Camera & Darkroom

This is the rudest, most unhelpful, most horrible place to shop at. Totally inflexible. They make you feel un welcomed, their inventory is terrible, they think they are better than you and they're stuck in an era when they were the only game in town. Buy your equipment for HUNDREDS LESS at BH Photo or Adorama and get it here in two days. THE OWNER himself told me when I asked him if he knew how the public feels about his business: ""Yes I do, they write me terrible reviews and I don't care"". All of this over a $40 refund for an UN OPENED item. Never again. more

The staff has been very helpful. I have done quite a bit of business with them and they have always been honest in what would best fit my needs. They have never tried to over sell me on items that I am considering. I recently purchased a new D700 and 70-200mm lens from them because of the service. I paid a little more than the internet but the cost of good service is worth more than that minor difference. Pros: Excellent knowledge of equipment. Cons: Sometimes availability of certain merchandise more

If I were also paying the going tutorial rate for instruction or general photographic knowledge the price of any item at Camera & Darkroom would be dirt cheap even if it were twice the on-line price. I have a D-200 in constant use and a darkroom full of once (and still) beloved equipment I no longer use. The advice and counsel from the staff has been invaluable even though I no longer buy as much. I would recommend them to anyone in need of photographic help. Pros: knowledgeable more

As a 40-year serious amateur and former part-time pro (contract photographer with The Image Bank), I can honestly say that I've rarely dealt with a retail photo dealer that has a better informed staff or a greater selection of new and second-hand equipment. For those who, like me, still prefer film (you know who you are!), their processing service is of a higher quality than many pro labs I've used over the years. Sure, you may spend a few dollars more, but the value of the service, both when you're making a purchase and after, is worth far more than the small increment in cost. The staff is honest, friendly, knowledgeable, and anxious to help. Hey, just try it. You'll like it! Pros: excellent service, good selection Cons: none, really more

I have got to say that after reading some of these reviews I was a bit surprised in what I was reading. I have been dealing with Camera and Darkroom for going on five years now and they have always been prompt and have gone the extra mile to answer my questions. Sure sometimes I can save a buck or two online but the service I have received has been more then worth it! And I have yet to find better results with my processing let alone for the cost!! Pros: Excellant Selection Cons: Parking more

I have purchased several cameras from C&D and have always found the staff and owner to be insightful and understanding and ready to offer suggestions based on my needs. Because I am a neophyte, I have many questions and I truly appreciate the time and effort spent explaining the pros and cons of different cameras. In my quest for a best buy, meaning value for my dollar, I have gone to many different stores from the internet to large department discount stores in search of knowledgeable professional sales people and competitive prices. and honestly I keep coming back to C& D because of their expert advice. I highly recommend this specialty store. Pros: Knowledgeable staff Cons: parking more

Not being someone who typically posts reviews, I feel in this case it is necessary. Being an amatuer photographer approx. 2 years ago I purchased a Nikon D50 from Camera and Darkroom. It being my first real camera and I had several questions. The staff was happy to help me. I have since gone back several times and have always gotten the assistance I needed (I have purchased two additional cameras from them).\r \r I ask are you confused because I first went to Kurts Camera and got the guy sitting in a chair who asked ""Are you going to buy today because if you're not I'm busy"" Pros: Great Customer Service! Cons: Parking more

Ive been in here a few times. Its obvious some of the employees have worked here too long, burnouts, who cant be bothered to get off their chair to help you. None of the processing or printing is done on the premises so if you have questions about paper type, borders etc. they have no idea what youre talking about. Nor will they call the lab that they outsource the work to to ask them questions for you. this place sucks, but unfortunately they have almost no competition. so you dont have much other choice than to use them. Pros: close to home Cons: the staff sucks more

i called the store to see if they had a lens which i wanted to buy, and just happened to asked the returns policy. As soon as i asked about the return policy, the agent at the store said, ""we don't run a rental store"" in a very rude manner. i was kind of shocked and asked him why would he say that, and he started giving me a lecture on dealing with customer who would ask the return policy. (he said that customer who ask for return policy wont back the stuff) overall, i have spent few thousand dollars on camera and accessories, and the lens i called was only $200. i am very sad and upset with their customer service and nonsense they gave me. Avoid this store, otherwise u will be in big trouble. Pros: nothing! Cons: rude, unfriendly, more

As a visitor in Albuquerque with a borrowed camera and no knowledge of cameras, I went to this shop for advice for a problem that I was having. The store employee checked the charge on my batteries, and checked the memory card and said the card was malfunctioning. I bought a new one. When I left the store another customer said that I had paid 4 times as much for the memory card as I would have paid at Amazon. I realized that the store at home would replace the defective card, so I went right back into the store to return the overpriced card, still in its original package. The salesman told me that they do not accept returns, store credit only. I told him I could not use the store credit because I live 2300 miles away, could they make an exception. He said no, so I asked for his manager. After asking several times for a way to contact his manager he finally told me he (the owner) would be in the store in an hour. When I called to talk to the owner, I told my story and asked him to let me return the card. His first words were "" Why should I do that for you?"". Needless to say he would not take back the card, and the only reasons he gave were that I had gotten advice from his staff, and then I had the nerve to ask to speak with him in front of other customers. Message for the day: avoid stores with a no refund policy because they definitely do not want to be held to competitive pricing standards. And avoid rude store owners. more