Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Central Camera Company

    3.6 (212 reviews)
    Open 10:00 am - 5:00 pm

    Central Camera Company Photos

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - Central Camera Company

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Receipt clearly calling for a "full clean up", something we were later told they "don't do"
    Hailey F.

    Posting this review for my husband. I was around for a lot of this but he was the primary customer: Working with this company was one of the all-time worst experiences I've had with any company in my entire life. I would avoid them at all costs. I recently inherited a camera from my late grandfather that was in pretty good condition, but I wanted a professional to give it a good cleaning so it could be displayed on a shelf to remember him by. I took the camera here in late March and explained exactly what I wanted: a full cleanup of the camera so it could be displayed. I got an invoice receipt that in all caps, clearly stated "FOR FULL CLEAN UP". After a month went by and I didn't hear from them, I called asking what the status of the camera was. They couldn't find my name in their system and I had to send a picture of my invoice number. Apparently the guy that wrote the invoice put an additional word after my last name and that's what the camera was filed under. Ok weird. They then tell me that they don't know the status of the camera because they sent it off to their repair company and there's only one guy. Call back in a few weeks they said. After two months went by I called again, and they said the guy working on my camera died, and that another guy took over and it would still be a while. Three months went by and I still don't have any update on my camera. I called again and they told me their repair guy doesn't speak English well but they'll ask about it the next time he comes in, which apparently is once per week. I never got a call back. Four months go by. Five months go by, I call again and they still don't know what's going on with my camera. SIX MONTHS GO BY and FINALLY they call me to tell me my camera is ready to be picked up. I go to pick it up and the camera is not at all cleaned. Not even a little. I'm furious at this point and ask them why they didn't clean it. All they did was repair the internals. They gave me a bunch of excuses: first they tried to tell me they don't do that kind of external camera cleaning which they didn't tell me that when I dropped it off 6 months ago. I asked to speak to the manager because the one thing I wanted done, they didn't do. They didn't have a manager on site but someone else came up and gave me the same excuses that they don't do external cleaning, but they'd go ahead and send it back to this one repair guy. I told them that's ridiculous, I'm not waiting 6 months again. They tried to charge me the full price of the invoice, $150 for the repair. I said that's ridiculous, I'm not paying the full amount since I didn't get the service we agreed upon. I said I was willing to pay for the repair, but I'm not paying the full amount. After they discussed with themselves for 10 minutes, they came back and offered me $20 off. Are you kidding me? For all the trouble and time wasted waiting for a service that wasn't even performed, they still wanted to charge me $130. They refused to lower it any more. Absolutely insane. I was so livid at this point I just paid the bill and stormed out. All that for a camera that's in the exact same external condition that I dropped it off in SIX MONTHS AGO. They never once apologized, they just gave me a bunch of excuses.

    Lili H.

    If you are just like me who are into pictures taking, but absolutely not a pro of having enough depth of understanding​ cameras. This place could be quiet overwhelming​ as you walk in.Let me try to simplify​ my shopping experience with yall: Parking: Street parking(there will be 15 min free parking with​ the emergency light​ on of course​). I believe you can also ask the associate for special parking promo. Price: I took my camera to repair, which they charge $25 for taking a look, but the "deposit" will become a repair credit​ if I do decide to fix my camera. I bought​ it in last week, still no news after 8 days..... Service: some associates are really trying to sell​ you their cameras without knowing your need(which I don't need that kind of drama in my life). But, I talked to Don(or Dan), he was super patient with me and recommend​ what I really need and what I don't. Overall, if you are looking into photography, and would like to get to know more about it, this will be a good place to get your feet wet. Updated: finally know what's going on with my camera, with all the repairing (from wet damage?), it will cost me $250. (Yeah...... about that).

    See all

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 8
    Thanks 0
    Love this 4
    Oh no 1

    4 years ago

    Helpful 12
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Lili H.
    434
    124
    2261

    8 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Alex K.
    4
    176
    4

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    The friendliest staff ever!! Super organized and they always give me a button or a little piece of candy

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Mare C.
    19
    188
    88

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Jack A.
    177
    112
    44

    8 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Don W.
    0
    83
    2

    6 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Greg H.
    1
    29
    27

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Iconic gem of a location. Such an incredible selection of everything from repairs, to inventory, to staff, and location!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Janet E.
    1196
    2295
    1080

    9 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Albert F.

    Albert F.

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Doesn't do Sony products which doesn't make sense bc they r a camera company it's ridiculous

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Albert F.

    Albert F.

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Nostalgic great environment LOVE IT ... the selection of accessories and ACTUAL ITEMS THEY HAVE WOW hard not to spend money

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Albert F.

