Thanks to the online world we live in, there’s never been better access to photographic knowledge and buying advice – something I’m reminded of every single day, as I have a full-time browser window with dozens of tabs of camera specs, lens comparisons and shooting how-tos.
At the same time, though, this bounty of information and opinion has disconnected us from the most important thing: actually getting hands-on with camera gear and having proper conversations about our equipment, how we use it and what would make our photography better.
Don’t get me wrong, I love the fact that a few keystrokes can give me the answer to virtually any technical question – but it can’t put a camera in my hands so I can feel what it’s like actually to shoot with. It doesn’t enable me to compare two lenses on my camera body so I can see what the differences really are. And it can’t see when I point at my screen and ask why something isn’t doing what I expect it to.
This is why local camera dealers are vitally important. Instead of listening to people arguing on Reddit, I can have a conversation with an expert. If I want to know what equipment I need to shoot something, somebody can take it off the shelf and show it to me – or perhaps even show me how to use my current kit, without having to buy anything new.
Visiting the high street specialist simply can’t be beaten – and this is why I'm a big proponent of Camera Store Week, because it’s a celebration of local camera stores and local photographic communities.
The annual event is put on by Canon and is taking place from September 14-27 at local camera dealers up and down the UK. And whether you’re a newcomer seeking your first camera, an enthusiast interested in sharpening your skills or a professional looking to level up your workflow, it’s an amazing opportunity to get your hands on kit, talk to expert, and take part in workshops and demonstrations.
Forget forums – talk to an expert
During the last Camera Store Week, I watched a fascinating encounter between a very confident shopper and a member of staff. The punter had done his research, read every forum, analysed all the DxO scores and was certain about the camera and lens he needed. But it was a very unusual and pricey setup, given what he wanted to use it for – and as he explained the kind of photos he takes, the staff member’s eyebrows and mine raised in unison.
He was intending to buy a very capable combo, but it was completely unsuitable for the kind of photography he shot. As I continued browsing the shelves, the assistant spent about 45 minutes showing him a setup that was much more suited to his needs. When all was said and done, he went away with a Canon camera and two lenses and some money left in his pocket, compared to the body and lens he came in to buy.
That simply wouldn’t have happened, if he’d been done everything online; he would have spent more money on less kit that wasn’t even right for him. But because an expert was there to bounce questions off, suggest alternatives and demonstrate them, he went home with exactly the equipment he needed. And this is why I think Camera Store Week, and visiting a high street specialist, is vital for photography.
Theory is great, but practice is better
Talking to an expert and discussing gear is brilliant, but there’s only so much you can learn by taking photos of the shop assistant or waving a telephoto lens around indoors. That’s why Canon also brings a host of hands-on events and experiences to Camera Store Week, both in-store and at dedicated venues.
My favorite is Wildlife Day at the Hawk Conservancy Trust in Hampshire, hosted by Canon and Castle Cameras. This spectacular bird of prey centre has some incredible animals – and it’s a fantastic experience to learn about them while you’re learning how to get the most out of your camera, thanks to pro advice from a Canon Ambassador.
I’d gone along with my Canon EOS R5 and the RF 70-200mm f/2.8L lens, as confident as the young man at the camera shop that I knew what I was doing. But the experts were able to show me how to fine-tune my autofocus and technique to get even better shots – and I also got to try out the RF 100-400mm f/5.6-8, a lens I hadn’t considered but turned out to be absolutely brilliant.
Because this is the fifth anniversary of Camera Store Week, Canon has extended the event by a second week this year – so there are even more events I’m excited about.
Like the in-store Jessops food photography workshop with pro shooter and author Bea Lubas, bringing a ready-made shooting setup and sharing her tips on composition and techniques. And, if I can get to Carlise, I’d love to join the Capture to Print event with Wilkinson Cameras. It combines a guided photowalk using Canon gear with a live print session explaining printers and paper stock – and giving you a print of your best shot to take home.
Something for everyone
Even if you don’t want to dive into a demo or listen to a talk, there are plenty of other reasons to head to your local camera dealer during Camera Store Week. There are special offers, for starters, so you might find a great deal on some of the best Canon cameras as well as the participating partner brands – of which there are quite a number taking part.
Canon is teaming up with big names like SanDisk, Røde, Manfrotto and Lowepro. So beyond cameras, lenses and printers, you can also explore storage solutions, audio equipment, as well as tripods, bags and other essential accessories to complete your shooting setup.
And Canon Gurus are on hand to share their years of experience with all things EOS. They’re not salespeople, they’re specialists with valuable professional insight – so you can ask them questions about getting the most out of your current camera, which lenses you should think about if you want to try a new genre of photography, or even just chew the fat over a shared passion for taking pictures.
At the end of the day, that last point is kinda the best part about Camera Store Week: just chatting about photography with like-minded camera geeks. See if your local store is participating and pop in from September 14-27 – I really can’t recommend it highly enough.
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