Re: Camera stores in Chicago

[EMAIL PROTECTED] (Argon3) wrote in
news:[EMAIL PROTECTED]: 

> Does anyone know of any camera stores in the Chicago area that are
> anything like Darkroom Aids or A Camera (both now closed)?
> Both of them were cornicopias of photo stuff...racks of used enlarger
> carriers, odd parts, etc.....piles and piles of tchatchkes and weird
> old stuff.  Very useful for those of us who need the odd, used
> enlarger carrier for outdated formats (think of a 127 carrier for a
> Beseler 45). 
> 
> 
> argon

I don't live in Chicago, but I have had an opportunity to visit there 
occasionally. 

There are three really big stores.  Calumet has a main store downtown on 
Goose Island - my sense is they specialize in new stuff, with occasional 
high-end second hand stuff.  They also have a small operation out behind 
the airport in Bensenville.

Helix is another very big store.  I've never been there, but used to get 
their catalog.

But the neat place you may be looking for is Central Camera on South 
Wabash.  It's a tiny hole in the wall, with stuff piled to the ceiling.