San Fran Camera Stores that Sell Leica

[jbf]

Hi all,

As some may have read, I'm heading to SF, Cali next friday and was wondering if anyone knew of any good camera stores in SF that sell Leica and possibly even Zeiss Ikon?

I really wanted to try out both of these cameras on my trip if possible. No one anywhere near me in this area carries the cameras so I was hoping that I could actually have a chance to handle these cameras on my trip to a larger city.

I've seriously been thinking about buying one so this would be a way to decide how I really feel about the cameras, etc.

Thanks,

Jonathan

 

[rich815]

I think you're out of luck. Adolf Gasser's used to be the kind of store that would but now it's an empty shell of what it once was with buffoons who care little for their jobs let alone have any knowledge of photography---it's a wonder the place is even open still. Calumet is a maybe, you can look them up online and call their local SF number but I doubt it. Your only hope would likely be Keeble and Schuchat (http://www.kspphoto.com/) but they are not in SF but about an hour south.

 

[Thardy]

Calumet sells Leica according to the website. I'm surprised I missed the store when I went there recently.

Camera West has a large Leica selection I was told though not quite in SF.

Below is a link to "Gasser"?

http://www.sfstation.com/adolph-gasser-inc-b2436

Here is a link to a place called Discount Camera...you might can go in and look at a Leica. I think I may have seen this place, but just didn't take much notice of it.

http://www.discountcamera.com/

Enjoy the sights, the weather, the fog, the high temps of ONLY 70 degrees F.

 

[ferider]

Camera West (Monterey) and Keeble and Shuchat
(Palo Alto, one of the largest Leica collections in the country).

Roland.

 

[MikeL]

Fireside Camera on Chestnut has an M8 and MP and some lenses the last time I was walking by. Pricey though.

 

[rich815]

Here is a link to a place called Discount Camera...you might can go in and look at a Leica. I think I may have seen this place, but just didn't take much notice of it.

http://www.discountcamera.com/

Trust me when I say stay well AWAY from Discount Camera. and Gasser's

 

[Thardy]

Trust me when I say stay well AWAY from Discount Camera. and Gasser's

What's the harm in looking? Unless these stores act like those aggressive time share hawks you see on vacation.😛

 

[rich815]

What's the harm in looking?

A lot of better things to do?

 

[Thardy]

Well, when I was there a few weeks ago, the last thing I wanted to do was to go in camera stores.

BTW what's wrong with that Discount camera store? Is it like those NYC bait and switch places. I saw an ad in a magazine on my last day there and became a little curious about a place with a name like that which sells Hasselblad.

 

[rich815]

Well, when I was there a few weeks ago, the last thing I wanted to do was to go in camera stores.

My point exactly. Both these places really are not worth searching out, or spending the time to get to. I guess if you happen to be nearby you can go see the M5 that Gasser's has had in their used counter for about 6 months, or the over-priced Leica III ($900 or something) that Discount Camera has had in their window for longer.

 

[landsknechte]

Discount Camera is one of those places where the purchaser ceases to exist the instant that your charge card clears.

If you don't mind the drive, Camera West is by far the best place in the area for Leica stuff.

 

[Vics]

Didn't there used to be a place in Albany that sold Leicas? I've never been there, but I heard they had lots of used. Also there's the place near San Rafael, is it called Fairfax? I don't remember the name of the store, bur it's right "downtown." I don't think you could miss it. I have also heard many terrible stories about Adolph Gasser. My son used to have to deal with them when he was in film school and he said it was all you could do to get them to look up!
VS

 

[jbf]

Really I just want to be able to hold a Leica for once in my life. No way I'll be buying from any of those stores...I just want to check one out and see what it really feels like.

As I'm currently looking at buying a Leica M or Zeiss Ikon ZM.

 

[bobkonos]

JBF,

I have a nearly new chrome MP (10 rolls through it) for sale with all packaging, blank warrany cards, perfect cosmetics and functions. I am willing to meet you to show it off (I am in Sacramento, 90 miles east of SF). PM me if you want to meet and hold an exquisite MP.

The place in Albany, Pilecki's, has been closed for nearly a decade (they were on Solano Avenue).

 

[jbf]

Hm... i would love to be able to hold a Leica MP, but i dont think that I could afford your MP. 🙁

I wouldnt want to burden you with a long drive to meet me when i'm in SF when i know i couldnt afford your MP. :\

If i buy an M it'll definately have to be a cheaper user m6 or ZI ZM.

 

[agi]

Rich Silver wrote about a couple of photo stores in the Bay Area you might be interested in:

Sea Wood Photo in San Aselmo
http://silfver.blogspot.com/2007/01/seawood-photo-old-time-camera-store.html

International Camera in Oakland
http://silfver.blogspot.com/2007/01/international-camera-oakland-still.html

Camera Heaven in SF
http://silfver.blogspot.com/2006/12/camera-heaven.html

Hell if you just want to hold one, I and probably a few other Bay Area RFF's can meet you to take a look & feel.

 

[Thardy]

Really I just want to be able to hold a Leica for once in my life. No way I'll be buying from any of those stores...I just want to check one out and see what it really feels like.

As I'm currently looking at buying a Leica M or Zeiss Ikon ZM.

But I just wanna touch one! 😀

Me too jb, me too.

 

[RayPA]

Calumet in the Mission district has Leicas. I've seen the M7, MP and the M8 there. It's on Bryant, IIRC. Lots of other photo stuff too, film, chemistry, paper, bags, scanners, etc. Good store.