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I really enjoy going to Kenmore Camera. They have just about everything you need for your camera. I have purchased many items for them and I found the staff very helpful and knowledgeable.
If they don't have the item you are looking for in stock they will order it for you.
As I said they do have about everything you need for a camera which makes the place feel crowded with inventory and sometimes makes it hard for the staff to find the item you need that is on the shelf.
I bought a camera bag and some lens filters at Kenmore and they had a great selection. It felt a little bit claustrophobic inside, but not bad.
I can't speak to service, since I didn't need much help, but it was adequate.
The biggest con is location. I think Glazers in Seattle is actually more convenient from Bellevue than Kenmore. If they'd open in Bellevue/Redmond, they'd get a bunch more of my money to be sure.
Once again Kenmore has WOWed me!
I was on a mission today. I needed a Canon 580 EX II (external flash). I looked up the Kits/Ritz store in Burlington, and they closed down. So I went to the one in the Alderwood Mall. Nice guy but they didn't have it in stock. That's when he told me they've been selling them left and right.
PLUS, the Burlington, the Everett & the Bellingham Ritz/Kits stores all were close due to poor sales. It sucks cause these are all stores that are within the Western Washington area so if I'm ever shooting and need something last minute, now I don't have the access to these locations anymore.
Anywho, going back to Kenmore Camera; I went in there asked for the 580 EX II (new). I walked into the store knowing I'd pay $499.99+tax. Well I walked out only paying $514.60 WITH tax already included! Turns out they have it on sale for $469.99!!!
I wasn't expecting it to be at that rate, but I am impressed. SO much. Even though Kenmore Camera is out of my way, I'm willing to go back whenever I need more equipment.
I give it 5 stars, 2 BIG thumbs up and 10 Gold medals, lol.
I went to Kenmore Camera because of all the reviews Yelpers gave them. Thank you everyone!!
I went…
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I've never been disappointed at Kenmore Camera. I've bought equipment from them and had film developed here. Always had good service with a helpful attitude.
I will pay more than internet pricing for service This place is nearly at internet pricing, but you get experts! And, if they can't answer your question, there's usually someone in their shop who can.
Over time, I bought a Nikon D300/80-200MM f2.8 lens, a bunch of other equipment, a back-up Canon camera and Nikon flashes, here.
Several years ago, I reached a breaking point and was ready to switch from Nikon to Canon and they did an excellent job of giving me an objective perspective. I really trust these guys and wish more merchants were like Kenmore camera.
Also, over the years I've had multiple camera serviced by Kenmore and they do an excellent job! These guys are local and independent and their passion for service shows!
Another one of those places where they know me by name.
I admit, all my pocket change goes to buying prints at Kenmore Camera.
The prints at Kenmore Camera are wonderful. Great colours. Great price. And they actually care that they look like they should. I've had awful results at drug store printing places, and even Kits Camera. I got my picture done at Kits once and they were all blown out, highlights too bright, it was gross. I like my matte pictures here.
As for devloping, I would say the prices are reasonable. The quality, once again, is great. Pretty prompt service.
All of the staff are knowledgable and it is well staffed. There is always multiple people ready to help with any questions or with a purchase. They do know what they are talking about and I am greatful for it. I've purchased 2 cameras there so far, I think, by the age of 18. It's not that the cameras break, it's that I use them so much that you couldn't expect them to function, yet they do.
They also help connect photographers in the area to programs and such.
So yes, Kenmore Camera is wonderful wonderful wonderful.
I spend a fair amount of time poking around camera stores, and Kenmore Camera is far and away the best in the Seattle area, well worth the drive.
Kenmore's staff is friendly, helpful, and courteous. I have been in the store many times, and in every case, the staff has been professional and treated me with respect. This is the only large camera store in the region that I can say this about; the theme at the other big stores seems to be "look down your nose at the customers." Kenmore's staff doesn't seem to make assumptions about me based on first impression; they take the time to ask questions to find out what I already know, and then help me learn more from there. They don't make me feel bad if I don't buy anything. The result of their friendly & knowledgeable service is that I've made most of my larger purchases here; they've earned my money.
Kenmore's prices are higher than online, but exactly on par with retail. I'm willing to pay the difference for real-life service from people who I know will help me if I have a problem later.
Kenmore Camera's largest selection seems to be mostly new digital gear, but they also have a pretty big selection of used digital and analog, lots of accessories, and they even still have darkroom supplies. Their retail space is big enough to hold a wide variety of items to chose from.
In short, a little trip up to Kenmore Camera is always a good experience. They are the best.
