Best city to buy my first leica from!

[Ahmada2]

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Hi..

I am planning to take a few days vacation soon. I wanted to choose my destination based on a city that I can buy my fist film leica (hopefully black paint M4 or a good M6) and a used summicron 35mm lens.

What would be the best city to hunt for good deals and enjoying this journey of finding my new camera?

Tokyo? Hong Kong? Or simply Germany!?

I am from the middle east. So for me I can enjoy being in most of these cities.

 

Many thanks

 

 

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[earleygallery]

Personally I'd want to buy a used camera from a dealer as close to home as possible, so that if it has to go back due to some problem or other it's going to be relatively easy to do.

 

If you're going on a holiday and buy from a dealer, shoot a few rolls of film immediately to test all functions and get the film processed at a 1 hour lab. At least then you can deal with any issues there and then.

 

If you're buying privately then ebay or the buy/sell section here are your best bets. Just factor in the potential cost of a service.

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[a.noctilux]

Paris :

http://leica-camera-france.fr/occasions/all/all/

 

Two Leica Store in Paris ...

 

...

Or Vienna :

http://www.leicashop.com/vintage_en/leica/leica-m-cameras.html

 

That trip for Leica M is such original that I would contact sellers before booking plane.

 

M4 Black Paint to choose from:

http://www.leicashop.com/vintage_en/leica/leica-m-cameras/m4-black-paint.html

Edited January 22, 2018 by a.noctilux

[Ahmada2]

Personally I'd want to buy a used camera from a dealer as close to home as possible, so that if it has to go back due to some problem or other it's going to be relatively easy to do.

 

If you're going on a holiday and buy from a dealer, shoot a few rolls of film immediately to test all functions and get the film processed at a 1 hour lab. At least then you can deal with any issues there and then.

 

If you're buying privately then ebay or the buy/sell section here are your best bets. Just factor in the potential cost of a service.

That's a great advice! Thanks.

It's impossible to find any leica M used or new in my country. That's why my best shot is to travel.

Ebay is not the way for me. Specially with the bug tax I will spend and I can't trust how costumes in my country will handle the shipment.

 

I will do a one or 2 rolls the same day I buy it indeed! Thanks for that!

 

 

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[Ahmada2]

Paris :

http://leica-camera-france.fr/occasions/all/all/

 

Two Leica Store in Paris ...

 

...

Or Vienna :

http://www.leicashop.com/vintage_en/leica/leica-m-cameras.html

 

That trip for Leica M is such original that I would contact sellers before booking plane.

 

M4 Black Paint to choose from:

http://www.leicashop.com/vintage_en/leica/leica-m-cameras/m4-black-paint.html

Oh wow! I never thought of Europe. Was always thought of East Asia as I spent some time in Both Tokyo and Singapore and was enough to know it's an important market. But the leica wasn't in my plan yet.

 

Will study your links carefully

 

Thanks a lot!

 

 

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[Ko.Fe.]

Sorry to make it sounds very boring and not optimistic. If you are looking for working film M of these particular models, they are showing their age by now.  Buying just from dealer and warranty doesn't really mean anything. It could go wrong quick and then is is about shipping, waiting for it to be fixed, if they will fix it at all, but most likely it will be just money return.

I would look for camera which was CLA'd by Leica or known service. It could be obtained on-line from dealer or private person as long as service record is provided.

And for money you will spend on travel you could get much newer, fresher M model shipped your way. Except if duties and taxes will make the purchased FOB price as triple. 

[harryzet]

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best place imho would be israel. in dizengoff street in tel aviv is a great used hand camerashop

[EoinC]

I have bought Leicas, Canons and Hasselblads seen and unseen in Malaysia, Singapore and Tokyo from Dealers, Retailers, and, in the case of a M6, from a person in a crowd at a Metro station. Selection-wise, Tokyo and Hong Kong are the best over this side of the World.

