Richard Caplan closing down

[roydonian]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

Over the years, I've bought a camera and several lenses from Richard Caplan. I remember when I bought my 21mm Elmarit from him, he explained that it had been owned by a gentleman whose eyesight had deteriorated to the point where he could no longer use a rangefinder. "This is another of his lenses", said Richard, handing it to me. "Isn't it in beautiful condition?"

I handed it back, saying "Yes it is it. Get thee behind me, Satan".

Richard grinned and said "I've been called a lot of things over the years, but that's the first time I've been called Satan."

[jonoslack]

On 12/16/2020 at 10:43 PM, Red Dot Cameras said:

Thank you for all your kind words. PS we also have a dog on the team.

Never forget the dog! You do a wonderful job Ivor - long may it last!

[Advertisement]

The Leica Q3 is available for pre-order at B&H Photo Video and Adorama

[dkCambridgeshire]

R Caplan received many negative comments a few years ago ref.their, "Where the Elite Meet & Greet"  header in their sales listings ... and which 'put off' potential customers. 

Hope the staff find new jobs asap. 

dunk

[michali]

Repeating the sentiments echoed throughout this thread, it's so tragic to see independent specialist dealers going out of business. What's even more sad however is that there's no one to replace them, other than sterile, corporate-owned and run outfits. I would think that Leica's strategy of opening its own boutiques and going into direct competition with independent dealers has played a role in these closures. I have absolutely no wish to visit a Leica-owned boutique which looks and feels exactly the same whether you're in Tokyo, New York or Dubai.

I've always purchased my Leica equipment from independent owner-run dealers, with whom there's been a long-standing relationship. Every time one of these specialist dealers closes down, we lose all the muscle memory, accumulated knowledge, and history, as the world hurtles down the road to sterility and mediocrity. I suppose that's the way the world's going and I'm just a grumpy 63 year old man who can't come to terms with this....

Edited December 21, 2020 by michali

[Punkrockemo]

Its a shame to hear this, went there earlier in the year just before the pandemeic shut everything down. The staff where helpfull and nice which i was a bit surpised by considering the location and you have to ring a door bell to be let in. 

Edited December 21, 2020 by Punkrockemo
spelling

[Fedro]

it's a pity to see them go. I went there for hasselblad gear and they were always very nice to deal with

[microview]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

On 12/16/2020 at 5:12 PM, farnz said:

Yes, what a shame - Len retired and closed down RG Lewis a few years ago and now Richard Caplan too.

In the circumstances it's perhaps worth noting and celebrating that after 60 years Reg Roach at 89 is still a welcoming, smiling face behind his counter at Croydon Photo Centre* that stocks used Leica cameras, lenses, and accessories and his son Paul is ready to take over when Reg might decide to take a well-earned retirement.  *Don't be caught out by the opening times when you decide to visit.

Pete.

Yes it was always a pleasure to talk to (and buy from) Len at RG Lewis's – after several years the premises have only recently been re-leased. Of course he went pert-time to Caplan's where I bought an M240 and 50mm lens s/h. They had facility to show test shots taken outside, on a large iMac screen, to help you decide whether or not to buy a used lens. (Focus was out on mine but sorted by Malcolm Taylor, mentioned above.)

[roydonian]

On 12/20/2020 at 4:24 PM, dkCambridgeshire said:

R Caplan received many negative comments a few years ago ref.their, "Where the Elite Meet & Greet"  header in their sales listings ... and which 'put off' potential customers. 

It never bothered me - it was just an advertising slogan. The job of an advertising slogan is to stick in the memory, and for many people this one obviously did.

During a conversation at rhe late-1960s party I expressed my annoyance about an irritating TV advert, and my determination never to buy the product in question. But someone who worked in advertising explained to me that in a few years time I'd have forgotten the advert, but the link between the brand and the product would still be there in my brain. So in my case, the advert I was compaining about would be a long-term success, he claimed.

In recent years whenever I'd start thinking about buying a new lens or accessory, Pied Bull Yard and R G Lewis had the advantage of being in an area I was often passing through, but Elvis the alligator and 'Where the elite...'  helped me to remember Red Dot and Richard Caplan.

[M9reno]

I’m sad to read this, because Mr. Caplan was just a charming man, whose ability to sell seemed almost magical in its effectiveness.  There was no contradicting the man - he knew exactly what to say.  The shop was therefore a wonderful and dangerous place to go, when he was there.

[Charles Morgan]

I'm probably not the norm when it comes to advertising, in that irritating adverts will absolutely ensure I remember the culprits and will absolutely certainly not buy from them. Same with bad service - I won't buy anything from PC World (or Currys or Dixons as was) and haven't for at least 20 years.

