[Leica] fs: leica 4-7-04 and a visit from "Mr. Leica"

[photovilla at aol.com (Rich)]

The Photo Village
1133 Broadway, Suite 824 (between 25th & 26th Streets)
New York, NY 10010
(212) 989-1252 (new phone)
rich@photovillage.com
www.photovillage.com


A visit from "Mr. Leica"

Today we had the good fortune and pleasure of a visit from Mr. Hans 
Peter Cohn, CEO of Leica Germany.

He came to very graciously wish us well on our new Leica Shop and to 
share with us some of the philosophies and future direction of our 
beloved manufacturer.

I must say I was impressed. Herr. Cohn is completely aware of what is 
going on in the photo market, familiar with both the wants and worries 
of Leica owners world wide and interested in creating products that will 
appeal to a wide range of Leica owners.

There was no political gloss-overs today, no delusions of how certain 
ratios in the photo market have changed in the past few years. There was 
a sense of a very strong loyalty to owner's investments in products that 
are meant to last a lifetime and how that might work with a culture of 
obsolescence.

I heard a thread of pragmatism I had not imagined existed in the "Leica 
Fatherland"...his intensity and perceptiveness evident in even the short 
visit we could share.

One interesting fact that came up was that a relatively new team at 
Leica, responsible for the forthcoming digital R back amongst other 
projects, is comprised of quite young designers.

I was told by Mr. Cohn that on this particular team the oldest member is 
37 years old. These designers work closely with some of Leica's chosen 
partners to try to work through problems and preserve a certain "Leica 
Zeitgeist" (that is more than just specs. and tangibles) in some new 
products that might not easily lend themselves to such.

They (Leica AG) are clearly in touch with is happening "out there" and 
are aggressively pursuing all viable channels for keeping their company 
healthy without losing what is already a great customer base. Have they 
figured out all the answers? Probably not, but they are asking the 
questions.

I can't speak about some of the specifics of our conversation, but at 
the end of the visit I felt very strongly that we are in good hands. 
Don't underestimate this scrappy yet classy company and its intrepid 
leader.

-Rich

-------------------------------------------------------

We are now USA Varta battery dealers. We have all types of Varta
batteries that fit any Leica currently made at lower than B&H prices.

