Foto Forum has served Phoenix for 53 years. Since 1972, they have been open for business and that alone is a testament to the community of photographers. The people that work there are nice, they always have the basics and they do serve the film community with film and processing. They offer used equipment and I’ve purchased two AI Nikkor lenses from them, a 28mm f2.8 and a 105mm f2.5, both were in excellent condition.
I visit the film print kiosk as I make 4x6” photo albums from my digital and film scans. They do offer E-6 development and I am going to drop off my first roll soon to see how their quality matches up.
I believe it is absolutely necessary to support the “brick and mortar” stores, the actual store that is available for you to walk in and speak to someone. Somewhere you can see and hold a camera you are interested in or to view a new lens and or purchase film. There is a time and place for online sales however completely using this convenience will put the physical shops out of business if we do not go in and support their services with our purchases.
Foto Forum knows me by name. I sometimes visit on my lunch break as they are close. The women that work there are super nice and they are experienced photographers. The old men that work there take a secondary customer service role staying in the back office for the most part but will come out if the store becomes busy with customers.
The shop does support most major camera brands and has a good display of current equipment examples primarily targeted towards the professional photographer. If you are new to photography, this would be a great place to start as the customer service is excellent.
Foto Forum has a limited display of used cameras and lenses both analog and digital as well as accessories. They have excellent prices on used equipment yet I can’t speak to new equipment as nearly all of my durable equipment purchases are used. I’m sure their price point is at least competitive and suggested by the manufacturer. The film stock I’ve bought has been competitive. I purchase Kodak E100 and Ektar as well as Ilford HP5.
This page is not an advertisement or review. It is simply a blog page on my experience with a store that supports my interest that I’ve been visiting since the late seventies. This is the oldest photography store in Phoenix that I have been continuously patronizing since I have been using a camera. Foto Forum has been a good resource for me over the years. If you guys are reading this, thank you.
I am a native of Phoenix, born here in 1961. In 1977 or there about, my father gave me my first real camera and an account at a local lab for developing. The three stores I frequent here have been in business for longer than I’ve been a photographer. I’ve actually utilized all three stores infrequently over the years only to frequent them now as my photography has taken over as my primary passion in my free time.
Foto Forum in Phoenix has been in business since 1972, according to their Facebook page. This information is also available on Larmon Photo's website, which mentions Foto Forum as a full-service camera retailer serving the Phoenix area since 1972.
Foto Forum
4834 N 7th Street
Phoenix, AZ 85014
(602) 263-0084
Phoenix Area (film support shops)
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