QotW What is your favorite camera store?

Another vote for Ace Photo in Ashburn, Virginia. Great staff and they're always willing to work with you. I've been going there for almost twenty years now, and they worked with me on everything from getting into bird photography to moving from DSLRs to mirrorless.. And a lot of practical experience behind the counter--if you need advice on technique, someone's got good input for you.

As a bonus, it's a great location to take pictures of jets landing at Dulles Airport--they fly right overhead if landing on the center runway







.

B&H online

Great fast service and responses. Able to use Payboo. Lots of good sales and quality products.

Hunt's store-not very local, but good service and products.

--B&H never and issue - excellent assistance and support
Photography, the learning experience

B & H

Photo Center.... Brick NJ .......

large selection of new and used equipment .... staff is very knowledgeable and helpful ...

For me, B&H Photo Video (bhphotovideo.com) is simply the best.

An outstanding ecommerce website, with excellent product photos and descriptions, and truly useful reviews by a knowledgeable base of professional and enthusiast users. They flag reviews by members of their community and of reviewers who have purchased the product (from B&H). Another great thing about their product pages is a link to relevant accessories, not just any old accessory they might like to sell you, but items that will fit and are actually compatible with the camera, lens, tripod, etc. that you are considering. They have explicitly clear policies on shipping, return policy, etc..

I have found them to have an incredibly comprehensive range of electronics (not just photo/video) at competitive prices. Over a 10+ year period, I think the longest I've waited to receive an in stock product is two days. Dependent on product size and $ value, shipping on most products is free. I have have had positive experiences returning and exchanging products with no hassles or hurdles (read their return policies - they both honor and enforce them - unpack carefully).

This post is long, but there are two more points I want to make. One - if after reading their excellent product descriptions, you still have questions about a product or want to compare two or more similar products, you can call them and speak to an actual human being who is familiar with those products! Two - You can very easily sell or trade in your old gear if you want to upgrade or just offload seldom used gear. You never receive what you'd like for a trade-in from anyone, but I've found B&H to be reasonable and fair. (Type "trade-in" into their site's search box to access.) I have no link to B&H other than being a longtime satisfied customer. I have a more local camera store, staffed by nice people I'd like to recommend, but they simply can't compare on product selection (especially accessories), quality of website, and things like return policies. I never buy any electronic product without at least checking details on their website.

Spartan Photo Center in Spartanburg, SC. It's the last full-service photography store in the entire state of South Carolina. I actually live in North Carolina, but I'll drive the 23 miles to help them out.

They have amazingly stayed afloat in these times of mega online stores and cell phone photography. They've found a way to make it work.

A couple of times a year, an equipment buyer for a firm somewhere in the midwest comes through and buys used equipment that they turn around and rent. You can take the money they pay in cash or get an extra amount and buy something new at Spartan Photo Center. That's how I ended up with my latest Sony, an a6700.

They have it all, new and used everything. Large selection, good prices. Excellent advice. You need an unusual part for your tripod, they have it. Need a roll of 35mm film developed, they can do that. Need to digitize old family movies - they can handle that.

So yep, Spartan Photo Center is my favorite local camera store.

Physical/in-person: The Photo Center; Brick, NJ (decades of presence; thoughtful staff, even have my display prints framed there) ; Online: MPB (this is new, as of 2025, had some issues with KEH)

If using my local camera store, Mike's Camera hands down. If I need something they don't have at the time, or a significant price differential, then Adorama or B&H.

B&H Photo

I live in Westchester County, NY, and have been a B&H customer since 1985. Before they moved to 9th Avenue in 1997, my wife and fellow photographer was not happy with their attitude toward women but since then they have significantly improved. Their inventory and knowledge are superb, as are their online store and credit card offerings. Their prices are a nationwide standard of reference. Even when I am not ready to purchase anything, I visit them periodically to "play" with new equipment in which I am interested and for a talk with their sales people.

I live more rural, so I tend to buy online from B&H or the camera manufacturers’ site and get items within a few days. For used gear, I tend to shop at MPB and Roberts Camera’s used gear shop, UsedPhotoPro for the selection and accurate listings of item condition.

i haven’t stepped in a physical camera shop to browse selections in about 10 years. The online marketplace has an advantage when it comes to pricing, especially for refurbished/used gear.

Hands down B&H photo digital and also brick and mortar. It's their wide selection of cameras, gear, and accessories. You can actually touch the camera of your choice. The staff knowledge.

Without any doubt, Orms, Cape Town.

They now have three branches spread over the Cape Town metropolitan area. I am especially thrilled with the latest addition, in the Helderberg area of Cape Town, conveniently located close to where I live.

Service is always friendly and professional with knowledgable personnel at hand to answer any questions.

Recently I made an incorrect online purchase, a full frame Nikon Z5 with two DX Z kit lenses. Yes, my mistake, but the order was delivered. I went to one of the shops with the incorrect camera-lens combination and I caould see that the person attending to my query was really professionally upset due to the fact that the order was fulfilled. He said it should never have happened. A full refund for the oncorrect lenses was immmediately provided and I could select a compatible lens.

I never have any doubt about which shop to visit for all my photographic needs.

Boris22 said:

I don't believe there is a camera store left in my state . That makes the closest camera store several hundred miles away. I haven't stepped in a camera store in probably more than 40-50 years. 99% of all my cameras/lens purchases have been through B&H which is about 2500 miles and too far for a casual store browsing . Any recent purchasing decisions have been made without the luxury of hands on examination of the equipment. Prior to digital and the internet, I had film cameras which lasted forever and film was available everywhere.So I suppose my favorite camera store is B&H. Expedited free shipping and packaging that amazon could only dream about.

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Out of curiosity, which state do I need to avoid due to an utter lack of camera store? (Kidding, sort of).

My favourite camera store is Jessops in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, England.

The staff led by the manager, Max, are very knowledgable and helpful meeting your every photography needs. As well as supplying a wide range of camera kit new and second hand they are able to print on site. They offer price matching and trade against a new purchase.

We are very fortunate to have a physical store where we can actually fondle the cameras and lenses - try before you buy. This is not possible with internet shopping.

Long may this shop remain and prosper.

Since you specified 'local', it would be Samy's Camera in So. California. First Fuji S2 and lense and onwards . . .

Based in the UK and love Wex https://www.wexphotovideo.com/

I think Tuttle Camera in Long Beach, California is a great shop!! They have all the latest gear, and the staff are really great and knowledgeable!! The owner is willing to help just about anyway he can. IF you are in or near the Long Beach, CA area, then stop by and give them a try!!! ;-)

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just an old 35mm film guy turned digital
Photography makes the world....... a little smaller