Best place in the world to shop for old cameras?

[CliveC]

In terms of best value and selection, where in the world would one find the best stores? I know Hong Kong is probably up there along with Tokyo and NYC, but has anybody had personal experience shopping at these photographic meccas?

 

[ColSebastianMoran]

Hands down, for cities, it's Tokyo. The used camera stores near Shinjuku. Fujiya in Nakano is outstanding. Even the expensive shops near Ginza. I had that kid in a candy-store feeling. But, you'll need someone to show you the way. I hired a guide.

Edit: Just found this nice article by Bellamy about Shinjuku shops.

Best place in the world to shop for old cameras? Hmm... Might be the well-known auction site.

 

[enero]

I think the best place in the word in terms of value would be the internet. KEH, RFF, eBay. Unless your meaning Brick and Mortar. Then from what Ive seen, I guess it would be Japan. Many of their stores seem to have reasonable prices. There are less and less stores in NYC that sell quality used gear. Adorama has a nice selection of stuff on display. They have a pretty large selection of used gear, but only display the good stuff. Photovillage has some nice stuff to browse on their walls as well. B&H doesnt really display much of anything nice. Just sellable consumer grade stuff. I havent been in a NYC photo store that has much of a used department anymore, a lot of them are clearing their used gear out to make run for more sellable consumer stuff. I would say HK would have the least value, but their stores seem to have very pretty things.

 

[Roger Hicks]

"Best value" and "best selection" seldom go together.

Personally I'd back the annual camera fair at Bièvres just outside Paris.

Cheers,

R.

 

[alienmeatsack]

I've not experienced much of the world, so I can only vote for what I know personally... eBay, ShopGoodWill.com, KEH and local thrift shops and flea markets.

 

[kshapero]

I'd say Tokyo and NYC if you want to touch and feel. South Florida and LA have reaped pleasant rewards. But due to the Internet, etc. Touch and feel is mainly thru the UPS man.

 

[Roger Hicks]

Living in England and never likely to leave the U.K. the best place in the world to shop for old cameras for me is to use the internet and shop at Leicashop in Vienna,Austria.They have one of the best selections of fine modern and old camera equipment worldwide and offer an excellent customer service.Buying from camera fairs and eBay is a risky business.Leicashop guarantee all their sales so no risk involved.

A lot depends on what you're buying, of course, and why, and how much you know. For usable gear, yes, a dealer every time (best of all, new). For weird gear...

Cheers,

R.

 

[Joe Vitessa]

When I traveled to Buenos Aires several years ago, I was very impressed with the selection of old cameras. All those Nazis who fled Germany after the war brought their cameras, apparently. Prices were fairly high, however, certainly compared to eBay.

 

[ShinX414]

Westlicht auction house. Hands down, this is the place where all the world rarest equipment is sold.
Even though i know that i haven't been there yet.

 

[jsrockit]

Hands down, for cities, it's Tokyo.

Best I've experienced selection wise... but I haven't been all over the world yet. Even better than NYC in the 90s.

 

[p.giannakis]

In England, there is the Wolverhampton camera fair twice a year, i haven't been to any though....

 

[ZeissFan]

I never found many good deals on classic cameras in Hong Kong.

 

[giellaleafapmu]

I also give a vote to Tokyo, I am not a collector and I have been only once there but I have never ever seen so many film cameras which I considered "rare" as I did there. But then I recognize rarity or at least the fact that a given model is not common only in Nikon and Olympus cameras which are Japanese brands, maybe for other brands there are better places.

GLF

 

[Peter_Jones]

For Northern England, Real Camera in Manchester is very good.

 

[thirteen]

Many used camera stores in Munich.

 

[kehng]

London shops are pretty good IMO as there are about 5 I visit from time to time but I love trawling through the flea markets in Europe whenever I'm away. Picked up a lovely contaflex in Brussels last time out and a sweet rolleicord in dusseldorf but prices are on the up each time i find a beauty at a flea market these days.

 

[robbeiflex]

+1 for Tokyo. Seoul had a surprisingly good selection when I was there in 2008, not sure if that's still the case though. In Hong Kong I've seen better selections in Kowloon than in Central, but the good shops are hard to find and the prices high.

 

[sleepyhead]

Many used camera stores in Munich.

Hi, could you please name a few?

 

[Bill Clark]

For some it might be there own home. Ha!

 

[kaiwasoyokaze]

i only been to some countries in asia,

Namdaemun and Chungmuro was great in Seoul. Tons of good stuff, price is competitive and better than HK.

Nampo in Busan. Selection is alright/OK. Prices are cheaper for equipment not well taken of, but usable.

Mostly Kowloon side at TST in HK. There's tons of great stuff. The best place hands down is Sunrise Photo at Sham Shui Po. I always go there. 20 minute developing for film only. the Central locations are not that good at all. Not recommended.

Taiwan, at the main bus terminal (last stop from the Taiyuan airport), the selection was mostly digital. nothing special i could find. good 35mm film selection though. this was a recommendation from some Taiwan locals when I asked about where the vintage cameras were.

In Indonesia, the most famous flea market at Jalan Surabaya in Jakarta was quite disappointing for cameras. It was mostly some relics and antiques. I think locals there know better though cause I heard theres some hidden places.