Shopping in Japan

[genosisx]

Hey guys,

i'll be heading over to Japan, Tokyo in a couple of weeks. was hoping if anyone can provide details on where exactly i can get lenses/tripods/flashes (specifically looking for the Tamron 17-50 mm f2.8 etc) and whether is it cheaper there?

James

[Roasty]

i'm going to japan on monday.. if anyone has any good shops to recommend, i'd be grateful.

was at Alan photo today and casually asked if Japan prices were any cheaper, and the gentleman behind the counter mentioned that camera bodies may be cheaper there, but things such as lenses/accessories may be slightly more expensive.

[Sunset7]

I bought lens and Batt Grips from tokyo 1.5 year back. The price is not cheaper but there is points system which can be used to buy other thing or offset your next purchase. In this way, thing may appear cheaper if you buy a lot however you need to plan your purchase.

i.e
1. buy most expensive item.
2. use points to buy second item and gain points from balance that you pay cash.
3. use balance points to buy somethings else.

Do some calculation will save you some money.

Anyway, with the current exchange rate it might not be worth buying.

[terence19]

Yes with the current exchange rate they are not worth buying.

BUT

They have tons of stuff to look at or even buy.

BIC Camera, Yodabashi at Ginza is a good place to shop

[SkyCheong]

Map camera at Shinjuku is not bad too... check out prices at kakaku.com to roughly know the price... (you can try to figure out which links goes where from the url)

[genosisx]

wow! thanks guys! seems like generally, things aren't really worth buying there huh. oh well. i'll just make it a relaxation trip then!

James

[obfuscate]

Even with the current exchange rates, there are things worth buying. E.g. film, camera accessories, brochures which are free to collect to ogle at later.

[takuya]

Anyone knows of any good shops that deal with 2nd hand lenses?

[takuya]

Anyone knows of any good shops that sell 2nd hand lenses?

[mojo4d]

try kakaku.com

[gnohz]

try kitamura

[Rubber_Duck]

FYI, I got my BG in SG... Due to the change rate.
SG still cheaper compare to japan....

Ask many CS members mentioned the you will lose out on the exchange rate...

Japan camera & lens is not cheap at all...

Some shop is selling cheap but they dont take c-card.
only cash payment. So ask for the payment mode before buying.

Kakaku is cheap but mostly cash payment.
Map camera credit and cash payment is ok.
Kitamura from what I understand they only take cash. c-card better ask first....

But Japan having many camera accessories....
will be good to get it here......yodobashi and BIC camera have many camera accessories...
you may want to check it out....

[gnohz]

Originally Posted by Rubber_Duck FYI, I got my BG in SG... Due to the change rate. SG still cheaper compare to japan.... Ask many CS members mentioned the you will lose out on the exchange rate... Japan camera & lens is not cheap at all... Some shop is selling cheap but they dont take c-card. only cash payment. So ask for the payment mode before buying. Kakaku is cheap but mostly cash payment. Map camera credit and cash payment is ok. Kitamura from what I understand they only take cash. c-card better ask first.... But Japan having many camera accessories.... will be good to get it here......yodobashi and BIC camera have many camera accessories... you may want to check it out....

That's true, Japan's a cash society. I still remember carrying 100, 000 yen (SGD1500) in my wallet when making a purchase
But the shopping experience there is totally different. You really feel that you're the king there And the variety they have, from filters to accessories, lens, etc etc etc are so overwhelming, you'll not want to shop elsewhere again

[third3rdwheel]

Originally Posted by takuya Anyone knows of any good shops that deal with 2nd hand lenses?

There's one shop in Shinjuku, not far from Keio Plaza Hotel. It's next to a watch shop called GMT. It's in the basement, not very big, I do not know if it is good, but I found it interesting.


I have a map here, it's in the area where I have circled:

[tabako]

Go look here: http://kakaku.com/camera/camera-lens/

I only looked at Canon lens so other brand I dunno.

But Japan seems to be selling lens at a much much higher price. So its not worth it. Camera body is damn cheap but no warranty. So see if you wanna take the risk or not.

[gazkw]

kakaku is brand new lenses? i see some prices slightly cheaper.

like 70-200 f4 IS is less than 1.7k.

[Rubber_Duck]

Originally Posted by gazkw kakaku is brand new lenses? i see some prices slightly cheaper. like 70-200 f4 IS is less than 1.7k.

Some is cheaper.. but only deal with Cash payment.

Please beware of this, see attached pix





代金引換 = C.O.D.

クレジットカード = Credit Cards

現金書留 = Money sent by registered mail

銀行振込（※代金先払いの際には、ご注意下さい） = Bank transfer（※In the case of the price advance payment, please be careful）

ショッピングローン= A shopping loan (Installation)

コンビニ決済 = The payment at convenience store settlement

[gazkw]

its ok if its cash... plan to buy only one lens hehe, so not gonna be a lot a lot

[genosisx]

awesome! i'm heading over this sunday. seems pretty hopeless to look to japan for cheaper lenses eh. oh well...

[gazkw]

Originally Posted by genosisx awesome! i'm heading over this sunday. seems pretty hopeless to look to japan for cheaper lenses eh. oh well...

what are you looking for? most lenses i see using the exchange rate (today) at the money changers in arcade actually provide good prices.

eg, canon 70-200L f4 is around 1900 in SG. in JP, paying by cash and claiming tax (5%?) is around ~1500 in SGD.

i see the sigma 50mm f1.4 is 830-850(?). in JP is around 730 before tax claims.

so am i missing something that you guys are getting such very cheap price for lens in SG, or how much are you buying your yen at that makes the lenses expensive?

thx for payment choice info, Rubber_Duck.