Santa Clarita Camera

Santa Clarita Camera is the only place I know of in the valley, it holds its own and has the rare feeling of a «mom and pop camera shop» It is nice to go to a shop owned by a photographer who knows the craft.

Times have changed for photography. Big box stores and online stores have squeezed out the little shops. It’s gotten to the point where you can buy things on Amazon for less than the mom-​and-​pop shop owner can get it for wholesale! Really.
Santa Clarita Camera hangs on as the last outpost of bygone times, a real camera shop with a real owner, who cares about photography and his customers. Mike Lahman has supported photography in the Santa Clarita Valley for a long time, as the primary home for the Santa Clarita Valley Photographers Association for over 10 years. (Full disclosure: I’m the former president of that organization.)
No, you are not going to get the super-​low prices you get on Amazon. Yes, Mike had to stop carrying Nikon because last time Nikon ran a rebate program, it actually cost Mike money out of his pocket to sell a lens, because his margins are so slim.
But you know, when Canon introduced the 5D MkIII, and no one was discounting it, not even Amazon, Mike got me a good price with a rebate and I picked it up that day, no shipping time, no shipping fees.
I buy accessories here when I can, and I support Mike because he supports the art and spirit of photography.
Mike will also sell your old gear on consignment, so it’s a nice place to buy and sell used gear at a fair price as well.
The negative posts here aren’t necessarily wrong, they are just mean-​spirited: typical Internet complaining. Take a minute to chat with Mike, and get to know him. Better yet, come to an SCVPA meeting and see how Mike supports photography to his core. Be patient, and don’t look for the cheapest deal at the expense of a true community resource.
Just as you don’t expect fast food service and prices at a sit-​down restaurant, Santa Clarita is a different beast from Samy’s and Amazon, and all the low-​price, high-​speed retailers out there. Think of it as more of a concierge service for people who care about their photography, rather than a place to buy stuff for the lowest price possible.
As a brick-​and-​mortar retailer trying to survive in an e-​commerce world, Santa Clarita Camera is not going to be able to please everyone. Heck, even Calumet with its million-​dollar inventory had to shut down recently! This is a shop for photographers who can spend a few extra minutes, spare a few extra bucks, and care about supporting a dying resource in a world that just doesn’t give a damn.

I am giving the store a 2 star rating now as they do not carry Nikon products. Really heartbroken to give them 2 stars, considering that I bought my NIKON CAMERAS AND LENSES THERE IN THE PAST!

Ask any question, and bets are that Mike knows the answer. Very knowledgible about everything camera. Still one of the few places to purchase film and supplies. Very friendly, and located in the heart of Santa Clarita. If he doesn’t have it, chances are he can get it.

I love this store. The owner is so helpful. I brought my camera in and he took lots of time to explain things to me. Thanks Mike

This is one of my favorite shops in Santa Clarita. As a photography enthusiast I swing by here allot for batteries, cases, lenses and other stuff.
The great thing about coming here is the owner Mike. He’s always ready with advice or tips to get a better shot. He also takes time to review equipment you bring in and explain features and help troubleshoot. Just an all around good guy and a good place.

just no really.

Look if your going to own a specialty Camera Store such as this you must be able to compete with the big box stores, Sammy’s and online sellers. This is not easy to do. He does not have the inventory, nor is he out going and able to sell. He may be around a while longer but I sort of doubt it.
I have been in a few times but what I am looking for is not in stock. You can’t sell from an empty wagon. I really hate to drive down to Sammy’s I would like to do business with a local store but its just impossible in this town. I wish it were a different story here, the owner is very nice but in today’s world that is just not good enough. You have to drive hard bargains with your suppliers and have some deep pockets in order to complete. If I had to guess I would say he has less than 15 grand worth of inventory and he should have around 50 to 100 grand.
The only way I would even had known the shop was there is by driving by it day in and day out. I have never seen an advertisement for this store and even his front window art is dull.
Trust me its a bummer a lot of retailers like this have been put out of business by the advent of the internet and big box stores. On top of that most now take pictures with their phones which to me is no longer photography its something else. However all that said I still am never going back to this store.

Probably the worst camera store in southern California.
Customer service makes you wonder why he even runs a business
Not always there on posted hours
Closed Sundays
Won’t compete with competitors, and I’m not talking about random websites, I mean like Samys camera…
Don’t buy from there, it’s like ordering straight of canon or nikons website, the price is the price.
That’s how he stays in business,
Drive 20 miles and get a better experience

The owner is knowledgeable, but the prices are high and the return policy leaves a lot to be desired. He’s also not very up front about it. While I was picking-​out a gift for my wife, I asked the owner what the return policy was like. Before I could finish my sentence, his response was «Just have her keep the receipt.» Well… that wasn’t entirely accurate. She didn’t like the gift and went to return it 3 weeks later. He refused a refund. He stated that he doesn’t offer refunds. Apparently, he only offers exchanges or store credit, but only within 10 days of purchase. He compromised by giving her store credit even though the 10 days had past. To be fair, the 10 days is on the receipt but not the lack of refunds. And he could’ve mentioned this to me verbally when I specifically asked him.

This Has to be the worst camera store i’ve ever been to. I own a small business and I take product photos and I normally drive to West LA to get my camera equitment because I can find better deals than the valley. I was so happy to find a camera store so close to my house when i became in desperate need of two 500 watt light bulbs that I needed for my lamps. The larger fellow that worked there was nice when ringing up my purchases but then turned into the grinch when I had to return the light bulbs because they blew out as soon as I screwed them into the Lamps! The orginal bulbs that I had lasted me 6 months… yet his lasted 6 minutes… then he had the nerve to blame it on me. When i told him what happend he told me what i told him wasn’t accurate and that basiclly i didn’t know my equitment. little did he know my father is use to be an electrian and he knows his stuff. Then the larger fellow felt pretty dumb when i told him One of the bulbs he gave me blew out and the other one had some busted from the inside, so he had no choice but to replace that one, Basiclly all im saying is, This guy must be selling cheap camera equitment, I rather drive 30 miles for quality then to deal with that. Oh yeah and in business never accuse your customer of being a liar. Worst thing you could do, because then they can go on Unilocal and tell it like it is.
STAY AWAY FROM THIS PLACE. stick with samys camera, or bel air camera or something.

If your desperate for camera gear and equipment go here.
overpriced for prints and gear
spend the money and drive to samys
they have everything you could possibly need and they give deals for students
Update: apparently certain people have flagged this post.
here is a direct email sent to santa clarita camera for the reasons this review was put here.
” recently received and email from you about my review on Unilocal.
I was unhappy with my purchase of prints from your store.
I never make prints so I was excited to come to you and get some prints made.
You told me it would take a week.
I waited a week and a half and nothing. No phone call to inform me that my prints are in.
I call and sure enough my prints are in. This leaves me to wonder why would you not want to call me to get my money for the services you have rendered?
I get the prints. I am very satisfied. the quality is good.
I professionaly frame one of the prints as a gift to a client.
I get a call a month later from that client. The picture is warped in the frame.
That framing job was not cheap. Now I have a client who thinks I am cheap.
That is why I wrote that review.“
I have never received a response

This place used to be known as Valencia camera and was located in the Target shopping center. Just recently, they changed their name and location. It’s still the same store and the same owner, Mike Lahman, who basically knows anything and everything about photography. When I was taking a photography class, I found all the supplies I needed here and would often revisit for more. When I needed a place to develop 120 film, color slide film, and cross-​processing, they were the place to do it. They have a great selection of cameras, lenses, cases, tripods, and developing products. They also do camera repairs. If you’re an avid photographer in the SCV, check them out!