Hidden away between a Kuhns and a Burlington, through a dim hallway that doesn't quite seem open, lies the best photography store in Pittsburgh. Truly a hidden gem, it used to be located in Northway Mall (RIP) and long ago was a Ritz Camera location. Shedding both of those origins and focusing heavily on service has created a leaner, stronger, enthusiast and professional photography store than Pittsburgh has had for decades. Walking towards the entrance, just outside the inner doors, you're greeted by a table full of vintage SLR lenses, lens cases, film point and shoots, rangefinders, and all sorts of other small dollar, vintage, and interesting photography items. If you're into lo-fi photography, this is where the bargains are. Skip searching endless thrift stores, it's all right there. Prices are both fair and negotiable, and the average quality is "shootable if you're not fussy". Occasionally something magical pops up; a Zeiss Jena lens that needs a mount, or a very clean 50mm f/1.8 or f/2, and of course the filters and storage cases are must haves at a few dollars a piece. Inside the store proper though is where things get truly special. The cases of lenses and camera bodies are a curated selection of the best vintage glass and film backs they can get; I've checked out dozens of lenses and a few bodies and every single one is no issues, travel ready, perfectly clean and serviced, and the best part: priced to sell. Other stores in the area will try and charge $400 for lenses that're $30 on eBay, or cater exclusively to wannabe Ansel Adams' and collectors, and hawk Rolleis and Hassleblads as if us mortals can afford the film for them, but Premier Imaging has no such pretentiousness. They sell what people will actually go out and shoot with. You'll find Canon A1s and AE1s, Nikon F-series, and a few Minolta and Pentax bodies too. There's rangefinders and point and shoots that're ready for film right away. They have Canon 50mm f/1.4 FD/FL lenses, and they have 500mm f/8 mirrors, and Nikkor-PC perspective control lenses, and all kinds of other uniquely special or uniquely clean normal lenses. Their digital selection is occasionally more limited, but they'll also order you in and set up and service anything you can think of; their dealer and manufacturer network is extensive, and they've partnered with most major new and used distributors as well. Lighting and supports and bags are a wide range of new and used, sizes and purposes; you can get a new carbon-fibre Promaster travel tripod or a studio grade Bogen, small flashes or full strobe systems, every imaginable filter, bags for one camera and lens or trunks for a half ton of glass and steel. Phil is a kind and patient man; whether he's buying or selling, he's willing to make you a fair deal on quality equipment, tell you what something is, the story behind it, why it's worth what he says, and why you want it. The staff there ranges in age and experience, but everyone shoots, and everyone knows their niche well. I've brought in cameras of all kinds that I had a range of knowledge about, but the staff there and especially Phil always seem to know at least one more thing about it. There's truly no reason to bother going anywhere else, except to also hit up their Monroeville location! If you're a photographer or any level, from "family snapshots" to "this is my job and my life", this is the place to go in Pittsburgh. read more

It's a cool film store, yes. Slightly hard to find. Unfortunately they delivered my film a few weeks late as they had the wrong email on file. After calling them numerous times to update my email- they still couldn't spell it right! This meant I had to go into the store to actually get them to send the scans to the correct email, two weeks after due date and three phone calls later. The scans were fine, nothing to write home about. There were numerous scratch marks on the negs, degrading image quality. Despite all of this, the staff was rather accommodating and the $10 film and scan deals on Tuesday are fantastic. Couldn't be a more middle of the road film lab imo. read more

The worse case scenarios kept happening. I gave my camera in for repair and they messed up the cost (I ended up paying double), they mixed up my camera with someone else's, they lost my battery... it was a MESS!!!! They also wouldn't give me updates unless I called and asked. They declined any chance of a refund too. read more

We had 42 8/super 8 reels of film changed over to digital format and were not at all happy with the quality of the digital copies. Lots of jumping and artifacts on the digital copies. We paid in advance for the copies because we were told that the movie transfer should be good and not to worry. Sorry to say, we should have worried. Never again! Bob W. read more

Very very knowledgeable staff and bought a camera that I love! I also traded in my camera at a fair value. Very reputable!

This is the best camera shop I have ever been in. The service was great and they were super helpful. They did a beautiful job!

Super negotiable with prices and truly helped me find what I wanted in my price range, as I was going in completely blind. Great people and great store read more

Phenomenal staff, very patient and knowledgeable. My grandfather recently gave me his old 35 mm camera and I had no idea where to start. Noah was able to answer all of my questions and help me nail down some of the basics on shooting film. Lots of film options and the prices are just right for film and developing services. 12/10 would recommend and something tells me I will be frequenting the shop often. Thank you for everything! Be sure to come here for all of your camera needs :) read more

Premier Imaging - Grandpas old camera - Photography Stores & Services Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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Their photo developing services are the quickest and best quality in Pittsburgh. All the staff is extremely helpful and nice. The prices are also great! Would highly recommend this place for getting film developed! read more

I love their services They offer camera rental and video editing They have many photography options and custom order ideas I'm coming back for Christmas gifts read more

Phil is fantastic. He responds immediately to my needs. I have worked with him and Nick for years and they are reliable when time is of the essence. I truly appreciate working with them. They do everything they can to accommodate me and also are honest about any limitations. Thumbs up!! read more