San Jose Camera & Video — Attraction in Campbell

Visited today for the first time.

I've owned a Sony A6000 for about five years and I've been considering upgrading either to an A6700 or A7iii/A7iv. I figured that I would come into a local shop, chat with the employees to figure out which camera best suits my photography hobby, and then come back when ready to purchase one so I could support a local camera shop.

The employee who "helped" me wasn't helpful at all. The most he could say about the a6700 was that the reviews say it's great. I mentioned I'm looking to improve my low light results and that's why I'm leaning toward an a7 and how that would mean needing to sell my lenses from my a6000, and he said nope you don't need to! Which, while correct, IMO totally defeats the point of upgrading to a full-frame because the lens would retain the crop factor.

I also asked what the comparison is like between a6000 and a6700 specifically for lighting, if the usable ISO range is better and helps more on the newer model compared to the a6000, and he had nothing to say.

He also could've admitted to not being knowledgeable on these particular cameras and referred me to a colleague but he didn't.

He also didn't ask what my photography style is or what I shoot most often or why I'm looking at either camera for the upgrade or why I feel the need to upgrade at all.

The shop is clearly well-stocked with gear and equipment but if you're looking for guidance on a camera I'm not sure this is the right place.

My hope was I'd nail down which path to choose for my next camera based on my needs with advice from someone who's more experienced with a wider range of gear and I didn't get that at all.

Unfortunately I don't think I feel comfortable supporting the shop when I'm...

Pretty disappointed how San Jose Camera operates their waiting list.

I called in February to put my name down on their waiting list for a Fuji X100V( I am very aware I was going to be waiting a long time). At the time I asked if I needed to put down a deposit and I was told it was not.

I called every 3 to 4 weeks to check my status on the wait list, they let me know I was slowly moving up. On 5/1/23 Alex had left me a voicemail to let me know a used X100F was available. But I was keen on waiting for the V So it seems at that point I was indeed on the waitlist and they had my contact information.

I decided to call today to check my status, and I am now told they have no record of me on the waitlist for this camera. And I would have a lower priority if I didn't put down a deposit, which is contrary to what I was told when I initially called to get on this waitlist.

This has been frustrating for me as I have been waiting for months for a camera that is hard to find in stock, and apparently for nothing as my name magically disappeared off their waiting list, and employees are telling customers that deposits for waitlist are unnecessary without telling them they'd be a lower priority

I truly wanted to support a local business but wish I had gone to another retailer who can manage a waiting list and not waste months of their...

I wish there were zero stars possible.

I went in today to ask if they knew what size screwdriver it would take to open an old camera of mine. When I went in initially looking around for what I was hoping to find. I decided to ask someone behind the counter. An older, dark haired man with a stache and accent asked if I had a question. No smile, would barely look me in the eye, though when he did he looked like he found out I peed in his cornflakes only after he took a bite. I hesitated but then asked is if he knew what size screwdriver it would take. He proceeded to berate me that they don't do repairs there, it was a strange way to answer my question. Like I was an idiot for even asking. I said I wasn't looking for a repair just if they knew. He continued to look at me the same but now as if I let out a stink bomb. I literally thought I had a booger hanging out of my nose he was looking at me with such disgust.

Anyway, one of the customers was kind enough to suggest RadioShack. The one on Union was very helpful, helped me identify the right screwdriver.

The moral of this story is San Jose Camera & Video doesn't do repairs. Oh, and they clearly have an extremely lucrative business, so much so that they're willing to risk treating someone so badly, in front of other customers to boot, who comes...