First: if you have a chance to work with Paul, you'll never regret a minute of your experience. He's a great teacher and excellent photographer. Second: smartphones have ruined photography, and it's getting increasingly more difficult to find gear, accessories, peripherals... but San Jose Camera has always had what I've looked for (except my fav Canon lens, no longer manufactured). The people here are consummate professionals, exceptionally well-versed and experienced photographers. They know their stuff: I've had questions about Canon, Minolta, Nikon, and Hasselblad cameras and they knew the answer without looking it up. (Price of gear is the only exception.) Sort of an old-school type, I still dabble in film photography, especially in astrophotography, and they've had excellent recommendations for what I'm looking for in film, even discussed some ideas I hadn't considered. I used to spend a few hours a week here... purchased a number of lenses here and taken a number of classes. My highest recommendation for these classes: I learned so much in these... as good as any you'll find professionally. read more

I'm not sure why the negative reviews. I've been going here buying and renting gear from San Jose Camera for years. I've probably dealt with all of the staff over the years and have always had a positive experience. It's so nice to be able to actually look at and touch the gear I'm shopping for. The sales people aren't pushy, but are knowledgeable and able to answer questions. read more

Great business. Very helpful and professional employees. Carlos was very patient with us, finding the right camera for our needs. Prices are very reasonable! read more

One of the last great camera shops in the bay area, so few are left. I needed a pretty obscure replacement part on short notice to do some video coverage of a football game, and the staff at San Jose Camera & Video went above and beyond in helping me track down a similar plate that would fit. I provided the make/model of the monopod, the plate that I thought I'd need, and since it's a tough piece to track down, they found a handful of similar monopod plates that potentially could fit and tested them on the equipment they had in house. After some research and testing, they recommended a plate that they were "pretty sure" would fit my piece of kit and they put it aside. 30 minutes later, after a bit of a drive, I had the plate in hand for a really great price. And I brought the monopod into the store to test the plate and the staff was right - it fits! San Jose Camera & Video saved me a lot of trouble, a lot of money, and a good amount of time and I'll be forever grateful. On a side note, the staff person I worked with was super attentive and nice and asked me a lot of questions about the work I did and it was nice for them to take a bit of an interest in their customers. read more

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I'm very disappointed with the rental service here. I reserved a Sony 70-200mm GM II two weeks in advance and specifically confirmed the Mark II version. When I arrived this morning to pick it up, they didn't have the lens I reserved. Instead, they only had the older Mark I version available. What made it worse was the staff's attitude--rather than acknowledging the mistake in their inventory management, they were dismissive and tried to argue that it was my responsibility to further confirm a reservation I had already made. As a photographer, having the right gear on time is critical. This mistake completely disrupted my planned shoot for the weekend. If you have a time-sensitive project, I'd suggest looking elsewhere for more reliable gear management and professional customer service. read more

They were not open today, Sunday, February 8th, 2026. Their website says they are but clearly it's false advertising.

Happy to be a customer again! I had stopped coming here because I was always treated like a girl that didn't know anything and I won't support business with poor customer service. I'm very impressed with the employees I spoke with today when I desperately needed a filter ASAP. The shop dog Star was a bit timid but everyone else was very caring, informative and nice. Thanks for changing your vibe and ethics so I can shop local again. read more

I stopped in last month hoping to get a new neutral density filter. They had a great selection of ND/VND filters (primarily Hoya -- which are very nice). They were kind enough to let me test it out to make sure I had no issues with autofocus. The staff was extremely knowledgeable about cinematography and we had a really nice chat. If I wanted an opinion on a piece of gear I'd feel comfortable asking their opinion. They also offer rental services which from their price sheet are reasonably priced. read more

