Where to buy Leicas

[bernardsia]

I am looking to get a C3 or a CM Zoom sometime soon and in the future a M7. Can somebody recommend me a good place to touch and feel them and offers a decent price? I know Cathay has got some, but a dedicated shop will be great.

I've seen rows and rows of Leicas at the TST area in HK. Are there any shops here with such a good range and price?

 

[sabahan]

I think CP is the best place in Singapore to 'feel' leica,Vincent tan is more knowledgable there.they have almost the full range of lM lens there.
In HK if you see and don't buy,Hmmm. :angry:

 

[bernardsia]

Thanks sabahan,

I was just told prices in Singapore is on the high side.

Not all the shops in HK are bad. At Champange Centre, there are a few good shops with reasonable prices and huge collections of new and old. Service is friendly and straight forward. The new and used collectables go in racks. Even then, I managed to ask for a piece of gear that was not readily avaliable. One of the shop made a few calls and managed to get it for me in 30 mins and sold it to me at street price.

 

[sabahan]

Leica camera in HK is mostly grey market price so it is cheap,I have ask once for the HK standard street prices,is almost the same as singapore.
BTW I get my leica M6 TTL with chrome 50 summicron forn HKD 10800,grey market price.

 

[porshee]

grey meaning stolen?

 

[XXX Boy]

Might be useful to you.
Test results of Leica M7

 

[Belle&Sebastain]

i just return from HK from a business trip, my T3 was faulty and cannot wind film, i when to this shop at Tsimshatsui and the owner was very helpful and nice and tried helping me to fix it. They also have a nice selection of 2nd lecia that may interest you when you are there.

owner Frent Cheung
shop 237 2nd/fl, silvercord
30 conton road tsimshatsui
kownloon HK.

 

[bernardsia]

Thanks for the site XXX_Boy. Excellent article. I am so tempted to sell mt Nikon gear and all the cameras I have collected and just buy myself a M7 and C3. That is probably all I will ever need and desire.

One question though. Does anybody feel the 1/1000 shutter speed limiting? It won't be such a big problem in many European places where it's often grey and gloomy. But here in Sunny Singapore, overwhelming sunlight is often the norm. Does that mean many carry ND filters all the time?

 

[bernardsia]

i just return from HK from a business trip, my T3 was faulty and cannot wind film, i when to this shop at Tsimshatsui and the owner was very helpful and nice and tried helping me to fix it. They also have a nice selection of 2nd lecia that may interest you when you are there.

owner Frent Cheung
shop 237 2nd/fl, silvercord
30 conton road tsimshatsui
kownloon HK.

Thanks Belle,

I'm going to stick this into my lobang file. Too bad HK is no longer in my list of often travel to places. But with significant savings, it's probably worth the trip itself.

 

[bernardsia]

grey meaning stolen?

Means no warranty. Like those cheaper then street price original gear TCW sells. Often it's shop or no warranty.

 

[ltma]

Thanks for the site XXX_Boy. Excellent article. I am so tempted to sell mt Nikon gear and all the cameras I have collected and just buy myself a M7 and C3. That is probably all I will ever need and desire.

One question though. Does anybody feel the 1/1000 shutter speed limiting? It won't be such a big problem in many European places where it's often grey and gloomy. But here in Sunny Singapore, overwhelming sunlight is often the norm. Does that mean many carry ND filters all the time?

I am also tempted to buy a M7 or any other Leica M and a couple of Leica lenses. I found enjoyment when I went back to basic / manual photography (when trying out Hasselblad XPan II). Many times, especially while travelling overseas, I become a "camera slave" carrying heavy weight gear - enough with that...

Can somebody recommend a reliable second hand camera shop in Singapore where I can view and perhaps buy a used Leica camera and lenses? Thanks

Based on my experience, 1/1000 s may be enough to take candit and street photography.

 

[XXX Boy]

I am also tempted to buy a M7 or any other Leica M and a couple of Leica lenses. I found enjoyment when I went back to basic / manual photography (when trying out Hasselblad XPan II). Many times, especially while travelling overseas, I become a "camera slave" carrying heavy weight gear - enough with that...

Can somebody recommend a reliable second hand camera shop in Singapore where I can view and perhaps buy a used Leica camera and lenses? Thanks

Based on my experience, 1/1000 s may be enough to take candit and street photography.

Ron Camera and TCW does have many used Leica. Maybe you can visit there one day. But if you want to find a used M7, it is quite hard as this camera is still very new. Maybe a M6 or a M6TTL for you?

 

[ltma]

Thanks XXX Boy,

If I am not mistaken the shops you mentioned are located in the Adelphi right? Will visit this week.

I am not an expert in Leica, what are your views on M4 or M3? I know these models do not have any light metering system, but they have a pretty good reputation. Thanks

 

[XXX Boy]

Thanks XXX Boy,

If I am not mistaken the shops you mentioned are located in the Adelphi right? Will visit this week.

I am not an expert in Leica, what are your views on M4 or M3? I know these models do not have any light metering system, but they have a pretty good reputation. Thanks

You are most welcomed!
M3 and M4 are very good cameras but does not have any built-in lightmeters. I would recommend you to get a M6 or a M6TTL instead.
And anyway M3 and M4 are over 30 years old and would need a CLA to keep it in good working condition, why not get a recent M6 instead???

 

[kerpalz]

:thumbsup: :thumbsup: for m6ttl....... got mine from my dad....... happening camera.,.. no joke!

 

[crapshot]

not happening camera but happening Dad!

 

[crapshot]

anyway,

anyway, the M6 is the best option for a practical M series camera to buy and use.

But the older models have better viewfinders and more accurate framelines.

The onboard meter in the M6 is very good but in Singapore sunny 16 is good enough for most situations with negative film. With slide film the meter is quite essential but you still have to figure out what to point the meter at.

With the meter your brain turns itself off and you could end up with more exposure mistakes than with a handheld meter.

so my opinion, not advice, i'm not qualified to advice anyone, is to get the m6 and shoot without the battery!

 

[attan]

a bit off tangent to the subject, cos i intend to get an m7 and it will be my first leica. do one put a filter in front of the lens. considering that the optics is excellent, would putting a filter negates it.
thanks for any advise

 

[glchua]

I am looking to get a C3 or a CM Zoom sometime soon and in the future a M7. Can somebody recommend me a good place to touch and feel them and offers a decent price? I know Cathay has got some, but a dedicated shop will be great.

I've seen rows and rows of Leicas at the TST area in HK. Are there any shops here with such a good range and price?

Although HK might be cheaper, consider that a MP or M7 from Cathay comes with a 5 year local warranty. If you intend to keep and use your camera, its worth it. For M lenses, 3 years. Sending to local Leica agent beats sending to Germany, 1 or 2 weeks turnaround versus months.

Beware about touching and feeling....you will want to "marry it" after you do that! And like all marriages, it costs a bomb.

 

[XXX Boy]

a bit off tangent to the subject, cos i intend to get an m7 and it will be my first leica. do one put a filter in front of the lens. considering that the optics is excellent, would putting a filter negates it.
thanks for any advise

Yes I do have Leica and Heliopan UV filters on all my Leica-M lens just to protect the front element.