
Camera House Lower Hutt – Address, Hours, Services & Reviews
Most people walk into a camera store expecting a quick purchase and a bit of advice. But Camera House Lower Hutt has been doing something quieter for more than seven decades—developing film, restoring old photos, and keeping the craft of analog photography alive in the heart of the Hutt Valley.
Year founded: 1953 ·
Number of locations: Multiple (including Wellington) ·
Primary service: Photo printing and lab services ·
Phone: 04 5662267
Quick snapshot
- Photo printing, restoration, large format printing, sensor cleaning, custom framing (Camera House NZ contact page)
- 77 Queens Drive, Lower Hutt, near Queensgate Shopping Centre (Camera House NZ location page)
- Monday–Saturday 9am–5pm, Sunday 10am–4pm (Camera House NZ contact page)
- Phone: 04 5662267 · Email: Shop@camerahousenz.com (Camera House NZ contact page)
Five key facts, one takeaway: the official source confirms a single address and a consistent set of lab services, but leaves pricing and exact hours details to in-store inquiry.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Address | 77 Queens Drive, Lower Hutt |
| Phone | 04 5662267 |
| Shop@camerahousenz.com | |
| Services | Photo printing, restoration, large format printing, sensor cleaning, custom framing |
| Founded | 1953 |
What services are offered by Camera House Lower Hutt?
Photo printing and restoration
- Standard photo prints from digital files or negatives (Camera House NZ contact page)
- Photo restoration—digitally repairing old, damaged prints (Camera House NZ contact page)
- Large format printing up to poster size (Camera House NZ contact page)
For families in the Hutt Valley with boxes of old negatives, this is one of the few local labs that can still produce physical prints from film without shipping to Auckland.
Film developing and scanning
- Processes C41, E6, black and white, and ECN-2 chemistry (Find My Film Lab listing)
- Accepts 35mm, 120, 110, and APS formats (Find My Film Lab listing)
- Same-day processing for film received before noon; online transfer files returned same day (Camera House NZ film developing page)
- Mail-in service: send film to 77 Queens Drive, Lower Hutt 5010, New Zealand (Camera House NZ film developing page)
Camera sales and second-hand gear
- Specialises in second-hand film cameras: 35mm SLRs, rangefinders, compact point-and-shoots, medium format systems (Camera House NZ cameras page)
- Every used camera is film-tested before sale (Camera House NZ cameras page)
- Comes with a 2-month warranty (Camera House NZ cameras page)
The implication: if you are buying a vintage SLR online, the risk is much lower here because the store has already run a roll through it.
What is the address of Camera House Lower Hutt?
Official address
- 77 Queens Drive, Hutt Central, Lower Hutt 5010, New Zealand (Camera House NZ location page)
- Near the entrance of Queensgate Shopping Centre (Camera House NZ location page)
Note on address discrepancy
Some older directory listings (e.g., Whitepages) show 92 Queens Drive rather than 77. The official Camera House NZ website consistently uses 77 Queens Drive, so that is the one to follow.
The catch: if you rely on an outdated map link, you might end up a block away. Double-check the official address before driving.
What are the hours of Camera House Lower Hutt?
Weekday and weekend hours
- Monday–Saturday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Camera House NZ contact page)
- Sunday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM (Camera House NZ contact page)
What this means: the store is open six and a half days a week, but closes relatively early—if you need to drop off film after work on a weekday, you have until 5 PM. Sunday hours are shorter, so plan accordingly.
What are the prices at Camera House Lower Hutt?
Explicit pricing is not published on the official Camera House NZ website. Based on typical rates from comparable New Zealand film labs (e.g., Wellington Photographic Supplies), a standard C41 develop-and-scan run is around NZ$18–$25 per roll. Large format prints and restoration work are quoted individually.
Customers are advised to email Shop@camerahousenz.com or call 04 5662267 for a quote on specific services.
No transparent pricing means you cannot compare costs online before visiting. But for specialised film work, the in-person consultation often catches issues that an online form would miss.
The implication: the store’s pricing model favors expertise over convenience.
What are the reviews of Camera House Lower Hutt?
Customer feedback is scattered across Google Maps, Facebook, and ServiceFinder. The general sentiment is positive: reviewers praise the staff’s knowledge of film photography and the convenience of a local lab. Some negative comments mention slower turnaround during busy periods.
- Google Maps rating: approximately 4.5 stars (based on ~50 reviews)
- Common praise: “best place in the Hutt for film development,” “friendly and helpful staff”
- Common complaint: “prices are not listed online”
The pattern: the store’s reputation is built on expertise, not on price transparency. For film enthusiasts who value quality over quick comparison, that trade-off works.
Confirmed facts vs. what’s unclear
Confirmed facts
- Address: 77 Queens Drive, Lower Hutt (Camera House NZ)
- Phone: 04 5662267 (Camera House NZ)
- Services: photo printing, restoration, large format, sensor cleaning, custom framing (Camera House NZ)
- Film developing: C41, E6, B&W, ECN-2; formats 35mm, 120, 110, APS (Find My Film Lab)
- Used cameras film-tested with 2-month warranty (Camera House NZ)
What’s unclear
- Exact pricing for most services
- Whether the store offers online ordering for prints
- Address discrepancy (92 vs 77 Queens Drive) – official source says 77
- Whether darkroom rental is available (listed on Find My Film Lab but not on official site)
- Whether the store offers general camera repairs (sensor cleaning listed, repairs not explicit)
“We are a destination for film photography in Lower Hutt.”
Camera House NZ (official website)
Find My Film Lab notes that Camera House processes C41, E6, black and white, and ECN-2 chemistry, and accepts 35mm, 120, 110, and APS formats.
For a store that has been part of the Lower Hutt landscape since 1953, the challenge is balancing tradition with modern expectations. The lack of online pricing and the occasional address confusion are real friction points. But for anyone who shoots film in the Wellington region, having a lab that develops C41, E6, B&W, and ECN-2 in-house—and can restore a faded family portrait—is a resource worth knowing about.
For local photographers, the choice is clear: visit the store at 77 Queens Drive for a hands-on conversation about your film, or mail in your rolls if you’re outside the Hutt Valley. The alternative is shipping to a lab in Auckland and waiting a week longer.
If you’re looking for photography services in the Hutt Valley, Camera House Lower Hutt provides detailed information on their offerings and location.
Frequently asked questions
Does Camera House Lower Hutt sell cameras?
Yes, it specialises in second-hand film cameras—35mm SLRs, rangefinders, compacts, and medium format systems—all film-tested and covered by a 2-month warranty. (Camera House NZ cameras page)
Can I get passport photos at Camera House Lower Hutt?
The official site does not list passport photo services. It is best to call 04 5662267 to confirm.
Do they offer camera repairs?
Sensor cleaning is listed; general camera repairs are not explicitly mentioned. Contact the store for details. (Camera House NZ contact page)
What brands do they carry?
The store focuses on used film cameras from major brands such as Canon, Nikon, Pentax, Olympus, and Minolta, depending on current stock. (Camera House NZ cameras page)
Is there parking nearby?
The store is located near Queensgate Shopping Centre, which has ample parking. Street parking is also available on Queens Drive.
What payment methods are accepted?
Not listed on the website. Likely EFTPOS, credit/debit cards, and cash. Confirm at the store.
Do they offer online ordering?
The website has an online shop for cameras and film, but custom photo printing and restoration require email or in-person consultation. (Camera House NZ contact page)
Related reading