Columbus Camera Group Inc

We fell in love with this shop when we first visited! The older guy who works there was very knowledgeable and helped us more than we could have ever expected. We began driving the long drive to this shop instead of trying local stores. We loved it the first few times we went and spent over a thousand dollars on equipment.\r \r Two things have really left a bad taste in our mouths since. We made the long haul there to purchase a $1700 camera and when we arrived a young girl was behind the counter. She hardly made eye contact and seemed to think she was better than us. When she got the camera down, we noticed the price was $100 more than it had been at the places we had checked on our smart phones on the way there in addition to the camera shop in our town. When we mentioned it, she completely shut us down and said she couldn't do anything about it. We saw the older guy in the back eating lunch that had been so helpful so many times before. We were tempted to call him out but decided that she had just lost our business.\r \r Also, we had never been asked to pose for a picture even after giving them so much business. It was another sign that they wanted people who fit their mold to represent them as customers! Our photography company does fine without their profile on Facebook!\r Then there is the load of crap that is their Facebook contest. The results are ridiculous most of the time! It is all a popularity contest with one girl, the one who refused to help us, Erica. We have entered only once but know other really talented people who didn't place when their photos were awesome. \r \r Then I noticed today that they have liked ONE photography page on their business site. ONE!! They have 100's of photographers going out of their way to give them business and they choose ONE (oddly enough a reoccurring contest winner) to ""like"" on Facebook. They shouldn't ""like"" any of them to be fair. They are showing customer bias when so many have spent their hard earned money there. We are finally done shopping there or recommending them to others. more

Hello, For me trust is everything, I quote a line by Jim Marshall ""I think the body of my work is based on trust, trust given, trust received."" When I buy a new or used camera or camera accessory I want to know the people I'm buying from are not only knowledgeable but willing to make it right if something should not work out as planned. Over the years I have found all of that and more at Columbus Camera Group, I would recommend this camera shop to any friend and even more to a person who loves hard to find used equipment. P.S. I see many people have posted dislike for Eric as a technical sales type person myself I understand many people view us as hard to work with when in fact we are just different, people gave Apple computer a shot to be different so give Eric a shot. If he's not your type just ask for someone else. Pros: Lots of parking, willing to negotiate, lots of used stock. Cons: None. more

I give a hearty amen to the other comments. John Hoffman (Spellng??) is an up front straight shooter. Eric on the other hand, is a fast talking, car salesman type of guy. Pros: A ton of good stuff Cons: AVOID ERIC!! more

Let me tell you, this place has everything you'll need in terms of photography equipment. Not so much on the digital side, unless it's high end. You can get stuff at a good price as long as you don't talk to Eric. He will rip you off, I promise you. Talk to John, or Geoffery. Rob and Justin are very nice as well. Everyone is very nice and helpful. \r Bottom line. Come here if you're interested in photography. Pros: They have everything, they are very informative. Cons: The Co-Owner, Eric, is .... well, avoid him. more

I LOVE this place! I talk with John everytime I go in the shop and he is anything but a swindler! John is so great and he helps me find exactly what I need and usually gives me a cheaper price than expected. The other owner who is there on Sat. is a pain, but if you go in during the week you will find very informative and nice people to deal with. I am a student at CCAD and I will never shop anywhere else for my photographic needs.\r Pros: inventory, atmosphere, price Cons: Eric Mehl more

I went to this place for years when I lived in Ohio to pick up 35mm equipment, a format I knew a lot about. On a recent visit to C-bus I was looking for some 4x5 equipment, something I know pretty much nothing about. \r The guy working there was more than happy to sell me an overpriced polaroid back, without the darn dark-slide even, telling me that ""It'd work fine."" They do have an amazing selection of stuff, but be sure to study up on what you're looking for and don't be scared to haggle. \r I should've known better, considering about two years ago the same fella attempted to sell me a well used Holga for $25 when they cost about $16 new.\r My fault for being suckered into a bad purchase, but beware, as they have no qualms about setting one up for any greenhornes coming in. Pros: lots of stuff Cons: swindlers run the place more

The staff is very kind and helpful. I am in the early stages of learning to develop my own film and everyone was so helpful. Thay had everthing I needed! \r It is worth the trip to check out the building alone.The shop is in an old church.\r Columbus Camera Group has beed in buisness for 20+ years and with one visit you can see why. Pros: helpful, patient, knowlegeable more