Calumet Photographic

CALUMET PHOTO STORES FILE FOR CHAPTER 7 BANKRUPCY AND IMMEDIATE LIQUIDATION

I hope that Calumet photo refunds everyone’s money that signed up for their workshops
I have a lot of unhappy campers in my night photography lovers group

Wow I guess they went out of business. Website is down and phones don’t answer.

Called to see if they had supplies I talked to Larry and he was awesome! Gave me directions and I found it easily. This place is pretty cool I grabbed a few more things then was able to check out quickly and got a student discount!. Loved it I’ll be coming back!

Dropped off my Camera for a Sensor cleaning, it wasn’t ready, when I came to pick it up the next day. They cleaned it at no charge! Very friendly staff. Great photo shop!
Very willing to address questions, and will even pose for you when selecting the perfect lens. (glass)
LOVE love the rental option!
Well worth the 35min. drive it takes me!

I came here to get my sensors cleaned and Jim was really helpful. He was very friendly and patient all my questions. Jim is very knowledgeable and has a great demeanor about him. You can tell he has a passion for cameras and knows a lot about lenses and recommendations.
Also, I picked up the camera and it looked brand new. The price for a sensor cleaning wasn’t too bad either. The only thing I would suggest is that they upgrade their computer systems. I was watching Jim input everything in and it looked ancient! It was also very time consuming, especially when there are others waiting behind me.
Overall, a great experience otherwise.

PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS STORE HAS CLOSED
I went there to check out some additional lenses for my Cannon, as they are the only camera store open on Sunday.
Although their website says that they carry Tameron lenses, they had neither the 18 – 200 or the 18 – 270 telephoto lens in stock. But they could order it if I was willing to wait a week (Amazon can get the same lens to me in 48hrs).
I was also looking to get a wide angle lens and cannon has a 10 – 22 that is very popular, they did not have that in stock either.
There are other full service camera stores in San Diego, and I will be going to one of them during the week instead.

This is my favorite place for rental and local equipment purchases. Jim in the rental department is always a pleasure to work with and recently helped me when I was in a bind during a Halloween photo shoot where our two cameras mirrors decided to get stuck at the same time. I’m posting a picture we got of the Halloween photo booth with the 5D Mark ii that we rented from Calumet.
Additionally, on a separate occasion I went in to purchase what I thought was a sale item (umbrella) and didn’t realize I had missed the sale by a day — they still gave the $ 20 discount. Best customer service around and worth the drive up to North County from San Diego.

Responsive and helpful staff. Two thumbs up to supporting the military with their military discounts. Their workers know photography and I respect their views.

This is the only place I will ever go for service and support. Hands down, the most knowledgeable people in the industry work at this store. Jim from the rental department has helped me through every new situation I have ever encountered. I have been renting the added gear I need to do a superb job from Jim for years now. I don’t call in telling him what I want — I call in and tell him what I’m going to shoot and I totally trust him to set me up with what I need. I have yet to be disappointed.
I have since bought several thousand in camera equipment with the help of Jim and Courtney, who is also incredible! I’m sad she is not in the rental department anymore; but she still always makes time to say hello. Not once have they made me feel inadequate or inexperienced (even though I still have so much to learn!).
I am a full-​time photographer now, making a decent living doing what I love. I honestly couldn’t book all the jobs I have been without knowing I have Jim to constantly have my back and set me up with the gear and information I need to do well.
I am an extremely satisfied customer and would recommend this store to anyone looking for knowledgeable support. Plus, the rental rates are super reasonable!

I’ve just been on a New Toy Spree ever since I came in this place! They pretty much got everything you need to make your cinematic /​photographic experience come true. And if they don’t have it in stock, they know where to get it. That’s probably one of the good and bad things about this place. The Bad part about it is that it’s not in stock. The Good part about it is if I don’t know exactly what I need, I’m on a spree, I can ask questions and rethink if I need it or not. Not the best way to go about it, but it works.
d:)
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Side-​notes:
One of the main things I don’t like is you have to be knowledgable of what you want and how much it costs, because there are no prices posted of how much «said/​specific» item costs. But if you have a billion dollar mindset and just get whatever you want on the shelves– SPREE!

