Camera hunt in Tokyo

Thinking about photography?

You may find what you're looking for in Tokyo!

#travel #photography

So you've decided it is time to buy some photography gear and you'd like to know what's the most affordable way to do so.

Some things to know before buying a camera abroad -

1. According to photography director at Bic-Camera, only Canon, Nikon and Fuji brands have a built-in English menu in Japanese stores.

That means that fans of Sony, Pentax, Olympus, etc. will have to purchase the universal model that costs almost double the normal price in Japan.

He added that other languages can not be downloaded, though

2. The warranty on the camera body is valid only in Japan.

The lens is subject to international warranty

As for new equipment, there are several companies that control the market: Bic Camera Yodobashi Yamada Denki The three companies are monopoly electrical products with dozens of branches throughout Japan with excellent service and comprehensive responsibility behind their products. As far as the cameras are concerned, I found the first one as cheap as a few thousand yen from the competition. For example, the new Gopro 7 will cost about 49,500 yen in a drink compared to 53,500 in Yudovashi. The Nikon D5600 will cost 62,000 yen in the purchase (body only) and 72,000 yen in Yudovashi.

Some things to know before you go hunting:

1. On second hand, the customer is not right.

If you are used to Japan, the client is the king and will do everything to please him. Know that in the used market, this is not the case.

In the second hand stores you will usually get superficial treatment if you are treated at all.

Do not take it personally, the shop owners are usually older people who have already seen enough tourists in their lives and experienced everything, so if you want to be treated respectably, you should treat with respect as well.

2. Say hello at the entrance to the store. In Japanese, "Kunichiwa".

Even if you do not get an answer, try to be polite.

3. Do not ask for discounts.

These shops do not always exist because of their profits but due to the stubbornness of the owner.

If you expect a discount after a first visit to the store, the owner will see it as insolent.

If you have already purchased a store and this is your fifth visit this week, there is a chance that the owner will offer you a discount on his own initiative but there is no point in asking for a discount.

So after we learned the rules of the game, it was time to go for searches!

My favourite area for searches is Nishi Shinjuku

Take the western exit of Shinjuku Station and you are there.

A few small streets filled with excellent restaurants and second hand photography shops.

Some prominent in the region:

MAP CAMERA

Two branches are almost adjacent to each other, one for buying and one of the selling.

Professional service, wide range - mainly from the company "Leica".

Sellers do not speak English and will be a little hard to get what you want whether you are trying to buy or sell.

LEMON CAMERA

A small shop on the 3rd floor above a department store.

Excellent service with reasonable English.

The selection is nice and the prices are simply superb!

I found there a Nikon lens worth 39000 yen and only 5000 yen! I was happy all the way home.

The Nikon lens, which is worth about 7,000 shekels in Israel, 24-70 2.8 was found there at the price of 99000 yen - 3,500 shekels!

BOX CAMERA

It is the smallest store in the basement of a building at the edge of the block.

The owners of the place did not seem happy to receive an audience but were in peace.

The place is a paradise for vintage seekers and bodies that have not been in the photography market for decades.

Very, very old equipment at very high prices.

Recommended for collectors only.

KITAMURA CAMERA

Great store especially if you have something to sell.

The variety is good and the store is spread over several floors.

On the 6th floor you can sell your old equipment and get a quote from a professional who will appreciate it. The level of English is good and you can bargain a little over the price.

So I wanted to do a trade-in on a nice lens I saw there, I offered the seller an old lens and Hue offered 3000 yen.

I asked him politely and he suggested that we meet in the middle. I could not refuse such a polite suggestion.

There are several other areas in Tokyo with excellent second hand shops for photographers.

Write to me in comments if you want me to write about them and I'll tell you what you can find anywhere!