I have had extremely mixed experiences with Ace Photo for more than a decade. I'm a longtime film…read moreand digital photographer, and camera repair technician. Sometimes I've gotten good products for a good value; other times it's been really disappointing or even felt like being cheated or disrespected. I'll just tell a few stories from the years; you decide. About 5-6 years ago I bought a set of used lenses from their website. The items were well-priced and essentially new. I couldn't see any evidence of prior use. I've used them extensively and this was a great buy. In the past couple of years I bought a large format film camera from the website. It had a lens cone but no lens, and I emailed them prior to purchase to try to figure out what focal length the cone was made for, because it wasn't visible in the photos. A very basic question; the resulting emails proved that they a) had no clue what I was asking, b) had no idea of their ignorance, and c) were condescending, implying that I didn't know what I was shopping for. I gave up, bought it on faith, and as expected, the answer I needed was clearly engraved in large type on the cone. I assume the rep was looking at the website photos instead of the camera, and not seeing what I was asking for, tried to brush off what should have been a trivial question. But there was another problem. The camera was damaged after photographing for the website, in a visually obvious way, and they shipped it to me knowing it was broken (held together with a rubber band). I wrote back to ask for a discount, explaining that I was competent to machine a replacement part (this camera is out of production and there is no parts source, so that was the only option). The discount I received was insultingly small, but I kept the camera. Finally, in-person. I try to visit brick-and-mortar camera stores, and Ace had been on my list for years. It was so-so. First, I was greeted by the familiar claim that it's the largest camera store in the mid-Atlantic; I'd expected to spend 2-3 hours as I often do, but actually 20-30 minutes was plenty to browse everything. Definitely not the largest store in the mid-Atlantic, and I know firsthand. Still, I was interested in a couple of items. I asked about a discount on a vintage lens I would enjoy repairing, and was bluntly told they do not negotiate. I then explained that this lens had serious issues, and was told, again bluntly, that the shelf I got it from all had issues and was priced accordingly. That irritated me: the person was bluffing; they didn't know which shelf I'd gotten it from, and it was not a gear-with-issues shelf nor priced accordingly. They obviously thought it was in top condition and the price was delusionally high even if it'd been mint. Nonetheless, I mildly asked them to take a look at the glaring defects and see if they thought it was worth reconsidering. Two people tried to look at it, in clumsy ways that would never work; obviously totally inexperienced, but they kept squinting uselessly and then looking at me with scornful expressions like I was trying to scam them. I told them how to do it, but they condescendingly ignored me and kept doing it wrong, so I said more firmly, "let me show you." So I showed them something no reasonably competent person would have missed, and they took it back to ask the boss who said "no, price is firm." OK, fine; I asked about another item, whose tag listed a complete kit but half of the kit had obviously been sold off separately. The person looked on the website and said "that's how it is on the website so that's how it is." Again, just a blunt customer-is-wrong response, combined with customer-is-annoying tone. Despite this, two of the other staff members WERE really helpful and attentive, and seemed knowledgeable, hence why I call this a so-so experience. I've given a small but representative sample of many more stories I could tell here, and I think I'm done with Ace after the in-person visit. Life's too short to support people who run businesses like customers are just a money source to be sucked dry. I can't look past the 50/50 good-to-bad ratio anymore. Mistakes and occasional miscommunications etc are expected; a consistently higher than usual number of these kinds of bad interactions are symptomatic of something deeply wrong overall, and after reading other Yelp reviews I realize I'm not alone. (Update: Robert's response to this review really confirms my opinions.) I have more great options elsewhere than I can name here, and plan to give them my business in the future. Locally I recommend Pro Camera in Charlottesville, Southeastern Camera in Raleigh, Ball Camera in Asheville, KEH and PPR in Atlanta, among others. Online and further distant from this area, I recommend especially KEH, MPB, Roberts Used Photo Pro, National Camera, Midwest Photo, B&H, Adorama, Blue Moon Camera & Machine, Film Photography Project, Brooklyn Film Camera, and TheDarkroom film processing lab.

Be careful about what you are ordering. I ordered a camera online that CLEARLY had a photo of what…read moreI wanted (because I own one) and the correct model number. I clicked through to the site from Google Shopping and it did not say unavailable or anything, but the exact same photo (price, too) came up with a slightly different model number, so I didn't notice a missing 0. My receipt shows the same camera. Mo refuses to apologize. He said he would refund it if I send it back. I had the camera shipped out of the country at extra expense and sending it back will cost more than the purchase (taxes, shipping 2 ways) The product does not match the photo.

