To buy a camera in London, there are stores everybody knows about, such as Calumet, Jacobs, and Jessops. Of course, these are great stores, and you will probably find what you are looking for (and possibly more), but I personally don't find the customer experience interesting. Although they have they have good professionals and lots of stock, they miss a "touch", an "exclusivity", a detail - other than price - that makes you go to one rather than another.
But there are also other little boutiques, the ones I am delighted to discover and let you know about.
Aperture Cafe is one of these. As they seem proud to announce on their website, they are the "first Camerashop and Cafe in the world (as far as they know)". So, not only you can enjoy their wide selection of coffees, and get you a nice latte, expresso, or mochaccino; you will also enjoy their wide selection of second-hand prime cameras and lenses (Leica, Hasselblad, Contax, Canon, Nikon). Let me say that their coffee is probably fair-trade, and so is their photographic equipment! Yes, prices are good, and trade-in are definitely fair, considering they also offer a 6 months warranty on all equipment (12 months on Leica). Last but not least, the guys there are really cool, know about photography, and have good advice.
You will find them at 44 Museum Street, near the British Museum. Nearest tube station are Tottenham Court Road or Holborn. Online, you will find them by clicking here.
Long Live Aperture Photography!