If you go to Tokyo, try contacting Bellamy Hunt https://www.japancamerahunter.com/ . He is very helpful. If he doesn't have what you want, I'm sure he will point you in the right direction.

I had my wife pick me up a Hasselblad SWC from this shop in Tokyo http://cameranonaniwa.jp/shop/default.aspx . Just click on the Leica symbol to find what they have. Not only was the camera excellent, and as described, when I had my wife request 2 additional magazines, the tried to down-sell, worried that i might not realise that the camera came with 1 already.

If you combine having a holiday with getting a camera, the cost of customs duties for importing can be seen as a discount on the cost of the holiday (but I think you'd already figured that out, Ahmada).

[Martin B]

I recommend the city of online shopping. Use a less known but still reputable photo gear dealer - I found best prices for used camera and M lenses there. Both M cameras which I bought online did not require any CLA afterwards and work perfectly fine since several years after I bought them. Try to buy one with a serial# from the 80s or 90s in very good condition (not too old, not too brand new). 

I recently purchased a M3 who belonged to the father of a friend of mine. The camera (built 1957) was sitting idle for decades in his home. It looked mint from outside but required CLA which I had to pay for after I got the camera. Working perfectly ever since. But as Ko.Fe pointed out above, I would be cautious with older camera models in general if they were not serviced recently. 

[frame-it]

In Asia for older film Leica's..id go to Hong Kong, Taiwan or Japan.

[wizard]

Tokyo certainly has some good shops for buying old Leica cameras, but prices in my experience are on the high side. Hongkong also has a good selection, and prices are more reasonable. In Europe, you will find similar shops in the major cities, such as Zurich, Paris, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Munich, Vienna. If you buy in Europe for Export, value added tax (VAT) may be reimbursed when leaving Europe, so that's another 20% or so off the regular price.

 

Cheers, Andy

Edited January 23, 2018 by wizard

[oldphart]

Why not go to Wetzlar?

Less than one hour from Frankfurt. Visit the factory and take some time to visit and photograph some of the famous locations that Barnack photographed.

Give Lars Netopil a call before you go. He has a camera shop in the old town and I am sure can sort you out with what you want.

What could be nicer to spend a few days, and buy your camera, in the home of Leica where the legend started.

[Ahmada2]

Why not go to Wetzlar?

Less than one hour from Frankfurt. Visit the factory and take some time to visit and photograph some of the famous locations that Barnack photographed.

Give Lars Netopil a call before you go. He has a camera shop in the old town and I am sure can sort you out with what you want.

What could be nicer to spend a few days, and buy your camera, in the home of Leica where the legend started.

That's a BRILLIANT idea actually!

Never thought of that. My only concern is probably the holly city of Wetzelar would have more fancy prices than any other city.. Also must check the VAT thing as I will be taking the camera back home and would be nice to see some of my money coming back!

 

How to reach Lars?

 

Thanks a lot.

 

 

 

 

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[Ahmada2]

Tokyo certainly has some good shops for buying old Leica cameras, but prices in my experience are on the high side. Hongkong also has a good selection, and prices are more reasonable. In Europe, you will find similar shops in the major cities, such as Zurich, Paris, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Munich, Vienna. If you buy in Europe for Export, value added tax (VAT) may be reimbursed when leaving Europe, so that's another 20% or so off the regular price.

 

Cheers, Andy

Thanks a lot. vat is a big advantage for buying from Europe indeed.

 

 

 

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[Ahmada2]

I have bought Leicas, Canons and Hasselblads seen and unseen in Malaysia, Singapore and Tokyo from Dealers, Retailers, and, in the case of a M6, from a person in a crowd at a Metro station. Selection-wise, Tokyo and Hong Kong are the best over this side of the World.

If you go to Tokyo, try contacting Bellamy Hunt https://www.japancamerahunter.com/ . He is very helpful. If he doesn't have what you want, I'm sure he will point you in the right direction.

