Hi, I will be spending the coming weekend in London and wondered if you knew of any good places for 2nd hand Leica cameras/lenses.

Thanks in advance.

-- William Westergren (westergren@skynet.be), February 04, 2002

Answers

Richard, in central London I have purchased from all the following (and recommend them in this order): Fieldgrass and Gale (SW18), Richard Caplan (near Picadilly Circus), Jessops Classic (near British Museum, R.G Lewis (Holborn).

I do not recommend Classic Camera.

-- Giles Poilu (giles@monpoilu.icom43.net), February 04, 2002.

Try the Classic Camera in Pied Bull off Bury St. (I think) Its around the corner from the British Museum. Also Jessops in the same location.

-- Dennis Goldstein (dennis.goldstein@gsa.gov), February 04, 2002.

William, what sort of Leica's / lenses are you looking for?

-- sparkie (sparkie@mailcity.com), February 04, 2002.

what was the problem with Classic Camera? Just curious B http://www.35mmf8.org

-- briandavidstevens (briandavidstevens@excite.com), February 04, 2002.

Sparkie,

I'm looking for a M3 and a 35/cron. No need to be collectors item, so a bit beat up is not a problem.

-- William Westergren (westergren@skynet.be), February 04, 2002.

William, I know of several places selling M3's, single and double stroke. As to a 35 'cron. I saw a Ex++ to Mint- PRE Asph version (great bokeh jobbie) at a camera fair last weekend. Email me off-list and I can forward you details ahead of your departure. Where are you coming from?

-- sparkie (sparkie@mailcity.com), February 04, 2002.

Problem with Classic Camera is (in my experience) their customer service is apalling.

An item I purchased from them was clearly faulty, they (he - the owner) refused to ackwnoledge the fault (verified by others) and was downright un-helpful and frankly rude. I had to sell the item privately.

Leica is a prestige product, we are a fussy lot and quite rightly demand a high level of service. Virtually all the Leica (or otherwise) camera shops I have ever dealt with offer a no quibble returns policy - Classic Camera does not. This service is freely offered at the other dealers I have mentioned above.

I might add that I have heard other mention of dissatisfied service from Classic Camera from at least three other people - two very long established in the trade.

-- Giles Poilu (giles@monpoilu.icom43.net), February 04, 2002.

William, I have no idea why I called you Richard - sorry!

-- Giles Poilu (giles@monpoilu.icom43.net), February 04, 2002.

In the interest of consumer rights, I have to back Giles on this one. Classic Camera would be a terrific dealership if it were not for the tight-fisted, horse-shite nature of the owner. He will smile when he takes your money, but does not understand the concept of friendly customer service when you have a genuine problem or concern. I don't like putting individuals or their businesses down, but the truth should prevail. Best regards,

-- summicron (summicron_@hotmail.com), February 04, 2002.

May I recomend Aperture Photgraphic? 44 Museum St in the basement of a cafe there. Very good service etc

http://www.aperture-photgraphic.com

Bought lots of Nikon M/F gear there great shop

B

-- briandavidstevens (briandavidstevens@excite.com), February 04, 2002.

Yes, Patrick at Aperture Photographic is an example of a GOOD dealer.

-- summicron (summicron_@hotmail.com), February 04, 2002.

Try http://www.mwclassic.com A good website and if there is anything you like, worth making an appointment.

-- Mark Eban (markeban@compuserve.com), February 04, 2002.

BTW, William are you from Belgium? Can you reciprocate on Leica shops in your country?

-- Giles Poilu (giles@monpoilu.icom43.net), February 04, 2002.

I enjoyed browsing the shops in the Pied Bull Rd arcade but the prices on used equipment were shockingly high. On new equipment I could get a VAT refund which made them about equal to the same equipment used. My advice is buy your Leica equipment from the US, spend your weekend in London using it.

-- Jay (infinitydt@aol.com), February 04, 2002.

Giles,you knew the item was faulty,but sold it anyway? I think you must be the kind of person who deserves to be treated like a t**t!

-- Harry (harrytrentson@greenmile.com), February 04, 2002.

I was very sorry to read the above comments.It is our aim to not only provide Leica equipment at a reasonable cost,but to provide a superb after sales service.If anyone has anything they wish to discuss they can do so via e-mail or on the following number-++44(0)2078310777. I would like to offer a small token of goodwill to anyone who feels they have a valid complaint. Many thanks Jeff Hansdale(sales manager)

-- Jeff Hansdale(sales manager) (leica.sales@classiccamera.demon.co.uk), February 04, 2002.

Harry - before you abuse me please ask for the facts. The item in question was sold privately via a commission sale through one of the dealers I recommended above AFTER the fault had been corrected in their workshop. They (as mentioned above) verified the fault).

