Photography Equipment for Every Photographer

For over four decades, Samy's Camera has been the West Coast's authority in photography equipment for both professional and hobbyist photographers. A leader in sales of high-quality video and photography products, Samy's Camera has a full stock of all the camera equipment and other photographic supplies you need for any assignment or project.

Whether you're working with film or digital photography, we carry a wide selection of cameras and lenses, scanners, printers, flashes, tripods, binoculars, memory cards, camera bags, lens cases, lighting gear, and camera accessories for any shooting situation.

Photography Disciplines We Support

Be prepared to shoot any subject, in any conditions, for any photography style or genre. Samy's Camera has the photography equipment you need to shoot any discipline including:

• Portrait photography, where the image captures not only the likeness of a person but also their personality and emotions through poses, lighting, and background context.
• Landscape photography, focused on capturing the essence of a scene, whether mountain ranges, seascapes, cityscapes, or other natural and urban environments.
• Wedding photography, showcasing the details of a couple's celebration, including candid moments, ceremony highlights, and reception coverage.
• Aerial photography, involving images taken from elevated vantage points by plane or drone, creating perspectives that ground-level cameras cannot achieve.
• Wildlife and nature photography, documenting flora and fauna in their natural habitats for those with patience and a passion for the outdoors.
• Street photography, capturing candid moments of everyday life in public spaces.
• Travel photography, documenting locations and experiences while on the road.
• Sports photography, freezing the decisive moments of live-action events with long lenses, wide apertures, and fast shutter speeds.

Professional and Beginner Gear

Whether you're stepping into photography for the first time or building out a professional kit, Samy's Camera stocks equipment from leading brands including Canon, Sony, Nikon, Fujifilm, Leica, Sigma, and Panasonic. From mirrorless cameras and digital point-and-shoots to film cameras and medium format systems, we carry options for every format and shooting style.

Complete your setup with studio and lighting equipment, tripods and heads, gimbals for video work, and a full range of accessories. For those looking to expand into motion, explore our video and audio selection including digital cinema cameras.

Trust Samy's Camera for all your photography equipment and accessory needs and be one step closer to capturing your best work.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Teach Myself Photography?

Absolutely, you can self-teach photography, and Samy's Camera is here to guide you. Whether you're a beginner or looking to polish your skills, consider enrolling in Samy's Photo School for targeted classes and workshops. While formal education can teach you the basics, remember that photography is an art form, shaped by your vision and experimentation. Master your camera's manual to unlock its full potential and commit to practice.

What Are the Basic Photography Equipment Essentials for Beginners?

Photography equipment essentials generally include a camera body, a versatile lens, a memory card, and a camera bag. Some may also consider a tripod and a basic lighting setup as starter essentials.

How Many Megapixels Do I Really Need?

While more megapixels translate to higher resolution images, they are not the sole indicator of an image's quality. The camera's sensor size, the quality of your lens, and many other factors come into play when shooting quality photos.

How Important Is Lighting in Photography?

Lighting is a foundational element, as it affects not only brightness and darkness but also mood, texture, and color. Natural light and other light sources like LEDs and strobes can be manipulated to a wide range of effects.

What Is Bokeh?

In photography and videography, bokeh refers to the quality of the out-of-focus areas in an image. It's often seen as a soft blur in the background, and it's easier to achieve with a lens that has a wide aperture (low f-number). Smooth bokeh and shallow depth of field are common goals for portrait and product photography.

What Is the Difference Between JPEG and RAW?

JPEG is a compressed file format that is easy to share but offers less flexibility in post-production. RAW files are uncompressed, retaining more data for more advanced editing possibilities. Many digital cameras allow you to shoot in both JPEG and RAW formats, giving you more options that impact your storage and post-processing needs.

How Do I Protect My Camera Equipment When Shooting Outdoors?

Cameras and other photography equipment contain sensitive components that can be costly to repair or replace. Using weather-sealed bags on camera bodies, lens hoods, and UV filters can help protect your camera equipment. Always prepare for changing conditions by checking weather forecasts and having protective gear ready.

Shop Photography Equipment at Samy's Camera

Samy's Camera provides expert guidance, fast shipping, and over 50 years of experience helping photographers find the right gear. Browse our full selection of cameras, lenses, lighting, and accessories to build or expand your kit.