Red Dot Cameras

Red Dot Cameras is the kind of store... Sorry, the kind of boutique, in which I can spend hours.

Two Saturdays ago, I was walking back from the Magnum Print Room where I went for the Werner Bischof's Reluctant Photojournalist exhibition. Something I did not know though is that the Magnum Print Room only opens Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. So I finally arrived there after an hour of all-lines-are-closed-in-London-during-weekends kind of commute, noticed it was closed, got upset, and decided to head back west, BUT... on my way back, I did find Red Dot Cameras, "the UK's only exclusively LEICA store"! Now guess what... I went in!

The 40 square meters place is like a Leica camera: sober, discreet, and full of resources. As you enter, you will find various magazines on the table next to the sofa, such as LFI, as well as some flyers for diverse exhibitions, including - how ironic - the Werner Bischof's one. The sofa itself defines the spirit: don't rush, take your time, have a look, discuss... I am sure you could even have a cup of tea there! Then, as you go deeper in the store, you will find the perfect Leica library. At last, just a little bit further, you will find them: the LEICAs! New, Used, M, R, Screw-Mount, Lenses, Bodies, and Accessories, that you will even be able to try. So how could I resist? I tried the noctilux on my M8! Ah!

At last, Ivor and Elaine, the owners are not just sales persons. They are both Leica and photography experts, and they will kindly share their passion and advice with you.

As you may have noticed, I liked the experience, and I will go back for sure!

By the way, the address is 68 Old Street, London.