Downtown Camera

I’ve been using Henry’s for years. This is a great store for pros and hobbyists alike. Most of the staff, if not all, are not simply salespeople but active photographers as well. What is always good to do as a consumer in Canada is to do your own follow-​up questions, be thorough and unafraid to keep asking questions. Customer service cultures are different here than in the US where they press you hard or are very consumer oriented. In Canada there tends to be an aloofness, and this I have found at Henry’s occasionally. Some call it snooty but I think it’s just the Toronto way — go for what you want, be direct and Henry’s will have it for you and if not they’ll get it quickly.

One of their sales person Patrick is both professional and helpful. I will definitely keep coming back for my camera purchases. They also have a lot of old film cameras which is great!

Definitely the best camera store in Toronto, bar none.
Sure you could go to one of those damned national chain stores that has little selection, and get your purchases handled by a poorly paid kid who’s just there to push product out the door and is not trained to differentiate an EF lens from an EF-​S. Or you could go to the couple other dedicated pro camera stores in the immediate area, which despite the brighter lighting, I find has crappy customer service, higher prices, departments and merchandise scattered all over the place, and you feel either intimidating or ignored for much the time. (I could write a separate review for each one, but I feel like I have accomplished that with this simple sentence.) But would you after giving Downtown Camera a visit?
Where Downtown succeeds at most is with customer service. And prices too.
Its smaller unassuming store footprint shouldn’t make you think they don’t have much in stock. In fact they have a fuckload of updated cameras and camera accessories on offer, better organized than those other places. Sure, Vistek may have a particular brand of tripod exclusively, or Henry’s may the only store carrying some bag brand (did I just name those other places by name? bloody hell). But for the most common photography brands like Canon, Nikon and Manfrotto, Downtown Camera has plenty what you need. Their prices are not just competitive (even without a sales deal in effect), they can be better than everywhere else by a surprising leap. I once bought a new lens here that they charged more than $ 150 less than guy across the street. Impossible! Regularly they will have a good deal on an entry level DSLR (eg. Canon’s Rebel series) kit, or some filters and such they want to offload.
Downtown Camera was where I bought my first DSLR, and I often end up coming here or directing others here for other photo equipment needs over the years whenever that itch arises. Their friendliness and patience is sublime in the world of electronics retail. After talking to the staff you can sense they are photographers themselves, and they love to impart some advice and stories, and find something in store that suits your needs at a good price. Play with the cameras and lenses in store all you want, they won’t push you at all or project intimidating arrogance that makes you feel like you’re in the wrong place. But they are helpful regardless of whether you are a n00b looking to get your first serious gun, someone who just needs a point-​and-​shooter for a vacation, or a seasoned pro who needs a bigger gun for bigger sharks – that has been my experience as a customer and from observing others.
The photo lab processes all sorts of film formats besides the all-​familiar 35 mm (what is that, you asked?). But I have no experience with that. What I do know is unlike the other guys on the block, Downtown Camera is the only one that OPENS ON SUNDAYS!
{TTC: any Queen streetcar route to Church Street.}

Was in need of a steady cam for an important gig and found one in store, wanted to put it on hold but the store clerk insisted I didn’t, cause they had «tons.» I returned to the store to find they were sold out and I had to settle for the floor model which was missing parts.

I used to shop at Downtown Camera for my photography needs but not anymore; not because of price but because of a bad customer service experience. I bought a set flash gel when I noticed small fridge full of Fuji film boxes. Curious, I asked another guy in the counter why they store film in a fridge. The asian guy replied in a commanding voice «How old are you and why do you asked this kind of question? Don’t you know?» (i have grey hair) I told him I don’t because I started photography with DSLR. I felt insulted by that rude customer service. I just completed my transaction and left. Since then I just go to Henry’s for my photographic needs and ignoring Downtown Camera.

Bought a Sony RX100 M3 from Downtown Camera and I asked specifically if it was brand new. The salesperson told me «Yes it’s brand new. We can’t even keep these things on the shelves.»
Turns out it was FRIGGIN’ USED — 173 photos were taken on it based on the image file numbering. Downtown Camera price-​matched another store and made it non-​refundable. I regret not buying from the original store.
My advice: Choose _​any_​other downtown camera store. A business with sleazy sales tactics doesn’t deserve your business.

Went in to check the service and pricing since I just got my first DSLR a week prior. Bought a «beginners» tripod and was seemingly well advised about weight, use of the older Manfroto tech, and price awareness. What he did not tell me was that the great deal I had was a) actually pricier than the others and b) the item was not new, it was refurbished.
His reason for it not being in a box was «because we know everyone just throws that away»
Only really noticed when I looked at the receipt afterwards. So buyer beware!

