Where do you shop ?

For Leica Equipment I have only ever used:
* eBay
* KevinCameras.com
* Purdue Camera store in Sacramento, CA
 
dadsm3 said:
Beware of ebay...I just got notified there's been activity on my credit card, and it certainly wasn't me...what a pain.
But a bigger pain is guys who come on this forum to innocently drop (ostensibly, anyways) derogatory comments like "of course, I would never be so stupid as to buy film equipment now, but if I did...."
There's a reason they can't just leave us alone......might have something to do paying big coin for something that'll be worthless is a year or two. If you think I'm wrong, just check out ebay for used prices on D70 kits that went for $1500 just a few months ago.
But you know what? D70's are damn good cameras......but I love film, and I'm not out there trolling digital forums, calling them shallow believers in clever marketing schemes and suckers for the planned obsolescence game. I have better things to do, and no axe to grind.....

Mike
Click to expand...

Mike,

eBay is web-based so is vulnerable to "phishing" - my approach is to never "answer" any supposed "official" e-mail notice I get from EB or PP (or, more generally, a bank etc.).

If it's a legit notice (not likely) let them cut-off my accout and we'll straighten things out later. But never "respond" to som "account notice" e-mail. 9 times out of 10 it's a scammer or phisher.

BTW: my bank makes it clear that they will NEVER send me an e-mail regarding my account status. That's what telephones are for!

PP and EB need to realize that - and soon!

That said - what you point out about gear is right on target.

I shoot all formats including RF and SLR film, as well as DSLR (with, of all things, a D-70). As many have said here - different tools for different purposes. And like you, at the end of the day, I just like to use film. Perhaps because it is a "hassle" to load and an "expense" to incur - so it makes me think more about what I am trying to do with my camera.

I think the fellow here who took the "attitude" about no longer being interested in film cameras is just tossing out "bait" to get another anti-film feeding frenzy going.
 
Thanks Cop.....I've been 'phished' many times and have been careful, that's why I was so surprised by this. It was an email from aw-confirm@email.com telling me that my credit card had been used to set up a new account or that I had been billed more tha $15k...scarey. I cancelled my card so I could sleep tonight. I did give my number to a company in the US today to buy some chocolates for a good customer...who knows who ended up with my number, but I didn't give the security number, so how someone could is beyond me.
That being said, I love Ebay and have never been seriously ripped, other than the $5 item that wants $100 to ship, which is a common ebay scam. You learn to check all that stuff pretty quickly.
Concerning baiting, I spent a long time reading photo.net and was pretty disheartened at the sheer spite on that forum......once coming here I felt I was amongst gentlemen, very welcoming, and pros actually helping amateurs instead of belittling. Recently, I've noticed that there is rude streak showing up.....hopefully the mods will keep a tight rein.
Mike
 
i chime in 2 cents:

i bought mine photo stuff from eeebay, local consignment/2nd hand stores, and here as well... i really don't remember when was the last time i bought a new photo equipment

i might be the luckier one (until my line of luck turns?) that most ebay purchases i made went fine and i got some considerable bargain comparing to the prices at local stores... but i am risking my money to a complete stranger, not having chance to examine the item

the local stores in the place i live is notorious for high mark-ups, rebatching and zero after-service; so i am factoring 2 kinds of bad things and have to choose

i really appretiate the friendly exchange of ideas and info here, and i believe most memebers frequenting this forum are very nice people, and have an enthusiasm of film photography; the few times i have something to spare or have to go, i posted it here first; if it didn't worked out i throw it on the bay

i read photonet forum also, but like what has been metioned, there is this spite thing which could be quite put off for many

thanks and cheers!
 
I have bought Leica at Photo Village, Popflash, eBay, and on RFF and photo.net. My most pleasant experience was my last - buying a 35mm Summilux from a PN member based in Rhode Island. I was able to drive to his studio, have him show me pics taken by the lens and also try the lens out on my own camera. He gave me an extra 3% off his already low asking price for picking it up and I'm very happy with my purchase, the lens is about 2 years old and in like new condition. I wish every purchase could be like that.

I would strongly consider buying from KEH, particularly their bargain grade.

 
I recently bought a beautiful chrome M6 TTL 0.72 and black 35/2 summicron ASPH from Jack's Cameras in Muncie, IN. Their prices were comparable to recent sales I saw on ebay, and I decided that it would be safer to buy from them versus an unknown individual. Their service was excellent and their quality descriptions were accurate. I would give them my highest recommendation.

Stan
 
Kevin Cameras in the USA
The Classic Camera and Apertureuk in the UK
Camera Collection in Thailand
 
You're spoilt for choice in the London area with 4 or 5 good places within 5 minutes walk of the British Museum - Jessops classics, The Classic Camera, Aperture, H.D. Lewis & Jacobs all have a fair bit of leica stuff. I bought the M2 from Mr Cad in Croydon with the 50mm Summicron & 90mm Tele-Elmarit (£700 with a couple of Olympus bits part exchanged), there's also a funny old shop Croydon Camera and Radio further south. Bought the Summarit and 35mm Summaron from Wey Cameras in Weybridge - the Summaron has a rear element mark but it works perfectly, Summarit is perfect, £300 the pair. I haven't bought anything on ebay - I do like to actually see it 1st and getting it from a dealer does give you some comeback
 
Used gear in general: here on RFF, a couple of local shops (pricey compared to big dealers, but I like shopping there), Ffordes, Mr CAD, a couple of toher UK dealers.

Specifically Leica, I only have one body and one lens, but both were bought (seperately) on here.
 
In fotocasion in Madrid. The best prices of Spain and one of the best of the world. The owner Jose Luis Mur has one of the best collections of cameras and especially of Leicas of the world.
 
Classic Camera, Aperture, Jacobs (London) and Richard Caplan have all had me darken their doors! :D

Ffordes and Westcliff for mail order.

I did buy an M4 manual from KEH, but nothing larger (to date)


.......oh, and the Leica Shop, Vienna
 
I do dream of Photografica in Copenhagen. Upstairs is my idea of heaven.

Not always the cheapest, though.
 
I have purchased from KEh and never had a bad experience. I have used Ebay six times and been disapointed two out of the six, but not enough to ask for a return. I will be wanting to get another lens or two for my Leica IIIf and will probably either get them from KEH, Jack's Camera or perhaps another member here.

I really like RFF and the exchange of ideas and information, also like photo.net. I value peoples honesty when asked a question. I think their answers come from the heart.

Tom
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom