New RFF Sponsor Japan Camera Hunter

Thanks very much. The store is going up soon. Happy to answer any questions anyone might have. And if anyone wants to have their bag featured on the 'In your bag' series then drop me a line.
Cheers
Japancamerahunter
 
I can highly recommend them. I recently found something in Japan that I wanted but could not get access to. Sent an enquiry to Japancamerahunter and Bellamy did all the work. Got the bits and pieces that I wanted.

Thanks Bellamy - great service
 
New RFF Sponsor Japan Camera Hunter

I am happy to announce a new RFF Sponsor, Japan Camera Hunter
see http://www.japancamerahunter.com/

I find Bellamy's approach very interesting. For decades Japan buyers have bought in the US and shipped classic cameras back to Japan.

But times have changed. Now it can make sense to ship those same classic cameras from Japan back to the US and the rest of the world.

I think he can help RFF members acquire a lot of hard to find and esoteric cameras.

Welcome Aboard Bellamy - aka Japan Camera Hunter!

Stephen
 
Thanks guys. That is true, Japan bought all of the cameras back in the 70's and 80's, there are actually more Leica cameras in Japan than in Germany! Or so I have heard. But now the times are a changin'. As the Japanese camera buyers have aged, so has their desire to keep these objects, and now I have the chance to get some of them. I cannot get everything....there are some things out of my reach, but I can certainly try.
 
The classic camera store, complete with often dozens or hundreds of used cameras and lenses, has all but died in the US. Only one such store comes to mind in the LA area, Paul's Photo in Torrance. All replaced by Ebay, internet sales, and of course foreign dealers now plentiful in formerly US owned cameras.

If you have never been to Tokyo, its difficult to imagine just how many used camera stores there are, filled to the brim with classic cameras.

Bellamy, it would probably be a good idea to posts lots of pics of different used classic camera store's inventory. People just don't have a clue of what is available.

Stephen
 
What I can so is post pictures of the different stores, and some of the inventory that they have, but it would be an impossible task to do them all. I am on first name basis with about 30 stores, and an known customer in another 30 or so. That does not include the out of Tokyo stores, of which there are literally hundreds. I think I shall start posing as many as I can.
Thanks
Bellamy
 
japancamerahunter said:
Thanks guys. That is true, Japan bought all of the cameras back in the 70's and 80's, there are actually more Leica cameras in Japan than in Germany! Or so I have heard. But now the times are a changin'. As the Japanese camera buyers have aged, so has their desire to keep these objects, and now I have the chance to get some of them. I cannot get everything....there are some things out of my reach, but I can certainly try.
Click to expand...
Okay this line makes me feel a little sad...."As the Japanese camera buyers have aged, so has their desire to keep these objects," its a reality isnt it? One day, it might be us...😕

Back to the topic, say if there is a lens that i want, will camera hunter help to source for it in japan? Will there be a cost to finding it in the event if it cannot be found?
 
Okay this line makes me feel a little sad...."As the Japanese camera buyers have aged, so has their desire to keep these objects," its a reality isnt it? One day, it might be us...

Back to the topic, say if there is a lens that i want, will camera hunter help to source for it in japan? Will there be a cost to finding it in the event if it cannot be found?
Click to expand...

That is what I do, I help you find the item. I don't charge if I cannot find anything. I only charge when the item is found. If possible I will give you a few different options of items to get and then let you make the decision. Everything is up front and straight forward, no hidden fees. I love cameras and love lenses, and I really love finding them, so I want to share that joy and passion with people and provide a service that will put smiles on faces.
 
First of all, welcome Bellamy! Nice to have you here.
I regularly visit your site.

japancamerahunter said:
Thanks guys. That is true, Japan bought all of the cameras back in the 70's and 80's, there are actually more Leica cameras in Japan than in Germany! Or so I have heard.
Click to expand...

Well that is indeed most probably right. At least Leica has often said that Japan is their most important market for the M rangefinder cameras.
Most of the new M Leicas have been sold to Japan. Maybe now to China, I don't know.

But nevertheless the used market in Germany is still viable. No problem here to get used classic cameras of all kinds at reasonable prices.
But what we are seeing here as well is an upswing in prices for certain gear caused by increasing demand from Asia, especially from China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore.
If you sell such gear via eb..., lots of bidders are from these asian countries.

Cheers, Jan
 
Welcome... Used Camera Browsing

Welcome... Used Camera Browsing

Welcome, Belamy. On a recent trip to Tokyo, I was guided on a tour of Tokyo used camera dealers. It's amazing to see the number of stores, the range of quality, the range of inventory, and a huge inventory of very interesting cameras. Fujiya, in Nakano, was really an eye-opener.

I wish you good shopping.

One question: What's your technical capability? To what extent can you evaluate the operating condition of items? Testing and checking things out? Do you do any repairs, tune-up, etc.?
 
One question: What's your technical capability? To what extent can you evaluate the operating condition of items? Testing and checking things out? Do you do any repairs, tune-up, etc.?
Click to expand...

Thanks for the question.
I am quite reasonably technically proficient, and I check all items to the best of my ability. Obviously it is impossible to put a roll through everything. Most of the stores I purchase from have a very accurate rating system, which I trust.

As for the repairs, although I don't do repairs myself, I do act as a middleman for repairs. I can have cameras repaired directly by Ricoh, Konica Minolta, Mamiya, Kyocera (contax), Epson, Tamron (Bronica), Pentax etc. I also know a number of smaller repair specialists for different brands who can handle the cameras other people forget about. If you have something that is not working, drop me a line and we can arrange to have it working again.
 
Bellamy,
Welcome aboard! And it's a very interesting blog you've got.
A few questions if you don't mind.

>I keep reading about the wild and wonderful lens conversions that small shops/individuals are doing but these seem to be only for the local market, are you able to broker those kinds of deals? ( I keep thinking of an Argus 50mm Cintar in a coupled LTM mount...)

>Are you only sourcing cameras/photo stuff or are you willing to look for other things as well? Watches specifically.

I do have a short list in mind of cameras I think I want to discuss with you but likely not 'til after Xmas.

Continued success!
Rob
 
>I keep reading about the wild and wonderful lens conversions that small shops/individuals are doing but these seem to be only for the local market, are you able to broker those kinds of deals? ( I keep thinking of an Argus 50mm Cintar in a coupled LTM mount...)

>Are you only sourcing cameras/photo stuff or are you willing to look for other things as well? Watches specifically.

I do have a short list in mind of cameras I think I want to discuss with you but likely not 'til after Xmas.

Continued success!
Rob
Click to expand...

Hi Rob,

Thanks for checking my stuff out.
Let me answer your questions.
There are a couple of places doing the lens conversions. They are done to order and they are generally very expensive. But if you have the cash and the lens most things can be done. Drop me a line about it and we can see if they can do it.

I am not only sourcing cameras. Recently I have also been sourcing high end bicycle frames and watches from Japan. Again, drop me a line.

Thanks
Bellamy
 
Kudos

Kudos

I just got a shipment of some film containers from Bellamy through his site.

I couldn't believe it, but they arrived less than 2 weeks...all the way from Tokyo to the middle of Canada. Pretty impressive.
 
They would have been even faster, had I not had to wait for stock. I always keep my customers informed though as I want everyone to be happy with what they get.
Glad you like the cases. I am now offering the Bikkuri film cases for all who are interested.
Cheers
Bellamy
 
Brilliant. Glad you like them. I still have them in stock. I am currently negotiating with the maker to see if we can ensure production.
Cheers
Japancamerahunter
 
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