Great deals and very knowledgeable staff. Bought my first DLSR camera from here and they spent the time to show me how to use it. Lots to learn, but will be back in the future.
I had a requirement of procuring photos 50 mm wide X 70 mm high (2 inches wide x 2- 3/4 inches long). At most of the conventional stores like Walgreens, Walmart, we get a standard size of 2*2. So I had to opt for a professional photographer to get custom size photos.And I’m glad I had chosen this place. Steve was great, very understanding of my requirement and gave the photos I needed.
I have known Everyone at Alexander’s for over 30 years... don’t believe the negative reviews... I have always been treated well by Marianne and Steve, and Mark is very nice... I actually worked for Steve for several years and probably would still be there, had the traveling division that I did work for not been sold to the employees ...Their employees and customers they treat like family..I can’t imagine Mark ever being rude... he is a very KIND man... he is a reserved until you get to know him...Everyone is very knowledgeable about photography and will help anyone from the novice on up...Alexander’s can help you with almost any need and if there is something that they don’t do, they can refer you to somewhere in town who CAN help you..
Steven Alexander was Fantastic! So was Devon as well! I just need gather my Film and Photos that I need to have him look at and I should be set!!!
I took in a picture that was not clear, fuzzy and not the original. When I got the picture back it was clear and sharp. Excellent work. Took them one day to get it done.
Very neat store! Stopped by on the way to Minnesota. I wasn’t necessarily in the market for a camera or equipment, but I always like to check out local shops while I’m traveling. Great selection of cameras, lenses, and accessories. Very knowledgeable and friendly staff. If you’re in the market for a new camera or accessories, please check them out and support small shops!
The people at Alexanders have been around for a long time and know what theyre doing. They are super responsive and helpful and their work it top-notch. Camera equipment is high quality and they offer many services out of their store in Valley Junction.
Go here first if youre interested in photography. The people here really know their stuff, listen to you carefully, and help you do whats right for you. Theres zero pressure to buy anything.
I just had Steve do some photo shooting to update pictures on my business website. I keep coming back to him because he brings the best out of me - energy, expression, and natural self. He is an absolute joy to work with and has your best interests at heart. I was amazed at the photos he came up with. I trust him to do the best for me. Thank you again, Steve. You are the best!
I first met Steve Alexander about 10 years ago when I took his photography class through West Des Moines community ed. He is a gifted teacher with a passion for photography. I have purchased many things at Alexanders Photo over the years. They stand behind the products they sell. The best thing about buying local? The personal customer service. When you purchase a product you get a lifeline to call when you have an issue! An example would be, I was on a whale watching expedition out on the ocean and was having issues. A quick phone call to Steve and my problem was solved! I have hired him to give me private lessons to better my photography skills as well. Steve, Mark and Mariann are incredible people, dont hesitate to stop in and get to know them. I think you will find the same thing I did at Alexander Photo, quality, top of the line equipment and products with fantastic customer service!
For anybody with a love for film, this is your shop! They have an amazing collection of film cameras from amateur to professional, old to new, 35mm to 4x5. Everything priced very fairly according to their condition, some perfect and some with limited features. They are very upfront with imperfect cameras and will tell you exactly whats wrong with it before you buy. They sell tons of film, both color and B&W, from Kodak to Illford to AgfaPhoto. They also do developing, which is outsourced, at a fair price with returning of negatives too. They also carry a large selection of Canon digital and Sigma products as well as doing rental services and photography classes as I hear. Overall this is an amazing camera shop! The staff is incredibly knowledgeable and funny, could talk with Steve for hours!
Exceptional!! The owner is extremely knowledgeable regarding all aspects of photography and very personable as well! They will have all my business with my photography needs!
Immediately after asking about a specific Canon L lens I was asked if I would consider Sigma instead. Not even a This lens is out of stock or anything, just straight to the Sigma lenses. I know Sigma have a higher profit margin and all, but I was asking for a professional level lens. The Sigma equivalent I had pushed onto me wasnt even from the art series and had awful local contrast.Be that as it may, this store is huge and has a very good selection of accessories and a great range, even more so if you shoot Nikon. Id still come back, even if not for lenses
I visited Alexander Photo in West Des Moines over a year ago when I broke the lens mounting on my D300 Nikon camera. Steve was extremely helpful in the avenues available for fixing a broken camera, never once trying to make a sale. I just called him a few minutes ago about taking his photography course through adult education. Once again he was very helpful on what would be taught and how I could make up classes when I was out of town. Great guy, and I look forward to taking his class.
Steve Alexander is a fantastic instructor! He knows so much about photography and cameras and is always willing to take the time to answer your questions. Give him your business!!
Im always loving the staff, and the customer service at Alexanders! Just bought a new Canon 90D. Thx guys!
