Kurt’s Camera Corral

Kurt’s Camera Palace of Perpetual Insults! 1713 Juan Tabo NE, Albuquerque as in New Mexico! Now Kurt’s has the distinction of sending me «packing» in roughly THREE MINUTES — ONE SPENT WAITING to be ACKNOWLEDGED!
If you know about «GREY PRODUCTS» you know they are still imported and for the most part are EXACTLY as the «USA» cameras in this case They save us money IF we are comfortable with the idea of jumping through a couple hoops. I am comfortable so I quietly, courteously and in a friendly way asked, «DO you by chance have a CANON EOS 70D GREY MARKET BODY ONLY?».
You would thought I asked the old geezer for a hand-​job OR WORSE! He went off on me like two-​dollar watch! «IT’S PEOPLE LIKE YOU who drive REAL merchants OUT OF BUSINESS!» He added that I should go «…buy my JUNK from E-​BAY and hope I got a decent camera!». On and on and on as I walked towards the door! THREE MINUTES TOPS! Screw Kurt’s — I’ll NEVER go to EITHER of the stores these «in need of retiring» old geezers run!
SURE I took a chance by ASKING — but a simple «NO SIR WE ONLY SELL USA IMPORTS»! would have done quite well! NOW? Even IF their prices were GREAT (THEY ARE NOT) I will not spend a dime! HEY KURT’S IF YOU SEE THIS «RESPOND»! I’d love to debate the subject with you!

I’m big on supporting local businesses but these guys are rude and pretentious. You’re still in a customer service world. Maybe try acting like you care?
No worries, I’ll gladly give b&h and adorama my business.

I bought a D3300 from these guys, when I went in they were nice enough, not super friendly, but not rude either. They were asking the same price as amazon, which is fair. The only thing that isn’t so good is the return policy, which is good for 1 week. The guy that works at their other store in Albuquerque is super friendly and helpful.

If I could give 0 stars, I would. There were 2 older guys working there, and neither one said a word to me when I walked in. After looking around for a few minutes, I walked up to the one guy that was not hiding behind a safe-​room style cage, and asked him if he knew whether there were filters that could block infrared, because I was having my camera modified to remove the built-​in IR blocking filter. He spoke only 1 word to me, «No.» That was it… literally no other interaction. First of all, he’s wrong, there most certainly ARE such filters, and besides that, I had wanted to ask him about some of the lenses he had for sale. After his first response, however, I didn’t bother.
The other reviews on here, where people have called these guys all sorts of vulgar and insulting names, are spot on.

The two gentlemen who run the place also own the building. At least that’s what I heard through the grape vine. Which may explain the lack of customers and bad Unilocal reviews. I walked in, was approached quickly and formally. I held up a basic PC cord (if you own a camera with a hot shoes and flash/​strobes, you know what cord I’m talking about.) The gentleman took one quick look, shook his head and said «no, no, no… we don’t have anything like that here». I said thank you, turned around and left.

I walked in and the guy behind the counter said, «Well what are you going to buy?» No hi or hello or how are you, just an insulting look like my being there was an inconvenience. After looking around for a minute he said that to me. His tone, the way he looked at me, and the prices were all turn-​offs. I don’t know if he’s the owner or manager, but he has no business being there.

I agree with most of the other posts here. I called Kurt’s asking is they had any of the home light box kits for taking photos of small products. The guy paused for a second and then spewed what I am guessing is the most insulting response he could come up with in a short interval. He added that he hasn’t seen any such item for less than $ 300. I just moved to Albuquerque from New York, so I am used to rude service in camera stores. These jerks top all. AVOID!
P. S.: I found several quality kits on Amazon for $ 29-​$ 69. Bought the $ 29 one and it was great.

Despite the other reviews, I thought they were great. I was only after a battery and a couple of other accessories, but the gentleman who helped me was polite and helpful on the phone and in the store. Their prices were also exactly what I would have expected to pay anywhere. I can’t speak to the experience of buying a camera or lens here, but I don’t have a single complaint.

If you worked for decades in a field, or industry, which changed as fast as the photography industry is right now and has since the early 1990s, you might find yourself bitter, too.
Or you might find it exhilarating and embrace every new technological advancement which came along.
Kurt’s Camera Corral has its curmudgeons behind the counters, but overall they really try to be helpful.
Whenever I’ve gone in to the store, who has ever waited on me has been thoughtful and patient with my questions.
Most of their merchandise is expensive, and that could be because traditional camera equipment is attractive to professional photographers and sentimental enthusiasts. Or maybe we’ve gotten so used to every other technology going down in price, we aren’t seeing this happen in this industry, which is counter intuitive.
I don’t fault the expense of most of their equipment. It’s like that everywhere.
I’ve gone in there several times this year seeking things such as one of those magnetic-​backed macro lenses, which attach right over the iPhone 4s’ built-​in camera lens or any kind of accessory to go with a smartphone camera. They don’t have it.
They aren’t concerned with anything related to smartphone cameras. Half of me was surprised, because it’s where cameras are going right now. The other half of me knew deep down, these guys, like their counterparts across the country, are holding onto in the past with all of their might.
Traditional photography equipment is wonderful. Unfortunately, it’s being replaced. Rapidly. Sure, it won’t be replaced 100 percent. There will always be people who want traditional equipment, but the masses are embracing smaller, easier-​to-​carry equipment, which is advancing incredibly well.
These guys have a decent selection of cameras from the inexpensive point-​and-​shot all the way up to professional-​level digital cameras with interchangeable lenses.
And they have all the equipment one needs to dive into this field heart and soul.
Overall this is a solid place for the photography enthusiast. I just wish they’d embrace smartphone cameras. They embraced digital cameras, so why not take the next leap?

