Camera West

This gem of a camera store delivers unparalleled service in a beautiful setting. The staff are experienced, respectful and gracious. The buying experience is absolutely the best there is. Cool music, a spacious and well appointed studio-​like setting, gallery photographs everywhere, a well stocked store and a Leica lounge make this more of a destination than a store. All the staff are pros and the owner, Dan, handles trade ins with integrity and grace. Camera West is one of those shining examples of why not to shop at Amazon, B&H Photo, or Adorama.

What a fantastic experience yesterday, when Robert helped me with an odd-​ball lens repair. Not only was he quick and skilled, he was fun and interesting, too! He went way above simple customer service, which is so rare these days. What a find – this lovely establishment!

One of the best camera stores around, but why on earth would they close for an entire day on Sunday? I work Monday trough Friday (like most people) and can’t get to the shop, especially since I live about 40 miles from it. So the fact that they are closed one of the two days I can possibly visit pisses me off. If you need to close one day a week… Why not make it Monday? That makes way more sense. I don’t understand why they would limit their business to only one of the major shopping days a week. Great service and knowledgable staff, but horrible business sense.

I went here because our Canon eos 1200D is refusing to focus in automatic mode. Micheal was extremely helpful. He tried different settings before declaring that it had to be sent to Canon for debugging. I had been to a different store (Mike’s Camera) earlier and they were just trying to get me to buy a new camera. But Micheal offered great advice about the camera and settings and also cleaned the sensors for free. I couldn’t turn in the camera for repair because of an upcoming trip. But I definitely would once the trip is done, since I can clearly see that the people here are very trustworthy and know what they are doing. Just a note, if you turn in the camera for repair you will have to pay about $ 25 for shipping to the factory and you will hear back about the estimate. You will be able to make an informed decision then.

I have never written a Unilocal review before. But after my last few visits to this establishment, I felt compelled…
This used to be my favorite camera store for both new and used equipment.
However, my last 3 or 4 visits have really soured me…
With all of the information available online, I really only go into a brick and mortar store if I’m seriously considering a purchase.
The last 3 or 4 times I’ve been in, the employees could not be more disinterested. After greeting me briefly, they loll behind the counter chatting. It’s awkward, standing around being ignored, in an empty showroom.
This last trip, after about 10 minutes I left the store unnoticed, and placed my order online.
I’ll be driving to Berkeley from now on for photo equipment or advise…

I started shopping at camera west a few years ago but in recent months I’ve been shooting a lot of film and I’ve been in a lot to buy film and accessories for my hassleblad.
The staff at Camera West is super friendly and knowledgeable. Sometimes I find myself stopping in just to chat and eat the jelly beans they have at the counter.
I normally see Robert or Hal when I go in and they are awesome. I’ll never shop at a big box camera store again.
Love you guys!

I really like this store for my camera cleaning, advice and used lens purchases. Michael is especially helpful! The only thing I’ve had problems with is wanting something they have to order because it’s not in stock.
The first time I wanted a new D750 yet no one ever called me to say it was in so I went I Best Buy to purchase the camera. The second time I wanted a rolling camera case and they called me three weeks after the date I needed it to say it was in. Needless to say I already had purchased one by that time. So my advice is if they have something in stock, great, but don’t expect them to fulfill your special request. It’s a shame because I like to purchase from local stores.

I just dropped by to see what has happened since the boutique renovation. The place looks awesome! Also, I wanted to say thank you to Dan for a through introduction to Leica cameras with an educational approach, rather than what I was expecting to be a sales oriented approach.
I truly appreciate the sincerity in customer service that I consistently experience here.

