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Aquamarine Lake in Jiuzhaigou National Park, China

Camera Gear Made in the USA: Directory to 25 American Photography Brands

By Matt Mullins – updated October 19, 2021

If you’re searching for what camera gear is made in the USA then you’ve come to the right place. I’ve researched and compiled a comprehensive guide to American made photography gear arranged in alphabetical order. As you might have noticed from my header photos and all of the non-studio images on my site, I love photography. I’ve personally used American made camera gear for years including camera bags, lens cases, filters, and camera straps.

Cameras

RED manufactures their Digital Stills and Motion Cameras (DSMC) in the USA for high end professional use. Of course RED must also source some components like sensors from overseas. Due to the cost of RED cameras, you’re unlikely to see one unless you’re a successful filmmaker or fashion photographer.

See RED Cameras at Adorama and B&H 

Camera Bags and Lens Cases

RED manufactures their Digital Stills and Motion Cameras (DSMC) in the USA for high end professional use. Of course RED must also source some components like sensors from overseas. Due to the cost of RED cameras, you’re unlikely to see one unless you’re a successful filmmaker or fashion photographer.

View Capturing Couture at Adorama and B&H

High quality leather camera bags and satchels. They also make many other kinds of leather goods in the U.S.A. like travel bags, duffels, totes, notepads, belts, straps, dopp kits, and wallets.

Find Copper River Bags at CopperRiverBags.com

Creates a wide variety of protective camera shoulder bags, satchels, lens cases and pouches, camera wraps, straps, and tripod bags.

Better known for their backpacks and camera straps, DSPTCH is also venturing into camera bags.

See DSPTCH Bags at B&H

High end leather and canvas camera bags, lens pouches, and camera harnesses. HoldFast is popular with wedding and portrait photographers desiring a classy professional look.

See Holdfast Gear at Adorama and B&H

500 denier ballistic nylon camera bags, lens pouches, beanbag camera supports, and filter pouches.

See Kinesis at B&H

OP/TECH USA manufactures high quality yet affordable camera cases for practically any DSLR or mirrorless camera, lens pouches, lens and body caps, binocular cases, camera rain covers, straps and slings, and hip packs. 

I own multiple OP/TECH camera cases, lens pouches, and a camera sling and I really like their stuff. As a photographer I prefer their unflashy style and toned down style which doesn’t draw as much unwanted attention. My neoprene camera strap from OP/TECH is comfortable, durable, as well as affordable.

See OP/TECH USA AmazonAdorama and B&H

Famous for making the best waterproof camera cases, and waterproof, crush-proof anything hard cases for that matter. I’ve used a wheeled pelican case to transport camera equipment internationally and know they’re excellent. They also manufacture American made hard cases for accessories like SD memory cards.

See Pelican at Adorama and B&H

​Offers a wide variety of high quality camera cases, bags, backpacks, holsters, pouches, rain and storm covers, and covers for practically any camera accessory. Portabrace cases have been built by hand in Vermont, USA since 1972.

See at Adorama and B&H

A variety of old school nylon camera bags, backpacks, luggage, and gear. If you’re looking for an inconspicuous camera bag that looks like a lunch or picnic bag then this is it.

Camera Straps

As mentioned above, Capturing Couture manufactures both fashionable bohemian camera straps and bags.

View Capturing Couture at Adorama and B&H

Stylish but affordable camera straps which often include recycled and vegan materials. Of course they make guitar straps too. Couch Guitar Straps are made in Los Angeles, California, USA.

See Couch straps at CouchGuitarStraps.com

As well as camera cases and bags, Domke also makes affordable and stylish camera straps.

See Domke Camera Straps at Adorama and B&H

Formerly focused on backpacks, DSPTCH is a relative newcomer to the camera accessory scene.

See DSPTCH Straps at B&H

Customizable yet affordable leather wrist and neck straps with a variety colors of leather and wrapping cords to choose from.

See Gordy’s Straps at GordysCameraStraps.com

HoldFast is well known for their luxurious camera harnesses which are often used by professional wedding photographers for a refined classy look. They also make high end camera bags, straps, lens pouches, leashes, and more.

See HoldFast Gear at Adorama and B&H

As was said for their camera bags… OP/TECH USA offers a wide range of camera accessories that are quality but inexpensive. I personally use an OP/TECH camera sling which I find very comfortable and durable for an affordable price.

See OP/TECH USA at AmazonAdorama and B&H

A custom camera strap crafter offering many choices of leather or fabric neck and wrist straps.

See PhatStraps at PhatStraps.com

It’s pretty simple. Simplr makes a few simple lightweight camera neck and wrist straps.

See Simplr Straps at Simplr.us

High end crafter of leather and fabric goods like wallets, belts, rucksacks, and also camera straps.

See Tanner Goods Camera Straps at TannerGoods.com

Recognized for colorful, innovative clothing and backpack designs, Topo Designs also offers camera straps made with multicolor climbing rope.

See Topo Designs Camera Straps at Amazon

Tripods, Camera Ball Heads, & Brackets

Makes some of the finest professional camera tripods, ball heads, and plates / brackets available. These guys are as local as it gets for me, since their headquarters and factory are just 30 minutes away in Lehi, Utah, USA.

See Really Right Stuff at B&H

Professional wood tripods known for their elegance and response to tonal vibration. Ries tripods have been used by masters like Ansel Adams and Cole Weston.

See Ries tripods at RiesTripod.com

Lens Filters

Tiffen offers both affordable and professional grade lens filters made in the USA for practically any application including polarizing, UV, color conversion, neutral density, image softening, and special effects lens filters.

See Tiffen lens filters at AdoramaAmazon, and B&H

Lighting

Chimera produces a full line of lighting modifiers for studio / portrait photographers and filmmakers such as lightbanks, reflectors, diffusers, light panels, lanterns, and softboxes.

See Chimera Lighting Modifiers at Adorama and B&H

Lumiquest makes easily portable camera flash bouncers, diffusers, and softboxes.

See Lumiquest at Adorama and B&H

The Lightning Bug is a camera trigger remote that automatically takes photos of lightning or fireworks displays. This little device detects the infrared burst that occurs just before a lightning strike thus allowing you to capture perfectly timed lightning bolts. The Lightning Bug receives high reviews for making it easy to capture spectacular lightning shows.

See the Lightning Bug at Adorama and B&H

Rigs and Video Stabilizing Supports

Professional filmmaking camera rigs built in the USA for camcorders, DSLRs, and mirrorless cameras.

See Zacuto Camera Rigs at Adorama and B&H

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PLEASE! I NEED HELP TO KEEP RUNNING THIS WEBSITE, AND IT’S EASY AND FREE FOR YOU TO HELP OUT! 
Sharing the best locally made gear is a passion project close to my heart and if I’ve helped you find some cool US made gear then please consider helping my site going and growing. Running this site costs me a lot of cash to use secure and speedy web servers, purchase new gear, and to contribute my personal time and effort. Thus, I need your help to cover my costs and continue providing quality free information on the latest American-made gear.
It’s easy and free to help out.

If you ever want to purchase ANYTHING from Amazon, B&H, Adorama, or REI.com… even for toothpaste or dog food, then you can help me without costing you a single penny. If you use my links to make a purchase within 24 hrs then I will receive a tiny credit that will help my site pay its dues and continue running. So all I ask is that if you find the free info here useful and you need to make a purchase at Amazon, REI, etc. then please use the links on this site. This costs you nothing extra but will help provide myself and this website a dollar or two to help keep on trucking.

You can bookmark the following sites and each time you purchase something it will help American Gear Guide in a small but significant way. Bookmarkable links: Amazon, B&H, Adorama, or REI.com.

 
Another way you can help is by donating any amount you choose, even $1. If you would like to donate to this site, you can use the paypal donate button below or you can do so by following the DonorBox link here (includes options for PayPal and Google Pay) and enter the donation amount of your choice. I provide this website’s information for free without annoying ads or membership fees so any donation is incredibly helpful. Thank you! 

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