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55 E. Blake Ave.
Columbus, OH 43202
Attached parking lot, free street parking

Hours
Mon-Fri: 9 am – 6 pm
Sat: 10 am – 3 pm
Sun: Closed

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Website •  • 

Contact
614-267-0686

Wow. Just wow. If you’re working in a darkroom or trying to furnish a studio on the cheap, this place is a must! As you walk into what was clearly once a church, it feels like you’re entering the attic of a photographer who’s been collecting all kinds of photo equipment, props, bags, backdrops, and sundries for over 50 years. CCG specializes in used equipment, does rentals, and is licensed to sell Canon. One of the best parts: if you’re intimidated by browsing such a wonderland, their stock is posted online and is updated practically up to the minute. The staff is very friendly, knowledgeable and helpful. Speaking of helpful staff, you can reach out to them for one on one (or one of two if you want to bring a friend) for training on a variety of topics for reasonable rates.

John Hoffman, co-owner of Columbus Camera Group cites two things that keep their loyal customers coming back: “Our employees know what they’re doing. They’re shooters themselves. They’ve been trained or graduated in photography for the most part and we’ve been in the business a long time, so we know the equipment.” Hoffman leverages this experience and know-how to make sure that each customer isn’t leaving with a product but rather a solution to a problem. “My motto is ‘try and solve a problem for a person’. If they come in and they want certain equipment we may help them determine if that’s what they really need for the job that has to be done—and if it is, we’ll try and get them that solution, and if it isn’t, we can maybe steer them towards something else.” While CCG is a Canon-certified dealer, he cites their brand agnosticism as being key in ensuring that the best solution is provided each time.

As well as their impressive selection for those shooting film (looking for Tri-X or Velvia? Here’s your place!), I was struck by their unique stock of posing tools and props. Square footage comes at considerable expense for any brick & mortar, so it’s rare to find such an assortment of columns, stools, large canvas backdrops and props.
Their square footage comes in the form of a facility that is very much unlike what you’d expect and is worthy of mention itself. The building on E. Blake St. is unmistakably a former church. Prior to their purchase of the property in 1983, previous tenants included BalletMet and several community groups. The business’ roots were actually in fulfilling mail orders, and after frequent requests from local photogs to browse their stock, CCG started having semi-annual yard sales and ultimately revamped their business model and facility to allow for browsing and purchasing in a more traditional brick & mortar setting.