Leica Stores in San Francisco Area

[CC72]

Hi,

I'll be in San Francisco around Christmas time. Can anybody recommend any used Leica stores around the area? (Classic film camera stores too?)

Thanks.

Carlo

 

[Tim N Calif]

Leica Store in San Francisco

Leica Store in San Francisco

Carlo:

Adolph Gasser Photography, 181 2nd Street, San Francisco, 94105 (near downtown, and free parking lot across the street. Tel: 415-495-3852; www.gasser.com Ask for Mark Schiffner.

Hola from San Francisco. I have been a not taking photos (except with my Yahisca T4 point-and-shooter) for many years (I started with SLRs may years ago). But after seeing a few recent pictures from my brother's Leica M's, I was stunned, and became a believer. I looked and found a used MP body, and just last week, a lens on ebay (35mm 'cron version 4) which the seller said was in "excellent+" condition. Having spent some hefty coin for this gear, I went looking for an informed camera shop take a look at the lens and give an opinion.

Adolph Gasser's is where i visited today. Their Leica "expert" (Mark Shiffner) was off duty today. This shop has been in business in SF for at least 30 years; as I recall visiting the shop (at different location) when taking a high school a photo class. They also have a repair dept (where I had my OM service while in college). Today, when I walked in with my MP and 35mm 'cron, a few sales guys took a look, and told me to return to talk with Mark, but they were friendly and helpful. The film guy suggested some Portra 160 & 400, and Ektar 100 to run through the camera.

Not to lament, but how can Leica make the MP which retails for $3500+ from what I'm told - not to mention their other legendary M bodies - but not engineer a fixture for the viewfinder that doesn't scratch eyeglasses?
Other than tape or the oversized eyecup Leica offers, is there a discrete solution?

Hope you enjoy the visit to our colorful City!

 

[ferider]

If you have a car, there is Keeble & Shuchat in Palo Alto. I've heard this from a friend and it's true for me, too: one only goes there if one has too. They have one of the largest existing Leica collections to view though.

The other must-go store is Camera West in Monterey.

Best,

Roland.

 

[ferider]

Not to lament, but how can Leica make the MP which retails for $3500+ from what I'm told - not to mention their other legendary M bodies - but not engineer a fixture for the viewfinder that doesn't scratch eyeglasses?
Other than tape or the oversized eyecup Leica offers, is there a discrete solution?

Tim, how about "Scoop" at http://www.leicagoodies.com ?

Roland.

 

[CC72]

Hey thanks a lot for the info. I'm staying about ten min away from Palo Alto in Menlo Park so I'll check out Keeble and Shuchat as well as Gasser in the city. Any where else?

Carlo

 

[Chyn]

If time allows, take a day trip to Monterey and Carmel and stop by Camera West. That place sure has quite a few Leicas on display.

 

[johnastovall]

Camera West either in Montery or Walnut Creek.

 

[cmogi10]

I need to get out to Camera West. My friend works there and I want to be impressed.
None of the stores downtown have really blown me away, maybe I'm just spoiled by stores back in the tri-state.
I usually go to photographers supply on Bryant for all my stuff but that's not so much a toy store.

 

[cmogi10]

where my damn Yashica TLR for about a year now

Carlo:
They also have a repair dept (where I had my OM service while in college).

 

[chut]

I've heard good things about Camera West. Their Walnut Creek store is close to San Francisco.

Can anyone recommend a well stocked store for film and chemicals in the city or close by?

 

[Tim N Calif]

Carlo:

If you are staying in Menlo Park, it's definitely worth your time to visit Keeble & Shuchat in Palo Alto. (Just down the road.) They've got a lot of inventory, from what I recall.

 

[bob338]

if you're looking for chemicals and the like, K&S or Gassers are a good bet. if you're looking to buy any used or new leica gear, they are usually very pricey and have little selection. i was in gassers over the weekend and they had the same IIIG for $1800 that was there 6 months ago and no M stuff. K&S has an amazing collection of vintage leicas in a glass case in the darkroom department that is worth driving there for alone.