The owner is amazing to work with and offers all his customers support if they need help with equipment. You dont get that from many places these days
I felt completely comfortable. No high pressure. Learned about my purchase and confident that I made the right decision.
So nice! Loved the guy who explained everything to us. Would highly recommended you coming here instead of other camera places.
Excellent camera store. Steven Alexander was very helpful. I purchased a pre-owned Sigma 10-20 mm f/4-5.6 lens for my Canon SL2/200D. Very happy with the price. Anxious to put it to use
This is the perfect shop to go to if you have individual eyes questions can do a lot better for you than YouTube.
I recently visited this store for the first time. I did not make a purchase, but the owner and the other person in the shop were extremely helpful and kind. We spent time speaking about photography courses and light boxes. He could not have been nicer. Although Alexanders did not have the particular light box I was searching for, I learned a lot just speaking with him. The other person working in the store told us about things going on this summer in the Valley Junction Community. The store carried a nice selection of photo gear. Thank you both for your time.
Steve is always helpful and knowledgeable. I have a couple cameras from him and have taken a class.
Wow super knowledgable. Nice.
I have permanent brain damage. Sometimes, well a lot of times people treat me as if Im an addict due to myself having a hard time communicating. My brain knows what it needs to say, but transferring that into verbal communication can be challenging. Mr. Mark was the gentleman whom I met and dealt with. Outstanding individual, and I felt welcomed. He took his time and patience, and that means a lot to me. To me, my EOS Rebel SL1 is a high end camera, money is hard for to gain, and my appearance not being of a higher standard often creates judgment. Not with this guy. Though I may not be able to afford some of their products, my lovely wife gave me two thumbs up to sign up for their photography class. Now that one is my priority :)Thank you sincerely Mr Mark ! Your a good people, and that within itself earned my business !PS.Im going to come and take that fixed telephoto zoom lens off your clearance shelf !! Lol
They develop color and B&W film, scan both sell both, 35 mm and120.
I was in the Des Moines area for work. I was excited to find a brick and mortar store ... until I walked in ... disappointing. Rude, pushy, made to feel a bit unwelcome after saying I was there to look around, not for a speicific purpose. I guess they must have a lot of theft or something, because it was constant survelliance and repeatedly asking if there was something they could help with. Based on what was on display it is alot of dated over prices products. Tons of small camera bags and cases, but not much in lens or camera bodies (other that old film stuff taht I think was only for display). Botton line it felt like they were looking down their noses because I wasnt there with a list of things to purchase. I also overheard camera sales talk / advice ... just wow on some of it. Worst of all when they seemed to be taking advantage of a guy who didnt know much so they were throwing all kinds of high mnark up with little practical use extras on the sale ... someone new to shooting DSLR does not need a bunch of filters and other stuff to start out. Especially more specialty shooting stuff ... but the credit card was out and they took advantage. One item wrang up at a price ... the salesman read it off to the customer and then suddenly stopped said wait thats not right ... several minutes went by while he said I dont know why that happened I am correcting it ... the new price was almost about 60% higher ... sorry but thats bad business. You dont tell someone it is __________ and then a minute or two later say oh wait thats wrong. It may well have been wrong, but there should have been some type of discount off the corrected price. Instead they guy went into why that item even though a higher price now was still a better buy then a similar item ... it just gave me pause ... I like to know the character of the business. Witnessing the way they treated this customer, I walked out knowing I wont spend a dime there in the future. I am about to buy close to $10K in Canon gear (replacing some stolen items) ... I wanted to give teh sale to the camera store versus an internet shop ... it will go to the internet shop now.
Very knowledgeable easy to work with. Explains equipment very well
Nice store but the gentleman working was very rude and treated me like an idiot. Im a newbie to photographyou and just wanted to make sure I was getting the right item.
Very helpful people and nice little selection.
Called to see if they had Manfrotto 055 carbon fiber in stock and the guy that answered said nope and just hung up. Was going to ask them if they had any other carbon fiber tripod in stock. Will be taking my business elsewhere.
They were very helpful and attentive to my need s
Employees are SO knowledgeable, helpful and a pleasure to work with!
Great store....everyone working there is great to work with.
Great people with great info and always willing to help!
If youre under the age of 20, good luck getting real service. So Rude.
Didnt scan my film after it was marked to do so. The guy always is bugging me for personal information too
Really rude over phone
Easy and convenient to rent a lense!!
Very friendly and helpful people
Very very helpful and friendly
Rudest pepple, no customer service what so ever
My favorite place to find cameras, accessories, film, order prints, or attend classes on photography. Very friendly staff that remember you!
Very helpful staff.
Very helpful
Good place
Great service
Excellent place
Hey .. Ok