Photo Stores in Florida?

soppy · 10-01-2010, 11:45 AM

I am trying to find a photography store in Florida (particularly within an hour or so of Orlando, Gainesville, Tallahassee, or Jacksonville) that is similar in size to B&H or Adorama (aka, actually physically carry Sigma and Pentax stuff in the store) so I can try out a few things I am interested in buying. The only thing I have found so far is this:
Camera & Lenses Superstore : Orlando and Kissimmee Coupons – Enjoy Florida Magazine

But they don't even have a website. Anyone know of any hidden gems?

imtheguy · 10-01-2010, 01:37 PM

You are looking for a store the size of B&H outside of NYC? Don't hold your breath. Sorry, but Ritz rules. Ocala has a couple besides Ritz but I don't know what they stock. I remember one is called "Camera Photo Supply, Inc."

soppy · 10-01-2010, 01:44 PM

Not really the size of B&H, just something that carries Pentax and Sigma...

imtheguy · 10-01-2010, 03:54 PM

Originally posted by soppy

Not really the size of B&H, just something that carries Pentax and Sigma...

Yeah, I figured as much but the smart-ass in me took over. Sorry.

Ira · 10-01-2010, 04:02 PM

Originally posted by imtheguy

Sorry, but Ritz rules. Ocala has a couple besides Ritz but I don't know what they stock. I remember one is called "Camera Photo Supply, Inc."

You think Ritz is still open in Ocala? In South Florida, they all closed.

And thankfully, because they really, REALLY sucked.

imtheguy · 10-01-2010, 04:44 PM

Originally posted by Ira

You think Ritz is still open in Ocala? In South Florida, they all closed.
And thankfully, because they really, REALLY sucked.

Agree that as far as a real photog store they suck. I live in Va Beach and Ritz is the ONLY photography store here (not counting Best Buy) so I do everything online and hope for the best. My sister whom I get to visit when its cold here lives near Ocala thus my interest in stores there. Honestly, I don't know if the Ritz is still open as I never go to it. Its listed a couple places online as an Ocala photography store however.

soppy · 10-01-2010, 04:54 PM

Yeah Ritz is all they have around me as well. There are a few in Jax. They blow hard, way overpriced and don't carry much third party stuff.

So is the only source for us Pentaxians the online stores or if we are lucky enough to live in NYC?

Ira · 10-01-2010, 05:21 PM

Originally posted by soppy

So is the only source for us Pentaxians the online stores or if we are lucky enough to live in NYC?

Yep.

And here's a fairy tale for you, to help you sleep tonight:

In the late 60s and early 70s, there was a boy named Ira who lived in Brooklyn. He used to take the subway into Manhattan and visit 20 photo stores in a day--all within a few blocks of each other!

It was a magical time and magical place, because not only did Store B lower their price on the spot to beat Store A, but combined, these stores carried EVERY brand and model imaginable on earth, not to mention every accessory.

There was also the wonderful smell of film fixer when you opened their doors, plus hundreds of varieties of film kept mega-fresh in refrigerators.

Sigh. Sigh. Sigh.

Olden ruled!!!!

soppy · 10-01-2010, 11:09 PM

You are talking about Adorama and B&H correct?

My dreams are currently about the new K5 and the Sigma 24-70 F2.8 EX lens that I am dying to pick up, I actually legitimately dreamed about them last night, and quite vividly at that. If I'm telepathic, the K5 rocks lol

Blue · 10-02-2010, 12:54 PM

Originally posted by soppy

I am trying to find a photography store in Florida (particularly within an hour or so of Orlando, Gainesville, Tallahassee, or Jacksonville) that is similar in size to B&H or Adorama (aka, actually physically carry Sigma and Pentax stuff in the store) so I can try out a few things I am interested in buying. The only thing I have found so far is this:
Camera & Lenses Superstore : Orlando and Kissimmee Coupons – Enjoy Florida Magazine

But they don't even have a website. Anyone know of any hidden gems?

