Image: MirageC / Moment via Getty Images For our latest 'Question of the week,' we wanted to find out what camera stores near you were special hidden gems. Several of you naturally suggested B&H, which was the most common answer, but there were also many more unique and intriguing finds.
We even had examples from Japan and Spain! It was exciting to see so many thriving brick-and-mortar camera stores.
In total, over 140 stores were mentioned, with at least 40 distinct ones across multiple countries around the world. Here are a few spotlight stories you shared with us.
Various stores in Vancouver, Canada
DPReview reader Jack Simpson in front of Dunne & Rundle on Granville Street in Vancouver, Canada.
Photo: Jack Simpson
Reader Jack Simpson told us about the various camera stores he worked at in Vancouver, Canada:
"All the camera stores I worked at in Vancouver, BC, 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 favorite was probably Dunne and Rundle because it had a family atmosphere. "
The photo above shows Simpson "on my last day at the Granville Street (Dunne & Rundle) location, where they had been since 1929, albeit in three locations. "
Wilkinson Camera in Liverpool
Wilkinson Camera in Liverpool on Bold St. , seen in the distance as viewed from St Luke's, the Bombed Out Church.
Photo: ahaslett
Reader ahaslett gave a vote to Wilkinson Camera in Liverpool:
"My favorite local store is Wilkinson Camera in Liverpool on Bold St. I find Wilkinson's in general a good company, one of several I have bought from here in the UK. They are not the only local store, but they are the best. "
"It’s the helpful and knowledgeable staff that stand out for me, not to mention that the store is just across the street from a railway station and on the edge of the city center. There is an excellent coffee shop and bar just up Bold St, where I have been known to buy the Olympus rep a decent cup of coffee as a thank you for a great demo. "
B&H Camera in New York
Reader monte12345 bought this camera over the phone from B&H Photo in New York in 1984.
Photo: monte12345
Not surprisingly, several readers called out B&H Photo in New York. Reader monte12345 told us:
"I bought this camera [see photo above] in 1984 from B&H by calling the phone number listed in an ad in the back of Modern Photography. Called them up and placed the order, and mailed them the check, and when it arrived, they called me and let me know the camera and lens had been shipped. Three days later, I received the camera. It was a no-mess, no-fuss operation start to finish, and I still have the camera, and it's still functioning perfectly. Actually, that says a lot about the excellence of Copal shutters. When I got it out today, I hadn't fired the shutter since 1997, and it only took about 10 test fires at 1/4 second for it to start timing accurately. BTW, if you fail to exercise a shutter, this will happen. "
Reader maoby mapped out the 147-hour walk from his home near Montreal to B&H Photo in New York.
Image: maoby
Reader maoby had a slightly more humorous take on B&H:
"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. "
Schiller's Camera in St. Louis
Schiller's Camera in St. Louis, Missouri.
Photo: gipper51
Reader gipper51 shared a favorite photo haunt in the Midwest, Schiller's Camera:
"Schiller's Camera, St. Louis, Missouri. Special since they've been in business since the late 1800s (seriously). 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, and they lead workshops and group outings around the local area. Many of the employees have been there 20+ years, and they know their stuff. "
Yodobashi Camera in Tokyo
Dozens of tripods stand on display in the tripod section of Yodobashi Camera in Tokyo. The store can be a bit of sensory overload to newcomers, but once you've spent an hour there, you'll never forget the Yodobashi song that plays constantly near the escalators.
Photo: Dale Baskin
Reader Nikonosman gave a shout-out to one of the great photo stores of the world, Yodobashi Camera:
"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. 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?"
If you haven't had a chance to join the somewhat nostalgic discussion, it's not too late. The post is still open, so you can get in there and share a photo and experience at your local camera store.
Thank you to everyone who took the time to answer, and we look forward to hearing your responses next time!
Click here to answer the Question of the week
. dpreview.com2025-10-20 16:00
