Never get your photos developed here. I come in and am made to wait almost 30 minutes for someone to acknowledge my presence for what was literally a 2 minute job (take my film and my phone number). Then they won't even email your photos - you just come in when they're done to pick up them up on a CD or they can transfer them on to a USB (if you don't have one - you pay for one). Even when I went in to pick up my photos, once again another 2 minute job, I was left waiting after someone had told me '5 minutes' for another 30 minutes! Not until some worker came out from the back and was free did I ask again and finally get my photos. Awful place to get photos developed - are we in the dark ages where you're unable to email some photos across? And for £14.99 I have to make two trips?? Better off going to ExpressImaging on City Road - they will develop and email your photos on the same day for £11. read more

Maybe I'm just used to *good* customer service, but I am not a fan of Camera Centre. I came in because their selection of film was supposed to be amazing. (I'll save you the trouble of going down yourself: it's not and the prices are awful.) The shop wasn't even crowded when I went in, but I wasn't greeted. To be fair, both clerks were helping people in the front. That's no problem. I could find the film section myself. It's a pretty tiny shop, though the film section is pretty tiny too, it's easy enough to spot. I looked through the film selection quickly. I queued at the till because I wanted to get a roll of film developed. Both of them are just chatting away. I kid you not, I spent over 20 minutes waiting (I know because I had somewhere to be). And not once was I acknowledged. Both workers (older individuals) were chatting away with the customers about completely unrelated things. Finally, I got so fed up that I left. I can't even imagine what that kind of experience would be like for a budding analog photographer. Their snobby would've turned me off of cameras for good. I will never set foot in there again. I'm usually all for supporting local, so it really takes a lot for me to say this: buy online and save yourself a terrible experience. (Or, if you want cheap and fast 35mm film developing, check out Express Imaging!) read more

As if Cameraland wasn't enough for you, I give you its competitor Camera Centre. Located in the city centre in Morgan Arcade the Camera Centre has competitive prices and good deals on everything including Digital Cameras, Digital SLR Cameras, 35mm SLR Cameras and Digital Camcorders. This is definitely a place worth checking out if you are a photography enthusiast. I have visited on several occasions nearly purchasing an SLR camera myself, I prevented myself as I didn't have enough funds at the time but I knew the offers they had were very reasonable. I went there the other day to purchase a mini DV tape for my camcorder. I thought that this would be easy to find around town in any general store but this proved to be difficult. It occurred to me that the Camera Centre would sell them and sure enough they did. The sales man who served me was very helpful and friendly asking if I needed any more DV tapes. I only bought the one but it was at a good price of £3.99, which I thought was a good buy. The only thing I didn't like about the store was that it looked very messy and it was very narrow, there were a lot of items crammed into one space and I couldn't figure out which item was which. Overall this is an excellent Camera shop with excellent deals at good prices. Check it out! read more

Camera Centre - Photography Stores & Services Near Me - Cardiff, CRF

With so many camera shops offering special online discounts, and lots of high street stores closing down, you'd think it would be tough for any independent camera shop to survive out there. But neither the online stores nor the chains (often staffed by amateurs) can replace family-run businesses like this, where you can ask technical questions and seek advice from experts, get into a proper conversation about what you want from a camera, and seek out old or hard-to-find camera parts or lenses. Apart from selling a wide range of digital cameras, SLRs, camcorders, binoculars and telescopes, the shop also piles in plenty of photographic accessories such as tripods, flashguns, memory cards, camera bags, digital photo frames, and so on. If you're after 1 hour printing or photo gifts, you'd probably just pop to Jessop's on Churchill Way - but for techie help or expert advice, Cardiff Camera Centre wins hands down. read more

Camera Centre - Photography Stores & Services Near Me - Cardiff, CRF

The Camera Centre has everything a potential or current top of the range camera owner might need. There is still stuff for other types of cameras, but this tends to be somewhere frequented by people who take their camera equipment reasonably seriously. The staff know exactly what they're talking about in this store, and as they specialise in cameras you're more likely to get expert advice and guidance than in an electronics store that happens to sell cameras as well as many other things. As well as this there are lots of deals on second-hand parts that can be viewed in the window, so you're more likely to get more for your money than in a high street retailer. As they sell second-hand stuff they also buy lenses and other parts, it's always nice to go shopping and come back with more money than you went in with. read more

