Camera Center Inc

Michael D. said it, but so did i, before I read his review. Feels like a front for money laundering, a TOURIST TRAP if you are an optimist, or have never stumbled upon a business that appears to be in one business, but actually does something else. Owner was argumentative about the outrageous words he was stating as fact. 18 reviews are «not recommended». I recommend people read them. This guy is so bad, I’m sure people created accounts just to Unilocal about him. Anyway…
Went in to browse and and, if the price was good, make purchases for the new studio. I was thrilled to see a store packed full of all things photographers love. Walked in, complimented the store, took it all in, started chatting with the owner-​and he probably was the actual owner. If you aren’t a pro or serious amateur, this next part may be confusing. Just know that L means quality and expensive, and 18 – 200 or 18 – 300 means cheap junk for a pro portraitist. Tourists-​if you forgot something at home, or just need a battery or memory card or whatever… just do your wallet and good mood a favor and go elsewhere.
I told him I was looking for a good portrait lens. He asked what I have. I stated I had a nifty fifty (he claimed he didn’t know what that meant), a 24 – 70 2.8 II L, a 70 – 200 2.8 II L, a ridiculous (I said that) 18 – 200, along with… He interjects «I have perfect lens for you.» Begins pointing at 18 – 300. Umm, no I am specifically looking for the 24 – 105 f/​4L, among other things, and this ain’t my first rodeo, if you know what I mean. I have visited camera stores all over this country. «This is great lens» Umm, no it’s not, but I didn’t say that, I asked if he had a 24 – 105 f/​4 L after seeing one hidden behind something less popular. He says no. I ask «What is this? Is there a lens in there, or just a box?» They claim to buy used, so surely they do something with it. That’s when it got weird. You know, for a pro to ask for a pro lens.
Immediately, he began acting inappropriately. Rips lens from box and puts it in my hand. I didn’t have my camera, so I just said yes, this one– and handed it back. To get an idea of where he is pricing his gear, I asked the price, which was nowhere on any product I saw. He got a nasty tone and immediately began defending his price, which was $ 1600. I hadn’t even objected– yet, but B&H sells for $ 999. I simply asked if he sold used inventory. He laughs and says no. I laugh and say, «oh, I thought you did, maybe someone told me incorrectly.» I went on to explain I’m opening a studio and shoot on location too, I have a budget for said studio and trying to cover the basics.
He just went crazy about this lens! Here’s the basic conversation:
Him-​How much you think you going to pay for this lens somewhere?
Me-​I know exactly what I will buy this lens for from my local camera store. But, that’s not a fair comparison because I will likely buy used.
–I don’t care, new or used, how much you think you going to buy this lens for?
–I don’t think, I know. My local store is awesome and I’ll likely buy a used lens for about $ 550. If I were shopping for new, B&H has it for $ 999.
–No way are you getting this lens for that much. You don’t know what you’re talking about. I’ve been doing this 30 years, this is expensive lens. You have to spend more than you have. (He directed this at my boyfriend, as if to be first to pee on the proverbial fire hydrant.)
–Laughing at this point, I say, «It isn’t a matter of having enough money, but rather, getting the best value for your money, especially when opening a studio.»
This nonsense went a few more rounds before my boyfriend stepped in. The derogatory tone of voice and outright lies, about common information that is well known to any photographer, was more than he cared to hear. He just restated we saw his ad, came in to look for deals since their printed ad is super-​cheesy and claims great deals on lenses starting at 39.95. He added that we have thousands of dollars in purchases that needed to be made, at the best value and yada, yada…
I couldn’t listen to one more word of it, told my boyfriend we are done, and I walked out. I have no clue what this guy is really doing, but it’s not selling camera gear! Nobody would buy from him unless they had just wandered into their first camera store. Maybe price-​gouging tourists is his side job, but this store is NOT in the business of selling gear. Period. He had no idea what I meant when I told him I had a nifty-​fifty. You would think, that after 30 years in the biz, he would probably know slang for the most commonly sold lens that every photographer has.
I don’t care who you are, a pro, amateur, hobbyist, tourist wanting a camera or supplies… There are no deals here. I would never trust this place. I would not be surprised if he was peddling fake crap from China. Buyer Beware!

