I needed a repair on my Canon camera. They charge 35.00 for the initial evaluation which is applied to the final repair cost if you elect to have your camera repaired. Their repair cost seemed reasonable which also included a camera cleaning. You pay upfront for the repair and they communicate via email with updates. They have a storefront that sells a wide array of cameras and equipment for the beginner or advanced photographer. They do camera trade-ins as well. I am glad I found them. read more

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Service amazing!!! Friendly staff, helpful, guiding. Welcoming to store. Would love to go to one of there photography events. Small price.

One of the few brick and mortar camera stores in operation these days. There are many of us who actually want to talk to a knowledgeable salesperson and have a hands on experience with the merchandise before we make a purchase. They have a large selection at reasonable prices. read more

Around a year ago I paid for a repair estimate followed by general refurbishment for a film camera. After using three rolls of film, there is definitely something wrong with the light meter (3 stops off). As part of a diagnosis, I would have expected the light meter to be accounted for/evaluated. I'm removing 2 stars for the actual service received, but I did appreciate the responsiveness when requesting/scheduling services. read more

This place has lousy customer service. The staff are like robots without their customer service software installed. Maybe they're nice to you if you're some Midwest Henri Cartier-Bresson or something, but I got treated like dirt. I tried to buy a $1500 telescope and mount from Helix. The guy working there, Eddie, told me it would arrive in the store in 2 or 3 days. 5 days later, I called for an update. A woman informed me that the scope hadn't arrived. And she told me she couldn't track the package. Nine days later, after I'd left a few messages with no return call, I finally got through. Scope still isn't in. I was told "they'll call me." Through all of this, no one ever said "Gee, I'm sorry this has been such a headache." or addressed that this was an issue at all. No one ever even CALLED me to say the items were delayed. I finally had to cancel the order and buy the scope from evil Bald Master of the Universe, Jeff Bezos. Say what you want, the dude knows to get s*@t done. read more

This place is a jackpot for all things camera and the service was great. I'll be going here for all of my future needs.

Excellent customer service with highly professional staff. We drove from Evanston, IL to Itasca, IL to buy a Telescope. Eric walked us through the options, and offered us a solution that was well within our budget and spent the time to explain and answer all our questions. I call all photography and astronomy enthusiasts from the chicagoland area to pay a visit to this store. it is our duty to support great stores like that. We most definitely recommend this place, and we will go there again for our future needs read more

Hands down the best place anyone can get any camera or video/accessory needs! I emailed and Wendy was working with me and gave me great options on what could work for me. The next time I need anything else I defiantly will be coming back. Oh a side note they even helps me with installation and setting things up with my tripod! read more

Helix Camera & Video - The tripod I bought! - Photography Stores & Services Near Me - Itasca, Illinois

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Helix Rocks! I have followed Roy and Marie and staff from Calumet to their move here years ago because they are OUTSTANDING, HELPFUL, and KNOWLEDGEABLE in all photo arenas. From what kind of lighting I need for architectural shoots to what lens I should have in my bag for a newborn session. I have taken the teams advice and rented my lens from them before purchasing- this has given my the ability to test drive Canon, Sigma Art and Tamaron ( they have others) before making the investment. They have a great rental program, they are competitively priced and even do workshops and rent studio space upstairs. Why go anywhere else for your camera and video needs? Love you guys and thanks for all of your help always! Kellyann read more

I purchased a new camera from Helix, special-ordered. I was given patient service and never felt rushed to make a decision. When it arrived too late for a class I was taking the store arranged for a loaner to be dropped of at my house so I could use the camera for class.When it arrived my salesman/technician ROY gave me an hour-long introductory session with the camera. He was patient, knowledgeable, and very helpful as he showed me the ins and outs of my camera. Later, I had questions and he answered them over the phone with the same interest in my being able to use my camera. I highly recommend him if you are looking for a new camera, or help with the one you have. The store is first rate read more

I ordered a camera and a separate lens online. It's been a month since my order and I'm still waiting for the lens. At first communication was good but I've reached out about the missing lens multiple times and have not received any information about my order. Unfortunately I have to order the same lens from somewhere else and they still have not updated my order/refunded me. Not sure what the issue is but it's really frustrating when I have my camera but not the lens from the same o read more

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Marie was wonderful to work with and is incredibly knowledgeable. I asked her to help match me, an amateur photographer, to the best rental camera they had that would help me capture my daughter's ice show and boy did she deliver! The pictures are unbelievable!! We are so thankful!! read more