I just had a great experience at Camera West and excellent customer service from their Manager Dan Leto. I definitely plan to go back to this store.
I have been trying to get some good pictures of my 15 year old cat that has chronic kidney disease and probably won’t be with me much longer. I have many cell phone pictures of my cat, but when I print them out the quality is very poor. Getting some good pictures has become very important to me. So, I dusted off my old Canon AE1, which is almost 40 years old, and started taking pictures with it again. It has been many years since I used this camera and I have forgotten most of what I once knew. I’m learning to take pictures all over again and will never rely on cell phone pictures again.
Anyway, the other day I noticed a small speck when looking through the viewfinder. I then took out my old brush and tried to clean off the reflex mirror and ended up getting debris from the rubber cushion (that the reflex mirror closes on) all over the mirror and the focusing screen. I made a total mess of things and knew I should have never tried to clean the inside of the camera the way I did. I knew I needed help, so I looked on Unilocal to see where I could take my camera to be cleaned properly. Camera West had great reviews so I called and was told to come down and they would see what they could do, but they might have to send the camera out.
When I got to Camera West I was greeted, as soon as I walked through the door, by Dan Leto who was behind their counter. I told him my story and he was very understanding and said he would look at the camera and see what he could do. I watched him take the lens off and inspect the inside of the camera and brush away parts of the rubber cushion that had fallen apart with age. He also used a cleaner and Q-​tips to get what I had smeared on the reflex mirror and viewing screen. He worked very confidently and efficiently and did not rush. I could tell immediately that my camera was now in the hands of someone who knew exactly what he was doing. It was impressive watching Dan work. After cleaning the camera he replaced the rubber cushion.
All the time Dan was working on the camera, he was listening to my story about my sick cat and how important it was for me to get some good pictures of him. Not to mention, how foolish I felt about messing up my camera. Dan was very sympathy and told me that we all sometimes forget what we once knew and make those kinds of mistakes. He had a great sense of humor and made me feel better, as we talked about old cameras and things.
When my camera was handed back to me, I looked through the viewfinder and I could see that Dan had done a fantastic job of getting rid of all the debris I had smeared on the focusing screen and reflex mirror. I was amazed. He told me I was back in business.
Other store employees were also sympathetic about my cat. The whole atmosphere of the store was pleasant and welcoming. Another employee even took time to check some adjustments on my cell phone camera.
I was out the door and back on the street, with a clean camera, in less than a half hour. The whole experience was very pleasant and I will definitely go back to Camera West, probably in the near future to buy a digital camera.

This is a terrific camera store! I have been using my Canon SLR for years on the automatic setting and have not been entirely happy with my photographs. I had a one-​on-​one lesson with Michael yesterday, and I learned so much. I now understand how to adjust the settings on my camera to get the best photographs possible. The lesson was well worth the money, and Michael is a wonderful and patient teacher. I have also stopped into Camera West for other things a few times and have always had excellent service.

this is just my opinion and maybe you should go there yourself.
15% restocking fee Outrageous
I went in there and the salesperson was doing inventory or something Just to busy to help me at all
Dont like the atmosphere,
ill take BART to SF where you get help and 30day return no questions
. Many nice camera stores in SF like Sammy’s Camera where they are friendly and knowledgeable, even BestBuy is a more friendly place

Stopped by today to get the sensor cleaned on my Nikon D3s. Excellent service and knowledgeable staff. I’ll definitely be heading back for my photography needs!

Cannot think of a single complaint here.
I worked with Hal a few weeks ago to purchase a 2^nd hand leica M8, and a 50 mm summicron-​m type 4 lens. The peace of mind was awesome knowing they screen every item carefully, and back their items with a 90 day warranty.
Unfortunately, I had a backfocusing issue with the 50 mm that was consistently focusing a few inches behind the focus point at close distances wide open. I took it back (after emailing hal — who was responsive and helpful) and camera west /​Hal took it right back. Even though the owner came out to try it, and was somehow able to nail the focus at close distances using my camera and that 50 mm lens, I just could not focus it properly myself. my 35 mm zeiss biogon f/​2 would focus perfectly every time, so I know it wasn’t me. *Still*, they took the 50 mm back, saying that «if it doesn’t work for you, that’s that», and gave me a full refund (which I used to buy a 35 mm summarit-​m anyway).
I love this place and it’s a shame there aren’t more places like this around to carry everything a photographer/​hobbyist could ever want. I’ll come back here when I’m ready to upgrade to an M9 or M-​E, no doubt. And maybe one day I’ll be able to buy a 35 mm summilux asph here — if that day ever comes this place is my first and only stop!
Cannot recommend this place and staff more. Thank you, camerawest!

I guess any business can get a bad review and anyone can have a bad experience with a salesperson.
In my case I have to say 5 stars. I’ve been in the store twice, bought some gear and took a lesson. The lesson with michael was well worth what it cost and I learned so much. I find this store to be a no nonsense no sales push type of store. They know their stuff and have allot of accessories and gear. Prices seem reasonable. To have an old school camera store around that has this type of experience is priceless. 5 stars.

Dan Leto is the MAN! I love this place and Dan, the manager, is one of the reasons
The amazing selection is also a plus, their sales people (I’m talking about you, Hal!) are awesome.
They’ve purchased a ton of my used gear and given me great prices, and credit towards new stuff. They’ve cleaned my DSLR’s sensors, and taught me how to do it really well.
They always have the latest and greatest toys, the best selection of bags and other accessories and the new store is gorgeous!

