Sad News—Ken Hansen

[Sarcophilus Harrisii]

Details here:
https://gmpphoto.blogspot.com/2019/...KE8b8lp-q4kmUQBZMfiovGtlhySCGZhYhlvXFUekQ&m=1

 

[Huss]

Rest in peace Ken.

Kindest wishes to his family and friends.

 

[helen.HH]

Very sad to hear... RIP

Ken was always a Gent, fantastic equipment, great sense of humor

 

[raid]

R. I. P. Ken Hansen.

 

[oftheherd]

Peace and comfort to his family.

I didn't know him personally, but always heard good of him.

Prayers for his familly.

 

[B-9]

Oh Ken! Meeting Roger and Blake In the great beyond.

So many bright lights extinguished so soon.

 

[BillBingham2]

Very sad news.

A wonderful man who seemed to be able to balance treating people with respect, having fun and making a profit.

Prayers and good thoughts to his family and friends.

B2 (;-<<<<<<

 

[Canyongazer]

+1
Well put, Bill.

 

[Rob-F]

Oh Ken! Meeting Roger and Blake In the great beyond.

So many bright lights extinguished so soon.

And Tom Ambrahamsson

 

[NY_Dan]

Ken Hansen

Ken Hansen

The good go too soon. Met Ken around 1979 when his store was on 34th street. And used to shop at his second place on Broadway. Great guy. Saw him at the home of one of his former employees ten years or so ago - he gave me a Nikon pen - which I still use. Great guy.

 

[leica M2 fan]

Ken Hansen a true gentleman and very fine person.

Ken Hansen a true gentleman and very fine person.

Maybe 10 years ago I was in the market for a Rolleiflex 3.5F and I called him and
spoke to him about my wish. He said he was waiting on a camera to come in and
said it was just what I wanted. In a couple days the package arrived at my home.
I was thrilled, it was pristine and worked flawlessly. It was perfect!
Now the camera had arrived and in the box was a statement for payment for it.
I couldn't get over he sent me a $1200 item way across the country before I even
paid for it! I called to notify that the check was in the mail and asked him why he
did it like that and he said, " you told me what you wanted and when I got this I
knew this was it- so I sent it to you. I'm sure I'm not the only one he did this for
but I love this camera and I still have the "Ken Hansen Special". I probably will
never sell it. What a guy!

 

[Archiver]

@leica M2 fan - keep that camera forever. It's worth it.

I never met Ken, nor had any dealings with him, but these anecdotes help show why he had such a good reputation in our community. Please keep them coming, if anyone has more stories.


There's a lovely tribute story to Ken here:


http://www.fogdog-photography.com/fogdog-blog/2019/4/10/ken-hansen


Another here:
https://www.overgaard.dk/the-story-behind-that-picture-0177_gb.html


And here:
https://www.stevehuffphoto.com/2019...n-hansen-all-close-friends-welcome-to-attend/

 

[NY_Dan]

Maybe 10 years ago I was in the market for a Rolleiflex 3.5F and I called him and
spoke to him about my wish. He said he was waiting on a camera to come in and
said it was just what I wanted. In a couple days the package arrived at my home.
I was thrilled, it was pristine and worked flawlessly. It was perfect!
Now the camera had arrived and in the box was a statement for payment for it.
I couldn't get over he sent me a $1200 item way across the country before I even
paid for it! I called to notify that the check was in the mail and asked him why he
did it like that and he said, " you told me what you wanted and when I got this I
knew this was it- so I sent it to you. I'm sure I'm not the only one he did this for
but I love this camera and I still have the "Ken Hansen Special". I probably will
never sell it. What a guy!

When I began working as a NYC photo assistant I'd call Ken and say I'm on my way to rent a 150 Hasselblad lens for so and so - we'd be in the middle of a shoot and he'd just hand me the lens and send the paperwork later. If he knew you - that was it. No problems Roll out the red carpet!

 

[kshapero]

And Tom Ambrahamsson

****, we are losing a lot of mentors.

 

[SolaresLarrave]

This is something... I bought a black paint Leica M2 from him via his eBay store, and he was very patient about answering questions not only about that but also other items. I had that camera re-painted later, but I'll never part with it because... I like it a lot. And he managed to send it incredibly fast!

My condolences to his family. He was a well-respected camera dealer.

 

[Timmyjoe]

Ken was always such a gentleman and honest dealer. First visited his store in 1992 when I was living in NYC. Bought my last camera from him this past July. Godspeed Mr. Hansen.

Best,
-Tim