San Diego's trusted destination for film photography, gear, and expert development since 1975.
Professional development of color, black-and-white, and expired film with high-quality scans delivered via WeTransfer or prints.
Curated selection of pre-owned cameras, lenses, and photography equipment from brands like Nikon, Hasselblad, and more.
Hourly rentals for darkroom access and photography studio space, perfect for film processing and shooting projects.
Expert repair and maintenance for film and digital cameras, though turnaround times may vary based on complexity.
Sales of film rolls, darkroom chemicals, accessories, and other essential photography materials.
Sadly I feel like I have to leave this review after about one year of using Camera Exposure. At first, I was really excited about a cool, indie, development house and film store. And my first couple rolls went well- but in the last 6 months my experience has been horrible. While some of the younger employees are very kind, Rob has ruined my experience and I will not be returning due to him. Any interaction with him has been extremely negative/ and or rude. I was about to sign up for their darkroom subscription and I was met with no enthusiasm, kindness, or grace by Rob. Anytime I asked him a question, I was met with frustration and brief, quippy, and passive aggressive responses. I don’t want to have to “get lucky” and have another employee happen to help me out. Next, the photos. Getting photos back was good at first, but they’ve started tinting my photos, and refuse to acknowledge this. I do not think I will be returning to Camera Exposure unless they show some real change.
An old haunt from back in the film days! A spot I shopped for good deals when taking college classes. Good to see the shop is still going strong. It’s a great spot for used photo gear of all brands and formats from large to small. You can rent darkroom time as well as studio time by the hour. Friendly young lady was behind the counter to answer questions and direct me to the best cameras to buy…Nikon and Hasselblad 😃 Also, there aren’t too many places to get film developed anymore, this is where you still can.
There are 3 main camera stores in San Diego, this is truly a business run by film photographers for film photographers. Safelight Labs does free WeTransfers where others will charge extra. I got 4 rolls back (2 B&W, 2 color) back in a week. The scans were great!
Dropped off camera for repair took longer than expected paid $100 for repair. Was given my camera back with nothing covering the body leaving mirror exposed. Was told it had a receipt covering it prior and that it was fine to leave camera mirror exposed. Poor customer service. Added -when I dropped of my camera it had a lens on it I was informed to remove the lens and give the camera to you all. I would imagine after spending $100 with your business you could have spared a very inexpensive body cap for the camera or at least told me to bring one. Gladly taking my business elsewhere as I am not the first one to experience poor customer service. Good luck
If you're shooting expired film -- why chance it? Take it to the Pro's at Camera Exposure and let them develop it. They have brought rolls back to life for me that expired over 20 years ago; they have an auto developer machine featured on ABC 10 News -- and boy do they know how to use it. They have never taken more than 3 days to develop a roll and they're just absolute Pro's. Here are some sample expired rolls their techs brought to life.
Camera Exposure is a beloved San Diego institution serving photographers of all levels with specialty film services, high-quality used camera gear, and darkroom/studio rentals. We specialize in developing expired and challenging film rolls with professional care, offering both color and black-and-white processing. Our knowledgeable staff provides personalized recommendations on cameras from Nikon to Hasselblad, and we maintain one of the few local spots for film development and scanning. Whether you're a seasoned film shooter or exploring analog photography, we're here to support your creative journey with expertise and passion.
Claim Camera Exposure to update business info, respond to reviews, and access analytics.