Allen's Camera — Local services in Middletown Township

In short: This is an incredible, family-owned (and operated) business, and the ONLY place I buy camera equipment.

The full review: I've been coming to Allen's since I purchased by first DSLR about 8 years ago. As I've gotten more serious about my photography over the last few years, I began to come in progressively more often and every time I walk in through the door, I feel treated like family.

My relationship with the business includes both purchasing and renting professional DSLR bodies, DSLR lenses, photography accessories, video accessories, as well as camera repairs. Each experience has had me coming back because the staff is incredibly friendly, helpful, knowledgeable, and, above all, professional. Allen's Camera always has an incredible product selection, regardless of your camera preference, and experience level. The store also has relationships with the largest companies in the industry, so if they don't have s SKU in stock, Allen's can have it ordered and shipped directly to you.

This business is built on fostering long-term relationships with new and existing customers. Everything is built upon running the business with integrity and honesty, as Allen has always operated. So you can trust that all products are priced very fairly and competitively.

If you're in the market for used equipment, as I always tend to be, I haven't found a company that describes its products more accurately than Allen's. I've shopped in the used department online at B&H in the past and their used ratings always seemed optimistic. Not here. If you see a product that is described "Like New" or "Excellent" on the website, believe me when I say that Allen's is being very conservative. In my experience, most of Allen's ratings on used products really undersold the quality being sold because I've purchased lenses they deemed "Excellent," but, on inspection, I honestly couldn't discern between my purchase and something that was completely brand new.

What honestly keeps me coming back is the staff. Rob, Marlena, Brandon, and Hue always welcome me and my wife by name and with a smile from the minute we walk in through the door, to the minute we leave. Maybe this is a sign that I visit the store too often....but I'll never admit to having a gear problem ;) In all seriousness, it's alway nice to be able to feel and try out a product before making an investment. These guys have shown me, and let me try so many different lenses that I've lost track at this point. I appreciate all of their help, patience, and the fact that it's a very "no pressure to buy" kind of environment. Sure, this is a business, and a business has to make money to keep the doors open, but I have never had the impression that the staff was pushing a sale on me just to make a quick profit.

If you're in the area, and you're in the market for photography/videography equipment (at any level), I encourage you to support this family-owned business over larger retailers like Best Buy or B&H. I promise you that you'll be happy that you joined this family instead.

I have solely given them my business, and will continue to do so because these guys (and girl) treat us like family. I couldn't thank them enough for their help and service over the years. So I hope they accept this as a very small token of my appreciation.

Thank you Marlena, Rob, Hue...

Even though they sold me a LENS they did not test and the focus motors were shot, he refused to give me my gear back I traded in the night before. No real Business sense to take care of customers, even in the face of another businessman who stated they would stay late to help me out he refused to do so. He just wanted to get loud and combative on his sidewalk in front of customers when I tried to do a return, then he walked away... my options were take another of course used not tested lens or take a check even though the 3rd party onside said they would stay late and help me get my sony gear back I traded to them 11 hours before..

I just wanted my sony camera and lens back I traded in less then 11 hours before with the 3rd party that was onsite doing trade ins.. because the lens allens camera sold me with my new kit was bad the focus motors are shot the lens squeaked.

I was only able to get another cheaper lens or have a check cut for me which would have left me with no camera... So it was ok for him to sell me a bad used lens that they never tested!!! and screw me over unless I took a trade for another cheaper lens.. All I wanted was my sony camera and sony lens back but it was too much if an issue for them to go in the back and get it out, to this day they still have the broken lens listed on their website for sale. Today 5/22 I called after a few days to cool down and he admitted to me he was not going to stay late Saturday to help me I was no longer allowed in his store even though the 3rd party that was there doing trade ins on Saturday was more then willing to get my sony gear back to me after the close of business the OWNER OF allens did not want to stay to dig through a few boxes and get me my original gear back to satisfy...

Update--June, 2018: I have frequented Allen's Camera off and on for the last 15 years or so, and would have done so more regularly if I lived closer; it's a good 40 minute jaunt to get there. At all times, I have found the staff to be courteous and responsive to my needs, and Brandon has repeatedly sought to offer me top dollar on trade-ins. Their store is well stocked, their prices competitive with B&H--and sometimes better. Consequently, I have resolved to do all future business with them, when at all possible. The drive is well worth the exemplary service and relationship, and the satisfaction of tangibly supporting a local, incredibly reputable and competent business is not to be underestimated, in my book.

Old: Since I heard of Allen's and ventured there 10 years ago, I've been immensely impressed time and time again. Rob, Tony, and Allen, the only three staff with whom I've had the pleasure to interact, have consistently given me time and addressed my questions, and have often offered insight that I didn't know to seek. They also assisted me in maximizing savings using rebates without unnecessary purchases. All have proven knowledgeable and congenial--the sort of people you'd like to hang with after hours. The shop itself, while not blessed with a glut of floor space, has been well-stocked, and you'll find a phenomenal selection of quality gear without superfluous choices or questionable stock--ALL at reasonable prices. I truly can't recommend Allen's strongly enough, and enjoy every visit despite a 45 minute drive to reach them--this despite my being within 15 minutes of a larger, high-end shop (N.Y.C-----) that has utterly disappointed me in customer service, prices, trade-in experience, and, to a lesser extent, ...