camera stores in London

someone_else · Oct 6, 2021

Sorry if this is not the right forum for this, or if this topic already exists somewhere - my search only returned some really old ones.

Can anyone recommend interesting (physical) stores in London which have a good stock of film cameras, especially medium and large format? I'm not looking for anything in particular (well, maybe a Pentax 6x7), but I'll be visiting the city soon and I'd like to check out the "attractions".

hashtagquack · Oct 6, 2021

Theres MrCad, Aperture, Grays of Westminster, Red Dot Cameras, London Camera Exchange. Maybe try Portobello Market. All depends on what youre looking for really Apologies if I've missed any other well known places out.

rulnacco · Oct 6, 2021

All the above are great places to shop, I have frequented all of them. For medium and large format, I'd also recommend Teamwork Photo. And if you're interested in Leica at all, The Classic Camera is right next to the British Museum; bit sad that Richard Caplan closed down several months back.

Finally, this is a bit off the beaten track, but you *should* try to get down to Croydon and check out High Street Radio and Photographic (http://www.croydonphotocentre.co.uk). The proprietor, Reg Roach, is 89 years old, but he's been selling Leica and lots of other second hand film gear in the same spot for over 60 years. He's a legend, and a treasure--stunning knowledge of all things photographic, on the film front certainly. Make sure you check their hours, because due to the pandemic they're quite limited. And you might want to call ahead to make sure Reg is in the shop that day, his son Paul runs it in his absence--but a chat with Reg is definitely worth the trip down to South London.

Huss · Oct 6, 2021

rulnacco said:
All the above are great places to shop, I have frequented all of them. For medium and large format, I'd also recommend Teamwork Photo. And if you're interested in Leica at all, The Classic Camera is right next to the British Museum; bit sad that Richard Caplan closed down several months back.

Finally, this is a bit off the beaten track, but you *should* try to get down to Croydon and check out High Street Radio and Photographic (http://www.croydonphotocentre.co.uk). The proprietor, Reg Roach, is 89 years old, but he's been selling Leica and lots of other second hand film gear in the same spot for over 60 years. He's a legend, and a treasure--stunning knowledge of all things photographic, on the film front certainly. Make sure you check their hours, because due to the pandemic they're quite limited. And you might want to call ahead to make sure Reg is in the shop that day, his son Paul runs it in his absence--but a chat with Reg is definitely worth the trip down to South London.

I went to school in South Croydon (Whitgift) and never knew about that place! Darn.

rulnacco · Oct 6, 2021

Huss said:
I went to school in South Croydon (Whitgift) and never knew about that place! Darn.

Ohhhhh, you gotta get down there before Reg hangs it up! I used to spend hours in there just hanging out and kibitzing with Reg, the other of the crew of regulars, and random strangers who would walk in. Reg is my camera crack dealer--I bought *so* much gear from him over a decade, I think I've probably halfway funded his eventual retirement (which I hope is still several years off).

someone_else · Oct 7, 2021

Thanks a lot for the tips, guys. Much appreciated.

camera stores in London

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rulnacco

Huss

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