Before going any further, I want to make one thing absolutely clear, this is NOT an advert or a paid post. It has NOTHING to do with sponsorships or promotions. I simply want to highlight independent photography shops and the fantastic work they do. Whenever we have the chance, we should support them.

With that said, Clock Tower Cameras in Brighton is one of those rare gems that has stood the test of time. Established in 1992 by two former photographic retail employees, the shop began in a tiny unit near Brighton’s iconic Clock Tower before moving to its current location on Church Street. Over the decades, it has become a much-loved institution among photographers, both amateur and professional. In an era where high-street camera shops have almost disappeared, Clock Tower Cameras continues to thrive, thanks to its deep industry knowledge, passion for photography, and unwavering commitment to its customers.

Unlike mainstream retailers, Clock Tower Cameras doesn’t chase the latest digital trends. Instead, it has carved out a niche in second-hand and vintage equipment, catering to the growing demand for film cameras and classic lenses. The shop is an Aladdin’s cave for photography enthusiasts, with shelves packed full of everything from manual SLRs to medium format cameras. Whether you’re a student looking for an affordable film camera or a professional searching for a rare lens, this place has something for everyone.

The resurgence of film photography has played a huge part in Clock Tower Cameras’ continued success. Many young photographers, tired of the instant nature of digital and smartphone photography, are rediscovering the charm of film. Many start with disposable cameras before moving on to compact models or SLRs, and Clock Tower Cameras has been there to guide them every step of the way. Their expert staff don’t just sell cameras—they educate, advise, and share their love of photography in a way that big retailers simply can’t match.

I recently had the pleasure of interviewing the team at Clock Tower Cameras for my Independent Photography Shop Spotlight series. They shared insights into the evolution of the industry, the revival of film, and the challenges of running an independent shop in a digital age. Below, you’ll find our full Q&A, offering a deeper look into why this shop has remained a cornerstone of Brighton’s photography scene for over 30 years.

When was Clock Tower Cameras established, and what inspired its creation?

The shop was opened in 1992 at a tiny unit in Air Street right next to Brighton’s Clock Tower, and a few years later we moved slightly further away to the Church Street site where the shop remains to this day. The two partners who opened the shop both came from photographic retail backgrounds, and were keen to break away from the mainstream and start up as an independent.

How has the shop evolved over the years?

Being honest, our shop has remained very little changed! Some of what’s on the shelf has of course evolved, and the way in which we broadcast what’s on those shelves now takes advantage of the way communication technology has evolved. But we’ve always focused on excellent customer service backed by in depth knowledge, helping customers decide between different options for both entry and professional level equipment, and that’s not changed in the slightest.

How has the photography industry changed since you first opened?

The shop’s been here long enough to see the passing of the torch from film to digital, and then somewhat back again! Many businesses like ours completely bought into the digital in the late 90s and early 2000s, and were then left somewhat at the mercy of the manufacturers and wholesalers pricing to make often very slim margins. We were a bit more cautious, retaining a lot of analogue stock and slowly bringing in digital, and it helped that we have always been primarily a used equipment store as opposed to selling lots of new high price new equipment. Then when the interest in analogue photography began to make a comeback from around 2010 onwards, we were well placed to work with that, and may of the other camera shops in our area had since either shut, or has subsequently been bought by Jessops and then also been shut when they went bust.!

Have you seen an increase in younger photographers embracing film photography?

Of course, this has been happening for many years now. We find here a combination of younger people coming to our shop due to the fact they are studying photography for GCSE/ A-Level and needs a film camera to get started, and then those who have got bored of the clinical nature of snapping away on a smartphone or digital camera, and are curious to see what film involves. Often this will start with taking a disposable film camera on a holiday or to a party and enjoying reliving it a week later when they get their photos back, which for those having grown up in a digital world is a complete novelty. From there they then look at upping the quality and get a compact camera, and the perhaps an SLR after that.

How has smartphone photography affected traditional camera sales?

Basing things just from our experience, there is still a market for “proper” cameras despite the ever increasing quality of smartphones. I’m sure that fewer people own cameras than they did in the past, but despite that there is still a market for the analogue equipment, and not just curious younger people, but also professionals running bespoke projects. The digital SLR still has an adaptability and quality that smartphones still fail to rival, but the convenience factor coupled with rising quality will most likely continue to whittle the market lower and lower.

What are your thoughts on the future of the photography industry?

We are seeing more and more people that want a compact camera that can offer really high quality video and pictures, so I suppose this tend will continue.

What are some of the biggest challenges facing independent camera shops today?

The same as many other high street shops, lower physical spend and higher online. I think more and more camera shops will need to lean in to providing what the online world can’t (as easily) do which is the chance for people to physically hold the camera, see how it feels, even take test shots. Ask a person face to face about their opinions & advice in a focused way, doing this online is so prone to ending up down rabbit holes steered by algorithmic browsing and blogger trends. Often people come into the shop feeling overwhelmed by the amount of information (often conflicting) they find online, and just need to ask a few direct questions, and get a few direct answers.

How do you decide what brands and models to carry?

Different models are carried into the shop by people wanting to sell them to us..!

What’s one mistake many beginner photographers make when buying gear?

If we’re taking about people buying digital, perhaps a common one is buying a very new model, either new or used, that is maybe over spec for what they need. There is such a large back catalogue now you can get excellent spec cameras without going with the latest thing. For people getting into film, often the most popular cameras are the classic manual, metal body series like Nikon FM2, Olympus OM1, Canon AE1 etc, which are lovely things, but are now quite expensive. You can get some excellent autofocus film SLRs for often well under half the price of the more popular manual stuff, and they are technically better cameras, if perhaps not quite as well made. 

If you could give one piece of advice to someone looking to support independent camera shops, what would it be?

Find you nearest one and see what they’ve got!

• Check them out below:-
• Website – https://www.clocktowercameras.co.uk
• Twitter/X – https://x.com/clocktwrcameras
• Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/ClockTowerCameras
• Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/clocktowercameras

Regards

Alex