I travelled sometimes in important cities in USA, Europe, and Asia. I used to visit major photographic stores and I would like to know the best knowledgeable LEICA store in big cities like New-York, Paris, London, Tokyo, Berlin, Frankfurt, Vienna, Hong-Kong, etc....etc...Thanks. Jean-Pierre Auger, Montréal, Canada.

-- Jean-Pierre Auger. (paphoto@videotron.ca), January 04, 2002

Answers

Jean-Pierre:

You left out Antartica. We Leica using Penguins are just a little more than miffed. ;o)))

Art

-- Art (AKarr@aol.com), January 04, 2002.

Jean-Pierre,

Since you travel so much around the world why not write a book for wandering Leica owners, call it: 'Leica Stores Around The World' then sell it here. Should be a best seller.

-- Steve leHuray (icommag@toad.net), January 04, 2002.

Hmmm, I can tell you the best 3-4 stores here in Berlin, and then in Wetzlar, Hamburg, Frankfurt (am Main), and Munich. Send me an e-mail, otherwise it might look as if I'm trying to advertise for them.

-- Michael Kastner (kastner@zedat.fu-berlin.de), January 04, 2002.

Dear Jean-Pierre, Your name sounds French. Perhaps you know the Leica shop in Paris 11e just north of Bastille on Beaumarchais. The shop is always busy with serious customers, great inventory and a very congenial and knowledgeable proprietor.I always enjoy a visit but rarely buy. Prices in the States are too good.

-- George L. Doolittle (geodoolitt@aol.com), January 04, 2002.

Jean-Pierre,

Try visiting Tamarkin New York when you're here. They are at 670 Broadway, 5th Floor (1 block South of Tower Records). Their website is www.tamarkin.com They have a fabulous selection of used Leica equipment if you are a collector. Please go to their website if you can.

Also, the Leica Gallery (same address, same floor) is right next door to Tamarkin. The photograph exhibits there are sublime.

Bon voyage et bon chance, Sikaan

-- Sikaan (Sikaan4@aol.com), January 04, 2002.

I live in New York and have found Ken Hansen Photographic at 509 Madison Avenue to be the most knowledgable and best stocked Leica dealer in the city. I am particularly impressed by the way Ken and his associates, all professional photographers in their own right, really offer unusual service. One year, my wife and I were vacationing in Sicily and my R8 died.... I called Ken and he offered to Fedex a new one to me thereby saving my vacation. That is service!!!

-- Albert Knapp MD (albertknappmd@mac.com), January 05, 2002.

If you are ever in Chicago, Helix is the largest camera dealer. They are located at 310 S Racine Avenue. Racine is a north-south runnung street, about 1 mile west of the downtown area ("The Loop"). You can take the "Blue Line" subway southwest from downtown Chicago. Get off at Racine and walk one block north to Helix. If you are not in downtown Chicago, the "Blue Line" Rapid Transit can be boarded at O'Hare Int"l Airport. It'll take you about 30 minutes to get to Racine, but if you've never ridden the Chicago Rapid Transit (CTA), you have missed one of the interesting attractions, and one of the most photogenic! Hollywood loves Chicago's rapid transit system!

-- Frank Horn (owlhoot45@hotmail.com), January 05, 2002.

Places to shop for Leica equipment in Hong Kong:

Tin Cheung Camera Co.; G26-28 Tung Ying Building, 100 Nathan Road, Kowloon (new & grey-market stuff).

Man Shing Photo Supplies Co.; 106 Tung Choi St., Kowloon (brand new warrantied stuff).

Kinefoto Ltd.; 66-68 Stanley St., G/F, Shop 1, Central (new, grey- market and used stuff).

For reliable (and fast!) repair of Leica equipment: Panda Camera- repair Service; Penthouse, Double Building, 22 Stanley St., Central (once in a while, the repairer, Mr. Lee (not related to me!), has nice Leica stuff for sale).

I'm sure there're other recommendable shops, but these are the ones I've bought Leica stuff from and am happy with.

-- Hoyin Lee (leehoyin@hutchcity.com), January 06, 2002.

London - Richard Caplan and Fieldgrass and Gale. Also Jessops Classic near the British Museum is ok.

-- Giles Poilu (giles@monpoilu.icom43.net), January 06, 2002.

Foto-Ganz in Zürich on Rennweg is a very compete dealer. Foto Bären is also ok. Foto-Pro in Luzern is also ok, under the same owner as Ganz, but Rennweg, Zürich is the flagship store. Swiss prices are normally 30% higher than Germany, but over the summer there was a rebate program which brought prices down to normal levels for a few months. Ganz discounts 5%, 10% with a sizable purchase and cash.

Of course, in Hamburg there is Leicabeimeister.com

Düsseldorf - well, Foto Koch is average.

I would forget about finding decent used gear in Italy. Actually, if you are looking for gear that was stolen from you, you'll probably find it here.

-- RedCave (redcave@schweiz.com), January 10, 2002.

(I had to push the Swiss dealers a bit, after all, at end of the money trail, Leica is a Swiss company!)

-- RedCave (redcave@schweiz.com), January 10, 2002.