Samy's Cameras

I was a bit skeptical as their prices were WAY below everyone else and there were also some bad reviews on them. BUT! I could not have been happier. Got my wife a Lumix from these guys for her birthday. It got here in time everything was as advertised. And she loved it! Thanks for making me the King on this one. more

They are incredibly helpful and fast. They are very informative and answered any questions that I had. I hope that they keep up the good work. more

The service was just excellent! It made our trip all the way from the UK worth it. more

I love Samy's Camera. The sales people are knowledgeable and helpful. Here's a hint. If you want to talk to a salesman and really get you questions answered, don't go on the weekend. Midday is the best time to go. more

I have been going to Samy's on Fairfax for years... Unfortunately on April 28th, 2011 - I had to go to the repair department.... Not to actually, literally get my camera repaired, but I have a Canon A series camera that had a few screws missing from the body. I seriously thought this was probably a common problem & they would sell little bags of replacement screws, like you get in a hardware store... Any way James behind the repair desk was kind enough to take the time (well over 30 minutes) to take my camera upstairs (out of my view) & try to find replacement screws. He was trying to be nice/helpful, but... These are tiny screws that are needed & obviously very difficult to deal with/insert & severely effect the wiring inside of a camera... Any way he threw a few various shapes & sized & colored screws in the camera... The next day - my LCD screen didn't work! I went back to see James on May 2, 2011 & he said 'well, this is an old camera - the screen was bound to give out eventually'! NO JAMES! My old camera that I love (that I literally use everyday & has been around the world with me) & that worked 1000% perfectly before you put those wonky screws in it! One of the screws inserted on the bottom of the body was way too long for the camera body & it shorted the circuit/wiring from the body to the LCD screen... I asked to see a manager - Patrick & he basically told me, 'oh well - you need to send your camera to Canon for an estimate & these cameras cost more to repair then they are worth' & we all know that takes 4 to 6 weeks!!! Then he proceeded to berate James in front of me & other customers - telling him: 'see James you cannot try to 'repair' customers cameras, because as you see they will accuse you of breaking them!' So unprofessional & extremely unfortunate & basically calling me a liar! I will never ever patronize with Samy's Camera again & I will spread the word to my friends as well... I mean seriously if my camera was broken in the first place when I went to the repair shop - WHY would I not have asked to get it repaired then??? more

Samy's is 3 floors Hollywood super market of camera equipment. I ask serious questions and was given reliable, credible and direct feedback. Professionals shop here because Samy's has it or they can get it. Some sales staff are better than others, find the seasoned staff that can answer questions or find what your looking for. I like shopping at family owned businesses versus huge corporate stores. It's unique! more

I understand why people are intimidated at Samy's by the employees. The fact is...they know a LOT more about any camera related topic than the average person that walks in and trying to explain things to the average Joe when it comes to complex topics of photography may appear condescending....but they are experts and really do have the experience every consumer wishes they had themselves to make educated decisions in a rough economy. I trust these people because they don't push me into making decisions but ask me the right questions to help me make the best decisions for myself. more

My photographer friends and I know that ONLY as a LAST RESORT will we rent from Samy's on Fairfax. We all have a running joke that if the other rental houses are out of that certain lense or power pack or umbrella etc.....be prepared to reluctantly go to Samy's and bring your tools and tape because you're going to need them if you rent the shotty equipment from Samy's. Also be prepared to spend more money as Samy's is the most expensive rental house in Los Angeles. Even my photo friends in NY know not to go to Samy's. Is M. Kampler the heavyset guy who runs the dept? If so, my buddy told me about how he was told by this guy that he couldn't rent a 200mm lense without having to put down an exorbitant amount of insurance. Then this guy copped a major attitude at this well known photographer. Unbelievable. Pros: NOTHING Cons: EXPENSIVE, ARROGANT, SHOTTY EQUIPMENT more

I'm a working photographer in Los Angeles,I've been renting from Samy's Camera for more than 15 years. The reason that I've stayed that long is because of how MIke Kampler runs the rental dept.. His guys are knowledgeable, if they don't know something, they will find out and let you know. They have always been nice and courteous (no attitude), I get greeted with a hello when I walk in. My order is always ready. The equipment doesn't look like it's been abused. If I ever have a problem Mike takes care of it. I have recommended the rental dept. to several other photographers, (in the US and abroad) and I have never heard a single complaint before. So that's my experience with the rental dept. at Samy's Camera especially the one Fairfax. Pros: Knowledge,Friendly,extensive selection of rental equipment Cons: Nothing more

The rental department at Samy's camera is the best. The staff really knows their stuff and they have more equipment then anyone else in the city. Mike Kampler the rental manager is great and if you have a problem with your rental he is by far the fairest person I have ever met. So go to Samy's camera and find out for yourselves. I can't say enough good things about them I rent from them all the time along with all my other colleagues. Pros: Knowledge, service and selection more

Wow I'm so frustrated with Sammy's camera right now, I'd have to get in here and join the club with those complaining about Sammy's customer service. These people think they are the elite of all and that we, the customers, should be privileged to do business with them. I personally dealt with people at the registration office when I tried to register for one of their workshops and the woman who works there is a real b*tch! Not to mention, I registered for the class while it was still available, thinking I was in, I called them to ask a few question about my registration, they called me back too late when the class was already closed and I find out my registration didn't go through. And that wasn't the first time I had difficulty signing up for their classes. I never want to deal with these guys again! Pros: haven't experience any Cons: customer services, too expansive more

You definately miss something when you go to Bestbuy to get a Digital Camera. Most people at box stores don't know anything. But these guys are serious about their cameras. I took my point and shoot that was broken and the guy told me straight up ""you are screwed"" Pros: Great Service by specialists more

Their tel. customer service rep. is the worst ever... rude... no respect ever.... more

Recently, I stopped into my local Samy's Camera (Fairfax Ave.) to buy a 2GB memory card for a digital camera. I asked an employee for help, and she (the brunette on the 3rd floor) acted as if I was putting her out. Shuffling over to the memory card section, she pulled out a high-end card, which sold for $60. I asked if there was something in the $30 range, so she pulled out another card. I then asked her about the difference in features, and she looked at me like I was a moron. Wanting to get out of there as quickly as possible, I asked her which card she'd buy. She said, ""I wouldn't get either one of these."" [PAUSE HERE, AND THINK ABOUT THAT FOR A MOMENT.] She then pulls out the card she'd buy ? all the features of the high-end model, but only $35. Why, I ask, couldn't she have just pointed me to this model in the first place? Isn't this why Samy's charges so much more than, say, Best Buy ? because of their ""expertise"" and ""customer service""? Pros: Local, convenient Cons: An extraordinary experience in awful customer service more

I got snobbish service. They treated me like I know nothing even though their job is to teach and help me make an informed choice. yOu might as well buy online or go to Westwood to Bel Air Camera for better service. Pros: Large store, nice decor. Cons: rude service, rushed more

I come here all the time to rent lenses. Their staff is friendly and they usually have what I want in stock. They have a free valet in back. more

Let me first say, I have never written a bad review about anything before.... more

This camera store is one of the best i have been to in Los Angeles. Not only do they have a wide selection of cameras, camera equipment, dark room supplies and literature on the subject, but their staff is so helpful and friendly. They are very approachable and patient with even the most amature photographer. Rental equipment here is great as well. The prices are reasonable and the equipment is always in good shape. Just be prepared to lay down a hefty deposit fee. Pros: Large selection, Friendly staff, Parking Lot more