After visiting San Jose Camera twice over the span of nearly two years, I've consistently walked away disappointed. The staff isn't very welcoming, and while they will help you, the attitude often feels like you're expected to already know everything before walking through the door. My first experience was simple -- I rented a lens with no issues. However, things took a major turn recently. I'm one of the head editors for my school's yearbook, and I stopped by the store with a friend to check out gear we were interested in purchasing. We found a lens we liked and spoke with one of the owners, Chris. Unfortunately, he came off dismissive and uninterested, as if he was just going through the motions. Still, we were given an invoice and told we could place the order through them. Four days later, after sending our official PO and communicating back and forth, we were told the lenses would arrive in "a week and some change." Almost a month later, we've received only one of the four lenses, with zero updates, no timeline, and no follow-up calls -- even though I was specifically told I would be contacted when they arrived. The first lens showed up without any notification at all. For a nearly $6,000 purchase, the lack of communication and customer service is honestly shocking. It feels like ego and attitude have replaced professionalism here. Based on this experience, I wouldn't recommend shopping here -- especially for larger purchases. You'll likely have better luck ordering online and getting clear, reliable communication elsewhere. What a disappointment. read more

Service is excellent. Everyone is very knowledgeable. The equipment selection is also good! I got the help i needed.

Bad place I got canon g7x and they charged 50$ for diag then send to canon. After 4 weeks They said I have pay 650$ for repair and when I asked repair what they said clean and replace some part they dont even fking know what they said. Bad place read more

Wish I could give it .5 star. The owner seems like he doesn't know cameras, and as if he inherited the store and has no better work opportunities. The lead sales guy is sleezy. Only one nice gal in the back Bought 10/ of thousands of dollar with them but made me feel unwelcome. Operated fully within their terms for return when I had to and up bought even more Some people are just not cut out. Matter of time to see this store close. I'm taking business to Mike's read more

I forgot to get his name, but the second we walked in we were greeted and asked if we needed any help. I told them I wanted a camera bag, brought my equipment, and they immediately started helping me and gave me suggestions. I'm really happy that they suggested one of the cheaper, yet most usable bags they had, rather than try and sell the super expensive ones. I'd be happy to come back here for any future camera needs. read more

Rudy & the manager was so helpful! I even got a free lesson, which is much needed, as I'm new to photography. Price was so much cheaper than other stores. Highly recommend coming here!!! read more

SJ Camera posted an event on Facebook, a camera buy back, with today's date 6-26. When I arrived, they told me the event is tomorrow. When I showed them the FB posting, they were all so shocked. They all looked at each other as to find someone to blame. The entire staff was beyond rude, trying to cover their error. I'll never step foot in SJ Camera again, bunch is jerks work there! read more

Came in looking for some photography backdrops for a corporate video production. As advertised online, they had exactly what I needed. In addition to quality products, I want to sincerely thank the team working there for their help. I came in on a time crunch, during a rainstorm, in a Honda Civic -- expecting to haul three 12ft boxes. Not my brightest idea. However the team was so amazing and helped me fit everything into my car without hesitation. Service was great and the backdrops were perfect for my video shoot. Highly recommend! read more

San Jose Camera & Video - Photography Stores & Services Near Me - Campbell, California

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Came across this camera store while driving along Hamilton Ave. Been meaning to check out some Peak Design bags in person and mainly only camera stores carry them. Luckily they had what my bf was looking for and was able to decide between the two styles he's been contemplating on. Staff was incredibly friendly from the moment we walked in and treated every customer the same as they walked in. I didn't catch the gentleman's name who assisted us, but it may be Alex, according to our receipt. He gave great suggestions towards our contemplation of the two bags and made sure we knew enough to make our decision easier. Thank you! Pricing was the same as big online retailers for our item, so it was a plus for us to be able to support local. read more

San Jose Camera & Video - Peak Design "Field Pouch" - Photography Stores & Services Near Me - Campbell, California

Sometimes there is a product or service where it is better to be able to touch and feel as well as talk to someone. I bought a mic and a camera tripod here the other day and they were knowledgeable and their pricing was reasonable. They made me think about some things for my future buying decisions while helping me with my current project. read more

I had a great experience shopping here! Alex made me feel genuinely welcome and made sure all my needs were taken care of. The customer service was excellent, imo. It's definitely worth supporting local stores like this one. read more

I came in today because my daughter's Nikon Coolpix (circa 2015) stopped working after it was dropped onto the ground. I received a lot of knowledgeable and caring help! It was a Monday afternoon around 1:45 pm , a handful of customers coming and going - so they were not super busy, but also weren't just idling. Appreciated their trouble shooting and giving me options of how to solve my problem plus telling me about cameras that I might be interested in if repairs end up being too costly. Thank you team San Jose Camera & Video! read more

