Best of Toronto
The Best Camera Stores in Toronto
The best camera stores in Toronto may face competition from online retailers south of the border these days, but you wouldn't know it to visit most of them. Photographic culture is stronger than ever in Toronto, a point proven by the local presence on photo-sharing sites like Flickr and 500px, but also the size and popularity of our camera shops. Pay a visit to Henry's late on a Saturday morning, and it'll become clear just how pronounced the local appetite for photo equipment is — which I think is a good thing. Yes, buying products online via U.S. retailers can be cheaper and there are surely deals to be found in the used market, but when you don't already know exactly what you want, the expertise of the staff at many of the shops listed below is invaluable.
Here are the best camera stores in Toronto.
Photos by Jesse Milns
Downtown Camera
Downtown Camera strikes a good balance between bigger stores like Henry's and Vistek and smaller, more service-oriented shops. The well-stocked shop is mostly attitude-free, and equipped to handle the needs of amateurs and pros alike. It also doesn't hurt that they tend to price items just below their nearby competition. More »
Vistek
I've been buying photo equipment from Vistek ever since I got my first DSLR, a Nikon D50 back in 2008. The multi-level space in Corktown rivals Henry's for the comprehensiveness of its product lines and tends to be ever so slightly cheaper overall. Also noteworthy is the store's excellent selection of rental items and Mac products. Bonus points for a solid service department as well. More »
Henry's Camera
Henry's remains the go-to camera and video shop for many Torontonians. The huge space at Church and Queen covers the complete range of photo equipment from point and shoots all the way up to $40K Hasselblads with 60 megapixel digital backs. Add to the mix an impressive video department and a well stocked used department (much of which is posted to Ebay), and you've got one of Toronto's most complete photography destinations. More »
DV Shop
The DV shop, as its name implies, originally specialized in digital video related sales, but has now become a full-scale photography retailer carrying full lines from Canon, Nikon and Sony. A change of location to Runnymede and Dundas at the beginning of the year has increased the size of the showroom, but the store retains a laid-back vibe and knowledgeable staff. More »
Hit Camera
Located on Avenue Road just south of the 401, Hit Camera isn't exactly in a photography-rich retail zone. But who cares? I got a superb deal on a floor-model Nikon D300 a couple years back that I initially spotted on Ebay (where they have an active e-store). Stock levels don't compare to the big boys downtown, but the prices are good and the Karsh photo gallery in the back of the store is almost worth the visit in and of itself. More »
Lomography Store
The Lomography Store is a lo-fi lover's paradise. Stocked with a variety of analogue equipment (including some non-Lomo stuff), the pretty-lookng Queen West shop is as much a clubhouse as it is a store and gallery. Despite the wonder of digital technology, the challenges and charms of film remain alive thanks to a passionate group of shooters who since the shop opened now have a home-base in Toronto. More »
Aden Camera
Aden Camera is the type of store to go to when you know exactly what you're looking for and you want the lowest price. Like the camera stores that dot touristy areas in New York, quality of service isn't the shop's calling card. And given that most photographers geek out on web-based research before they buy anything, for shooters on a budget, price is often the bottom line. More »
Film Plus
Sometimes you just can't afford to buy all the equipment you'll have occasion to use as a photographer. In a perfect world, you'd have a well-equipped friend to help you out when you need a tilt-shift lens or the like, but in the absence of such a convenience, Film Plus has got it covered, including pro lighting set-ups and large format equipment. More »
Discussion
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I also had a friend who left a medium format RF there for months until they finally admitted they couldn't repair it. This is analogue equipment though, maybe they're better with fixing digital stuff... I hope.
PS. Rumour has it the Lomo Store is going belly up...
(Go to Henrys.ca and click on "Looking for rentals?", it takes you to the Headshots page)
I go to DV Shop and Vistek for my video equipment and supplies. And B&H in NYC.
Both Henrys and Vistek are complete ripoffs.
This list sucks.
I agree that Downtown Camera strikes the best balance between the products, price, and lack of snootiness. But, these days I always know what I want before going into the store, so Aden serves me best (best stock and price).
Over a year ago I bought a 5dII from Aden and Henry's refused to match, then said something along the lines of "Canon should dump them as a dealer for not marking up more." Just a taste of their attitude.
(I'm not affiliated with photoprice, just a fan.)
As far as I'm concerned, Aden's only purpose of existance is to use to price-match. Their service sucks: the one time I went in I was met with what amounted to high school kids behind the counter and a disgruntled older guy. I've heard the stories about both locations (downtown and Pacific Mall).
As mentioned before BBuy or FShop are decent if you know what you're looking for, but I wouldn't expect anyone who works there to know about camera specs if I ask them. I'd go to Blacks or Henrys if I want to know something, and then get them to pricematch. If a store won't pricematch, I walk out and they don't get any of my business.
Haven't tried any of the others, but I wouldn't really be surprised if Lomography went under. Most people buy that kind of stuff on the internets.
It is a shame about 8 Elm closing next month. Their C41 35mm processing was only $2 a roll, best deal in town.
http://www.wesisearch.com/blog/?p=54
Downtown Camera has great service without attitude.
BTW,what did piss you off about Henry's exactly?
Sales people at camera stores are kind of a variable lot. I wouldn't judge a store based on an experience with a unpleasant sales rep. Just go back at another time & speak to someone else.
Around 25yrs ago Downtown Camera had a used dept at the back that they could have charged admission to see!
help MEEEEEEEE
Anyone remember International Camera out on the Queensway? It was my fave by far. Henry's? Fugetaboutit.
Personally i would rate film plus over a lot of the others. Vistek are okay but it depends who you get as to whether its a good experience or not. Downtown are good too.
I tend to get all my colour cross processed at Wongs camera on the Danforth. He also has a stock of old obselete things that come in useful with old equipment. Nice guy too.
Surely the Lomography store should not be so high on the list. Overpriced plastic crap remakes of better original crap.
My advice, pick a store, develop a relationship with one or two individuals and build on this trust. Going to a store simply because it's cheaper is not the answer especially if you're looking at higher end equipment, ya buy cheap- ya get cheap..Don't get me started on B&H..ever tried to return a D300 that is defective?..or get warranty repairs on a camera or lens that was not purchased in Canada..it's not worth the hassle..
I do agree that Henry's is grossly overpriced, although sometimes you've gotta use them just to get what you need in a hurry.
For the products that they do carry, DV Shop seems to be consistently lower in price than any other store. Good customer service as well.
I heard from the employees there.
i would never buy from aden. the only reason most retailers aren't matching to aden is because of their "return/exchange" policy, which is practically non-existent.