Park in the public parking by the train tracks and walk to Lee St, they're right there in the first block. After reading some other reviews, I almost didn't go. But they had what I needed so I went in. The owner IS chatty, so are a lot of people. I suppose it can be annoying for some folks. I'm a talker, so we got along just fine. I DID have to bring the conversation back around to cameras a few times, LOL! I shoot a lot of 35mm film and they have a lot of 35mm cameras, lenses, lens caps, filters and all kinds of stuff you won't find anyplace else. They also have digital equipment and do (send out) photo processing. I haven't had them do any developing yet. So many camera stores treat you like a freak if you still shoot film, here they do not. They'll get you any film or paper you need, and seem really enthusiastic about the equipment. As far as things being overpriced, you can go to ANY camera store and pay too much for some things. I do my research on anything that costs more than a few bucks. EXAMPLE: A Lens Pen for cleaning your lens. You'd think Walmart would be cheaper than a Camera store, right? Wrong. I found a the same model of Lens Pen for $3.50 cheaper at Wolf than Walmart. Always shop, never assume. I ended up buying the filter I went in for and a few other items also. I know the prices were good because I know what these things sell for in stores and on the Internet. I'll probably be taking a camera in to be serviced and we'll see how that goes. RECAP: If you shoot film and are looking for something, go in. UPDATE: Since my first visit, I've been back many times and will continue to shop here. I recommend them highly. read more

Extremely unfriendly customer service. I went to Alpine for a passport photo. The guy that took my photo had zero personality and did not show me the photo for my approval before printing it out. I regret not going to Walgreens to get my passport photo. I will never return to Alpine photo for anything. Do yourself a favor and go somewhere else. read more

We had our camera (our baby) cleaned through Alpine Camera. We had a great experience. Quick reliable service with a smile. Thank you.

Don't develop your film here. They improperly handled and developed my 120 film and gave me a bunch of excuses. Counter staff was friendly when I dropped off and told me the medium format would be close to 4x4 square, which makes sense. But when prints came back (a week later) they were rectangular just like 35mm, which means they were cropped. And worse still, they printed them BACKWARDS. Yes, all my images were flipped so they printed the film from the wrong side b/c their machine "failed to alert them" it was incorrectly fed. The negatives were filthy (fingerprints, splotches, dust). They clearly don't know what they are doing concerning medium format film (they said my film was "old" which is not true at all...Fresh arrival from B&H, shot and turned over to Alpine within a 2 week period). As other reviewers noted, the owner, Chuck, is rude - annoyed and heated with me on the phone instead of helpful. He would not give me a refund for the 2 rolls of film printed backwards but offered to re-do them. Not a chance! It was only when I got really upset that he offered to refund the prints but said he could not do it over the phone and that when I came in, he would be taking possession of my prints because they were HIS property! Well, that IS funny. I am finishing my degree in Fine Arts-Photography and exhibiting film photos in shows..... Why would I give Chuck possession of my work?? Or hand him my negatives, ever?? If you are serious about your film, CSW is open in Chicago and so is Central Camera and Gamma Imaging. And Alpine is just as expensive as them so you won't be saving money by going here. I can only justify the one star for some of the staff who work there and put up with the boss. read more

I bought a camera, July 2011 in which the owner from Alpine Camera exclaimed that it was a much better camera then I'd ever get at places like Staples, Office Depot, etc. Owner likes to bash competitors and it made me feel very uneasy. I should have walked away, but, trying to support the small local business I knowingly and foolishly buy the overpriced camera. The camera never performs to our expectations and we're talking about taking everyday normal pictures. The outcome is that I go to see if I can sell the camera back since we don't like the camera and he advertises that they buy cameras. I walk into the store with the original box and packing, all directions, disk, etc and the original receipt and he said "no" without even getting out of his seat. I will NOT return to support him and unfortunately it makes me suspicious of all other small business operators who act any bit like Alpine Camera's owners. read more

Bought Ektar film and was given 120 by mistake when I asked for 35mm didn't check the film until I was ready to use it two weeks later and realized it. Took film back and they wouldn't exchange it. I suggest making the trip to central camera co. In the loop much friendlier. read more

I needed a camera for my daughter's photography class when she starts school on Monday (yeah, I know..way to wait until the last minute, mom..). When I walked in, what I found was knowledgeable staff and a good selection of used cameras. I experienced ZERO pressure to buy anything new or expensive, which I really appreciated. My father was an amateur photographer who worked at a camera store, so it was a real treat walking into a camera store after all these years. We will definitely be coming back to them for our photography needs, as I believe it is important to support local, small business. read more

Visited Alpine Camera last week to get some advice on some film. Owner was extremely helpful in providing me with all of the information needed to complete my project. Really made me feel like I was visiting Mayberry, because of the friendliness and willingness to help. The owner, Chuck I believe, spent twenty minutes helping me. I highly recmmend this place for supplies and advice on camera and film issues. read more

I recently took a camera to Alpine on the recommendation of a photography teacher. I did hesitate to take it there due to the reviews the store received here. But I'm happy I did because I think we got great service. The owner definitely is both knowledgeable and passionate about photography. He spent a lot of time talking with us and explained some features on our camera that were unusual. Despite the distance I had to drive, I would definitely go back. read more

Insulting staff. Stay far away from this place with your older negatives. They will charge you for terrible work and make you feel like you're an idiot--as noted by numerous reviewers. I look forward to this place going out of business. They don't deserve one star. read more

After reading all the reviews I was a bit hesitant. The women were very helpful. Explained everything to me. I had some 35 milimeter slides , which were 40 years old. I wanted made into pictures for my album. Not expensive at all .99cents each. Don't go by all the reviews. Go in there and check it out. I will be back there for sure. read more

I called before coming in and made it clear I was interested in buying the Canon T2i. The salesman told me to come in and he'd be glad to show me one and let me try it. When I arrived he suggested that the T1i would be a better camera and spent some time showing it to me in great detail. At the end of his sales pitch I asked to look at the T2i so I could make a comparison. He said the T1i was all they carried. Shouldn't he have told me that when I called? I only gave this place 2 stars because they had good prices. I still took my business elsewhere. read more

Stay away, this place is bad news. I went in there to look at a Canon 7D, which they didn't have instock, as a matter of fact they hardly had any DSLRs in there, only the lowest end Nikon d5000. So I browsed around a bit, and as I was ready to leave (without buying anything) the owner came out of his office and basically held me hostage blocking the door..He went on for 20 minutes about this Nikon (the only one the had instock) and why it was SO much better then the Canon. So after him telling me why a $500 camera is better then a $1700, he started going on about his kids baseball and condo in Branson, STILL blocking my exit! Really??? I later found out that the owner of this business is an ex-used car salesman...Go figure! Hi-pressure sales are the name of the game at Alpine Camera. Not only that, but they charge 20-50% more then other local companies for the same product. While I was in there (March 2011) I noticed 4GB CF memory cards were selling for $60... I know they have to make a profit, but really??? $60 for a memory card that cost him maybe $8. After dealing with the slimey hi-pressure owner, I had to take a shower! Don't say I didn't warn you! read more

these guys are a rip off,the sold me a lens that was broken and will not refund my money,they said they would sell me another for $100 dollars more read more