This may be my first review of DTC but it certainly is not my first purchase! I have trusted DTC for year to have the equipment and accessories I need. Today's' purchase was a relatively simple pickup of some Shurtape white 2 inch gaffers tape. The pro grade P-672 kind. You can find black gaffer's tape man by places. When you need the good stuff in other colors DTC is the place to go! They have LOTS of other things for sale and for rental. Just give the a call. read more

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I absolutely love the DTC. Down to earth people No frills place. They've helped me a lot with my Photography. I've been wanting to up my photog game to be more cinematic and they've given me advice and pointers. Since they work with big budgets and Hollywood ish people, when I rent theyre pretty chill about returning my rentals on time since I'm just one person. read more

I work in the film industry in Los Angeles and renting gear from other lighting houses can be questionable when you have to rent gear outside major cities such as SF. I have rented from this place 3x times and the last time will be my last. Last year they forgot sand bags, earlier this year they forgot a mount on the slider, and recently they forgot attachments for the c-stand and kinos. It's always a great idea to rent on a Friday so you get a 1x rental charge, but it's a worthless venture if they can't the order right and you can't get ahold of anyone on the weekend. It seems like NBD to be missing s piece of gear, but if it sets your shoot back 2 hours so you can troubleshoot, and you have to make cuts in the shotlist for a vendor's error, then you gotta rent from a house that is more professional in their detail. Film is an integrity business and this place is not first rate. Once shame on you, 3x shame on me. read more

I often shoot fashion, cars (see my reviews regarding photographic arts) and nature, but more than that, I need Gaffer's Tape to tape to walls, poles or whatever. DTC Grip and Electric will supply a filmmakers needs with all kinds of assorted needed items. Key Grip? Special Effects? Lighting? Come on down, there are all kinds of equipment, including everything regarding grips and electric. Just keep in mind they don't carry the cameras!! We are only talking grip stuff folks. read more

Your basic grip-supply place (think: filmmaking). It's big, sort of like a convenience store, except all they sell is grip equipment. Lighting gels, lamps, flags, duct tape in different colors, sand bags... pretty much everything you need to make a movie but the camera and stock. They also have a selection of cinematography books in the front. Don't go there if you need hand-holding- the people at DTC are all business. But if you have heard of a product, or learned about something at the film class you just took, they can hook you up. They'll talk shop with you if you like, comparing gels and light vendors. I believe they have a student discount if you ask. Note the rental department opens a half hour after the store opens and closes a half hour after the rest closes. read more

DTC has quite a lot of pro-gear for grips and filmmakers. Student filmmakers can get everything they need here as well. From sand bags to high powered lights, all kinds of expendibles, and high-end trucks for Hollywood location shoots. I've heard there were a couple cheaper places to get expendibles, but the people working at DTC are very knowledgeable, and nice. read more

They have an amazing assortment of rental equipment. Lights, reflectors, even trucks full of gear that you can rent. The staff has always taken the time to show me how to operate the equipment. On short notice I needed to rent a silk and reflector. Even tho they were busy, they set up the entire 12 x 12 foot frame and silk on stands for us and let us practice setting it up until we were comfortable with it. No pressure, no ego trippers, just knowledgable staff. They even added such accessories as two sizes of apple boxes that we hadn't thought of, but we did need. read more

If I had to use one word to describe DTC it would be "RAD". Their Expendables store carries a plethora of Gels, Tape and Lamps as well as any Lighting and Grip accessories that one might need on a shoot. They offered a lot of helpful suggestions, and were happy to hold my hand, and walk me through the store while offering several wallet-friendly options. Their Rentals Department is HUGE - again, incredibly friendly and knowledgeable staff. Their warehouse is really exciting to see, and again is full of any parts and pieces one might need while on set. BRAVO, DTC - I will definitely be visiting again in the near future! read more

this place has everything. it's run by people who've been on the sets of everything, and they're not afraid to give out good deals. I frequent the place over the past year, and they've always gone the extra step in making sure I get what I need on my schedule, and I've never felt any less than a valued client, despite the tricky demands I've made or how many ginormous projects they're running at the same time. Also, they know everyone in town, so feel free to hit them up for crew recommendations at different budget levels. Lastly, I'd recommend bringing a six-pack to the crew every once in a while, they light up and they're always happy to be even more extra-magical when they know they're being appreciated. read more

