I was wondering.....
I initially thought the thread would be about Bronica Medium Format Nikkor lenses.
MAP camera
For run of the mill manual Nikkor lenses it's much better to seek out shops in the outer areas -- try Fujiya Camera off Nakano Broadway, which also has film at competitive prices (a roll of 135 Oriental 400 for USD6).
The prime lenses are nearly all good, as far as I know. The internet sometimes splits the differences quite finely.
There is a ton of durable used Nikon gear in the world, so if you have poor luck with ebay (which at this point I understand), a used camera store that stands behind its gear ought to have some. Like KEH or Roberts in the US, there ought to be a counterpart in the UK? By all means look for them in Japan, but you should be able to find them elsewhere as well.
The AI-S lenses have an aperture motion that linearly stops down with the lever to allow a few cameras to push it to set the aperture in Program mode (FA, etc). Your cameras don't need that, so AI, AI-S, and series E are functionally equivalent (also any AF lens with an aperture ring).
I'm not a precision judge of lens quality and am too cheap for super-fast lenses. Some that are good and seem widely well-regarded:
20/2.8 (may have to watch out for sticky aperture?), 24/2.8, 35/2, 50/1.4, 100/2.8 E, 105/2.5, 180/2.8.
I've also liked "humble" lenses like 28/3.5, 35/2.8, and 50/2, but you don't necessarily need more of those.
There’s quite a few options online in the UK but it’s increasingly hard to find quality well looked after stock.The counterpart in the UK is called the London Camera Exchange. Been using them for forty years.
There’s quite a few options online in the UK but it’s increasingly hard to find quality well looked after stock.
I found a list on Petapixel that I have been using to get started.
The Best Camera Stores in Tokyo: The Ultimate Guide
A visit to Tokyo, Japan for a photographer is more than just a capture destination: it's one of the best places to buy new and used gear.petapixel.com
Could you give me an idea from this list of which ones to focus on as I’m not after anything other than quality / common lenses?
I found a list on Petapixel that I have been using to get started.
The Best Camera Stores in Tokyo: The Ultimate Guide
A visit to Tokyo, Japan for a photographer is more than just a capture destination: it's one of the best places to buy new and used gear.petapixel.com
Could you give me an idea from this list of which ones to focus on as I’m not after anything other than quality / common lenses?
I liked Nikon House -- an astonishing variety of all things Nikon. A few years ago I snagged an F2 body that mated nicely with an orphaned eye-level prism I had. However, two weeks ago I looked for the shop in the same location (Ginza) and it was no more. The curved glass is still there, but displaying cakes, not Nikon.Check out Nikon House in Tokyo..... btw way before petapixel, Bellamy @ Japan Camera Hunters put out this list:
View attachment 416295The JCH Tokyo Camera Shopping Guide (Updated for 2022) -
The JCH Tokyo Camera Shopping Guide (Updated for 2019)www.japancamerahunter.com
BTW. Bellamy also offers private tours of Tokyo Camera stores........
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