Just as I almost forgot how to use my 35mm SLR film camera (remember those??), I signed up for a…read moreBlack and White Darkroom class at the Reston Community Center Photo Lab with my boyfriend. I have had darkroom experience in the past, but my boyfriend was a complete newbie. As a resident of Reston (small district #5), the 4-session course was only $40 and included all chemicals and 4 additional hours of darkroom time. We had to purchase our own paper, film sleeves and provide our own cameras and film. The class was a great introduction to darkroom techniques, from developing your film, making/developing prints, and how to improve your final print. It did not, however, include instruction on proper exposure of your film or field techniques (though the RCC periodically offers such courses separately). The instructor, Sandra, was a sweetheart and did a fantastic job getting everyone started. I do have to warn all of you digital camera converts... you can only take 24-36 shots on a single roll of film... so point and shoot with care!!!! As for the lab, it's a great secret in Reston... Although tiny and beginning to show its age, it has everything you need to develop and print your BW and Color negatives. The Open Lab has hours on Saturdays, Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays (Color processing is not offered every day)... check out the website for an exact schedule. You must call ahead to make a reservation to ensure that Sandra is around and to make sure that it doesn't get too crowded. I've never had a problem reserving a spot for the same day. So here's what earned the lab a 5-star rating in my book... 4 hours at the open lab will only set you back $7!!!! That's less than a breakfast at starbucks!!!! Do note that if you don't live or work in small district #5 (Reston), the fees are a little more... $10. Still not bad!!! Happy printing!

Egan helped detach a camera lens cap from a filter on an old camera I inherited. He determined a…read morepiece was missing that was keeping the cap and the filter from attaching correctly. He cleaned the camera and charged a very reasonable rate. I found him very attentive and knowledgeable. I'm glad thee is a still a camera repair shop around and that it's Egan's.

They are supposed to be open until 5...walked in at 4...and they said they couldn't take…read moreit...because the machine was "off." I'm sorry I made the trip over.

From start to finish Ronney is an absolute pleasure to work with. She exceeded my expectations. I…read moregave her 2 photographs of my father---one was black and white from when he was in the military. She added color and removed some spots. The other was my dad playing guitar when he was younger. She removed a few finger prints and brought out the color. My father was so thrilled to receive the photos. I will have some more jobs for her soon. She is the absolute best!

Ronney is a total professional. She skillfully and carefully restored thru technology the photos…read moreof my great, great grandparents. Her production preserves the images of people I never met, but from whom our family now has seven generations. Because of her techniques, I am able to share with other family members the photos of a true patriarch and matriarch of our family. Thank you Ronney!!!!

The team at Photo Scope is fast and friendly. They print perfect photos and have a great selection…read moreof frames for a last minute gift. Never print at a drug store when you have Photo Scope.

I was disappointed in the passport photo produced by Photo Scope. I sent a message 4 days in…read moreadvance to Tony (Father, I assume) who was recommended by his competition but when I arrived senior Tony passed the camera to a younger man, (his son, I assume). You pay $5 more than the going rate and get the usual two tries. Nothing at all special.

i came here a couple of weeks ago to print out 5 PHOTOS from my travels this past year. I hear from…read moresome people that this place prints very good quality photos. I thought.. "why not"...I should give this place a try! I walk in.. asian owner greets me in a nonchalant manner. I hand him my usb drive and point out which photos I would like printed. Here is the part I DO NOT get. I expected the price to be more expensive that other places like Costco or Wally World but for 5 PHOTOS, I paid over $10 DOLLARS. I waited less than 3 minutes for these photos to be printed. I look at the photos and they weren't even that vivid or clear!!! For $2 PER PHOTO, I would not come back here. I can get the same quality or even better prints from elsewhere for a cheaper price!!

Chieu came through for us, even though we forgot our baby's cute outfit changes! She really…read moreimprovised on the whim and we loved the final photos. It was easy to schedule a session. She was very communicative in her emails. I absolutely loved the final photos and will definitely reach out to her in the future. it was a great experience overall!

Chieu did an amazing job for our newborn's photography. Chieu was very flexible and had made the…read moreprocess really simple and prepared the photoshoot prior to us coming at her studio. Our newborn was born during the winter holidays and we had discussed a tentative time based on our original due date. But our newborn decided to come earlier than expected and she was flexible to rework her schedule to help us by putting us in the day after new years. Thank you Chieu for the amazing photos my wife and I loved the photos.

We've used Jim and his team for years, for both videography and photography. He has shot videos and…read morepictures for our marketing team, which we use on our website, in all our promotional materials, and on social media. His team also shoots video and pictures of all of our conferences. He is the only production company we trust with our brand image. We also use Jim and his team on behalf of our clients. He has shot countless videos in his greenscreen studio and on-location for our professional clients (mainly attorneys and doctors). Jim is skilled at putting our clients at ease and helping even the most camera-shy create impressive videos. Gearshift has also helped some of our clients create remarkable voiceover videos using well-chosen imagery and music. Once he turned around a video for a hot legal case in just a few hours, using the attorney's recorded voice and images he selected himself to tell a compelling story (I got the final video from him around 11pm that night after having given him the voice file only a few hours before--this man is dedicated!) He also works with some of the best spokesmodels in the business, and can create scripted spokesmodel videos to impress even the most discerning tastes. Having used pretty much all of Gearshift's services first-hand, I can say with confidence that when you work with Gearshift you not only get a high-quality product, you also get a great team and the unflappable and always entertaining Jim.

Gearshift is a top notch video company. They produced several videos for my company. They were…read morecreative and on time. Jim Folliard has a firm grasp on the video work and it's relation to the internet medium. Their studio is high end but their prices are not.