Pro Photo Supply

Came in looking for C stand as a new business in Portland expanding our studio set up. We had a shoot planned for product photography today. The store associate did not know how to assist us. Instead of asking another coworker, he directed us to the rental department because it was «cheaper.» We were ready and willing to buy what we needed with some direction. We didn’t want to be rude and ended up leaving.
With Camera World closing, and this being the only bigger camera shop in the city… with service like that, ordering from B&H doesn’t sound so bad right now.

Overpriced equipment and terrible return policies. If you feel confident navigating the world of online camera sellers, you can save a ton of money over what they have in stock. Good dudes though no doubt about it.

I’ve been coming to this store for a number of years now, and have spent quite a few $ on various equipment. Parking is typical downtown with tight spots, but I’ve never failed to find a suitable space. The people are knowledgeable and friendly. Worked with several who have been helpful. Last big purchase was a new Canon printer, which happened to be sitting on display. I came in to look at another brand, and saw this huge solid device. One salesman helped me, but he was not the printer expert, who was on break. He did his best to answer questions, and keep me occupied until the guy came back, and ultimately I bought the unit.
A few years ago, I bought a 5D MKIII from a lady who was very knowledgeable and friendly. Helped me work through my debit card company that had a limit for daily charges, and I was very happy with the camera.
This place carries a lot of inventory, and although the prices are full MSRP, they will do what they can to throw in a small token of appreciation. Retail prices are high sometimes, but seems this level of equipment is the same at all the other retailers. Overall, this is a store I will visit in the near future, as sometimes I come in and buy nothing, but everyone who works with me is still helpful.

Fair prices and good service! Thank you

People are funny. The name of this store is «PRO» photo supply. Thinking that you will get a deal on photo equipment is just silly. This is where you do in Portland to get pro gear for shooting on location or in studio. I bought lens, camera bodies, bags and more here over the past ten years. Great selection. The spot I go to get what I need for a shoot.

If you don’t mind dealing with arrogant, condescending sales people and paying full retail price for what you buy, then this place is for you.

I absolutely love this store. I’ve only been in twice but both times my experience was off the charts good! Super friendly, patient, knowledgeable, and excellent pricing. I look forward to trying out their rentals in the near future.

Rockin’ place! So happy with the help I received from Bradon. He was patient with all my crazy questions and my slow decision making process regarding the new lens I bought! Very honest and didn’t try to make me spend top dollar. He wasn’t pushy either! I will be back for sure next time I’m in the area! Next time I hope I will have time to do a trial with some the rental options!

I bought a camera, lens, flash and camera bag at Pro Photo Supply and I was very disappointed with the lack of expertise, knowledge and professionalism of the staff at this store.
So about a month ago, I was in another city shopping for a new camera and found an amazing camera store. They had knowledgable staff who were all avid shooters and a huge fleet of demos that they encouraged their staff to put through their paces. Their staff answered all my questions (since they had shot with the camera I wanted and it’s competitors) and helped me decide on what camera to buy. The only glitch was that they were too good and it was a busy Saturday — the only all black kit they had got sold to a customer who asked way fewer questions than I.
When I went into Pro Photo Supply, I wanted to confirm again that I was buying the right camera for my needs. I told a white lie and said this was my first stop to shop. The salesman I talked to seemed to lack information about mirrorless cameras and was mostly just there to plop random cameras on the counter that I asked about. The salesman’s knowledge about Fujifilm flashes was also very dismal.
So the only item I not picked out in advance was the camera bag. After describing what I wanted to the salesman and being told they did not have such — I found the bag on their shelf.

This place is great! I came in with my twin lens camera that I wanted some help with and Jim was so incredibly helpful in steering me in the right direction. He looked at my camera and helped me figure out what things I need to fix/​replace and how I could troubleshoot some things on the camera as well. He referred me to another shop to get things fixed, let me know what services that they offer in detail, and was just so nice about all of it. I didn’t even spend a cent when I went in, but they were so gracious in helping me out.
I’ll be back here to buy my film and to get stuff developed. My first impression is that the workers there are filled with an immense amount of knowledge and are happy to help in any way possible. They clearly love what they do. Coming from another city that has a lot of good choices in superb photography supplies, this place is a keeper!

