Good places for Leica shopping in London?

[ocean7]

Hi folks,

I will be in London in two weeks and I might do a bit of shopping there. The exchange rate between the British pound and our Canadian dollar is pretty good so...

Which shops would you recommend in central London? I could be looking for a used M6 and/or a used 'cron 50.

Thanks and lot and best,

Philippe.

 

[Paul T.]

Hmmm. London has never been a bargain destination for Leicas.
Perhaps the best is

http://www.mwclassic.com/

Red Dot on Old st (I think) is worth a look, as is the photographers café just by the British Museum (the Classic Camera, also near there, is pretentious and overpriced).

THe Capa and Gerda Taro exhibition should still be on in a couple of weeks, I reckon, worth a visit, as is the Museum of London, nearby, it's quirky and seldom visited by non-Londoners.

One suggestion for a museum: the John Soane house, Lincolns Inn Fields (you'll have to smuggle your camera in, though).

 

[ocean7]

Thanks Paul. MWClassic have good prices indeed! I am curious too about Red Dot and I definitely took note of the café and exhibitions. I am so much looking forward to be there!

Any other suggestions? Now that I think of it even if it's outside London I'd like to hear about your favourite shop. If they agree to ship to my hotel that's fine.

 

[David Charlwood]

London Leica Dealers

London Leica Dealers

My recommendations (having dealt with both) are:
APERTURE at 44 Museum Street, London WC1A 1LY.
RICHARD CAPLAN at 25 Bury Street, London SW1A 6AL.
Nobody else is really worth bothering about.
Good Luck.

 

[Andrew Sowerby]

Hi Philippe,

Re-buying an M6, huh? 🙂

Aperture is definitely worth a visit.

I like shopping for photo books in London. Check out the Photographers' Gallery on Great Newport St. There's also a great photography book store on Judd St. (I think) near St. Pancras. The Steidl Store is on Lamb's Conduit and there's a great pub nearby (The Lamb). And don't forget the stores on Charing Cross Rd.

I really want to go back to London ...

Have fun!
-Andrew

 

[ClaremontPhoto]

Check out the Photographers' Gallery on Great Newport St.

A great recommendation, exhibitions, books, prints and cafe. I used to love that place.

But they just moved last week. I don't have the new address to hand, but they didn't go far.

 

[Austerby]

Nobody else is really worth bothering about.
.

Not true in my experience - Red Dot Cameras are great and don't overlook the Classic Camera as they do have a nice showroom and interesting stock.

 

[supershang]

i bought my m6 ttl and lens here:http://www.theclassiccamera.com/page1.htm
i think the price is also quite reasonable

 

[ocean7]

Thanks a lot for your replies everyone.

I will check
http://www.mwclassic.com/
http://www.theclassiccamera.com/
http://www.reddotcameras.co.uk/
http://www.richardcaplan.co.uk/

And of course museum, exhibitions, cafés and pubs! I have been to England many times before, althought the last time was ten years ago. I miss this country so much!

 

[supershang]

good luck for your leica shopping then

 

[John Lawrence]

If you get a chance, another place in London worth having a look at is R G Lewis. You can find details here:

http://www.rglewis.co.uk/

Have a good trip.

 

[ocean7]

Thanks! Oh yes I forgot http://www.apertureuk.com/

Please now recommend me a good place for shopping clothes so that I can drop the girlfriend there for a whole day 😀

 

[simonSE15]

For clothes: Selfridges, Harvey Nicks, Sloane street & King's Road if she's on a Leica budget ;-)

you should make sure you check out the National Portrait Gallery as they have an Annie Leibovitz exhibition and the Taylor Wessing prize exhibition:
http://www.npg.org.uk/live/index.asp

The worst camera store in london is the infamous Nicholas cameras in Camden. I went in there yesterday after hearing it was somehow still going. The young guy in there told me they had a Canon 35/2.8 for £200. I asked if they could do it for any cheaper. A phonecall to the owner and it became £300! Hilarious.

 

[Windscale]

Thanks! Oh yes I forgot http://www.apertureuk.com/

Please now recommend me a good place for shopping clothes so that I can drop the girlfriend there for a whole day 😀

Harrod's will be fine and she can sit down for a cup of coffee or even a big meal during shopping. Mind you, you could end up paying for many more Leicas!

 

[John Lawrence]

The worst camera store in london is the infamous Nicholas cameras in Camden. I went in there yesterday after hearing it was somehow still going. The young guy in there told me they had a Canon 35/2.8 for £200. I asked if they could do it for any cheaper. A phonecall to the owner and it became £300! Hilarious.

Interesting this. I've never been in Nicholas cameras, but they always used to advertise all sorts of wonderful items for sale in the magazines. Whenever I 'phoned I was told either that "one of their rich customers" had been loaned the item I wanted, or that I should visit the store. I have never been able to buy the item I wanted over the 'phone, and never visited because I guessed they just didn't have it!

 

[simonSE15]

Interesting this. I've never been in Nicholas cameras, but they always used to advertise all sorts of wonderful items for sale in the magazines. Whenever I 'phoned I was told either that "one of their rich customers" had been loaned the item I wanted, or that I should visit the store. I have never been able to buy the item I wanted over the 'phone, and never visited because I guessed they just didn't have it!

the shop has been there for years and has lots of good stuff but I dont know how he survives. I used to go there when I was into super 8 gear and the prices bore no relation to reality. 🙄

 

[Andrew Sowerby]

I wouldn't try to buy anything other than coke, heroin or vintage clothes in Camden. 🙂



I don't think that the Tate Modern has been mentioned yet. It's fun and FREE.

 

[parsec1]

Interesting this. I've never been in Nicholas cameras, but they always used to advertise all sorts of wonderful items for sale in the magazines. Whenever I 'phoned I was told either that "one of their rich customers" had been loaned the item I wanted, or that I should visit the store. I have never been able to buy the item I wanted over the 'phone, and never visited because I guessed they just didn't have it!

They never do. They advertise what they don't have expect you to pay for it and then it takes months of wrangling to get your money returned (Credit Card Transactions) I know. Avoid like plague. Almost as bad as 'Boris in Germany'.

Pick up a copy of 'Amateur Photographer' and look at the comprehensive 'FFordes' ads. Roger Hicks sometimes writes the back page. They are in Scotland but a quick phone call and they will give you all the service you could wish for including getting stuff to you within 24 hours or less and it will always be much better than you thought it could be.. Any problems and they will refund you without question. IMHO the best camera dealers in Europe and Leica specialists. I have brought 6 Leica Ms from them and a CL plus tons of other gear over the years.
Most of all they are all Leica lovers and use them personally.
PS Try to get to the Science museum it aint the 'Smithsonian' but there's some pretty immpressive 'toys' in there to 'play' with. As for the 'missus' drop her at Oxford Street/ Regent street for the day
Welcome again to our Capital and have a great time.
Peter D

 

[urban_alchemist]

Red Dot Cameras is only a few stops from Borough Market. Buy a camera then have an amazing lunch (Thursday/Friday).

You really can't lose, can you 😀