Spectrum

was looking for a basic tripod and took a short trip to this store I’ve read some positive reviews on. as I got in, the nice two gentlemen offered their help, showing me what i was looking for and stuff that was a bit more expensive but they thought would worth the expense.
these guys are professionals, they give honest and reliable service and as a matter of fact, I ended up staying in the store for about 20 minutes after i finished my purchase because i enjoyed our conversations.
a wonderland for every camera-​man– very keen service, loads and loads of gear of all kinds and even more knowledge to share.
super!

This is a traditional camera shop, packed with stock and run by knowledgeable salesmen who know their products. I was after a Pentax kit and knowing that Spectrum were Pentax dealers who appreciate the quality of their DSLRs, headed for their shop. They gave me good advice on the options, demonstrating alternative lenses and camera handling. They also stock a good range of other brands and I noticed a good selection of binoculars on display. I was also pleasantly surprised by their prices, which are very competitive.
In an era of impersonal internet sales, this is a refreshing change, with good advice being given, plenty of stock and competitive pricing.

Very nice guys. I had a U.S. battery for my Nikon lithiums and instead of trying to sell me a whole new UK charger, they offered a few, cheaper options. I’ll definitely return for any future camer/​video/​telescope needs.

Looking for expert no-​nonsense advice about buying the right photo gear? This tiny Tottenham Court Road camera and photography shop is superb. I was there yesterday with a friend who’s thinking about buying a new digital camera and was really impressed with the knowledge the salesman (Nigel — cool guy) shared with us and the time he took to make sure my friend understood what her options were given her price range.
It was kinda a hard sell he was dishing out, but hey he ain’t there providing a public service. Still when my friend explained she was still in «just looking» mode, he wasn’t pushy or disrespectful. I hung back, not letting on that I dabble in photography, and got impression that his spiel was BS free. I also felt that if based in London, this would be a great place for budding photographers to build a relationship. Friendly/​hassle-​free service and great advice!
Prices are at least in line with those at PC World across the street and the rest of the TCR lot — there might even be some haggling wiggle room. The real difference between Spectrum and the nearby competition is the attentive, knowledgable and attentive staff.

My sense is that all the places on Tottenham Court Road offer approximately the same prices for cameras (note: some places do offer cheaper deals, but then you are buying Asian models, not UK models, which means if they break you’ll be out of warranty). I checked out a number of stores in street, but found Spectrum to have by the biggest range, and also by far the most informative staff. I originally went in looking for a wide-​angle lens to compliment my 50 mm, and after a long conversation with two of the assistants, became convinced that my original 50 mm was a piece of sh*t that needed to be replaced with a beautiful 50 mm Sigma lens (v. nice that they didn’t try to sell me the more expensive Canon lens). I also ended up buying a really beautiful Tokina wide-​angle lens. Several months later I am still extremely happy with the purchase and advice I got. These guys know what I they are talking about. The second time I came into the store the guy I talked to was a professional photographer who had actually been shot in Bosnia while working; and while these guys clearly know a great deal, you don’t get the feeling you are being condescended to (while I was there they were happily giving advice on cheap point-​and-​shot cameras as well).
Bottom-​line: Come here if you want the widest selection and are open to having honest advice about the best camera for your needs.

Traveling around the UK and Europe from my cozy SF home… and, of course, I forget my camera charger.
After looking around online and considering having something delivered express I stumbled on this little shop a few blocks away from my rental.
The gentleman that helped me was incredibly thorough. Offered the Sony brand charger and an «all-​in-​one» type deal which was half the price. He went as far as opening the all-​in-​one and testing it to reassure me that it would work with my particular battery. It had adapters for US, UK, Europe… and a car charger.
Anyhow — friendly service, incredibly thorough, decently priced.

I was taken to school on cameras today. The Spectrum guys must do Spock training camps or simply have Vulcan blood because they know everything one needs to know about the noble are of photography. Like Martina I was seduced in by the plethora of top-​of-​the range cameras in the window. I’ve been flirting with buying a zoom lens for a while. One in the window is the size of a small child. You would need guns like Hulk Hogan to hold the thing without a tripod. My schooling began when I discussed wanting a zoom lens. I was immediately told for the project I had in mind required a macro lens and if I wanted decent shots, I’d be looking at spending £400. I feel there clear love, and phenomenal knowledge of the craft of the camera led to their looks of disdain when I stumbled over the lingo. I always allow for a touch of surly service from tech heads as long as they can back it up with expertise. These guys clearly know there stuff. Plus, their store is crammed with product.

I wandered in here this week in curiosity mode as they had a fine selection of cameras in the window.
I got talking to the most informative sales assistant I have ever come across in a photography store to date. He was a professional photographer himself from Poland and has totally weaned me in the direction of Pentax as I had formally been a Canon lady although in saying that my very first SLR was a Pentax.
I learnt that Pentax digital SLR’s are actually right up there with Nikon and Canon at a much more affordable price. I tried several different lenses with different bodies which was interesting and informative.
I didn’t feel under pressure to buy which is how I feel at a lot of camera stores in London which was refreshing.
The last words my lovely sales assistant said to me was «When you are ready I will still be here» ahhhh!