About Us
Our proud heritage extends beyond expertise in photography and optics to a desire to always provide exceptional customer service, sound advice and the best value we can. At a time when surviving as an independent retailer is more challenging than ever, we understand that customers value our unique services and friendly, face-to-face interaction which can’t be found online, at a general electronics outlet or a department store.
Our Story Begins In 1952
Campkins Cameras is not just a business, it's a piece of Cambridge's history. With a lineage dating back to the early 1800s, we are an independent, family-run retail store specialising in the sale of new and second-hand cameras, binoculars and telescopes. Over the years, we've adapted, evolved, and grown - but always kept our roots firmly in Cambridge's High Street, serving the optical and photographic needs of our community.
Meet Owen Howell - Our Proud Owner
Campkins Cameras has been guided by the capable hands of the Howell family for three generations. Today, Owen Howell, born into the business, continues to uphold the values and traditions set by his father, Barry, and grandfather, Tom. As current owner and manager, Owen leads a team of highly skilled and passionate employees, all practising photographers with over 50 years of combined photography experience.
Our Legacy
Our journey as Campkins started long before we became a beloved fixture of Cambridge's high street. The name 'Campkin' was first associated with a chemist's shop in the early 1800s. The transformation from chemist to photography hub began when Owen's grandfather joined the business in the 1930s or '40s. He set up a darkroom in the attic of the Rose Crescent shop and started offering film development, subtly shifting the business's focus towards photography.
With the passage of time and changing of hands, the Campkins legacy expanded from a small chemist's shop to various other locations throughout England and Ireland. But Cambridge has always remained our home, our heart. Our original shop was located at Rose Crescent, but now you can find us at King's Parade, and we're proud to say the view is marvellous!
Resilience and Innovation
Our longstanding history and continuing presence on the high street is a testament to our resilience and adaptability. We've navigated the challenges of modern-day retail, from the rise of e-commerce to the impacts of the pandemic, and we're still here, serving our customers with the same passion and dedication as ever.
At Campkins Cameras, we cherish our past, embrace the present, and look forward to a future full of possibilities. As an independent retailer, we strive to offer a unique, personalised service that's rooted in our deep love for photography and the local community.
We invite you to join us in our journey, share in our passion, and be part of the Campkins family. Here's to the next chapter in our remarkable story!