Camera Shop — Attraction in Lansing

I would love to give this establishment a better rating, but unfortunately ran into issues with their repair service.

I wanted to have a zeiss hasselblad V mount lens repaired, and instead of taking it to one of the few certified repair technicians in the country, I wanted to save some money and went here. I brought in a lens with shutter issues, and was given a lens in worse condition than I left it even though the repair technician allegedly never took it apart. (For those interested the aperture selection and the depth of field preview were broken after leaving it with them) I only took pictures before dropping it off so it was my word against theirs. Upon discussion I was continually patronized and they even had the audacity to try and teach me how to operate the lens as if I haven’t been using the system for the last 5 years and interned in a studio with the same system. Word to the wise, take thorough photos AND video before dropping anything off to their “repair” service. I went from having a vintage lens with minor issues that could be resold for ~$400 to a paper weight not worth $50.

Beyond this the shop is excellent and affordable. Has a certain charm not found in many camera shops. The accommodations for analog photographers are very welcomed. Film development and printing is affordable, and scanning is done on a noritsu. Slightly inconvenient that E-6 and B&W has to be send out to their sister location. No push and pull available either. As an analog photographer who has been to shops around the country, this place is a sight for sore eyes.

The owner and the young man working here are nice enough. Several of other the middle aged men working here lack any customer service skill whatsoever. They are rude, short, condescending, and treat you as if you are unknowledgeable. Honestly if social skills are not their strong suit they should stay in the back and edit photos. Overall, if there were another shop in the area with similar services I would offer my patronage in a heartbeat and never return here. Unfortunately...

Update: New ownership takes for granted loyal customers. Condescending from the moment we had the audacity to request a simple flatbed scan for a small mixed media artwork on smooth paper. We had to endure a well-rehearsed spiel spiraling towards intellectual debate with very little faith artist to artist about whether we the customer are even qualified to edit our own work. Guy just met us, hadn't seen anything but the one what was brought in.

He tried in earnest to convince us that it would not turn out right unless we used their large scale scanner. The price difference between the two was over 500%. He begins setting it up anyway, complimenting the details of the painting as if allowing him to continue talking shop at and flattering us without walking out the door at the pungency of greed was enough to consider us as consenting to the expensive procedure we did not as for.

Were we not on a time constraint to deliver the goods, the aforementioned foolishness would have been the end. After asserting that he stop setting up the magnets and please just do the flatbed, he finally took our money and did as requested. Afterward, while inquiring further about the specifics of big machine, he lets us know that the $82 he tried to charge us was actually the minimum payment for using that equipment at all, where any piece regardless of whether it is 10x10 inches or 5x5 feet begets a $55 charge each.

Y'all know many a public library offer similar quality flatbeds for free? Shameless arrogance, trying to conjure another few bucks into his pocket at our expense. Making gambles against the future patronage of fellow creatives, acting like a slimy know-it-all mechanic, crude way to...

I've only been in a couple of times, but I love this place (and those who work in it). I've mostly only interacted with the same guy when I've been in (I don't know his name off the top of my head, or I'd give him a shoutout for sure!), but I just really appreciate the environment of the place, and I feel really good about bringing my business there. I've already recommended the place to others and will continue to do so, too.

Both times I've been in, I've dropped off a disposable camera to get the film developed, and I love that they give you the option to receive your photos via a Google Drive folder and/or via prints (I've chosen both options each time). I love having the digital files, and I especially appreciate the quick turn-around time! I was told it takes about a week to get my pictures back after dropping off my first roll of film, but so far, it's taken less than 24-hours to get a link to the Google Drive folder for both rolls I've dropped off. The last time I was there, I decided to buy a used camera, due to the recent shortage of disposable cameras, and the guy assisting me was super helpful, and he made the process a really easy one (especially for someone, like myself, who has zero knowledge about cameras that use film).

I also think it's important to note that if there's a way for me to do something digitally/online, I usually will for the sake of ease and time, but I won't ever do so again, at least as it relates to my camera/film needs, because it's more than worth it for me to make the trip out to the store. Thanks to all @ the Camera Shop for creating such a welcoming environment - it sure is a breath...