I'm going to be in New York next week, and was looking forward to visiting B&H again. Unfortuantely, they're closed for Succos all week.
Are there any other shops worth checking out? Adorama?
Camera shops in NYC
(17 posts) (10 voices)-
Posted 3 years ago #
-
J and R is really good.
jr.com
Adorama I heard was good too, but I haven't visited them before.
Bonus tip- J and R does price matching.
Posted 3 years ago # -
I'm jealous. I'll bet NY is really nice this time of year. I've only ever been in July.
I can't speak for the camera shops, but if you find yourself in Hell's Kitchen and in need of a cold beer, I highly recommend The Gaff.
Posted 3 years ago # -
Well I would say that you have picked the absolute worst week to visit New York camera stores. Most all of the better stores are Jewish owned and/or ran therefore they will be closed all of next week. This includes but not limited to B&H, Adorama and I am sure some others. There is another store there named 17th Street Photo and they are located 33 W. 17th Street on the 3rd floor. This store is alright, but a little funky because it is on the 3rd floor and the elevator is very old. I do not know if they are closed or not.
As for J and R, I do not know if they will be closed or not. This store to is a little strange in that they take up the entire block, but they consist of several seperate stores on the block each specializing in different technologies. I think that there camera store is on the corner at the south end of the block. They are located just south of City Hall park.
I am not aware of any others that I would recommend other than B&H, Adorama, 17th Street Photo and J and R of which 2 of these I know will be closed. There are many, many other stores in New York that sell photo gear. Many are in the Times Square area. I would not buy anything in these stores unless I knew exactly what I wanted and what the other reliable store prices were. I generally go into these stores more for entertainment than anything else. These stores carry a lot of discontinued items, grey market items and are overpriced. Be careful!
I visit New York city at least once or twice a year for the past 20 years or so and have ventured into quite a few of the camera stores there.
Make sure you try the following eateries:
Any Rays Pizza
Any Pronto Pizza
Any Bravo Pizza
Any Burger HeavenStage Deli on 7th Avenue between 53rd and 54th Streets (Times Square Area)
Carnagie Deli on 7th Avenue between 53rd and 54th Streets (Times Square Area)
Lindys Deli on 7th Avenue on the corner of 53rd and 54 Streets (Times Square Area)
Arties Deli Broadway and 83rd Street (Upper West Side)
Micky Mantles Bar and Grill on 59th Street (South Central Park) and 6th Avenue (Avenue of the Americas)
Ruths Chris Steak House on 51st Street between 6th and 7th Avenues, closer to 7th Avenue (They typically have lunch specials that include a complete meal with beverage and desert for a low price by there standards on Fridays only. This is a high end steak house but somewhat affordable on Fridays for lunch.)
Good luck with the camera shopping and have a great time.
Posted 3 years ago # -
Thanks all, especially Henry.
Posted 3 years ago # -
I go to b&h and adorama the most, and have gone to j&r a few times. I understand calumet is ok, but have never been. There is also alkit - not sure if they are just rental or sell gear as well. I have never been to 17th st photo. henry is right, lots of closures and stay out of the little shops. each of the sites listed above have a website with store closures / holiday listed posted.
Posted 3 years ago # -
jimjim is correct about Calumet, they are at 22 W. 22nd Street and I do not think that they will be closed. They are a chain in various cities in the U.S. and I think other countries. I am in Southern California and there are 2 somewhat near me. I have been to them, but I would not even begin to compare them to either B&H or Adorama. Though the one in New York City may be better than the ones here.
Since you are going to have limited choices, I would difinitely go to the Calumet there. If you do let me know how it is and if any good I will visit it when I am there next time.
Posted 3 years ago # -
@Henry Nikon Fan - Isn't there a place called "The Stage Deli" right across from Penn Station, and down the block from B&H?
Reiterating anyone else who said this, steer clear of the Small Shops that dot pretty much every road in New York. I wouldn't trust buying much of anything from them.
Posted 3 years ago # -
That is the Stage Door Deli, but I do not think that it is associated with the Stage Deli on 7th Avenue. I have not eaten at the Stage Door Deli, but I have eaten at the Stage Deli on 7th Avenue and highly recommend it.
It is becomming more like the issue with Rays Pizza in New York. It was originally Rays Pizza, then Famous Rays Pizza, Original Rays Pizza and Famous Original Rays Pizza. The story I heard was that 2 brothers started Rays Pizza and had a falling out and then each created Famous Rays Pizza and Original Rays Pizza. I do not know how much truth there is to this, but now they seem all mixed up and I think that some are actually franchised.
There is also Juniors Deli adjacent to the Times Square Marriot and one located on the concourse level of Grand Central Station. This is also an excellent deli. Interesting to know that there is also a Juniors Deli in Los Angeles on the corner of Pico Blvd. and Weswood, but the ones in New York and the one in Los Angeles claim that they are not associated with each other. Even though they have the exact same logo, napkins, etc.
Posted 3 years ago # -
NYC is a great place to be this time of year, I was fortunate enough to work there for three years. The restaurants are great, you almost have to try to find a place with lousy food. Personally I bought everything I own from Calumet, I have found then to be very friendly and knowledgeable. Another store you might check-out is FotoCare across the street from Calumet, again they have a quite friendly knowledgeable staff.
This time of year offers some of the clearest sky in NYC, and many shooters love going across the river to shoot the NYC skyline in the late afternoon with the sub to your back. The sun illuminates the buildings with incredible light. You can also bring your tripod for an evening shot, and catch the empire statebuilding.
Hope you have a great stay in NYC.
Posted 3 years ago # -
Just going to chime in to say Calumet is a very big disappointment. Go for the other stores first. Calumet typically doesn't have a very good stock of items (at least in SF).
Posted 3 years ago # -
kellenfreeman, you are right about Calumet in S.F as well as here in So. Cal., but since most of the really good stores are closed this week Calument may be worth visiting while he is in New York. Since Calumet has so much more competition in New York then maybe they have a better store there.
Posted 3 years ago # -
capjones,
Are you back from New York yet?
How was it?
Did you get to any of the camera stores?
Provide us with an update when you can.
Posted 3 years ago # -
You might try these guys. I have purchased from Cameta before and have been very pleased. Located close to the house where the Amityville Horror was filmed.
http://www.cameta.com/contact-us.cfm#directionsPosted 3 years ago # -
Hey Robert good to hear from you. Are you trying to find a Halloween tie-in to this topic? Or are you saying that buying in a New York camera store is like a horror movie? :^)
Posted 3 years ago # -
Yeah, how was your trip buddy?
Posted 3 years ago # -
capjones,
Are you back yet? We all want to know how it went in New York City. Let us know when you can.
Posted 3 years ago #
Reply
You must log in to post.
