Tim B Posted July 3, 2007 Share #1 Posted July 3, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) Apologies if this is old news to those in the UK who are interested in Voigtlander gear on their Ms. I have always found Robert White an excellent firm to deal with and they recently became the sole source for Voigtlander (& Zeiss) products in the UK. Today I was searching urgently for a 28mm viewfinder to help in using my 21mm Elmarit-M ASPH on my M8 and as I live in London I did a tour of my usual dealers. Looking for an alternative to the Leica Multifinder and hoping, maybe, to find something secondhand I went to Aperture Photographic - an Aladdin's cave for all sorts of stuff - and found that they had the Voitlander gear, new. They told me that they have recently begun to import directly from Japan and will shortly have a full range of lenses and accessories. As I said, I like Robert White, but getting to Bournemouth or using mail order is not always convenient, so this is good news for Leica users who like Voigtlander stuff and would rather visit a dealer in London. Tim Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted July 3, 2007 Posted July 3, 2007 Hi Tim B, Take a look here Voigtlander in the UK (semi-OT). I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
DavidStone Posted July 4, 2007 Share #2 Posted July 4, 2007 Apologies if this is old news to those in the UK who are interested in Voigtlander gear on their Ms. I have always found Robert White an excellent firm to deal with and they recently became the sole source for Voigtlander (& Zeiss) products in the UK. Today I was searching urgently for a 28mm viewfinder to help in using my 21mm Elmarit-M ASPH on my M8 and as I live in London I did a tour of my usual dealers. Looking for an alternative to the Leica Multifinder and hoping, maybe, to find something secondhand I went to Aperture Photographic - an Aladdin's cave for all sorts of stuff - and found that they had the Voitlander gear, new. They told me that they have recently begun to import directly from Japan and will shortly have a full range of lenses and accessories. As I said, I like Robert White, but getting to Bournemouth or using mail order is not always convenient, so this is good news for Leica users who like Voigtlander stuff and would rather visit a dealer in London. Tim No other responses to this so thanks for the info. It's good to know that it's now possible once more to buy Voigtlander 'over the counter' in London. I'll make a point of dropping in there next time I'm in London (might even be tempted to buy something). They've listed the CV products under 'Leica', which is logical enough. David Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted July 4, 2007 Share #3 Posted July 4, 2007 Someone told me they had just bought old stock from Classic Camera, good to know they are stocking new items and its ongoing, thanks I will pop in for a browse soon. They only stock s/h Leica gear but I have been very impressed with their service, and stock, in the past and they are genuinely helpful, unlike a certain other London dealer. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
microview Posted July 24, 2007 Share #4 Posted July 24, 2007 I can only sing the praises of Aperture: they've just sold a mint 75mm Summicron within 24 hours for me! They are really helpful, unpushy, and 20% commission is not unreasonable. Have bought two Leica cameras there and now VC 40mm Nokton lens. However I should add Robert White fulfilled two internet orders each within a day (£5 delivery for lens), so their service is remarkable too! There are two other camera shops within spitting distance where the atmosphere is, frankly, snooty....... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wattsy Posted July 25, 2007 Share #5 Posted July 25, 2007 There are two other camera shops within spitting distance where the atmosphere is, frankly, snooty....... One of these is obvious. Which other one do you also find snooty? (I'd guess you are referring to York Cameras, the Canon dealer?) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andybarton Posted July 25, 2007 Share #6 Posted July 25, 2007 The Jessops S/H shop used to be a bit up themselves, before it was turned into a very small normal Jessops. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wattsy Posted July 25, 2007 Share #7 Posted July 25, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) The Jessops S/H shop used to be a bit up themselves, before it was turned into a very small normal Jessops. I forgot about them. Yes, there was a bit of an odd museum atmosphere in there. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gareth_c Posted July 25, 2007 Share #8 Posted July 25, 2007 Thats good to know. I'm up near Aperture tomorrow...will be sure to pop in for a browse Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
marknorton Posted July 25, 2007 Share #9 Posted July 25, 2007 ... and 20% commission is not unreasonable. 20%, Holy Cow! Did you think of selling on ebay? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