I popped in from out of town seeking a few items. Sean was very nice and helpful. He helped find the items I needed and fair warned the one battery I had was explained and may cause problems soon. I ended up returning one item but it was an easy process. read more

Attempted to sell a new camera that came out at the end of 2023. Paid over $2k for the camera, body, accessories. Went in to sell it to San Jose Camera and Video, and would only pay out $800-900, I know they would be asking close to retail for a used camera. If you go to sell your equipment, don't expect a reasonable value for it. read more

Alex was so helpful! He helped me fix my broken digi cam. Very nice i recommend coming here!

Over the pandemic I learned two things: 1. Supporting small businesses is a lot cooler than I thought. 2. People are F***ing stupid. Like, wow! Anyway, I really love throwing my money at this place. I believe what caught my attention the first time was the ability to rent equipment. I have never actually done this, and have never inquired about it, because I usually know just what I want, I'll go in, they'll rip it outta the package and let me take a few shots with it, and then I say, "Okay gimme." Then I walk out. So if YOU'RE ever in here, then you should ask. Or I guess I could, cuz I'll probably be back pretty soon. Not sure what I need cuz I probably already have too much, but whaddya gonna do! Kinda like guitars - you can never have too many, right?! Staff is always super friendly, too, which sometimes makes up for whatever bad, stupid experience you might have had/be having. Inventory has always been in my favour, as well. Never needed to order anything. Not that I would. I am WAY too impatient. Waiting for someone to beat Amazon and come up with 2-hour shipping. We gotta be close, yeah? Yeah, HELL YEAH!!! read more

San Jose Camera & Video - But was this photo taken WITH this lens?! :O - Photography Stores & Services Near Me - Campbell, California

I'm an action photographer focused on high-school athletes and this is my go-to place. San Jose Camera & Video is one of those rare places where they're into the technology so much that they prioritize answering your questions with what's correct above telling you whatever it takes to sell you something. E.G. I wanted to buy a non-Sony lens for my Sony camera but was concerned the high-speed frame rate was slower because of what I'd learned in YouTube videos. I asked about it before buying. The first attendant said, "Not that I know of," but then asked another attendant who knew Sony cameras better. That attendant confirmed my fear, killing the sale. I felt bad and bought some other equipment. My point being, they are interested in correct information above all else. Another great story - at a high school running event, I met a woman who wanted to photo her son but didn't know anything. She had a new camera and lens she bought at San Jose Camera & video. She could tell I was experienced - I could tell she was a noob. I looked at her equipment - it was my previous APS-C set up before I had upgraded to full frame. They had not only sold her a very good, budget-minded camera and lens for sports, but they configured the myriad of camera settings to what I currently use to photograph athletes (high shutter speed, open aperture, etc...). She just pointed her camera and shot great pics of her son, understanding nothing about photography. If you've realized smart phones have nothing on real cameras, these people are the masters. read more

Stay Focused! Since 1929, San José Camera and Video--where focus is our name!--has been serving the South Bay as the preeminent place to buy photography and videography equipment. Many other shops have come and gone over the years, but San José Camera (SJC) has stood the test of time because of one reason: knowledgeable salesmen. Other shops wouldn't know aperture from shutter speed, but here at SJC, their salespeople are all working photographers or avid enthusiasts at the least. The Good: *For having not the world's biggest shop, they sure do pack in quite the selection. *Official sales site for all the major camera brands (e.g., Sony, Canon, Nikon, etc.) *Trade-in events where they'll take just about any and every piece of camera gear you've got. They will give you a pretty fair price and will award you 15% more money if you turn in your equipment for store credit. Don't expect to get private resale, but they'll give you probably 60-80% of what you would get--and you don't have to deal with weirdos from Craigslist® or OfferUp™. *Keep an eye out for seasonal sales and special events by signing up for their email list. *Great selection of camera accessories and just about anything one one could want or need for taking photos/videos, such as tripods, flash equipment, lens covers, and more! *They also offer up classes on taking photos, as well as Lightroom™ editing classes. *I love the old brick building they're located in. Definitely brings up nostalgia just looking at it. The Meh: *Parking lot is a bit clausterphobic, as there's not many spots, and they're pretty narrow. The Ugly: *Salespeople can be a bit pushy and definitely try and rush you thru decisions in hopes you'll "hurry up and buy! You buy now!" TLDR: This place is like Mecca for us photo enthusiasts and should be at the top of your list, whether you're an experienced pro or just beginning your photo journey. read more

