Samy's Camera

My last visit to Samys was quite disappointing. My friend and I just got back from Las Vegas and instead of going straight home decided to go to Samys to get some stuff we have been itching to get. We go there on 12/24/07, with 4min to spare. We knew what we wanted, we weren't there to window whop. If we were, we wouldn't have gone . My friend asks the salesman for a -1 diopter and was told that they don't make those. He replied, "Ritz said that they could order one for me. I was wondering if you happened to have one in stock" Suddenly the salesman replied that he could order one but that there wouldn't be a return policy because it was a specialized item. When it was my turn, I asked if they had the battery grip for the Rebel XT in stock. He told me that it had been discontinued. I said, "The BG-E3?", making sure that we were talking about the battery grip and not the camera itself. He told that the BG-E3 was not compatible with the Rebel XT (the whole time with an attitude, this was an older man). My response was that I had read somewhere that the BG-E3 was compatible with both cameras. I asked if I could see to make sure if it did or didn't fit the camera. With more attitude, a sigh and a roll of eyes, he went off to find one. Like a frustrated child, he opened the drawer and rustled though it, making some noise, and found one. Opened the box, and fitted it onto the camera and what a surprise, it fit like a glove. If it wasn't for the fact that all the other camera shops were already closed, I would've told him, "You may be right, I'm not sure if it is compatible. Thanks anyway" but instead I bought it. I think that this was the same person I spoke to when I called a couple of weeks earlier regarding the Canon 18-55mm IS lens, I had called to get an in-store price(it would've been easier if they have their in-store price with their on-line price on their website), and was told that Canon doesn't make such a lens. I told the rep that I read that Canon did and in return he told me that the lens was probably not out yet or that they didn't carry it. This would've been fine except that I was looking at the lens description on their website. I said thanks and hanged up. I could've done with out the attitude. I have 3 other camera shops to pick from, I went to Samys because of pleasant past experience. I understand that it's C-mas eve and it's real close to closing, but I wasn't there to window shop. I knew what I needed and wanted to get in and get out. If he had just sold me the item right away without the attitude, it would've gone by faster. Unless Samys is saving me a significant amount of money, I'm avoiding this place from now on.

I live and work in Pasadena, but I have dealt with many pro film shops from Pasadena to Santa Monica and everything in between. Many of the people working at Samy's of Pasadena are severely in need of attitude adjustments. I've finally decided that avoiding these attitudes along with inflated pricing is worth a longer drive.

It was bustling on a Saturday morning -- pros mixing with us amateurs. All the clerks were busy.

They've got excellent selection, a good set of services, and they're quick to help out in-person.

PROS: Plenty of parking, good selection
CONS: prices are a bit high

Samy's camera on Walnut seems to have fairly good prices, but the customer service is terrible. Both times I have called the people on the phone acted like I was such a huge inconvenience for even calling. I wanted to ask about prices on prints, so I told them this. I was transferred to the camera dept. I sat on hold for at least 5 minutes. Then the guy in the camera dept transferred me back to the original woman. She had a very snotty and self-righteous tone with me. I never even got to ask my question. I told her I was taking my business elsewhere and hung up.

An ad in the LA Times prompted me to go to Samy's. They have a good selection and friendly staff, but I would say their regular prices are just ok. They have great sales, though, so if you find something in one of their ads, it's probably cheaper than the competition.

The pleasant, knowledgeable staff will help you select a camera the best suits your needs, and not necessarily the most expensive one. They also develop both traditional and digital photos. They carry all types and sizes of film, darkroom equipment and supplies. They also have video equipment.