Chicago Community Darkroom
Community darkroom 4.3 ★★★★☆ 26
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Camera store & film lab
Central Camera Company
230 S Wabash Ave, Chicago, IL 60604
A camera store that also develops film in-house or via a partner lab.
Storied family-owned camera shop selling equipment, film & hard-to-find items since 1899.
Film developing at Central Camera Company
The things film shooters actually ask before handing over a roll. A blank line means the lab hasn't published it — not that the answer is no. Always confirm before a special trip.
| Developed in-house | Not stated on their site |
|---|---|
| Returns your negatives | Not stated on their site |
| Scanner | Not stated on their site |
| Turnaround | Not stated on their site |
| Cheapest develop price found | No price published |
What Central Camera Company offers
Every line is evidence-backed — pulled from what customers wrote in their reviews, or from the lab's own website.
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Darkroom 1 mention
from customer reviews
What film shooters highlight
The themes that come up again and again in reviews of Central Camera Company.
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A local institution 2 mentions
“The fella that used to teach photography for almost 2 decades has so much passion for it.”
What customers say
Such a great place to go if you're a camera nerd and even if you aren't. Film camera, especially. Everyone was so extremely nice. It was fairly busy when we went, and they still were attentive. I almost felt like I was in a movie about a camera store. Each employee has a great and memorable personality.
Love this store! I’ve stopped in a few times recently for film and camera accessories and everyone is kind and the prices are comparable to what I’ve seen online. I recently stopped in after having an issue with loading my film and Tim went above and beyond to assist.
I love this place, it's a part of Chicago history. It's a great place to buy film, 35mm and 120mm. They have a large selection of used cameras and lenses to meet your needs, and the staff is very knowledgeable and friendly.
Hours & location
Opening hours
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday | 10 am–5 pm |
| Wednesday | 10 am–5 pm |
| Thursday | 10 am–5 pm |
| Friday | 10 am–3 pm |
| Saturday | 10 am–3 pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
Getting there
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