Going to San Francisco and Los Angeles

[juBadub]

Hi,

I'm going to visit both SF and LA in November/December. Spending about three weeks in both of the cities. Does anyone know (I know somebody knows) any good places to search for B&W film (bulk) and other camera stuff too? I'm sort of searching for a Leica Meter MR, so is there possibly a place I should check out? I found freestyle photo in LA which I am definetely going to check, but that's pretty much all.

Besides camera shops I'd like to know some cheap hostels in SF. I'm really searching for a budget hostel, I just don't know if there is any in San Francisco. I may have to spend a few nights in hostel. Also, if you got some tips about where to go, what to see and where to photograph, please let me know!

I visited San Francisco about six years ago and I loved it. I just didn't have that much time (and knowledge) to wonder around in the city. Now I'm hoping to get more out of this trip so please keep the tips coming if you got some! I'd really appreciate it!

Thanks,
Jussi

PS. If anyone happen to know any good record stores which sells (reggae) vinyl, please let me know.

 

[Gumby]

There are other places in LA that stock film, but Freestyle is your best bet. Just go there.

 

[Gumby]

In terms of the Leicameter... most of the good shops with used camera gear are long gone. When in LA, check in with Sammys. There are several around the city and I'll bet if you go to one they can find out what the others have. That might spare you some running around. Perhaps the best one to visit is in Westwood, but if you go to the one in Culver City you can also visit a camera repair shop named Steve's (almost next door to Sammys) that has a bunch of lod gear in their display case. I think it is all for sale but never asked (nor have I really noticed how much Leica gear they have). When in town you might want to look in the phone book (or google... whatever works) and call some of the camera repair shops to see what they have for used Leica gear.

 

[woodphoto]

Sammy's is ok, I prefer the one on 3rd over the Culver City one, which I use only because I work down the street. Santa Monica has some popular hostels, and your in a good part of town with easy access to the rest of LA.

For bulk film hit up Freestyle, there your best bet for a good selection and price.

 

[juBadub]

Thanks for the answers guys! Any tips for SF? Anyone?

How about when I buy the film? Should I ship it to Finland via UPS or FedEx? Or take it to the plane?

 

[Rogier]

Order your film from B&H or Adorama. They usually have the lowest prices and by having it shipped to San Francisco you will avoid the sales tax.
While if you buy from Freestyle you have to add almost 10% to the price.
Just time the order and have it shipped to your hotel. Of course you inform them that there will be a delivery for you 😀

 

[woodphoto]

Order your film from B&H or Adorama. They usually have the lowest prices and by having it shipped to San Francisco you will avoid the sales tax.
While if you buy from Freestyle you have to add almost 10% to the price.
Just time the order and have it shipped to your hotel. Of course you inform them that there will be a delivery for you 😀

LA is 8.75% and if he buys from NY he still has to pay shipping, depending on how much he buys, he is really only going to save a buck or two. Also B&H and Adorama are owned orthodox Jews and are usually closed for all Jewish holidays, that includes online purchases.
As long as you carry on your film it should be fine, ask for hand check. There are plenty of labs in both cities that can process your film, it really only gets scanned once or twice, depending on the flight.

 

[filmtwit]

I'd actually suggest the Sammy's in Fairfax.

AS far as equipent, try the Pasadena Camera Show if you have the time. Then go across the street and visit the Norton Simon Museum and then a short trip to the Hunington Library.

Concerning SF, stay in downtown Oakland and take BART into the city. It's far far cheaper then even the ****tiest/cheapest places you can find in SF

 

[andredossantos]

Not a hostel, but I stayed at this place when I visited SF and it was cheaper than most of the other places I found. It's kind've funky but very clean and right near a train that will take you downtown.

http://www.oceanparkmotel.com/

 

[Rogier]

Correct if he did not stop in SF before getting to LA :roll eyes:

Film in the US is usually much cheaper than on the East side of the big pond...

Just had to order a batch of film for a friend from the Netherlands who comes to visit me left week 🙂

LA is 8.75% and if he buys from NY he still has to pay shipping, depending on how much he buys, he is really only going to save a buck or two. Also B&H and Adorama are owned orthodox Jews and are usually closed for all Jewish holidays, that includes online purchases.
As long as you carry on your film it should be fine, ask for hand check. There are plenty of labs in both cities that can process your film, it really only gets scanned once or twice, depending on the flight.

 

[woodphoto]

Correct if he did not stop in SF before getting to LA :roll eyes:

Film in the US is usually much cheaper than on the East side of the big pond...

