Camera Heaven

TLDR:
Went here to get my Point and Shoot camera fixed. David seemed like a cool guy and quoted me $ 65 for the repair (had a spot on my lens) and would have it fixed by the next day. I left the shop and about an hour and a half later I get a call from David saying that camera was fixed and ready for pick up. Went to pick it up and it was fixed! He told me what caused the problem and how to prevent it in the future. Overall the experience with this shop was great. Go here for your camera repair needs!
Full Review:
I recently discovered a «spot» in pictures that I took with my Point and Shoot Nikon Coolpix S6900. I thought my camera lens needed a cleaning so I proceeded clean it with a lens cleaning kit I got on amazon but nothing could get the spot out. I thought it was the LCD screen but when I looked at the images on my computer the spot was still present. I went on the Nikon website to see if there was some way to fix it myself but it suggested that I ship the camera to them to look at and at that point they will give me a quote on how much it will cost to fix it. This seemed to be too much trouble and I decided to have a local camera repair shop look at it first before resorting to shipping it to Nikon.
I went on Unilocal and found Camera Heaven and its reviews seemed to show a lot of satisfied customers. When I got to the shop I almost missed it if it weren’t for the paper sign taped to the door. I entered the establishment and the store was filled with camera «guts» and there seemed that there was only a clear walk way that lead to the counter. David greeted me from behind the counter. He seemed to be in the middle of repairing a camera but moments later he gave me his full attention and asked what he could do for me. I admit, I am not the most camera savvy guy and it kind of felt like I was describing the problem like someone would describe a car problem to an AAMCO car repairmen. David patiently listened and looked at the problem himself. He said that he would open the camera up and see what the problem was. He quoted me $ 65 and asked that I pay in full before the repair and had me sign some paper work. He also guaranteed me that if he couldn’t fix it I’d get a full refund. After all that he said that he would probably have it fixed by the next day and would give me a call when it was done and I left the shop. I was half expecting/​preparing for some sort of push for me to pay for extra stuff that wasn’t necessary but nope, the whole event felt very «to the point» and I don’t think I was even in the shop for more than 8 minutes.
I took a bus (38) there so I hopped on the bus to go home. While on the bus I received a call from David saying that my camera was ready for pick up. I was pleasantly surprised because this was about an hour, hour and a half after I dropped off the camera. I then hopped off the bus to go back to the shop. When I got back to the shop David greeted me again and proceeded to give me back the camera. I tested it and the spot was gone and he told me that it was a speck of dust on the inside of the camera lens that must have gotten inside the camera from the telescoping lens. He then advised me to check the lens before I turn it off so that dust doesn’t get it the camera again. I thanked him for fixing it and the advise and left. The whole experience was very pleasant and I have no complaints. David seems to be a very down to earth guy who really knows his cameras. If you need your camera repaired go here!

Everything good I read in these reviews about this place was 110% right. David met my expectations and more. I came in to get the focus point button on my Mark II unstuck from dropping it, but he did a quick look over of the camera and saw that one of the needles in my cf card slot was bent and pushed in. He gave me the sad news that I might have to change the whole circuit board! He took my camera apart in front of me and saw that he could actually fix it. It was amazing to see the skills this guy had. He managed to fix the needle much to my happiness at no extra cost. I left there within an hour with my button fixed, my needle fixed, a free Vietnamese coffee that he offered me, and a happy demeanor knowing I have a place to go to for great and competent service at a great price. I highly recommend this place!

This is my second review of Camera Heaven. I had David do a sensor cleaning on my Nikon D3S and I picked it up from him today at Camera Heaven and just finished doing some tests to see how clean it was. Since the sensor was extremely dirty when I dropped it off with him a couple of days ago, I expected to see at least a few remaining spots. There were none. Absolutely spotless. I’ve seen much worse on brand new pro camera sensors.
The price was lower than most pro sensor cleaning services, plus I didn’t have to pay for postage and insurance, and then wait for two or three weeks to get my camera back.
David actually offered to clean the sensor in an hour or two if I needed it right away. Amazing service and very professional work, at an excellent and fair price.
When you walk into his place, don’t be fooled by the «organized clutter.» That’s just the way he works, and since my office-​studio-​equipment storage areas are much worse than his, it doesn’t bother me a bit.
If you want professional and safe, knowledgeable camera repair, this place is the one to try in the SF area.

I’m travelling the world for 9 months and needed a camera fixed with a super short turn around time. David was super accommodating, as well as being a super nice guy. He had my camera fixed in a great turnaround time, and his pricing was very reasonable.
He is a genuine guy who truly values customer service and does a damn good job too!
The store front is a little hard to find, so look out for it by its address.

