Dutch Posted July 13, 2010 Share #1 Posted July 13, 2010 Advertisement (gone after registration) Although I am not very active on this forum, I would like to ask a question. Every once in a while I visit this forum and see there are some people from the Netherlands on here. I would like to ask if any of them knows a decent (trusted) way to buy Leica in the Netherlands. I have not yet decided which Leica I would want to buy. It might be an M3, M6 or M8, although the M6 seems the most likely option. Where would be the best place to look for one and get good information? I would prefer a store as I am not too keen on dealing online (ebay, marktplaats, etc). Thanks Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted July 13, 2010 Posted July 13, 2010 Hi Dutch, Take a look here Leica in NL. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
jaapv Posted July 13, 2010 Share #2 Posted July 13, 2010 (edited) There are a considerable number of Leica dealers in our country, the Leica factory website lists them. A number that spring to mind: Nivo Schweitzer, Minderman, Konijnenberg, CameraNu, the list is by no means exhaustive. All of those will stock secondhand items as well. But I am a bit surprised by your wish-list. It appears to me that one should have an idea of the way one wants to take photographs when choosing a camera, and there is certainly a vast difference between the film and the digital approach. An M3/M6 is a wonderful camera if one does developing and printing, or prefers projecting slides, the M8/M9 is excellent for daily use and printing through the computer. There is of course the option of scanning, but I think the hybrid workflow is definitely third choice, combining the drawbacks of both digital and film. Far better to make the choice and then choose the camera. Edited September 22, 2012 by jaapv 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dutch Posted July 13, 2010 Author Share #3 Posted July 13, 2010 Thanks for your response! I have come across most of the stores you mentioned and those are definitely an option. I was kinda hoping that maybe there were some people like Ken Hansen in the Netherlands, more specialist sellers of second hand Leica. Those known mainly through word of mouth among users. As for my choice. A lot simply comes down to money. I prefer shooting digital so the M8 would be my first choice. It is however a bit expensive so I have to look at cheaper options. An M3 could be a cheap entry into rangefinder photography and Leica in particular. The M6 is a bit better because of the light meter. (Don't like the look of the M5.) The main reason I want to get a Leica M is that I am not particularly satisfied with the shooting experience my DSLR gives me. It is a great camera (Canon 7D), but there is too much going on for the times when I simply want to enjoy the experience of photography. An M6 has a reasonable price and the 'classic' version gives a great experience. At least, that is what I think. The hybrid workflow is not ideal, I fully agree, but I am willing to live with it if it allows me to shoot a Leica M. Plus, I am open to new expriences. Maybe shooting film will have some other interesting benefits. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted July 13, 2010 Share #4 Posted July 13, 2010 (edited) You did mention that you do not like buying on-line. But there are stores where one can buy with confidence. Amongst those Meister Camera, ffordes and Red Dot, there are more, but those I have personal experience with. Of course in the Netherlands there is Schouten Select, but he is not cheap and more of a collectors' store. You might try this forum as well. Btw, what budget are you lookintg at? M8s are not that expensive any more. Edited July 13, 2010 by jaapv Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dutch Posted July 13, 2010 Author Share #5 Posted July 13, 2010 Thanks again! Yes, maybe I should look at international stores that have a good reputation. The ones you mention look good. My budget is not really fixed. If possible I would like to keep it around €1500. I initially thought about buying an X1, but reconsidered since it will not give me the experience I am after. So I basically have the X1 budget for this. It is a longer term project, might be at the end of the year when I really do buy, so the budget might be adjusted. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stuny Posted July 13, 2010 Share #6 Posted July 13, 2010 Dutch - An alternate possibility is a Digilux 2. It is cheap enough that you could start with it right away, and put off the purchase of the M8/M9 and lens well beyond your current year-end plans, Plus, you could no doubt recoup your pruchse price at that time. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dutch Posted July 13, 2010 Author Share #7 Posted July 13, 2010 Advertisement (gone after registration) Thanks for the tip! The Digilux 2 is a very nice camera, but I would hate to buy something I know I will want to sell later. With the M6 chances are that I will keep it even if I decide to save up for an M8 or M9. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luuk Posted July 13, 2010 Share #8 Posted July 13, 2010 Sorry to tell you that Minderman and Pisa in the Hague has stopped their business. The shop is now a koniijnenberg site. A waiste to see a fine pro shop go! Thanks for the many years of service. Luuk Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dutch Posted July 14, 2010 Author Share #9 Posted July 14, 2010 I saw that when I was searching for the Minderman website. Not a big fan of Konijnenberg, their pricing seems inconsistent. Four used M8's, one like new, two with slight marks, one clearly used, all the same price. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