«You don’t need full frame» $ 2000.00 camera/​lens an 1 year later. Guess what? Return for more business. Ok «Can you tell be about this high end full frame». «Well the manual is as thick as a bible what do you want to know?». Well like to know why this one is better than that one. Why this one over that one”. «The buffer is faster». Umm Oh kayy. «but if you buy this lens you“ll receive $ 200 off. Um Commission?. Today I purchased thee top line Nikon an 2 holy trinity lenses from another local Nikon authorized USA dealer, treated with respect. And free extras to go along with. 300 4×6 Prints, Photoshop, filters at cost, Cf card. Yep :) Thanks (:

This place kicks burro. Awesome service. Im a pro photog and still have questions, I always will. The staff at Pro Photo never make you feel like you’re asking a dumb question. Gear is priced really well too. Awesome place

I’m not particularly camera savvy but I am capable of googling what I think I need and then going to a store with this new found information. Haha sounds awful right? I went in to Pro Photo knowing that I wanted a Canon body and a macro lens, a tripod, a set of lights, and some paper for the back ground as I need to do some studio photography for a website. I’m embarrassed to say I do not remember the name of the gentleman who helped us but I DO have his business card that I stapled to the receipt so I can return to the store and have him help us again. No one tried to sell me anything I didn’t want or need and it seemed like all of the staff made it their business to make sure all customers were acknowledged and helped if needed. Definitely worth the time and money.

***This pertains only to the photo lab***
— Context: As part of a larger gift, I was trying to print a 4×6 (just one!!) photo for my girlfriend as a gift for our anniversary. I wanted to try a local place that would be a little nicer than a Walgreens kiosk
— Worst customer service I could imagine — think of a bad movie script and this is 10 times worse
— If could give them negative stars, I would. Really disappointing, because this place sounded cool… until they opened their mouths and wasted an hour of my time
— They were ready bent out of shape and put out that I needed a rush ($ 5…) order for my one 4×6 print. I had to ask the gal to repeat herself when she said to come back in an hour… I obliged, went down the street to grab some flowers, and returned 30 minutes later, with fingers crossed that somehow she found it within herself to take 30 seconds and print out my 4×6 picture of my girlfriend and I at the beach. I sat there for 30 minutes… then the younger guy (there was a third worker there, a male who was older) came out and told me, (acted like a total and complete prick) that their machine was broken and there was nothing they could do for me. (!!!)
— Both the gal and the younger guy in there treated me like absolute garbage! It was unbelievable! Super, super sarcastic, short, disinterested and overall rude. I can’t speak to the quality of their work, but I can attest to the (at least perceived) character of the people running the photo lab… I will never in a million years give them my business and I suggest you look elsewhere, too

People have been trying to capture the image of the world they walk through since the cave paintings.
We have been through breakthroughs, from perspective, the camera obscura, the invention of photo imaging, and its refinement, on to today’s digital imaging.
I’m phasing out of film imaging to digital for the good camera. As part of the process, I passed on a fine film camera to a local National Geo photographer. I had some higher offers, but I’m like, this person is cool to know just for knowledge. We had a couple hour chat about bokeh, lens lines and coatings covering 50 years of photo history. Cool tip: do an image search for the manufacturer, focal length, aperture with «pool», maybe site: flickr​.com. That can show images made with the lens you are considering.
I asked this individual, so where do you do your prints? Pro Photo Supply was the answer.
So I researched my desired camera and lens combination, NY prices, direct manufacturer store prices and Pro Photo Supply prices. Then I anticipated NY support and customer service — none, direct — none and Pro Photo support and customer service. Then I visited the store.
If you have ever dealt with NY photo stores, in person, or remotely, you know they operate in a New York state of mind. Hurried. There is one that I refuse to deal with or recommend in my lifetime ever again whose name begins with A. Yes, they might be able to throw in some extras at the same price. To me, dealing locally was worth foregoing the extras, which, by the way, I did not need.
I would not set the expectation that they would match the NY package particulars. But I would say that they were open to reasonable proposals based on direct from manufacturer store options. And if you value support and customer service, the choice is clear.
What I received at Pro Photo Supply was more valuable!
My sales person was an expert on color management and printing. He suggested some books on the topic. He knew the complete history of proofing monitors over more than 15 years. He was chill and did not try to upsell. It was me who suggested I might need some accessories, and I purchased them.
They have classes, seminars, printing, rental. They also serve video, and sound for video. Lighting. Books.
The staff is varied, from 20-​something photo geniuses, women photo geniuses to greybeard photo geniuses. If you have a preference you can have it.
You have a choice where to make your purchases. There are plenty of big box stores which sell some of the same items with clueless salespersons. Or online, no clueless persons necessary!
But I strongly recommend Pro Photo Supply, as ultra clueful, and who, if you support them, will be around for advice and community for the foreseeable future!

I’ve rented from Pro Photo a couple times in the past, and had no issues. I recently rented a full lighting kit that included two umbrellas, two stands, one speedlight (I had another at home) and a Pocket Wizard for communicating between my camera and the detached flash.
5 minutes before closing, Tim, from the rental department, set everything up with me and explained very well how to use it.
As it turns out, the Pocket Wizard didn’t operate once go-​time hit and I needed it. I tried various trouble-​shoots, but none worked. When I took it back I explained as much to him (lucky me, he was there when I returned) and after examining the Wizard he gave me a full refund.
He then sent me an email apologizing once again for the hassle, and informed me that he had put a note on my account there to allow me to rent my next lighting kit from them at a solid discount. Great service. :)

There are several big picture things wrong with this store, they are:
One, you will wait for a sales person to talk to you, they just think they are too good to say hello to you when you walk in.
Two, the items they sell are full retail, no discounts, and for the level of service, you get you not getting what you paid for.
Three, they do buy used equipment, and they do consignment sales – beware both, they will do their best to pay you nothing for your gear, and sell it for big bucks. Also, when that guy you deal with, talks you down, beware, he is going to buy the item, and keep it for himself.
Four, the parking is aweful, and not worth the trouble.

