Hi, All,
Recently I got a Leotax TV (Leica copy) and I really love this camera. After research, I think I am interested in getting a Leica IIIf. Just for the experiences. I was searching on eBay, but I heard some of the sellers on eBay were not reliable. So is there a place like FM Buy & Sell board for this type of vintage cameras? I just wanted to find the right group of users and buy from them instead of eBay. Thanks in advance!
If I were looking for such a camera, I would look for a long established Leica dealer. You might pay more, but you will be assured of purchasing a camera that has been properly serviced and evaluated.
I just returned a Leica IIIG to camera west. I only had it for a few weeks before deciding I wanted something newer but it痴 a great camera. I知 not sure when they値l post it to the site but keep an eye for it to come online! Highly recommend the camera and the store, Sean the owner is fantastic.
bwcolor wrote:
If I were looking for such a camera, I would look for a long established Leica dealer. You might pay more, but you will be assured of purchasing a camera that has been properly serviced and evaluated.
MRod91 wrote:
I just returned a Leica IIIG to camera west. I only had it for a few weeks before deciding I wanted something newer but it痴 a great camera. I知 not sure when they値l post it to the site but keep an eye for it to come online! Highly recommend the camera and the store, Sean the owner is fantastic.
MRod91 wrote:
I just returned a Leica IIIG to camera west. I only had it for a few weeks before deciding I wanted something newer but it痴 a great camera. I知 not sure when they値l post it to the site but keep an eye for it to come online! Highly recommend the camera and the store, Sean the owner is fantastic.
I have had great experience with both Tamarkin and Camera West, I ditto recommendation. I would add a few others, Bellamy Hunt Japan Camera Hunters will track down anything in Japan, Leica Classic Store, Joe Geier, and the Kamera Store (a bunch of of countries- but all easy to buy from) will all be vastly better and dependable than a random eBay seller unless that seller is highly rated, for instance MAP camera in Japan you can trust as are a few other Japanese vintage stores as being among the best there are, Individual eBay sellers... I stay away from. You will mostly pay more from a reliable dealer such as these, you will also have far less grief. Occasionally something comes up on reliable dealers that are mostly new gear and this if it is what you want can be good. There are some very reliable US dealers that do not supply individual photos of the gear they sell, but rather generic, but if the return policy is good then there is no real problem. If you have a specific want you can spend a lot of time waiting for it to come up, or you can commission someone like Bellamy Hunt in Japan to find it for you. I have done this and it works really well to find just what you are looking for,
I have positive experiences with Tamarkin (Chicago), Camera West, Map Camera, and also The Rangefinder of Montreal. I bought my IIIb from the latter and it's a beaut.
I purchased a nice lens directly from Leica (https://classic.leica-camera.com/en/ - click on "Leica Systems" link). It was competitively priced but maybe on the high side; however, they offer a 12 month guarantee and each item is inspected by them to make sure it is in working order. They are pretty upfront about the condition of the items they sell.
I was so impressed with the lens that I turned around and bought another lens I wanted. Same deal, a 'bit' high but competitively priced and the lens was flawless. Well, I wanted an M2 so I could use the wide angle lens I bought so I bought a "working camera" M2 and again, a bit high but the camera looks like it's never been used and works smoothly/flawlessly.
Each Item I bought were directly from Leica stores in Europe. Leica networks these stores into the items for sale on the Classic Leica site and the item drop-ships from that location. So far I recommend them highly.
The only downside ordering from Classic Leica is the import tariff. However, It's not outrageous but I do factor that cost in when I decide to pull the trigger on an item from them.
BTW, I have a really nice M5 coming from them and it arrives tomorrow. If it's anything like the other items I ordered, it will be a great purchase also.
FWIW, My first Leica, an M3, I bought in less than stellar working order but cosmetically perfect. I got it for a good price on the auction site and once I received it I sent it off to Gus Lazzari for a full CLA. I got back a camera that functions like new.
Lazzari retired and so far I have no reason to stop buying directly from Leica.
