Central Camera Company — Local services in Chicago

My experience with Central Camera has been truly disastrous. In early March 2020 I purchased a Hasselblad lens from them. About 15 shots later, the shutter cracked and the lens was rendered useless. It took no less than 5 phone calls, several emails, and numerous social media messages to finally get a hold of someone. I tried at least 5 times per week to contact them in various ways and it still nearly took a month. The message I received: Due to covid we can't talk to you right now. I understood, as everyone was in flux during those days. However, I had a pressing warranty issue, and needed to make sure things were taken care of within the allotted time. So I continued on, and finally was able to communicate with Don, the owner of the shop. I need to say that working with Don was very easy. He explained that the shop was not open due to covid, but that he would provide an address so that I could send the lens directly to him and he could have his Hasselblad repair tech fix it and get it back to me.

At about this time, I think many of you know is when the shop was burned. Truly unfortunate. For about 6 months I decided to wait and let them settle things before I ask about my lens. When I asked about the lens, nobody had any idea about it. Thankfully I was able to contact Don again. He remembered our previous conversation, and told me to rent a replacement 50mm lens while he sorts out the status of mine. 2-3 more months pass. I call again, and talk to Don again, and get the same answer - to rent a lens and that he would reimburse me for the rental. So far I have done that twice, but I fear that the reimbursement will never come. I still contact them every month or so, but I fear that 18 months later with no word on my lens, it is long gone and I will never see it again, and likely never see the rental reimbursements either. Always the same answer: "we will check into it and get back to you". Always the same result: Nothing. 0/10 Do not recommend. I would give 0 stars...

Full disclosure, I've only been in Central Camera twice and the most recent time was at least three years ago, so take my review with a grain of salt.

The first time I went, I was in the mood to do some street photography and was browsing for film. Despite the fact that I wasn't going to spend any more than $20 or so, the man behind the counter (it was an older gentleman, don't remember his name) talked to me at length about different film stocks, explaining the pros and cons of each and detailing the purposes to which each were best suited. He was very relaxed in his attitude, never talked down to me or tried to sell me anything I didn't want, and never made me feel like I was wasting his time. I settled on a roll of Fuji Neopan 400 and Fuji Velvia 50. Of course they cost more than what one would pay online for them, but online stores don't have as much overhead to account for, and anyway it was only a dollar or two for each roll; adding in shipping, I probably would have paid the same for the same order online.

The second time, I was looking for a spot meter. A different person helped me this time, but was equally as attentive. They only had one model of spot meter in the store, which was surprising to me given that light meters are such a necessity for analogue photography, but it was in perfect working shape. I still use it to this day. It cost a little over $200. If I looked really hard, I might be able to find a better deal online, but I probably wouldn't save more than $50, and the peace of mind of being able to hold the meter in my hand and test it out before buying it was worth the extra money for me.

I'm currently looking for a medium format setup and might stop in to Central Camera next time I'm downtown to see if I can find anything to that purpose. If nothing else, for a vintage camera enthusiast like myself, it's amazing to be able to stand surrounded by all that classic film gear from decades past....

CC tries to provide a special experience. In some ways, that effort falls flat. In other ways, it succeeds.

I'll start with the bad: The gloves, the chocolates- they're superficial and gimmicky. For me, it adds nothing to the camera store experience. Even if I did like it, I can't see how it would justify the significant price difference vs. almost any alternative.

The prices are absurd for what you're getting. Depending on the film in question, pricing per-roll is 15-100% higher than anywhere else. Then there's the lack of refridgeration for film and printing papers. If their prices were competitive, I wouldn't care about that. However, if you're going to try to charge $30 for a 3-pack of Superia, it had better be cared for in a way that justifies the 80% markup over CVS.

CC redeems itself through its heritage and its friendly staff. Good luck finding another camera store that's 120 years old, still in its original family, and has managed to survive a fire. There is undeniable significance to that. That significance can be felt the moment you walk through the door, even if that feeling is diminished when you get heckled into taking some gloves and chocolates you don't want.

Side note- I can't fault them for slow turnaround on film development. They aren't a film lab, nor do they bill themselves as one. If you give CC a roll of film to develop, you either know what you're getting into, or you're getting what you deserve for not doing your homework.

If you're looking for a unique experience, and don't mind paying a significant markup for it, check out CC. There are many objectively better camera shops out there, and many cheaper ones as well, but that's missing the point. CC is unique, and that commands a markup. I just wish they'd cut out the gimmicks, and stick to the things that make them...