John Gunn

If I could give this store 100 stars, I would. We were visiting Dublin from Los Angeles and needed some camera filters before heading to the west coast.
We came here on the recommendation of a cab driver who said we would get a much better price than the overpriced stores on Grafton Street. The outside is just a tiny storefront and when you walk in, it’s a bit like stepping back in time (but in a good way.) They still have 35 mm film in the refrigerator. And I believe all of the price tags are written by hand. But make no mistake: these people know their stuff. The store is run by John Gunn and his daughter. The two of them are absolutely delightful and knowledgeable. Mr. Gunn even recommended we try the store down the street, which was having a going out of business sale, to see if we could find a better price!
We ended up buying a Lee Filter system from Mr. Gunn and I felt almost like I had to talk him and his daughter into my buying it because they were so the opposite of pushy salespeople! If I wasn’t in a rush, I would have stayed here all day. And while I was there, it seemed that locals did stop by just to chat because it is such a pleasant atmosphere.
If you are ever in Dublin and in need of photography equipment or advice, stop by this place just for the extremely pleasant conversation and experience. :)

Easily my favorite camera shop in Dublin. This little camera store has some of the most friendly people and John the owner is always appreciative and helpful to his client. The quality of prints is good, the selection is good, and they actually have a decent selection of film that is well maintained to select from. I will certainly be a repeat customer.

Great little camera shop on Camden Street! Went in for passport photos today and was greeted by John himself. He was so friendly and helpful and you can tell that he takes pride in his work.
I was in and out in about 10 minutes and had a set of 8 passport photos to show for it. I’m not a camera buff myself but he seemed to have a nice variety of equipment, accessories, film, etc. Will return!

I’ve been a customer of this shop for many years. Their service, help and advice have been invaluable to me, both in my commercial photography career and in my role as a lecturer in the subject. Nice friendly welcome too.

Lovely people, always helpful and knowledgeable.
If I’m passing by, I’ll usually drop in for the chat if they’re not too busy.
Prices are very good, and if they don’t have what you’re looking for, they’re fair enough to recommend a competitor who’ll have it, but it’d only be the most expensive items that they wouldn’t carry.
Gunns is one of the nicest places in Dublin, never mind shops

As camera shops in Dublin go, this place can not be matched.
Friendly, knowledgeable, well stocked, competitive and really the nicest people you can find.
The shop is a little dated but that just adds to the charm.
I love this place.

Went in, was asked my name to drop of the film, had to go back after a few hours and the staff would already call me by my name. I loved it and immediately felt as if I was already part of the family…
Developing my film was fairly priced as were the brands of film sold in the store. The range of films available was actually pretty impressive (with a few rare ones also making their appearances in the store’s refrigerator!!), which actually made me feel quite proud of myself and happy for finding them and doing business with them.
The staff is immensely knowledgeable, to say the least, VERY helpful and VERY polite even for Irish standards! I think I just found my photography haven in Dublin and I’m not willing to give it up… ever!

I avoided John Gunn’s for years as it’s much further from me than other camera shops in the city centre, but once I’d gone the first time I regretted not going earlier. They’ve a personal touch, a thing lacking in other camera shops in Dublin, and they don’t mind people calling in to make enquiries. They also never force you to buy anything you don’t want. Their prices are in line with other camera shops in Dublin despite being smaller and more out of town than other Dublin photography shops. As for film developing, everything I’ve gotten developed here has been excellent. They also keep their 120 film in a fridge unlike other places, which as far as I’m concerned is a necessity.

Down through the years, from my ye olde days of using film rolls to the digital era, I’ve been using the John Gunn camera and photography shop.
The quality of photo development is top notch. And the customer service excellent. I bought a tripod here years ago as a present for my brother and they were in no way pushy about selling. The advice they gave was very helpful.
Today I got a replacement lens cap, that included at strap to attach it to lens, for 2.50 EUR. Bargain. It’s easier to use than the branded version I lost, so I am going back to get a second one for my other lens.
And it’s a real family affair here in the John Gunns camera shop, with Mum, Dad and daughters all working the floor (at one stage or another down through the years anyway). Dealing with any of them is a joy, as they always have time for a pleasant chat and to give good advice.
Highly recommended. Not that I need to, the shop is always full of professional and avid camera enthusiasts alike.

Nigel’s review is spot on, and the feeling stays in for returning customers as well, that wasn’t just a lucky day.
The nicest camera shop I’ve ever been to, the most reasonable price wise as well. That said, I’ve seen scans (friends’ …) coming back in a miserable condition but as of me, nothing to complain about them !

