"1"^^ . . . "5"^^ . "My nine thousand dollar mobile photography studio would have cost me ten thousand dollars if I shopped anywhere outside of Downtown Camera. \n\nI purchased my first digital camera here in 2006. It was an 8 mega pixel point & shoot. The service I've received from this store has not been consistent. It has only gotten better. I have only bought one camera from another store since first shopping here, and I regret that decision. So naturally, when I decided to go pro with my equipment, Downtown Camera was my only choice of where I was going to throw away my cash. \n\nLuckily, the person who asked whether if I required help was the guy who ran the place. I bargained hard, and he was both able to, and nice enough to put up with my negotiation tactics. Don't think you can come here and barter at anything your heart desires. I purchased top-notch products by the bulk; this was my ace in the hole. Or maybe it was the hole in my ace.\n\nDowntown Camera doesn't have everything. But it'll have everything you'll need. \nAnalog or digital, zoom or prime, Nikon or the C word. This place is the only store I trust for quality photography products. There is an impressive array of vintage photo gear dating back to when hipsters were known as beatniks. So if you're a modern beatnik, the gear your ancestors couldn't possibly afford can be found here now at very reasonable prices. I actually saw a Queen Street West local here during my last visit. She asked one salesgirl whether she can 'do anything' for her on a vintage camera that was already massively discounted. If I worked here, I would have said yes, but only after forcing her to prove her worth by demonstrating her ability to actually use the camera--which is to say I wouldn't have given her the discount. Too bad they don't have people like me working here.\n\nThere are often events where the store becomes interactive. It could be talks with experts, or just getting to test out some gucci gear. I never felt misled by any salespersons, and the prices are highly competitive. If you develop tenure with the staff and treat them like human-beings, that relationship could lead to some nice discounts. That's very nice, considering most photographers are broke. \n\nWith the one thousand dollars in savings, I was able to take that money and buy myself some essential groceries for the next twenty minutes at one of my favourite high-end restaurants. I guess when it comes to fine dining, I'm quite a beatnik myself."^^ . "12"^^ . "2"^^ . . "2014-04-22T00:00:00"^^ .