San Francisco camera shops

[rpinchbeck]

Well, I made it to yet another much needed holiday without strangling any of my co-workers. They're happy I'm leaving town, to San Francisco in fact. Any recommendations on shops in SF that would make a rangefinder junkie happy? I'd really like to find a new rubber len hood for my Jupiter-8's. The plastic threads on my old one just didn't stand the test of time. Wouldn't mind finding some coated UV filters in 40.5mm too. I could probably be tempted by some used Zeiss optics as well. Any shops that would cater to the slightly esoteric?

Cheers

Russ Pinchbeck

 

[photodog]

Don't expect much. Many of the smaller shops have closed in recent years due to retirement. The only big store(it's not that big) is Adolf Gasser's at 181 Second St.(near the convention center). If you go south toward San Jose there's Keeble and Shucat in Palo Alto (near Stanford Univ.), which probably has the biggest selection of photo goodies in the area. They are pricey though. If you by chance go Monterey, stop by Camerawest, they have very interesting stuff. Enjoy your trip!

 

[kmack]

Try Adolph Gasser - 181 2nd St.
Good luck with the filters, I think I may have cleaned them out when I was there in June. 😛

 

[fraley]

If you happen to be here on the first Saturday of the month (Aug. 6th is the next one), stop by Photographers Supplies on Bryant near 2nd St. They have a camera swap with some interesting rf's, tlr's, etc. And there's usually a filter/hood guy with a table set up. Otherwise it is slim pickings. On West Portal Ave., out in the avenues away from downtown, check out Action Camera. Great little camera museum (not for sale) and the odd used item for sale. Also downtown, Calumet which is a chain store. Watch out for the tourist traps bulging with cameras on Kearny St., etc. They have high-pressure sales guys often.

 

[Rodinal Addict]

Always, always stop at Gassers in San Francisco. Go downstairs, talk to the funky old guy at the processing counter. He's an SF institution, ( or should be in one!). He's forgotten more about photography than ANY of us have ever known. He knows where all the good eateries and drinkeries within walking distance.

 

[Rich Silfver]

You should check out a fairly new camera store in San Francisco named "Camera Heaven".
It's located on 746 Larkin Street (the neighbourhood is not the best) and you will find;
- second hand Leica MP,
- a number of Rollei TLR's
- Old Contax cameras
- A high number of hoods, etc (please ask to see them as they are in drawers all jumbled around and sold for very little).

The place is run by a very friendly man who have big plans on extending the operation quite a bit in the future.

 

[rbiemer]

You should check out a fairly new camera store in San Francisco named "Camera Heaven".
It's located on 746 Larkin Street (the neighbourhood is not the best) and you will find;
- second hand Leica MP,
- a number of Rollei TLR's
- Old Contax cameras
- A high number of hoods, etc (please ask to see them as they are in drawers all jumbled around and sold for very little).

The place is run by a very friendly man who have big plans on extending the operation quite a bit in the future.

I live on the other coast, Rich, but wish whoever that guy is the best of luck!
Rob