The biggest, the best. Tons of equipment, plenty of trucks, knowledgeable staff to help you sort it all out. And their annual party kicks ass! Seriously, though, if you're looking for the top-grade professional gear, whether you're shooting a commercial or feature or documentary, this vendor has got it all. Give Dan in rentals a call, he'll help you get sorted. Tell 'em the Food Dude sent ya! (I don't think that will get you a discount, but it'll at least get you a laugh.) read more

1) The staff is amazing! They take tons of time to answerer all sorts of weird questions I have. The owner once took more than hour with me, and sorted through more than a dozen boxes looking for unique fittings so that I could quickly and safely clamp a dSLR camera to a crane lifting re-bar. 2) The sales staff doesn't sell you stuff, they educate you and then you realize your getting far more than just a piece of equipment from them and you are more than happy to spend money with them. 3) They are a great resource for anyone in the creative industry, they know everyone and can put you in touch with the right people to get your job done. 4) DTC Grip is the best rental house in the bay for lighting and grip. I know they specialize in movie production rental, but they have amazing resources for still photographers too! I can't say enough great things about them. I opened my studio up down the street from them partly because I knew they were right around the corner!! read more

DTC is a great rental house for lighting gear, for both movie and stills. I've run an Oakland-based photography studio for 6 years, and they have been very helpful on a number of jobs. It's been especially helpful to discuss the lighting of potential projects with the knowledgeable staff. Recently, I rented a Kino kit from them for the first time (kick-a** fluorescent lighting, that is) and got a full demo on how to work with it. I also got a helpful demo on setting up dolly track for an upcoming job. Working with DTC inspires confidence that translates directly to efficiency on set. They've been great about working with whatever budget I might have on a given job, and with introducing me to new, more effective tools. I've rented from every gear house in the Bay Area, and these guys are the top tier! read more

Hula Hoop Tape!! They have many colors of grip tape. It's not easy to find and I'm so glad I finally came across this place. The staff was very friendly and showed me to the grip and electrical tape areas. They didn't even look at me strange when I told them what I was using it for. Apparently this spot is frequented by DIY hoppers. Now that this review is here hopefully more folks will try DIY hoops. Because finding the supplies is half to work!!! read more

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Fantastic customer service and selection! DTC Lighting & Grip has more and does more than anyone else in the Bay Area, period. They do it all, from selling simple expendables and lighting instruments to locals - all the way up to renting 10 ton trucks and complete lighting and grip packages to the biggest episodic television and feature film productions that come to San Francisco. I go way back with DTC and the thing I appreciate the most about them is that they've always been owned and operated by working professionals. Steve Condiotti and Peter Thomas are at the top of their game and are supported by an awesome cast of characters. Darcy is great! Zach is great! The level of knowledge is so deep, there is simply nothing they can't handle. I'll be back again and again! read more

I love this place. I found out about them via a local ASMP (American Society of Media Photographers) meeting. They kindly opened up for us on a Saturday and gave us a few hours of instruction on lighting and set ups. So much knowledge and willingness to share information, I really appreciate them for doing that. I went back to purchase a few things today from them - Bri (not sure if that is the correct spelling) served me and she was excellent, even arranging a delivery for me that same day as the Foamcores were a little to large for my car. This is a great place for Seamless and gels and tape and foamcore. I even treated my self to a heavy duty (used) American Combo Stand - they have a few for sale second hand. read more

I've been looking for a place to buy gaffers/spike tape from for ages (literally), and I saw this place, but didn't have a chance to go until today. Shipping from anywhere, even DTC Grip, for spike tape costs more than the tape itself, so I was excited to go. They have an incredibly easy-to-navigate showroom, and even though they were out of flourescent orange tape (which was not a problem for me, who needed kodak yellow), it took me only a second to fin the tape and pay for it. The staff were super-nice, and didn't pressure me at all. I noticed the theatrical and lighting supply equipment, too, and I was amazed, as was my mom. Their spotlights are amazing and they have the largest supply of gloves (and fingerless gloves, which I have also searched for for a long time) in the world, probably. I was very satisfied with DTC Grip; I'll definitely be going back soon :). read more

DTC is the best!! The shop has everything you could possibly need for productions large and small. Their staff is very friendly and helpful. Such an asset to the film and video arts community! Thanks DTC!! read more

Excellent one stop shop for all your lighting and grip needs in the east bay YAY! Plus they're good folks. Give em ur biz plz.

