Tag: Retailers

Looking for a Leica dealer in Hong Kong? Fotopia in Hillwood Road is a good place to start.

It’s three years since famous London Leica dealer R.G.Lewis closed its doors for the last time. But the old premises are still looking for a new direction….

Who needs a flashgun when you have chandeliers?

The number of photographic stores in the USA has fallen by 75% in the past ten years. Sadly it is a worldwide trend and can only get worse. But John believes we need to do everything we can to keep the best of the crop. Here he tracks down the granddaddy of camera shops in Chicago....

Chris Nicholls of The Camera Store in Calgary has tested the Leica M-D. Apart from wanting a dedicated exposure compensation dial, in-body stabilisation and a choice of exposure programs, he's pretty happy with the spartan warrior from Wetzlar.

The Biévres Photo Fair, near Versailles, south of Paris, is one of the most important events of the calendar and attracts buyers and sellers from all over the world. This year conditions were on the damp side as France suffered from an unseasonable bout of bad weather resulting in floods and low temperatures. But it didn't put off the camera dealers. Mike squelched along to record the scene.

Last week I met a photographer friend for lunch and a mooch around the West End in search of likely street shots. Not much doing on that front, but Steven happened to mention a bargain price on the recently discontinued Panasonic GX7. Now I coveted this particular camera, the one with the swivelling viewfinder, when it first came out back in 2013. I read many ecstatic reviews and I was sore tempted. Recently, quite by coincidence, several photographer mates have told me how much they enjoy this little camera. 

Oh well, goodbye Leica Passport. There's nothing for it but to strip down your misbehaving V-Lux and put it back together again yourself. It's easy (according to iFixit) and all you need is a few Phillips screwdrivers, a spudger and divers other instruments.

Rental of Leica equipment is now easier following a new partnership arrangement between the German company and the Pro Centre in Union Walk, London E2. Although the emphasis is on professional photographers, amateurs are welcome. The “try-before-you-buy” facility will be especially attractive.

The Leica M3, the first M camera which was introduced in 1954, is still one of the most sought-after retro shooters even after 60 years. It is increasingly favoured by younger photographers who appreciate the purity of a perfectly built, quality instrument that performs as well in 2015 and it did all those decades ago.

One of Britain's oldest independent camera dealers and certainly the oldest Leica agency, R.G.Lewis, will put up the shutters for the last time on Saturday. The closure brings to an end one of the most remarkable chapters (or, perhaps, books would be a more accurate description) in photographic history.