Leica Stores in San Francisco Area

I agree with Carlo. The used camera stores around here are really not worth your time and energy, especially Adolph Gasser. I have bought most of my used gear from New York or individual sellers off Craigslist. I purchase my Chemistry from Calumet Store in SF or at Looking Glass in Berkeley; I think calumet has better prices on chemistry than most of the other stores.

I would second Rayko, they do have some interesting cameras for sale, and some incredible exhibits right now as well. Sometimes there are the camera swap meets, which you might be happening around the time you are hear; you can sometimes find interesting there as well.
 
A visit to RayKo

A visit to RayKo

Carlo, et al.

I paid a visit to RayKo today, still looking for an opinion on a used 35mm 'cron (V. 4), acquired via ebay, that has tiny dust spec's evident inside. The seller gave me a week to check it out prior to a refund. Anyway, back to RayKo & your Q. Sorry Carlos, no used Leica's to speak of. One of the presumed principals, Stuart, has an MP w/ 35mm 'cron on display, but no price tag. I also saw one Leica III in a display case.

On the other hand, they do have a display case decicated tp Bessa's and price list, so seems like this could be their main line. Quite a few older cameras on display or for sale (Nikons, etc; a Rolli for $235). The lab facilities and gallery are worth a visit.

As a neophyte, I found the staff very helpful, as they offered to look over my lens and gave me an opinion - the dust is probably inconsequential, but the photos should show more. (I am waiting for film back from the lab). Stuart graciously offered to allow me to shoot film with his 35mm 'cron and take the same shots with my ebay lens, for comparison purposes.

FYI, for locals: Louis, a staffer, suggested that I visit Calumet on Friday or Saturday. Never been there, but they're having a mini-trade show (11th Anniversary) with a variety of mfr reps. They suggested I bring the lens to Calumet and ask the Leica rep for an opinion.

As for Keeble & Schucat, in Palo Alto, I thought I'd point out that the web reviews contain an abundance of negative customer comments (generally, arrogant & poor sales service). Hopefully, things have changed for the better. I did talk to one of their repair tech's by phone who offered to look at my lens, no charge. I just couldn't get to Palo Alto before 5:30 pm (closing time).

One question to anyone: The seller of this 35mm 'cron told me that tiny dust is almost always irrelevant to the photo quality, and that Leica told him do not have the lens cleaned unless there is fungus, because once disassembled, the lens will not function mechanically the same. However, the Keeber repair guy told me this is untrue, and said the standard cost to clean this lens is $125 - $150. Can someone enlighten me on the issue of dust in the lens, and when cleaning is recommended?

Thanks, Tim
 
I think it really depends on how much dust. Same goes for fungus, scratches, separation, or anything else that's on the glass (though obviously fungus & separation pose their own risk because they can grow worse over time). I think you would have to have quite a bit of dust in a lens for it to be a real problem, but then again I've never seen a lens that had any significant amount of internal dust.

Tim San Francisco said:
One question to anyone: The seller of this 35mm 'cron told me that tiny dust is almost always irrelevant to the photo quality, and that Leica told him do not have the lens cleaned unless there is fungus, because once disassembled, the lens will not function mechanically the same. However, the Keeber repair guy told me this is untrue, and said the standard cost to clean this lens is $125 - $150. Can someone enlighten me on the issue of dust in the lens, and when cleaning is recommended?

Thanks, Tim
Click to expand...
 
Tim San Francisco said:
One question to anyone: The seller of this 35mm 'cron told me that tiny dust is almost always irrelevant to the photo quality, and that Leica told him do not have the lens cleaned unless there is fungus, because once disassembled, the lens will not function mechanically the same. However, the Keeber repair guy told me this is untrue, and said the standard cost to clean this lens is $125 - $150. Can someone enlighten me on the issue of dust in the lens, and when cleaning is recommended?

Thanks, Tim
Click to expand...

If you think about photons coming from a point on an object, hitting all points on the front of a lens, and then getting focused to a single point on the film, you'll get a feel for the importance of a few specks of dust. Those few photons that get blocked by dust have little impact on the total number that hit a point on the film.

Haze and fingerprints, which cover more of the surface, impact more photons and are more likely to degrade the image.
 
wow...I am thankful to come upon this thread....I am actually returing home (S.F.) after 4 long years away photographing various projects in different parts of the world....the interesting thing is, I will be looking for a second m body (used) to purchase and bring back to Bangkok with me, along with a bunch of reels/tanks etc.......I used to work at Looking Glass in Berkeley 8-9 years ago and i was pretty knowledgeable about most of the camera stores in the area up until the last 4 years (when I left the states), so this thread saved me a lot of time...I guess I will go with my original plan and wait to find a good m body here or on craigslist...cheers...Michael
 
here's another negative vote for Keeble's staff in general. i live just a few blocks away and have maybe two times in 10 years had a decent experience there. i rarely get anything from them, and have never bought any leica gear there- not for lack of trying. most recently i went in to get an M8 there and was so bummed out on the attitude i got from the staff once again that i opted to wait an extra week and go the B&H route instead. their used leica selection used to be better before ebay days, but is pretty weak now. i did however get a great deal on a used mamiya 6 there, and can vouch for the leica collection upstairs being top notch.
gasser's is no picnic either. i don't like bad-mouthing, but the staff's attitude at both places has been frustrating. i'd recommend ebay, craiglist or KEH for used stuff over either place. i've had way better experiences on all three.
señor bialecki, holler at me when you're coming back to town- i might have something for you...
 
No used Leicas at Calumet

No used Leicas at Calumet

Back again. After visiting the anniversary dealers' event at Calumet, I am reporting to Carlo: Sorry, no used Leicas on hand at all; only new demos.

However, the salesguy recommended Camera West in Walnut Creek, which he said is still open, as he talked with them this past week. For Carlo, here is the link: http://www.camerawest.com/used-products/ I note they have a listing of used M gear, sorted by product, condition rating, location and price. Wish I'd visited this place before purchasing a used 35mm 'cron via ebay - oh well, live and learn.

Again, for Carlo, it's about a 45 minute car drive (non-rush hour) from SF to Walnut Creek. You probably can take public transit via BART also.

Good luck.

P.S. Thanks for the advice regarding dust in the lens, and protecting eyeglasses from scratches.
 
Is it worth driving from San Francisco to Walnut Creek to visit Camera West? I know their Monterey store has most of the Leica gear.

I've been to the gear temples of Hong Kong, Tokyo and Berlin, so I'm not sure if it's worth the drive to see Camera West.

I'm not looking for anything in particular, I just like to visit significant camera stores and browse.
 
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