Recommended a la carte dealer?

loquax ludens · 05-24-2012

Would anyone care to recommend a Leica à la carte dealer in the US based on your positive experience? From posts I've read, I gather that some Leica dealers are less enthusiastic or knowledgeable about the à la carte program than are others.

I'm in the market for an MP. I don't have very exotic requirements, but I would like to do business with a friendly and knowledgeble dealer.

dogberryjr · 05-24-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by loquax ludens

I'm in the market for an MP. I don't have very exotic requirements, but I would like to do business with a friendly and knowledgeble dealer.

How about Precision Camera? They are an RFF sponsor, after all.

wjlapier · 05-24-2012

digitalintrigue--Robert Jagitsch helped me with my ala carte M7 when he was at Precision. I'd check with him and see if he can still access ala carte M's.

Exotic requirements? That's what the ala carte program is about. Make it your own. Make sure you get the Millennium M6 black film counter disk!

alacarteBPM7BP50cron by wjlapier, on Flickr

Mackinaw · 05-24-2012

Popflash, another RFF sponsor, are great folks to deal with. They do a lot of Leica stuff.

Jim B.

loquax ludens · 05-24-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by wjlapier

Exotic requirements? That's what the ala carte program is about. Make it your own. Make sure you get the Millennium M6 black film counter disk!

The Millennium M6 black film counter isn't an option in the configurator. There are really very few options for an MP, so you can't get especially exotic anyway.

But that is one of the reasons I would like to get recommendations. I've heard that there are off-configurator items that can be ordered if you know to ask.

I'll be going for a silver chrome model, so I'm not sure the black film counter will look good anyway.

Thank you and to dogberryjr also for the Precision Camera recommendation. Have either of you used them? My primary issue with a Texas dealer is that I live in the same state. I prefer not to enrich the State's coffers.

loquax ludens · 05-24-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mackinaw

Popflash, another RFF sponsor, are great folks to deal with. They do a lot of Leica stuff.

Jim B.

I have read good things about Popflash. Did you work with them?

Mackinaw · 05-24-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by loquax ludens

I have read good things about Popflash. Did you work with them?

I've ordered Leica stuff from them in the past and have always been impressed by their service. Plus the owner, Tony Rose, is a nice guy.

Jim B.

swoop · 05-24-2012

Photo Village

ramosa · 05-26-2012

i have purchased from different dealers, but have come to think that B&H is superior. i plan to purchase only from B&H in the future.

swoop · 05-26-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by ramosa

i have purchased from different dealers (including popflash), but have come to think that B&H is far superior. i plan to purchase only from B&H in the future.

Except on Friday and Saturday.

ramosa · 05-26-2012

haha.

good comment. i noticed this morning that they are closed until tuesday because of the holiday weekend.

muser53 · 05-26-2012

RE: B&H closures. You have to give them credit for being closed Fri afternoons-Sun. How many other large and successful businesses observe their religious traditions instead of selling 24-7?

ramosa · 05-26-2012

it's not a problem with me that they're closed. my new filter can wait until tuesday. heck, it's cool if it gives their employees a long weekend off.

loquax ludens · 05-26-2012

I like B&H and I have bought a lot of stuff from them. As far as I know, they are not an à la carte dealer, though. My sense in the last few years is that they have become more of a consumer electronics shop than what I think of as a photography store.

muser53 · 05-26-2012

Ramosa, I hope you didn't take it that I thought you had a problem with their closures , it is just something I admire them doing.

kokoshawnuff · 05-26-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by loquax ludens

I've heard that there are off-configurator items that can be ordered if you know to ask.

I'll be going for a silver chrome model, so I'm not sure the black film counter will look good anyway.

For silver chrome I honestly don't know how many "off configurator" items would actually make sense (except maybe some top plate script changes, frame line removals, or the dreaded panda style if you like such a thing). When I got mine (from Tamarkin by the way, a wonderful experience) I went for black paint with black shutter release collar and black hot shoe, so those where two that the dealer had to confirm with Leica about.

I don't think you're going to find any dealer that does so many alc orders that they know off hand what else Leica can do that isn't mentioned on their configurator. Ultimately it's up to you to choose the dealer and have them contact Leica with your specific requests to which Leica will respond in a few days (as they did with my few requests)

Personally if I was ok with the .72x magnification I'd just go with a stock silver MP, because it's pretty close to perfect as is.

dogberryjr · 05-26-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by kokoshawnuff

Personally if I was ok with the .72x magnification I'd just go with a stock silver MP, because it's pretty close to perfect as is.

Word. 678910

loquax ludens · 05-26-2012

I have a 0.72x on my M6, so I want the 0.85x magnification VF on the MP. I also like the classic lettering on the top. That's pretty much it, really. I don't want to delete any frame lines. I don't care for the sandpaper stock covering, but none of the alternatives really grab my interest either. In any case, I can change the covering later.

The stock MP with 0.72x is $4995 new, the same as the base price of an à la carte camera. The only options I'm considering right now add only a few hundred to the cost, so I can't see much advantage in the stock one. Of course, a good used MP with 0.85x finder is not that hard to find, and would be a lot cheaper. Decisions, decisions. If I don't buy a new one before Leica's next price increase or their decision to drop film cameras (it could happen), then I'm sure I'll regret not having placed my order.

kokoshawnuff · 05-26-2012

You can indeed find a mint used .85x MP for under $3750, but it won't have the classic lettering. It turns into a pretty expensive engraving if that's the only thing you want besides the .85x with your alc...

baisao · 05-26-2012

I live in Austin and frequent Precision at least a couple of times a week. It's a great company with a very friendly and knowledgeable staff, but I agree with you about not wanting to 'donate' that much money to the state of Texas. I don't mind paying taxes, I just don't like giving it to crooks. They might use the money to privatize more of our public roads.

seakayaker1 · 05-27-2012

I discussed a 'a la carte' purchase with Mark Vercammen at Glazers Camera in Seattle. I ended up buying a new black paint MP that came into the store from him. I have purchased a few cameras, Leica and others, Leica lens and accessories from him. Very knowledgeable and service oriented. Easy to find contact information for Mark with an internet search for Glazers if you interested.

I could have easily gone with the Chrome version of the MP. Both are beautiful!

Good luck with your search and purchase.