    Albert F.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Mama L.
    9
    253
    0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    I love knowing that If I'm in Chicago I could visit a camera shop in the city. Can't wait to go might even think of a day trip

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 6
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    7 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 7
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 6

    Central Camera Company Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Central Camera Company

    Do they provide you with a digital copy of your prints, or just physical?

    They offer digitizing services. I did this recently with a disposable camera and got back a CD with image files. It included software probably meant for Windows 98 😆 but you can skip it.

    How long does it take to process film here?

    Depends on the type of film. Color 35mm is 2-3 days. 35mm & 120 color & black and white is about 2 weeks. Contact finishing@centralcamera.com and they can give you more specifics. Thanks!

    View All 3 Questions

    Review Highlights - Central Camera Company

    I'm new to film photography, so I stopped by here Saturday morning with the intention on buying a new point and shoot camera.

    Mentioned in 7 reviews

    Read more highlights

    You might also consider

    Chicago Camera Specialists

    Chicago Camera Specialists

    (32 reviews)

    $

    The Loop

    In November 2024, I paid $350 to repair my Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II lens (valued at $2,500). Bill…read moredemonstrated it working in his shop, but it broke again within days with the same issue. I returned the lens on November 25, 2024. Bill acknowledged the failed repair and promised to fix it at no charge. Over the next year, Bill kept my lens and never returned a single call. I visited the shop at least five times and called periodically, too. Each time he seemed anxious and irritated by my persistence, promised to call, and then didn't. On October 29, 2025, I delivered a demand letter with the building's security guard as a witness. Bill tried to make me sign a receipt stating I'd received cash before actually handing me any money and after I declined his offer of writing me a personal check. After I finally received the $350, he forgot he was still holding my lens and had to search for it. He appeared confused throughout the interaction. Multiple recent reviews describe nearly identical experiences: repairs failing immediately, equipment held for months with no communication, one customer calling police after seven months, another told "I gave up" after four months. Bill was once regarded as the best in the city, in fact, he repaired my equipment perfectly back in 2005. But now it's clear he can no longer handle repairs or manage his business. TL;DR: Repair failed immediately, took one year and a legal threat to get my money and lens back. Bill forgot he had my lens during the final exchange. Check the other recent 1 and 2 star reviews showing the same pattern. Find another repair shop.

    The kindest man helped me with my film camera. It ended up being a simple fix, but he didn't charge…read moreme anything. Despite a slight language barrier he was very knowledgeable, kind, and helpful. I highly recommend!

    Bellows Film Lab

    Bellows Film Lab

    (19 reviews)

    Wicker Park, West Town

    It seems like all at once and out of nowhere I started receiving ads from a bunch of different film…read moredevelopment companies and those rolls sitting in the back of a drawer started screaming out to me to solve their mysteries. When I found that there was a shop right here in Chicago offering a first roll development and scan free I figured I would give the local option the first crack. So I signed up for the offer and placed some old rolls in a sandwich bag in my jacket pocket but then weeks passed by and it just kept slipping my mind. This was where Bellows first impressed me. I received direct messages from the shop saying that my offer would be expiring soon and asking if I'd like to extend the redemption date which was nice. I finally dropped in the day of that really bad snowstorm back in November and my first impression of the shop was positive. I liked the laidback and clean feel of the place. There is just about every type of contemporary film as well as some cameras and accessories available to buy and they had a good number of people at the counter for taking film development orders. There was also a tintype photographer doing a pop up event which is always cool to witness. I realized while I was there that my already amateurish photography knowledge was pretty rusty so I appreciated the staff going over things with me while I was filling out my development order form without being condescending. I also liked that they said that if the rolls came out blank or with no usable photos they would contact me about price adjusting. I went with the take your time option for development and scans for 3 rolls and the scans were ready for me in 3 days. The development came out about as well as they could with such expired film but nothing some color correction can't fix. They actually turned out a lot better than I expected they would and I am happy that I now have had some of the mysteries revealed. Bellows staff contacted me about picking up my negatives as I was traveling but a quick message and they assured me that they would hold onto the negatives for a little while longer. Although it's very much a shop for serious film photographers I think Bellows is a great local option for film development and I'll probably be returning with some more film to develop soon.

    I recently have been into film and disposable cameras and was happy to have a film lab so close! I…read morebrought in film from 2024, 2010, and 2006 and surprisingly most of the pictures turned out pretty well! The location is super cute and they have a lot of film for sale. I brought in three rolls and it was around 50 dollars which did seem a little pricey to me but I'm also new to this so not sure what prices really go for. Everyone was super nice and were able to answer any questions I had.

    Central Camera Company - photographystores - Updated May 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...