I stopped in to look for a part for my Matterport camera on Saturday AM. They were great. They found what I needed, Roy and Marie put up with my pawing at the cases with the lenses I want to own, and pointed out they have classes a newb like me would benefit from. For a guy like me, some things just can't be bought with confidence online -- I've got to talk to the pros and hold them before I buy them. I'm sure going back to Helix from now on. read more

I needed an all-purpose lens and a travel camera bag. After looking on-line ad infinitum two camera club members recommended Helix. There I was able to put the lenses on my camera and feel the weight and practice there in the store. I also ended up buying a cross-body camera strap I hadn't even seen on-line. And I was able to find the perfect bag that the helpful associate Marie adjusted to sit right at my hip. When I walk with my camera now I hardly feel it!! I think I saved myself a lot of time and hassle. I'm very pleased with Helix Camera. read more

Wendy is the best! Helix professionalism and timely response is so essential in the photography world. After knowing and working with Wendy Busa for over 20 years now, I know I'm in the right place when she is there to help. Her knowledge and expertise is second to none. Thanks Wendy and Helix for being THE best! I will continue to recommend your great store to others I know in the biz. read more

Professional photographers need to have the ability to rent equipment that they could not otherwise afford to own. I just rented a very capable zoom lens for a wedding. The experience was excellent. The prices for renting are very competitive. Of course, there are online options to have rented gear shipped to your house, there is something to be said for having a face-to-face conversation to discuss your needs. This is the third time I have rented equipment, and each time it has worked out very well. read more

Everything you need in one place ... plus more. Not only have I made purchases plus rented equipment I've had the opportunity to learn! I love this place because they are friendly and don't mind teaching! Their prices are great and they also have studio space for rent! read more

I live in Honolulu, Hawaii and purchased 2 cameras online. Fast and easy transaction. Excellent customer service bc Helix called me to confirm if I still wanted both cameras, the Panasonic Lumix LX 10 and the Lumix ZS 100. And yes I still wanted both. Fast shipping, arrives in 3-4 days. Can't wait to buy another camera from them. Thank you Val & thank you Helix read more

Helix is THE place to go for any camera/photo help. I was given a large project at work to revamp all of our online eCommerce pictures. I had no idea what it took to create product photography that looked professional. That's when I turned to Helix! I went into their store at the end of April just looking for equipment to help with my photoshoot. I ended up signing up for a one on one class based on what you want to learn - for me, it was how to take pictures of our product without blurred text and remaining consistent with each product. I LEARNED SO MUCH IN THIS ONE HOUR. We went over how to use my company camera (the focus, file sizes for images, different shooting modes, everything) and then Wendy walked me through how to use a lightbox for the shots I needed for only $60!!! It was the best $60 I had spent in probably a year. I recommend Helix for any photo project, any camera equipment you need (they will not push you to buy anything, they really just want to help), and so much more. They really are experts. read more

Helix Camera & Video - Photography Stores & Services Near Me - Itasca, Illinois

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First time at Helix Roy was very knowledgeable and helpful would recommend this place to anyone who's tired of internet shopping, prices were not any costly then internet stores thanks Roy for all your help read more

There is no better place for any and all needs regarding camera and video equipment. Val at Helix camera has helped me out so many times I stopped counting. This place is great if you are an experienced photographer/videographer, or if you are just starting out. They make everything super approachable and not intimidating at all if you are just starting out. Helix Camera and Video have been an integral part to my success with creating digital content. Thank you! read more

Great selection and very helpful and friendly. Went in just to look and the woman there spent the whole time chatting with me and explaining things to me. Also allowed me to play with everything I wanted. You need to stop in and check it out. Great store! read more

Great store. Ask for Erik. Very knowledgeable. Can help you find the perfect camera to suit whatever it is you want to do.

The team at helix are some of the most passionate I've met in the Chicago area. If they don't have it in stock, they will be sure to get if for you asap! Plus they have a fantastic event/classroom area for on site training. Very cool to see a photography store putting on so many great educational and hands on events! read more

I had been wanting to handle the new Fuji X-H1 and had asked several times to be notified when one came in. After several months I heard nothing but stopped in just to check on new inventory (and my 10 year old grandson was interested in a video camera...). In a casual conversation I asked Roy if he knew when they might be getting a X-H, I had been asking about one. He offered to contact the Fuji rep to see if they could get in a loaner. They were and I was able to check it out. I much appreciated the customer service. read more

