What camera shops to trust in Tokyo

[itosanico]

Hello,

I am new to this forum and I hope to gain more knowledge about rangefinders. I have been taking pictures since I was little. Starting with a point and shoot; moving to a SLR and now I am using a mirrorless system and film SLRs. I am now looking to get my first rangefinder, and leaning towards an M5. I am visiting Tokyo in the near future and did my research about shops around Tokyo which will carry Leicas. My question is:

what will be a good price for it?

I am aiming for a fully working Leica M5 (I don't mind a non-working meter.)

And what shops do you recommend? I might miss some.

Thank you so much

 

[lynnb]

Here's one reputable store - MAP Camera (you can also buy online from them).

 

[Mute-on]

Start with this ...

https://www.japancamerahunter.com/2013/05/the-complete-tokyo-camera-shopping-guide/

I like Alps-do camera and Syuukou. I bought my BP M4 at Syuukou.

Prices in Japan are not cheap, but fair. The selection of rare and excellent condition cameras is incredible. If you can’t find a perfectly functioning M5 in mint cosmetic condition in Tokyo, you won’t find one anywhere else in the same period of time.

Cheers

J 🙂

 

[Deleted member 65559]

You'll find unparalleled selection for Leica gear in Tokyo. We are talking high rent downtown though, & you'll definitely have more choice of M5s than anywhere else. I found all the shops i've visited to be very knowledgeable and professional. Without a doubt you'll be able to find a mint-in-box or a 50th anniversary version. They tend to price very much according to condition. I think you'll find prices comparable to European specialist Leica dealers. Roughly $600 for a early version with a non-working meter to perhaps $1700 for a mint in box later version

 

[itosanico]

Will the dealers carry cameras that have been checked and maybe even tuned? For a fully functional M5, should I be wanting one that has been adjusted?

 

[jonmanjiro]

Will the dealers carry cameras that have been checked and maybe even tuned?

Case by case. You're going to have to ask and confirm with the shop.

For a fully functional M5, should I be wanting one that has been adjusted?

Do you know how to check a camera by yourself? If you do, great. You may find a decent deal with a bit of luck. If you don't, you're probably better off buying one that's been overhauled, but you'll likely have to pay more.

You'll find unparalleled selection for Leica gear in Tokyo.

Perhaps compared to elsewhere, but there's never many (or any) when you actually go looking for something :bang:

Map Camera (as suggested above) is a very reliable store, but they have no Leica M5s for sale at the moment (link).

 

[Mute-on]

For example ...

http://www.syuukou.com/camera/leica/post_8.html

J 🙂

 

[jonmanjiro]

.... and a few more to ponder

http://camerafan.jp/itemlist.php?m=Leica&c=20&s=&l=&h=&w=M5&nw=&sr=9&re=0&p=&1965952617&md=1

 

[Deleted member 65559]

Just out of interest, what made you decide on an M5? Although they have a group of avid admirers, they're a big handful compared to the classic M? Fewer repair parts in the long run....lens restrictions because of the swing out meter arm? Have you considered an older M6 (still has the meter) or an M4-2 (perhaps the least expensive).

 

[Huss]

I would find an M5 with working meter (and check to see if it has been updated to use modern batteries). Because one of the reasons to get an M5 is the fantastic spot metering system.
The post above that mentions lens restrictions.. Just avoid collapsing lenses that can collapse (the ones I have I never collapse anyway) and 4/21mm and 3.4/21mm Super Angulons, early pre - 2 314 928 serial no.2.8/28mm Elmarit.

I use all the film Ms, and the M5 is my favourite. Ok, one of my favourites..

What I have noticed about the M5 is that it is used by photographers, not as a necklace like many other M owners do with their non-M5 Leicas. i.e. they have them to show, not use.
You can tell who those are - they are the ones that just focus on how the M5 looks, not what it can do.

 

[Deleted member 65559]

Huss, I've used M cameras since 1968 & to some degree i think they're like cars or other tools.... you prefer the way one handles over another. The M5 was an outlier. Yes it has its advantages....things one person might prefer. I never took to the size or the way it was a handful compared to M2 - 4 et al. That's my preference & opinion. And you're entitled to yours. As far as your necklace comment...that's a load of bull. I'm sure you look much more like a photographer on Venice Beach....
& the question was asked to the OP regarding what made him think about buying an M5....

 

[Ko.Fe.]

Helen Hill's significant part of photography was done with M5. And some of it was under difficult light.

If I wouldn't be so patriotically and sentimentally attached to ELC gear, I would take M5 over M6. I have seen M6 and was miss taken it with Zeiss Ikon. 😀.
Technically and artsy M5 with 5A 50 1.1 is better kit comparing my ELC 50 Cron and M4-2. And if it is good for Helen, it is good for me.

 

[Huss]

Huss, I've used M cameras since 1968 & to some degree i think they're like cars or other tools.... you prefer the way one handles over another. The M5 was an outlier. Yes it has its advantages....things one person might prefer. I never took to the size or the way it was a handful compared to M2 - 4 et al. That's my preference & opinion. And you're entitled to yours. As far as your necklace comment...that's a load of bull. I'm sure you look much more like a photographer on Venice Beach....
& the question was asked to the OP regarding what made him think about buying an M5....

