Good Camera Store in Orange County?

THE TOUCHTHE TOUCH Registered Users Posts: 535 Major grins
edited September 23, 2006 in The Big Picture
I just moved to San Clemente, CA - Does anyone know of a good camera store in the area? I would like to stay out of LA.

Thanks!:D
Insanity: Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. - Albert Einstein :bash

- Kevin

Comments

  • claudermilkclaudermilk Registered Users Posts: 2,756 Major grins
    edited September 16, 2006
    There's Samys in Santa Ana, Calumet also in Santa Ana, and Pro Photo Connection in Irvine. Not sure what's closer to you. I prefer Pro Photo & Samys.
    Chris
    http://www.chrislaudermilkphoto.com/
  • AngeloAngelo Super Moderators Posts: 8,937 moderator
    edited September 16, 2006
    For my money Samy's is the best camera store, period!
    Their main branch in Los Angeles is a fantastic resource and cameraman's shopping paradise. The much smaller branch in Venice is a bit of a disappointment.
    Hopefully the Santa Ana branch, mentioned by claudermilk, has a good selection.
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  • THE TOUCHTHE TOUCH Registered Users Posts: 535 Major grins
    edited September 17, 2006
    claudermilk wrote:
    There's Samys in Santa Ana, Calumet also in Santa Ana, and Pro Photo Connection in Irvine. Not sure what's closer to you. I prefer Pro Photo & Samys.

    Thank you both! I'll have to try them all!
    Insanity: Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. - Albert Einstein :bash

    - Kevin
  • ChrisJChrisJ Registered Users Posts: 2,164 Major grins
    edited September 17, 2006
    Another vote for Samy's... much better than Bel-Air camera in Westwood IMHO.
    Chris
  • claudermilkclaudermilk Registered Users Posts: 2,756 Major grins
    edited September 17, 2006
    Angelo wrote:
    For my money Samy's is the best camera store, period!
    Their main branch in Los Angeles is a fantastic resource and cameraman's shopping paradise. The much smaller branch in Venice is a bit of a disappointment.
    Hopefully the Santa Ana branch, mentioned by claudermilk, has a good selection.


    Yup. It's a very dangerous place to wander into. Last time I managed to escape with only grabbing the last Slingshot 200 they had at the time. It was an impressive show of self-restraint. :D

    I think Cal's Camera is physically the same size as Samy's SA, but wastes a lot of space being pretty & the prices are silly. Calumet SA is pretty small.
    Chris
    http://www.chrislaudermilkphoto.com/
  • BeachBillBeachBill Registered Users Posts: 1,311 Major grins
    edited September 21, 2006
    THE TOUCH wrote:
    I just moved to San Clemente, CA - Does anyone know of a good camera store in the area? I would like to stay out of LA.

    Cool. Welcome to OC!

    Ii recently posed a similar question elsewhere and here is the list I ended up with:

    Cal's Cameras in Costa Mesa (Newport Blvd) - pretty store, nice for browsing/trying out bags.

    Pro Photo in Irvine (near the airport) - big warehouse store with mostly darkroom and studio gear

    Calumet in Santa Ana (just off the 55 at McFadden) - small no frills store, pricing seem to be the same as their website, friendly staff.

    Samy's Camera in Santa Ana (Brsitol St) - good sized retail store.

    Camera West in Mission Viejo (on Marguerite and Crown Valley) - I've never been to this one, however I was told "it's a smaller store, but the staff are very knowledgeable"

    Jack's Camera in Lake Forest (5 at El Toro) - This store is right down the street from me but I've never stopped there. It looks small. Will have to check it out someday.

    Ritz Camera in various mall locations, usually a small retail store.

