Leica Store

Even if you’re not in the market for a camera it’s worth stopping by this beautiful store. We were greeted right away on our arrival. Wayne assisted us and was very knowledgeable and enthusiastic about the products. He pulled cameras and accessories out to demo, and the hands-​on experience was really useful. In the end, I left having purchased a Leica T and lens for less than I would have paid online. Overall a great experience.

The last place I expected to be treated poorly.
As an avid photographer for over 40 years, I have always had a special interest in Leica cameras, Over the years I have acquired several models (M2, M3, M6) and lenses.
Ready to make the jump to a digital Leica, I enthusiastically marched into the store and was soon drooling over the vast array of equipment on display, used and new, the spacious and well lit space, the gallery, and the book selection. I had died and gone to heaven!
After about 15 minutes, I wanted to take a look at a camera and realized that no salesperson had approached me since I walked in and, as a matter of fact, no one had returned my greeting either despite the fact that I was the only customer in the store.
I walked to the counter, said hello (greeting again not returned), asked to please see a camera, A visibly reluctant person acceded to my request.
In all of 40 years of camera buying and over 25 years of photographic equipment retail sales experience, I have never met or been associated with anyone as dour, condescending, rude and downright despicable individual as Wayne.
I will spare you the details of our interaction and just point out that Wayne told me «it’s a beautiful day out there, you should go to the beach or the park».
Enough said.

The store is gorgeous. Beautifully laid out, well stocked with cameras and gear alike, and the walls adorned with amazing photographs. I’ve walked into this store a grand total of four times. Each time I did, I walked in with intentions of buying something. The first time I went in I had a great experience with the sales person and I walked out with an m4. The last three times however weren’t so great experiences. In fact, my presence in the store wasn’t even acknowledged. It seems that the staff might need some help with the basics of customer service. The gallery space is worth looking at and I recommend people check out the exhibits the store offers.

Totally awesome store. I haven’t used them for their photo scanning/​printing services but I have bought Leica items and accessories here. The folks in the store (special shout out to Wayne Serrano) are very knowledgeable. The thing I like the best about them vs. other Leica stores I have visited is their non-​pushy sales approach. Its a very friendly environ and the guys allow you to play around with the camera and take as many shots as you want with your own sd card. I did many trips here even when I wasnt in a position to buy the expensive cameras they were very gracious and accommodating. Finally when I could afford to buy one I ended up giving them my business.
They also organize workshops and exhibitions by leading photogs which are fun events to attend.
All in all an ace store. Would shop here again.

The Leica brand stands out with cameras and photography. It’s an old-​fashioned brand. It’s not as big of a name as Canon or Nikon, but if you are slightest bit into cameras, you’ll know Leica. It’s a beautiful store with camera equipment on display. The wall on the right is used as a gallery to sell (overpriced)art.

This place is the ultimate toy store for photographers. Great collections/​selections, and very knowledgeable staff. Wayne, Alex, Miles, and the rest of the team… thank you! :)

did I walk into Leica heaven? this was the first time I came into this store. I didn’t even know they opened a store in SF til we happened to walk by it. (the only other store I know of in CA is in Santa Monica.) I saw their famous red dot with their name on it n needed to go in immediately!
I’ve always been interested in photography as a hobby n had taken all the classes I could in college without going into a school mainly focusing on the subject. (that was a bummer. but seriously only one in maybe a hundred can really make major coins in that area of expertise. my Asian mentality n practicality just wouldn’t let me do it.) Leica had always been THE camera of top photographers; both for their look n GORGEOUS photos they produce. it was always on my radar as a present I could give myself, but seeing that I’m not a professional, I just couldn’t justify paying that amount for a camera. I’m satisfied with my IPhone 6 Plus camera n Nikon D90 for now. :)
even if u r not the owner of a Leica, u can still come to this stunning gallery to sit, relax, n look through their many books n accessories. the space is expansive n has great light! all the nude photos on the walls have an artistic quality to them. all the beautiful Leica cameras r encased in glass in an orderly fashion on the right side of the store. it’s just a fantasy space; worthy of the name Leica.
the Leica store is located on Bush St. right across from the entrance of Chinatown. (one with the big gate n one stone lion on each side.)