I had my wife pick me up a Hasselblad SWC from this shop in Tokyo http://cameranonaniwa.jp/shop/default.aspx . Just click on the Leica symbol to find what they have. Not only was the camera excellent, and as described, when I had my wife request 2 additional magazines, the tried to down-sell, worried that i might not realise that the camera came with 1 already.

If you combine having a holiday with getting a camera, the cost of customs duties for importing can be seen as a discount on the cost of the holiday (but I think you'd already figured that out, Ahmada).

I have been in contact with jch before. He said I will have to pay the taxes even if I will take the camera in Tokyo.

Which would add to the price.

I will check the shop you mentioned.. Seems like they do have some great options. Many thanks for sharing!

 

 

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[Ahmada2]

I recommend the city of online shopping. Use a less known but still reputable photo gear dealer - I found best prices for used camera and M lenses there. Both M cameras which I bought online did not require any CLA afterwards and work perfectly fine since several years after I bought them. Try to buy one with a serial# from the 80s or 90s in very good condition (not too old, not too brand new).

I recently purchased a M3 who belonged to the father of a friend of mine. The camera (built 1957) was sitting idle for decades in his home. It looked mint from outside but required CLA which I had to pay for after I got the camera. Working perfectly ever since. But as Ko.Fe pointed out above, I would be cautious with older camera models in general if they were not serviced recently.

I know but in my country I have a problem with online shopping

 

1- taxes for importing are too high. Also the VAT. I will pay around 35% of the price when it lands.

2- the costumes they have to open and check every item. I don't want any inexperienced

hand to open my camera before sending it to my home address.

 

My best option is to but it abroad and bring it home.. It worth the trip which I was going to take anyway.

 

 

 

 

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[Martin B]

I know but in my country I have a problem with online shopping

 

1- taxes for importing are too high. Also the VAT. I will pay around 35% of the price when it lands.

2- the costumes they have to open and check every item. I don't want any inexperienced

hand to open my camera before sending it to my home address.

 

My best option is to but it abroad and bring it home.. It worth the trip which I was going to take anyway.

 

 

 

 

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Seems to be a country-specific thing I guess. Here in the US it is all online - I can't see myself going into a Leica store to purchase an item (IMO overpriced) there. Last time I went they had some good stuff including well maintained used cameras and lenses, but they were all far above online prices. I think it depends really on the location and options provided. Best of luck!

[oldphart]

Here you can find the contact details for Lars.

www.lars-netopil.com/

 

Enjoy,

Oldphart

[jaapv]

Why not go to Wetzlar?

Less than one hour from Frankfurt. Visit the factory and take some time to visit and photograph some of the famous locations that Barnack photographed.

Give Lars Netopil a call before you go. He has a camera shop in the old town and I am sure can sort you out with what you want.

What could be nicer to spend a few days, and buy your camera, in the home of Leica where the legend started.

Exactly!

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Hallo,

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[callmedave]

I went to Japan last September for a trip Ive been dreaming about for 10 years. I thought to myself I want to buy the camera that Ive been dreaming about for ages while I was there. It sounded perfect so I sold my motorcycle to have cash for a Leica M6.

Long drawn out story short. I spent a lot of time camera hunting in Tokyo which was very fun. Found a M6 from a reputable shop and shot 8 rolls while I was there. I didn't get them developed till I got home to find out my M6 had a random light leak

It really sucked some of the fun out of a great trip, If i were you, buy from KEH or something and get it tested and enjoy your new camera by taking photo's in whatever city you go to.

(Japan was great btw cant wait to go again)

 

 

To finish the story...I contacted the company they paid to have the camera mailed back and they had it serviced and shipped back to me....didn't fix it.... Mailed it to a Leica repair specialist in  the states to get fixed......didn't fix it.

The Japanese company offered to give be a full refund but I would of lost money through paypal fee's and I still wanted a Leica from my japan trip so I spent even more money on top of my refund to buy a M7 in hopes a newer Leica wont be cursed. I just got the M7 and Im rushing a test roll through it...wish me luck lol

Edited January 31, 2018 by callmedave