Cameras as beautiful as the shots they take deserve more of a museum than a shop, and with the recent opening of the Leica Professional Store in Ginza, Tokyo, passionate photographers have a new Mecca.
German company Leica Camera AG has dealers around the world, but this one is a bit special. Though aimed firmly at professionals, hobbyists with deep pockets may also find something to amuse them above the main Leica store in the Tokai-do building near Yurakucho Station. If you want to have a go with, or buy, the new flagship Leica S2 then this is the place to go. There are also tripods, lenses and other accessories to test and you might bump into some serious photographic names perusing the shelves.
The Leica Professional Store has the feel of a lounge, with studio lighting and pros poring over potential purchases – or just discussing the print samples which adorn the walls. White gloves give a laboratory-feel to the inspections; these are lenses to be taken seriously and have a price tag to match. Amazon lists the Leica S2, body only, at US$27,995. Camera shopping in Tokyo just got more glamorous.
