Serious Leica Shopping in NYC

Yeah my previous ventures haven't been satisfactory, all the places expect you to ask for what you want with the displays of 100 LTM bodies 8 feet behind a counter behind glass. Len & Repro has a fantastic inventory of lighting and large format but they never produce a comprehensive list and they don't let you browse, and simply asking a salesperson to see all the 300mm Xenars is met with a sigh, like they want to see your credit card and know your budget before they'll fetch anything.

I understand that they can't let the public handle expensive photo gear the same way jewelry stores don't let you paw through diamonds, but at least the jewelry stores put their goods on display where you can see them!
 
I would recommend Photo Village.
I've been there a number of times and, while I never met Rich in person, the folks there were always helpful whilst I was browsing/buying.

Speaking of Photo Village, are they no longer part of the sponsors of RFF? I don't see their ads anywhere..

Cheers,
Dave
 
Lens & Repro is a special case. I think their business is about 90% rental now, and part of what they rent are props for period movies that require authentic camera equipment. The rest of the old stuff is priced for a different planet than the one I live on.

Photo Village guys are very nice. They will hang out as long as you want. Plus their cameras are usually priced right and in good condition. Tamarkin is just as nice, though they are frequently busy on the phone. Both places are on the upper floors of large office buildings, and I feel a bit like I am in that movie, Being John Malkovich, when I visit.

But my favorite place is Fotocare on 21st between 6th and 7th across from SVA. When I get money for new equipment, I buy it there. But they also have quite a few used pieces, including Leica. While the stuff is behind the counter, they'll show you whatever you want. Only place in NYC that consistently has interesting things like Makina 67s & such. Also large format. And a big digital media/printing showroom in the back. The film department sometimes has slightly past-date film at discount.
 
If you first search their website Adorama is a place where I have found the three lenses that are in my Leica kit. BTW the lenses graded in excelent and demo are like new, but the lower grades I found disappointing.

Also watch for price drops on their listings and make sure to note the item number because I found a few times the was different/higher. I was able to secure the lower price because I had a hard copy.

I also found that I could pitch a deal and have the opportunity to take advantage of the slow economy, especially after a drop in the price.

I got a 75/1.4 in demo condition; a 35 Cron V.4 with hood and caps; and a 50/2.8 Elmar with case boxed. All were at great prices.

The key to making the most of your visit is research.

Good luck.

Calzone
 
Good old London Leica browsing and shopping!

All items on display are a few inches away from your nose (behind glass) and the sales people -and most often than not the owner himself- will let you walk about in peace for ages before considering asking you if you need any...help!

This has always been my experience. But then, sales people in the UK are rarely driven by commission pay likely to make them impatient and rude towards reluctant or just plain window shopping customers.
 
Not a big fan of B&h and adorama on used gear though YMMV. They are very impatient and the grading system simply sux (comparing to keh).
 
eia41 said:
Good old London Leica browsing and shopping!

All items on display are a few inches away from your nose (behind glass) and the sales people -and most often than not the owner himself- will let you walk about in peace for ages before considering asking you if you need any...help!

This has always been my experience. But then, sales people in the UK are rarely driven by commission pay likely to make them impatient and rude towards reluctant or just plain window shopping customers.
Click to expand...

where is this place and how do i get there?
 
Hm. I don't think I have ever found anyone rude at B&H or Adorama. I am pretty sure neither place is commission sales. I found New Yorkers, but I can understand how someone who hasn't visited New York before might confuse that for rudeness. If they won't show you something, ask them why they won't show you something. If the lens they show you is crap, tell them it is crap. Maybe even tell them that they are insulting you with what they showed you. Push them a bit. Like Calzone says, you just have to be prepared, and part of that is understanding that you are in a particular culture that might be different from where you live.

And the alternative is to go to PhotoVillage or Fotocare, conveniently only blocks away from Adorama and a short taxi ride from B&H.

I like Classic Camera in Pied Bull Yard in London. :)
 
jke said:
Hm. I don't think I have ever found anyone rude at B&H or Adorama. I am pretty sure neither place is commission sales. I found New Yorkers, but I can understand how someone who hasn't visited New York before might confuse that for rudeness. If they won't show you something, ask them why they won't show you something. If the lens they show you is crap, tell them it is crap. Maybe even tell them that they are insulting you with what they showed you. Push them a bit. Like Calzone says, you just have to be prepared, and part of that is understanding that you are in a particular culture that might be different from where you live.

And the alternative is to go to PhotoVillage or Fotocare, conveniently only blocks away from Adorama and a short taxi ride from B&H.

I like Classic Camera in Pied Bull Yard in London. :)
Click to expand...

I agree, I'm not a fan of B&H but the people there are nice, by New York standards. Meaning no big smiles and southern sweet talk. And if they're nice to me (too young, not enough money) that's pretty good!
 
Photo Village will let you play with anything.

B&H has a nice selection, but I'm in agreement with a previous poster. They have no patience with folks just looking to play around with things.

Adorama has a nice selection. But ever since they redesigned the store I don't bother asking to play with anything.
 
Perhaps even nicer are the camera stores in Japan. When I was on vacation in Tokyo back in the fall, jonmanjiro was kind enough to show me around some of the small(er) shops specializing in classic equipment; I can't recall a single 1 that had a problem w/us looking @, & handling items, some of them very rare & expensive (e.g., Zeiss Ikon Contaflex TLRs) w/little to no supervision/hovering.

eia41 said:
Good old London Leica browsing and shopping!

All items on display are a few inches away from your nose (behind glass) and the sales people -and most often than not the owner himself- will let you walk about in peace for ages before considering asking you if you need any...help!