What a great store! I am an old 35mm guy and wanted to get a little deeper into digital photography without spending a lot of money (for now). Helix was recommended to me by a friend, so I thought I'd check it out. Roy greeted me upon arrival. I explained basically what I wanted to do photography-wise and he carefully led me thru decision tree type of questions. We ended up discovering a "bridge" camera would fit the bill. A bridge is something between a dumb point/shoot and a full style SLR. The camera with the best fit to my requirements was a Panasonic Lumix FX80. I was in the store about 40 minutes and wanted to buy it. But I left because I wanted to bring back my wife to make sure she felt comfortable with it. She is a novice, point/shoot photographer. Both of us returned the next morning. Roy sat down with us and gave my wife and I a 30 minute detailed instruction lesson on how to use the camera, it's features and usage hints. He even cycled us through a number of steps. "Now you do it" he'd say to us. Needless to say we decided to buy the camera and were happy to discover that Panasonic was running a $100 rebate and 3 year manufacturer extended warranty on it! WOO-HOO, way to go. In the future I may get back into digital SLR and if/when I do I'm going back to Helix! In the meantime I am definitely going to sigh up for some of their other training classes. Thanks Helix, you guys are fantastic! read more

Every photographer has that client that needs the impossible - and they need it in 3 days. Well, I needed a very special strobe kit designed for a specific purpose and found out they are custom made these days and it takes 4 weeks. I told the folks at Helix I really needed it in 2 days and somehow they got it done - with a smile. I drove over to pick it up and saw how gorgeous the store is and that it's in a great location too. First rate tam and a top notch space too. read more

Very knowledgeable staff. Prices are competitive. Will buy all my future camera equipment and accessories here. Store is also well stocked.

After almost a decade hiatus from shooting SLRs, I finally decided to jump back in. I chose to visit Helix because of its reviews and was not disappointed. Roy was incredibly patient, answering a myriad of my question as well as asking me probative designed to assess my experience and plans. He suggested (but did not push) different combinations of cameras and lenses and waited patiently while I asked more questions and held the cameras to see how they felt in my hand. When the lens I chose was not in stock, Roy offered to loan (not rent) me a slightly longer one so I would have it for an upcoming trip. Needless to say, I thanked him profusely and took him up on his offer. During the hours I spent in the store, I watched Roy interact with all customers (whether making large purchases or buying a charger) with the same unhurried, attention to detail. Truly as good as I could have hoped. read more

This place is Awesome!!! I always tell everyone who asks about local camera stores about Helix. . The staff is super friendly and Wendy has on more than 1 occasion helped me out and answered my 1 million questions. They are very knowledgeable and truly care about customer service. they have rental equipment, a studio (i haven't used it ) and they have classes & events....What more could you want!? Stop by there if you ever get a chance. read more

Love love love Helix. I am a professional videographer and I remember helix Camera back in the 90's in the city on Racine. Always bought all my gear from there. They were second to none! So you can imagine how excited I was to have found Helix back again, this time in my own back yard. They are fabulous people, have great rental prices only requiring 20 percent down, great inventory as well. I just had an amazing experience. I had a panasonic GH4 that needed to be fixed but I was told by every repair I would need to send it in to panasonic for the repair. Nobody would touch it. When I went to Helix, the panasonic rep was there, looked at the camera and told me I should have the gentleman that does repairs for Helix fix it. Everyone at Helix said this guy is amazing. So I did, honestly thinking I would still have to send it to Panasonic. Well, I got a call 2 days later telling me my camera was ready to pick up all fixed. I was thrilled beyond belief. I am a wedding videographer and during wedding season, I can't miss a beat. Helix totally came through. They are eager to please so will work with you on getting exactly what you need. Definitely re discover helix! You will be so glad you did!!!! Thank you Helix for being so fabulous! Your new biggest fan!!! read more

Knowledgeable and friendly staff, and really good selection. In a world of ordering stuff online it is really nice to actually get to see the equipment first hand. read more

I give Roy at Helix Camera the highest marks possible. I wanted to upgrade my camera/lens from the entry-level Cannon I had been using for a few years. Roy spent about 3 hours with me at the store to help me select a Nikon mirrorless D-6 and Nikon lens. He set me up with a free lens "rental" until the lens I ordered arrived. The next day, I sent him an email with a few questions about setting up the camera. He called me back and spent some time with me on the phone to make sure my settings were as I wanted. For me there's a learning curve going from such a basic Cannon DSLR to the Nikon D-6 mirrorless. Also, if you buy a camera at Helix, you can attend the 2-hour basic digital camera course free at the store. I attended the workshop, which was pretty basic, but it helped me learn more about my new camera. Roy spent time individually with each participant and answered everyone's questions in a respectful and thorough manner. Roy is the best -- a really kind and knowledgeable guy! read more