Traveling to Germany

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Sorry to say, I do not know any camera shops any more - but I mostly buy second-hand stuff.

But, with regards to Munich: I definitely recommend to go to the Olympic Stadium of the 1972 Summer games to take pictures. Especially its roof is a wonderful monument to take pictures of.
Several years ago, I did an interview with the Bavarian State monument conservator. He told me: "The Olympic Roof is Munich's only contribution to world architecture."

It's just a short subway travel from the centre of the town.

As for Koblenz: The Rhine valley between Koblenz and Bingen is one of the most romantic landscapes of Europe. Beautiful to take pictures of.
 

chuckroast

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I have not been in Germany for many years, but when I entered a store in Munich they told me, "Because of our taxes, you'll find Leica is cheaper in the US than in the country in which is it made."
 

Wolfram Malukker

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I was going to recommend Photo Lang in Salzweg, but at the moment I can not-hopefully I will be able to in a few days. They come highly recommended to me, and I have heard nothing but praise, however the order I placed over the last few days has been nerve-racking. I very much hope that it comes good and if so they are southeast of Munich near the Austrian border.
 

baachitraka

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Nothing about the gear but couple of guys doing only or mostly with film
 

Wolfram Malukker

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I now can recommend Photo Lang. We had some issues with proper invoicing, but that has been taken care of and they have been very pleasant to work with, even with the issues we had.
 

GregY

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I now can recommend Photo Lang. We had some issues with proper invoicing, but that has been taken care of and they have been very pleasant to work with, even with the issues we had.

Wolf....can you say something about what they offer? Their website looks pretty uninspiring....lots of Ilford paper and Holga cameras....
 

ant!

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It's quite a while ago that I lived in Munich, so no shops I could recommend, but compared to here in Canada, on the German used market (not in shops, but kleinanzeigen.de or ebay.de ) the prices for many German made items are cheaper. Maybe not Leica or Rollei, but stuff like Super Ikontas (got one for 80 € in great shape), Zeiss Jena lenses, Praktinas or Praktikas, Agfa rangefinders, Noblex panaroma cameras... Not sure about German made large format stuff.

But on the other side: The Canadian market is small, the German big in general, so there is also just more stuff around and the chance something rare pops up is higher...
 

baachitraka

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They got,

- Film (KB, MF and LF) + film for Instax and Polaroid.
- Camera (Intax, Polaroid, Holga and other one time use)
- Paper (RC and FB)
- Chemicals for film and paper + kits to develop and film paper.
- Accessories.

Personally I kind of liked that shop and I have no other expectations.

My best bet is Kleinanzeigen of that city/town, who knows you may score a nice Rolleiflex...

 

GregY

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Thanks....I might drop in if i were there, but personally i wouldn't travel 180 km from Munich to visit the store....
 
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I was in Munich for a week last year and dropped a few hundred dollars on a Contax at Photo Presto. There was some very nice stuff there, but not cheap.
Bruce
 
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Munich. Does anyone have any recommendations for camera shops
I forgot...
Heidi-Foto in Munich (near a subway station) seems to be an analogue-oriented shop with a long tradition (since 1948) .
I must admit that I don't know it yet - but if I lived in Munich area I would have definitely visited it already.

Michael
 

henryvk

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There's a place in Neuwied, a few kilometers up the Rhine from Koblenz, that you should probably check out then: https://alpafoto.rf-webworld.de/

Here's their eBay shop: https://www.ebay.de/str/fotoexperte...uid=fr8XK0FUQoe&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

I've never been to their store but my guess is they have a lot of the film stuff off-site, so it's probably worth inquiring ahead of time if there's something specific you want to take a look at in person.
 

joho

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Well if you get there
try

Cologne to Koblenz by train​


Koblenz is close enough to Cologne to be served by Regio trains and if you will be buying tickets at the station for a spontaneous day trip, they are the logical option, they provide both the most frequent and cheapest service.
also go for a boat ride on the Rhine [winter time on Sunday] if time is important go with ICE trains expensive but fast!!!!
So If in Colonge [Koln] Try photo Lambertin 4 shops in the city - there is one shop next to the DOM of Colonge all used minox to 8x10 cameras. see https://www.foto-lambertin.de/
 

henryvk

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If you do end up in Cologne, there's another camera shop downtown that deals exclusively in film gear:

 

Axelwik

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I remember a small camera shop in Koblenz that sold film etc., plus some used film gear. My son lives nearby and will hopefully give me the name shortly.
 

BMbikerider

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As for cost this may depend upon the exchange rate between the Euro and the Dollar. With the UK Pound they generally seem to be on the same level whatever the exchange rate which does change but only means a couple of pound difference.

I know Koblenz quite well, but I cannot remember a decent (old style) camera shop, however if you care to visit Koln there an absolutely superb shop on the forecourt of the Bahnhof, with all description of cameras/lenses, new and second hand. There is another a short distance away south west of the Cathedral which seems they are Leica specialists and gives the impression they are quite exclusive.

If you also google search Photographic Shops on Koln there are a plethora but what standard they are I have no idea
 
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GregY

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In my experience particularly with used/vintage cameras the case is availability rather than price.
I bought an original black paint M2 in Paris....& i'd never even seen one in a shop in Canada.
Last summer I bought an SBOOI in Paris in nice condition for a reasonable price....& a leather case for it...that was a fraction of Ebay prices.
 

Pieter12

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Remember, in the EU you are going to pay VAT, at least 15%. You may be able to declare the purchases at the point of departure and file a claim for refund of the VAT if the purchase qualifies. Do some research.
 
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