I am not from Toronto and actually ended up here by accident – I was walking across a good chunk of town to explore and was heading to Vistek to pick up a Fuji X-​T1 when I saw a window full of lovely old film cameras and popped in to take a look. Turned out to be Downtown Camera! I remembered that they had better reviews here on Unilocal than Vistek so I thought I’d see if they had the X-​T1 in stock and they did, along with the lens I was looking for to go along with it that no one else online seemed to have (and I even lucked out here because it was the last copy of that lens they had in stock). The salesman that helped me was very friendly and not at all pushy, and we geeked out over our mutual love for Fuji’s newer cameras. Unlike some camera stores where the employees seem like they just want an excuse to spew specs off at you or show off how much they know, I felt like the salesman appreciated that I knew exactly what I wanted and had already done the research on it. He was also very patient with my indecision over an Ona bag I was thinking of getting to go along with it, and didn’t try to talk me into buying it. When I get my next lens for this camera, and maybe if I decide to take the plunge and get the Ona bag, I will definitely head back here.

My nine thousand dollar mobile photography studio would have cost me ten thousand dollars if I shopped anywhere outside of Downtown Camera.
I purchased my first digital camera here in 2006. It was an 8 mega pixel point & shoot. The service I’ve received from this store has not been consistent. It has only gotten better. I have only bought one camera from another store since first shopping here, and I regret that decision. So naturally, when I decided to go pro with my equipment, Downtown Camera was my only choice of where I was going to throw away my cash.
Luckily, the person who asked whether if I required help was the guy who ran the place. I bargained hard, and he was both able to, and nice enough to put up with my negotiation tactics. Don’t think you can come here and barter at anything your heart desires. I purchased top-​notch products by the bulk; this was my ace in the hole. Or maybe it was the hole in my ace.
Downtown Camera doesn’t have everything. But it’ll have everything you’ll need.
Analog or digital, zoom or prime, Nikon or the C word. This place is the only store I trust for quality photography products. There is an impressive array of vintage photo gear dating back to when hipsters were known as beatniks. So if you’re a modern beatnik, the gear your ancestors couldn’t possibly afford can be found here now at very reasonable prices. I actually saw a Queen Street West local here during my last visit. She asked one salesgirl whether she can ‘do anything’ for her on a vintage camera that was already massively discounted. If I worked here, I would have said yes, but only after forcing her to prove her worth by demonstrating her ability to actually use the camera – which is to say I wouldn’t have given her the discount. Too bad they don’t have people like me working here.
There are often events where the store becomes interactive. It could be talks with experts, or just getting to test out some gucci gear. I never felt misled by any salespersons, and the prices are highly competitive. If you develop tenure with the staff and treat them like human-​beings, that relationship could lead to some nice discounts. That’s very nice, considering most photographers are broke.
With the one thousand dollars in savings, I was able to take that money and buy myself some essential groceries for the next twenty minutes at one of my favourite high-​end restaurants. I guess when it comes to fine dining, I’m quite a beatnik myself.

I have been buying gear here since I moved to Toronto; it is my sole provider unless I need some oddball item that they can’t get.
While the prices and selection are about as good as you’ll get anywhere, the #1 reason to shop here is customer service. I am never treated like just another customer and am always treated like a fellow photographer. Staff here are really good at working with you to find out what you need and then giving you several options whether it is film or a lens or a support system – time is never an issue if you are trying to decide between two things or just need to go over every single feature of a bag, new body or tripod. And they are always honest with you – if you don’t need a piece of gear or can use a cheaper option, they will let you know.
Can’t recommend this place enough or the benefits of shopping from a REAL store staffed by REAL photographers – any small amount you’ll save at a chain store in this city or online is simply not worth it.

Highly recommended. Best place for colour negative developing in the city. Very friendly people, fast turnaround, and a great price. The employees remember you when you come in; it has a great community feel; way better than the other camera store on the block.
The only negative is their E-​6 developing takes a couple of weeks; best take your slides to Toronto Image Works

Best camera store in Toronto — and I’ve been to a bunch of the other ones.
They are close to downtown Henry’s — but the prices are WAY better at Downtown Camera.
I do 95% of my camera shopping at Downtown Camera. They have a large selection, and their staff REALLY knows their stuff. I trust the staff to give me their honest opinion about equipment — and I can’t imagine getting better prices anywhere else.
And they like me — they really, really like me …

Great experience here,. I had questions regarding some 120 film. The saleperson went out of his way to advise me on the types of film (store was busy at the time). The salesperson was more than just sales. he was a photo enthusiast.
Lots of attention and advice even for a small purchase. Great customer service
I have purchased some other used items here like tripods/​umbrellas/​bags and have found some great deals.
Ps. yes I did buy some film rolls to try out and will come back to develop them and make more purchases. And yes I do shop at Henrys too. I would be upset if this store ever closed down.

