Leica Stores in London?

[rpilottx]

Am going to London for five days from Iceland on Friday June 24 Are there any good stores to check out? My guess is prices in GB and Europe are higher for the same gear, correct?

Have been traveling with Leica R6.2 and Digilux5 and can't decide which I like better. Am going to Nepal in the fall and only want to take one camera-perhaps the M2.

 

[brainwood]

Aperture is worth a look , its very close to the British museum in Museum Street and it even serves coffee. While you're there there is also the Classic Camera Company in Pied Bull Yard and a walk away in Southampton Row Holborn is RG Lewis a main Leica dealer. With a Euro now almost the same value as a pound I think the Uk has never been more competitive for foreign buyers

 

[drew.saunders]

There's the Leica store in Mayfair. http://www.leica-storemayfair.co.uk/
It's tiny, but when I visited last summer, the two gents there were very friendly and accommodating of this slobbishly-dressed American tourist.

 

[Nigel Meaby]

Then you have Red Dot 68 Old Street EC1 and Richard Caplan in Bury Street SW1. MW Classic 436 Essex Road, London N1 also worth a look.

 

[rpilottx]

My question about prices is meant to reflect US vs British prices. Everything I have read here seems to indicate that prices are higher in Great Britain.

 

[benlees]

My question about prices is meant to reflect US vs British prices. Everything I have read here seems to indicate that prices are higher in Great Britain.

Prices are higher; this can be offset by being able to try out a variety of cameras, as their stock is usually half decent, in a reputable shop. Sometimes, if you have your passport and pay with a foreign credit card they will not charge the VAT. Otherwise you have to line up at the airport!

 

[David Hughes]

Prices are higher; this can be offset by being able to try out a variety of cameras, as their stock is usually half decent, in a reputable shop. Sometimes, if you have your passport and pay with a foreign credit card they will not charge the VAT. Otherwise you have to line up at the airport!

Hi,

It's hard to answer that but if we are talking about second-hand stuff then it's even more difficult. (USA prices for old Leica stuff frighten me at times.) I say second-hand as I am wondering if the M9 is what's in your sights...

Regards, David

 

[archive59]

+1 for both Aperture and Red Dot. They have both been open to sensible negotiation on price in my experience. If you are prepared to drift out of Central London and risk going to Croydon then the High Street Radio & Photographic is an authorised Leica dealer and a complete throw back to the 60s. Their opening times are strange though and sometimes they don't have much second hand stock so you need to phone before making a trip there.

 

[Ade-oh]

Japanese cameras tend to be significantly cheaper in the US than they are in the UK and Europe but I don't think there's too much difference with Leicas, and used Leica gear can actually be cheaper on this side of the pond. I'm pretty sure that you can reclaim VAT if you are exporting the camera outside the EU, which will knock 20% off the price.

 

[thegman]

I like Aperture, also Red Dot Cameras. The Classic Camera is good too, but a bit more expensive than the other two.

 

[ktmrider]

Prices about the Same

Prices about the Same

I ended up with a 28 Elmarit R from RG Lewis for almost exactly the same price that they are going for at Tamarkin or KEH. It was nice being able to physically handle the lens which of course is impossible to do living in El Paso and ordering from a mail order camera store.

Almost bought a mint Leicaflex SL body for 299 pounds but I had just purchased a R6.2 two months before and needed a wide. The meter was even working.