What the best store "you've had luck with" in the USA for used Leica lenses. Thanks Scott

-- Scott (scottevans@mediaone.net), November 05, 2001

Answers

Scott:

Tamarkin in NYC on Broadway in the same building as the Leica Gallery and near the Strand bookstore and Tower records: Four adictions in a few blocks.

Cheers

-- RICHRRD ILOMAKI (richard.ilomaki@f,mglobal.com), November 05, 2001.

Scott,

Drop Richard at: http://www.leicagallery.com a line. He always has a handle on good used Leica stuff. I deal with him all the time. He's great!

-- Steve Hoffman (shoffman2@socal.rr.com), November 05, 2001.

Scott,

I've ordered twice from KEH (http://www.keh.com). First time I ordered a shade for an Elmarit-R 24/2.8 lens and a Leica E55 polarizer. Second time, I ordered an Apo-Telyt-R 180/3.4 lens and a Motor-Winder-R. These were all used items and KEH's description of their condition was fair in each case. They were very prompt in despatching the order and the items were well-packed and arrived wthin 4 to 5 days at my address in Jakarta by UPS courier.

I've found KEH's pricing to be a bit erratic, they're not cheap on average and some items are definitely over-priced. However, you can get some bargains if you scan their site. They have a good reputation as traders and I wouldn't hesitate to order from them in the future. I must state that I have no connection with KEH, other than as a satisfied customer.

-- Ray Moth (ray_moth@yahoo.com), November 05, 2001.

Don Chatterton knows more about Leica lenses than most people. He has an optical bench and doesn't sell the abused stuff. He's completely honest and offers great deals. Highly recommended.....

-- john costo (mahler@lvcm.com), November 05, 2001.

Jim Kuehl in Des Moines, Iowa is also very knowledgeable and fair.

-- David (pagedt@attglobal.net), November 06, 2001.

I second Jim Kuehl. Have traded and purchased with/from him for years, first Nikon, now Leica. Equipment always as described, a pleasure to deal with. Totally above-board and honest.

-- Bob Stevens (matlaw@hargray.com), November 06, 2001.

Tamarkin is a must on the East Coast... dang it's easy to go for broke walking through that plus Tower Records (too many dang hiphop and jazz and 70's soul music CD's there... sigh)...

Tamarkin has a wonderful Leica gallery which is rather persuasive about why going broke on Leicaphilia is a good idea :)

On the West Coast, there is Don Chatteron. He's the man! He keeps it better than a lot of locals who don't have a freaking idea what Leicas are... especially in California where Canons are dominant!

:)

Alfie

-- Alfie Wang (albert.wang@ibx.com), November 06, 2001.

From my own experience, I can recommend Don Chatterton, Tamarkin, Classic Connection, PhotoVillage (Rich Pinto), and Keeble & Schuchat (in Palo Alto, CA). All Leica experts and honorable business people. You can consult the database of customer feedback for individual stores on the greenspun website. It is useful in steering you away from some unscrupulous dealers out there, but even the good ones occasionally get some nasty comments from a customer with unreasonable expectations or misunderstandings, so take it with a grain of salt.

-- Tim Nelson (timothy.nelson@yale.edu), November 06, 2001.

I have made several purchases from Jim Kuehl who is a pleasure to deal with and the merchandise was always as described.

-- Ivor Quaggin (iquaggin@home.com), November 06, 2001.

I would not hesitate to recommend Tamarkin, New York. The guys there are expert on Leica products,have a great used lens line-up. You can't go wrong.

-- ed gaddi (edgaddi@yahoo.com), November 06, 2001.

Keeble & Shuchat Leica specialists?! Not! They don't even check out (or clean!) their used gear before they put it on the shelf. And they have a week guarantee, which is a weak guarantee. But a good lens is a good lens, regardless of where you find it. Try Camera West in Monterey.

Personally, I don't like to mail order, especially used Euro stuff, because I want to feel it in my hands and check it out with my own eyes before buying.

-- Peter Hughes (ravenart@pacbell.net), November 06, 2001.

I have bought equipment with Don Chatterton, Tamarkin NY, Keeble & Shuchat, and Jim Kuehl. All have given me excellent service and support.

Godfrey

-- Godfrey (ramarren@bayarea.net), November 06, 2001.

Jim Kuehl, definitely #1. When he says "Mint" it's "Mint". I've had dealings with some of the others mentioned above and in a number of instances we begged to differ on our assessment of condition. #2 is KEH. The ease of ordering from them and their customer service more than make up for the occasionally mis-graded item...after all, they are not a Leica-specialist dealer and they have a large staff.

-- Jay (infinitydt@aol.com), November 07, 2001.