A store the size of BH in Tallhahassee . . .

I am sorry . . . but that is the funniest thing I have read in a month.

We have a brick and mortar here that would only order the K200d at MSRP with no return option. A year ago, the quit carrying Canon and Nikon. They now only carry bags, a few accy, minimum dark room supplies. They basically just do printing and C41 film processing in house. The 2 Ritz stores, 1 each in 2 malls were consolidated and maybe even maybe even both closed when they went through the bankruptcy period. Bad Buy sell some gear, mainly Nikon, Canon and some Sony with a little Panasonic and Oly thrown in. Jacksonville is better but not by much. Even Atlanta is relatively bleak if it weren't for KEH.

Edit: Tallahassee is just a wide spot in the road with the state Capitol building in it with a couple of Universities near by. People from all over the state send their 'Hack' politicians over here for a few weeks out of the year, and we get blamed for all of their b.s.

pgoat · 03-11-2011, 09:18 AM

I am actually lucky enough (?) to live in NYC, at least, as far as photography goes

. But I am about to visit family near Orlando, and I would love to bring my K1000 along with our digital p&s.

I was hoping to buy film after landing at Orlando airport and then have it developed and shipped to me when we leave - on a Sunday afternoon. Short of leaving my film with CVS (I'd be shooting BW anyway and prefer Ilford), are there any places near the airport who sell good film, have a lab and are open Sundays?

10-01-2010, 11:45 AM	#1
soppy Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Gainesville Posts: 347	Photo Stores in Florida? I am trying to find a photography store in Florida (particularly within an hour or so of Orlando, Gainesville, Tallahassee, or Jacksonville) that is similar in size to B&H or Adorama (aka, actually physically carry Sigma and Pentax stuff in the store) so I can try out a few things I am interested in buying. The only thing I have found so far is this: Camera & Lenses Superstore : Orlando and Kissimmee Coupons – Enjoy Florida Magazine But they don't even have a website. Anyone know of any hidden gems?

10-02-2010, 12:54 PM	#10
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377	Originally posted by soppy I am trying to find a photography store in Florida (particularly within an hour or so of Orlando, Gainesville, Tallahassee, or Jacksonville) that is similar in size to B&H or Adorama (aka, actually physically carry Sigma and Pentax stuff in the store) so I can try out a few things I am interested in buying. The only thing I have found so far is this: Camera & Lenses Superstore : Orlando and Kissimmee Coupons – Enjoy Florida Magazine But they don't even have a website. Anyone know of any hidden gems? A store the size of BH in Tallhahassee . . . I am sorry . . . but that is the funniest thing I have read in a month. We have a brick and mortar here that would only order the K200d at MSRP with no return option. A year ago, the quit carrying Canon and Nikon. They now only carry bags, a few accy, minimum dark room supplies. They basically just do printing and C41 film processing in house. The 2 Ritz stores, 1 each in 2 malls were consolidated and maybe even maybe even both closed when they went through the bankruptcy period. Bad Buy sell some gear, mainly Nikon, Canon and some Sony with a little Panasonic and Oly thrown in. Jacksonville is better but not by much. Even Atlanta is relatively bleak if it weren't for KEH. Edit: Tallahassee is just a wide spot in the road with the state Capitol building in it with a couple of Universities near by. People from all over the state send their 'Hack' politicians over here for a few weeks out of the year, and we get blamed for all of their b.s. Last edited by Blue; 10-02-2010 at 12:59 PM.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
EU web stores with (used) photo equipment?	Erik	Photographic Technique	6	02-18-2014 04:11 PM
Photo stores / clubs near Lemoore / Hanford / Fresno, CA?	ViS	General Talk	1	11-18-2008 03:21 PM
Pls recommend stores/photo ops in San Francisco	dkittle	Photographic Technique	4	05-05-2008 03:59 PM
Photo Stores in NYC	BBear	Photographic Technique	15	04-08-2008 09:16 PM
Photo stores in Bellingham	arbutusq	General Talk	0	02-07-2007 10:17 AM

10-01-2010, 01:37 PM	#2
imtheguy Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Virginia Beach Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,950	You are looking for a store the size of B&H outside of NYC? Don't hold your breath. Sorry, but Ritz rules. Ocala has a couple besides Ritz but I don't know what they stock. I remember one is called "Camera Photo Supply, Inc."