Wayne provided excellent service in a beautiful, inspiring gallery setting. He listened patiently to my interests, needs and budget, then guided me in selecting the perfect tools: an easy-​to-​use film rangefinder that would be dependable and last a lifetime; coupled with a lightweight lens that would yield exceptional image quality. I am now a proud owner of a new Leica MP and a lightly used 50 Summicron! The lens was in excellent condition and, surprisingly, priced better than others seen online or in person locally.
As I am a rusty enthusiast transitioning from a digital fixed lens, I needed a mini-​tutorial on loading the film and using the manual controls. With Wayne’s quick tips and assistance setting it up, I was confidently having a blast doing street photography within minutes of leaving the store!
Once home, I devoured Peterson’s «Understanding Exposure» and the Leica manual within a day to refresh my memory on how to regain creative control of my images. I’m simply over the moon with this purchase.
Overall, I was thrilled with the initial shop-​to-​first shot experience with Wayne (and another kind and helpful team memberl) at the Leica Store in San Francisco.

I just wanted to take a moment first of all to thank Wayne for treating me so kindly this evening, I will say that I haven’t had that kind of reception at other Leica stores I’ve visited (to the effect I was clearly being judged when I walked in the door). It was great to chat with someone who’s so well versed in the field and with this chosen equipment. I also really enjoyed the prints that shared with me! (We were discussing the 28 mm Summilux and he was showing me examples he printed from the M9)
I had stopped in to have them take a look at my MP, as there was considerable amount of dust embedded in the viewfinder. After talking with Wayne, he said I could bring the camera by and he would have it cleaned for me to be within spec. I am so grateful of his offer to clean my viewfinder out, I can’t even begin to tell you what that gesture means to me as a customer of Leica.
I got my first M last year after desiring to work with them for over a decade (my very first M experience was when I attended the Brooks Institute of Photography in Santa Barbara, and ever since then I knew they were the tools I wanted to use.) After a lot of deliberation and some big life changes I decided a couple months ago to sell off all of my remaining equipment and commit fully to the M system and boy I couldn’t be happier!
That is all to say that if this is the kind of service I will receive from being a Leica user then I am absolutely happy with my decision (particularly with the overall lack of professional service I’ve had from other brands).
Thank you again for your kindness, and I look forward to keeping in touch through the future.

Of course it would be nothing less than 5 stars for Leica. I don’t know how I’ve managed to avoid it for the last year, but I finally made it in this afternoon.
The interior is both stunning and huge, with a wide selection of lenses, bodies, books, bags and accessories on one side, and a rotating gallery on the other.
The staff was friendly, knowledgable (a given), and eager to help. I checked out the Q, which is pretty amazing but unfortunately they sold out a few weeks back. I was tempted to get the Leica edition Ona bag, but settled for a new soft release button for my M instead. Kudos to the front desk guy who we geeked out over Star Wars with before we left! Next time we’re in SF we will definitely be back.

Wayne Serrano and the Leica Store San Francisco have been very helpful in selecting a range of equipment to meet my needs. Since I live three states away, all of our transactions have been by telephone or email. Nevertheless the service has always been prompt. Wayne has gone out of his way on multiple occasions to meet my needs for shipment by a certain date or the like. I highly recommend this store and Wayne to assist in your purchases.

Staff is very courteous and quick. I walked in was helped immediately and I’m very happy with my purchase.
The live speakers and events they have here are also great. If you’re a photographer and a Leica enthusiast this is the only store you need.

I couldn’t be happier with the service at the Leica store and my new Leica Q camera. Wayne is a wonderful and knowledgable teacher, as I am still learning about photography. He showed me many easy ways to use the camera to enjoy it to the fullest on my trip to NYC. The camera is a dream to use! I now have photos I will enjoy many times over. My highest recommendations to both!

if you love photography, you’ll love this store. just like the design of their cameras, the store is also perfect (clean/​sleek + inspiring)
yes, their cameras are bit pricey… but when ppl ask me why i spend so much on it, i ask, why
buy a mac vs. a pc, why buy a honda vs. mbz, so on a so forth! :) i’m not trying to sound like a snob and hope i don’t! in actuality, their cameras are collectors items, it’s the epitome of form and function with design!
oh yeah, their sales associates are friendly too!