Far from deserving to be treated like a t**t (whatever that is) I simply expected Classic Camera to repair or refund the item.

Try thinking before posting.

-- Giles Poilu (giles@monpoilu.icom43.net), February 04, 2002.

Jeff Handsdale? Ahh NO. The owners name is Andrew. And even if the new sales manager is Jeff, the owner has the responsibility to ensure customers good, honest, reliable customer service. Something they SHOULD have understood from day one. A little too late. Best wishes,

-- summicron (summicron_@hotmail.com), February 04, 2002.

I think the sales manager is called Jeff,the shop manager is called Andrew,but you are right 'cron-

Too little,too late.

-- Terry (terrysouthall@hotmail.com), February 04, 2002.

I have purchased a number of Leica M items from Classic Camera over the past two years. The price has always been good. the service knowledgeable and polite, and their stock comprehensive. Aperture Photographic seem to operate out of the basement of a cafe, friends told me that they are helpfull and their service good Richard Caplan is a Leica specialist and is in either the Picadilly Arcade or in the Burlington Arcade both opposite the Royal Acadamy in Picadilly (the Street not the Circus). He always seems to have a good display of older as well as modern vintage Leica. Jessops Classic in Pied Bull Yard (a few feet away from Classic very near British Museum in Central London)is good for classic Leica rangefinder equipment but not many current or new items. .

-- Gabriel Shaw (gabriel@gabriel.homechoice.co.uk), February 04, 2002.

I've bought from Classic and never had a serious problem, they are though rather expensive. Nevertheless, its very complete stock and rare items make it is a must for any Leica London visitor, particularly as it is only a stone's throw from one of the world's great museums. Despite a reasonably good collection of equipment I boycott Caplin's. They were once very rude - essentially wouldn't take a lens out of the window for me to examine. No explanation, just a very condescending snear. The best advice I can offer anyone interested in buying Leica, or photo gear in general, in Britain is to purchase a copy of Amateur Photographer magazine and examine the ads in the back. Any serious dealer has a listing there.

Robert White and Ffordes are British dealers I have also bought from and can recommend. They have good web sites and will ship abroad.

Hope you enjoy London

Matt

-- Matthew Pulzer (pulzer@dial.pipex.com), February 04, 2002.

I've bought user grade screwmount stuff from both The Classic Camera and Jessops Classics at reasonable prices, and with helpful and friendly service (The Classic Camera threw in a free half case with a IIIc body, and Jessops Classics were happy to honour their initial quote on an Elmar that had been priced too low by mistake). I've looked around the Richard Caplan shop, and they were happy to show me items from the window and talk about the equipment. Aperture were also friendly, but had a more limited range of (really good condition) s/h Leica stuff (they are Nikon specialists). If you want to try Fieldgrass & Gale, you'll need to make an appointment before calling. Portobello Road might be worth a try - I've seen a few Leicas there, but they weren't spectacularly cheap. You may also find modern Leica stuff at the main Jessops branch in New Oxford St., and at Jacobs across the road. I've had decent service from London Camera Exchange in The Strand, but don't recall if they had any Leica stuff. There's at least one other non-specialist s/h camera shop in Bloomsbury (across the street from Pied Bull Yard), and another about half way up Tottenham Court Road - can't remember the names.

http://www.theclassiccamera.com/

http://www.fieldgrassandgale.com/

http://www.aperturephotographic.com/

http://www.jessops.co.uk/classic/

http://www.richardcaplan.co.uk/

-- Richard Williams (richardw@icr.ac.uk), February 04, 2002.

Giles,

In Bruxelles you have a very nice Leica shop called ' Photo Alpha'( Avenue des Celtes, Metro: Merode ). Quite a lot of old Leica material, sometimes interesting 2 nd hand and very friendly service. Another shop is Campion ( Rue/Place St Boniface) There are two shops here,one for new material and one for second hand. A lot of stuff to be found, all brands. Voila.

-- William Westergren (westergren@skynet.be), February 05, 2002.

i bought all of my new stuff at classic camera. i think the treatment was friendly and very competent. new equipment is reasonably priced, though i thought the used things are on the expensive side.

-- stefan randlkofer (geesbert@yahoo.com), February 05, 2002.

When I visited London last year, I bought my first Leica at the Classic Camera. I found them most helpful and the price of the M6 TTL was very reasonable. This was confirmed when I took the camera for a checkup by Leica reps during a Leica demo and sale here in Washington, DC. The rep said I got a bargain at the price I paid.

-- Dennis Goldstein (dennis.goldstein@gsa.gov), February 05, 2002.

Most shops are helpful and friendly and nice when they are trying to sell you something - don't forget the REAL test is how they react when something goes wrong!

-- Giles Poilu (giles@monpoilu.icom43.net), February 05, 2002.