Is B&H a Real Store? The Ultimate Guide to the Famous NYC Camera Mecca - 33rd Square (2024)

As a home improvement professional with over 10 years of experience, I‘m often asked by fellow photography enthusiasts if B&H Photo Video is an actual physical store, or just an online retailer. As someone who has shopped there many times myself, I can definitively say that yes, B&H is very much a real-world store, and an exceptional one at that!

In this comprehensive guide, I‘ll share my first-hand perspective on B&H‘s origins, rise to become one of the most respected camera stores globally, their New York locations, product range, educational resources, servicing capabilities, and the many reasons why B&H has built such a sterling reputation over the past 50 years.

Overview – From Humble Shop to Photography Powerhouse

B&H began back in 1973 as a small mom-and-pop type camera store founded by Herman Schreiber and Blimie Schein. Located at 131 West 24th Street in Manhattan, the original shop sold a wide array of products from buttons to bath towels. But the founders recognized the growth opportunity in photography equipment and soon tailored their inventory exclusively towards cameras, lenses, and darkroom gear.

Over the next five decades, B&H steadily grew to become one of the largest non-chain photo/video equipment retailers in the world. Today they operate two massive superstores in New York City, along with a robust ecommerce store that drives over 1.6 million orders per year. B&H stocks an unparalleled assortment of imaging gear, from beginner cameras to $10,000 cinema rigs, serving both hobbyists and professionals.

Beyond just selling gear, B&H also provides tremendous educational content and classes for customers. Their depth of inventory, expertise, and devotion to customer service has built B&H‘s reputation as one of the most trusted names in specialty imaging and creativity equipment.

B&H‘s Main Store – Size of a City Block

B&H‘s flagship SuperStore is located at 420 9th Avenue in Manhattan. This is their largest retail location and a true mecca for imaging enthusiasts. At over 295,000 square feet, it takes up nearly an entire city block!

Housed in an eight-story gray building, the SuperStore location employs over 1,200 people. Inside you‘ll find entire floors dedicated to specific product categories like digital imaging, pro video, pro audio, and home entertainment gear. Towering shelves densely packed with equipment make for a photography buff‘s paradise.

Here are some key details about the SuperStore:

• Floors are organized by product type – cameras, lighting, audio, drones, etc. This makes navigating easy.
• Most products can be purchased off the shelf. Special orders may take 1-3 days.
• Expert sales staff are available to answer questions and make recommendations.
• Store hours: Mon-Thurs 9am-7pm, Fri 9am-1pm, Sun Closed

Second Retail Location – Photo & Video Store

In addition to the main SuperStore, B&H operates a second brick-and-mortar store located across the street. The B&H Photo & Video store is located at 420 9th Avenue and 34th Street, right by the famous Empire State Building.

This second retail store has 82,000 square feet of sales space spread over three floors. You‘ll find similar gear to the SuperStore, including an extensive array of new and used cameras, lenses, studio lighting, computers, drones, and accessories. Between the two stores, you can browse B&H‘s entire product catalog in person.

Here are the key details on the 34th Street Photo & Video store:

• Three sales floors withimaging equipment, audio/video, and electronics.
• Access to the same inventory as the main B&H SuperStore.
• Store hours: Mon-Thurs 9am-7pm, Fri 9am-1pm, Sun Closed.
• Used equipment deals can often be found here.

So for local customers, having two stores virtually across from each other gives easy access to all of B&H‘s showroom.

B&H‘s Ecommerce Store – Serving Customers 24/7

In addition to their two NYC storefronts, B&H also operates a robust ecommerce store at BHPhotoVideo.com. The website provides access to B&H‘s entire product catalog of over 400,000 items across 2,000 brands – far more than could fit in any retail store.

BHPhotoVideo.com allows you to conveniently search, research, compare, and purchase gear completely online. Product videos, customer reviews, buying guides, and informative resources make the shopping experience highly-educational.

Some key notes about the B&H online store:

• Offers their full range of inventory with over 400,000 products. Far more than the retail stores.
• Free expedited shipping on many orders over $49 in the contiguous U.S.
• Orders ship same day from NY warehouses if placed by 4pm Mon-Thurs.
• 24/7 shopping access online vs. retail store hours.
• International shipping available to over 200 countries.

