leica online shops UK

[el.nino]

actually i planned to replace my 50mm summicron with a new 50mm summilux asph. anytime 2009, but announced price-increases, cashback-offers and the current exchange-rate of the british pound tell me i should go for it now.
but i might need your help to find the right online shop to buy from (i am living in germany).
i tried the following:

• robertwhite - reopens on 5th of january
• harrisoncameras - out of stock (i wrote them)
• reddot - out of stock
• calumet - out of stock
• classiccamera - too expensive (£1999)

• ffordes photograhic offers it for £1789, but shipping would be £40.
• photodesignstudio offers it for £1749, but no word on shipping-costs and only a promotional PDF online (not a real onlineshop).

are there any other online shops i could try?
what about the last two? are they recommendable?


thanks a lot,
daniel

[andybarton]

ffordes are highly reputable and probably the biggest used dealer in the country.

£40 shipping also seems reasonable to me - how much money are you saving by buying here, rather than where you are?

Can dealers not take an order for a lens this side of the new year at this year's prices, or do the current prices only apply to current stock?

Also try RG Lewis and Richard Caplan in London

[gravastar]

I'd certainly suggest telephoning RG Lewis +44 20 7242 2916 since they told me a few days ago that they had quite a few overseas orders in the last few days. They may not have the lens in stock but if ordered before Jan 01 the old pre increase prices would probably apply and they certainly ship overseas. I think the same would be true with Red Dot cameras +44 20 7490 8444 - item may not be in stock but the old prices would apply.

Also see the other thread: http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-...ses-due-2.html

Bob.

[masjah]

I can confidently recommend Frank Foster at Photo Design Studio. He's not geared up as a full "on-line" dealer per se, but simply ring him up with your credit card details to place an order. He is knowledgeable and enthusiastic, and I have bought several "Leica ex-dem" R lenses from him.

PS: I don't think The Classic Camera is an official Leica dealer any longer.

[stunsworth]

Originally Posted by masjah

PS: I don't think The Classic Camera is an official Leica dealer any longer.

That's correct, they lost the dealership.

[delander]

Originally Posted by stunsworth

That's correct, they lost the dealership.

You would not know that from going to their shop. Surely any Tom, Dick or Harry cant sell Leica so they must have some sort of arrangement.

For the OP I bought a new 28 cron from Robert White a few days ago. They did not have it in stock but ordered it for me and it was delivered direct from Leica UK.

Jeff

[farnz]

Daniel,

Along with Red Dot I would strongly recommend Photo Design Studio. There are plenty of recommendations for Red Dot Cameras on the forum so I shall not waste time adding to them other than to say I support them.

I have dealt with the proprietor of Photo Design Studios, Frank Foster, a number of times, he is a true gentleman and I been entirely satisfied on each occasion.

Delivery is next morning by Royal Mail Special Delivery in the UK and, surprisingly, he often manages next day delivery to the USA. (I joked with him that he must have driven from Devon directly to Heathrow, boarded a flight to the USA and hand-delivered the lens himself and he said that the lens wouldn't have reached its destination any quicker if he had!)

Sales are by telephone, which can be very handy because Frank is pleasant to talk to, knowledgeable and keen to make sure you get exactly what you're looking for. Insured shipping costs in the UK are £11, which is very reasonable compared with the extortionate price some courier companies charge.

I bought a 50/1.4 Summilux-M aspherical from PDS on 22nd December at £1,749 but I regret that it might be the last at that price although I advise you to check with Frank in just in case. (Despite the typically high volumes of Christmas mail the lens was in my hands the next morning.)

PDS is based in a village in Devon and has (I think) only 2 staff so is able to offer smaller margins than other dealers.

Pete.

[topoxforddoc]

Another vote for Frank Foster at Photo Design Studio. He and Jenny are a delight to deal with. No fuss, very knowledgeable and quick service. Phone with a credit card and it's your the next day. Oh, and they're the cheapest Leica dealership in the country!

Charlie

[andybarton]

Time Frank paid for an advert here, methinks

[el.nino]

thanks everybody

[BobPS]

Hi Daniel,

I have only dealt with ffordes, haven't tried other shops, and I can tell you that my experience with ffordes is a good one.

Even though I'm in Indonesia which in the black list countries because of high numbers of credit card frauds, and most online shops refuse to ship to me, they dealt with me and I received my order several days ago. So, ffordes is great to do business with.

Bob

[Pangur Ban]

I bought my 75Summicron from Ace Cameras in Bath and they were most excellent.

Ace Cameras For Best Deals on Digital Cameras, SLR Cameras, Video Cameras, Astronomical, Optics, Binoculars and Telescopes.

[patashnik]

Originally Posted by Pangur Ban

I bought my 75Summicron from Ace Cameras in Bath and they were most excellent.

Ace Cameras For Best Deals on Digital Cameras, SLR Cameras, Video Cameras, Astronomical, Optics, Binoculars and Telescopes.

Looks like Ace have published the new UK prices on lenses. Blimey.

[farnz]

Originally Posted by patashnik

Looks like Ace have published the new UK prices on lenses. Blimey.

If this is correct then it looks to be an average of 14 or 15% increase across the board except for the lenses announced at Photokina and the Summarit range. Since the Summarit prices haven't moved it makes me wonder whether the price increases actually are fuelled by the weak pound, as other members have thought.


I'm surprised that the increase has been applied to the 21/2.8 Elmarit and 24/2.8 Elmarit since their sales are likely to be hit by the new Summiluxes and the 24/3.8 Elmar.

All the more reason to get your lens now while the going's still good!

Pete.

[delander]

Originally Posted by patashnik

Looks like Ace have published the new UK prices on lenses. Blimey.

Are you sure, they look like the old prices to me.

Jeff

[patashnik]

Originally Posted by delander

Are you sure, they look like the old prices to me.

Jeff

Look at the "RRP" prices - looks new to me.

[delander]

I was looking at the 'our price' which does not look too different to what Ffordes is currently offering.

Jeff

[el.nino]

the don't look very high to me either.
i contacted almost every dealer in the UK an finally ffordes had one for me.
very nice people to deal with and it should be on its way to me now.
besides all the others i contacted R.G.Lewis as well and he told me i would have to pay £ 2.200. that's almost £ 450 more than i paid at ffordes.
so this might be the new price.