There's quite a few reasons you should go to this place if you are a photographer (or just have…read morepretensions to be one, like me), but really all you need to know about them can be found on their website, where they have an image of the raddest baby you're ever likely to see. I rarely think babies are cute, as most just look like tiny Winston Churchills, but this baby does not. This same spirit of rad transfers over to this shop. Jan is remarkably honest: "Why do you want to get that film developed?" "I wanted to try out this old (110) film, see what it's like" "You know you could do the same thing with your phone. It's no good this film, too small." It probably won't surprise you to know that they're actually very good printers, and do things at a good price: $15 for 24 exposures developed and printed. They also process wacky film types that the chain places would baulk at. Jan told me once that people drive from the North Shore to bring her film; I would believe it. Plus she is too honest to tell fibs.

I love this business. I have all my old photos restored here and am gradually going through all my…read moreold family videos and having them put onto DVD. Bobby has been incredible, even taking 36mm film, and putting it onto a DVD for me, with the most beautiful music to accompany it. Definitely recommend them - lovely people and they do a fantastic job!

As a professional photographer I really need excellent service and advice from a knowledgable…read morephotography enthusiast whenever it comes to purchasing new gear and I know that I can find just that here at Progear. The thing I like most about this store is they have a really good second hand section with lots of refurbished camera's and accessories for around 1/3rd of their original cost. I bought my 5D body second hand from here and it has lasted me so well with no issues yet! But even if there was an issue I wouldn't be worried as the staff here have excellent contacts and ideas when it comes to fixing Canon products. The staff are so great, they really know what they are talking about, I could chat with them for ages about new products and old faithful ones and everything in-between. They stock the two main brands here, Canon and Nikon as well as an excellent range of after market accessories that are top quality and work well with both brands.

Very quick response to my online query, and superb customer service…read more Excellent if you are looking to browse for a telescope in Auckland in a physical store!

Brought a Wolverine Film to Digital converter $310 and got charged an extra $7.75 for credit card…read morefee. Not happy as I could have brought through the website on my credit card with no fee and the annoying thing was I was going to buy through the website but instead wasted my petrol driving there. Bad form! Not happy, also no signage to warn people about the charge either.

For service, Canon are fantastic…read more Get your DSLR or lens a service here for very reasonable prices. Bring it here your self and pay half what you would in a photo store. Services take about one to two weeks. Repairs take about the same depending on the damage or repair required. They will also call to confirm whether you wish to proceed and the analysis fee is deducted from the final total. All repairs come with their warranty. Come on, you're dealing with the camera manufacturer, not a cowboy car park repair shop. Also, there are refurbished and even brand new cameras on reduced sale price here for minor packaging damage. Lens caps also for sale at $15 dollars and I've paid $45 dollars retail in photo stores! Easily located there is also visitor car parks and you just let reception know you're heading up to the service department. Easy as.

Once Ken, who works here, asked me: "Do you like tomatoes?" I said, yes, why I do like tomatoes. He…read morewent out the back and returned with a bag of them, explaining that he had a lot growing at home so had brought some in to give away. It was still one of the nicest things that's ever happened to me in a shop. Good one Ken! Apart from random acts of kindness, this is the place to go for anything camera-related. They stock a wide range of gear, (including studio equipment) and seem to always be a little bit cheaper than other places around. They also sell second hand gear on behalf, and also repair film cameras (not digital ones, although they can clean the sensor for you). I've actually had the same camera for about 18 years, so I'm not really their target market, but if you're upgrading or getting your first camera, I encourage you to go here and talk to people who know of what they speak. Finally, if you are in need of Lomo and the like, you can get that here too. All this and free tomatoes!

I miss Videon now it's moved from its iconic Art Deco building in Balmoral. But it's worth going a…read morebit further for - hell, even driving across Auckland for. This is possibly the only place in Auckland that has classic movies on DVD and if you are really old-school (and fruit loopin crazytown) you might even still be in the market to hire VHS tapes. Most of the new chain video rental places barely have the 80s classics so Videon is such a treasure. The people that work here, while sometimes a bit superior, really do know their stuff and because of that, their recommendations are usually right on the money. I know over the years there have been hard times and it would be devastating if Auckland ever lost Videon - they are our city's largest independent film library. Whatever twisted genre you're after they are bound to have it; Avant-Garde, Military, Directors' Cuts, obscure Festival flicks and so much more.

Videon is a legendary DVD and game hire store located on Dominion Road in Mt Eden…read more Videon is the place to go if you're looking for slightly off-beat films, or movies that were never blockbuster hits. Videon also has a great selection of foreign and anime films, as well as old TV shows. As a child Videon was my local rental store and I can't begin to imagine how many hours I spent in there pouring of the titles and pleading with my parents to let me get more than one movie. I still head to Videon regularly despite no longer living in the area, as it really is the best place to find classic or quirky movies. The only unfortunate thing about Videon today is that is used to be located down the Balmoral end of Dominion round in a much bigger store. This of course meant they had a far bigger selection to choose from, however that's not to take away from what they have now. It's incredible - check it out! Bonus: The staff have worked their forever and basically know what they stock off the top of their head. They're fantastic!

David's emporium is your one stop shop for everything! Here they have tools, paint, art supplies,…read morecrafts, material, nick-nacks, appliances, wigs and my favourite.....dress-ups! It's at David's you are able to find anything and everything suitable for a party, or if you're after something on the cheap. Located on Cavendish Drive in Manukau, it's only really convenient if you're in the area. There is plenty of onsite parking available. I have been here a number of times to pick up bits and pieces with my boyfriend, who is really in to art. He finds that they always have great sales on their canvases, sketch books and cheap paint brushes that he might need for touching up. Here I have managed to purchase lint rollers and a foot exfoliator, both of these cost next to nothing, I was very impressed.

PrintInc is my favourite place to go for developing my photos. It's got kiosks within a kiosk; you…read morecan bring your own USB or CD, pick your photos at your own machine, take it to the main kiosk and walk around the mall while your photos print. Very handy and they even give you a call when they're done! I've printed tonnes of photos at a small cost and they always come out beautifully with at the customisations I ordered too (matte, white border, and so on). The staff here are great to deal with and know what they're talking about, which was much the case when I got something printed on canvas. I was a total lost cause but they helped me through the process of picking what parts I wanted cropped, how I wanted it centred and even showed me how they did it on their computer screen. I'm signed up to their e-mails so I always get alerts when they're having a sale on canvas prints or the like. They occasionally do half price canvas prints which are a bargain! They're a great gift idea and they even sell some nice frames if you're running short on time. I'd highly recommend PrintInc for making all your photos come to life, it's a great establishment.