I don't recollect Caplan's motto, the presence of an M3 was the driving force in buying from them. Ditto Elvis, I'm not a crocodilian fan (Youtube once kept serving me up programs about them until having purged each and every one I then got suggestions for Dancing Rabbis, the linkage and origin of which still defeats me). However, as Ivor has a lovely dog if I can buy from him I will. Good thing it's not a cat...

 

Edited December 22, 2020 by Charles Morgan

[Anbaric]

48 minutes ago, roydonian said:

It never bothered me - it was just an advertising slogan. The job of an advertising slogan is to stick in the memory, and for many people this one obviously did.

I wouldn't have used that slogan, but perhaps they intended to suggest that everyone was treated as an 'elite' customer, which in my experience was pretty much the case.

[pippy]

On 12/16/2020 at 5:12 PM, farnz said:

...In the circumstances it's perhaps worth noting and celebrating that after 60 years Reg Roach at 89 is still a welcoming, smiling face behind his counter at Croydon Photo Centre* that stocks used Leica cameras, lenses, and accessories and his son Paul is ready to take over when Reg might decide to take a well-earned retirement.  *Don't be caught out by the opening times when you decide to visit...

I join in with the sadness in hearing about the closing of Caplan's. As has been mentioned a few times the 'post-code' must have been an enormous financial drain even before we consider the various reasons 'High St.' photo shops are closing. Great Pity.

However! I am absolutely delighted to have read Pete's mention of an eventual planned continuation with regard to the Croydon Photo Centre! I came across them quite by chance one day a few years ago when my daughter and I were out snapping in the area and she had finished her film so needed another roll. As it happened we were directed to CPC by a helpful local and I thought 'This is MY kind of shop!'. I had a very pleasant - and rather long - chat with Reg and have been back many times since.

But yes; The Opening Hours can catch out the unwary!

Philip.

[jonnyboy]

ah, what a shame! I was not aware they were closing.
 Before Caplan, I was a regular at R G Lewis which sadly closed down a bunch of years ago. Since its closure, the space has remained empty... and that's probably what will happen to R. Caplan space...
Not many left in London now..

[leicamr]

I had purchased from Richard Caplan many years ago, and in February 2020 I purchased a secondhand SL and new 35 APO SL from him. When I phoned in to double check the condition of the SL, the response was 'Pristine'. I knew it would be exactly that. Having used the SL for a few weeks I got drawn into the system big time! My current go to Leica dealers are Aperture, London Camera Exchange and Park Camera's. I recently spoke to the Leica Manchester Store, where I will be having my M7 serviced.

It is sad to see the smaller dealers retiring / closing down.

 

 

Edited March 3, 2021 by leicamr

[Marc B-C]

On 12/16/2020 at 10:05 AM, Charles Morgan said:

That's sad. I remember when they were in one of the arcades off Jermyn Street and pressing my nose to the windows to look at all this very expensive stuff. Little did I know that I'd buy my first Leica, my current M3, from them in their Pall Mall store. It's a horribly expensive place from which to operate, and I had noted how little stock they had online whenever I looked this year.

 

I bought my, now long gone, M6 + 35mm f/2 lens Summicron-m asph (I cannot remember the exact lens but it was around 1996) from their Princes Arcade shop off Jermyn St / Piccadilly and walked straight out smack bang into the middle of a gay pride march on Piccadilly. I do not know why but I have never forgotten that moment or the store. Like you, I used to love looking in the window. Sad.

[sblitz]

i used to look in that store many times when I was in London on business. Really nice people, and I bought something there but I can't remember what (probably a lens). Such a shame that these small places are going out, the younger generation does not value browsing in person in a little shop and the random discovery. Probably why so many are happy working from home. These in-person interactions are what life interesting. Ah .... now I sound cranky . . . . 

[masjah]

6 hours ago, sblitz said:

i used to look in that store many times when I was in London on business. Really nice people, and I bought something there but I can't remember what (probably a lens). Such a shame that these small places are going out, the younger generation does not value browsing in person in a little shop and the random discovery. Probably why so many are happy working from home. These in-person interactions are what life interesting. Ah .... now I sound cranky . . . . 

....... no you don't!

[Gibbo]

Borderline cranky 😉😂

[rob_w]

I bought several Leica cameras and lenses from Richard Caplan over the years.  Very knowledgable staff, very helpful and always price competitive.  Sorry to see them close.  Another loss.

PS never even noticed the slogan.  They were always friendly and helpful to all customers as far as I saw.

 

[Advertisement]

Hallo,

Look here: Interesting Leica gear