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QotW What is your favorite camera store?
- Thread starter Mathew Anderson
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WYCanonShooter
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My favorite camera store is Mike's Camera in Boulder, Colorado. It's so nice to have a physical store where you can put your hands on a camera or lens before you buy. Twice a year they have big sales events with several major camera and lens manufacturer reps on site and short seminars. I've spent way too much money during those sales. They also offer workshops throughout the year on an assortment of subjects at very reasonable prices. They print photos, develop film, have a custom frame department. It's worth the 100-mile drive to shop in person. Their online shopping leaves a bit to be desired.
Christian Heijmann
New member
Since I prefer to buy top-notch cameras and lenses, I’d rather purchase high-quality ones that have already seen a bit of use — so the top end of their price has already come off. So my favourite shops are eBay and Marketplace. Or good local photo shops like Linder in Venlo.
sward
New member
I'm UK based and have been to a fair few stores around the world - I love camera shopping in Australia and DigiDirect are brilliant - way cheaper than the UK. When in New York you have to visit B&H but it can be a bit overwhelming.
In the UK my goto is Wex ( https://www.wexphotovideo.com/ ) and I would venture to say that the telephone advice and service is even better than in-store! Really helpful crew with vast knowledge. I've been to three of the Wex stores which is useful to get hands-on.
The account works well and the trade-in system is excellent with good prices (would be great if it made listing a bit easier and kept it in memory though).
In the UK my goto is Wex ( https://www.wexphotovideo.com/ ) and I would venture to say that the telephone advice and service is even better than in-store! Really helpful crew with vast knowledge. I've been to three of the Wex stores which is useful to get hands-on.
The account works well and the trade-in system is excellent with good prices (would be great if it made listing a bit easier and kept it in memory though).
Henrys Camera in London Ontario. Their staff are all photographers, many are professionals or retired professionals. They are always ready to provide advice and assistance. I've been a regular customer there and at their branches in Toronto and Oakville.
An example of great service is that I recently bought a Nikon Z5ii, from another store because Henrys was sold out. I got something stuck to the sensor and called the store where I bought it and they couldn't provide cleaning assistance saying that they send all sensor issues out. So I went over to Henrys and asked Sarah, the manager, if she could help me even though I bought it elsewhere. She said "no problem" and that they had a sensor cleaning kit, with one open for situations like this. She proceeded to show me how to clean the sensor, check that it was clean by shooting the clear sky on manual, and prevent debris from getting on it while changing lenses by keeping the body facing down. Needless to say, I bought a cleaning kit, and always check there for lenses.
An example of great service is that I recently bought a Nikon Z5ii, from another store because Henrys was sold out. I got something stuck to the sensor and called the store where I bought it and they couldn't provide cleaning assistance saying that they send all sensor issues out. So I went over to Henrys and asked Sarah, the manager, if she could help me even though I bought it elsewhere. She said "no problem" and that they had a sensor cleaning kit, with one open for situations like this. She proceeded to show me how to clean the sensor, check that it was clean by shooting the clear sky on manual, and prevent debris from getting on it while changing lenses by keeping the body facing down. Needless to say, I bought a cleaning kit, and always check there for lenses.
I recommend this store. I ordered a drone and a tripod from there, all good
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Nikonosman
New member
Yodobashi Camera in Tokyo, Japan. I don't get to New York or Chicago and Atlanta no longer has what I'm looking for, but I visit Japan annually and the camera stores there are out of sight!
Yodobashi Camera is a chain store and you can find it in popular Tokyo districts such as Shinjuku and Akihabara, not to mention other cities throughout Japan. Here is a link below, but you really want to visit their stores. Where else can you see an entire department devoted to tripods, for example, or a huge department with nothing but camera bags.
Do yourself a favor and visit Yodobashi Camera if you ever get to Japan.
Yodobashi Camera is a chain store and you can find it in popular Tokyo districts such as Shinjuku and Akihabara, not to mention other cities throughout Japan. Here is a link below, but you really want to visit their stores. Where else can you see an entire department devoted to tripods, for example, or a huge department with nothing but camera bags.
Do yourself a favor and visit Yodobashi Camera if you ever get to Japan.
Why not, because I'm in Canada. I've purchased from B&H in the past with great results, finding hard to find products at great prices like the Nikon 200mm Micro lens. At present the tarrifs are messing this up. The Nikon Z5ii is $2299.99 Cdn at Henrys, which is $1641.43 with the exchange rate. It's $1696.95, marked down from $1846.95 at B&H and they won't ship to Canada. And then there is the shipping, customs etc. This is the first time I've seen cameras cheaper in Canada than in the US.
Myles Baker
Forum Enthusiast
My favourite camera store is Buana Photo in Medan, Indonesia. I liven in Medan for nearly 20 years & still go back there for work. I've bought a lot from them over the years. Friendly, helpful (if they don't have it they will get it for you) & good prices.
A shout out to the stores in Manga Dua in Jakarta & Sim Lim in Singapore. Dangerous places for me to tread, not just for cameras, but any electronic gear.
A shout out to the stores in Manga Dua in Jakarta & Sim Lim in Singapore. Dangerous places for me to tread, not just for cameras, but any electronic gear.
Fred Forbes
New member
JPI in Bradenton Florida, owned by former surgeon LeMoyne Johnson and staffed by capable, knowledgeable staff. Great selection, interesting promotions, and sponsorship of local events make it a go to shop. Only camera store still standing for miles around!
Brian Ludwig
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COTSWOLD UK CAMERAS LIMITED
4th Floor, Centenary House, 1 Centenary Way, Manchester M50 1RF
Email: [email protected]
Great prices - great service - and great initial help before purchase.
4th Floor, Centenary House, 1 Centenary Way, Manchester M50 1RF
Email: [email protected]
Great prices - great service - and great initial help before purchase.
Paul Jansonius
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The Camera Store, Calgary. Great selection of digital equipment and analogue supplies. Combined with their regular in house and online learning sessions and presentations by photographers, an amazing selection of photography books, they are a wonderful source of support for the industry.
Maoby
Veteran Member
Obviously it's B & H that comes up most often, which is good because I don't live far from there.
I'm going to take a short health walk to visit it.
A stone's throw from my home
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https://www.flickr.com/photos/maoby/albums/72157627624479529
https://www.instagram.com/maoby_digital_camera/
I'm going to take a short health walk to visit it.
A stone's throw from my home
--
https://www.flickr.com/photos/maoby/albums/72157627624479529
https://www.instagram.com/maoby_digital_camera/
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I have been shopping at Paul’s Photo in Torrance California since 1966, when Paul Comon owned it and provided gentle guidance for my purchases. Now this store is owned by Paul’s son Mark and this week I am going on a Kenya photo safari that Mark is leading. Even though I currently live 2000 miles away this is still my go-to store.
Discontinued
Member
It's really sad that a city with nearly a million people has been reduced to 2 small camera stores. Neither are remotely close to me. I've been to one of them and I wasn't impressed. As a result, I rely on online vendors.
Enjoy crossing the “arbitrary straight line”!
Maoby
Veteran Member
Hours of fun 
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