Le Camera

Unless I went to the wrong place, the store in Cherry Hill is closed.
I went to the Ellisberg Circle by the new whole foods. It is also close to playdrome. This location Le Camera is closed down.

South Jersey near Playdrome, route 70
My 580 flash is awaiting me in here. Looking for those camera shops and here it is! Right in Cherry Hill.

This store is way better organized than the one in Princeton, I purchased a 300 mm f4 at the Princeton store and was very unhappy with that purchase. The sales man was very condescending.
The man at this store however was very happy to help. Would shop at this location from now on not the Princeton store.

I have been frequenting Le Camera for a year. No, this is not one of those massive superstore with every product under the sun, but it has an extremely knowledgeable manager. I rattled off tons of questions over multiple visits before ever purchasing anything. Apparently the manager works there the entire week, which means I don’t have to repeat myself to multiple staff members.
When it came time to buy this was my first choice. They are able to order anything they don’t have in stock and are not a pain to deal with when an item is returned. I also like that I don’t have to have my camera equipment sitting in the rain before I get home.
They have some of the more frequently needed accessories, and a rolling collection of used equipment. I keep an eye on the used equipment hoping something I really want will show up.
PS. They are extremely up front when asking questions. They do not try and talk you into purchasing things you don’t need, but will be vocal about buying something that is not a good fit. I like the convenience of dealing with a local store, and hope they stay around for a while.
They also can develop film, which is handled at a location up north somewhere.

When this camera store opened, I was really excited. I was excited that there would be a good selection, friendly staff, quality hardware, and fair prices. I was excited to patronize a local store.
I am an amateur photographer, bordering on being semi professional. I’ve been to B+H, Calumet (Philly), New York Camera, etc. I own quality hardware, and I’m proud of the work that I do and the fun I have while I do it.
That being said, I’m not an idiot when it comes to cameras.
Pros —
Store selection is pretty decent. Far better than your consumer places like Best Buy. I’m not talking a wide selection of point and shoots, but rather, camera bodies, lenses, camera bags, straps, flashes, tripods, ball heads, filters, and accessories. If you have a Canon or Nikon camera chances are they have what bits you need in stock at this store. And that’s good. Prices on new stuff is ok, they will match B+H on pricing* (see note below).
Good selection of used hardware as well. LOTS of film bodies, manual lenses, and so on. Not so many smaller accessories for used items. A few used/​demo newer items as well (lenses and bodies).
Staff is ok with handing items over the counter for you to look at and check out.
That’s about all that’s good with this store.
Cons —
1 — Condescending sales staff. The store managers (Todd and/​or Mark) are both rude and short with customers.
Prices on used gear is too high. I know stores need to turn a profit. I know it costs money to put items in a display case and back them with some sort of warranty. But don’t charge me $ 1500 for a Canon lens that CANON sells on THIER website as refurbished (with a year warranty!) for $ 1350.
Don’t try to tell me your doing me a favor. That lens is $ 1500 new. NEW… Don’t tell me you’ll fix it if it breaks. If it breaks I send my gear to Canon. not you guys to play with.
When I stated this, and pulled up the Canon website on my phone, the Todd balked and then went on a rant of how he only «goes to bat» for his «good customers». By going to bat, he means he will call the «other store» and ask Mr. Le to lower the price.
Hey, I’m here with money in hand — Does that not make me a good customer? As «for going to bat». Why not just be fair with used pricing? Why gouge customers?
*I then said, I can get the lens for $ 1500 new from B+H, why should I buy a used one at that price?
Todd then flew into a rant of how he is sick and tired of people talking about B+H. Well, I’m sorry, you said you would match B+Hs prices.
As for «good customers». I’ve brought several other items from this store. does that not make me a «good enough customer?».
2 — Horrible trade in prices. I brought in $ 200 worth of gear, knowing I was going to get $ 100 out of it (½ is typically the cut rate for places that resell items). Todd looked one second at my gear and offered me $ 30.
$ 30?
You have to be kidding. When I said «no way», he then asked «well then what were you looking for?». I said $ 100. He then said «Well, this is a loss, thats going to sell for $ 30, and this is trash…».
At that point I said, «we are done here». left the store… and sold my gear for.
$ 200 on Ebay…
Read the reviews of the Princeton store. and you’ll see others say the same thing.
Steer clear. There is nothing to be had here. I would drive across the river to Philly to visit Calumet or buy from B+H before I ever walk into this store again.