This guy saved my life and as someone who makes 100% of their income with photography I fully recommend Camera Heaven.
My camera (D700) got a full can of sun screen in the sensor and in the dials/​buttons. Fixed it up in two weeks, just like he said he would. Brought in my tripod, fixed it in a few minutes.
No BS, cheap price for what you get, and grrst service.

I took my old Sony Handycam HDV VX2000 to them because the mini dv tape was skipping while recording and he replaced the heads and it now working As Good As New. Great job David I would recommend you to anybody. They estimated the work to be done in 3 weeks time and I got it back in just over a week.

I made the mistake of dropping my Canon G15 camera on a concrete floor while the lens was extended. The lens was crooked, and wouldn’t retract Uh-​oh!
I looked around on Unilocal for camera repair, and found Camera Heaven. There were mixed reviews, but I’m comfortable in the neighborhood, and I like to give my business to independent people who make a living off my patronage. I decided to give David a try.
We went in on a Saturday and asked him if he could help out with the camera. He discussed our repair options, and removed the lens and showed me what was wrong. Definitely needed a lens replacement. I took the longer-​term, less expensive option, paid my deposit, and left my camera in his care. When I walked out of the store, I felt that David was competent, and that I had been taken care of properly. No reservations about leaving my camera behind.
I got a call a week before I expected, letting me know that my camera was ready, and working fine. Great! It took me a couple of days to get to David’s store. He had the camera ready and waiting, and gave me a lens-​cleaning cloth to go with my new lens. I paid up, and was ready to go.
David noticed that I was putting my camera into a camera pouch on my belt. He cautioned me that the pouch was too small; that my movement could switch the camera on, and the lens would try to open. I knew it was a tight fit, but it was the pouch I had, so it’s the one I was using.
So I asked David, «OK, what have you got for me?» I was ready to buy a new pouch and walk out with a total upgrade. David looked around and found a great, padded, belt /​shoulder pouch for me. I asked, «How much?» and he put it in my hand and said, «Don’t worry about it– it’s yours.»
So here’s my experience with David and Camera Heaven:
1. Friendly, patient, knowledgeable, and informative.
2. Fair and flexible pricing
3. Quick turn-​around
4. Great service.
If I ever need camera work again, it’s back to Camera Heaven.

After calling several other repair shops listed on Unilocal in the San Francisco area, many of them said they need to send my lens into canon for an estimate (not sure why they would be listed under repairing lenses) when I could send it in myself. What normally would cost double the amount through Canon, I was able to get my canon 70 – 200 2.8 IS II USM fixed for half the price and delivered within 2 weeks. I was also able to receive a loaner lens for no additional costs which I didn’t even ask for, not a bad deal at all. Highly recommend for lens repair.

I came in to ask about used lenses for my Canon SLR. I gave David a price range, and he gave me several good, solid options at both ends of it. He knew what he was talking about and gave me a good price – more than competitive with eBay. He’s warm and engaging, and there’s no hard sell involved. His place is small (fewer square feet = lower rent = lower prices), so you won’t so much browse as much as ask him what he has on hand… but he comes across very clearly as one of the good guys. I’ll be back to see what’s in stock next time I come to SF.

Had my Canon 1DS cleaned, but it was not ready when I came back three days later. David apologized and said it would be ready in an hour and I forgot to pick it up. He was nice enough to hand deliver it to me on his way home as the shop was closing. Never had that kind of service before.
They certainly have my business from now on.

I called this morning with a shattered lens (from a cat leap gone wrong) and David told me to come on in! Instead of selling me a new one he got the old one up and working and saved me half the money in the process. I was able to have it all done super quick and in time for the shoot this afternoon. Will def make this my one stop camera shop! Thank you David.

I had such a wonderful experience with David. He really is a great example of wonderful service, and he’s very skilled too!
My cat knocked my camera off our mantel. There was a noticeable dent in the lens casing, and the camera would no longer recognize the lens or the battery. David was able to get it back to great condition that same afternoon (I dropped off the camera that morning, and by the time I got back home, I got a voicemail from David that he was done)! I don’t know how he restored that dent invisibly, but he did! And he didn’t charge me for the extra part that the repair required.
He was very humble about the way he operates, and you can tell that he genuinely loves to provide good service to his customers. Friendly and efficient, and definitely affordable.
Thanks, David!
Tip: it’s very easy to miss the storefront. It’s just a couple doors to the left of Lers Ros Thai Restaurant. Parking is also super difficult in the area.

