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| - Easily my favorite camera store in the Phoenix area.
They've got a wide selection from compact digitals all the way up to large format view cameras, along with everything you need for your darkroom, and a wide selection of film and paper. Being directly off the freeway also means they can often be faster to get to than other camera stores.
Prices are competitive and the staff is very knowledgeable, friendly, and patient. Whether you're a first-time buyer or a seasoned professional, they can answer your questions and get you what you need. They're also very cognizant of wait times, with staff dropping what they're doing to get you helped or checked out.
The rentals desk is well-inventoried and the rentals staff are friendly, making it easy to get what you need, often even on short notice. Low equipment deposits also make it easier to get what you need, as you're required to front only 33%, rather than 50% or even 100% of the replacement cost.
If you need a camera bag, Photomark has the best selection I'm aware of in the Phoenix area. All the major manufacturers are represented, and there are far more models available than at other camera stores.
There are a couple things that tend to scare new customers off unnecessarily. First, it's in an older (not "bad") part of town, which tends to freak out suburbanites used to newer construction, fewer minorities and homeless (and homeless minorities), and more standard traffic flow. I've never had a problem, nor has anyone I know. You should lock your car, but you don't need to brandish a Taser or wear Kevlar.
Second, the parking lot is small. Especially if you don't realize Photomark owns the entire center, it seems like there's far too little parking--but they own all three businesses and you're free to park anywhere in the plaza. Still, it's best to avoid going around midday, as it can be difficult to park during the lunch hour rush. It may also be ideal to take a smaller vehicle if you're not intimately comfortable with where your sides and rear and are.
The biggest downside to shopping at Photomark is that unlike Tempe Camera, they don't break down pro packs of film--if they don't stock or the manufacturers don't make a given film in single-roll packages, you're stuck buying an entire pro pack.
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