My sensor cleaning skills were failing me and I didn't want to risk further scratching my primary camera. I called and brought in the body and they cleaned it while I waited. I appreciate the expediency and quality service. read more

The staff here is super-knowledgeable and all are photographers themselves. I really appreciate how they always look out for you as a consumer and guide you to the right choice, not the most expensive one. Today, Alex saved me many dollars by teaching me a filter hack I never would have considered. It's sad that so many photography stores have disappeared, but it's great to see one of the best ones is still there for local pros and enthusiasts. I always try to give them my business when I can, and they always price competitively, even with "that huge online retailer." Thanks again for your top shelf service, knowledge, and kind attitude that keeps me coming back! read more

The camera that I bought at San Jose Camera & Video is my right hand in documenting my perspective on life. Anyone who is serious about photography should have a brick and mortar store where one can explore and compare products. A place to ask all the questions which are not adequately covered by online videos. The team at San Jose Camera & Video is knowledgeable and personable and they are waiting attentively behind the counter for you to bring your dreams and ambitions to life. read more

San Jose Camera & Video - This camera traveled! The Vermeer exhibit in Amsterdam in March 2023. - Photography Stores & Services Near Me - Campbell, California

I came to get CDN passport photos. Alex knows exactly what to do. Great picture and great service. Highly recommend to anyone looking to renew or get a CDN passport. read more

San Jose Camera and Video is my goto store for anything photo related. Their prices are reasonable, competitive with online prices, and the staff are friendly and super helpful. It is such a joy to be able to go into a 'real' store and talk to 'real' people!!! read more

I called in today to ask if they have any trade-in promotions going on. Sean was happy to help and informed me to stop by today with my camera so they can inspect it. Also because I told him that I was interested in the Sony a7iv, he told me to definitely come by today as the Sony Rep is in today, but wasn't sure if he will be back tomorrow. As I parked, I was greeted by Sean who opened the door and welcome me inside. You're so sweet and super nice!! He directed me to the trade-in booth and the guys there were able to inspect my current Sony a7ii with kit lens (28-70) and I got a pretty good quote. They were offering a little more than B&H and Adorama. So I went ahead to trade with them. I could sell for a little bit more privately, but the hassle of waiting for someone to click that "buy" and shipping, etc. Just wasn't worth doing online. Also, San Jose Camera & Video had many promotions going on, such as instant cash sale on certain camera models and lenses plus additional extra bonus in-store cash (I think this is when you do a trade-in) so it's pretty good enough doing the whole purchase and trade-in with them. I upgraded my Sony a7ii with Sony a7iv. Since it is not available in the market yet, They were able to let me preorder (release Dec 30th). They said that they will have about 20 in stock and I was within the 10th mark. So if anyone wants the Sony a7iv, get it quickly as possible if you want it before anyone does. The sony a7ivR was already sold out as they had a really good $500 off instant cash sale over Black Friday. Rudy was the one who helped me with my purchase and I can not thank him enough for being very patient with my decision-making and letting me try many lenses (Some being new out of the box). I really appreciate your services and I would definitely come back to see him again. Thank you!! read more

Wont be coming back here customer service was horrible, a old dude named Mike glared me down the whole time there and talked to me angrily. I originally wanted to support this local store but now ill be taking my business elsewhere They price their cameras so much higher than market value as well. read more

I come to this place to rent a lens. I spoke to the employee over the phone and ask her if it's okay if I use my father's credit card for the authorization because I don't have one. I drive over 40 minutes away to pick up the lens and the moron at the front tries lying and saying an employee wouldn't say that and that they all know the policies. Clearly you all don't know the policies otherwise I wouldn't have been told that over the phone. Garbage rental place. read more