    Camera West and Jack's are closest to you, followed by Pro Photo and Calumet, then Cal's and Samy's. You can reach them all by heading north on the 5 to the 405.
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  • SeefutlungSeefutlung Registered Users Posts: 2,781 Major grins
    edited September 21, 2006
    In my opinion, Pro Photo is best for supplies (i.e. paper and such) and Canoga Camera (in Canoga Park not the OC) has very competive internet level pricing with across the counter service. For your larger items I found Canoga Camera to have better pricing than Samys ... Samys the best inventory.
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  • saurorasaurora Registered Users Posts: 4,320 Major grins
    edited September 21, 2006
    I obtain most of my gear and accessories on-line. Seems everytime I go to a camera store they don't have what I'm looking for. I have bought a few things from Calumet in Santa Ana. Actually, I bought my camera from them. Forget Ritz Camera. I've been in Samy's...big store and lots of employees, so they are probably your best bet. I buy from B&H and Adorama, and sometimes Amazon.com. Oh....and let's not forget Andy's Flea Market here on Dgrin. :D
  • BeachBillBeachBill Registered Users Posts: 1,311 Major grins
    edited September 21, 2006
    saurora wrote:
    I obtain most of my gear and accessories on-line. Seems everytime I go to a camera store they don't have what I'm looking for. I have bought a few things from Calumet in Santa Ana. Actually, I bought my camera from them. Forget Ritz Camera. I've been in Samy's...big store and lots of employees, so they are probably your best bet. I buy from B&H and Adorama, and sometimes Amazon.com. Oh....and let's not forget Andy's Flea Market here on Dgrin. :D

    Agreed. I buy most stuff from B&H, Adorama, Amazon, and the FM here. I only go to the local stores to check out stuff in person. I went to Cal's to find a bag and strap and Calumet to size a pair of gloves. I did buy these things from both stores as the prices were good. Other things like my tripod, I checked out the local inventory to figure out what I wanted then I bought it online. I'm considering renting a lens or two locally to make sure I really like/need it before making such a big purchase.
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  • THE TOUCHTHE TOUCH Registered Users Posts: 535 Major grins
    edited September 21, 2006
    WOW!

    Thank you all very much! I usually buy online as well but there's nothing like wandering through a camera store.

    Sounds like there's a lot of us in the area - we'll have to all get together sometime!

    Thanks again!
    Insanity: Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. - Albert Einstein :bash

    - Kevin
  • BeachBillBeachBill Registered Users Posts: 1,311 Major grins
    edited September 21, 2006
    THE TOUCH wrote:
    Sounds like there's a lot of us in the area - we'll have to all get together sometime!

    Kevin, If you're not doing anything this Saturday morning, the OC PhotoSIG meetup group is going to the Mission San Juan Capistrano to shoot the architecture and whatever else they have there. You're welcome to join in, just sign up at http://photosig.meetup.com/25/ and then show up Saturday morning.

    The mission website
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  • THE TOUCHTHE TOUCH Registered Users Posts: 535 Major grins
    edited September 21, 2006
    BeachBill wrote:
    Kevin, If you're not doing anything this Saturday morning, the OC PhotoSIG meetup group is going to the Mission San Juan Capistrano to shoot the architecture and whatever else they have there. You're welcome to join in, just sign up at http://photosig.meetup.com/25/ and then show up Saturday morning.

    The mission website

    AW MAN! That would be great! Unfortunately, I headed back to Bakersfield to finish some things up. The movers are packing and moving on Saturday so I'll be a little busy.

    I signed up to the group though - how exciting! Thank you for the invite. Look forward to meeting you sometime.
    Insanity: Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. - Albert Einstein :bash

    - Kevin
  • claudermilkclaudermilk Registered Users Posts: 2,756 Major grins
    edited September 23, 2006
    BeachBill wrote:
    Agreed. I buy most stuff from B&H, Adorama, Amazon, and the FM here. I only go to the local stores to check out stuff in person. I went to Cal's to find a bag and strap and Calumet to size a pair of gloves. I did buy these things from both stores as the prices were good. Other things like my tripod, I checked out the local inventory to figure out what I wanted then I bought it online. I'm considering renting a lens or two locally to make sure I really like/need it before making such a big purchase.

    Pro Photo has a good rental inventory--just reserve the item early (up to a week in advance) as the popular items go quick.
    Chris
    http://www.chrislaudermilkphoto.com/
  • BeachBillBeachBill Registered Users Posts: 1,311 Major grins
    edited September 23, 2006
    claudermilk wrote:
    Pro Photo has a good rental inventory--just reserve the item early (up to a week in advance) as the popular items go quick.
    Good to know. Speaking of rentals, I called Calumet yesterday and reserved a Canon 16-35mm 2.8L for the weekend. Picked it up today at noon.
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