The staff here is amazingly helpful. They answer all your questions without a hint of snobbery and don't push the most expensive items on you. Sure, you could probably get a better deal if you shopped online, but you wouldn't get the sort of help you get here. Plus you wouldn't be helping out a local business.
Kenmore Camera also develops medium format film without a lot of muss and fuss...and without having to wait a month like at other places (a-hem...Kits Camera). Good for us Holga owners!
Not that special of a place. They're pretty overpriced and the staff actually seemed a bit cold to me. (Maybe they have hired a new staff since the earlier reviews.) You can find darkroom equipment cheaper at bhphoto and freestyle photo. Ebay has some great deals too.
Unless you're desperate and don't want to wait on the mail, I would look elsewhere.
I have a dark room and when I get the urge to go off in the dark, I come here for my supplies. They are one of the few places around that has dark room supplies. Plus they do custom printing and all the other services you would expect from a camera store. Plus, as others have said, the staff is very knowledgeable.
They also have new and used equipment, so over the years, I have bought used strobe lights, cameras and dark room equipment.
I can't believe I haven't reviewed this place yet. What's wrong with me? I mean, I've had my dream camera, a Prosumer Nikon D80 Digital SLR, for more than a year now and most of my pictures on Yelp and on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/... were taken with it. I had been searching for "The Camera", the one I wouldn't need to upgrade, for months. I looked at a bunch of different brands, their reviews, and their specifications. I looked at Canon, Panasonic, Sony, and of course, Nikon, Digital SLRs but I kept coming back to the Nikon D80. I finally went to Kenmore Camera and Brian, one of there sales staff who is quite a photographer, showed me the D80. More importantly, he showed me one reason why the D80 is special, i.e., the D80's Remote Commander function. With this, you can control Nikon's R1 Wireless Speedlights (flash units) http://www.nikonusa.co... system. He demonstrated it by taking one of the individual flash units, putting one of the included defusers on it, holding it close and just below one side of my face, and snapping a picture. In spite of the fact the room was well-lit by florescent lighting, the resulting picture was a ghostly image of my face (like a sea captain) with background) dark as can be. My wife and I were so impressed that I not only bought the D80 but also the R1 Speedlight unit. I was fortunate to get Brian as my sales help but everyone in that store is knowledgeable, helpful and most importantly, friendly. They have a great selection of Cameras, lighting, batteries, bags, lenses, you name it. For me, Kenmore Camera is "THE" camera store to go to if you are looking to buy a new and even used, cameras or camera equipment and the prices go from reasonable to great. I highly recommend them.
I have to say that the staff at Kenmore camera is incredibly helpful. I have visited several times not knowing exactly which product I should get, and in the end, I have always been extremely satisfied with their recommendations, and explaining the pros and cons of each choice. I also appreciate them not pushing the most expensive products, and instead finding the best product fit for my needs.
I have had to return a product once, and found the whole process very easy.
The downside is that the prices are higher than what you would find and any on-line vendor (such as B&H). However, if you weigh in the service and immediacy (get it now instead of waiting for shipping), it's a great store. Just strike up a conversation with one of the staff.
Great staff, nice selection. I just wish they could match the prices of the online dealers like Adorama and B&H.
I was very disappointed in my experiences with the Ritz owned shops around here (Camera West and Kits). And then I discovered Kenmore Camera. Every time I go in it is bustling but they are well staffed so I've never had to wait for help. The staff are top notch - knowledgeable and friendly, never snobby. I love going there - it is a treasure I hope we never lose. Independent camera shops are getting rare.
Good knowledgeable staff. I had a panoramic picture of the 'Grand Canyon of Hawaii' that I took on Kauai on me and my wife's 5th wedding anniversary.(it was a pretty good hike to get up there) I stitched the pictures together and put it on my flash drive and went to our local Kits Camera to get it developed. The sales staff asked me how many mega pixels my camera was. I told them 4 mega pixels. They then told me that's not enough mega pixels to blow up and print a panoramic picture. There was a nice young lady in the shop who overheard this conversation and pulled me aside and told me to try Kenmore Camera, because these people here in Kits Camera don't know much. So, I thanked her and off to Kenmore Camera I went. I told the staff there what I wanted to do and he said they could do it. They put my flash drive into their computer and said they could blow it up to a 9 inch by 20 inch. The picture was ready in a week and it only cost me 14 dollars. The picture looks great. I had it framed and it now hangs in our bedroom. Its beautiful. These guys at Kenmore Camera know there stuff. They even gave me some pointers for my next panoramic shot. They are terrific. The guys at Kits Camera, two thumbs down!!!
Seattle, WA
Category: Photography Stores & Services
Neighborhood: Ballard
Category: Photography Stores & Services
Neighborhood: University District
Category: Photography Stores & Services