Seems to be a dishonest place. Promised to return the original screen from my camera to me, but never did.
After a few weeks and a few phone calls asking to have the original screen returned to me, David screamed into the phone and told me he was going to «throw it in the garbage can.» I had my credit card company contact him to send back to me my original screen, and he then told a different story that the screen was «shattered and the shards of glass» were too dangerous to return.
He seems to be sneaky and dishonest.
I believe he knew that if he verbally told me he would return my original screen to me, and not specifically write it on my receipt, then I would have absolutely no recourse in getting the screen back, or to be compensated for it.
I sense he used the same screen again, and charged me for a brand new one since this is an expensive item.
STAY AWAY from such questionable business practices.
If you do have to use this questionable business, please have everything documented on your receipt or else he just might screw you over…

This place is a true gem. The only place a photographer should go for repairs and diagnostics on their cameras. The man who owns it is brilliant, responsive, and kind, and he is happy to work with time crunches and budgets to help photographers continue to create.
This is a place I truly believe is in business to enable creativity by helping photographers, not to rip people off and make money, like most other camera repair places in the city.
Camera fixed my camera quickly, diligently, and communicated with me regularly. They worked with my budget to successfully fix my completely totaled motherboard for my canon digital SLR. Not only were they reasonable, effective and successful at fixing my camera, it was a joy to visit the store as well, since the owner is such a lovely person and the store is so full of interesting cameras and photography equipment.
I can not recommend Camera Heaven enough… they saved my career! They are truly good people who want to help photographers and artists. If you are a local photographer, this place is a fixture in the city that will help you in a pinch and make you glad that there are still real people out there who care about helping artists and are there for you when you need them.
Whatever your photography problem may be, analog or digital, I recommend this camera store over anywhere else in he bay area, and over sending it back to your camera maker. Camera heaven is more reasonable in turn around time and pricing than any other option out there for camera troubles.

Stay away from this guy!
He did not only repair my camera but he stole my original Canon battery and replaced it for a fake one that doesn’t work at all.
When I went back to his messy place to ask for my original battery he tried to sold me mine for $ 20. Then, I tell him that he changed (maybe «by accident…») my battery and he starts to yell at me, and threaten through his security woman (a poor homeless I guess he, hopefully, pays to protect him from angry customers).
Don’t think twice, just read the rest of reviews, or just stop by his place and you’ll see what CHAOS is in pure state. I can’t understand how I could leave my camera there in first place… I definitely got what I deserved for not following my guts and disobey common sense.
Don’t have faith in him and don’t be fooled by his silly face, he knows what he’s doing and doesn’t deserve anyone’s pity.

Great local option for camera repairs!
Not in the greatest neighborhood, but price, customer service and turnaround time make up for that!
Thanks David for fixing our LCD screen!
*Cash only!

I needed to fix my old Canon 50 mm 1.4 °F that my friend dropped it onto a hard floor 5 years ago. 5 years ago! I almost forgot that I had this broken lens in my closet.
So I Unilocaled and found this place, talked to David over the phone and visited.
He looked drowsy and bored but when I handed him my broken lens, I felt his eyes got broadened for a few secs then it came back to bored eyes again. I know it sounds a bit fakey but this was how I felt at that moment. Ten, he said, «$ 140». I didn’t even dare to negotiate with him because his answer was so simple yet persuasive. (Later I found out this was pretty reasonable price). He accepts my credit card but then there will be a tax added, which isn’t an issue with me. So I paid him $ 150 or so right away and told him I needed it in 2 days cuz I need to fly way to Hawaii for my wedding ceremony. He said, «Don’t worry, I got your friend’s wedding»
After 2 days, I got a call with that voice saying my lens was ready. Dropped by 2 hours later, and boom my precious 50 mm 1.4 °F was reborn!
I would definitely find David in the future with my camera and lens!
Pros:
— Conveniently located in SF Downtown
— Fast turnaround
— Reasonable price
Cons:
— Finding a street parking

Good place. Good people. Fast turnaround.
David is the mad scientist of cameras.
He’s surrounded by cameras and equipment– worth the visit! Thank you

my sony nx-​6 stopped working, call Sony, they told me to send it to them for a estimate which with take 2wks.
Called a bunch of shops in SF all say they shipped it out to be fixed.
Went to Camera Heaven and they fixed it in 24hrs for $ 140! can’t beat that!
Don’t listen to the bad review, just give them a go and get a quick estimate.

Like so many other reviewers, Camera Heaven took forever to fix my Bronica camera. So long I forgot they had it. And after a few months of using my camera, the same problem starting happening.
I will never recommend Camera Heaven, even though they are the only camera repair shop in SF.
I now send any cameras for repairs to Santa Cruz Camera Repair in Santa Cruz.
Sure, I have to ship it to them. But at least Carlos (the owner) gets to job done in a reasonable amount of time and communicates with his customers.