Upon investigation, I found out it’s the Leica camera that would satisfy my business needs. I ended up buying the Leica MP Digital body and Wayne was gracious enough to lend me his Summilux-​M 35 mm f/1.4 ASPH lens until I could get mine. Since this experience, I’ve been a regular customer. Their prices are as good if not better than eBay, Amazon, and any other unknown online seller. Their selection of previously-​enjoyed lenses dazzles me every time I peer upon their display cases. They will look at your needs and address them without overloading you with products you don’t need. You want someone you trust, come see Wayne and the gang. Now, get in there!

Was looking for a simple point and shoot to use when my pro photographer wife and I walked into the Leica SF store. We did get the point and shoot, quickly upgraded that to a M (safari no less) under the gentle and knowledgable care of Wayne Serrano. Absolutely love the brand, love the store and Wayne. We were also able to attend a workshop at Point Reyes with Tom Brichta from Leica for a workshop with Mike Phalen. What a great bunch of people! I have attended many workshops, and not only was the level of instruction a cut above, the attendees were amazing photographers, and wonderful people to boot.
We now own 3 Leicas, many lenses and will call Wayne in a minute to order my M Monochrome.
Leica SF is not a camera store, it’s a community of passionate photographers that want to make great pictures and great friendships.

I recently lost the soft release for my M6 and was in need of a new one.
I was admittedly hesitant to go to the Leica store, my first experience (with The Los Angeles location) was poor, at best.
I was greeted warmly and asked what help the employee (s) could be.
He helped with what I needed, shared some friendly anecdotes and had me on my way.
He also found a manual for a Leica flash that I had been searching for.
Thank you very much Alex Ramos, excellent job.

Very helpful staff, great lesson, informative and friendly. Very enjoyable experience if you have a Leica or are considering one, this is a perfect place to start. If you your Leica then come here to connect with passionate experts.

As everyone has said, it’s a beautiful store, and the products are laid out immaculately. They have an ever-​changing exhibition of great photographs. Also a nice selection of Ona and Billingham bags. (Though I doubt many Leica owners will go for the day-​glo colored bags.)
So Leica is either on your photographic «bucket list» or it isn’t. The store is nice either way, but if you’re looking to join the elite club, then I can’t imagine a better place to do so. Wayne helped me out, and with infinite patience. He’s a highly experienced photographer who knows the ins and outs of Leica firsthand. We spent a couple of hours total talking over the course of several visits while he went over the options of the various bodies, lenses and accessories. (For example trying out the EVF-​2 with a fast 75 mm lens allayed my fears of not being able to manually focus well enough.)
I mostly have talked to Wayne, but the other staff seem friendly, so I’m hoping the 1 star reviews are an anomaly. For the folks who did have a bad impression, I’d suggest going back to talk to Wayne. His knowledge is vast and his enthusiasm infectious. But be warned, you may well find yourself walking out with a lovely piece of German photographic equipment. I know I did.
And now I can’t get this stupid smile off my face.

Dicks. Yes you know who you are (the employees who «work» at Leica who claim to be specialists but really sit on their asses and checks Facebook and plays candy crush.)
I was so excited to see the Leica store open, just in time to get something nice for my pop and what better present than a Leica for a man that loves photos?
So tonight, I brave the rain, walk in, and its a freaking gallery with no visitors. Hey, I visited — no one notices, checking their Facebook. I cough and make noises, a guy turns and acknowledges. I ask what I want and he suffices. I end up purchasing a camera because I fell in love. The guy swipes, says no no no to a few minor requests, and sits his ass back down, back to his endless abyss of Facebook checking and letting candy crush eat away his cold soul.
My standing ovation for the products. The folk that I dealt with — you’re less than a person.
Don’t expect a genuine service here.