Cameras in Prague

jorisbens

rff: penguins know why
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Feb 19, 2005
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In a few weeks i'm going to Prague and i was wondering if it's a good place to buy (old) (FSU) rangefinders? Does someone know some camerashops or something in Prague? :)
 
I've already collected some info on cameras in Prague:

BS photo near Betlemské Namesti

Kalimex
Havanska 131/14
17000 Prague 7

AZ Foto
Senovázná 8,
Prague 1

Fototechnika a video
Vodickova 36,
Prague 1

Jan Pazdera obchod a oprava
Vodickova 30,
Prague 1

But other shops are still welcome :)
 
I think it is in fototechnika I bought my mint Jupiter 11 for Kiev, around 30 USD. Lot of interesting cameras, cheap, I hesitated buying a flexaret at 50 USD, Yashicamat mint at 70 USD, Exa 1 at 35 USD, Pentacon 6 at 100 USD, saw at least three Contax I and the cheapest was at about 250 USD. Saw lots of pre-war intersting foldings. Don't hesitate entering the antique shops, because there are old cameras too... at more reasonable prices (Kiev III 1954 nice 40 USD). Nice place to walk, take pictures, drink beer... But I felt I was not really welcome, as a tourist, even I did not wear short pants...
 
http://www.fotoskoda.cz/ on Vodickova (which might be identical with one of the shops mentioned by you) is a really great place - they have rows and rows of diplay cases full of old cameras, not only Soviet, but also Western models - I bought my Yashicamat (my first MF camera) there; contrary to current trends, only a minor part of the shop, on the upper floor, is dedicated to digitalia, 3/4th are old analogue cameras. They also have a good supply of film, B&W papers, chemistry, etc... The owner is also quite nice to talk to, very knowledgeable fellow, though conversing is hard due to his broken English. You can see the inside of their shop on the homepage: http://www.fotoskoda.cz/default.asp?ids=444&idm=312&lang=eng

There is another shop with lots and lots of old cameras a few meters down Vodickova, in a passage, but that was closed for holidays when I was in Prague last August.

If you need B&W films, paper and chemicals, check out the little Foma shop on Jungmannova square - very good products at low prices (Fomaspeed Variant RC multigrade paper, Fomatone MG warmtone paper, Fomapan films) - though you'll have to bring exact lists of what you want, since the saleswomen there speak very little English.

I think the Kalimex address you mentioned was not a shop, but a bureau where they organized trade with Hartblei (modified Kiev 60 and 88) cameras - but I don't know whether it even exists anymore....

Roman
 
I too have felt recently that Prague is not a welcoming place for tourists, specially when you want to buy and pay money. As absurd as it sounds that is what it is.

From an informal streets walk I noticed a tremendous amount of Pentacons, but at rather high prices. Therefore eBay may be taken into consideration, although in Prague you will be able to touch and test the goods.

What seems to me a good convenient idea, is in case you want to buy new gear from Kalimex and save the shipping and customs.

Good Luck
Ruben
 
Helo everybody .. Im living in Prague and my workplace is near both shops in Vodickova street ... Foto Skoda and Foto Pazdera ...and I spent much many already there .... ,-))) .... I have maybe one important note .....Every cameras has 1 week guarantee of the return of money ....

See you in Prague

Lexik
 
A one week guarantee is practical, then i can make some test shots and let them have developed in Prague.

Joris
 
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