scott_evans3 Posted November 5, 2001 Share Posted November 5, 2001 What the best store "you've had luck with" in the USA for used Leica lenses. Thanks Scott Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richard_ilomaki2 Posted November 5, 2001 Share Posted November 5, 2001 Scott: <p> Tamarkin in NYC on Broadway in the same building as the Leica Gallery and near the Strand bookstore and Tower records: Four adictions in a few blocks. <p> Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve_hoffman Posted November 5, 2001 Share Posted November 5, 2001 Scott, <p> Drop Richard at: http://www.leicagallery.com a line. He always has a handle on good used Leica stuff. I deal with him all the time. He's great! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ray_moth Posted November 5, 2001 Share Posted November 5, 2001 Scott, <p> I've ordered twice from KEH (http://www.keh.com). First time I ordered a shade for an Elmarit-R 24/2.8 lens and a Leica E55 polarizer. Second time, I ordered an Apo-Telyt-R 180/3.4 lens and a Motor-Winder-R. These were all used items and KEH's description of their condition was fair in each case. They were very prompt in despatching the order and the items were well-packed and arrived wthin 4 to 5 days at my address in Jakarta by UPS courier. <p> I've found KEH's pricing to be a bit erratic, they're not cheap on average and some items are definitely over-priced. However, you can get some bargains if you scan their site. They have a good reputation as traders and I wouldn't hesitate to order from them in the future. I must state that I have no connection with KEH, other than as a satisfied customer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john_c. Posted November 5, 2001 Share Posted November 5, 2001 Don Chatterton knows more about Leica lenses than most people. He has an optical bench and doesn't sell the abused stuff. He's completely honest and offers great deals. Highly recommended..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david_page1 Posted November 6, 2001 Share Posted November 6, 2001 Jim Kuehl in Des Moines, Iowa is also very knowledgeable and fair. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bob_stevens3 Posted November 6, 2001 Share Posted November 6, 2001 I second Jim Kuehl. Have traded and purchased with/from him for years, first Nikon, now Leica. Equipment always as described, a pleasure to deal with. Totally above-board and honest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alfie_wang Posted November 6, 2001 Share Posted November 6, 2001 Tamarkin is a must on the East Coast... dang it's easy to go for broke walking through that plus Tower Records (too many dang hiphop and jazz and 70's soul music CD's there... sigh)... <p> Tamarkin has a wonderful Leica gallery which is rather persuasive about why going broke on Leicaphilia is a good idea :) <p> On the West Coast, there is Don Chatteron. He's the man! He keeps it better than a lot of locals who don't have a freaking idea what Leicas are... especially in California where Canons are dominant! <p> :) <p> Alfie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timothy_nelson Posted November 6, 2001 Share Posted November 6, 2001 From my own experience, I can recommend Don Chatterton, Tamarkin, Classic Connection, PhotoVillage (Rich Pinto), and Keeble & Schuchat (in Palo Alto, CA). All Leica experts and honorable business people. You can consult the database of customer feedback for individual stores on the greenspun website. It is useful in steering you away from some unscrupulous dealers out there, but even the good ones occasionally get some nasty comments from a customer with unreasonable expectations or misunderstandings, so take it with a grain of salt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ivor_quaggin1 Posted November 6, 2001 Share Posted November 6, 2001 I have made several purchases from Jim Kuehl who is a pleasure to deal with and the merchandise was always as described. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edgaddi Posted November 6, 2001 Share Posted November 6, 2001 I would not hesitate to recommend Tamarkin, New York. The guys there are expert on Leica products,have a great used lens line-up. You can't go wrong. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peter_hughes1 Posted November 6, 2001 Share Posted November 6, 2001 Keeble & Shuchat Leica specialists?! Not! They don't even check out (or clean!) their used gear before they put it on the shelf. And they have a <i>week</i> guarantee, which is a <i>weak</i> guarantee. But a good lens is a good lens, regardless of where you find it. Try Camera West in Monterey. <p>Personally, I don't like to mail order, especially used Euro stuff, because I want to feel it in my hands and check it out with my own eyes before buying. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
godfrey Posted November 6, 2001 Share Posted November 6, 2001 I have bought equipment with Don Chatterton, Tamarkin NY, Keeble & Shuchat, and Jim Kuehl. All have given me excellent service and support. <p> Godfrey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jay_. Posted November 7, 2001 Share Posted November 7, 2001 Jim Kuehl, definitely #1. When he says "Mint" it's "Mint". I've had dealings with some of the others mentioned above and in a number of instances we begged to differ on our assessment of condition. #2 is KEH. The ease of ordering from them and their customer service more than make up for the occasionally mis-graded item...after all, they are not a Leica-specialist dealer and they have a large staff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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