Houston Camera Exchange

Quick service, answered questions, made reasonable recommendation. Did not feel intimidated just because I’m not a camera nerd. Was in and out in 20 minutes even though the store seemed busy

I had an amazing experience at Houston camera exchange. It was my first time ever buying a camera and the man who was helping me was so friendly and really took the time to explain about all of the different types of cameras as well as the quality, and what kind I would need for what I want to do. It was exactly the kind of camera shopping experience that I had imagined but did not get at other stores in Houston. I would definitely go back here. The staff is very knowledgeable and willing to help, also the man who helped me (who was so kind, but for some reason I can’t remember his name!) made sure that my mom and I stayed within budget.

Unfortunately this place is the only store in town that do buy in and they couldn’t even be honest about it. Stick with the online, everybody. Their prices are high when they sale but when they buy in, the prices are crap.

I love this place! Great selection and staff! Thanks for my new portrait lens! Happy mother’s day to me!

Awesome place! Amazing for anyone who is new to the scene. The staff is friendly, knowledgeable, and willing to help. I felt comfortable in the environment and walked out with a pretty awesome point and shoot camera. Satisfied customer! :)) thanks guys! Will definitely be back for an upgrade later in the future.

Lol… I emailed Houston Camera Exchange asking if they had a vertical grip for my camera. Listed online the price was $ 152.99, this dude Charlie responded to my email and told me he could sell it to me for $ 249.95 not to mention, it’s USED and he’s trying to sell it to me for a brand new, in the box price lol… Da hail
Secondly, don’t sell your stuff here… They don’t give you shit for what your camera/​lenses are worth and end up selling it for 3 times as what they offer you. You’re better off selling your lenses and cameras online like eBay or Craigslist… You’ll get what your items are actually worth
Third– I’ve been to HCE a few times before, but the last time I had came, I asked if I could test fit a Sony lens on my camera, he said they don’t let people test out the new lenses in the boxes when the Canon guy next to me was taking out every possible L series lenses in the box for his customer to test out. Lol again…
Everything here is so expensive… I’d recommend to buy your stuff online instead because they’ll sell used items for full price.
This store is really small… I went to a camera store in Austin that’s probably 5 times bigger, they had more variety in everything for an actually decent price for their items in stock
I guess some of the people are cool and helpful here, others just have that «oh look, young kids that are wanting to test out expensive lenses that they probably won’t even buy» kind of attitude. Wrong, some young kids work hard for their money too ;)
On the brighter side, 2 stars because they actually have the things you need for your cameras here and 2 stars for all the cool ass employees! Keep doing your thing

I love this store! I am only an amateur hobbyist, but the staff always treats me just the same as professional photographers who spend a lot more $$ than me. They’re more than helpful with answering newbie questions and helping me find exactly what will work in my budget. The selection is very impressive. Sometimes it is hard to get a salesperson to help you, but it’s only because they are busy — when they do help me they are very patient and never make me feel rushed. I do drive almost an hour to come to this store. It would be easier to order online (and maybe less expensive), but I’m the kind of person who likes to actually see/​feel what I am getting. I recommend HCE to all my family/​friends.

If you love outrageous prices, smug snot-​nosed sales reps who are short, rude, and condescending, Houston Camera Exchange is the place for you.
I got rid of my Canon T5 a while ago and decided I was in the market for a new camera. Doing my research, I came across the Fuji X100T thinking it would be nifty for street photography. I am not well-​versed on mirrorless cameras so I figured going there I would be able to get some sort of assistance without doing too much research on my end.
I came in and went to the back where I saw the mirrorless cameras and was nonchalantly greeted by a snot-​nosed kid with unkept hair and a smug demeanor. I asked him if they had the camera I was looking for and he responds yes. He shows it to me and I ask him my questions to find a better pick due to this being a medium sized investment on my part. Every camera according to him was «cool» or «good.» He kept his responses short and that was basically it. I told him I would have to do more research and come back later if anything.
Second visit: I come and approach the area where the mirrorless cameras were. I asked him if they offered financing to avoid having my wife see me making a big purchase. He responds, «You’ve already asked me this. I told you no.» .Wait what? I apologize sir but am I doing you a favor by buying a camera from your establishment? I told him, I’ve never asked you if you guys did financing to which he responds, «Yes you have. I could’ve sworn.» I ask to see the Fuji XT-​1 and if he has it in the graphite silver color and he says they have it in stock but leaves it at that.
At this point I was baffled and just left. I know I’m going to get a scripted response from «Abby» apologizing profusely for her employees behavior but Abby, why is it that you have consistent reviews of your salesman being snarky and condescending and yet you never rectify the situation? The price gouging? I understand. Business is business. However what about your sales rep who speaks to potential buying customers like we’re beneath him? Don’t apologize to me. Fix the situation. It’s sad that your establishment is the only non big-​box camera store here in Houston.
Solution: Buy online. Unknowledgeable, arrogant, smug sales rep who sells you overpriced products.

I love everything about the people who work here. They’re always so willing to help in any way they can! I will say that going on a Saturday is a little crazy with parking, but if you can make it over during the week it’s a photographers paradise.

Selection, competitive pricing and a staff that is exceptionally knowledgeable and that will go way beyond the norm to make sure the customer is satisfied, that is Houston Camera Exchange. Whether you are looking for accessories, the latest digital cameras/​camcorder or even professional quality equipment, for me, there is no competition with this exceptional Houston institution.