I don’t usually do reviews but I had to just recount my experience with John Gunn. I took some photos for a Christmas present and was unsure as to what size I could get them enlarged to. I rang the shop, they said get the frames first and bring in the photos on your USB stick and we’ll sort you out. They were very personable on the phone. Then when I got to the shop at 5 o’clock I was expecting the usual pre-​Christmas service, i.e. what do want, here it is, now goodbye. Instead I got smiles, a hello ‘Sir’ from Mr. Gunn and I was offered a sweet by one of his daughters — she was pretty insistent I took a sweet. I can’t remember the last time I got a smile from a shop assistant anywhere in Dublin. I’m pretty sure no one has ever referred to me as ‘Sir’. Then to top it all I got a 15 minute turnaround on my enlargements and we had a little chat about contrasty photos of kids. It made my day. Come for the photos and cameras and you will stay for the service. A deserved 5 stars in my book.

friendly shop, good prices, these people know about photography.

I was sent to Gunn’s by a photo instructor on my first day of class. I’ll never stray. I went to Camera Exchange once but they just seemed so corporate compared to the friendly family at Gunn’s. They’re helpful, knowledgeable, and kind. They remembered my name after three visits (needless to say, I’ve been there rather more times since)!
While the focus of my class was on developing and printing my own B&W photos, I’ve heard from classmates who had their film done in Gunn’s that they couldn’t be happier. Full disclosure: they send it to someone out-​of-​house in Cork or something, so it takes a little while to get them back. But the results they got have been stunning. They also do a student discount on film developing.
I’ve never looked at the cameras there, only at the film, paper, accessories, color developing and chemicals. Gunn’s give better prices on the paper than the supplier around the corner. The film is at as low a price as they can afford. And any time I need advice about anything photographic, this is the place to go. They can recommend places and people all around town for repairs and experience.
I think Gunn’s are fantastic and I would recommend them hands-​down for anything photographic, anything at all, from advice to equipment. If they don’t have it they’ll order it, and occasionally even recommend the competition, just because they are good people. Go there. You won’t regret it.

Simply put John Gunns is the photo shop in Dublin. Now I can’t testify to their printing skills (I do my own or for digital will be using somewhere like Fire for Lambdachrome prints) but in terms of advice and knowledge and price John Gunns is the place for me. So old school that I’m fairly sure he doesn’t have a cash register (next time I buy film I’m going to keep an eye out to see where he puts the money, I’m nearly 100% sure they dont have a register haha). If you’re into photography and want the best advice in Dublin make sure you drop in.

Favourite shop in Dublin.
Been going here for about 10 years and it’s always a delight. Thoroughly professional, friendly and generous with their knowledge the Gunns deserve ‘legendary’ status. And their print services are excellent as well.

John Gunn is awesome, not only for developing photos (there’s just so much more fun looking through them orderly placed in an actual album than having them locked inside iPhoto) but also for everything photography related.
I for example love the balloon-​effects of the Lomo Fisheye and had just been looking them up on e-​bay when I passed John Gunn. And there they were, a couple of different Fisheye cameras staring at me from the window. The price was cheaper than what I found on e-​bay (€ 60). Plus, you get a personal service form camera enthusiasts who know their stuff!

John, Louise and ‘The Girls’ as I refer to them as; provide a first class service in all aspects of photography within their realm. Their friendilness, knowledge helps the selecting of the appropriate product an enjoyable and easy task. I’ve used them for years and will continue to do so.
Julian Ashleigh (Ex-​People Photography Exhibition Organisor)

I second Mary C’s motion here, John Gunn’s is a brilliant camera shop.
The best thing about John Gunn is the personal touch. Gunn’s is actually run by John and his daughter, they even have a few photographs of John and his daughter at her wedding up inside.
This shop is a no-​frills, matter of fact affair inside and out, but this, of course, detracts nothing from the services, and in fact is quite refreshing. They were running some good deals on entry level SLRs when I dropped by during the week and are helpful when it comes to any queries you might have. I’m told they’re not afraid of a haggle either so, if you’re the type, maybe try your luck!

I am most definitely a photography fiend. And I don’t mean digital photog. Honestly, I could take it or leave it. I would so much rather take a photo with a manual camera, process the film myself and create lovely, one-​of-​a-​kind works of personal art.
Unfortunately, the art of photography seems to be evaporating. Thank goodness for shops like John Gunn who still sell film and are staffed with knowledgeable photophiles like myself. They sell all sorts of film, even some that is impossible to find elsewhere and film cameras as well.
Of course they also sell all kinds of digital cameras and accessories. From point and shoot to professional-​level Digital SLRs, they pretty much have everything. They sell lots of different batteries and chargers which I think is quite smart in case you lose your own, The also do camera repairs.

Gunnes is a mecca for analogue photographers in Dublin. As well as cameras and photography equipement, they stock an excellent selection of film. It’s also one of the few places in Dublin that will develop black and white film. There’s a student discount available if you show them a card. Staff are knowledgeable and friendly and Mr. Gunne is one of the few businessmen left in Dublin who bestows an affectionate ‘Gods Bless’ on his customers as they leave the shop.