspiration for Orwell’s 1984 )
cba_melbourne
Veteran Member
I am from Australia, and B&H is on the other side of the word. Still it's the single store I like the best. I particularly like their website, their reviews section, their fast shipping, and the availability of less common items.
SJK065
Well-known member
B&H has always been pretty consistent for my photo needs.
Samy’s Camera in Pasadena when I’m in California
Leica Bellevue for my Leica needs
Samy’s Camera in Pasadena when I’m in California
Leica Bellevue for my Leica needs
DrGregC
New member
Easy answer. As a former small business owner myself, I was immediately attracted to our local independent camera shop, Cardinal Camera in Lansdale, PA. The Seelig family has been in the photography business for almost 100 years with the retail store in Lansdale since 1969. In 1981, I met George Seelig and was impressed by his knowledge and extensive inventory of old and new cameras. I soon bought a 4x5 SpeedGraphic camera from George which I still have today. Cardinal is still a thriving brick-and-mortar store, run by George's son, Kurt. They survive because they have the elusive balance of the best curated equipment, reliable service, education, community involvement, and competitive pricing. Still family-run, Kurt reinvents the business every few years. When you walk-in, it may look like a lifestyle store, but all of the salespeople will quickly convince you that this is a serious photography shop. Recommended.
clickclack007
Member
B&H PHOTO
Sportsgal501
Member
B&H
On 34th Street in New York City.
On 34th Street in New York City.
landshark
Senior Member
B&H for purchasing cameras
Camerland for Binoculars and scopes
Woodland Hills Camera for my first Nikon F 55 or so years ago and today for telescopes
KEH or MPB for selling
Camerland for Binoculars and scopes
Woodland Hills Camera for my first Nikon F 55 or so years ago and today for telescopes
KEH or MPB for selling
B&H Photo Video is my favorite. I have been buying from B&H since around 1980. I have bought several thousand dollars of equipment over the decades. I only had one problem with an order, but even then B&H made good quickly. I haven't seen any other vendor have better prices except ones that have a high percentage of bad reviews saying what was sold was misrepresented. Those don't count in my book. Add to that the benefits of their Payboo feature. For me, I see no benefit in buying elsewhere and there are advantages from buying from B&H compared to other vendors.
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