Osaka Yodobashi Camera Film Selection

[Andrew O'Neill]

Was just in Yodobashi Camera, Umeda Machi, Osaka. Their stock of films has improved since I was here two years ago... Just in case you happen to be in or going to Osaka.

 

[mshchem]

Nicely displayed. Very calming to see. This would be a good subject for tri-color gum print

Enjoy!

 

[blee1996]

That's a nice candy shop for photographers, thanks for sharing!

 

[koraks]

Is that 8x10 Acros or Velvia? I wonder how long it takes for that to move.

It's a little hard to tell, but it looks like 95% of that is 35mm, and surprisingly little 120. We all know that small format is the bulk, but I would have expected a bit more medium format stock as well.

 

[Nitroplait]

Is that 8x10 Acros or Velvia? I wonder how long it takes for that to move.

It's a little hard to tell, but it looks like 95% of that is 35mm, and surprisingly little 120. We all know that small format is the bulk, but I would have expected a bit more medium format stock as well.

Yodobashi Camera is not really a camera store any more, but more an electronics (and more) shop. A bit like BIC Camera which seemingly sells everything, including food.

I am guessing this film displays just reflect the preferences of their average customer. More dedicated photographers will likely mail-order or go to more specialised shops for their film needs.
The boxes of 8x10 are probably available as a service to a specific 75 years old photographer who has been a regular customer for the past 43 years - it is only in Japan that such personalised service would survive into the age of the mega stores.

 

[Alan Edward Klein]

View attachment 397055
Is that 8x10 Acros or Velvia? I wonder how long it takes for that to move.

It's a little hard to tell, but it looks like 95% of that is 35mm, and surprisingly little 120. We all know that small format is the bulk, but I would have expected a bit more medium format stock as well.

That's what I noticed as well. I;ve got two boxes of 4x5 Velvia 50 in my freezer watching its value increase like the price of gold.

 

[loccdor]

Can you get Fomapan in Japan? I can't recall any Japanese photographers who shoot with it.

 

[Nitroplait]

Can you get Fomapan in Japan?

Yes. Easily through amazon.co.jp or Rakuten.co.jp. Probably also in physical shops although I don't recall when I last saw it in the flesh.

 

[loccdor]

@Nitroplait Thanks!

 

[Agulliver]

I was in one of their stores in Tokyo a couple of weeks ago and not only did they have just about every film in production in stock (including super 8 film), they were selling film cameras too. There was a LOT more interest in the film section than the digital on the occasion I visited.

 

[Vaughn]

Anyone seen any B&W 5x7 film on Japan's shelves? How about 4x5? Trying to decide what to bring to Japan next winter...4x5 of 5x7.

 

[Prest_400]

Hope it's not too much hijacking, but just saw this from NHK and features stores and labs:

 

[ic-racer]

That is great to see all that film.

Just today; a comment from my teenager "Dad, I'm out of film..."

 

[Sal Santamaura]

Hope it's not too much hijacking, but just saw this from NHK and features stores and labs:

Andy, need you to confirm the subtitle translation at 0:46 in that video. Did Suzuki san really say this?

"It's cloudy, so let's take photos with as much light as possible. Film images turn out better that way."​

If so, any idea what it was supposed to mean? If I heard those exact words in English from someone paid to instruct, I'd demand a refund.

 

[Agulliver]

Anyone seen any B&W 5x7 film on Japan's shelves? How about 4x5? Trying to decide what to bring to Japan next winter...4x5 of 5x7.

Yes, in Yodobashi Akiba, Chiyoda City Tokyo. THey had just about every conceivable 35mm film including Ferrania P30 and every format you can dream of including sheet film and super 8 cine film....all in stock, and all bar the popular 35mm films which fly off the shelves was refrigerated.

 

[Agulliver]

Andy, need you to confirm the subtitle translation at 0:46 in that video. Did Suzuki san really say this?

"It's cloudy, so let's take photos with as much light as possible. Film images turn out better that way."​

If so, any idea what it was supposed to mean? If I heard those exact words in English from someone paid to instruct, I'd demand a refund.

I seem to be unable to watch the video, it's blocked for me....but I would assume they're people used to digital with high ISO and high shutter speeds...and he's instructing them to find ways to maximise the light in scenes they're photographing on a cloudy day.

 

[Nitroplait]

I seem to be unable to watch the video, it's blocked for me...

I think you have to play it on Youtube. NHK doesn't seem to permit embedding it on other sites.

 

[Agulliver]

Part of the film section in Yodobashi Akiba, Chiyoda City Tokyo

And yes, this is just part of it. They also have a section as large as many supermarkets selling unrefrigerated 35mm film, film cameras, Polaroid and Instax stuff. And that section is *way* more popular than the digital section which was almost deserted. They also process and print.