This has always been my experience. But then, sales people in the UK are rarely driven by commission pay likely to make them impatient and rude towards reluctant or just plain window shopping customers.
Click to expand...
 
jke said:
Hm. I don't think I have ever found anyone rude at B&H or Adorama. I am pretty sure neither place is commission sales. I found New Yorkers, but I can understand how someone who hasn't visited New York before might confuse that for rudeness. If they won't show you something, ask them why they won't show you something. If the lens they show you is crap, tell them it is crap. Maybe even tell them that they are insulting you with what they showed you. Push them a bit. Like Calzone says, you just have to be prepared, and part of that is understanding that you are in a particular culture that might be different from where you live.

And the alternative is to go to PhotoVillage or Fotocare, conveniently only blocks away from Adorama and a short taxi ride from B&H.

I like Classic Camera in Pied Bull Yard in London. :)
Click to expand...


I found everyone at B&H and Adorama extremely helpful, but I was prepared.

I was at B&H buying a Domke bag. The salesman asked me If I needed anything else. I happened to ask him about the Leica lense rebate on an 50/2.8 Elmar. He asked me if I wanted to see it, but when I told him that I was heading directly to Adorama to look at used lenses first he offered to give me a printed price quote. Evidently the salesman did not think my bluntness as rude.

Moral of the story: New Yorkers appreciate others who are blunt and to the point.

****************

At Adorama seeing used equipment is difficult unless you are prepared, but if you are well prepared you will get extraordinary service. Each time, the items I wanted to inspect were given to me to study without any pressure. I was told take your time, while the salesmen aided other customers.

When I decided on an Elmar, which was like new with, box, papers, and case, I used the B&H price quote as leverage to lower the price. They dropped the price a hundred below the price quote, but I told the salesman that that wasn't low enough. He went back to the buyer again for a lower price. I ended up with a great deal.

Moral of the story: "Understand the culture." Be aggessive. Knowing what you want was greatly appreciated. BTW none of my bluntness, or being direct is not thought as being rude.

My advantage is that I am a New Yorker, so all this aggessive behavior is normal.

Calzone
 
Calzone said:
I found everyone at B&H and Adorama extremely helpful, but I was prepared.

I was at B&H buying a Domke bag. The salesman asked me If I needed anything else. I happened to ask him about the Leica lense rebate on an 50/2.8 Elmar. He asked me if I wanted to see it, but when I told him that I was heading directly to Adorama to look at used lenses first he offered to give me a printed price quote. Evidently the salesman did not think my bluntness as rude.

Moral of the story: New Yorkers appreciate others who are blunt and to the point.

****************

At Adorama seeing used equipment is difficult unless you are prepared, but if you are well prepared you will get extraordinary service. Each time, the items I wanted to inspect were given to me to study without any pressure. I was told take your time, while the salesmen aided other customers.

When I decided on an Elmar, which was like new with, box, papers, and case, I used the B&H price quote as leverage to lower the price. They dropped the price a hundred below the price quote, but I told the salesman that that wasn't low enough. He went back to the buyer again for a lower price. I ended up with a great deal.

Moral of the story: "Understand the culture." Be aggessive. Knowing what you want was greatly appreciated. BTW none of my bluntness, or being direct is not thought as being rude.

My advantage is that I am a New Yorker, so all this aggessive behavior is normal.

Calzone
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I agree with you on the most part.
If you are prepare to purchase (meaning at least you look like you have the money, unlike me--> poor young student-looking), then they are quite nice and very helpful.
I have had very good transactions with B&H when purchasing NEW stuff (film, darkroom related, etc..) They are very professional and know exactly what they talk about. I love that because I don't have to explain what I am looking for and all I need to do is tell them the item# or the price range I am willing to spend.
However, the used gear purchase experience has been very poor with B&H and adorama (especially adorama). They don't want to talk to you at all (on the phone especially) unless you are ready to give them your creditcard #. Sorry, they will not get my business on used gear but I wouldn't hesitate to purchase new from B&H.

Chris
 
I have had the same experiences with B&H, both good and not so good. Very good with new sales. (As Chris said- as long as they smell a sale is coming). And with used it seems they aren't sure just what is in the back room, or where it actually is, and they didn't want to go back and have a look for me.

And I'm tired of the "explanations" given that New Yorkers are just that way- (cold or rude) and they respect the same in return. BALONEY! Then why are they so nice and helpful at PhotoVillage? They're in New York too! ;)
 
Well, what you might be seeing too is old New York business vs. new New York business. :) I am sure there are people here who remember 47th St. Camera. In the old days of calling them on the telephone, you'd sometimes get a "Yeah?" instead of hello. Then when you'd ask, "Is this 47th St. Camera?" they'd say, "Yeah, whadya want?" If you didn't tell them quick enough, there was a good chance you'd get hung up on. Some of that is still around.

But people in New York are generally plenty nice now and have always been in my experience, though with varying levels of eccentricity. And the guys in the used department at B&H are definitely on the eccentric side of things. Characters in other words. There is the (now) gray-haired guy who is short and round with dark horned rimmed glasses and the guy who is tall and broad shouldered with dark horned rimmed glasses and wears turtlenecks all the time. They are both unique in their own special ways. :)
 
B&H, Adorama and Calumet are good if you know what you want.
Their used stuff is 'really used'. On Sundays B&H can be very busy, their staff handles the masses very well but you will not get much face time with a sales rep. on something you want to ask a lot of questions on.
Weekdays before noon you sometimes have the store to your self, and the staff can spend more time with you.
As far as handling equipment and talking to staff at length Photovillage is great. Their used stuff is of superior quality and staff very helpful.
 
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