Helsinki

[rxmd]

Hi,

I'll be in Helsinki for a couple of days in late September for a conference. (At present I'm busy brushing up my semester's worth of Finnish again.) It's not the first time, so I've seen parts of the city and done a fair share of photography, but nevertheless:

- are there good second-hand photography shops worth visiting?
- are there recommendations for good photographic locations, maybe off the immediate city center, the harbour etc.? I'll be probably staying at a friend's in Kallio, which should give some nice street scenes already, but that isn't quite clear yet.

Philipp

 

[Olsen]

Hi,

I'll be in Helsinki for a couple of days in late September for a conference. (At present I'm busy brushing up my semester's worth of Finnish again.) It's not the first time, so I've seen parts of the city and done a fair share of photography, but nevertheless:

- are there good second-hand photography shops worth visiting?
- are there recommendations for good photographic locations, maybe off the immediate city center, the harbour etc.? I'll be probably staying at a friend's in Kallio, which should give some nice street scenes already, but that isn't quite clear yet.

Philipp

Philipp,

I don't live in Helsinki, but visit the city regularly on business trips. I usually live at one of the big hotels down-town and do regular walks in the city centre which offers pleny of photo oportunities. Depending on weather, a trip to the fortress on one of the islands outside the Helsinki harbour is well wurth the visit.

A few years back there were plenty of photo shops in Helsinki with ample volume of 2.hand gear. But no more. But at Nylandsgatan (I think it is), off Marski Prospekt - Helsinki's main street, there is a large photo shop obviously specializing on 2. gear, Leica etc. I don't remember the name of it, though and I was made aware of it the first time this summer. So, I have only had the oportunity to do window shopping since it was summer closed in July when I was there last time.

Helsinki has some unique quarters with german architecture. Unique because it is still standing, while the same kind of buildings back in Germany was bombed during WWII. You will also find small & cozy cafe's and good restaurants.

Have a nice trip!

 

[Epimetheus]

I live in Helsinki. There is one good second hand camera shop here as far as I know and it’s called ‘EP-Kamera’. It’s quite small but they have a lot of stuff in there nicely laid out. I think only digital camera in there is M8. Last time I visited there was a summilux with goggles for around 670€. The shop is located at ‘Uudenmaankatu 19’. Map search: http://kartta.hel.fi/opas/indexen.html

The ‘fortress’ Olsen mentioned is called ‘Suomenlinna’ and it is a nice place for a visit. I can recommend that too.

 

[Epimetheus]

Here is couple of my pictures from Suomenlinna.

 

[rxmd]

Hei,

thanks for the tips. My rudimentary Finnish tells me that Uudenmaankatu and Nylandsgatan are the same street (are they?), so you're probably talking about the same shop 🙂

I've been out to Suomenlinna once, in June 2000, and it was certainly very nice. I might consider going again, but I have to see how much time I have on my hands.

Philipp

 

[sahe69]

Another used items store in Helsinki is Mr. Kamera, see: http://www.digipartner.com/mr3/eindex.html

While I agree that EP Kamera is probably best in Helsinki, especially when it comes to RF's and folders, Mr. Kamera might sometimes carry nice suprises. The list of available gear on the webpages is not normally quite up to date, and the final prices can be very different from the asking price, depending on the mood of the owner 🙂

One other place that might be worth visiting is also a shop called Kamerahuolto Mustonen & Laine at Oksasenkatu 2 A.
see: http://www.yritysopas.com/sijainti/Helsinki/Kamerahuolto_Mustonen_Laine.html

They have very often nice older cameras like Retinas, Brownies etc. Mustonen & Laine is also doing CLA's & other camera repair so normally the old gear they sell is functionally in good condition, hence the price might be a bit higher as well. They don't take credit cards.

None of the shops mentioned here are open during weekends.

 

[rpinchbeck]

Here is couple of my pictures from Suomenlinna.

Ah, Suomenlinna, what a crazy cool place. I was there in June, armed with a Kiev4. Maybe some day I should replace my scanner and get my negatives into action.

Nice images by the way.

Cheers,

Russ Pinchbeck

 

[jarski]

I've just moved back to Helsinki, left early from work and did my first visit to this EP-Photo.

they seem close pretty early, but have lots of gear in their shop. also lens adaptors, cases etc. supplementary gear.