Re: [Leica] RE: an M4 shouldn't have to be just a dream

[john <bosjohn@mediaone.net>]

Buzz Hausner wrote:
> 
> Hunt's today is not the same as Hunt's of 1984...new ownership...and, to my
> experience, not a very pleasant shopping experience in recent years.  My
> experience is that the best used Leica shopping in metropolitan Boston is at
> New England Photo in Arlington Center, which consistently has the best stock
> of quotidian gear and exotica.  NE Photo is also where I buy my new
> gear...same prices as the mail order places (though you do pay sales tax),
> and you get to talk to a knowledgeable dealer and feel the equipment before
> you buy.  Only once have I purchased a defective piece and the owner, Ara,
> replaced it in two days with a smile and a handshake.  E-mail me privately
> for details.
> 
>         Buzz Hausner
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Craig Roberts [mailto:croberts@zoomtel.com]
> Sent: Monday, June 26, 2000 11:55 AM
> To: leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us
> Subject: Re: [Leica] RE: an M4 shouldn't have to be just a dream
> 
> Last Friday John Shick wrote:
> 
> "I picked up a very reasonable looking M4 at Hunt's in Melrose a few months
> ago...  The best way is to find on not working too well and know a very good
> and inexpensive local Leica man."
> 
> Uh, John...
> 
> Is your "very good and inexpensive Leica man" in the Boston area, perchance?
> 
> And, speaking of Hunt's...the best Leica deal I ever made was from them.  It
> was around 1984 and I was sold a beautiful M2 (complete with an old
> collapsible 50mm Summicron) for $400.  It was so inexpensive because a) it
> was "only" an M2...not a fabled M3, and, b) the bottom plate was scuffed and
> engraved with the name of the original dealer in Stuttgart.  Frankly, I
> thought the engraving was really cool!  Besides, the rest of the camera was
> near mint.  The lens focusing helical was a little sticky, but...what the
> heck...it was essentially a "freebie" anyway.
> 
> Craig
> Boston
I think the new ownership of Hunt's was an internecine fight and now only one
brother owns the whole shooting match, I think.  They do not have an extensive
collection of used gear, and I have got better deals elsewhere. My favorite
source of leica gear is the bi-annual PHSNE swap show in Waltham.  I also got
some very good deals at Feranti-Dege (sp) in Harvard Square, in the
consignment area. But why am I telling you all this, I should be keeping it a secret.
John Shick