If I could give these guys a minus star rating I would. Why? Read on... I ordered from their Amazon shop a Fuji 18-135 mm lens on the 22nd March 2017, paid for expedited delivery (£15.78 extra). Today 27th March 2017, after several calls and emails to them to request where exactly the lens was, they send me an email to say the order was cancelled and a refund given on the 23rd March 2017. Nothing to let me know - Amazon Orders was still showing the item as ordered and even has a Royal Mail tracking number on it and was marked ad "Dispatched" under Amazon. I called the shop yesterday, 26th March 2017, and the guy told me he was worried about the item as I had paid for expedited delivery and it had not arrived and he would look at compensation from Royal Mail! The lens was £20 cheaper from them on their website and only when I called yesterday did they admit that "it wasn't in stock". So they knowingly sold me a lens that wasn't in stock, and to cap it off took my money, apparently refunded it the day after the order (when it was marked as "Dispatched") and didn't tell me any of this. Is that any way to run a shop??!!!! I wouldn't purchase ANYTHING from this company again, online or direct after service like that. read more

The Camera Centre... Cameraland... If you're in the Cardiff city centre, you're not exactly short on unimaginatively named photographer hovels, are you? To be honest, there's not a lot of superficial difference between the two. Being each other's main competitors, you'd think they'd try and differentiate between one another a little, but no, instead it seems they're happy to Romulus and Remus their way through their sales figures, playing the role of largely interchangeable twins. I'm sorry, that's not actually that fair. On the surface, they're pretty much the same shop, but if you're a regular at either or both, you'll be able to spot the difference quite handily. Camera Centre has a nice line in vintage photography equipment. Amanda has apparently had some rather large scare stories from there, though, so I am hesitant to recommend them on that basis alone. The simple fact of the matter is, the service isn't as good here as Cameraland. It's certainly not bad, but it's lacking the same level of enthusiasm that the Cameraland staff seem to be imbued with. At the end of the day, there's not a lot between them. My recommendation is to go to whichever one is closer. read more

I have to say, passing these Camera stores can make me quite nostalgic. When I studied photography at A-Level, a good camera shop was my bread and butter, and then the digital era hit. Many photography shops took a while to adjust to the digital age and handled the crossover clumsily. Independent chains also struggled to compete with larger businesses and Internet prices. This meant a lot of people would go in to a camera shop to ask advice and then order the model online for £100 less. I'm glad to see the Camera Centre still battling away, and it's gone the way of a lot of other Camera shops and dealt heavily into the second hand market. This is where the beauty of the shop lies, a lot of really good quality cameras and a good range too. It's also nice to see a selection of old 35mm film cameras, showing there is still a hobbyists market. read more

Since the the review below , I have used camera centre again .since I live close to the midlands we have no what I call REAL camera shops so I have to depend on the EXCELLENT service From the Camera Centre in Cardiff and yet again they do not disappoint . I had to sell my full frame camera because of a health issue and nick was spot his advice and next day service . THANKYOU Nick and Joe . Spot on I love my new DSLR . What I love about the help I get from Nick and the team is it may not be what I necessarily what I want to hear but spot on for my photography My old review for one of my previous purchase ps I have used the Camera Centre Cardiff a few times & it's time I said how great they are, as they are run by PHOTOGRAPHERS. It was time for me to choose another DSLR & I had got REDEYE from looking at different GLASS ,which do I go for ? So I called CC for help . Nick , Sarah and Joe are all SHARP PHOTOGRAPHERS & they helped me PROCESS between the NEGATIVE & The POSITIVE in the cameras until I found a nice GLOSSY Deal that suited me. I managed to SNAP a camera and lense up and Sarah dispatched the camera to be with such SPEED it was with me the following day, you only have to look at some of her photos on F/book photography @ 26 to know they know their ISO from their DOFP . So get out of the DARK ROOM & get yourself in FOCUS at the camera centre Pretty SNAPPY read more

I spent some time in here today and bought a few small accessories. It's well stocked and there are many excellent top name cameras and lenses for sale. The man who served me could have been friendlier but he knew his stuff and was helpful. read more

This is my favourite camera store in all of Cardiff. All the modern technology shops in the centre of Cardiff couldn't even compare to this tiny shop berried away in the Morgan Arcade. There shelves of the old style cameras lined up across the walls. They have such a good verity for such a small shop! I could talk to the staff in there for hours about pros and cons of most new cameras and the joys of old fashioned cameras. They really take their time to get to know you and what you know about cameras and what your aiming for in an ideal camera. They don't mind letting you take a go of any of their cameras and if they don't have the camera you desire in store they will order it promptly and efficiently without any fuss. The prices tend to be quite high, but at least you know what your getting with this store, good service and a quality camera. read more

