Sources in Japan for old RF equipment?

[M like Leica M6]

Japanese customers do not like used cars: most of the used cars are exported.

Japanese customers are 'early adaptors', always keen on the newest technology.

I heard that used japanese cameras are easily available at very low prices in Japan.

Are japanese users here that can give us some hints? 🙂

 

[pukupi]

I'm not Japanese but live in Osaka, Japan and you can find a lot of good used camera gear here although rare lenses can still be expensive.

As new SLRs and P&S are introduced more often than RFs, most of the bargains are for SLR and P&S gear but I managed to get my 35 Summilux ASPH quite cheap because it didn't come in the original box with carefully cut cellophane still intact as most used Leica gear does here.

Used cars get exported because of high road taxes that kick in when a car is three years old and with many people unable to afford to purchase real estate, spending on cars and gear instead.

 

[Bill58]

Jiri Ecer in Japan can find some good stuff for you--jiri.e.jp@gmail.com

 

[M like Leica M6]

I'm not Japanese but live in Osaka, Japan and you can find a lot of good used camera gear here although rare lenses can still be expensive.

As new SLRs and P&S are introduced more often than RFs, most of the bargains are for SLR and P&S gear but I managed to get my 35 Summilux ASPH quite cheap because it didn't come in the original box with carefully cut cellophane still intact as most used Leica gear does here.

Used cars get exported because of high road taxes that kick in when a car is three years old and with many people unable to afford to purchase real estate, spending on cars and gear instead.

Interesting to hear about the background...

I think that japanese cameras like the Nikon and Canon RFs, all those 3rd party LTM lenses, but also many good 1970's RFs with fixed lenses (Hi-matic, Canonet etc.) could be found easily at bargain prices. Yesterday I saw an Olympus 35SP was sold for more than 130 Euro... the good ones are really expensive - here in Europe.

 

[pukupi]

Fixed lenses RFs can be very cheap but you're unlikely to find these online as I suspect it's just not worth the work of posting for the price they get (in Japan). In Osaka, there are two large camera areas with the best for RFs in Umeda.

 

[TheHub]

If a camera is rare, good or has a reputation of being good, it'll be expensive. Japanese camera dealers know what they have and price it accordingly.

The most expensive Japanese RF equipment I've seen is Nikon RF gear. Other than beat-up examples, most I've seen have been at least $800 or more. Canon RF gear is pretty cheap, especially compared to Nikon and Leica.

I've seen old 1970s RFs like the Yashica Electro or Ricoh 500 in stores, but they usually want a minimum of $140 for one. Better to get them from a fair or online auctions.

When fairs come up I usually go to them. Sometimes some rare stuff comes up and you can get pretty good deals. For example, I got an RB67 (w/lens & back) for $100 (they usually sell for $300 or more.) Also dealers will sometimes bring out limited edition cameras and hard to find manuals, filters, etc.

Hope that helps.