Chuck Rubin Photographics

I’m giving Chuck’s a five star, but here’s something you’ve got to understand: When you go to Chuck’s, you’ve got to have some idea of exactly what you’re looking for. Put in some research. If you go in saying, ‘I want a filter, I don’t know what kind’, you’ll most likely be directed to a section of the shop in general and left to your own devices. If you want to engage with Chuck or the staff that knows their stuff, you’ve got to know a little bit about what you’re doing there. That being said, if you walk in and say, ‘Hey, I’m a complete amateur, and I want to try something new,’ they aren’t at all unwelcoming either.
Part of what makes Chuck’s so wonderful is the atmosphere. Things are stacked floor to ceiling and the place smells old and musty. There are chairs strewn about the shop that are usually occupied by old men, bullshitters, old-​pros, new-​pros, low-​pros, self-​proclaimed geniuses, real men of genius, and good old boys, most of whom are friendly and willing to talk to you about photography, life, their glory days, politics, camera clubs, latest projects, etc. And if the constant hoard of lurkers aren’t friendly enough, Chuck has a lovely orange kitty who will rub against your leg.
Chuck and his crew has often given me some of the best discounts on equipment, more than I could as for, but they have also been willing to haggle in the past on more pricey items. I think they might have a soft spot for students. One of the best times of the year is the Yard Sale, and sometimes, they set up a booth at the Flea Off Market.

Everyone was very friendly. The pizza was good came out pretty quick too! My daughter had a blast

There is a lot of knowledge and history in this place. It’s quirky and weird but everyone at chuck’s will help you get what you need. They have a lot of rotating stock so you never know what you’ll find. Stop in and have a look it’s a great place

So, this is a totally frustrating place.
First, the owner, Chuck Rubin (so it’s not just a clever name) seems like a totally decent dude. And his stock of vintage, antique, and used cameras and equipment is a sight to marvel at even if you’re not in the market to buy.
The problem, however, is the people that aren’t Chuck. There’s a group of guys that just sorta hang there, sitting around in the back of the store. I couldn’t tell whether they’re sales associates or just middle-​aged white men loitering about like teenagers in a parking lot. It was weird.
When I first got into photography a couple years ago, I stopped in hoping to find a good used digital SLR camera to save a little money. I spoke with Chuck and mentioned that my primary interest was in concert photography… low light, lots of movement. Chuck was straightforward and said that he’s not an expert in event photography, and he directed me to one of these guys in this aforementioned circle.
So this dude comes up and starts straight MAD DOGGIN’ me, saying things like «well, there’s no way you can do that type of photography without spending thousands of dollars.» All the while his cronies were sitting in their circle sporting their best «Gone Fishin’» caps, trading laughs and listening in to their homeboy make me feel totally dumb for even *thinking* I could buy decent camera equipment for less than the price of a car. Well, my bad. So, since I didn’t have thousands upon thousands of dollars to take National Geographic-​quality photos of shows at Zanzabar or whatever, I left without making a purchase, feeling actually pretty bummed that I couldn’t pursue this hobby because I don’t make hedge fund trader money. Dude ruined my damn Saturday.
Later, I consulted a few of my friends that do photography, and they all unanimously said you can get great low /​f stop lenses and entry-​level pro DSLRs like the Canon Rebel and Nikon D series within my budget. So I got a used Nikon D40 and a pancake style low-​light lens for $ 475. And guess what. I’ve taken concert photos that have been nationally published. So there’s that. Cue the sad trombone.
The mural outside is awesome though. Kinda wish Chuck would kick those stooges out.

If you want to check out quirky privately owned businesses, you can’t pass Chuck Rubin’s by. It’s beyond amazing, filled floor to ceiling with both new and vintage cameras. Chuck is almost always there with another employee (though its kind of hard to tell since they are pretty much just sitting there shooting the breeze). Start chatting and you’ll soon be sucked into the conversation as well. For as small as the store is, it’s crazy how long you’ll be in there.
The cameras themselves are pretty fascinating if you are the least bit interested in photography. Chuck will be very honest about what you should buy, depending on what you plan on using the equipment for. I have a vintage medium format Pentax I got there that I still love, though when I bought it he warned me that there was no focus features. It didn’t deter me, and he knocked the price down some because of it.
Definitely a fun store, I strongly recommend it.