Update: to the management or ownership, I bought over $ 2k worth of gear elsewhere thanks to rude treatment on the phone and somewhat questionable service in store. I wound up buying a more expensive lens than what was offered in your store because someone else took the time to show me what I needed.
—
I am reviewing both in-​store and calling into the store.
Reaching anyone on the phone has been frustrating. In fact, I wouldn’t have even gone in store except they had the Gh4 which I wasn’t finding elsewhere.
I was told they would call back in 30 minutes and never called. So, I headed in and found there were a few available sales people, which is annoying no one could bother calling me. The sales person who helped me was nice and patient, but I found much of his advice to miss the mark on what I needed. Negatively, I found it less than comforting that he discouraged any and all used equipment as if it were pure junk; he also told me the Gh4 is «upgrade proof» and that the Gh3 would be a very poor choice for what I need due to its age, etc.
This is not the truth. I have spent over 20 hours reviewing photos and video with a series of lenses and the Gh3 is a better choice when you consider what I’m paying for to get the Gh4.
Out of respect to him, I called to let him know I had found the Gh3 and picked out a different lens that fits my needs, but calling in was, again, very difficult. As I tried to speak with the gentleman who answered the phone, he had to cut me short saying he was too busy and that I would have to come in. I was trying to at least buy the lens from him since he spent time helping me, but I felt they were disrespectful on the phone.
If I am trying to spend $ 1,000 on a lens, don’t tell me I have to do it on your terms. Offer to call me back if you’re busy, but for them to completely blow me out on a second phone conversation is unacceptable.
Another Major Issue:
How can you not have a setup to show images on your computer screen? You have an iMac right there in the store. How complicated would it be to say, «Hey, let’s use this lens with this camera – since you’re about to spend $ 2,300 – and check out how they look together.»
Also, make sure you know your gear. The gentleman who helped me knew a fair amount, but there were some weak points in his knowledge. As a beginner – and someone who really researches the details – I don’t want to be the one informing you on some features of the items you sell. Worse yet, don’t lie. Even if you lose a sale, I promise you it pays in the long run to build a reputation on total honesty.
Conversely, I truly wish the Shutterbug had Panasonic equipment. I’ve had two phone conversations with their staff at two stores and then spent an hour with an associate. Unfortunately, they simply don’t have what I want. But they were happy to load samples, review images online, etc. And this was at Washington Square in Tigard during the holidays.
I won’t make any effort to buy from Pro Photo supply.

When I was remodeling my house, Home Depot was literally my second home. Sometimes I go in as often as three times a day just for odds and ends and of course advices with stuff that I bought. Sometimes, I go in just for a good conversation.
Let me assure you that I have not gone out of my mind. I am really big on customer service. It is What matters the most to me when it comes to local business. Let me set a few things straight. From reading the reviews, I’m sure you have already gathered that they are not the cheapest place. To my experience, not just when compared to online stobut to other smaller shops around town. Personal experience: 22% price difference. And the truth is, local stores like these will never be able to compete with Internet giants like Amazon etc. however when other local stores are beating their price by 22%, you’ve really got to start asking hard questions.
PPS is, however, a good place to buy brands like pro photo, kupo grips etc for their prices are sometimes better than internet prices.
Now let’s get back to the service part. The fact is, I’ve had good visits and bad ones. It can be intimidating or rather business like at times. But every once in a while, I would have the most genuine conversation with someone who also loves photography/​videography. It’s that shared excitement towards a subject of great passion that sells the shopping experience to me. Even though they are not commission based, I still at times feel like they are just there to sell you cameras. Nothing wrong with that though, we do live in a society where neighbors hardly talk to each other, my business is none of your business after all.
Do they seems snobbish at times? YES seen it many times.
Are they helpful? Depends on who you get.
Do they have a good selection on pro equipments? Best in town. Period.
Is it true what they say about the amazing rental department? Yes! My personal experiences have been good.
And yes I would recommend the store to my friends.

This review is specific to the rental department of Pro Photo Supply. This place is valuable for any level of photographer. It is so nice to rent equipment before making the plunge and purchasing. They have great rates and fantastic service. If you rent on Thursday afternoon you don’t have to return the equipment until Monday morning, all this for a one day rental fee.
Highly recommended! !