Wilson Camera

Wilson Camera has been helpful to my re-entry into analog/film photography. I’ve had about 10 roles of film developed and scanned at the Scottsdale location. Recently I found they had a Phoenix area store. So I took the short drive and dropped off a roll of B&W which they develop at this location. The used cameras etc are a different selection than the Scottsdale store. I ended up buying a few filters if I remember correctly. 

The employees are cool, they love analog photography. The owner of the Scottsdale store, Nick just called and we discussed the last batch I had dev/scanned, a couple of images were a scrub. He didn’t try to teach me anything but helped remind me of the imperfections in film photography. Imperfection is important for me to remember, my analog (Nikon FG, FE2 and F3) cameras are probably older than Nick.

Anyway, we discussed the complete process and variables of film and how to consider each aspect and systematically figure out problems. In this case, we both don’t absolutely know why a random couple of scans had ripples behind a diagonal border and I’m ok with that. I should know more if it happens again with the next roll they develop. It was a nice conversation and the kindness in the customer service was about as good as it gets.

I use Wilson Camera on the regular as I am learning quite a bit by researching each issue that is developed and returned to me. If I want perfection, I’ll use the D780, my professional grade digital single lens reflex camera and sometimes I do want that reliability, to skip the whole hassle and expense in the caveats of film. But I love analog photography and go the distance even with the imperfections…

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.

How long has Wilson Camera been in business?

Wilson Camera has been a fixture in the Valley of the Sun since 

1954. While their roots are in Scottsdale, they've recently expanded with a studio location in Phoenix. Their Phoenix location is at 1624 E Washington St, Unit 106, Phoenix, AZ 85034 and is open Monday-Friday 11am-7pm. 

Wilson Camera focuses on keeping film photography alive, offering film developing and scanning services, as well as selling film cameras and stock. They have been featured as Phoenix's newest vintage camera store. 

Wilson Camera (Scottsdale)

4320 N Miller Rd #101

Scottsdale, AZ 85251

(480) 900-1185

wilsoncamera.com

Wilson Camera (Phoenix)

1624 E Washington St, Unit 106

Phoenix, AZ 85034

(602) 463-8257

Phoenix Area (film photography shops)

Foto Forum (Phoenix, AZ Store) - Wilson Camera (Scottsdale - Phoenix) - Tempe Camera

A Camelback Mountain Home, first roll of B&W

Another Camelback Mountain home, both are Wilson Camera dev/scan