smullink Posted July 14, 2010 Share #10 Posted July 14, 2010 Call Foto `henny hoogeveen' in Noordwijk aan Zee and ask for Duncan. Maybe he can help you. He has a lot of Leica stuff and also he probably can find a solution in your budget. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joop van Heijgen Posted July 14, 2010 Share #11 Posted July 14, 2010 I see that Konijnenberg have increased their prices for second hand Leica's.... Minderman & Pisa asked €795,- for a second hand M6.... The same camera is costing now €1295,-.... I was customer with Minderman & Pisa for more than 25 years. They had a great knowledge and love for photography and Leica:) Very sorry that they have stopped their business... I hope that Konijnenberg will learn something from the old welll known Leica customers of Minderman:cool: Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dutch Posted July 15, 2010 Author Share #12 Posted July 15, 2010 Thanks Smullink! I have seen the store online and it looks like a good shop. It is a long way from Nijmegen, but might be worth checking out on a free day. Minderman & Pisa asked €795,- for a second hand M6.... The same camera is costing now €1295,-.... That's a bit of a problem for me, I find it difficult to estimate what a used M6 should cost. I think €1295,- for one with clear marks is a bit steep. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maarten Posted July 15, 2010 Share #13 Posted July 15, 2010 Close to Nijmegen, in Ede, you can find CollectCamera. You search online and buy from Theo in Ede. That's perhaps the best of two worlds! I have seen nice items at reasonable prices. Maarten Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
archi4 Posted July 15, 2010 Share #14 Posted July 15, 2010 I have bought a number of items (lenses) from Theo de Wit at Collect Camera. All were really perfect at reasonable prices and he was always ready to take back anything that wasn't satisfactory. Last item was 35mm summilux asph which he suggested I test for back focus and which turned out to be perfect so I have of course kept it. maurice Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pgk Posted July 15, 2010 Share #15 Posted July 15, 2010 What a pleasant, helpful thread. This is what this forum should be all about. Thanks. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tobey bilek Posted July 15, 2010 Share #16 Posted July 15, 2010 Too much going on to enjoy the 7D? You mean auto modes or just mirror movement? I have 4 Nikons from a cheap amateur D40 to a two full frame pro models and all have total manual controls for all camera functions and I use them that way 90% of the time. I am sure you can do the same with your Canon. You can also put a prime lens on it and not some consumer zoom. 35 mm would be the normal lens for small sensor cameras. Perhaps you might explore photography that way before moving to a film Leica. My opinion is old used Leicas are almost always needing some kind of expensive repair. Take an experienced person with you to check out a possible purchase and get a warrantee from the shop. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted July 15, 2010 Share #17 Posted July 15, 2010 (edited) That is not true, Tobey -the repairs are - if any, and many old Leicas work flawlessly- usually not that expensive if you send it to the right repairperson. My last 3 purchaches were a 1954 M3, 1938 Standard and 1957 IIIf and all three work like new. I cannot vouch for the prices charged by Solms, however:( Edited July 15, 2010 by jaapv Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
msk2193 Posted July 15, 2010 Share #18 Posted July 15, 2010 What a dangerous thread; now I have that many more locations to visit on my next trip back Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bateleur Posted July 16, 2010 Share #19 Posted July 16, 2010 Close to Nijmegen, in Ede, you can find CollectCamera. You search online and buy from Theo in Ede. That's perhaps the best of two worlds! I have seen nice items at reasonable prices.Maarten I can vouch for Theo too, I have always been very satisfied with his service. He is honest and open in his dealings. Regards Charles Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
griffster Posted July 16, 2010 Share #20 Posted July 16, 2010 I found this little store in Rotterdam Delfshaven. I thought I'd died and gone to heaven. Kamera-Express seems rather decent as well. Also Foka on the Oostzeedijk (Rotterdam) has various Leicas. Nice thread! Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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