This is by far one of the top three camera stores in Toronto.
As a photographer, I find their prices to be fair and are generally are lower than the competition. Also, I find the store size is the right size to carry what they need to carry to be a fully equipped store but not large enough turn into a walmart-​like camera store, which Henry’s really feels like. Not only that but Henry’s tends to charge more for equipment. And by more I mean $ 30+ for some items.
The staff is friendly and to the point and everyone, of course is an avid photographer or studying the craft. So they also know what they are talking about and they are definitely more adept than places like Black’s for your photographic needs.
They tend to have good specials from time to time and if you are price shopping/​or just shopping, then you would do yourself a favour to check them out.

Browsing around Downtown Camera is such a pleasant experience! I have to say this is the best stocked camera accessories stores I been to in Toronto…
Great selections of Tripods in a huge price range, light diffuser, lens, filters, protectors and bags…
Staffs are nice and friendly and approachable… and eager to help.
Prices are really comparable to other retail stores.
I would definitely suggest you drop by and check out what Downtown Camera before you made your next purchase!

Downtown Camera gets 3 stars in my books. I have been a customer of Downtown Camera for several years now, most of my business with them has been film developement, being that I am an avid medium format shooter. But if you are going to them to get film developed — just a warning that you should scan the film yourself, as the quality of the scans from DTC are not all that great — blacks are muddy, and scans are so so.
That being said, all of the sales guys at DTC are friendly, and I have gone in a few times for price inquiries. I haven’t bought much gear there, as I have a sales guy that I deal with at another store in Scarborough, so DTC is not really the place I go to buy gear.
Just a point about developing medium format — Toronto Image Works is cheaper, and the quality of developement is the same, so in the past year I have switched to using TIW.

I prefer Downtown Camera to Henry’s simply because the staff is more attentive. I rarely every buy camera equipment retail (bodies and lenses), so I am only basing this review on accessories and my knowledge of their operations. Here’s a breakdown:
1. They have some very good weekly specials. A good sale pops up once in awhile, especially for a full beginner SLR kit.
2. I purchased a Manfrotto tripod kit here for $ 150. It was on the lower end of the tripod spectrum, but the same kit was retailing for $ 230 USD on Amazon. I consider this to be a great deal, especially for Canada.
3. Staff is great and a lot more laid back than its neighbour. They’re also very knowledgeable without being arrogant about it.
4. Excellent selection of goods from all manufacturers. It is a lot bigger on the inside than it looks from outside.
5. Regularly prices are moderate (perhaps overall very slightly cheaper than Henry’s).
6. Store layout is less confusing and easier to find what you need.

I just happened to be walking by and spotted this store. I was surprised how large it was and the expanse of their selection. Even better was that their prices are very competitive. With Henry’s being a block away it definitely doesn’t hurt to price shop at Downtown Camera. I found two different accessories I’ve been looking to pick up for $ 10 cheaper than Henry’s.
These guys have everything you could need including a development studio. Their staff is knowledgeable and very good.

Great camera store-​I got the film and the help I needed in buying it. They stock film that isn’t sold at Blacks or at a drugstore anymore (Fuji Superia 800 35mm) as well as it’s professional brother. I will be going to this shop a lot-​everybody else should do so as well.

i walked into downtown camera, which is quite a large place, to look for a new lens for my slr and perhaps for a new point and shoot.
we were greeted by a guy right off the bat and he directed us towards a couple different options for a new lens, including one that wasnt from the same company our camera was. he preferred the more generic brand and told us why. it seemed helpful. we attached it to our camera, took a few shots, and he offered us a greater discount on what was already being offered.
when we were looking at the point and shoot he took his time explaining the features about which we were inquiring. he also was honest about how beneficial the particular model we were looking at would be for the uses we had specified. we even had to prompt him to go answer a phone call which was for him, as he stuck with us and waited patiently as we considered.
i realize he’s the sales guy, and probably needs to make a quota, but nonetheless, he was patient, seemingly honest and helpful.
as you might expect from any consumer camera store, this place as many accessories, cameras, video cameras, cases, tripods and so on.