Camera West has a *lot* of leica gear for sale, nice people too. i think the monterey store is usually better stocked.

if you make it up to Marin County, check out Seawood Photo in San Anselmo, they usually have a few M lenses on the shelf.

there is a place in San Francisco called Camera Heaven that's pretty cool. the guy who runs it is very nice and knows his stuff, but he keeps weird hours. last time i was there, he had a handful of nikon rangefinders for sale, but the stock changes over fairly quickly and is not consistent. not the best neighborhood to park in...

and then there is fireside camera on chestnut. they have an okay selection of new stuff, but every time i go in there, i feel like i'm being sized up for what i can afford before anyone will talk to me. they also have a book of 'MSRP' pricing with their discounted prices next to them. their prices are actually the listed prices and the supposed msrp prices are just marked up by about 20%. weird place, i would never buy from them, but you can handle whatever gear you want to look at.

lastly, there is a place in berkeley called the looking glass. i haven't been there for years but remember it being a pretty interesting camera store.

good luck.

bob

 

[edhohoho]

I dropped by Keeble and Schucat three days ago and they didn't have too much used Leica M equipment. Or should I say, they didn't have much that I was interested in (that is, lenses). They did, however, have a used Noctilux (last version) for $5999 and one or two other modern M lenses, but that's about it. The rest was really old Leica bodies and random accessories. I did not see anything on the shelves, and did not get to speak with someone to see if there was anything in the back room because they were busy with customers and I only had a few minutes before I had to leave. Even the store with the new equipment did not have much out, but again, I didn't have time to ask and I suppose it's hard for anyone to carry a truly extensive stock of Leica at one time. Overall, not much better than Samy's or Bel Air Camera in LA. Maybe I went at a bad time, but I'll have to check it out again.

 

[CC72]

Hey thanks a lot guys! I'll definitely check out these stores. I am looking for a user M6 in Exc+ condition (100% working and working well, no dings/dents, etc.) and also some darkroom equipment (reels and tanks) actually. Kinda GASing after a Mamiya 6 but that's for another forum.

Thanks again!

Carlo

 

[wayneb]

Gasser doesn't have a whole lot of Leica. At any given time they might have 3 Ms and a III or two. Discount Cameras (33 Kearny St) usually has the same number or more. As mentioned Fireside Camera‎ on Chesnut (next to the Apple Store) has new/retail Leica at full prices.

If you are going to visit Gasser somewhat nearby is Rayko photo. They don't have a lot of Leica but they have a full range of new Voigtlander, some Hassys, a bunch of Nikon. You get the idea, well worth a visit, as they also have a gallery.

 

[cmogi10]

Discount cameras is..well...not so discount...

 

[PMCC]

Discount Camera is somewhat misleadingly named. They do sell cameras.

 

[35mmdelux]

Adolph Gasser used to supply Ansel Adams...and is more LF oriented. K&S Palo Alto cater to the stars and price accordingly, however they have a wide array of gear to gawk at on both sides of the street (two storefronts).

Camera West established the year after moved out of town (Marina).

 

[vdonovan]

Gasser is a shadow of its former self. They have a poor selection of supplies, gear, and advice.

I second the motion to walk over to Rayko Photography Center at 3rd and Harrison. They are a Voigtlander dealer and always have interesting used cameras of all types for sale, though usually not much Leica. The current gallery shows are also worth seeing. On the way you can stop at the MOMA, which has a good collection of photography.

 

[Tim N Calif]

Carlo::

My apologies if I over-rated Gasser. (I hadn't been there for some years until yesterday). Today, while their staff was looking over a used 35mm 'cron, they admitted having very few Leica items on hand. However, consistent with over comments here, they recommended Keeble's in Palo Alto, adding that the shop has the largest Leica collection outside of the Leica factory.

Good luck.