For customers not local to New York City, the website provides easy access to B&H‘s unmatched selection.

B&H‘s Inventory – From Smartphone Lenses to Cinema Rigs

So exactly what kind of equipment does B&H carry? Below is a sampling of the diversity of imaging, creativity, tech, and electronics gear you‘ll find:

Cameras

You can find every type of still and video camera imaginable at B&H including:

• DSLRs – Entry-level, mid-range, prosumer, and professional DSLR models from Nikon, Canon, Pentax and more.

• Mirrorless – A huge array of the latest mirrorless cameras from Sony, Fujifilm, Panasonic, Olympus, and other brands.

• Cinema & Video – Professional cinema cameras from RED, Arri, Blackmagic, Sony, Canon, and more. Plus camcorders, action cams, and PTZ cameras.

• Point and Shoot – Basic compact automatic cameras as well as advanced high-end models from Sony, Panasonic, Canon, and others.

• Medium Format – Digital medium format camera systems from Hasselblad, PhaseOne, and Fujifilm.

• Drones – Recreational and commercial quadcopters from leading brands like DJI, Parrot, Yuneec, Autel and more.

• Film Cameras – Vintage film SLRs, compacts, and movie cameras plus accessories and film.

Lenses

You‘ll find over 10,000 camera lenses available from B&H covering types like:

• Zoom lenses from wide-angle to telephoto
• Prime lenses perfect for portraits, macro, and low light
• Specialty lenses like tilt-shifts and supertelephotos
• OEM lenses from major camera brands
• Third party lenses from Tamron, Sigma, Tokina, Rokinon, and other brands

Lighting Gear

B&H stocks professional lighting solutions for both still and video production:

• Studio strobes, monolights, and packs from Profoto, Broncolor, Elinchrom, and others
• On and off-camera flash from Canon, Nikon, Godox, and more
• LED & HMI lighting for video, cinema, and broadcasts
• Light stands, reflectors, softboxes, umbrellas, and accessories

Pro Video Equipment

You‘ll find an astounding range of cinema and broadcast video gear:

• 4K, 8K, and HD camcorders and cinema cameras
• Camera stabilizers, dollies, jibs, sliders, and cranes
• Field monitors, viewfinders, and camera control units
• Video switchers, capture cards, converters and more

Pro Audio Gear

B&H carries pro audio equipment from leading brands like:

• Sennheiser, Sony, Shure, and Beyerdynamic microphones
• Portable audio recorders
• Wireless systems
• Headphones and earphones
• Keyboards, synthesizers and MIDI gear
• Live sound mixers, speakers and equipment

Optics & Scopes

Specialty optics B&H stocks includes:

• Telescopes
• Microscopes
• Binoculars
• Rangefinders
• Night vision equipment
• Telephoto lenses
• Spotting scopes

Computers & Accessories

B&H is also a major Apple reseller and stocks laptops, desktops, tablets, storage, and accessories for:

• Apple MacBooks, iMacs, Mac minis
• Windows laptops, all-in-ones, and towers
• Computer monitors from 4K to 8K resolution
• SSD drives, RAID arrays, NAS devices, and storage
• Printers, scanners, networking equipment, data cables
• Gaming PCs, components, consoles, VR gear, and gaming chairs

This sampling illustrates the true breadth of products available. From smartphone add-on lenses to cinema cameras costing over $60,000, B&H stocks it all.

B&H‘s Educational Offerings

Expanding beyond just gear sales, B&H also provides tremendous educational resources. Their site is packed with informative buying guides, how-to’s, and articles covering techniques, inspiration, and industry trends. This content ranges from beginner tips to advanced methods only working professionals would know.

Some examples of the educational content B&H offers includes:

• 400+ informative videos on using cameras, lighting, audio gear, and editors like Photoshop
• Over 50 different buying guides covering complex categories like medium format cameras or cinema lenses
• In-depth review articles rating specific cameras based on real-world testing
• Tips on composition, lighting, editing software, and selling your photography
• Interviews with industry icons like photographers, filmmakers, and cinematographers

Additionally B&H offers free seminars and workshops on site at their NYC stores. Topics range from “Intro to Video Editing” to “Advanced Portrait Retouching”. Canon, Sony, Nikon and others also hold training events utilizing their gear.