I'll preface by saying this review is based on extreme price gouging, not due to service (which was friendly and accommodating). I came in looking for Portra 400 film for 35mm for my husband as a Christmas gift. I don't know much, if anything, about film cameras or prices, so when I spent $36 a roll, I assumed that was the standard price. The person who helped me even shared that there was a 25% off promotion going on and I saved almost $100 total (the promotion made the film about $27 a roll). I sure felt like an idiot when I found out Portra 400 goes for about $14-$16 a roll online and at other local film retailers. Considering I bought ten rolls, I spent $303 with tax on film that should've been about $140-$160. This place is more than DOUBLING the price of this film, because it's currently hard to find and in demand. I definitely felt taken advantage of for not knowing the going rate of film. Thankfully, a friend helped me out and I found another shop in the San Jose area selling the film at market price ($16 a roll). Even Amazon, known for price gouging film, is selling this at $25 a roll, not $36. For those of you in my situation, I hope this helps you avoid being scammed. I'm not sure if the price gouging is for just this item, or if this is a practice used at this store, but buyer beware. read more

As a supporter of Bay Area businesses that I care about, I make the drive about 1.5 hours to SJCV from Discovery Bay. Today I grabbed some new glass that Ive been wanting, a Canon RF 50mm f1.2, a Canon RF 70-200 f2.8, monopod and was excited to see the store carries the entire Peak Design line. Ive wanted their V2 30L camera bag but had never seen one in person...I was impressed so I grabbed one of these too. I had a delightful time chatting it up with Rudy, who showed me some of his street photography on an ipad and we talked about misc lenses we like. He even invited me to a church group sponsered photo group. These are super nice folks, and I will always make the drive for them because they are a staple Bay Area business and for my gear I want to talk to actual humans as these are expensive purchases. Thanks fellas, much love. MikeH read more

Very nice camera shop! Their staff is very knowledgeable.. Film, digital, and great local shooting suggestions. They carry think tank cases, a wide variety of cameras and lenses, and even had odd-sized filter adapters for my Graflex. Plenty of Kodak and Fuji film at good prices. I was looking for a camera shop while visiting here, and of the three we visited this is by far the nicest and friendliest. They appeared to have a great selection of Nikon, Canon, Fuji, and Sony digital cameras and lenses, and had a used cabinet with lenses and cameras, including film. read more

San Jose Camera & Video - Sign - Photography Stores & Services Near Me - Campbell, California

As mentioned by another reviewer 5 months ago, they price gouge on film. They have no problem selling film for HUMONGOUS markups and act like they are selling it for fair prices, or even like they are cutting you a deal. Save yourself from some sleazy, high pressure, slick talking salesmen and save yourself a TON of money by avoiding this store. If you choose to come here anyway, prepare to lose money and be taken advantage of by the employees. Pro tip: buy your film online from B&H. With their shipping price included ($4), I saved $20 on two rolls of film compared to the in store price - no exaggeration. Nearly a 50% discount from ordering online. There is no incentive to buy from a brick and mortar camera store when they are so predatory. read more

Been a customer of this store since 2019, the staff is always ready to service even through a change in management a few years back, overall attentive and knowledgeable about current discounts, gear usage, and many of them photography or videography experience themselves! They host rebates year round on certain gears, and their inventory is typically always extremely reliable and reflective of what is new in the field. Overall great store, this review has been a long time coming but here we are! read more

Chris Cismondi has an attitude problem when dealing with customers. Operating a physical store presents its challenges, especially since brick-and-mortar establishments are becoming less common. Chris doesn't allow customers to handle the cameras freely. I suspect he assumes that all customers who try out a camera in the store will then purchase it elsewhere. The sales-focused employees are competent. I would recommend that Chris remain behind the scenes and handle the business aspects, leaving the sales to the professionals. Otherwise, he is merely accelerating the store's inevitable closure. It's true that their prices are higher than those of online stores, but the advantage of being able to pick up an item immediately, without waiting for shipping, is significant. Unfortunately, owners like Chris might prematurely contribute to their own business's demise. read more