Would you buy a camera from Japan?

Recent Classifieds

Forum statistics

Threads
199,655
Messages
2,794,813
Members
99,988
Latest member
Chiliconcameras
Recent bookmarks
1

ChristopherCoy

Subscriber
Joined
Aug 9, 2011
Messages
3,599
Location
On a boat.
Format
Multi Format
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?
 

Chan Tran

Subscriber
Joined
May 10, 2006
Messages
6,909
Location
Sachse, TX
Format
35mm
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.
 
OP
OP
ChristopherCoy

ChristopherCoy

Subscriber
Joined
Aug 9, 2011
Messages
3,599
Location
On a boat.
Format
Multi Format
Shipping is $35 for a mint, in box Nikon F5.
 

Rick A

Subscriber
Joined
Mar 31, 2009
Messages
9,966
Location
Laurel Highlands
Format
8x10 Format
I bought my GW690II from Japan, no regrets.
 
OP
OP
ChristopherCoy

ChristopherCoy

Subscriber
Joined
Aug 9, 2011
Messages
3,599
Location
On a boat.
Format
Multi Format
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

Subscriber
Joined
Jan 16, 2006
Messages
3,740
Location
Chillicothe MO
Format
Multi Format
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.
 
OP
OP
ChristopherCoy

ChristopherCoy

Subscriber
Joined
Aug 9, 2011
Messages
3,599
Location
On a boat.
Format
Multi Format
OP
OP
ChristopherCoy

ChristopherCoy

Subscriber
Joined
Aug 9, 2011
Messages
3,599
Location
On a boat.
Format
Multi Format
Ok well y'all go buy my MF gear cause I WANT this F5!!
 

AgX

Member
Joined
Apr 5, 2007
Messages
29,973
Location
Germany
Format
Multi Format
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.
 

megzdad81

Member
Joined
Feb 13, 2009
Messages
155
Location
Knoxville, T
Format
8x10 Format
I love my F5.
 

Alan9940

Member
Joined
Jun 17, 2006
Messages
2,438
Location
Arizona
Format
Multi Format
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!
 
OP
OP
ChristopherCoy

ChristopherCoy

Subscriber
Joined
Aug 9, 2011
Messages
3,599
Location
On a boat.
Format
Multi Format
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

Member
Joined
Nov 28, 2004
Messages
2,828
Location
Grand Rapids
Format
Multi Format
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

Subscriber
Joined
Jul 15, 2013
Messages
174
Location
Long Island,
Format
35mm
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

Member
Joined
Aug 19, 2011
Messages
1,091
Location
Norway
Format
Multi Format
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 :wink:
 

ColColt

Member
Joined
May 26, 2015
Messages
1,824
Location
TN
Format
Multi Format
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

Member
Joined
Feb 7, 2014
Messages
711
Location
Southern Cal
Format
35mm RF
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.
 

frank

Member
Joined
Dec 6, 2002
Messages
4,359
Location
Canada
Format
Multi Format
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
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Photrio.com contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.
To read our full affiliate disclosure statement please click Here.

PHOTRIO PARTNERS EQUALLY FUNDING OUR COMMUNITY:



Ilford ADOX Freestyle Photographic Stearman Press Weldon Color Lab Blue Moon Camera & Machine
Top Bottom