The Photo Village

You will find some real rare cameras in this slick showroom. In contrast to the supermarket across the street, I found the help here to be top notch, taking their time with me to make sure I got all the pieces of the package I needed and the price was exactly the same as the supermarket of cameras that makes you wait on there lines before you can walk out with your paid merchandise.
If you want pro gear without all the hassle you will find no better NYC store than Photo Village.
K

Absolutely horrendous customer service from owner Rich Pinto and manager William Juseck. I had to return an item that was still unused and factory sealed. I willingly paid return shipping as well as Photo Village’s 20% restocking fee. However, after Photo Village received the return, they refused to refund any money at all, keeping both the merchandise and money for a month. They kept giving me the runaround until I finally opened a case with my credit card company and filed a chargeback.

Although I live in the SF Bay Area– I’ve bought several items from the store via the mail. The packages are sent out when they say they will. I get a tracking number and am able to track the package.
The store help is extremely knowledgeable and always offer help or recommendations for a product that would work better.

The Photo Village has the shortest money-​back guarantee period (10 days) of any photo retailer in New York, and their store policies change with the direction of the wind. Who ever heard of a 40% restocking fee at the whim of a dead-​eyed employee who didn’t want to issue an RMA on a straightforwardly broken piece of used merchandise? What kind of store refuses to answer your phone calls, and then goes online to accuse you of stalking them? Come to The Photo Village and experience it all yourself, in the comfort of their soundproof steel-​doored showroom!
I visited The Photo Village three times, and each time I kept telling myself that the weird vibes and confusing conversations were in my imagination, and that the good deals were worth it. I should have trusted my gut. Buyer beware.

I purchased a Voigtlander 40 mm lens for Nikon from B+H in January and started having issues with the focus shortly after. The lens was still under the manufacturer’s warranty and I was referred to the Photo Village for a repair. I can’t say anything great about Voigtlander’s repair service because the lens was almost 4 months out of my hands. Eventually Will from the Photo Village sent me a replacement because my repair kept getting delayed. I guess I just wanted to thank Will for being the middle man with Voigtlander and taking care of me. I appreciate it!

Having visited their website several times for lenses, and straps I made the trip up to NYC to visit the store. With lenses bordering the six thousand dollar mark and above, one would assume that the service would be on par with that. Unfortunately, it seemed like I had to force them to try to sell me anything. It was great to be able to see the lenses in person, and I ended up picking up a leather strap for my camera there, but the experience was just awkward. They just weren’t that personable, and for me to want to buy a 6,500 lens that is 1,500 dollars above retail (because it’s out of stock everywhere) demands a certain level of customer service. They have a lot of great products, but unless you know exactly what you want and know a lot about it, I would recommend skipping their in store location, and just buying it from them online.

Informed, professional, and courteous staff, great selection, prompt deliveries. I rank Photo Village up there with B&H. They are the best little camera shop in NYC.

at one point i thought i should take photography classes. i love taking photos but i don’t really know what most of the shit does. i never took photography in school but ive always loved to snap photos. anyhow… when i found out how much classes were i figured id just buy some nice shit and figure out how to use it… so i did. i bought a pretty good camera and got pretty into researching lenses and what not. its all kind of confusing and relatively obscure… but i went into photo village on the recommendation of a few people… and they are awesome. totally helpful and patient… so a pro shop on all levels but never turn up their nose. I’ve bought 2 lenses from them now and im SO stoked on them both. Plus… theyre the only place in the country that had what i wanted in stock. seriously… just so nice and helpful. so… end of the day… i get WAY more out of owning the equipment and my few quick chats with the people here then i ever would have gotten from classes at ICP or somewhere.

I’ve only ever ordered online from them, and there’s never been any real problems after the purchase. The thing that annoys me are their shipping prices, the cheapest available option is $ 16, if you buy a mini soft release for $ 25 weighing 3 grams or if you buy a $ 2500 dslr that weighs 4 lbs. They have by far the best prices on Artisan & Artist items in the US, so I end up at Photo Village. Also just browsing their site, it seems as though almost every Leica and Zeiss item is out of stock. If you are purchasing online and the same item is an equal or slightly higher price elsewhere, go there because you’ll save on shipping.

A great place to buy or sell used high-​end professional-​grade photographic equipment. Leica, Hasselblad, etc. Staff are helpful and knowledgable.
This is not the place for wannabe photographers. It is for serious professionals, who know what they are looking for. You can find some great equipment at reasonable used prices here. Ignore that it is on the 8^th floor, with no street presence. Keeps the non-​serious folks away.
The quality of the used equipment is quite good. They also sell new stuff, and their new prices are worth comparing to stores like Willoughby’s and B&H.
I hit this store almost every time I need to expand my range of photo equipment.

