Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2004/03/08

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Subject: Re: [Leica] SF Area Camera Stores... a Selected Review
From: Patrick Jelliffe <pbjbike@yahoo.com>
Date: Mon, 8 Mar 2004 07:26:43 -0800 (PST)

Seawood Photo in Marin County often has used M gear at
fair prices. The owner's name is Grant and he is an M
user and very knowlegeable.  They also have an in
house repairman.  The old Gasser's on Geary was a
great store...

BTW, my experience at B&H has always been very
positive.  The sales staff are not on commission, and,
while they may not be as relaxed as folks at your
local  camera shop(it's NYC after all ;^), they have
always been willing to show me any item I requested
and discuss its relative merits. Often, the sales
people are happy to discuss old school photography,
(especially if you are not interested in the latest
digital point and shoot), while whatever gizmo one
asks about languishes on the counter.

Cheers,

Patrick

 
- --- Mark Cohen <markc@binaryfaith.com> wrote:
> 
> Frank,
> 
> Interesting review.
> 
> I wouldn't wholly agree with it though. As someone
> who has shopped in 
> all of those stores I find your review a little
> askew.
> 
> K&S is one of the better stores in the area and
> though I haven't always 
> bought equipment there, I have never had an
> experience there that would 
> come close to the B+H style.
> 
> You are correct about Gassers though. Its a horrible
> store.
> 
> Discount camera is one of the worst in the city.
> I've known many people 
> who have been ripped off from that store.
> 
> 
> Also, it appears that you missed Fireside Camera.
> I've been there a 
> number of times and bought about 1/3 of my equipment
> from them and have 
> always had a wonderful time in there.
> 
> Also you missed Calumet Camera, another good store
> chock full of 
> knowledgeable people and lots of good prices on
> their equipment.
> 
> -Mark
> 
> 
> On Mar 7, 2004, at 7:53 PM, Frank Filippone wrote:
> 
> > We were in San Francisco this past week.  Without
> supervision for most 
> > of
> > the week, I got to several stores... My feedback
> on the stores...
> >
> > Keeble + Shuact ( sp?) ... A nice store, lots of
> new "stuff" and a well
> > equipped darkroom department, but I was treated
> like I was in NYC at 
> > B+H
> > camera... If I was not going to buy the first
> thing they showed me, I 
> > was
> > not going to get the salesman's attention.  There
> were 2 of us in the 
> > store,
> > and 5 salesman.  Would I go back?  Not likely.
> >
> > Adolph Gasser.... Low in any inventory of anything
> Leica.  LF was 
> > pretty
> > good, MF was better, but little Hassy stuff. 
> Mostly Japanese cameras 
> > in MF.
> > Another one to pass on.
> >
> > Discount Camera.... OK the listed prices are
> pretty comical, but the 
> > owner,
> > a guy who claims to live in NJ, and commutes to SF
> to the store there, 
> > is
> > pretty easy to work with.  His inventory is
> excellent on almost any 
> > used
> > Leica or Hassy items ( I did not check on others).
> As long as you work 
> > with
> > someone who knows what the value of stuff really
> is, you can do well 
> > here.
> > If you try to deal with the average salesman, you
> will not be taking
> > anything home.  I would visit again.....
> >
> > Thanks for all the great leads.. it is always nice
> to know ahead of 
> > time
> > what might be uncovered....
> >
> > A final comment..... for those of you going to LA
> and SF, Samys camera 
> > is
> > the best of the stores I have visited on the West
> Coast over the years.
> > Good inventory of new or used, prices moderately
> high to very high ( 
> > they
> > keep on the lookout for the Yen based buyers). 
> But they have the 
> > stuff.
> > Second best is Pro Photo in Costa Mesa.  Better
> for used Nikon and MF 
> > of any
> > brand ( little to no Leica).  No new cameras. 
> Used only.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Frank Filippone
> > red735i@earthlink.net
> >
> >
> > --
> > To unsubscribe, see
> http://mejac.palo-alto.ca.us/leica-users/unsub.html
> 
> --
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