Camera stolen in Bolivia - need to buy a new one in Santiago

punkromance

Poor art student
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May 14, 2008
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Long story short, I got my D700 stolen a week ago in Bolivia.
I have just over a month left of my trip in South America and due to the fact I'm travelling with just a small backpack and would have no space for three month's worth of film my Leica and FE2 at sitting at home.

Decided to buy a film camera to tide me over until I get back instead so I'm wondering on the off chance whether anyone knows of a good place to buy a cheap manual camera in Santiago/someone in Santiago has one they want to sell? Preferably something along the lines of a Nikon FM/2 as they didn't get my 50/1.2 in my bag, although a Canonet would be really nice.

Prices out here are absolutely obscene. Two years ago I bought a Canon AE-1P + 50/1.8 + 28/2.8 for a total of $50.
Today I was in a shop and they wanted $300 for an AE-1 + crappyslowzoomkitlens. Not cool.
 
Have someone from the states send you whatever you want via USPS Worldwide or UPS for about $50 (USD).
 
'Sorry to hear of your loss. My suggestion is to go a buy a cheap, used film or new digital P & S (point and shoot) locally to use for the rest of your trip. If you can find a used Olympus Stylus (mju-II) film camera w/ a fixed lens, you could carry it in your pocket--it's very light. A nice, compact digital would be a Fuji F30.

Bill
 
Do they still have disposables down there? Do they still have street instant photographers you could hire? What is the most location specific camera offer in the local shops?

If you are not on a assignment, go with whatever is locally available.
 
A quick google of "camera shops santiago chile" brought up a number of useful links. A similar query on TripAdvisor brought a recommendation for Harry Mueller Thierfelder ("FOTO MUELLER"), Ahumada 312, Of.402 (Centro), Fono 6983596. "He did a great job and had an incredible stock of accessories, spare parts, lenses, etc."

Never been to Chile myself so it's not a personal recommendation but it seems as if lots of people who've had cameras lost or broken in Bolivia end up in Santiago on the same quest as you.
 
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