Glass Key Photo

Can’t say enough about Matt and Gordon. They know and love film and film cameras as much or more than anyone who comes into the shop. They’ll have a camera there to meet just about anyone’s need or budget. They’ve got some cheap stuff and some really beautiful and sometimes rare things. If you don’t see it, ask them. Support these guys, there’s no other shop like this in SF.

Excellent camera shop! The manager was extremely helpful in providing hands-​on instruction of how to use a vintage 1939 camera (family heirloom). Their prices are also quite reasonable for the high level of service, absolutely recommend for camera enthusiasts and amateur photographers alike!

This shop is my go to for everything film related. They always have an array of fresh and expired film available (in almost all still relevant sizes) for sale along with tons of used (and tested for accuracy) cameras, lenses, accessories etc. The two owners are extremely knowledgeable when it comes to processing and repairs. I always leave learning something new and they always have a few rare cameras for sale. If your looking for something you don’t see on a shelf just ask. I purchased an awesome Fuji GA645Wi Pro they had hiding in the back because they ran out of shelf space. If you’re in or near SF and you shoot film, don’t pass this store up because it’s the best in the bay.

The best of the best!!! I wish we have this store in New York. It’s the best!!! I have nothing to say. They are the best. They ALWAYS make sure customers leave the store with happy face. Ask anything they would answer you. I found my MAMIYA which I was looking for eBay, yahoo auction, Craigslist for a while and could not find till I found this store. THANK YOU!!!

I went here because I needed some film, this was my first time here and I’m happy I did the o stall experience was great, the store itself has a great selection of film cameras and films to choose from the staff was friendly and happy to help so I recommend people go and check them out.

Great place to buy film! I’ve brought two different film cameras here for minor repairs, though, and both times I was told that the camera «wasn’t worth repairing.» Which would maybe be true if cost were the only factor, but even after explaining that the cameras had more value to me then just their replacement cost they weren’t willing to discuss what repair might cost. It turned out, after some careful conversation, that they just don’t know how to repair the parts that needed, and suggested I go online to find someone that could. Which worked out just fine for me, but I find it pretty patronizing to be told that the thing I want to do isn’t worth it, when in fact they don’t know how to do the thing. Anyway, not for repairs, but great for film!

Buy all of your analog film cameras here. The customer service is top notch. Support local businesses.

Needed help with my camera and it got fixed right away! Nice space and great service.

If you’re in the Bay Area — or even if you aren’t — I highly recommend Glass Key Photo. I became interested recently in fulfilling a ‘bucket list’ desire to explore MEDIUM FORMAT photography. I’ve wanted to do it since I was an adolescent shooting with my Canon AE-​1. I began to explore them online and even bid on one on eBay — then decided to try local. I happened upon Glass Key, called to see if they had the Mamiya 645 PRO TL that I wanted and they did. In fact, Matt had pulled his entire inventory of them and had them waiting on the counter when I arrived. SweeT.
The selection, information, and education were great, the service superb, and I even enjoyed chatting with the locals who stopped in to re-​up on their film. Excellent Service, great experience and a fair price. Doesn’t get better!
I’ll probably drive into the City from Berkeley for my film next time — just because. Highly recommended! Lisa

Came in to buy the missing rings and lens cap to my Pentax K1000. It was only $ 3.25 for the replacement lens cap and the two rings were free. Thank you for the awesome service Gordon!

This place is really great. I recently came into an old Pentax film camera, and had absolutely no idea how to use it. Total photography noob here. My camera needed batteries, film, and a strap, and I needed lessons. Matt helped me out, and was super accommodating. He explained the basics to me — aperture, lenses, etc, and also told me where I could get my film developed. Sweet selection of vintage straps in the store too. All in all a great experience, and I’ll be back for all my photography needs.

I came here yesterday and I absolutely LOVED it. I recently bought an analog light meter, but I did not know how to use it, so I came here to see if they could help me to understand how to use it and to get new film as well.
The shop has an unique look to it. It has a nice funky, hip façade red and grey façade and a small that was dominated with cases that displayed vintage cameras that rose out the ground. The combination oddly complemented each other.
When I stopped by, there were two working employees. I came on a Saturday afternoon and there was 3 – 5 people wandering around. Both employees were servicing customers so I looked around at the vintage cameras they had. Once one of the employees finished, I walked up to him and asked if he knew how to use a light meter. I pulled out my light meter, but it turns out that he did not know to use my light meter model. He experimented with the light meter for a but and he quickly figured out how to read the light meter. He then showed me how to use and read the light meter!
Another reason for my visit was color film. I’ve been shooting with Tmax film and I wanted to experiment with color film. I have done my research on the different types of color film and I wanted to go to the shop to get the real beef from them. They have a refrigerator full of film. However, there is not a large variety. If I recall correctly, there was about 4 – 5 color films. But rest assured because I saw all the popular films, from brands from Kodak to Ilford. He happily explained the unique aspects of each film and I happily settled with buying a roll of the Ektar.
The only reason why I gave this place 4 stars is because of the price. Whenever I buy my film, I usually buy online, where it is much cheaper. The Ektar is usually about 5 dollars online but her I payed around 7 dollars (that includes tax). I knew that around the time I payed and I payed happily because of the knowledge they provided on my light meter and to support local business (but mostly to support local businesses).