One of the worst experiences in customer service I've ever had. Have only been ever treated like an actual customer when I was at the till, handing over money. Anytime I have visited for some advice, or with an enquiry I've been treated like I'm not worth their time. I've had a tote bag ( canvas shopping bag) on in the store before and I was asked to empty it to prove I hadn't been stealing film...unbelieveable. Have also received terrible technical advice, such as the time I went in with my contax t2 and was told to buy a new one as that would be cheaper than fixing it after I went in for advice on a minor shutter issue (which Cameraland fixed on the spot, free of charge). Photographers, amateurs and professionals alike, I can't think of any business less deserving of your custom or time. read more

As a semi-pro photographer I have used the Camera Centre website a number of times for various bits of kit and have always been happy with their service (on time, great condition etc). However, after a recent move to Cardiff I was keen to visit the store itself, just to browse and see how it compared to other camera shops. Upon entering the shop I was warmly welcomed and could immediately sense the history of the place. I was told that 3 generations of the same family had run it and that definitely came across. Perhaps it was the huge collection of vintage Leica cameras that faced me as I walked in, as it certainly would have take a couple of generations to accumulate that amount! Overhearing conversations between staff and fellow customers I could tell that the people working here certainly knew their stuff and, by the sound of it, some where keen photographers as well. I inquired about buying a large camera bag for outdoor shoots and they directed me to their Newport store, which I was told kept a larger variety of bags and cases and which I will be visiting very soon. I checked a couple of prices of mid to high-end SLRs and, much like their website, they were very competitive and claimed that they would match prices I was given elsewhere. Overall a great shop for both enthusiasts and those simply looking for a point and shoot, which is why I'm very surprised at some of the other reviews that I've read on here Perhaps I'm missing something but I honestly can't see what. Very impressed and will definitely be making a return visit. 5 well earned stars from me! read more

The Camera Centre is a shop with great products and the staff know the products inside out. They are up to date with the latest reviews and I have been impressed with the advice- and do ask if you are unsure. The second hand equiptment is good value and the staff are open to negotiation. However, be prepared the staff can also be condescending and brisk and will want to shuffle you out as soon as they can. They rarely deal with any post purchase queries. I am sure this comes from having a small busy shop with limited time and space. I have spent well over £1000 in this shop over the last few years as a result of the products and topnotch advice but I am now reluctant to go there following the rudeness I recieved on my last couple of visits. I am happy to support local shops especially one with such good services but I am not happy to be treated like a turd.. read more

The prices are good, but the customer service is the worst i have ever encountered. I dislike the false "have a nice day " response in some shops but do expect resonable service after spending several hundred on a camera. The son of this family run bussiness is rude, with definate a take or leave it attitude. A later query on the phone was answered with " thats it "and put the phone was put down. The return call was taken by the father who laughed and denied his son could do it. It's a shop to avoid and one I'll be never go near. read more

The Camera Centre (Cardiff) sets a new standard for poor service. I paid a lot of money over ebaY for a brand new Carl Zeiss lens and it arrived with unmistable signs that this was not the brand new lens I paid for. The focus ring was slack and the extending inner barrel wobbled. Also there were smudges and dust on the front element while The rest of the lens showed signs of use - the packaging was in a poor state. Trying to return the lens has proven difficult. I have asked them four times over two months to send me the reciept I never recieved. The lens now seems to be lost in customs. This has been the worst shopping experience possible on ebaY, or elsewhere. I highly recommend you try a different camera store, such as one of those listed below. http://www.jacobsdigital.co.uk http://www.jessops.com read more

Always get great service.Staff are very knowledgeable and happy to give advice and tips.Prices are very good .For the best deal in Cardiff go straight to the camera centre.If Nick and his staff can't get it you probably don't need it!! read more

