I paid $38 to be handed an envelope of blank gray rectangles and then told it was my fault. I dropped off a disposable camera for development. A week later I picked up my prints, went to my truck, and opened the envelope. Multiple frames were completely blank. Not underexposed, not dark, just featureless gray. No image whatsoever. Several more were so faded they might as well have been. I walked back in immediately. The employee looked at the negatives and, rather than offer any acknowledgment or accommodation, told me I "needed more light" and should have "used a better camera." This response is both condescending and completely beside the point. My complaint was not that some photos turned out poorly... that's the nature of film. My complaint is that they printed and charged me for frames that contained absolutely nothing. Here's the part that's genuinely indefensible: at no point during the development process did anyone contact me to flag that a significant portion of the roll appeared blank. A five-second phone call like "Hey, several of these frames look empty, do you still want prints?" would have been the bare minimum of professional courtesy. They didn't make that call. They printed everything, charged me for everything, and then refused even a PARTIAL refund when I raised the issue. Charging a customer to print blank frames and then talking down to them about it is a remarkable combination of poor service and bad attitude. Do not bring your film here. read more

The Camera Shop - Photography Stores & Services Near Me - Traverse City, Michigan

Amazing store, very knowledgeable staff, prints and used/new gear. The store is like my Disney. read more

I went to the Camera shop to pick up my photos. The young man sales clerk was not busy at the time so I suggested that he might want to shovel the slippery sidewalk in front of the store. Apparently, the suggestion was not welcome. When he returned with my photos, I asked him how the photos turned out, he replied, "I DONT CARE." That kind of behavior should not be tolerated and I certainly won't be treated that way! So much for the Camera Shop until they can find well-mannered employees! read more

Rude and incompetent staff. Don't waste your time. I believe the owner is the guy I dealt with. Rolled his eyes and walked away when I was asking about getting a new battery for my camera. Don't go here. I don't success for this store.... read more

So I dropped a roll of film off for processing and wasn't sure if it had any images. (Old camera, ya never know). Get a call to come get the pictures. I'm put of town, and get another couple calls. Finally get in there and pay over $20 but no photos. A blank roll of film. I paid for the processing materials but they never notified me via a few phone calls that there were no pictures. They let me pay for nothing. I asked for photos, got a blank roll of negatives. Once they discovered the roll had no images, they should have let me know, but nary a word. read more

Stopped in to get some help as a new camera was giving us problems. The staff member was super helpful, patient, non-judging (the problem was not the camera, ahem), no charge. This shop has won my heart. I'll go out of the way to use them now read more

This store is lovely. I was visiting this store because I did not have film for my camera. The person at the counter was very helpful and helped me chose the perfect film for my camera. My partner and I came back the next day just to see what else they had. They also have an amazing collection of cameras that they are willing to explain how they were used and how they worked. Overall one of the places to visit in traverse city even if you don't know how to use a camera. read more

The Camera Shop - This is the first picture I took with the film they recommended. - Photography Stores & Services Near Me - Traverse City, Michigan

They helped me when I thought all options where lost. They went above and beyond and genuinely love their craft. I know how rare it is to even see a camera shop anymore; but for them to actually care and take their time to make sure I came in and received the help I need (even when it came down to my Mac and new Z6 and it's card reader) read more

My boyfriend had some old portraits redone and the photos were not done when they said they would be and when they finally did get done they never called him, he made the phone call to check and see they were done yet and was told yes so, had he not called who knows how long they would have just sat there. read more

This place is a waste of time. I went in there wanting to buy a zoom lens for my camera. The place was not that busy (3 customers were there) and while waiting an hour to get some sort of eye-contact with any of the salespeople or other people that worked there, (like the guy sweeping the floor who felt that that was more important than a paying customer), I walked out without buying anything - not even my $1000 lens I came in there for. This shop might consider a course on customer service, how to greet customers, and how to get a sale. Or, if they prefer janitorial services, perhaps they could sell brooms & mops instead? read more

I have been battling dust on my camera sensor over the last year. Jason the owner has been willing to give me some useful advice as there is a lot of misinformation on the subject. I have some tools to do it my self, but sometimes I need it done by a professional who has more experience actually completing the procedure (not to mention that they have hundreds of dollars of tools). Today I went in and Jason did the cleaning immediately as I waited. Not only that but he cleaned the dust off my lens! Thank you for the great service. read more