Digilux II, New, USA $1850
Cable Release for above $due in today
Leica CM, post upgrade New USA $999
MP grey Hammertone, New, USA, limited edition, last one before they
switch to shipping "packaged kits" New, USA only: $3500
MP Leicavit Hammertone, New, SA, limited edition $1100
Leica MP, black paint, .72, 1 year US demo warranty, complete $2295
***this weeks web special***
Rewind Cranks for MP, black paint or chrome, New, USA $179
GMP new style grip, carbon fiber handle, lower price! $69
Leica Package: M7 .72 (over 285) with M motor drive instead of
base plate, all Exc++ or better, black, boxes $2300
Leica M7 .58 black, USA demo, 1 year warr., Mint-, boxed $2195
Leica M7 .72 black, silver, both Mint- demos $2195
Leica M7 .72 black, USA Betribsk, 3+2 passport warranty, $2495
Leicavit MP, black paint,or chrome, new import $750
Leica M6 TTL .72 black, NEW USA (last one) $1950
Leica M6 TTL .85 black, Mint, boxed, complete, M $1495
Leica M6 TTL Titan, demo, 1 yr USA warr., Exc++  $1995
Leica M6 .85 classic, Mint n box, High Mag., scarce, M  $1895
Leica M6 .72, Wetzlar, classic black, near Mint, collectible, $1495
Leica M6 .72 classic, black, Mint- $1295
Leica M6 .72, classic, black, boxed, Exc++ $1245
Leica M5 black, Exc++, recent CLA by DAG, $1345
Leica M4-P chrome, one of only 500 made, "RR" rating by Sartorius,
Mint/boxed, a real collectible grade camera $2495
Leica M4, chrome, Exc++, good one w/late number $1095
Leica M4, chrome, Exc+, nice to use, no dents $999
Leica M3 SS chrome, Exc++ $1295
Leica M3 DS chrome, good user, Exc, bright marks $650
Leica M2 over 1.1 million, Exc++, LR ST, high number! $1195
Leica M2 chrome, Exc++ or better, over 1 million, ST, LR $995
Leica CLE, serviced by Minolta, 100% working, Exc++ $699
Leica 21mmf2.8 Elmarit, black, shade was $999, then $895, now $850
***this weeks web special***
Voigtlander 21mmf4.0 Skopar, black or chrome, w/finder, New $335
Leica 24mm brightline finder, demo, M $249
Leica 28mmf2.0 ASPH, Mint/boxed demo, black, 1 year US warr. $2349
Leica 28mm brightline finder, demo or grey market, as available, $250
Minolta 28f2.8 Rokkor M, black, nice condition $695
Voigtlander 35f2.5 Pancake II lens, M Mount, similar look to pre-ASPH
  35mmf2.0 Leica lens (4th type) and some say similar optics too $319
Voigtlander 35f1.2 ASPH, M, black, new $879
Leica 35mmf1.4 ASPH black, Mint-, caps,  $1895
Leica 35mmf1.4 ASPH new import, black or chrome $2095
Leica 35mmf1.4 pre-ASPH, Exc++, w/shade & caps was $945, now $895
Leica 35mmf2.0 ASPH black paint, New, USA 3 year passport $1695 (cheaper 
than black chrome!)
Leica black paint PAIR: two matching number black paint lenses, the
50f1.4 Summilux and the 35f2.0 ASPH black enamel, together just $3195!
          (less than buying them each separately.)
Leica 50f1.4 Summilux, latest, black, Mint, $1495
Leica 35mmf2.0 ASPH black, Mint, demo, boxed, 1 year warr. $1495
Leica 35mmf2.8 Summaron, with eyes f/M3, chrome #1665535, Exc+ was $495, 
now $445
Minolta Rokkor 40mm CLE lens, nice shape,perfect glass $395
Leica 50mmf1.4 Summilux, black chrome, new import $1695
Leica 50mmf1.4 Summilux, black chrome, Mint/boxed $1595
Leica 50mmf1.4 Summilux, black enamel, Mint/boxed $1750
Leica 50mmf2.0 Screw Mount, one of 300 made in mid-90's, chrome $1195
Leica 50mmf2.0 Summicron, latest, black, like new, boxed $895
Leica 50mmf2.0 Summicron, chrome, LN, M $895
Leica 50mmf2.0 Summicron, black, Mint demo, 1 year US warr. $999
Leica 50mmf2.0 Summicron, rigid, chrome $459
Voigtlander 75f2.5 Heliar, black or chrome, New $299
Voigtlander 90f3.5 APO, sharp/compact, priced right $319
Leica 90f2.8 Tele Elmarit, black, skinny, Exc $295
Leica 90mmf2.0 APO ASPH black paint (enamel finish) to match MP, new,
USA passport warr. $2295
Leica 90mmf2.0 APO ASPH black, chrome, new import $1695
Leica 90mmf4.0 Elmar Macro, chr., demo, Mint, 1 year USA warr. $1095
Leica 135f4 Tele Elmar, black, compact and sharp $495
Leica 135f3.4 APO Telyt black, Mint glass, #3874,Exc $1295
Leica 135f2.8 Elmarit, M, black with eyes $495
Leica 1.25x Viewfinder Magnifier USA demo, boxed $229
Abrahamsson Softies, any color, plain or engraved, mini or full $15 (all
types!)
Dlux demo, 90 day US warr., Exc++, pocket camera, with leather case $695
Digilux I, boxed, near Mint, with battery, charger, I.B., caps $745
Digilux I case, leather, hard to find now $49