These guys f’ing rock!
Just made the jump to film after years of the soul-​less, instant gratification of digital, and these guys helped guide me to get my beautiful Hasselblad 500c/​m medium format camera. I had a slight issue with the camera, I popped in there, and we trouble shooted it together to determine it was a film issue.
If you shoot film and need gear or film, go see Matt & Gordon. Support this awesome little gem of a shop.

So I’m really glad I found this place. I wanted to get my friend a Polaroid camera before she went off to college and man oh man this was the place for me! I was so shocked at how inexpensive the Polaroid 600 cameras were that I bought two with film for both. The two guys there were nice and helpful. whenever I’m in town I will definitely be coming back.
Keep the good service up guys!

Matt & Gordon are AWESOME! I purchased a Polaroid 100 Land Camera two years ago, bought a new battery, some film, and sadly could never get this bird to fly. Today I got the wild hair to try troubleshooting again.
Matt ran it through the full court press of testing, Gordon showed me a step by step operations primer, they took 30 mins to an hour with me– it was super.
Well, except that I had, sadly, purchased a camera beyond cost effective repair. They saw the heartbreak on my face and suggested a few very reasonably priced models that I could use my already-​purchased-​film to play with.
In the end they offered me a great deal on the same model I brought in (with the fantastic bonus of a standardized battery modification). And, now I’m super psyched to enjoy my new-​to-​me toy.
Thanks again, gents! Looking forward to coming back by for my polaroid needs!

Cool little store with a lot to offer. I got my hands on some really good cameras. I’m really happy with my new Canon AE-​1 and Nikkormat Ft2. Matt is a really cool dude and answered every question that I had. Not to mention how insanely good the prices were. I never thought I’d get such good deals. Especially since they service the cameras before selling. Great selection here too. I actually had a hard time deciding between the two cameras, so I got them both! Haha. I’d definitely come back here again. It’s nice to see film being kept alive by this place.

One of the best camera store I have been to in California. Being around the cities of LA and SF, I have been to quite a few camera stores and for the most part they are hugely over priced, treat customers poorly, and have little actual merchandise. This store is a pleasant surprise.
It offers a good selection of analog cameras to choose from ranging from large to 35 mm. I personally bought a couple of their pins with photography brand logos and a couple rolls of fuji400h and portra400 for 120 mm. There were a couple of more people asking about their sx-​70, and talking about their cameras and films. Pretty cool vibe from the place, and the person at the counter was willing to help you out.
Some nice artwork on the walls, and a variety of other analog goodies that you can peep at. I’ll be visiting this place ever so often, because they sell their films at a reasonable price, very close to ordering from a place like bh actually, only a couple cents more, but you just have to remember bh has shipping charges. I’d rather support this store than save a few cents by going online.
Really nice store, tucked into a really nice area. Also, my friend bought a bong across the street, lol.

What a great shop with phenomenal personality! If you are interested in photography this is a place you must visit. Shooting with film? Yup Glass Key’s got you covered!
they have everything an analog geek would need. bought multiple things from here and havent had any issues with the gear. this is one of the city’s hidden gems for sure.

An excellent little photo shop with a collection of film cameras (medium and large format as well) comparable to a small museum.
A well stocked and reasonably priced collection of photographic (Ilford) papers was a delight to see. The shop doubles as a gallery, and one could spend a long long time admiring the photos and cameras while chatting with a very friendly staff.

This place is flat-​out awesome and Matt is even better. Long story short, I have never walked in there and not found exactly what I am looking for. If it has to do with film photography, they seem to have it.
Though I’ve never purchased any used gear from them, they definitely get in some nice things and they are always priced very competitively. In talking to Matt, he has always openly indicated a willingness to be flexible when it comes to pricing of used gear. Seriously, just a very reasonable guy that provides first-​class service.
Owner-​operated places like this is what makes SF the center of the universe. I’d be lying if I said I never shopped at big box stores like B&H and Adorama, but it really is important to keep places like this around. Just talking to Matt and picking his brain is worth something incredibly valuable, and that is something that you’ll never get at the large, impersonal box stores.
Seriously, if you are a film photography nerd (you know who you are — we taught you the secret handshake), this place should be hard-​coded into your phone and on speed dial.