This place has been so kind to me over the years. They always seem to have what I want. Right away when I walked in I was asked if I wanted help and was left to my own devices. When I needed something and had a bunch of questions they were awesome. I don't know if one of my favorite local photographers works there, but how great to be waited on by a guy you have admired for years! read more

Such a knowledgable and friendly staff. I've been shopping there for years and always get straight answers and never feel like I'm being sold something I don't need. The prices are right on with anyplace online but the advice is priceless. Jason has always been my go-to guy and it's obvious he and the rest of the staff share the passion for photography. They are always willing to educate you on ANY gear that you have and have the goal to help you take better photos and progress your hobby and art or move toward making money with your camera. Thanks to everyone at the Camera Shop! read more

I was looking for a speed light for my Fujica STX-1. I hadn't found any flashes that were compatible. I had tried using friends speedlights and wasn't getting the results I wanted. The staff were very friendly and helpful and helped me pick the right speed light for my camera. I will be taking all of my film here to be developed from now on. If anyone is new to photography, film or digital, and is looking for a place to shop I would recommend going to The Camera Shop before looking online!!! 5/5 read more

My mother and I took her Camera to be cleaned so she could give it to my son for his birthday. It was there for three weeks and I had to call to find out it was not cleaned because they would have to send it out to clean it the way we wanted it. So when I went to pick it up the owner could not find it for about 10 minutes, found it and told me that i should have the lenses clean. Well my Son's birthday wasn't for month so I said yes. I finally called today after being there for a month and i was told it was done. Thank God I was not in a hurry to get it... read more

This has been The camera store for my wife and I for about 6 years - we love the store and the advise from their staff. I've been in the military moving around, and I have still coordinated purchases to come back and visit the store. My wife is a professional photographer and loves the quality of gear they provide and allow you to try out. Have yet to have a bad experience here, and the prices are competitive even with online stores. I also feel much more comfortable buying sensitive equipment from the store rather than having it shipped. Keep local camera shops alive - this place is the best. read more

It was time to purchase a new DSLR as my ol' Nikon was lacking in some of the newer technologies. I performed extreme research on the web and talking with other photographers. I then shopped all the usual web stores and big box stores. Just before purchasing I made the trec to the Camera Shop. The advise was sound and free. The staff are all photographers of high caliber many shooting the same type of photography I do. Prices were near the same as the on line. Actually a bit less when all was said and done. The support is fantastic. I not only got advice on camera's but recommendations on technique and places to shoot. After multiple visits and a final 2 hour visit for the purchase I ended up with my new Nikon D500, (not exactly moderate in price) some education, great after sale support and a feeling that they will be there to help me step up to the abilities the new camera offers. If you need anything photography related this is the place to go. They offer from entry level equipment to professional high end gear. read more

On 7/9/14, I went into The Camera Shop and was helped almost immediately by a man. My mom and I asked him about the drone sitting on the counter and although I didn't plan on buying it, he definitely peaked my interest. My initial purpose for going in there was to buy a lens cap for my Canon DSLR, he was super helpful. I also wanted to look into buying 2 lens cases and a new camera strap and I love helping the small businesses and local economy. I then asked him about GoPro cameras which they do not sell. I said that I wanted one because I was a cyclist and wanted evidence of being harassed by car drivers. This guy proceeded to go off the deep end with his opinions on how all cyclists are a**holes, they don't pay taxes, they don't have any rights AND they are supposed to get off the road if riding adjacent to a bike path... um, no they don't. I'm ok with someone sharing their opinion of how they hate cyclists (I get it all the time) but not when you are representing a business, he went on and on and would not quit! He was incredibly unprofessional!. This guy was completely out of hand and should've stopped well before I finally gave up and walked out without my purchase. The facts he was spewing were so incorrect. I really want to help out the small businesses but they MUST RELY ON THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE because the internet is MUCH CHEAPER. I posted about my experience on my Facebook page and was encouraged to post on yelp & google too. This man had no respect for human life not realizing that cyclists are actual human beings. he said they disobey all traffic laws, I bet he never speeds in his truck when he's heading home to Leelanau County. I'm not local but I was born and raised in TC and come back every year. I will never shop there again and will use my local camera shop where I live and continue to find better prices on the internet. read more