This photography boutique specializing in Leica and top-​end cameras gives very personal service. The customer service is great. The people are friendly, reasonable, welcoming. It’s a shop for the serious photographer.
The shop is hidden away, and that speaks volumes. They have a loyal customer base, and aren’t bringing in gimmicks to get people to spend money. This shop will talk to customers to know their needs and wants, and sells them what’s right for the customer.
It’s high-​end.

More of a showcase then a store, this tiny place is two adjoining spaces located on the 8^th floor of a commercial building. One half is the showcase, the other is the storeroom. Don’t be fooled by the confusing signage, the first door is the customer door, the other is the service entrance. When I was there a couple was banging on the service door by mistake.
I went for their polaroid/​Fuji Instax special I saw on their website, but that seems to be the exception. Most of the product displayed (quite nicely I might add) is of the $ 5,000 Leica rangefinder variety. Can’t comment on their selection or pricing as I don’t do that high end of the camera market. It did seem like they cover it pretty well, tho.
Not much of a gab and sample store, dealing with the sales clerk was awkward for some unexplainable reason. I knew what I wanted, they had it, I had money, but for some reason it took 3 times longer then normal to make it work. I should also note that although product was advertised as new and still sealed in original container, it was scratched. I don’t mind since the packaging design was lousy and it’s a 8 year old camera by a defunct company, but things like that might matter to others. Again, should be noted this was a $ 100 purchase in a store more aligned to $ 3,000 camera bodies (not including lens, just the body.
If you know what you’re looking for and the price you want it at, this might be a good place to shop. If you’re not sure, browsing, or anything else, I’d probably skip this place.

After multiple purchases and great customer service, I have either been lucky or the other reviews are a biased. Either way, as a Leica fan, this place is worth the trip and has my business.

I need to warn people about a bad experience I had with Rich Pinto at Photovilla.
I called to inquire about placing an order and was told that the item was on backorder but if I placed the order and changed my mind, I could simply cancel it at any time.
I ended up finding the item locally so contacted Rich to cancel my order. He then proceeded to totally change his story, telling me that it is going to be a $ 200. penalty charge to cancel the order! I was shocked, as this was definitely not made clear to me when I placed the order. In fact, from what he told me at the time, I was under the impression that it would be quite the opposite, and not be a problem whatsoever.
I emailed him stating that part of the cost of doing business is treating the customer right and giving him the benefit of the doubt. Frankly, I was misled when I originally phoned to place my order. I got the following response:
«Simply telling me that the «customer is always right» really doesn’t seem to satisfy my side of the problem and if you are fair with me, as I am trying to be with you, I think you can give a bit on your side too. If not, then you should accept the cost of your mistake, $ 200, just as I will have to accept the cost on my side.
It is evident to me that Rich would rather charge me, for his own lack in making this clear, instead of taking responsibility and ownership for what he did originally tell me.
I recommend you stay far far away. You’ve been warned.

This is a small photography boutique, specializing in Leica and top-​end digital Canon and Nikon SLR bodies and lenses. They also carry Alpa and other boutique brands, rent drum scanners, etc. As such, it’s not so much for the casual shopper.
If you’re a serious photographer or collector, it’s an excellent place to shop. They match B&H prices on new gear, and their used selection is very good. They also are the exclusive (I think) dealer of Artisan and Artist accessories (straps, cases, etc.) so if you want to see before you buy, this is the place outside Japan.
Regarding the other reviews, I’ve never had a problem here with «ethics,» and I’ve window-​shopped here many times. I played for a half-​hour with a Zeiss Ikon rangefinder without any dirty looks from the staff and walked out without buying anything.
Like Tamarkin, this is not a gallery or museum. If you’re just showing up to look at the goods and play with stuff you never intend to buy, it’s not that kind of place.

I wish I could give this place a great review because of what they have in the world of Leica collectibles. They truly have some amazing stuff in there and if you are a Leica junky this store will make your blood boil. The major problem is some of the employees in this tiny boutique deter from myself and a few friends from buying anything due to a condescending attitude; not only about knowledge of the product, but the individuals ability to afford anything. Yes, I get it, Leica is expensive, but when you sell something you are never above the people walking in the door. If you research what you want, walk in the door, and purchase it without to much interaction with the sales people you should be just fine.