Good camera shops in Chicago ?

[leehal]

I am going to the USA in September, my first stop is Chicago.

I want to buy a Canon 17-40mm f/4.0L lens, I am staying downtown and would like to know if anyone could tell me any good camera shops in the area.

Thanks in advance !

[gregkoz]

A few left. In the "Loop", there's a fantastic 100 year old shop on South Wabash Ave - Central Camera. Full of turn of the century used equipment as well as digital. Just to walk in and feel the ambience ...

Another shop that is interesting is International Camera - 9 N. Wabash Ave. It's on the 2nd floor - cases of used equipment - no new stuff. If you want to see a cabinet full of "FD" lenses - just the place.

I lament the closing of Altman's Camera in the early 1980s. Once upon a time there were probably 10 downtown camera stores - now essentially only one. I don't count places like Wolf Camera - a smattering of point and shoots and lots of camera cases.

[leehal]

gregkoz - many thanks, I cannot believe a city the size of Chicago has such a poor choice !

Having done a websearch I have heard of some of those, wonder if I could order from BHP and have them ship the lens to my hotel ?!?!?!

[jalafer]

I made the same question last weeek, some people recommend me Calumet Photo, so I went to this shop. It is a professional shop, it is not downtown, you have to get a taxi to go there (10 minutes drive), but the visit worth the tour, they have almost everything in stock, good prices, only USA products.
I can recommend it.
The adress is:
Calumet Photo
1111 Cherry Street
Chicago

[leehal]

Thanks Jalafer :D

[Danny Boy]

leehal,

I purchased the 14-40mm lens from Calumet Photo in Chicago. I actually purchased it in Bensonville which is out in the suburbs. They do have a great selection and people there w/ a lot of knowledge. The website is:

http://www.calumetphoto.com/ctl?PAGE=Controller&ac.ui.pn=home.Home&ns=1

Hope you have a nice trip.

Dan

[cmM]

+1 for Calumet photo, both Chicago and Bensenville locations. I bought most of my gear from calumet. They're professionals..the people that work there, they know their stuff.

[gregkoz]

I agree - Calumet is a great place. I was limiting my list to walking distances.
If you're going to cab it - also try Helix Photo at 310 S. Racine. On a nice day, you can walk to Helix from the loop - about 2 miles due west. They have a good selection and provide better discounts than Calumet. A full stocking dealer. Phone # 312-421-6000. Martin Cheung is a knowledgable sales person and he'll deal with you on prices.

I am a camera store freak - I can hang around them all day. Been that way for 30 years - it's a costly habit !

http://www.helixcamera.com/home.html


Greg

[leehal]

Thought I might bump this thread up, I leave on Saturday for Chicago and got my heart set on a 20D - if I can preorder a one for pickup I won't bother taking my 10D on holiday with me.

Anyone know anywhere else I can try ?

[Kenski]

Helix Camera and video has a nice used selection if you are looking to spend alittle let but here is a price break down for the 17-40... Calumet and Helix are both local here and I've been watching the 17-40's :) Come check them out!

$699 @ Calumet
http://www.calumetphoto.com/ctl?PAGE=Controller&ac.ui.pn=cat.CatItemDetail&ac. item.itemNo=CA40611&ac.cat.CatTreeSearch.detail=y& type=SPDSEARCH

$799 @ Helix
http://www.helixcamera.com/35mm/canon/canon35mmlenses.html

Both of these places are going to be close to you.

[leehal]

Sorry, should have updated the topic, I am looking to buy a 20D, bought the 17-40mm lens - I am an idiot !!!!

[Kenski]

Sorry, should have updated the topic, I am looking to buy a 20D, bought the 17-40mm lens - I am an idiot !!!!


Calumet is probably your better bet!

Hmmm, actually, I don't think it is going to matter for price... If you are going back to the US so warranty issues isn't going to matter eaither!

[cmM]

Calumet have a few in stock now, but hurry up, call and reserve one.

(312) 440-4920 - their phone number.

[Kenski]

Calumet have a few in stock now, but hurry up, call and reserve one.

(312) 440-4920 - their phone number.

*TEARS FALL* My wife won't let me get one... Something about bills take priority.. She doesn't like to carry a balance on the credit cards and we just had to charge a bunch of stuff here recently for our trip to england in the spring.. :) And the fact that I dropped $1300 on the Stage 2 turbo kit for my SRT-4... DAMN HOBBIES! Photography, Guns, Cars, RC's, Computers..... Why does everything have to be SOOOO expensive!

[booggerg]

Don't forget there is a 8%-10% sales tax in downtown chicago. HA! :shock:

[Danny Boy]

Kenski,

What the heck is a: Stage 2 turbo kit for my SRT-4. I realize I'm very ignorant about most of the subjects in this world but what is that?

Just joking here but also trying to learn from others threads.

Dan

[cmM]

What the heck is a: Stage 2 turbo kit for my SRT-4. I realize I'm very ignorant about most of the subjects in this world but what is that?
A turbo kit... a forced induction kit (ex. manifold, turbo, downpipe, intercooler, etc, etc).
The stage II is how much boost... It's like up to 12-13 PSI or something like that. Then comes stage III :D ).

[Kenski]

What the heck is a: Stage 2 turbo kit for my SRT-4. I realize I'm very ignorant about most of the subjects in this world but what is that?
A turbo kit... a forced induction kit (ex. manifold, turbo, downpipe, intercooler, etc, etc).
The stage II is how much boost... It's like up to 12-13 PSI or something like that. Then comes stage III :D ).


hehehe, stock is 15PSI... I boosting 22PSI with stage 2... I don't want to know what stage 3 is :)

Hmmm, the SRT-4 is the Turbo Charged Dodge Neon.. Everyone makes fun of it because its a neon.. Yeah, I laugh too because they spent $40,000 on a Corvette, or $30,000 on a Mustang... I spent $21,000 on my car, $1300 in the Stage 2 kit, $300 in the 3" exhaust and $250 in fuel computer and I run 12.62 in the quarter mile at 116mph.. Ummm, Only the Viper, Z06 Corvette(Not by Much), and 03-04 SVT Cobra Mustang (BARLEY), can keep up with me. My top speed so far has been 172MPH (GPS confirmed).

The Stage 2 kit consisted of a new computer, 4 fuel injectors, 3 Bar MAP (Manifold Air Pressure) sensor, 3 Bar Tip Sensor, New Wastegate, and then "TURBO TOYS" which consits of a 100+ octane switch for when you can get 100+ octane fuel. This advances the timing to allow for higher octane without detonation. Turbo Toys also has an Intercooler sprayer to cool down the intercooler, Cooler intake temp=Denser air=MOOOOOORE POOOOOWER!!! Also in toys, DIAL A BOOST. This is AWESOME. it is a 4 position switch for POWER i guess you can say. The BOOST is computer controlled PER gear so when people ask how many pounds are you running, I tell them I don't know, The computer decides. Every gear is different. TORQUE MANAGEMENT I guess you can call it. So you don't blow out your tires in first but you can smoke that vette in 4th.. :) Here is break down for position 3 (for the track)

1st gear 7-10psi
2nd gear 12-15psi
3rd gear 13-17psi
4th gear 17-20psi
5th gear 19-22psi

[cmM]

oooops :P

that's a pretty quick neon.

I was saying 12-13 because that's what a stage 2 turbo for my car would be (which is naturally aspired in stock form). I'll have a garett t25 and all the other necessary goodies at some point. No 12s for me, but it'll make my car a lil quicker.

***sorry for the thread jacking. :oops: ***