I can’t remember what we bought, but the service was memorable! Very friendly and helpful.

The only cool thing about this place is the vintage camera sign… it’s ALL downhill after that folks…
Went in there a few years back to check out the place and pick up some film. Digital was barely coming into it’s own but I wanted to shoot some medium format and 35 mm film. (I still shoot it) and so I popped in and asked to see what they had. «Oh, it’s over there said the 20-​something sales-​boy. Let’s call him «Young Jerk-​Off.» Young Jerk Off proceeded to tell me how film was dead and I needed the latest digital camera and lens with it’s over-​priced ticket. I also asked him if they stocked lens caps. «Over there, somewhere in that pile of crap of used filters.»
OH-​KAAAAAY!!! By-​the-​way, the placed reeked of cat and cat’s crap. But I digress… lol!
So I finally get my film and lens cap, which wasn’t too bad on the price but he HAD to mention that I’d better hurry up and buy a digital camera so that I don’t miss the boat. I then asked what camera he had and he answered none, he wasn’t a photographer. Figures. I had mentioned that I had a few photographer friends (from LA & Texas) and that I will go out of my way to tell them to avoid this place like the plague. So much for future sales, you should’ve seen the look on his face. Looked like he did #2 in his pants; man I wish a had a camera right there and then!*
*Okay, fast forward a couple of years ago and I was curious to see if the Young Jerk Off was there, so I popped in my head in through the front door. Sure enough. So I announced: ‘yup, you idiots are still here, looks like I’ll be going down the street to Camera & Darkroom, LOL!!!

Went in yesterday looking for a battery charger. The old prick behind the counter rudely asked «for what?». I said «a canon d…». He says «Never heard of that. Is is European or something?». Turns out that I said D20 instead of the correct 20D. So he acts like he has no idea what I’m asking for until I tell him 20D. Then he tries to sell me a charger for $ 70!
I then say «Shit man, my camera is worth less that $ 100 on ebay with all the accessories and in perfect condition. You got anything cheaper?». He had a knock off for $ 60. I said «That’s just too much». He said «Well bye then. Bye bye».
I think he wanted to fight.
They must sell other things to stay in business, cause they sure don’t pay the bills with thirty year old cameras and ass-​hole customer service.

I think Kurt’s may have the worst customer service for any retail store. I went in to look at a film camera, (for a project), the one older fella, was so flipping rude. The old man was talking at me, and tried to make me feel stupid for asking questions. I asked to look at a camera, then the guy asked me if I was going to by it, since I was looking at it. I had advised him was not, and I could this camera for way cheaper on Ebay, with better service. Of course just to piss him off.
Just the worst place.

I really wish I could say good things about this store. It has a great location, cool old Neon sign and looks like the cool old camera shop you have been looking for. Its a knob hill landmark. Unfortunately it is staffed by complete Ass Holes who don’t know the first thing about customer service. If you want to buy an overpriced digital camera and get treated like dog shit while your doing it this is the place! All the used gear is priced as though it were in mint condition which is seldom the case. I choose to take my business around the corner to Camera and Dark Room, where questions like «Can I see that camera in the case there» or «is that your best price» aren’t greeted with rolled eyes or kurt answers.

I went in to get a filter. I left with a Canon 60d and a 100 mm f2.8L macro and some filters.
Total cost was $ 2700.
When I got home, I looked the price of the lens up on the internet. Canon retails it for $ 1059.00 and Amazon way less.
I was charged $ 1325.00 for it. And they made it seem like I was getting a great deal.
I’m all for supporting local stores, but being fucked in the ass 33% over the suggested retail is more than I can deal with. I know if I return the lens, they will charge me a 25% restocking fee, so in the end, it’s not worth the effort in returning it.
I will eat the damage because I fucked up and bought impulsively. I won’t come back to this store again. It’s either Best Buy or Amazon.
I shoulda’ Unilocaled first.
FUCK.

I visited Kurts Camera Corral yesterday, and was treated horribly. The staff was so unwilling to help me it was ridiculous. I wanted to purchase a new lens for my digital SLR (which I did not buy from them, received as a Christmas present, so obviously had no control over that one), and was asking a question about my current camera. They immediately asked if I bought from them, which I replyed no… and that was about the end of that. It was just outrageous how they treated me. They even said to me…‘i’m not supposed to help you…’ Oh so that’s how this company works, they shun you if you don’t purchase from them. I wanted to remind them that I am in the market for BUYING a new lens. But I guarantee you, I WILL NEVER PURCHASE ANYTHING FROM THEM EVER EVER EVER. And I hope those of you reading this will consider carefully your purchases from there as well. While I love purchasing from an actual store, seeing as how this is the only camera store around (that I know of), they have the monopoly, and guess that also means they don’t feel the need to be kind and helpful. I guess they are doing well enough and don’t need me to buy from them. I can only imagine how horrible their customer service is… I lived in Texas before here, and I know how great and helpful a camera store should be, and this place IS NOT ONE OF THEM. I would recommend wolf camera (also called Ritz camera). They are awesome, helpful and knowledgeable. Of the one piece of info I finally got out of the lady, she told me incorrectly. She didn’t even know what she was talking about. Now, seriously, consider very carefully about purchasing from this store. Maybe go there to look, but I wouldn’t even trust everything they say. Also, their prices are ridiculous. If you don’t believe me, check it out. If you like buying from a store like I do, compare their prices to Wolf (while we don’t have one here in ABQ, they are found in almost every other state, and so represent a great local camera store which I have trusted for years). Just DO YOUR RESEARCH… price and camera information, DO NOT TRUST KURTS CAMERA CORRAL.

expensive! expensive! expensive!
i processed two rolls of 120 and it was expensive!