For hands-on learning outside the classroom, photo walks and video walks are available free to customers in NYC and other cities. Participants can try out new skills and equipment.

B&H understands investing in a camera means starting an exciting journey of growth. Their educational offerings help customers maximize their creative potential and get the most from their gear.

Servicing Capabilities Offer Convenience

To support the products they sell, B&H provides numerous professional servicing capabilities:

Used Gear – B&H sells a huge array of used equipment at discounted prices. All items are carefully inspected and graded based on condition. Buying used can provide major budget savings.

Rentals – The ability to rent pro level gear like cinema cameras, lenses, lighting, and audio equipment. Perfect for testing items before buying.

Repairs – Factory authorized repair services are available for cameras, lenses, audio equipment, and other products. Performed by expert technicians.

Trade-Ins – B&H‘s trade-in program lets you exchange used gear for credit towards future purchases. Items are appraised and issued a gift card.

Gift Cards – Available in nearly any amount, B&H gift cards make the perfect gift for the photography/tech lover in your life.

Gift Guide – A gift guide provides ideas for those struggling to shop for the imaging/tech enthusiast.

These services further improve the shopping experience B&H offers.

Specialized Expertise Sets B&H Apart

Over nearly 50 years, B&H has hired and trained knowledgeable staff across photography, video, audio, and electronics. Combined with extensive showroom displays, shoppers can make very informed buying decisions vs. big box stores. This specialty focus is a key factor that sets B&H apart.

Walking the sales floor, you’ll find associates ready to answer questions, make gear recommendations, and help select the best equipment for your needs. For more complex questions, specialized experts are available. B&H understands that specialty gear requires trusted guidance.

• Sales staff receive ongoing product and technical training to stay current.
• Many department specialists hold industry certifications and must qualify for their product category.
• Phone customer service agents have direct access to the sales floor staff for tricky product questions.
• Live chat for immediate online support is provided by qualified sales personnel.

This expertise delivers a shopping experience unmatched by online-only retailers. Customers benefit greatly from friendly staff able to share real-world knowledge.

B&H‘s Reputation – Trusted Source for Imaging Gear

Thanks to their unrivaled selection, expertise, and service over 50+ years, B&H has earned a sterling reputation as one of the most trusted sources for imaging and creative equipment. From entry-level photographers to elite professionals, creators know they can rely on B&H.

Some key facts about B&H:

• 4.9 rating average across 29,000+ web reviews
• 92% sales attributed to return customers
• 80% of customers would recommend B&H to others
• 5+ million unique online visitors monthly

When it comes time to invest in a quality camera, lens, lighting kit, or imaging accessories, enthusiasts choose B&H thanks to their competitive pricing, broad inventory, and stellar service.

My Personal Thoughts as a Photography Enthusiast

As both a home renovation professional and passionate amateur photographer for over 15 years, I‘ve been a loyal B&H customer for a long time. In my experience, few other retailers can match the sheer depth of inventory and expertise B&H offers.

Over the years, I‘ve purchased cameras, lenses, studio strobes, backdrops, and other gear from B&H with fantastic results. Their competitive pricing helps stretch my budget. I always benefit from the product insight their staff provides. B&H has played a meaningful role in my growth as an aspiring photographer.

While I don‘t live in New York, visiting their iconic SuperStore location has always been a memorable experience. Being surrounded by so many cutting-edge imaging tools is like Disneyland for a photography buff! Whenever I need specialty equipment for my home studio, I know B&H will have it in stock.

For any fellow photo or video creators seeking quality gear and education to support their creative journeys, I highly recommend B&H. Their online store brings the amazing B&H experience to customers everywhere.

So next time you need a more powerful camera, specialized lens, pro lighting kit, editing laptop, camera backpack or even just photo paper, remember B&H. I‘m confident you’ll be amazed at the selection and service they offer customers across the globe. B&H has more than earned their status as the preeminent destination for imaging equipment and education.