Penn Camera

If you need information about cameras or equipment this is the place to go. You can ask questions and actually get intelligent advice on products. This is in total contrast to the big box retailers (Best Buy etc.), who have untrained clueless employees. The prices are decent and the selection is very good. They also have a film developing service at this location if you have old film or negatives that you want to have developed. The service at this store really is exceptional. I fear that they will eventually close. That seems to be what is happening to most stores with knowledgeable trained employees. They get pushed out by the Costco and Best Buys of the world. All that is left is large warehouse like stores with tons of cheap products and employees that are more stock boys than trained professionals. As long as Penn Camera is around I will continue to get all of my photography gear from them.

There is nothing better than to enter an establishment and deal with someone who knows what they are talking about! How refreshing! I can’t stand staff that are not competent (Best Buy/​HH Gregg) I immediately worked with Moe; what a delight. He was able to go over all the differences between the Nikon 5100 and the Canon that I was interested in. I had read so much and had gone on line looking at reviews etc. Moe really knew his stuff but was not pushy, rushed or too techy. After researching prices all over (on line etc) I opted for Penn because of their excellent customer service, competitive pricing and free class along with prints. Can’t beat it! When I called Moe back a month after my initial visit, he not only remembered me and what I was interested in but gave me the last days of the sales that were going on so I would get the best price possible. Highly recommend (and they all seem very knowledgeable but Moe went about and beyond with patience, answers etc.)

Brought a nikon d7000 and Roger was very helpful. He showed me how to setup the camera and everything I needed to know about how to work the camera. Great customer service.

Great place! Went there recently to purchase a lens cap «leash.» As you can imagine, it’s just a quick run. I expected 1. enter 2. find 3. purchase 4. leave. However, I first asked where they were — got clear instructions quickly. I came back to the same man to pay, and we had a fantastic conversation. I spent maybe 15 minutes of a really, really good conversation that cheered me up from such a dreary, rainy day. The best thing was, he was able to afford talking with me since they actually have registers open, rather than just one like most places. Everything I’ve bought here is great, and I have a good relationship with that guy, the owner. Great for anything you need camera related, digital or film. They’re also not brand-​ist. You won’t have a Nikoner giving you the death stare for buying Canon supplies.

I’ll keep it simple: Fair prices and friendly staff. Yeah, you get better prices online, but if you’re in a pinch the prices are more than fair. A big store with a pretty good selection.

I usually hate going to photo equip chain stores because the staffers are your average old, grumpy, know it all photogs ready to have a discussion or debate about digital vs. film. Not to mention finding prices online seem more plausible because the prices are more competitive.
Forget all of that, these guys really knew their equipment and there seemed to be no «brand» haters. Canon for life ;)
The staff was helpful and knowledgeable. Finally got my Canon 100 mm F/2.8 Macro in and couldn’t wait to get home and test it out. Exactly what I was looking for and more! Thanks Penn Camera! Shooting this Spring is going to be great!

Excellent business. Everyone is always so helpful and knowledgeable about all of my photography questions. They have helped me with my polaroid cam, holga cam, as well as my DSLR.
I was especially happy to find that they can cross process my medium format film quickly! I went to Ritz camera first and they had no knowledge about anything Holga and they actually referred me to Penn Camera! I will always return for their services.

I love Penn Camera. There aren’t a lot of places that sell the «really good camera equipment» out of an accessible location. I used to lust after products in the B&H catalogs until I found out that there was a place that not only sold the actual products but had staff that REALLY knew what they were talking about.
Photography has been a long term interest of mine. I still consider myself to be an amateur, but I have invested in a Nikon D80, which I love and adore. Most people who have a lingering interest in photography know that it can get incredibly expensive. When I’m thinking about dropping a lot of money on something that I’d consider a weekend hobby [and certainly nothing resembling a career] I want to feel confident in what I’m spending my money on.
I haven’t bitten the bullet yet, but the guys at Penn walked me through a rather lengthy explanation of the differences between tripods and what to look for. They answered all my stupid questions thoroughly and made me feel comfortable enough that when I realized that I hadn’t fully understood something they’d already told me about I didn’t feel like a complete dink for asking them to explain it again. Most of the people that work there are or have been professional photographers, which is pretty cool, and they can give you a lot of perspective that you won’t get from your local Best Buy or Circuit City. [Those places don’t carry anywhere near what these guys do, either.] I picked up a remote for my Nikon the last time I was there and was pleased to find that they gave me the same amount of attention and reassurance for what was clearly a much smaller potential purchase.
I haven’t had any problems with crowds like Dave A. mentioned, but I don’t think I’ve gone during what would constitute peak times. So long as you go in there with questions and an interest in photography [and I’m not sure why else you would be going in there] you’re almost definitely in for a rewarding experience.