I love this Calumet location! Especially the rental department, Jim is awesome, he is always extremely helpful and goes out of his way to do the best by his customers.
The studio I work for often rents from here and we have never been disappointed with the service. Jim is an outstanding asset to the store and we really look forward to seeing him when we pick up lenses each week! Thanks Jim!

I’ve been a Calumet customer for a few years. I’ve purchased a lens, a flash, and numerous accessories for my Canon. I think the staff at Calumet are THE pros at what they do and always find that their knowledge has helped me a long way in my photographic travels.
Last weekend, I drove to the desert to shoot the «super moon» (which wasn’t so super… but any way) and my Canon 7D came out of that experience dirty from the desert sand that was blowing hard that night. I took it in to Calumet for a sensor cleaning. Jim at the rental counter promised that it would come back looking like new. AND IT DID! I was completely amazed and impressed at how good my camera looked after Jim worked on it. He went above and beyond in surpassing all of my expectations.
If you are looking for a camera store that offers stellar customer service, this is the ONLY place you need to go.

Needed to rent a speed lite for my Canon DSLR this past weekend. I looked on Unilocal for business that have camera rentals, and I found Calumet within a quick drive from my job.
I was slightly worried I would get the «you don’t know what the hell you’re doing with a camera look», based on some of the reviews. I went in with no expectations, and I was more then pleased with my experience there.
I rented a Canon Speedlite 600EX flash for $ 20 (daily rate), and it worked out great for the shots I took over the weekend. I even rented it on a Saturday morning and was able to keep it until Monday for the same price. The girl who rented the equipment was beyond helpful, and she answered all my questions, while never coming off as rude or impatient. Based on my experience, I would definitely come again. And even ask questions like the newbie that I am.

I came here only once, so I’m hesitating to give that last star because I can only speak from the only experience I ever had with the place. And being that it’s 4 stars from just one visit says a lot of good about the place. :)
I came just to buy my 50 mm Canon prime lens. :) I’m not a professional photographer, so all of the camera talk is not a part of me yet, so when I asked the employee about the lens, he was more than helpful showing me everything. What to look for when shopping for a lens, what it should come with, the bells and whistles if you wanted to add anything to it, etc. Very, very helpful.
Parking was not an issue. Location is far away from where I live (in UTC) but it was well worth the drive for the excellent customer service I received. I’m looking forward to giving that 5^th star when I come in a couple more times. :)

They have a huge selection of rental equipment ! Lenses, cameras, background etc
I was in there looking at softboxes, they have at least 4 different company varieties of softboxes and other modifiers. Very cool display walls, lots of lighting etc.
The employees are a perfect level of not pushy and not ignoring you. Greet me when I walk in, ask me about every 5 – 6 minutes of me perusing around. They got their stuff together here !

I’ve been here a few times for some items I needed before a shoot. They have never let me down.
I’ve also called a few times to ask some questions unrelated to any purchase I made there and they are always willing to answer all my questions.
They’re a bit pricey so I don’t tend to buy any expensive items there. But for the smalls, they’re on point.

Helpful staff.
THE spot to rent photography equipment in San Diego. I just wish Nikon would allow them to rent the newly released models.
Tip: Rent on Friday at noon and bring back Monday incurs only 1 day rental charge.

Made three trips and two purchases. A pleasure to walk inside. Everyone is helpful and knowledgeable.
Tom was very patient with us and 3 feisty kids as we tried out several lenses prior to the store closing for the day.

My 1^st time here. Very knowledgeable staff! They took the time to explain to me the different trigger options & why they recommend it. I made my purchase… Plus, it was on sale! I will definitely be coming back when I need more photo gear.