Leica R

Leica R28-90mm lens now, see it at our shop! $3295

Leica R9, Anthracite, Betribsk, New, USA, passport warranty  $2295
Leica R9 Anthracite, demo, Exc+ with 1 year USA warranty $1795
Leica R6.2, chrome, Exc+, great user, working fine $995
Leica Mirror lock up switch for R6/6.2/7 $45
Leica Eyecup for R6/6.2/7, Mint/boxed $45
Leica 28f2.8 Elmarit R, 3 cam, #3369488, MT- $495
Leica 35mmf2.0 Summicron, 3 cam, Exc, Mint glass $495
Leica 35mmf2.0 Summicron, 3 cam, Mint, boxed $999
Leica 50mmf1.4 Summilux, black, 3 cam, near Mint $895
Leica 50f2.0 Summicron R,3 cam, boxed,  Exc+ $395
Leica 60mmf2.8 Macro Elmar, ROM, Mint-, boxed $895
Leica 60mmf2.8 Macro Elmar, Exc, sharp glass was $495, now $450
Leica 90f2.8 Elmar, R, 3 cam Mint $895
Leica 90f2.0 Summicron, 3 cam, pull out shade, Mint/box $550 ***this 
weeks web special***
Leica 35-70mmf3.5 Vario Elmar, Japan, perfect glass, Exc $495
Leica 1.4x APO converter, demo, 1 year USA warr. Mint, boxed, $895
Leica 180mmf3.4 APO Telyt, nice shape, with leather case (was sold
separately) Mint glass $795
Leica 400mmf4.0 Telyt Modules, 400/560 head, 1.25x stem, near Mint,
warr. $5495
Leica R8/R9 ERC case, leather, fits 80mm lens on body, expensive new, 
Exc $50

Binoculars and Scopes

Ultravids in stock

Leica 8x20 BC titanium finish, demo, US warr, M  $369
Leica 10x25 BCA rubber armored, demo, USA warr.  M $350
Leica 8x20 BA slate binoculars, New, USA, N  $895
New!  Leica  Ultravid 10x42 BR, waterproof, lifetime passport warr.,
new, USA, N  $1345
Leica 12x50BA, Mint/case/boxed $1195
Leica Duovid, 8+12x42, black, USA warr. demos $1395

Televid 77 & 62 compact, angled, USA warr. demos, both in stock!

New: we are the US distributers for A&A bags and straps!

These are the best photo bags since Domke and several models are custom
made for Leicas. Hangui, the A&A CEO, is a "shooting buddy" of Mr.
Kobayashi at Cosina and equally creative. We are working with them to
bring some great ideas to life...so stay tuned to for interesting things
from this great company!

Artisan & Artist Acam 104, the oem Cosina cotton deluxe strap, 4 colors
(red, navy, brown, black) $30
Artisan & Artist Acam 251, the leather Leica strap, what the Japanese
refer to as "Pony Leather" soft and supple, perfect for M's $69

A&A Balastic Nylon and Canvas bags: (all black only)

Artisan & Artist Acam 7000 camera bag, most similar to the Domke
Reporter Sachel $195
Artisan & Artist Acam 1100, "the Image Smith bag" a small bag for an M
camera and three lenses, very discrete $165

Photos will be coming soon, but get a "preview" at www.aaa1.co.jp under
the camera bag section.



Misc. & other brands:

Voigtlander VC Meter, blk or chr. $145 (one of my favorite accessories)
With above, Strap Adapter to wear meter around neck, 1/2 price, only $15
Nikon 4300, the only 4mp P&S w/both macro ring flash and wide angle
adapter available. Soon to be replaced by something that won't, Mint
refirbs, factory warr. was $279, now $259
Canon 1D Mark2, taking deposits ($200) for $4500 (now shipping,
backorders only)
Canon EF 24f1.4 L USM  Mint/box,latest, costs $1200new,only $850 Mint!
Voigtlander Bessa R with 35f2.5 classic Skopar, special deal $425

We are USA dealers for Sandisk (reg,Ultra and Extreme) and Lexar memory
    cards.

-- 
Our New Address:

The Photo Village, Inc.
1133 Broadway, Suite 824 (between 25th & 26th Streets)
New York, NY 10010
(212) 989-1252
www.photovillage.com


-- 
Our New Address:

The Photo Village, Inc.
1133 Broadway, Suite 824 (between 25th & 26th Streets)
New York, NY 10010
(212) 989-1252
www.photovillage.com