The best camera service I have ever had. I dealt with Matt Weintritt who pulled out all the stops in making sure I was happy with purchases. Not only was he fantastic in getting me upgraded to a better lens, but so helpful with all aspects of the photographic experience. This is definitely now my «go to» camera store because the service is so outstanding.

I had a lot of patient and quality help sorting out the camera and lens choices during my recent visit. Unlike Amazon, here you get a knowledgeable person to assist you face to face with the different trade offs you encounter in today’s arena of photography products. There was alittle wait but that was because others were getting the same attention I received when it was my turn.

I’ve been in the Houston area for over a year now and for whatever reason kept putting off making a trip to HCE. I love to photograph when I’m not working so I wanted to find a local place to get my gear from rather then the online retailers I usually use. Finding HCE was easy enough, when I got there I walked in and was immediately greeted by Matt, he welcomed me in and told me if I needed anything to just ask. The store itself is a photographers Mecca. Lots and lost of nice gear throughout. From what I observed prices were very competitive with the bigger named online retailers. From new to used camera bodies and lenses, to bags and accessories, you name it they got it. I specifically went in to see about getting additionally lenses for my new Sony A7RII. I wanted to know when they were going to have a certain portrait lens in stock. I walked to a counter and was helped by Mary. She was absolutely fabulous with me. She was kind and polite and answered all my questions. When I finished and got the information I needed, she gave me her card and told me to call or come by anytime. With service like that of what I received, I can see myself as a regular customer of HCE.

I was helped by Matt immediately when I went up to the counter in the back to begin the process of trading in my old Olympus gear for a Nikon setup.
Very personable and knowledgeable guy for sure. I came in looking at starting my Nikon investment with a D750 or D810 and he had personal experience with not only both of those cameras but also with the OM-​D I was trading in. It showed immediately in how he was able to give me a run down on the pros and cons of the two newer cameras/​lenses vs my old ones, although I had already done my own research.
I left not feeling ripped off at all and very confident in my purchase. I should emphasize that I only had experience with the counter in the back of the store and two employees (another came to see if I needed any help during a brief period when Matt was checking on some things on a different terminal). I’ll end up coming back here to see about Rentals and more gear and will update the review accordingly.

I went here today to purchase a battery for my Nikon D5100. I was greeted as soon as I walked in and a gentleman pointed out the area of the store where I could find the battery. All of the sales people behind the counter were busy assisting other customers, so I waited. Just as one of the sales reps finished with a customer another customer just walked right up to him and requested help. Not cool as I was standing there waiting for about 5 minutes already. So I continued to wait and eventually someone came over to assist me and just as the guy begins to search for the battery I needed, he stopped to help the other sales person assist the guy who cut in front of me. At this point, I probably should have walked out but the 1^st guy who guided me to the area for the battery assisted me with my purchase. He must have seen what was going on and felt bad, so I give this place 2 stars.

The only reason I am awarding even 2 stars is due to the fact this is pretty much the last non-​big box place to shop just camera related stuff.
If I could be any more disappointed in a shopping experience, I find it hard to imagine. Especially when I was looking so forward to seeing the place.
We came about half an hour before the store closed. When five minutes passed, the clerks started telling us it was time to close, either get in line to pay or that we needed to leave! Really? When I pointed out that the sign listing their hours said they were open another 25 minutes, the clerk told me that «it doesn’t matter.» Well, I don’t think that I can see myself rushing back anytime soon. Maybe if I do go, I should be there right as the door opens up for the day.

These guys are great — if you land yourself in trouble with your purchase some how, they are happy and willing to make things right. Great experiences had here!

Louisa helped me, turns out my settings were wrong on my camera on my last photo shoot, grateful that it wasn’t my camera, she was patient with me and answered all my questions, even showed me a few lenses for future purchases, thanks for great service!

After reading some negative reviews here and on google, I was skeptical as to how my first experience would be at Houston Camera Exchange. Let me start by saying this, I did not experience the lack of customer service that others have mentioned.
As I walked through each section of the store (huge store) I was approached by 5 or 6 employees each asking if I needed help, and if I was finding everything o.k. (but not in a pushy way). Later I was checked up on to make sure that I still didn’t have any questions. I really left with the sense that everyone there was willing to help me out.
I had questions about the difference in particular camera lenses, an employee helped me find the information I was looking for.
After looking around at as much camera equipment as I could for one day, I finally approached an employee to ask for assistance for the item I visited the store for. (The item was in stock, unlike some other local stores). The price seemed high, and I mentioned
, the employee told me that they do offer price matching. This is a huge plus that I don’t see anyone else mentioning. Price matching+ a huge inventory of just about everything you could possibly want = total win. Customer service, a huge bonus.
Because this was my first trip, and because the item I was looking for was much cheaper on amazon (before price matching). I’m giving 4-​stars.
I look forward to many more visits at Houston Camera Exchange.

Went here to buy a gray card since Camera co-​op is moving stores and didn’t have any in stock.
Called to make sure they had any and the young woman on the phone was super nice and even went to go check for sure if they had them in stock. The store is quite large and has bunch of stuff.
Point and shoots
New and Used Crop and Full Frame Dslr
Tons of new and used lenses
Lighting equipments
Tons of camera bags from backpacks to shoulder bags
The guy who was working at the pentax counter was beyond super nice! He shoots photos of deserts and is a pentax fan so he can tell you a lot of info about them.
Three or four people asked us how we were or if we needed help while they were walking around helping other people.
Nice people, they try to make sure everyone is taken care of.
They don’t have a lot of film equipment.