Buyer Experiences with Kurland Photo in NYC?

dcsang

dcsang

Canadian & Not A Dentist
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Folks..

in my constant hunt for an M8, and trying to justify spending that much money, I've noted that Kurland Photo has a number of "used" Demos online @ Ebay.

Has anyone ever dealt with this store? If so.. what are they like?

Cheers
Dave
 
dcsang said:
Folks..

in my constant hunt for an M8, and trying to justify spending that much money, I've noted that Kurland Photo has a number of "used" Demos online @ Ebay.

Has anyone ever dealt with this store? If so.. what are they like?

Cheers
Dave
Click to expand...

Bought my M8 plus 28 f2.8 asph from them in January and everything went fast and smooth. Overall, a positive experience. Re availability of M8 and pricing, have a look at Popflash's webpage.
 
Eli Kurland used to be the manager of Wall St. Camera until they closed, then he went on his own as an authorized Leica dealer. His first store was not far from ground zero and everything in it was destroyed by soot on 9/11. He re-opened a fancier shop. I have not bought from him myself and don't know a lot of people personally who have, but I never heard a bad word about him either. If you're getting an official Leica Code-U/demo, it would come with a 1-yr warranty through Leica, so you are fairly well protected I would think.

I've probably bought most of my used Leica stuff from KEH (who are an authorized Leica dealer BTW) in the last few years. I got my M8 from Tony Rose/Popflash and I can recommend him highly. He has a customer-service ethic that I haven't quite found with other well-known Leica dealers since Jim Kuehl retired.
 
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Thanks guys..

I would concur with Tony - merely because I have dealt with him for gear in the past (my 35 ZM biogon).

The Kurland pricing just is so tempting.

I'll look at Tony's offerings again - I can get one locally brand new for $5,000 CDN but saving that extra $550 on a "slightly used" one means a lot when it comes to paying taxes.

Dave
 
A good 10+ years back, I dealt a lot with Eli when my employer asked me to coordinate the purchase of a few Rollei 6003 cameras and several lenses. Never had any problems with any of our several purchases.

Jim B.
 
I purchased a lens from him a few months back - the description was accurate, and the transaction went smoothly without any problems.
 
Kurland Photo

Kurland Photo

Eli is a good guy. His equipment is first rate. Even better, if you have a problem, he'll make it right.

Brad
 
Let's see... Kurland...

Yes, I have purchased Tri-Elmar 28-35-50 from Kurland Photo around at $1300.

The lens was arrived and it was in awesome condition.

You bet, I give them a positive feedback.
 
Kurland's store is just down the hall from the Leica Photo Gallery in NYC.
I have purchased a number of minor items there, and the personal are always professional, polite, knowledgable and helpful.
I consider it one of the 3 or 4 high-end, camera botiques in NYC.
Any used gear that I have seen in the store is always of the highest quality.
Kurland also has a studio facility on the same floor that they rent out by the day for photo shoots.
 
I spent 2k for an expensive lens at Kurland's eBay store last spring.

Lens was in perfect shape, very fast email and phone confirmation, quick delivery. What's not to love?

I shop his site frequently. The eBay inventory is most frequently updated I think.

Haven't visited his store in NYC yet, but wouldn't hesitate for a minute to contact him if looking for something special.

Those demo M8's look like a good deal to me.

Kurland has that most special commodity in business: a good reputation.
 
I was in the shop last month and they had just received about 15 demo M8's, chrome and black all boxed up and ready to go.
Eli wasn't there, however the person I spoke t said they would be gone in less than a week.
Its a first rate shop IMO.
 
Ben Z said:
Interesting, I thought he was just the manager. Eli was out of Wall St. and had opened his own shop before 9/11, I know that.



Sounds like Tamarkin's former digs?
Click to expand...

It's funny but as I read previous posts about "Eli" , I wondered if it was the same Eli from Wall Street Cameras years ago.
 
I will add my piece too...he has a very good selection of Rollei 6000 stuff. I have not really found his prices to be lowest, but he is a very nice guy and takes care of the customers. By the way, all my dealings with him have been in person...face to face. He has a really nice shop/showroom. I think he is doing a lot of medium format digital business these days as well.
 
Dave - I purchased one of the demo M8s from Kurland Photo last week. Its rangefinder wasn't calibrated correctly. I spoke to Eli, and he quickly said he will replace the body. I sent the M8 back, and received another M8 demo from Kurland 3 days later. It's perfect. Great service from Eli, and his staff is also very responsive. Can't ask for any better service!
 
I bought a new old stock pre-asph 50 lux there about 5 months ago.
Except for getting slimed by someone powerwashing the building across the street on my way there, it was a 100% troublefree transaction.

Leica even accepted the Passport warranty as was promised by the store.

All good!

John
 
I have an M8 from Kurland.

I have an M8 from Kurland.

Dave; I purchased an M8 from Kurland Photography back August/September and had it shipped to Ottawa.

It came mostly as advertised, however:

1) It took a while to get it registered; I called Mr. Kurland, who gave me a number in Leica (Robert Fisk). Never got through, but talked to a Shirley, filled in the card, went on a 16 day vacation, and when I tried on returning, I got the registration done just fine. (my 2 free filters came no problems)

2) the Capture One LE software I never got a valid key for. The Capture One help people told me "sorry". That's not a big loss; a few minutes googling showed me others. (I now use Aperture, although iPhoto also works, as well as other RAW processors)

Would I do it again?
- I'll admit that there were a few hours followup trying to get "things sorted out" and "delivered from UPS". I did not appreciate this, although, for the delivery, see below.
- Everything was in the box, although admittedly one could tell that it was opened by others. So what?.
- Mr. Kurland was nice on the phone; seemed helpful. Would probably have helped with the Capture One key if I had cared enough to press him.
- The camera has been flawless. It had about 1,000 clicks on the shutter (from the EXIF data). No "oil spots" that others say appear in the first 1000 clicks; obviously the sensor was well cleaned before I got it.
- new battery; lcd screen with new pulloff cover protector; it looked like a new camera.

Note that it'll come in UPS. These guys charged quite a bit for "customs clearance" and lost my camera for almost a week in and around Ottawa. Eventually my wife and I went for a two hour round trip to go to the UPS depot and retrieve it.

You may want to check out www.leitaboutique.com in Montreal. The Voigtlander lens prices seem, IMHO, to be pretty good. You never know... they might have one without the UPS headaches. (never even been in the LeicaBoutique, nor purchased anything from them - just a url that looks interesting)

In summary, yes, I have purchased from Kurland. I would do so again. Am I happy I did? In the end, you forget the hassles; the savings went into Voigtlander lenses, and both my wife and I are exceedingly happy with the results.

JohnS, Ottawa.

dcsang said:
Folks..

in my constant hunt for an M8, and trying to justify spending that much money, I've noted that Kurland Photo has a number of "used" Demos online @ Ebay.

Has anyone ever dealt with this store? If so.. what are they like?
Click to expand...
 
With the possible shipping problems in mind, I'm seeing M8s in Canada now selling new at the same price as U.S. If you buy from out-of-province you save PST.
 
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