2nd Hand Leica in London?

[williamw]

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.

 

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Thanks in advance.

[giles_poilu]

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).

 

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I do not recommend Classic Camera.

[dennis_goldstein]

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.

[sparkie]

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

[brian_david_stevens]

what was the problem with Classic Camera? Just curious

B

http://www.35mmf8.org

[williamw]

Sparkie,

 

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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.

[sparkie]

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?

[giles_poilu]

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

service is apalling.

 

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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.

 

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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.

 

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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]

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

[summicron]

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,

[brian_david_stevens]

May I recomend Aperture Photgraphic? 44 Museum St in the

basement of a cafe there. Very good service etc

 

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http://www.aperture-photgraphic.com

 

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Bought lots of Nikon M/F gear there great shop

 

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B

[summicron]

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

dealer.

[mark_eban]

Try

http://www.mwclassic.com

A good website and if there is anything you like, worth making an

appointment.

[giles_poilu]

BTW, William are you from Belgium? Can you reciprocate on Leica

shops in your country?

[jay_.]

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.

[harry3]

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!

[jeff_hansdale_sales_manage]

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)

[giles_poilu]

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).

 

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Far from deserving to be treated like a t**t (whatever that is) I

simply expected Classic Camera to repair or refund the item.

 

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Try thinking before posting.

[summicron]

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,

[terry1]

I think the sales manager is called Jeff,the shop manager is called

Andrew,but you are right 'cron-

 

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Too little,too late.

[gabriel_shaw]

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.

.

[matthew_pulzer1]

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.

 

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Robert White and Ffordes are British dealers I have also bought from

and can recommend. They have good web sites and will ship abroad.

 

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Hope you enjoy London

 

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Matt

[richard_williams3]

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.

 

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http://www.theclassiccamera.com/

 

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http://www.fieldgrassandgale.com/

 

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http://www.aperturephotographic.com/

 

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

 

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

[williamw]

Giles,

 

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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.

[stefan www.randlkofer.co]

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.