Horrific. Ordered two cameras, one online and one over the phone (As the online one didn't come) and both times I was reassured they would be sent Special Delivery, and each time they were not. I was mislead, the owner/manager Nick had me buy a second camera, rather than send another one free of charge and get his money back from royal mail, and that should have alerted me to trouble. My bad. When that one didn't come when it was meant to (he knoew it was my daughter's birthday present) he didn't own up - when it turned out his employee had sent the second camera by the wrong postal service, rather I had to call, twice before he admitted it, and to top it all, he refused to refund me straight away, as one would expect: he wasn't going to give me a dime back without going through a Royal Mail and Ebay claims service, despite the misleading info the cameras would be sent Special Delivery (as it stated on ebay and he promised with the second unit). He was rude, didn't listen, he was boorish both times I spoke to him, and he slammed the phone down on me, even though (despite the hellish time he put us through) I was calm. I wouldn't trust them to breathe competently, never mind sell me a camera. Do yourself a favour, look elsewhere. read more

I would avoid this company. They sent me a faulty camera, I sent it back as per there instructions. I have proof of postage, but they refused to credit me, I feel they gave ripped me of to the tune of £550.00 read more

The shop is ok and they can be very helpful however I suggest a serious case of buyer beware when purchasing second hand lenses or cameras. On numerous occasions I have gone into the shop and asked for a price on an unlabelled second hand item and the manager seems to make the prices up based on what he thinks you can afford to pay. I asked for the price on a bog standard, Pentax film zoom lens and he quoted me £60, unfortunately when I got home I found that the lens was for sale for £30 on their website. I would be very wary about sending in my wife or perhaps an elderly person in to buy a camera as there don't seem to be a lot of prices written down and prices are flippantly quoted off the top of his head - seems a bit on the rough side to me. Again, there are positives - they are quite helpful and they do have a lot of old SLR stock but unfortunately you will pay through the teeth for old SLRs when they can be found at bargain prices with other retailers online and of course on ebay. read more

I purchased a camera from there via ebay which was faulty. This happens but I e mailed twice after I had returned it then phoned . They said they would investigate and phone back- nada. Camera replaced but took 2 1/2 weeks and no refund for postage . Not impressed read more

I bought an EX demo Canon 24-105 L lens from this shop about 4 weeks ago for 550 pounds. I was told the lens has nothing wrong and got 1 year Canon warranty on it. I had a good check through in the shop under the dimmed light condition obviously, didn't find anything wrong at the time. A week later when my Canon 7D camera body arrived so I put the lens on to try out but only to find there's a scratch mark on the lens albeit near the edge. It's quite visible under broad daylight. So I took it back to the shop immediately. The guy who served me agreed to send it to Canon but said it might take a couple of weeks to come back. After 3 and half weeks, the lens finally came back. I was told that the front element was replaced with a new one by Canon. When I picked it up from the shop, again I had a look couldn't find anything on the lens. But when I took it out under daylight I found 2 marks near the edge of the front lens. I trid to wipe them but they didn't come off. So I took it back straight away. This time a self claimed shop owner jumped in the conversation and ranted on about that there's nothing wrong with the lens, the lens is ex demo and I should feel lucky for getting the lens at such a low price and still getting a replacement front element... He was very loud and rude. When I said I cannot accept the lens but have to ask for a refund. He simply rejected and said you can speak to trading standard if you like but take the lens and you won't get a refund. This was totally outrageous! I had the lens in my possesion for merely a week and he's refusing a refund and being so rude! I wouldn't walk in that shop for sure and I certainly will not recomment their service to anyone! This complain is also posted on icomplain.info at: http://icomplain.info/Complaint/8/camera-centre-cardiff-terrible-service-very-dodgy read more

4 hours ago Worst after-sales service and rudest, most unhelpful staff I have ever encountered anywhere in the world. I made the mistake of buying a Canon DSLR from them, along with several thousand pounds-worth of associated equipment. The DSLR began to malfunction after a few months. I took it back to them for repair. It was finally returned MORE THAN TWO MONTHS LATER with the shutter STILL malfunctioning - and now with a badly damaged mirror and screen as well. The staff, and especially the manager, were entirely unconcerned about this. When I (very patiently and politely) expressed my rather understandable dissatisfaction with the situation, and said that the Camera Centre was failing to meet its legal obligations, the "manager," Nick Turner by name, who is (I am, regrettably, obliged to say) a rude, foul-mouthed little yob, suddenly went into an apparently uncontrollable rage, became EXTREMELY abusive . . . and began to actually physically threaten me! I was absolutely astonished . . . and extremely upset. Numerous other customers have had similarly appalling experiences with these people, and especially with this Nick Turner character. I advise you to avoid this ghastly store - at all costs. read more