M Lens stock level in the UK?

[Humood]

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I will be stopping over in London by mid December on my way to the USA. I was thinking of picking up one or two lenses from Leica dealers in London but their web sites do not reflect actual stock, for all you lads living in or near London, how easy is it to get new M lenses, say a 50mm Summilux and/or a 35mm Summicron? or even the Noctilux? any help is appreciated thanks

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[Nicoleica]

I would suggest that you might telephone, or email those dealers that you are interested in, and enquire as to what they may have in stock. If any have the lenses that you are interested in, they may agree to hold one, or more, for you if you have a genuine intent to purchase. Perhaps an offer of a small deposit might help? But I wouldn't expect that would be needed if the timescale is short.

Happy shopping.

[Lontano]

I was able to pick up a 35 Summicron from Richard Caplan last week off the shelf but it was the only one they had. They were telling me some stock was hard to get.

[andybarton]

You won't find a 50 Summilux on anyone's shelf. Unless you've placed an order.

[christakis]

I will be stopping over in London by mid December on my way to the USA. I was thinking of picking up one or two lenses from Leica dealers in London but their web sites do not reflect actual stock, for all you lads living in or near London, how easy is it to get new M lenses, say a 50mm Summilux and/or a 35mm Summicron? or even the Noctilux? any help is appreciated thanks

 

The news won't be good. I too was looking for a 50mm lux tow weeks ago. Called every single shop in the UK and everyone's answer was the same... "Unfortunately... The 50mm summilux is on a waiting list." The man at the Leica store in Londay said "Up to six months". The closest one was Red Dot cameras (again based in London) who said... "If you place an order now you MIGHT get it before Christmas", not sure if he simply said that to place an order.

 

I was lucky because my dealer found me a used one, which he paid more than what he would on a new one.

[Lontano]

There was a preowned 50 summilux at Richard Caplan last week, hardly used and I think it was going for £2k.

[brill64]

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one small thing..if you were thinking of taking it with you back to the states, wouldn't sales tax in the uk make it a lot more expensive for you?

[Guest suilvenman]

If you are really keen, you could try Ffordes. Their new Leica M list includes all those lenses you mentioned. For other new Leica items not in stock, they say so ("place your order" etc.) but there is no mention of this against those lenses, although you'd still 'phone them anyway to confirm stock situation.

 

Assuming they had them, the problem is that they are in Inverness, Scotland (about 700 miles from London) but if you had a contact in London they could be sent there (next day delivery if you order before midday). Just an idea.

 

Ken.

[andybarton]

No, because if you live outside the EC, you get your VAT returned to you when you leave.

 

That's why lots of shops in London (not just camera shops) have Export Desks, where they sort all the Customs paperwork out for you.

 

It's also why half of the allocation of lenses and cameras to the UK end up going to the States when the pound/dollar relationship makes it favourable for them to buy from over here.

[wda]

If you are really keen, you could try Ffordes. Their new Leica M list includes all those lenses you mentioned. For other new Leica items not in stock, they say so ("place your order" etc.) but there is no mention of this against those lenses, although you'd still 'phone them anyway to confirm stock situation.

 

Assuming they had them, the problem is that they are in Inverness, Scotland (about 700 miles from London) but if you had a contact in London they could be sent there (next day delivery if you order before midday). Just an idea.

 

Ken.

Their listed new stock never includes availability.

[spylaw4]

No, because if you live outside the EC, you get your VAT returned to you when you leave.

...............<snip>

.

 

Only on new lenses/items/etc. Most pre-owned are sold on the marginal VAT scheme so in effect there is no VAT applicable from the purchaser's point of view.

 

Lenses are beginning to trickle through - very slowly, and in small numbers - but just like the M9, those who placed a firm order will get theirs soonest.

[Humood]

Thank you all for your suggestions and ideas, well guess what? Today I received a phone call from my local agent here in Bahrain and guess what? he had a 50mm summilux waiting for me!! oh joy, I could not wait until the morning ,went straight and got it! I will be calling the London dealers shortly before I leave and hope that I will have enough time to cover the majority! wish me luck and thank you all again.