Camera supply stores in N VA/DC Metro area

Nevermore1 · Feb 10, 2014

I've noticed that there are quite a few individuals on here form the N VA/DC area and this is kind of aimed at them.

What camera supply stores would you recommend in the area? Currently there are only two that I am aware of - Ace Photo which is across the street form my work in Ashburn and Photo Craft in the Burke (?) area. I have been to Ace (only about 3 times as it is overload for me when I go in and of course I want everything if I need it or not) and the employees seem to be knowledgeable and they still have some of the same employees that were there when I first went a few years ago which is always a good sign. I have not yet had a chance to go to Photo Craft but hope to soon. Are there any others in the area that you prefer or would recommend? It's getting harder and harder to find a B&M camera/photo supply store and when I try doing a search I have to pick through all the Walgreens and CVS listings. Thanks!

JoeW · Feb 10, 2014

Nevermore1 said:
I've noticed that there are quite a few individuals on here form the N VA/DC area and this is kind of aimed at them.

What camera supply stores would you recommend in the area? Currently there are only two that I am aware of - Ace Photo which is across the street form my work in Ashburn and Photo Craft in the Burke (?) area. I have been to Ace (only about 3 times as it is overload for me when I go in and of course I want everything if I need it or not) and the employees seem to be knowledgeable and they still have some of the same employees that were there when I first went a few years ago which is always a good sign. I have not yet had a chance to go to Photo Craft but hope to soon. Are there any others in the area that you prefer or would recommend? It's getting harder and harder to find a B&M camera/photo supply store and when I try doing a search I have to pick through all the Walgreens and CVS listings. Thanks!

I've got a lot of experience with PhotoCraft in Burke. First, the Dad owns a store in DC (Embassy Camera) so this is a family full of camera lovers. Second, great staff. Obviously, everyone isn't equal in expertise but everyone there has some good experience and good judgment. Case in point, this past Christmas I needed prints of a small weird size to go on a family Christmas card in a pocket on the front of the card (print would be 3"x2") and my photo printer was down. So I farmed it out to them, asked for 20 copies gloss finish. When I arrived to pick 'em up, the guy handling this basically said...."I filled your order but from the sample card you left, you're probably going to get a big thumb print on the photo as you insert it into the front cover. So if you want, here are your 20 copies gloss. But I think matte is a better choice so I printed out 20 copies of matte. You look and tell me what you want--and we'll charge you for that set." They aren't obnoxious but they don't hesitate to offer expertise and say "maybe you want to rethink that" or "what do you want to do with that?" and than suggest to your situation. Another time I had a discussion with one of the staff about the ability to use to circular polarizers as an emergency NDF. Also, they don't try to push gear on you. At times they've suggested I look at a less expensive lens or pointed out how the gear I was looking at (a tripod in this case) may not be the best fit for serious hiking to location shots and suggested two other alternatives.

Nevermore1 · Feb 10, 2014

Thanks, I will definitely need to get over there sometime this week (hoping the "storm" they are threatening turns out to be nothing again). I need a strap for my new camera and possibly some filters and it will be a good excuse to check them out. I live near NOVA in Annandale so both stores are convenient for me (one more so during the week and the other for weekends). I know I can get a lot of stuff off of Amazon or from some other online retailer cheaper but I really prefer getting to see what I am buying and like to purchase from smaller local businesses as well if they are reputable.

snowbear · Feb 10, 2014

For local, I go to Calumet (formerly Penn Camera) - 800 block of E Street, NW. They are also in Tysons & Rockville. DC has the advantage of being close to another DTRU (Daddy's Toys R Us) - Utrecht/Blick Art Supply @ 13th & I ("eye") Street, NW. I haven't been to Embassy, yet.

edited a couple for typo's

Braineack · Feb 10, 2014

Fuller and d'alberta in ffx is probably the closet I can think of...if they are still in business. Otherwise penn camera in tysons.

Nevermore1 · Feb 10, 2014

Braineack said:
Fuller and d'alberta in ffx is probably the closet I can think of...if they are still in business. Otherwise penn camera in tysons.

Thanks, I couldn't remember the name of Fuller & d'Albert or if it was even still there. I just did an internet search and it is still coming up. I drive by there all the time and remember always noticing it when I was a kid and could pay better attention to what we were driving by. It's kind of hidden if you don't know where it is. Now I have two stores to check out this weekend! My husband better take the bank card away from me before I go!

Braineack · Feb 10, 2014

Yeah I haven't been there since I was buying paper from them...

JoeW · Feb 11, 2014

Nevermore1 said:
Thanks, I will definitely need to get over there sometime this week (hoping the "storm" they are threatening turns out to be nothing again). I need a strap for my new camera and possibly some filters and it will be a good excuse to check them out. I live near NOVA in Annandale so both stores are convenient for me (one more so during the week and the other for weekends). I know I can get a lot of stuff off of Amazon or from some other online retailer cheaper but I really prefer getting to see what I am buying and like to purchase from smaller local businesses as well if they are reputable.

They've got a range of strap systems (I use Black Rapid--they've got the basic BR setup plus a range of others and some of the camera brand straps). Also, a decent set of filters (I"ve only bought UV and polarizers there plus I think a set of NDFs and some color gels so I can't say how extensive it is--but it's always been good enough for my needs). And there's an okay yogurt store right next door too plus a Great Harvest Bread store the next stripmall over (the one with the Wallmart). There are some things (like gadget bags/backpacks) that are about individual fit that I'd never buy on-line...I think you have to go try 'em on and see how they ride, how easily you can reach zippers when they're on so I hope there are always some stores like PhotoCraft for exactly this (plus their consultative skills). Enjoy!

Also, sadly Fuller and D'Albert ain't around anymore. The sign on the side of the building was still there as of 6 months ago. Whenever I had a color volume job for printing, I went there. Or for paper. I also had my first art nudes printed there. Great place. But they went out of business at least a couple of years ago.

Braineack · Feb 11, 2014

JoeW said:
Nevermore1 said:

Also, sadly Fuller and D'Albert ain't around anymore. The sign on the side of the building was still there as of 6 months ago. Whenever I had a color volume job for printing, I went there. Or for paper. I also had my first art nudes printed there. Great place. But they went out of business at least a couple of years ago.

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I feared that was the case, they weren't quite with the times like Penn (now Calumet) was/is.