World of Photography — Attraction in Grandview Heights

I hate to edit my review on this post but after careful consideration I want to be firm but fair.

I visited World of Photography approximately two weeks ago in search of a new Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 lens after the motor broke on the one I had been using for 8 years. Based on my past experience with this shop, I decided I would give them another go.

I was greeted by the staff, explained my issue and was quickly assisted with the lens and it works great. No problems there.

I then notice a great lens a 300mm f/2.8 for $1,100, I inquire about it, and am permitted to test it. The lens works great, I'm satisfied, no problem.

Take it to my job to shoot that same night, it doesn't fit on any of my monopods as the screw is just a touch off from fitting. Looks like the collar was modded, no worries, I'll go talk to them in the morning.

I return to the shop explaining my issue and ask if I could exchange the lens for one with a proper fitting collar. I was immediately told "we can't do that, that is why it was discounted." No one informed of the reason the price was so low, so I was misled on that claim. The associates then helped me try to pick out a screw that would work and then suggested that I could just "epoxy my monopod to the collar" and that it would look "like frankinstein" but I would lose a monopod in the process to make it work.

I stated that I shouldn't have to have an engineering degree to make this work. As I was becoming increasingly frustrated, I asked if I could repossess the 300mm f/4 lens I traded in and be on my way, I was told "we can't do that."

Accepting this as reality, I saw a 300mm f/2.8 on the shelf for $1,050, I asked to try it on my Nikon d4s. It wouldn't autofocus, the associates made it seem like I didn't know what I was doing and spoke to me in a condescending manner. They used it and found out that it wouldn't autofocus as well even after attaching another body as they realized the connecters on the lens were broken and it only worked in manual focus.

So they don't test their products.

I told them that we need to find a way to get my lens back from my trade because I was feeling incredibly hard done and was starting to lose my patience. They spoke to Gary and made things right, but I will tell you. Do NOT conduct business with anyone other than Gary at this shop.

It seems the younger associates will tell you anything you want to hear in order to...

UPDATE 04/08/23: I can't leave this unsaid. This place just gets better and better every time I visit. There are 3 more awesome team members I have to add to my review. The first is the guy who always drops what he's doing to come see if I need anything, Ricky. Most places you have to track someone down, but here, Ricky always welcome you and asks if you need help. You never feel like a burden and that's awesome.. Also, I believe her name is Melinda, but may go by Shay, anyways, whoever she is, she's an absolute delight. Everytime I go in, I hope she's there. Her light conversation always makes my day better and I usually leave having had a well needed laugh. And I can't leave Aaron out. This guy is great. He always gives it to you straight and is constantly on the move. I get the impression this guy has multiple projects going on at once and is super excited to share his experience with you. I really look forward to seeing this entire crew when I come in. What an outstanding place. Probably the only store in town where I make up excuses to come visit.

I come here for almost all of my professional video and photography equipment. The owner is a smart, honest man who you can trust. I stand on that. He's never once given me a bad price or sold me a bunk item. Another outstanding resource you will find here is Cara. Within a minute or two of talking to Cara, you'll understand why I feel so much implicit trust with her. She really knows her stuff, but never talks down to you. She educates you while never suggesting she knows something she doesn't. I view her knowledge as invaluable and even though I am sure she is very busy, she always makes me feel like I am a priority. If you're lucky, you'll also meet another outstanding resource named Dan. Dan is ALWAYS happy to see me and ALWAYS stops by to say "hi" and ask me how my equipment is working... This is isn't just a script with him, he really cares. He must see 200 people a day but he always remembers what I bought the last time I was in and checks to see how I'm doing. Dan also has a ton of hands on experience and because he talks to his customers and checks in on them, he knows what the BEST products are for the BEST prices. I'm not kidding, between Dan and Cara's education, I have saved thousands of dollars. I wouldn't shop anywhere else. I love...

I exchanged some kit lenses in an attempt to get a single lens that would cover the whole gamut of focal lengths. I traded in a Nikon AF-P 18-55mm and a Nikon AF-P 70-300mm for a Nikon AF-S 18-135. I went here as I had read a lot of reviews which led me to trust that the staff would guide me to the best solution. After shooting with the lens for about 4 months, I decided that it wasn't my imagination and that the lens was not as sharp as I remember my other lenses being. I have 2 bodies and started shooting with the 2 kit lenses from the other body, Nikon AF-S 18-55 and Nikon AF-S 55-200, one on each body. I was not wrong, shooting in this way gave me sharper photos. I set up a makeshift focus test and found that the 18-135 I had gotten definitely overshot the focus point by about 2 inches and was unquestionably not focusing properly at 135mm. When I went back to find out if I would be able to swap the lenses back (I paid $40 in addition to those two lenses for the original trade), I was told I could pay $90 to get my lenses back. After considerable searching on the internet, I found that 1) the 18-135 has a reputation for this problem, 2) the trade in value for the lens is $35-$50 and the release date was in the early 2000s. Upon bringing everything in and having the 18-135 checked out (it was fine), I looked at new photo comparisons taken in the shop with another employee who came the same conclusion as I did regarding the focus. He also brought to my attention that the newer lenses will most definitely have better focus operation. We tried several other lenses and he was gracious enough to ask his boss again if I could trade my lenses back after 4 months. The answer was still no, but that I could have the original trade value of $100. As an additional note, the 1 used lens I am interested in is priced about $40 higher than most...