10-01-2010, 01:44 PM	#3
soppy Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Gainesville Posts: 347 Original Poster	Not really the size of B&H, just something that carries Pentax and Sigma...

10-01-2010, 03:54 PM	#4
imtheguy Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Virginia Beach Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,950	Originally posted by soppy Not really the size of B&H, just something that carries Pentax and Sigma... Yeah, I figured as much but the smart-ass in me took over. Sorry.

10-01-2010, 04:02 PM	#5
Ira Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Coral Springs, FL Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,216	Originally posted by imtheguy Sorry, but Ritz rules. Ocala has a couple besides Ritz but I don't know what they stock. I remember one is called "Camera Photo Supply, Inc." You think Ritz is still open in Ocala? In South Florida, they all closed. And thankfully, because they really, REALLY sucked.

10-01-2010, 04:44 PM	#6
imtheguy Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Virginia Beach Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,950	Originally posted by Ira You think Ritz is still open in Ocala? In South Florida, they all closed. And thankfully, because they really, REALLY sucked. Agree that as far as a real photog store they suck. I live in Va Beach and Ritz is the ONLY photography store here (not counting Best Buy) so I do everything online and hope for the best. My sister whom I get to visit when its cold here lives near Ocala thus my interest in stores there. Honestly, I don't know if the Ritz is still open as I never go to it. Its listed a couple places online as an Ocala photography store however.

10-01-2010, 04:54 PM	#7
soppy Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Gainesville Posts: 347 Original Poster	Yeah Ritz is all they have around me as well. There are a few in Jax. They blow hard, way overpriced and don't carry much third party stuff. So is the only source for us Pentaxians the online stores or if we are lucky enough to live in NYC?

10-01-2010, 05:21 PM	#8
Ira Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Coral Springs, FL Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,216	Originally posted by soppy So is the only source for us Pentaxians the online stores or if we are lucky enough to live in NYC? Yep. And here's a fairy tale for you, to help you sleep tonight: In the late 60s and early 70s, there was a boy named Ira who lived in Brooklyn. He used to take the subway into Manhattan and visit 20 photo stores in a day--all within a few blocks of each other! It was a magical time and magical place, because not only did Store B lower their price on the spot to beat Store A, but combined, these stores carried EVERY brand and model imaginable on earth, not to mention every accessory. There was also the wonderful smell of film fixer when you opened their doors, plus hundreds of varieties of film kept mega-fresh in refrigerators. Sigh. Sigh. Sigh. Olden ruled!!!!

10-01-2010, 11:09 PM	#9
soppy Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Gainesville Posts: 347 Original Poster	You are talking about Adorama and B&H correct? My dreams are currently about the new K5 and the Sigma 24-70 F2.8 EX lens that I am dying to pick up, I actually legitimately dreamed about them last night, and quite vividly at that. If I'm telepathic, the K5 rocks lol

03-11-2011, 09:18 AM	#11
pgoat New Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: N Y C Posts: 9	I am actually lucky enough (?) to live in NYC, at least, as far as photography goes . But I am about to visit family near Orlando, and I would love to bring my K1000 along with our digital p&s. I was hoping to buy film after landing at Orlando airport and then have it developed and shipped to me when we leave - on a Sunday afternoon. Short of leaving my film with CVS (I'd be shooting BW anyway and prefer Ilford), are there any places near the airport who sell good film, have a lab and are open Sundays?