We buy a lot of gaff tape, odds and ends, as well as rent a good deal from DTC. Their team is super friendly and always knowledgable. Plus, they are right up the street from our office. so DOUBLE SCORE! Go DTC!!! read more

Top notch service! Friendly staff and highly knowledgeable . One of the crew even charged my dead phone for me while they demo'd a product. read more

I feel very lucky to have been referred to DTC when I am working up north. I feel the staff is very knowledgeable and provides superior customer service. Very few vendors can I endorse whole heartedly, happily this is one. Thank you DTC Lighting and Grip. read more

If you're a major production shooting in the Bay Area, you already know how great DTC is. I'm chiming in for the Indie and DIY set who may not be aware of the incredible expertise and support available here. Be sure to look in to what they have to offer: you and your project will look better and go more smoothly because you did. I just finished production on a low budget feature, and can say I couldn't have done it without DTC! read more

I don't usually leave reviews. But everyone that works here is so sweet. I have to admit it was intimidating walking into a warehouse full of all men and me having little knowledge of what exactly I needed. But Peter (forgive me if I'm wrong), who may have been the owner, helped me figure out what I wanted with so much patience. Everyone in the warehouse made me feel like I was a long time customer and friend. In the morning when I dropped off the gear they asked how my shoot went. The whole experience felt very personable and easy. Ps I vote for fried chicken and waffles read more

love you guys ! all my grip needs at a great price and always in stock ! photo black tape, i mean photo black on black tape.. no problem. tough flock(velvetine), no problem. duve and on and on. love it here ! read more

I have worked with these guys for years and they are amazingly helpful. They are all very friendly and incredibly knowledgeable. As of last year they also rent a wide range of Profoto strobe equipment which saves me a trip into the city. read more

I highly recommend using DTC Lighting & Grip. Always have what ya need. Good prices. Friendly staff. Excellent customer service. I work out of NYC. When my crew out in San Francisco has had last minute requests, the Rental Accounts Manager Zach has helped me out time and again - always makes the rental process a breeze. DTC Lighting and Grip rules for sure. read more

This place doesn't have much for a photographer, but it's a great local place to find seamless backgrounds and gels. They also have a good selection of hot lights and the staff is friendly and knowledgable. read more

High quality equipment with great customer service. Can't go wrong with trucks going out with all American C-stands w/ gobo heads and arms. Bay area loves you guys!!!! read more

Darcy and Frank have been my connection at DTC for years and I buy all my grip gear through them, better and faster than Filmtools and B&H and they are SF bay area local. Greg fixes my small HMI's and when I need the big guns, I rent that stuff at DTC too. I would be out business if I did not have DTC in Emeryville, killer service, sales and rentals. Thanks! read more

Holy Hollywood, Batman!! these guys are legit. Mainly a real deal movie rental house with a small sales dept...whatever they have going on (they were gearing up for a surf flick filmed in Santa Cruz last time i was there) they will make time to give me and my $100 budget their full attention. If you're filming a movie, then you already know about them. If you are a small time photog/producer then look them up! read more

Best lighting and grip in the Bay. I absolutely love this place. The staff is knowledgable and great with customer service. Great place for gear for stills, motion or whatever yocrew hoot may need. They do huge movie productions but still embrace the little guy. Working in LA, NYC and SF I prefer these guys over any other gear house I have ever used. Go here. Thank you DTC! read more

One reason I rent from DTC is their huge inventory of the latest lighting and grip equipment. Their friendly in house staff assures me of the best and most reliable service before, during and after my projects. DTC makes it easy. read more