Where to buy in San Francisco CA

Yno wrote in post #15465512
That has to be one of the worst sites I have seen in a long time. It just lists every camera store that has been in the area in the last few years, many of which have been out of business for a long, long time.

Since you seem to know who is and who isn't in business then perhaps you could post some helpful sources for the OP.

Frankly, all the other replies pretty much cover the question. There just are not that many good brick and mortar stores left. I personally am a big fan of K&S in Palo Alto. They have a great selection of gear from P&S to professional stuff, and the salespeople are very knowledgeable. They are not pushy or rude like some of the people I have dealt with at San Jose Camera. They also have a good repair department, darkroom equipment, a gallery, and they run many workshops and events.

Of the "10 Best" list for Santa Clara County on the Prime Buyers Report site, four are out of business and one is mostly a processor. Doesn't seem like they do any research at all.

Arob1000 -
Yes they have lenses on display . They also carry just about any 35 mm film you want .
Across the street they have used lenses .
If they are not busy in main / new store , you can pop a lens on your body to check out .
When , I have a doubt , the camera and card goes with me . An example was the 10-22 , 10-20 and 12-24 . I took several shots with each in store and had them print[I went and ate and came back] I picked the 10-22 -
They also have a good selection of bags , tripod and monopods

r.morales wrote in post #15470605
Arob1000 -
Yes they have lenses on display . They also carry just about any 35 mm film you want .
Across the street they have used lenses .
If they are not busy in main / new store , you can pop a lens on your body to check out .
When , I have a doubt , the camera and card goes with me . An example was the 10-22 , 10-20 and 12-24 . I took several shots with each in store and had them print[I went and ate and came back] I picked the 10-22 -
They also have a good selection of bags , tripod and monopods

Thanks! I'll stop by next time I'm in the area to try out some telephotos I probably shouldn't be spending $$ on!

there's also adolph gasser in downtown SF
http://www.gassersphot​o.com/

i recently went into calumet for the first time to pick up some seamless paper...they were very friendly

boingy wrote in post #15469221
Calumet is legit

Legit but expensive.

kouasupra wrote in post #15477027
Legit but expensive.

prices are pretty much right in line with B&H...

Yno wrote in post #15470314
Frankly, all the other replies pretty much cover the question. There just are not that many good brick and mortar stores left. I personally am a big fan of K&S in Palo Alto. They have a great selection of gear from P&S to professional stuff, and the salespeople are very knowledgeable. They are not pushy or rude like some of the people I have dealt with at San Jose Camera. They also have a good repair department, darkroom equipment, a gallery, and they run many workshops and events.

Of the "10 Best" list for Santa Clara County on the Prime Buyers Report site, four are out of business and one is mostly a processor. Doesn't seem like they do any research at all.

they can be pretty bad at both stores. don't believe me yelp them. in palo alto at least you can find someone who knows what he's talking about but you also pay top dollar +. great selection at K&S too.

I have read the Yelp comments on K&S, but I take online reviews with a grain of salt. I have been to many high end hotels and restaurants (including Michelin starred) and had wonderful experiences, yet have read totally negative reviews about them. I guess no place is always perfect. But in my experience and that of family members whose opinions I trust, K&S outshines San Jose Camera by a long way.

Forget Discount Camera. That place is a den of thieves and sleaze bags. I went in there ready to buy a 5D3 for $3500. They wanted $4200 for it. I was like..."um, that's above MSRP." Their answer: MSRP is just a "suggestion" and they charge "real-world prices." When I pointed out that Amazon was selling it then for $3500, they said "Amazon isn't a real store." I so hope they go out of business.

snakedoc wrote in post #15505792
Forget Discount Camera. That place is a den of thieves and sleaze bags. I went in there ready to buy a 5D3 for $3500. They wanted $4200 for it. I was like..."um, that's above MSRP." Their answer: MSRP is just a "suggestion" and they charge "real-world prices." When I pointed out that Amazon was selling it then for $3500, they said "Amazon isn't a real store." I so hope they go out of business.

I would never go to any camera store in Downtown, even though I live 2 blocks from there. just a tourist trap...you're better going to K&S or ordering online/craigslist.

Yno wrote in post #15486422
I have read the Yelp comments on K&S, but I take online reviews with a grain of salt. I have been to many high end hotels and restaurants (including Michelin starred) and had wonderful experiences, yet have read totally negative reviews about them. I guess no place is always perfect. But in my experience and that of family members whose opinions I trust, K&S outshines San Jose Camera by a long way.

I found out about K&S from this post and visited the store for the first time this week. They have a great selection of gear and the sales people that I spoke with were very nice, knowledgeable, and helpful. I went in just looking to get a small rocket blower for a trip this weekend, but ended up chatting with the sales guy for over half an hour. Started looking at the Tamron 24-70 VC and the salesperson let me try it out with a camera body in the store, knowing I would not be buying that day. He also said that I should bring my camera in with a memory card next time and try the lens out again so that I can take some shots with my own camera and have a chance to really evaluate the lens. Definitely not pushy.

I plan to give them a lot of my business from now on (assuming their prices are not outrageously higher than online retailers, which from what I saw, they are not), even if it means I have to pay a bit more and tax. There is really no substitute for having a store like this around that lets you see and touch the gear in-person and try them out with knowledgeable sales people to answer questions and chat with. I'd gladly do my small part to help keep their business going.

You covered a couple of reasons I go there . Next time go across the street to used store .
That is a good place for weird cables and other stuff . They also have pro stuff - like bigger printers .
They have a junk box at 5 dollars .
As far as prices go - new release / hard to get / limited / MSPR . You can find stuff cheaper on web . But the web is not compare - cash and carry . No hassel / playing phone tag , standing in line and insuring return items .

Calumet San Fran has good stock but they are expensive. Every once in a while they will have a good deal on the website that they will honor in the store.