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Should I use Calumet Photo?

German photo and video retail specialist (Calumet Photo Video GmbH) - calumetphoto.de

Depends. This is a legitimate German camera and video retailer with physical stores, rentals, and B2B service — a fine choice if you are in Germany or the UK buying gear. Skip it if you are outside those markets (the US arm went bankrupt in 2014 and closed by 2016) or if you expected a software tool.

Confidence

Medium. Based on 12+ public sources; most snippets truncated, and US legacy reviews are entangled with the active German business.

Ratings

  • Value for moneyNo pricing data in evidence
  • Ease of useNo usability evidence found
  • Feature depth
  • Support quality
  • Security postureNo findings in reviewed sources

Pricing

Not disclosed

ModelNot disclosed
Monthly feesNot disclosed
HardwareNot disclosed

Best for

  • German/UK photographers buying cameras and lighting
  • Studios needing rental equipment
  • B2B gear procurement
  • Leica shoppers wanting a dealer counter

Not for

  • Tool buyers — this is a shop, not software
  • US buyers — American stores closed after 2014 bankruptcy
  • Anyone outside Germany/UK wanting in-person service
  • Price-only shoppers; compare against B&H or MPB first

Gotchas - check before you buy

medium

Brand split: US Calumet died 2014; is the separate German successor — online reviews mix both.

medium

ResellerRatings and Yelp reviews largely cover the closed US operation, not the German shops.

low

No published price tiers; retail prices vary — comparison-shop against MPB or B&H.

low

No security page found on; no public security disclosures.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Long-running specialist retailer; brand's run began 1939
  • 14 European stores plus online shops
  • Authorized Leica dealer with in-store expert advice
  • Rentals and B2B procurement, not just sales
  • Runs three online shops on modern Shopware platform

Cons

  • US parent filed bankruptcy in March 2014
  • Last US stores closed 2016, ending 77-year run
  • Some US photographers voice trust concerns post-bankruptcy

Sources & method

Analyzed 10/03/2026 - 12 sources - No known vulnerabilities found in the sources reviewed.

official x5review x4security x1news x2

Key stats

  • Feature depth: 4/5

    Rating

  • Not disclosed

    Starting price

  • 12

    Sources

  • Analyzed

  • Value for money. No pricing data in evidence
  • Ease of use. No usability evidence found
  • Feature depth: 4/5. Wide gear range, rentals, B2B per sources
  • Support quality: 3/5. Guess: review sites exist, ratings unclear
  • Security posture. No findings in reviewed sources
  • 14 Physical stores across Europe, per official Instagram
  • 73 ResellerRatings reviews legacy US store, now closed
  • 1939 Trading since brand's run began in Chicago

Pricing

Not disclosed

Security

No known vulnerabilities found in the sources reviewed.

What users say

Reviews exist on Trustpilot, ResellerRatings, and Yelp, but the sources surface no clear ratings and the most visible US feedback concerns the now-closed operation.

Full analysis

Based on 12+ public sources; most snippets truncated, and US legacy reviews are entangled with the active German business.

It's a German camera shop, not software: solid for DE/UK photographers, but the US arm died in 2014.

Methodology

Based on 12+ public sources; most snippets truncated, and US legacy reviews are entangled with the active German business.

Sources

  1. Calumet Photo Video Reviewstrustpilot.com
    review
  2. Calumet Photo.com Reviews — ResellerRatingsresellerratings.com
    review
  3. Calumet Photo's Last 3 Shops Close, Ending Run That Began 1939dnainfo.com
    news
  4. Calumet Photographic bankruptcy filing, Case 14-08908 (March 2014)photobusinessforum.com
    news
  5. Calumet Photographic UK statement on US closurefacebook.com
    official
  6. About us — Calumet Photo Videocalumet.info
    official
  7. How Calumet drives digital growth in photo and video retail (Shopware case study)shopware.com
    official
  8. Calumet Photo Video Essen — Leica dealer listingleica-camera.com
    official
  9. Calumet Photographic (@calumetphoto) Instagraminstagram.com
    official
  10. Top Calumet Photographic Alternatives, Competitors (CB Insights)cbinsights.com
    review
  11. What online retailers do you trust besides B&H or Adorama? — r/photographyreddit.com
    review
  12. Security page — calumetphoto.decalumetphoto.de
    security

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