Recommended European online stores (incl used)?

[plasticman]

I've searched on the forum, and the discussions have gone around a few times, but I thought a new list of recommendations might be useful.

Stores I've personally dealt with and know are trustworthy and good:

Robert White - Specialist Camera and Photographic Suppliers of Nikon, Canon, Leica, Hasselblad, Mamiya, Zeiss Ikon, Voigtlander, Quantum etc. (not so many used items)
https://secure.ffordes.com/index.htm

Other stores I regularly look at, and have heard recommended:

https://www.leicashop.com/
https://www.leicameister.de/

Who else can be added to the list?

[Marty]

Red Dot Cameras although I haven't used them online, I go there in person. Recommended.

Also I believe all the advertising stores here are recommended by various members.

[plasticman]

Great link! Thx Marty

Anyone else have experience of good and trustworthy online retailers?

[k_g_wolf]

Try Luigi Crezcenzi in Rome, he also sells leather-goodies via >>LEICATIME<< besides s/h LEICA- and other gear.



Best

[umshausumzu]

New old Camera, Via Rovelo 5, Milano

[lars_bergquist]

I have had only the best experiences with Robert White and with Leicashop. I have also made a direct purchase from Carl Zeiss, who sell their consumer photo products online, and this too worked out very well.

The old man from the Age of the Main Street Photo Shop

[lct]

No poblem with SH photo GmbH so far.

[peter_n]

Ffordes Photographic. Excellent and personal service. Highly recommended.

[kenneth]

Although not the flavour of the moment I had a very good experience with Leica Cameras, Summarit, Voigtlander, Zeiss, Minox Binoculars - Classic Camera Ltd UK
Speak to either the proprietor Andy or Michael who is ex Wallace Heaton. My purchases were an M6 Classic- 35mm Summicron asph a 75mm Voigtlander Colour Heliar plus various bits. I am happy that yo mention my name. My surname is Cooke

[masjah]

I can also recommend Frank Foster at Photo Design Studio; his prices are very keen, but his website is rudimentary to say the least - basically a list of his stock updated weekly - phone to discuss and/or purchase.

[andybarton]

Originally Posted by kenneth

Although not the flavour of the moment

Understatement of the year, I'd say, Kenneth

[andybarton]

Although this might sound trite, I have never heard a bad word said about any of the dealers who advertise on this forum.

I have personally bought from Red Dot more than three times, and there isn't a straighter dealer around. The coffee is good too.

The same can't be said for all London dealers.

At the end of the day, there's nothing to beat developing a relationship with someone you trust. If it's a local guy and you can see the whites of his eyes, then so much the better, but if they are remote, and accessed via the phone or 'net, then that's OK too. Provided you know what you are doing.

Personally, I am very much in favour of picking up the thing that you are considering spending your children's inheritance on, in your own hands. Nothing beats playing with a toy before you buy it. Buying remotely is always fraught with dangers, and having had my fingers burned once, I no longer do so.

[NZDavid]

All those mentioned by the OP are very helpful and recommended.

[plasticman]

Originally Posted by andybarton

At the end of the day, there's nothing to beat developing a relationship with someone you trust. If it's a local guy and you can see the whites of his eyes, then so much the better, but if they are remote, and accessed via the phone or 'net, then that's OK too. Provided you know what you are doing...

Andy - if I still lived in London I would absolutely endorse this sentiment. However, living in Stockholm I've found over the years that the number of available items - especially used - is neither broad nor well-priced.
In comparison with what's on offer at even the largest Leica dealer here, looking at a site like Leicashop or Leicameister is akin to entering Aladdin's Cave.

In addition, even private sellers here value their scuffed and dented M3s at about the same level as PhotoArsenal - plus some extra.

When I'm in Copenhagen I'll be popping into a couple of places there that have both a wider selection and better prices than here in Sweden - but with our disastrous currency I'll have to consider where my money is best spent.

I know this lecture on supporting local dealers tends to come up regularly - I'd just say that it's well to remember not all of us live close to a metropolis replete with friendly dealers and plentiful stock.

Mani

oh and PS: great list so far!!

[SteveYork]

I've actually used Leica Shop in Vienna to purchase a lens, and have sampled their return service to send back a body and lens. No problems with the transactions. Their prices are on the high side, but you get a 15 day return guarantee, for any reason, and their web site with pictures and descriptions is tops. They also run an auction twice a year, and it seems judicial bidding can pick up nice and affordable items. They're not always very prompt (if ever) in returning email questions.

Ffordes on the other hand has always returned queries quickly and w/ good cheer. Their prices are much more competitive, they seem to have a good selection of used Leica equipment, but it's hard to get a good idea of the item under consideration, because their website only has a single dark photo w/ limited information. After reading some customer experiences, it seems that they conservative of their grading os used equipment, and that their "Ex++" is really mintish. But I've never purchased anything from Ffordes.

Some of the EU dealers are really outrageous on their prices and it makes me wonder what planet they're living on, but if they can sell the stuff at those inflated prices, more power to them.

[NZDavid]

Exchange rates, tax, shipping costs and whether or not firms actually want to do business outside the EU make a difference. Some British firms will not ship outside the EU; some, like Ffordes for example, will and are very helpful. Many Brits insist Britain is not part of Europe (although it is in the EU -- strange)! Shipping costs from continental Europe can sometimes prove exorbitant and may be a deal-killer.