Sorry you thought the necklace comment was directed at you. Must have struck a nerve.
But I do appreciate the Venice Beach comment directed at me...

It's directed to the Leica necklace wearers out there. We know who they are. The ones that like having a Leica but don't actually take pics. And obviously that is the majority of owners, if it wasn't Leica would not be able to get away w/ its atrocious customer service (6 months for a repair! Cool!)

Currently I use M3s, M4-2, M-A, M7, M5, MdA... The M5 is freakin' awesome but I would not bother with one if the meter did not work. As then most of the point of having one disappears.

 

[Deleted member 65559]

Huss, I've owned an M5, more than a few CLs & CLEs (back when they were 5-10 yrs old). Personally I wouldn't buy an expensive 43 yr old camera with electronics, battery compatibility issues or Cds selenium cells on a moving arm. Nor would I recommend one to to a prospective new rangefinder user. I'm with you on the Leica authorized service....let's not start talking new very expensive digital cameras. I think it's laughable. In the last 6 months in looking for a small camera, I pondered a CL (film) again...& ended up buying a Leica iii instead (& happy with the choice). I'm a huge fan of old mechanical cameras. I just see an M5 as an expensive niche camera,(albeit a finely made one) that's 43 yrs old & sooner or later bound to have parts supply problems. I was just wondering how someone who hasn't used a rangefinder camera arrives at the odd (to me) decision of buying an M5 in Tokyo. If someone asked me about how to experience the quintessential Leica experience, i'd most definitely suggest an M2,M3,M4 (& variants) M6 (inexpensive by Leica standards used, w/meter & still lots of parts) or an MP (high $ choice). If you buy a clean M5 at Tokyo or Vienna prices and change your mind you may have long wait to re-sell it...or low-ball offers. & to Ko Fe's comment I'd be more in the Jim Marshall/Paul Fusco/Wm Allard vein than Helen Hil (in my choice of working tools) 🙂

 

[ColSebastianMoran]

When I went to Tokyo, I hired a westerner expat in Japan to take me around the stores. This was enormously helpful. If I were trying to buy an M5 on a short trip, I might well do this again.

That said, from Tokyo take the short train ride to Nakano to visit Fujiya. (Note, there have several store-fronts in town, specializing in different types of gear.)

 

[Deleted member 65559]

Tokyo is a very cosmopolitan city, & shop owners deal with Westerners all the time. I had no problems buying cameras back when i was a student and didn't speak Japanese. Prices are clearly marked & items are well displayed. Common courtesy goes a long way with or without language knowledge. Looking for a specific item (like an M5) may entail doing the round of shops & comparing. Japanese business people have studied at least some English though they may be reticent to speak. Camera 'nerdism' crosses language boundaries.
When I was in Japan in February, one shop I particularly enjoyed even though I didn't buy anything there...was Lemonsha upstairs (8 floor) at the edge of the Ginza area.

 

[itosanico]

Just out of interest, what made you decide on an M5? Although they have a group of avid admirers, they're a big handful compared to the classic M? Fewer repair parts in the long run....lens restrictions because of the swing out meter arm? Have you considered an older M6 (still has the meter) or an M4-2 (perhaps the least expensive).

I have handled other leica Ms, except an M5. M5 is the one I find most interesting and I heard that it is really usable. One of my concerns is the long run usability and repair jobs. Hence, will other Ms be more reliable in the future in terms of fixing?

I want something I can use reliably and enjoyably over a long period of time. Hopefully, an M5 can be it.

 

[Maiku]

I don't understand why you would want to buy a camera in Tokyo. If you lived in Japan, then I think it would be worth the effort because you could return it if had problems. However, if you take it out of the country the hassle of returning it would be a nightmare.


If you live in Europe won't you have to claim it to customs and pay VAT.



I used to live in Japan. I now live in Canada and I wouldn't buy camera from Japan, if I were on vacation because of the potential nightmare trying to return it.


Just buy one local that has had a CLA.

 

[bobkonos]

I like Chikuma camera in Ueno, Tokyo. A few minutes walk from Ueno Station. Established in 1946 by t present owner's father. A lot of respect for leica, Zeiss, and Hasselblad there. A lot of Leica cameras, lenses, and accessories.

But if you want bang of the buck, go to one of the three ICS camera shows in Tokyo, held in February, May, and September. Many of the vintage camera dealers are there with a lot of inventory. The shows are held on one, usually top, floor of a department store (at Matsuya department store in the Ginza in February, of example). You will see a LOT of quality items at these shows. Try Google "ICS Japan" for more information on dates and locations.

 

[Rayt]

I travel to Tokyo once or twice a year and always do the camera shop tour. Map and Fujiya are my favourites. All you need to do is pick up one of the photo magazines and the shops often with maps and directions are listed in the back pages. My impression is that prices for Leica in Japan are around 50% higher than US prices whereas bargains abound for Japanese gear. There is a Nikon shop at the Ginza my local friend calls it the Nikon grave yard. I have seen decent condition F6 for under $400.