Amsterdam

[Joao]

Hello
Can someone give updated information about second-hand photography stores in Amsterdam that might deserve a visit from a film shooter ?
I´m not looking for rare items or top-level stuff, but more ordinary affordable gear. Street markets or fairs may also be of interest.
Thank you in advance
Joao

 

[Jacob Watrous]

The scene is shifting, but there are still a few honest corners left if you skip the high-end boutiques in the center.

1. Nivo-Schweitzer. I remember it as having a used shop that was semi-staffed and essentially a heap you almost had to dig through, but it’s been quite a few years since I’ve been there.
   
   
2. Foto den Boer. It's in the Jordaan. It's mostly for film stock, but they have a pretty good shelf of second-hand affordable gear that they have checked over and serviced to make sure it's working.
   
   
3. There are two vendors near the Amstel at Waterloopleinmarkt but it is a risk. They tend to know exactly what they have, the gear is usually untested, and it's more exposed to humidity due to the location.

Edit. I mixed up the name of Nivo-Schweitzer’s used department and my information about them might be out of date.

 

[Joao]

Thank you Jacob
This information will be useful for my son, who will be visting Amsterdam in a few days . He is gradually becoming an enthusiast of film photography.
Hopefully he will find something interesting for him - or for me...
Cheers
Joao

 

[Jacob Watrous]

You're welcome. If he's interested in photography, it's a target rich environment. I've made exploring Amsterdam with a camera my business and it never gets old.

 

[m34u]

The scene is shifting, but there are still a few honest corners left if you skip the high-end boutiques in the center.

1. Nivon Foto-Video. It’s a cooperative located a bit south of the center. It’s not a fancy showroom, just a basement filled with crates of SLRs, lenses, and darkroom gear. Prices are very fair because it's run by volunteers. Check their opening hours on their website before you go.
   
   
2. Foto den Boer. It's in the Jordaan. It's mostly for film stock, but they have a pretty good shelf of second-hand affordable gear that they have checked over and serviced to make sure it's working.
   
   
3. There are two vendors near the Amstel at Waterloopleinmarkt but it is a risk. They tend to know exactly what they have, the gear is usually untested, and it's more exposed to humidity due to the location.

Also useful info for a fellow Dutchman 😉 I didn’t know about Nivon, could you please share the website? Google redirects me to Nivo-Schweitzer and/or Amsterdam.nivon.nl

 

[Jacob Watrous]

Also useful info for a fellow Dutchman 😉 I didn’t know about Nivon, could you please share the website? Google redirects me to Nivo-Schweitzer and/or Amsterdam.nivon.nl

Yeah, I am mistaken and it is Nivo-Schweitzer shop. Sorry. For some reason I thought the used department was a separate entity called Nivo Foto-Video. Maybe I got it mixed up with that club. Anyway, I remember a storefront and then dropping off film in the back/basementish area, and seeing used gear in there. But the used area, at the time, wasn’t always staffed.

Haven’t been in there for a while (went there a few times when I was first in Amsterdam, den boer is my go-to). Speaking of, OP if your son ends up in Haarlem I really like Fotovakhuis. (het Fotovakhuis)

Not yet a fellow Dutchman, though I plan on staying forever and when my Nederlands is a bitje better…

 

[hermank]

Or you could consider a trip to the city of Delft and get away from the crowds ( about 30 minutes by train ) and visit FotoDelfshaven.

Inkoop en Verkoop Analoge camera's - Fotohandel Delfshaven / MK Optics

Paradise is open only Thu/Fri/Sa

 

[Joao]

The clarification was welcome..
My son will stay only in Amsterdam - he will be studying the structural adaptations of public buildings to people with special needs (mobility, etc). He will be focused in museums, mailnly thr Rijksmuseum., I think
I knew Amstrdam quite well a long time ago. My family lived in Den Haag in the late sixties /early seventies of last century. I went there several times a year during school hollidays. Amsterdam was a magic place then. Good memories !!
Thank you

 

[m34u]

Yeah, I am mistaken and it is Nivo-Schweitzer shop. Sorry. For some reason I thought the used department was a separate entity called Nivo Foto-Video. Maybe I got it mixed up with that club. Anyway, I remember a storefront and then dropping off film in the back/basementish area, and seeing used gear in there. But the used area, at the time, wasn’t always staffed.

Haven’t been in there for a while (went there a few times when I was first in Amsterdam, den boer is my go-to). Speaking of, OP if your son ends up in Haarlem I really like Fotovakhuis. (het Fotovakhuis)

Not yet a fellow Dutchman, though I plan on staying forever and when my Nederlands is a bitje better…

Thanks! Den Boer indeed is a good option. But I feel like their camera collection is not that big.

Or you could consider a trip to the city of Delft and get away from the crowds ( about 30 minutes by train ) and visit FotoDelfshaven.

Inkoop en Verkoop Analoge camera's - Fotohandel Delfshaven / MK Optics

Paradise is open only Thu/Fri/Sa

I highly recommend Fotohandel Delfshaven! Its only 30/40min by train from Amsterdam

 

[Muggins]

The clarification was welcome..
My son will stay only in Amsterdam - he will be studying the structural adaptations of public buildings to people with special needs (mobility, etc). He will be focused in museums, mailnly thr Rijksmuseum., I think
I knew Amstrdam quite well a long time ago. My family lived in Den Haag in the late sixties /early seventies of last century. I went there several times a year during school hollidays. Amsterdam was a magic place then. Good memories !!
Thank you

Given the Dutch love of incredibly steep stairs (I assume if you get too creaky to use them you get thrown in the canal) that could be a very interesting project indeed!

 

[Jacob Watrous]

Thanks! Den Boer indeed is a good option. But I feel like their camera collection is not that big.

It's not. I just happen to prefer the store and staff. Though now that I have learned I can reliably get Kodak Double X at AnalogAmsterdam.com that may change.

 

[m34u]

It's not. I just happen to prefer the store and staff. Though now that I have learned I can reliably get Kodak Double X at AnalogAmsterdam.com that may change.

If you’re looking for a reliable place in NL to buy film I can also recommend Fotofilmfabriek.nl in Dordrecht.

 

[Jacob Watrous]

If you’re looking for a reliable place in NL to buy film I can also recommend Fotofilmfabriek.nl in Dordrecht.

It is not so close for me (Heemstede) and my experience with online order deliveries has been not so great lately, but I will keep that in mind. Maybe this summer I will take my children kayaking and I will visit it.

Thanks