marknorton Posted July 25, 2007 Share #10 Posted July 25, 2007 The prize for pretentiousness must go to London Nikon Dealer, "Grays of Westminster". Their motto is "The Kind of Service of which Legends are made". If that is not enough, they've even had a book written about themselves called "In the Company of Legends". Please excuse me while I throw up... The book is currently on special at £15, down from £25. Perhaps they're regretting having so many copies printed. LOL. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andybarton Posted July 25, 2007 Share #11 Posted July 25, 2007 Anyone ever found the dealer in Jermyn Street? I walked the entire length of the street twice a couple of years ago, and still couldn't find them. Bought some nice cheese, though. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bill Posted July 25, 2007 Share #12 Posted July 25, 2007 Andy, It's just off Jermyn Street. Opposite Favourbrook. I always pop in for a browse when I am picking up my shirts for the new season Regards, Bill Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andybarton Posted July 25, 2007 Share #13 Posted July 25, 2007 That'll explain a lot, then... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
superfrog Posted July 25, 2007 Share #14 Posted July 25, 2007 I'd like to throw my hat in the ring too. I've just come back from Richard Caplan on Bury Street, they're really friendly and helpful. They sell Zeiss as well as Leica. I didn't see any Voightlander tho... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted July 25, 2007 Share #15 Posted July 25, 2007 I haven't yet found the ideal Leica dealer, but I have ideas as to what I'd like. The atmosphere of a museum, where you feel compelled not to speak if at all possible and when you really must, in the hushest of tones possible. Everything must be beyond reach, locked away, reluctantly taken out for examination. You should not be allowed to play with a Leica, after all. No prices on display. As Rolls Royce dealers used to say, if you have to ask the price................ Staff to be seen but not heard. They must not approach me when I'm browsing and even if I make signs of requiring assistance I'd still prefer to be left alone. In fact, even if I ASK for help I'd really rather they ignored me. If only I could find a shop like this in London................ Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andybarton Posted July 25, 2007 Share #16 Posted July 25, 2007 James I'd like to see this idealised dealership all painted white, too. Oh, and if I buy a lens from them, I would expect to have to buy the hood that goes with it on eBay. And, when buying used, I'd like to know that I am paying at lest 25% premium for the ambiance. Finally, I'd like to be made to feel that even to enter the shop is a priviledge, of which, I am not worthy, regardless of how much credit I have left on my Gold Card. I think that there's definitely an opening for such an establishment. Maybe I will give up the day-job, and do something about it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stunsworth Posted July 25, 2007 Share #17 Posted July 25, 2007 Well, that certainly sounds like the sort of classic camera shop that doesn't exist in this day and age.... Or does it? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gyoung Posted July 25, 2007 Share #18 Posted July 25, 2007 Well, that certainly sounds like the sort of classic camera shop that doesn't exist in this day and age.... Or does it? I have bought a couple of things from just such a place, the first was by mail order following an enquiry made some weeks before, they followed that up with a phone call when they had in stock a s/h 21mm aspheric, for a price which was not cheap, but fair, and they were very obliging when the foot broke off the finder within days of purchase, replacing the finder with one of the staff's own item rather than making me wait for repair. The other was in person on a visit to London, a new 35 Voigtlander f/2.5 when I couldn't get it anywhere else outside Dorset, at a price equal to White's price + postage. Visiting them in person is quite an experience. Presumably they now think Voigtlander is beneath them, better at the distinctly more 'downmarket' (but delightful) place round the corner, if only they didn't have such odd opening hours (not till 12.00 on a Saturday?). Caplan's seems quite nice to visit, in spite of the surroundings (ties cost more than I pay for a couple of shirts round there) and their awful slogan 'Where the elite meet and greet' Gerry Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gareth_c Posted July 25, 2007 Share #19 Posted July 25, 2007 I always assumed that Caplans would be very stuffy and, as has been pointed out, the tagline doesn't help. However, having visited several times recently I found Richard to be a charming and friendly guy...of course when any punter could be spending several thousand pounds in a matter of minutes I would be too Of course, it goes without saying that he knows his stuff and he seems more than happy to discuss needs and for you to have extensive tests with endless lenses...very patient with me the last time. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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