photography supplies in SF

pschwart · Mar 30, 2017

Photographer's Supply --- gone
Calumet -- gone
Adolph Gasser -- gone 3/31/17
Rayko Photo Center -- scheduled to close, including gallery, 4/17 unless buyer is found

What's left? Samy's
Glass Key Photo

If you are looking for traditional photo supplies in SF/Bay Area, there is not much left. Glass Key is a small shop, but your best bet for film, paper, and chemistry.

karl · Mar 30, 2017

It sounds like there is some possibility that Rayko may merge with a non-profit.
Otherwise Glass Key and Samy's is pretty much it.

spark · Mar 31, 2017

Been years since I've been to Looking Glass in Berkeley, do they still have darkroom stuff? Seawood in San Rafael is another spot but never been to their store.

djhopscotch · Mar 31, 2017

On the bright side standard shipping from freestyle only takes a couple of days.

pmargolis · Mar 31, 2017

Glass Key is a true gem of a place and it deserves to thrive. It's a candy store of the "old-fashioned" gear that most of us use, and they are fine, helpful people. They also saved my vacation in San Francisco last May, when the shutter on my Leica M2 packed up. For a very reasonable fee, they rented me a Nikon FM and 50mm lens, which allowed me to photograph the Bay to Breakers festivities, as well as to do some portraits of my girlfriend's two year old grandson and his parents. Patronize them and keep them in business...

karl · Mar 31, 2017

Yes, Looking Glass still has darkroom stuff and Glass Key is a gem. I visit Seawood as well. A fine place.

Aristotle80 · Apr 2, 2017

I'm so sorry to hear that Gasser's is closed. I was in SF in Jan 2016 on vacation shooting 6x6 and asked around to see what good photo store I should check out. I walked out of Gasser's with my first LF camera, a Graflex. If I had any more money on me at the time I would have needed a wheel barrow from all the cool bits and parts. I'm from New Orleans, and the last store we had like that closed at least 10 years ago. RIP.

Berkeley Mike · Jun 22, 2018

Looking Glass Camera Arts has a long history in Berkeley. It is where I honed my darkroom skills in 1977 when they were still on Telegraph and Alcatraz. Lots of gear to look at, good stock, knowledgable staff. They are still going very strong down on Ashby just between 9th and San Pablo. Parking in the back off of 9th.

https://lookingglassphoto.com/

I have a long history with Samy's who's roots were directly from Gasser's Rental Department, through Mitchell, in about 1984 when they opened out on 3rd St. as Pro Camera. It evolved into Samy's, as the LA store had strong ties to Pro, in about 1988. Now located in SOMA at 9th and Bryant. I could not recommend them more. There are still folks there from Pro Camera and the traditions in the Rental Department keep it strong and well-equipped. Nice stuff to look at but much smaller than LG. AND...they have parking on Bryant behind the shop!

https://www.samys.com/

Both of these shops have the chops to handle smart-alec pros like me while taking care of folks at all levels. They've survived for good reasons.

Nodda Duma · Jun 22, 2018

Glass Key Photo just started stocking my dry plates, which is awesome. Not only do they have common sizes such as 4x5, 5x7, and 8x10, but they also stocked up on some Whole Plate, Half-Plate, Quarter Plate, and 9x12.

BradS · Jun 22, 2018

Glass key really is a fantastic store. They have everything a traditional photographer needs and much more. Please visit them when you’re in the city.

photography supplies in SF

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