What a bunch of crooks. Look at Trip Advisor lots of bad cases can be found about these guys. We were taken for the biggest and the worst ride to be found in Orlando.
In the UK we have Trading Standards who can look into such bad companies, This shop is just ripping off tourists week in week out. The USA should investigate whats happening in this Camera Shop they are giving Orlando such a bad name.
We were overcharged for all the items we puchased by 2 times or even 3 times. They should be stopped trading. DO NOT GO INTO THIS SHOP. THEY WILL TAKE YOUR HARD EARNED CASH. They will charm you, but BE WARNED !!!

These are the rudest people ever. I called about a camera and some lenses, since they don’t have a web site to see their inventory you have to ask. I was told, rudely that I was asking too many questions. HELLO how else are we supposed to know what you have in stock. Very unprofessional.

AVOID THIS PLACE IF YOU VALUE YOUR TIME AND EQUIPMENT! This operates like more of a front for an illegal money laundering operation than a legit camera shop. It’s obvious now the other reviews were not legit and why the employees I encountered were so sketchy.
Their hours on the door and online state 9:00AM to 11:00PM. I showed up at 9:00AM Saturday morning to pick up a lens they «inspected» and the shop is closed. It’s 10:10AM and still no sign of an employee, owner, anyone. I also called them last night to ensure they knew I was coming by at 9:00AM to pick up my Sigma 50−500mm lens passing through on the beginning of a 9 hour drive.
The guy spinning the sign advertising for Ponderosa said they usually show up by 9:30AM or so unless they’re really late…
I take full responsibility for trusting this place to begin with. Don’t make the same mistake I did. Maybe the local BBB and IRS can help them with their issues.

O vendedor tentou me empurrar um produto por um preço muito alto e ficou furioso quando disse que não compraria. Me mandou rodar a cidade inteira para comprovar que o preço dele era bom, mas quando eu voltasse o produto estaria mais caro ainda. Resultado? Achei o produto por um terço do preço em outro lugar. Obrigado por ter sido um péssimo vendedor e me ter feito ir em outra loja.

I came here to just look and instead ran into this man Tony who was related to the owner. Tony was explaining to me what would be a good camera for me to start with for the area of photography I was wanting to work in. He showed me the canon 1200 D and explained the functions and the type of photos it would produce. Within seconds he showed me the different between a wide angle lens a macro lens and such. I walked out there door with the camera and the macro lens for only $ 700. The camera itself was only worth about $ 550 but he threw in the lens for $ 150 when the lens originally costs $ 1,000-$ 1,200 I looked it up.
I would definitely reccomend looking up the prices to cameras before going into a camera store though to make sure you’re getting a good deal. I’m in love with my camera and made a great connection with Tony since I can just email him now whenever I need help with figuring something out with my camera.

This is the worst place! Do not use this camera store.
The store is not neat in anyway. The staff is lazy and unless. They give false information about the products.
I will never return to this store.

Highly recommended. Such great service, reasonable pricing. If you’re looking for a good camera, or to fix cameras I recommend this place.

I am giving one star because there is no zero stars. Those guys are the biggest crooks I have ever met. They will do everything to sell you something for double or even tripple the price. Do not buy anuthing from them, don’t even enter their store…

Buyer Beware!!! This camera store is extremely shady and looking to take advantage of any consumer that ventures into their store. They do not offer refunds and all sales are final regardless of the situation. They literally stole my money and there was nothing I could do about it.
I originally went in to buy a lens hood for my new camera. The lens hood they had given me was priced at $ 39.99. A the time I thought it was a bit pricey but being a new DSLR camera owner I wasn’t completely sure. I started to look up comparable pricing for the product on my phone as the salesman and the owner continued to pressure me into the sale. Once I handed him the money it was all over. I had no idea about their «ALL SALES ARE FINAL NO RETURNS» policy until I asked. My phone finally loaded and I saw that the exact same lens hood was between $ 6-​$ 12 at Office Max and number of other retailers. I showed the salesman and the owner the price and they said «sorry all sales are final». I feel like I watched them steal from me and there was nothing I could do about it without ruining my vacation.
I highly recommend finding another camera retailer in the area before you shop here!

I created a Unilocal account just to write a review for this camera shop. They repaired my shattered filter and dented lense in 10 minutes. Great service, friendly people, top of the line products. I’d recommend them to anyone in need of camera repairs or parts.