In preparation for an upcoming trip, I emailed the sales department asking if they had a particular ThinkTank bag in stock. Well, that was 3 days ago and no response. I could have ordered the darn thing from B&H and had it by now.

Purchased both Nikon D3 bodies and rest of equipment from this location. High quality gear without doubt, and pleasant reps too. Finding the location may have been slightly difficult at first but once found, it was never traded for different camera store. Two thumbs up!

Camera West is an absolute Leica Lovers’ wet dream.
That being said — I am a Canon using professional photographer so I don’t really care about the Leica selection.
For big purchases (like lenses) I usually buy my stuff online from B&H but for quick accessories like lens caps and UV filters Camera West was my second choice brick and mortar shop until Calumet in San Francisco Closed!
Now that Calumet is gone from the city I’ll probably be spending more money and time at Camera West (I hate hate hate Sammy’s in the City).
Note: I’ve been involved in photography since High School and in my younger years I was often treated like I didn’t matter at camera shops. Sales people often think young people don’t have money but I was always treated well at Camera West and bought my first 5D Mark II body there when I started freelancing. If you are a non-​professional don’t be shy about going in here and asking questions.

Based on some of the reviews and even though I am closer to this location, I almost skipped it and went to another. I’m so glad I didn’t. I had to locate supplies for my daughter’s college photography class and was having a hard time finding everything I needed all in one place. The prices were also lower or the same that I could find online. And much cheaper than what her college bookstore was selling them at.
I called and was helped on the phone and when I arrived, the staff greeted me and let me know they would be with me shortly and apologized for the wait. I regret that I do not remember the gentleman’s name that assisted us both on the phone and in person, but he was extremely helpful. He even gave my daughter a short lesson on how to use the camera functions and how to load her 35 mm film. He took the time to encourage her to have a great time learning photography and to come back any time she needed assistance.
I would recommend Camera West to anyone looking for experienced, professional and friendly camera assistance.
An added plus for this mom is that they are right next to all of my favorite stores! ;)

In my visits to Camera West, the most disappointing thing was that my favorite selections of Jelly Belly candies were already picked over — and that’s not even a legitimate complaint! Yes, there was a spoon — no finger-​diving into the bowl and I’m kind of a germaphobe, but was still tempted.
This is a truly boutique camera destination spot where you will never be rushed, always greeted with a polite inquiry as to how the staff can be of assistance to YOU. Each time I’ve been here, customers are greeted warmly, and often by name and a handshake.
The space has a very Zen feel: high ceilings, all the gear is lovingly displayed and and whatever your heart & eyes desire to get a feel for… Comes out of the case immediately. Want to throw a lens onto a camera body? Done. And they’ll happily clean the lens without prompting. Is that some fog or a scratch on that vintage Leica? Even if you’re a pro and supremely in the know, the kind staff will give you an honest answer and as much time as you need.
I like spacing of the different departments as discretion and privacy about a pro project may be the subject of discussion, though on several visits, spontaneous and convivial conversations ensued, along with smiles and handshakes.
Okay, ROSEANN M. — you have a great CV. I’m also a woman who works in a field where statistically, there are more men at the level that requires my expertise. Whenever I’m out shopping for knives, firearms, souped-​up European cars and am given polite deference, I smile, make eye contact and state what I want. Seriously, low blows, pouting and throwing around a single star for this stellar place benefits no one. It’s fine to be famous, but defamatory reviews, not so much.
Hal is a great guy — all the staff are. They share a collective sense of humor and at the same time are absolute experts in their respective fields, infinitely patient, prompt to accommodate a rush order, and happy to advise based upon each patron’s individual needs.
When you’re making a Leicalicious purchase or need a rush on that Nikon D800, the professionals here will make sure you’re never over over-​sold or under-​informed, whether you’re fresh out of Art School, a serious amateur, or professional.
During one experience, another customer came in and all of the stations were occupied. Dan, the MAN… ager; D materialized from the back office inside of 30 seconds. They’re ON IT.
The browsing chairs are comfy and not crowded together. I’m a bit of a voyeur, and I notice details — like, a patron popping in to pick up a purchase, or merely to ask a question, talk shop, or give an update on where they are in a deep, juicy project.
Truly, all are welcome to do so, but the staff are so passionate and experienced, I can see how one might get lost in the technical aspects if you haven’t passed a certain mile marker. Cost for gear is entirely dependent upon the assignment, project, hobby or collection, ergo highly variable.
FYI: my favorite flavors of Jelly Belly candies are banana/​chocolate and chocolate pudding. See you guys soon!
Madly,
The Hattrix