Where did you buy your Leica? Was it new or used?

<p>I live in Hong Kong and my first Leica was a used M4, bought in 1982 from Kinefoto. I've been buying from them ever since, old and new. Their prices are not cheap but they're very reliable.<br>

I also buy from a shop on the Kowloon side. Cheaper but the products are more worn and sometimes need CLA, but they never hesitate to fix the problem or refund. It's name has been changed due to the divorce between the couple who used to own it. I don't know what the new name is.<br>

I chose those two shops on intuition, I'm usually good in that.<br>

Search photo.net and you'll find a lot of threads on shops in Hong Kong. What they state are accurate and not yet outdated. I only wish to emphasise one thing that those threads said "DON"T buy from shops on Nathan Road".</p>

<p>All purchased used (M2, M6, MP, M8) which probably isn't good for Leica (except for keeping re-sale values high) but buying Exc+/Mint- used Leica is, in my opinion, the best way to go. If you change your mind (I've bought and sold quite a few) you can generally recapture all or most of your purchase price. It's like a no-cost lease. One exception are the two M2s I purchased. Both required expensive overhauls to get them back into excellent working condition. <br>

I agree, buy from a reputable dealer. Any M is an expensive purchase.</p>

 

<p>Purchased my previously owned M8 from Kurland Photo. Very reliable and knowledgeable Leica dealer.</p>

<p>My IIIg was neither new nor used. It was a gift from an ex-labworker who gave me it and the microscope it came with which he bought cheaply when they shut down the facility.<br>

I had some occasional banding and had it CLA'd and it awaits the application of a new skin. I may not put the Aki Asahi leatherette on, in fact, as it looks kinda neat without.</p>

<p>I've purchased from KEH, Kurland, National Camera, Camera West, and a long gone great store that used to be in Nashville.<br>

I've had good luck with all.</p>

<p>Two used R7s were purchased from Classic Camera in London. An R6.2 from flea bay. An M2 from brother in law and M6 TTL from Red Dot Cameras in London. All have been in superb condition and still working.</p>

<p>Ace Cameras in Bath UK set me off on the r/f trail with an M4, then an M6TTL from them, then an M7 from Robert White, and an R8 from eBay, then sold M7 and bought M9 from R.G.Lewis in London.</p>