Just had to order a batch of film for a friend from the Netherlands who comes to visit me left week 🙂

Is he going to SF first?

 

[PMCC]

PS. If anyone happen to know any good record stores which sells (reggae) vinyl, please let me know.

Head for Haight Street in SF. On one end is the SF branch of Amoeba Music, world's biggest indie record store:

http://www.amoeba.com/store-locations/index.html#san-francisco

Further down the street -- just what you asked for! -- is a vinyl record shop that also co-houses a comprehensive photographic film and supplies shop within. The record shop:

http://www.rookyricardosrecords.com/

The film shop (click on the picture):

http://glasskeyphoto.com/

Have fun.

PMCC
SF, CA

 

[andersju]

San Francisco has some very highly regarded and cheap hostels (compared to, say, NYC) - see e.g. USA Hostels San Francisco or Green Tortoise Backpackers. I'd read reviews and book on hostelworld.com. Here in SF I've been staying at the Adelaide Hostel for a few days now at $25/night in a 6-bed dorm. Great place, very central (Post/Taylor), no complaints... of course, staying in a dorm is always a bit of a gamble with the occasional snorer and whatnot, but you most certainly can't beat the price 🙂 (...unless you use couchsurfing.org, which is awesome in many ways, but can be tricky in popular cities)

 

[juBadub]

Correct if he did not stop in SF before getting to LA :roll eyes:

Sorry, I didn't really get this one.

I am going to be in San Francisco first for about three weeks and after that heading to LA for three weeks visit too. So do you mean it would be cheaper for me because SF has more expensive film and I have to buy some there too?

Thanks for all the answers! This is really helpful! I have to take some time and check all the links you've given. Only three more weeks and then I'm leaving this cold and dark place for a while! Can't wait!

 

[imokruok]

I'd actually suggest the Sammy's in Fairfax.

I would suggest this Samy's (431 S. Fairfax Ave.) as well, for both film and gear. They have the best selection in LA of film and they go through a lot of it there. As for used gear, head up to the 2nd floor and there is a TON of stuff up there. They can check what they have at their other stores as well.

I love Freestyle, but I love it for the at-home processing gear, not the film selection.

 

[PMCC]

(...unless you use couchsurfing.org, which is awesome in many ways, but can be tricky in popular cities)

I've been curious about couchsurfing -- can you say more about the ways in which it is awesome, and how it can be tricky?

 

[andersju]

I've been curious about couchsurfing -- can you say more about the ways in which it is awesome, and how it can be tricky?

I think it's simply a great way to travel. Instead of staying in a hotel (where you meet no one), or a hostel (where you typically only meet other travelers), you get to stay with actual locals, get a glimpse of their life and perspective on things for a while. For a lot of people it's naturally mainly about the economic aspect - getting to stay somewhere for free. But the social aspect is equally important.

I've hosted dozens of people from a dozen countries in my small flat in Stockholm and have never had a negative experience. You write references for hosts/guests, fill out a long profile, etc.; after a while it's easy to get a sense of who you might want to meet (or not). Some of my guests have become close friends.

What I mean by tricky is that in major cities it can sometimes be difficult to find a host due to the sheer amount of requests that the hosts get. However, finding good potential hosts is a skill you can learn, as is the most important part - writing a good request! (Having at least a few references also helps - these you can get by, for example, hosting people yourself. And keep in mind that people you host will typically want to return the favor should you ever visit their home country. 🙂)

 

[kokoshawnuff]

Freestyle on Sunset for 'specialty' films like Efke/Adox and Rollei, Samy's on Fairfax for Kodak, Fuji and Ilford (though Freestyle also carries these brands), Simons Camera on Highland for a large selection of used for decent prices or the Pasadena camera show.

As was mentioned Vinyl at amoeba in SF and LA, and quite a few other shops in Haight Ashbury of SF, and Pico Blvd west of the 405 in LA

 

[huntjump]

Go to freestyle. If you are in SF first, order film to where you are. 2 days to get to SF at max from Freestyle (slowest shipping service too)

 

[juBadub]

Thanks for all the replies!

But now I'm starting to worry how to get the film safely to Finland. I'm thinking of buying quite a lot of bulk film (since it's ridiculously cheaper in US) and I don't think it's very convenient to take them on an airplane in my carry-on bag. Sooo, I'm thinking of using USPS. Should I? Will they ruin my film by X-raying them like mad? FedEx and UPS cost waaaaay too much (something like $200+) so they are out of the question. I've checked that the costs via USPS should be around $50-$60, so that's not so bad.

BTW, does Samy's have bulk Tri-X? I didn't find it on their website. Only Tmax.