Good camera shops in Chicago ?

leehal · 3rd of August 2004 (Tue)

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 · 3rd of August 2004 (Tue)

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 · 4th of August 2004 (Wed)

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 · 4th of August 2004 (Wed)

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 · 4th of August 2004 (Wed)

Thanks Jalafer

Danny Boy · 4th of August 2004 (Wed)

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....Home&ns=1

Hope you have a nice trip.

Dan

cmM · 4th of August 2004 (Wed)

+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 · 4th of August 2004 (Wed)

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 · 15th of September 2004 (Wed)

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 · 15th of September 2004 (Wed)

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...type=SPDSEARCH

$799 @ Helix
http://www.helixcamera.com/35mm/cano...5mmlenses.html

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

leehal · 15th of September 2004 (Wed)

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

Kenski · 15th of September 2004 (Wed)

Quote:

Originally Posted by leehal

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 · 15th of September 2004 (Wed)

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

(312) 440-4920 - their phone number.

Kenski · 15th of September 2004 (Wed)

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmM

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 · 15th of September 2004 (Wed)

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

3rd of August 2004 (Tue)	#1
leehal Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 100	Good camera shops in Chicago ? 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 !

3rd of August 2004 (Tue)	#2
gregkoz Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 3	Chicago Camera Shops 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.

4th of August 2004 (Wed)	#8
gregkoz Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 3	More Camera Stores 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

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4th of August 2004 (Wed)	#4
jalafer Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Getxo, Spain Posts: 118	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

4th of August 2004 (Wed)	#6
Danny Boy Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Illinois, USA Posts: 301	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....Home&ns=1 Hope you have a nice trip. Dan

4th of August 2004 (Wed)	#7
cmM Goldmember Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Chicago / San Francisco Posts: 5,797	+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.

15th of September 2004 (Wed)	#9
leehal Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 100	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 ?

15th of September 2004 (Wed)	#10
Kenski User is banned from forums Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Va Beach, Va Posts: 727 IMAGE EDITING OK	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...type=SPDSEARCH $799 @ Helix http://www.helixcamera.com/35mm/cano...5mmlenses.html Both of these places are going to be close to you.

15th of September 2004 (Wed)	#15
booggerg User is banned from forums Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Chicago Posts: 460	Don't forget there is a 8%-10% sales tax in downtown chicago. HA!