Best Place to Purchase a Leica D-Lux4

[JMHFALCON]

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So after speaking with several local Leica Dealers and searching on the internet it seems the best price is still about $699 US Dollars.

 

Is anyone aware of some discounters or other reputable places where I might be able to buy this camera for less?

[cadthis]

Try Popflash - they're selling it for the same price ($699), but for 1 cent more they'll throw in a free case and an extra battery - not a bad deal!

 

You're going to love the DL4

 

Wilson

[tvBilly]

I was hard pressed to spend the extra $$$ for the D-Lux 4 over the Panasonic DMC-LX3, but after debating for months, I've realized that I should have just bought one or the other months ago... In light of the fact that the LX3 is totally unavailable, except for here and there at fishy dealers for full retail or above (!), and that the D-Lux 4 package is only $200 more and has many advantages, it's a no-brainer, and I want to buy a D-Lux 4 this week. About the only thing I'm not sure about is whether I would prefer the hand grip that comes built into the LX3. Unfortunately, I haven't handled either; I know there are wonderful leather cases for the D-Lux 4 that have a grip built in, but I suspect it's not really the same thing.

 

In any case, I live in NYC (Manhattan), and I have a number of options as to where to buy. Of course, I have the B&H and J&R "supermarkets", and from reading everything I could here, I learned about Tamarkin (though it appears that they no longer have an office in NYC), Kurland (web site doesn't give me much confidence), fotocare (Web site is woefully out of date, and doesn't even list the D-Lux 4), and photovillage, which has a nice web site (well, the company seems on the ball, though the person writing the web site code should bring it into the 21st century). I do understand that one's web site doesn't necessarily relate to their store and policies.

 

I also read about PopFlash, who offers a free extra battery and case, but I note from the picture on their web site that both the case and the battery are 3rd party, not Leica OEM, so that doesn't sway me much. I prefer to buy (this camera) in person, from a store that I can go back to, unless there's a really good reason to buy mail order. Since I would want fast shipping (2 day), I suspect that any sales tax savings would be eaten up by shipping charges, so that doesn't count to me as a really good reason to buy out of state.

 

I guess what's most important to me (in whom I buy from) is:

 

1) A legit Leica dealer with full USA warrantee and $699 price without needing to send in a $150 rebate coupon.

 

2) A good return policy that gives me the ability to return the camera if it's defective in some way. I don't want to get home and find out something doesn't work, or that the left side of the frame focuses at a different place than the right side, and then have to send it back to Leica. If the camera isn't right out of the box, I want to be able to return it where I bought it, and get another new one that does work 100%. I'd like a reasonable amount of time to figure out if everything is OK. A few days isn't enough; a week is probably enough; two weeks (or more) is perfect. (I'll go back to all the web sites I mentioned and check this out myself, but if anyone has a relevant "So-And-So camera store wouldn't take a busted camera back" story, I'd love to hear it).

 

3) A place that I can also find useful accessories for the D-Lux 4 would be nice. The wonderful Luigi leather cases (that are available at photovillage) come to mind. I'm not buying an M8.2 though, so I don't need a lot of help, and I pretty much know exactly what I want, so this is not a big deal (and it wouldn't put me out to buy at B&H or J&R, since I've bought lots of stuff from them over the years, and have had good experiences with both).

 

Thanks for any help and suggestions!

 

Billy

[cadthis]

I believe the case and battery package is OEM and carries a one-year US Leica warranty...

 

The West Coast Cameras Leica Specialty Shop - Your #1 Leica USA Authorized Dealer

 

I have a second Hahnel battery for my DL4 and it works/lasts just as long as the "Leica" branded one that came with the camera.

 

I have not tried the grip on the LX3 (couldn't find one either), but I suspect that the Leica grip should offer a better hold (it projects out about 12mm from the face of the body and is about 16mm wide). How one feels will obviously depend on the size of one's hand...

 

For me, it's perfect as I do have small girlie hand and bony fingers , and it does add a little weight to the body which I like.

 

My suggestion is that if you do have a dealer nearby (ie. B&H) where you can go to try it out in person, you should do so. Unfortunately, I don't have that luxury (there is a couple of Leica dealers where I live but they are usually out of stock...).

 

I recommend Popflash simply because they have offered me nothing but excellent service; and their pricing does seem to be very competitive. They are an authorised Leica dealer, both Tony and Alex are "very" knowledgeable on Leica products. As a matter of fact, when I was really desperate in trying to track down a mint Digilux 2 a month of so ago - I called Leica US, even the lady I talked to there told me to contact Popflash. That tells me something about the relationship they have...

 

As for warranty and repair issues, I don't think you will have a problem once you have registered (Will upgrade to 3-year when registered online, you will still need to send in your warranty card though). Leica's head office is in New Jersey where you can contact and send in for repair.

 

Good luck

Wilson

[Jeff S]

So after speaking with several local Leica Dealers and searching on the internet it seems the best price is still about $699 US Dollars.

 

Is anyone aware of some discounters or other reputable places where I might be able to buy this camera for less?

 

Probably too late to address your question, but I have to put in a word for my local dealer in Baltimore...Service Photo Supply. He will sell me the D-Lux 4 for $629.99 (I haven't decided to buy), and is generally willing to sell many items at not too far above his cost in order to develop a loyal customer base and to generate volume, which helps with his various suppliers.

 

And, for those who live nearby, his staff provides exceptionally courteous and knowledgeable service. I have no affiliation with them...but I like to support small, quality oriented businesses...and even moreso when they often beat the prices I could get elsewhere. A rare breed.

 

Jeff