Would you buy a camera from Japan?

ChristopherCoy · Jan 1, 2016

If you found a good, mint condition camera in original box, from an eBay seller with 100% positive feedback, from Japan... Would you buy it for the right price?

Richard S. (rich815) · Jan 1, 2016

vs. 100% positive from another country?

Dan Fromm · Jan 1, 2016

Why not?

Chan Tran · Jan 1, 2016

ChristopherCoy said:
If you found a good, mint condition camera in original box, from an eBay seller with 100% positive feedback, from Japan... Would you buy it for the right price?

I think Japan is a good place for nice old cameras as I believe many people there bought their camera and use them only on occasions. The Japanese are well to do people so many can afford to have cameras (unlike other asian countries like China for example back in the 70, 80's). But unless one is a professional the amount of use a typical camera got isn't a lot. So I would buy from Japan unless the shipping is way too high.

adelorenzo · Jan 1, 2016

I buy lots of stuff from Japan on eBay. I've always been satisfied and the shipping is ridiculously fast. What is your concern?

ChristopherCoy · Jan 1, 2016

Shipping is $35 for a mint, in box Nikon F5.

Rick A · Jan 1, 2016

I bought my GW690II from Japan, no regrets.

ChristopherCoy · Jan 1, 2016

adelorenzo said:
I buy lots of stuff from Japan on eBay. I've always been satisfied and the shipping is ridiculously fast. What is your concern?

Well I didn't know if Japan cameras are different than US distributed cameras... I.e settings, etc.

And if it isn't as described, what challenges are there for recourse on disputes, or returns of the unit.

Jim Jones · Jan 1, 2016

There should be no significant differences between cameras produced for sale in Japan and those intended for USA. My experience with Japanese sellers has been perfect. As for recourse, buying from Japan would be infinitely better than indulging in the lottery in America.

ChristopherCoy · Jan 1, 2016

Jim Jones said:
As for recourse, buying from Japan would be infinitely better than indulging in the lottery in America.

Lol!

elcabezagrande · Jan 1, 2016

I have had nothing but great experiences buying cameras from Japan.

ChristopherCoy · Jan 1, 2016

Ok well y'all go buy my MF gear cause I WANT this F5!!

AgX · Jan 1, 2016

ChristopherCoy said:
Well I didn't know if Japan cameras are different than US distributed cameras... I.e settings, etc.

Canon SLRs of the EOS family for instance often had complete other designations in the USA than in the rest of the world.

elcabezagrande · Jan 1, 2016

dpn said:
... and with favorable exchange rates it's a good time to buy.

Canon rangefinders from Japanese sellers are staggeringly good bargains for US buyers right now.

megzdad81 · Jan 1, 2016

I love my F5.

Alan9940 · Jan 1, 2016

I've bought many photo related items from Japan and never had a single issue. All equipment was exactly as seen in the pics on eBay. As a matter of fact, I can get something delivered from Japan faster than the USPS takes to get something across the USA! Go figure... I've heard some countries have horrendous customs and processing through can take a month or more, but I've not seen that on these shores (USA.)

Good luck!

ChristopherCoy · Jan 1, 2016

megzdad81 said:
I love my F5.

Since I want to get another D-something later this year, I wants to stick with an F5 so that I can share lenses and have the best of both worlds. If I just have to shoot 120 I'll use one of my many box cameras to satisfy the itch.

wildbill · Jan 1, 2016

Recently when I was selling my pentax 67 gear, I noticed that most of the used items on ebay were from Japan. It wasn't that way a few years ago and I'm not sure what has changed but I couldn't sell my gear for the prices they're getting. My only issues with buying from anywhere overseas is the super high (insured)shipping costs if you need to return the item for any reason.

vsyrek1945 · Jan 1, 2016

AgX said:
Canon SLRs of the EOS family for instance often had complete other designations in the USA than in the rest of the world.

True, but a quick web search or browser tab opened to the PhotoNotes EOS Lookup Page will give you the U. S. equivalent to the international EOS designation.

The only case of a noticeable difference in features between a domestic EOS model and its international sibling that comes to mind is the EOS A2E/EOS 5, where the offshore version came with a viewfinder exposure scale in the metered manual mode, while the domestic model only had either a +/- or Op/Cl viewfinder indicator. Along with that, the EOS A2 was a U. S.- only model, without an international equivalent.

Thanks and New Year's greetings to all,
Vince

Helinophoto · Jan 1, 2016

IF i don't buy from top sellers, I usually check out sellers from Japan.

Never had any issues at all, they tend to take more care about stuff, plus, trustworthiness and face means a lot over there, so if they say something, it's usually 100% correct.

Bought both a Bessa R3M, a Leica M6 and a Carl Zeiss 50mm F2 ZM from there, absolutely everything was spot on or better than described, superb packaging and fast delivery.

IMO Japanese sellers are the safest bet on eBay, no way any of them would find a lens unusable/a dud and "just put it on eBay" for some schmuck....like some certain people from a known, three letter country tend to do

ColColt · Jan 1, 2016

I passed up a great looking near mint Pentax 67II because I was told to shun cameras/lens from Japan or China due to possible fungus, haze, etc. I won't let that happen again...it got sold.

CropDusterMan · Jan 1, 2016

I haven't purchased any items from Japan yet, but a ton from the U.K. If the seller has good feedback, and they sell a lot, then,
if they are anything like me....they really want to preserve the integrity of their rating. The great thing with Japan is the abundance of
Fuji and Konica items...tons of Hexars and 6x9's as well as LF Fuji lenses.

The Japanese generally have good integrity and ethics within their culture.

benjiboy · Jan 1, 2016

The question reminds me of the Democratic Party party poster in 1960 when Richard Nixon ran for president http://fineartamerica.com/featured/anti-nixon-poster-1960-granger.html

frank · Jan 1, 2016

It's funny/sad how insular/xenophobic some people are. (Not referring to anyone specifically.)

To travel is to discover that everyone is wrong about other countries.
Aldous Huxley

Ian Grant · Jan 1, 2016

ChristopherCoy said:
If you found a good, mint condition camera in original box, from an eBay seller with 100% positive feedback, from Japan... Would you buy it for the right price?

Yes, why not it's as safe as buying one from the US. Possibly safer

Ian

Would you buy a camera from Japan?

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