Chris’ Camera Center

So I found out I had a shoot to go to the next day, in which they wanted video. I had just gotten a Canon 5D mkIII, and hadn’t gotten a compact flash card yet (I’ve read that the 5D supports high speed CF cards, but not SD cards). Trying to see if there was any Sandisk or Lexmark cards around my area in Augusta yielded nothing. Chris’ Camera Center was the closest dedicated camera store. I decided to drive over to see if I could get any CF card for immediate use. I wound up being misinformed that the card I was buying was UDMA 7 (turns out it’s class 6). I also noticed looking at the shelves that they only sold a brand I was unfamiliar with «Promaster». Well since I needed the card immediately, I just paid for it. It’s working OK for now, but I’m not expecting much from it. It seems to have cost more then the Sandisk or Lexmar UDMA 7 cards online. Apparently «Promaster» is popular with local camera dealers because it’s cheap rebranded Chinese stock that has a high mark up (high enough that their UDMA 6 is more then an online UDMA 7).
For finding photography essentials, I’d really discourage people from going to a store like this: they don’t have brand name equipment that’s proven to last, and are only good for needing something in a pinch. I’m still going to have to go online to Amazon, B&H, or Adorama to buy a genuine UDMA 7 CF card (and it will ultimately still be cheaper then this «Promaster» brand). Walmart/​Best Buy doesn’t have high end DSLRs in stock, and you get the same experience with ignorant sales people. You can at least hold the consumer level cameras to see if there’s a particular brand that feels more intuitive for you. For a dedicated camera store the only good one in the GA area seems to be Showcase camera in Atlanta. Their prices are the same as online merchants, and they’re not hocking just one brand.

Awesome service and selection here at Chris Camera. If you are lucky, you will get Chris himself, who will go way out of his way to help you find EXACTLY the camera that best fits your needs AND will fix or PURCHASE your broken camera. I brought my broken Cannon in and he set me up with a new one at a significant discount; I was traveling and did not miss a single day of picture taking by waiting for a repair.
I grew up in Aiken, and always like doing business with friends, and friendly people who know you by your name. My mom has been coming here for many years, always delighted with the service. And Chris’s shop is full of all the latest equipment, and old time film cameras as well! I love that he buys and trades cameras, and has a genuine interest in photography and what his customer’s interest is.
Great place to come and talk story about photography, and the art of it as well. I no longer live in Aiken, but come back to visit often, and it is businesses like this that make me love my home town and think one day I will come back to stay.

I hate to do this to a local spot, but you may as well go to Wal-​Mart for mediocre service and quality photos. The help was also critical of our photographs for some odd reason. Not smart business.