Columbus Camera Group

In a past life, I worked at Singing Dog Records, at the time arguably the coolest and most diverse record store in Columbus. (Before you get excited and go check them out, trust me, they now retain maybe 1% of that level of cool.) This was during a time when online sales didn’t yet dominate and it was worth your time to walk into a retail establishment, talk to seasoned veterans and their years of experience, and soak it all in.
Nowadays, that brand of customer service is nearly extinct, but I remember as a film major spending a great deal of time at a great old re-​modeled church called Columbus Camera Group. The building was run down, musty and a bit worse for wear, and dimly lit, but mon Dieu, the seasoned veterans and their years of experience! I bought all my gear there: my Bolex, lenses, C-​stands, lights, even a used Steadycam, but after my move to Seattle and the era of digital photography had finally pushed amateur film photography out of the light, I worried that these seasoned veterans may not be able to keep up with the times. When I moved back, I even half suspected I’d find the church doors permanently closed. I was delighted to be proven wrong. Some of the old gear was still hanging around, and even the comforting smell of stop bath still hung in the air, but they’ve incorporated the digital age into the rest of it, and the customer service is as strong as it has ever been. Sales, service and classes… they have it all.

I came here to this old scenic church that is refitted as an used camera shop looking for a lense hood for my entry level DSLR. As a photographic neophyte, I am a little behind on the lingo and will admit being a bit apprehensive in discussing my needs to someone more knowledgeable; but, there was no need for me to be so. The salesman gave top line customer service and treated me like an old friend.
The store is off the High Street strip down Blake Avenue in the University District, out among the student housing there north campus. The church is large. The inside is roomy, filled with everything a photographer would need: zoom lenses at many focal lengths, some primes, tripods, camera bags, filters, and bodies of both DSLR and old fashion SLR. They have plenty of vintage photography equipment, and lots of professional gear including reflectors, white screens, and remote flashes. They have accessories for many brands: Cannon and Nikon are a sample of what I spied. If interested, visit the website and you can search what is on hand.
The interior of the place seemed like a movie set, a Steven King script came to mind; there’s a real New England flavor in the old Protestant church. The old wood work with peeling paint plus the stain glass windows leaking colorful sunbeams gave the place an artistic gloss, providing the customer with inspiration as well as the tools of the trade.
They also rent equipment and hold classes, both are something I am considering.
But most of all their customer service is high. The salesman took the time to try several hoods. We found one that wasn’t perfect but worked with some adjustments. When I went to pay he would have none of it; it wasn’t a high quality product and they had several. He gave it to me for free.
This will be my first spot to go when I am ready to build my collection.

I love this place! I have been to several of the camera shops in and around Columbus and this is my favorite. Staff is always friendly and helpful; great selection of equipment and prices; and appreciate that they support local artists.
Excellent customer service is a must for me, especially if I am spending a lot of money, and this shop meets my expectations much more than its competition and on a more consistent basis. I stopped shopping at another well known camera shop due to poor treatment on more than one occasion and this store has earned my loyalty.
Plus the building is unique and amazing.
Found prices to be in line with industry or lower in some situations; rental fees lower than local competitors; and rental process much better than others.

If your a Photographer this is a Must place. or just interested seing a Photographers equipment Graveyard go check this place out. . Just to look through there tons of Old Equipment. Brings back lots of Memorys. A huge Old Church full of everything related to Photography. A true Experience. Make the Trip.

This place is just great. I believe it was once a church that they converted to a camera shop years ago, and being off the main drag it doesn’t get quite the foot traffic that midwest does which as a customer is a benefit. They have tons of gear and the staff is more than helpful on any questions you have.
I needed to rent a rig for a shoot and they bent over backwards helping me rig something up and gave me more than a fair price, which in my industry is simply great. I overheard another staffer actually explaining how different lenses work with the camera, he was even writing stuff down for her to check out which in my mind was well beyond the typical sales clerk. I would suggest this place to anyone looking for photo gear!

I have been going to this place for over ten years. If you are a photographer looking for extremely reasonably priced lighting, stands, grip equipment, older camera bodies/​lenses, expired film, filters… or pretty much an other random photographic equipment, this IS the place to go.
I believe that most of their business is done through ebay… when I lived in LA i purchased a Deardorff off of ebay from them. I thought that was ironic seeing how a small business in an old church in cbus would have such a great variety of merch.
The employees/​owner always seem more than willing to help and go through their large inventory of randomness looking for what you want.
Other benefits: if you have used equipment bring it here… they’ll give you a fair price, especially if your like me and was going to pitch the shit anyways.
You can rent photo lights here… not sure what all they have but it’s good to know.
I had given it a four, but honestly a business like this is surviving in this crazy world of digital photography deserves some props for thriving and the fact that they keep the big-​ass church heated even in the winter.
five stars. go here if your a photographer in the columbus, ohio area. even if it’s just for nostalgic reasons to see old equipment from the past world of wet photography.