AnakChan Posted January 9 Share #1 Posted January 9 Advertisement (gone after registration) I'll be going to London for 2 weeks next week from Australia. How's shopping like for used Leica gear there (esp compared to Australia)? I'd assume it'll be easier to find a wider range and possibly even more obscure lenses, etc. but are prices somewhat more comparable? Some of thoughts are picking up a 35Lux close focus, or Leica Q3 (43 preferred but probably too new for used). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted January 9 Posted January 9 Hi AnakChan, Take a look here Holiday in UK: How's the Used Leica shopping like in London?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Sandokan Posted January 9 Share #2 Posted January 9 Check out RedDotCameras.co.uk There are other places that are treasure troves for all kinds of cameras, such as Aperture (I bought a Nikon S2 2000). How does it compare to Australia - no idea. 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LocalHero1953 Posted January 9 Share #3 Posted January 9 While London is probably the best single location, the places where I look for used equipment are mainly online. Red Dot certainly has a good range. Others are Aperture, LCE (London Camera Exchange), and Classic Camera. And, of course, Leica's own shop, though I've never bought used from them. You can check the stock and prices of all these online. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mute-on Posted January 9 Share #4 Posted January 9 Definitely visit Red Dot. I was in the UK last July and purchased a special edition Billingham Hadley Pro from them. The Leica used range is far greater than anything you will see here. Prices are broadly comparable. They will have many items you will never find here either, or only rarely. The owner’s Leica collection display is very impressive. They will take you through it if you have the time. Enjoy! 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JNK100 Posted January 9 Share #5 Posted January 9 I don't t know how pricing compars to elsewhere but I would suggest - Aperture, Leicastore and Red Dot in London. My experience of Classic Camera is not great. I looked at a used M11 described as as new. The warranty was only 30 days so read into that what you will. London Camera Exchange and Park Cameras are also decent. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnakChan Posted January 9 Author Share #6 Posted January 9 Thx 4 the reply folks. Some interesting products Red Dot has, very good tips! Price seems comparable to Australia, possibly a little more expensive. However at least one can check/inspect rather than buying blind online. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bikie John Posted January 11 Share #7 Posted January 11 Advertisement (gone after registration) LCE - London Camera Exchange - is a chain with several branches. I think they tend to concentrate their used Leica stuff in their Bristol branch, but odds and ends turn up elsewhere. I think their website gives a good reflection of what they have and where. Of course, if a lens you like the look of is in Bristol and you are in London it's not terribly useful! But you may be able to persuade them to ship it up to a nearer branch. Or take a trip to Bristol - a very interesting city and easy on the train from London. Another good UK retailer that I don't think anyone has mentioned is Ffordes. But they are mainly mail order, a VERY long way from London (by UK standards), and don't have any other outlets. Good luck, I hope you enjoy your visit. John 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LocalHero1953 Posted January 11 Share #8 Posted January 11 Classic Camera has had a mixed reputation, some of which I remember reported here a good many years ago. I have bought stuff from and traded stuff to them without problems, and they often have interesting items. I would just say go there with your eyes slightly wider open than normal. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnakChan Posted January 12 Author Share #9 Posted January 12 Thx folks. Actually I was wrong about prices being somewhat comparable to Australia or even more expensive. If I can do VAT free (vs Aust GST free), it's actually cheaper - even when I pay for tax when I return back to Oz.. Will see if Red Dot will do duty free. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
FrozenInTime Posted January 12 Share #10 Posted January 12 1 hour ago, AnakChan said: Thx folks. Actually I was wrong about prices being somewhat comparable to Australia or even more expensive. If I can do VAT free (vs Aust GST free), it's actually cheaper - even when I pay for tax when I return back to Oz.. Will see if Red Dot will do duty free. Generally used gear here is sold under VAT margin rules, so no VAT refund on export. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnakChan Posted January 12 Author Share #11 Posted January 12 (edited) 2 hours ago, FrozenInTime said: Generally used gear here is sold under VAT margin rules, so no VAT refund on export. Cheers for the tip of VAT & used gear. Sorry for not being clarifying earlier. I was looking at new too (in this case the 11727 35Lux close focus, since the lens is somewhat newish, not many used available). Edited January 12 by AnakChan Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LocalHero1953 Posted January 12 Share #12 Posted January 12 The principle of VAT recovery on export is that you pay the full VAT-inclusive price, then claim the VAT back at the airport (there's a separate desk) using documentation provided by the seller. I have seen posts in this forum about Red Dot selling stuff for export by mail order net of VAT and I am sure they can to provide the documentation for you to recover the tax yourself. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnakChan Posted January 12 Author Share #13 Posted January 12 Thx. Do you know if one can use the duty free product after purchase whilst still on holiday? I know in some countries, the shop would seal the product in the bag & the buyer isn’t supposed to unseal it (nor use it) until after claiming the VAT in the airport or after departing. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LocalHero1953 Posted January 12 Share #14 Posted January 12 Sorry, I don't - it's not something I have had to worry about! 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnakChan Posted January 16 Author Share #15 Posted January 16 Thx 4 the tip on the stores, folks. I ended up trading in my black 35Lux ASPH non-FLE for a chrome 35Lux close focus at London Camera Exchange. Andy, store mgr (??), have a decent trade-in price. W.R.T. VAT refund, it seems all that is scrapped post Brexit back in 2021. So it doesn’t matter buying new, there’s no VAT refund at all. Which is a pity cos new ex-VAT is the same as pre-owned. At least the pre-owned I got from Andy in LCE is in immaculate condition. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
costa43 Posted February 8 Share #16 Posted February 8 I’ve found the prices in the UK have risen over the last couple of years for used gear and Europe is now lower cost (when equalising currency exchange) 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris W Posted February 11 Share #17 Posted February 11 (edited) I went to Red Dot Camera in January and was astounded by the amount of stock, both new and used. The staff were extremely friendly and helpful too. I bought my M10 used from Classic Camera and it arrived with a dirty sensor (despite being described as 'excellent' condition). When I emailed them they instantly responded and were very apologetic. They offered to pay for an official leica sensor clean, but I said I would just do it myself. They sent me a sensor cleaning kit. Disappointing it arrived like it did, but the after sales care was good IMO. A couple of years ago I bought an SL 601 from MPB in 'excellent' condition and it arrived with a filthy sensor, also it looked good IMO, not excellent. All they offered was for me to send it back. Not my greatest customer service experience. I was recently in Sydney and the Leica store was quite small with limited stock. Edited February 11 by Chris W 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnakChan Posted February 11 Author Share #18 Posted February 11 (edited) I had lived in Japan for almost 20 yrs before Australia so I had been exposed to other extreme end of stock availability. In fact I got into Leica (with the M6 TTL) back in 2001 in Japan. Relatively, Red Dot has pretty decent stock. In the end, I picked up a 35FLE v2 (Close Focus) from London Camera Exchange instead, but I did pick up the TAAB Lens Tab for my Noct from Red Dot. To be frank, on my first time to RD, I felt a little scoped out. But on my 2nd time there the following day, they were quite friendly. Also I was a little concerned about walking around shooting with a Leica; I've heard horror stories about Rolex thefts and iPhone snatchers. But the whole trip was thankfully uneventful in that respect. P.S. Walked into Leica Mayfair too. Nice gallery! P.P.S. Some pix of my trip in the 24Lux thread Edited February 11 by AnakChan Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris W Posted February 11 Share #19 Posted February 11 Again, a lot of these thefts are Eastern European gangs, or teenage kids. Most of them do not know what a Leica is. A lot of what they steal is to order and quickly disposed of (like Rolex, smart phones). When I go out with my Leica I have the strap around my shoulder or around my neck, I also have my hand on the camera - more often to stop it bouncing around as I walk, but the point is I have two points of security. These iPhones are snatched when someone is lost in their texting, standing with the phone loosely held in the palm of their hand. I have been to London a lot over the past 6 months and I honestly do not feel threatened or in fear of theft. If you are anywhere central you are pretty safe. If you go to a poorer suburb in the evening after dark you are not so safe. It's just like anywhere else in the world really. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pippy Posted February 12 Share #20 Posted February 12 14 hours ago, AnakChan said: ...P.P.S. Some pix of my trip in the 24Lux thread... Nice photographs! P. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now