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I heard once that in Japan for camera bodies there are domestic only models that (a) are sold cheaper than the international models (b) only have Japanese-language-only firmware. I don't know how universally true it was/is, but I would make sure you can change the language before parting with money.
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# ? Jan 8, 2024 13:46 |
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# ? May 16, 2024 17:26 |
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Pablo Bluth posted:I heard once that in Japan for camera bodies there are domestic only models that (a) are sold cheaper than the international models (b) only have Japanese-language-only firmware. I don't know how universally true it was/is, but I would make sure you can change the language before parting with money. Every camera I’ve bought in Japan has had at least English and Japanese. That might have been true at one time but I’ve been here since 2011. mobby_6kl posted:Are there any deals to be had on camera gear in Japan? Used, refurb, sales, anything goes. My last big purchase was the 70-200 F/4 in Hong Kong which I think was a Japanese grey import and was like half price compared to European prices. I'll be in Japan around April so I might try to use this as an opportunity/excuse to upgrade from my m50 setup. The best deal you’re going to have is the exchange rate there are different places that range from incredibly slick national camera chains that sell new and used gear (Camera Kitamura), large shops that have good selection, and all the tiny hole-in-the-wall places listed on Japan Camera Hunter’s website. Chains that have other stuff like Book-Off and Hard-Off also have camera gear as well. But seriously, when my family visited last year, I think one person saved almost 20% getting an X-T30 used at a Kitamura location versus buying it in the States, and another about 33% versus buying a Fujifilm X lens where they live in Europe. And the exchange rate is still like 140 JPY / $1 USD, which is nuts.
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# ? Jan 8, 2024 14:25 |
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jarlywarly posted:Depends on what your expectations are re warranty. None, if the discount is high enough Imo the chances of a new or lightly used camera just randomly failing (and not me breaking it) within the warranty period is pretty low so I'm generally happy to take that bet. harperdc posted:Every camera I’ve bought in Japan has had at least English and Japanese. That might have been true at one time but I’ve been here since 2011. Pablo Bluth posted:I heard once that in Japan for camera bodies there are domestic only models that (a) are sold cheaper than the international models (b) only have Japanese-language-only firmware. I don't know how universally true it was/is, but I would make sure you can change the language before parting with money.
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# ? Jan 8, 2024 14:50 |
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mobby_6kl posted:I think it'd be pretty weird if Canon just had a secret, better, Japanese only model, but good point about the language - better to make sure. Though I suppose it won't be that hard to get used to it anyway.
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# ? Jan 8, 2024 14:54 |
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Makes sense lol Anyway I checked a few prices and it's not looking so hot for now That's like $1650 for body only compared to $1k in HK grey import or even whatever it's on Amazon Still I'll keep looking for some dealzzz
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# ? Jan 8, 2024 18:21 |
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237,000 JPY appears to be MSRP, a few other shops I checked have new bodies at that price, and used is only from 200,000 or so. Amazon has new stock going for 300,000 or higher. The R8 must be either low stock, high demand, or both. So, uh, maybe adjust the target?
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# ? Jan 9, 2024 12:16 |
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I really like Kitamura for checking the ballpark on used stuff. 13 used R8s bodies in their system starting at 202K~ vs 237K~ new, so not great. All the new stuff appears to be priced internationally though, so it's not like the "domestic" market is any cheaper to begin with.
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# ? Jan 9, 2024 13:11 |
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Does anyone know offhand what this tripod head is?
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# ? Jan 9, 2024 16:00 |
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Beve Stuscemi posted:Does anyone know offhand what this tripod head is? Arca-Swiss C1 Cube Google Lens is really powerful. I'm not being snooty or lovely. Right-click google image search in chrome answered your question really really quick.
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# ? Jan 9, 2024 16:08 |
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I literally never remember that google lens exists. Thank you though E: Never loving mind, its $1500 lmao Double edit: In an attempt to git gud at google lens, I installed this add-on for firefox since it doesnt have anything like that out of the box https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/search_by_image/ Beve Stuscemi fucked around with this message at 16:31 on Jan 9, 2024 |
# ? Jan 9, 2024 16:11 |
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That tripod head is my dream but yeah the price is a huge shock. But everyone that has one loves the poo poo out of it.
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# ? Jan 9, 2024 16:50 |
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harperdc posted:237,000 JPY appears to be MSRP, a few other shops I checked have new bodies at that price, and used is only from 200,000 or so. RillAkBea posted:I really like Kitamura for checking the ballpark on used stuff.
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# ? Jan 9, 2024 16:53 |
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xzzy posted:That tripod head is my dream but yeah the price is a huge shock. What is it you like about the C1? I see people raving about it but I don’t know what makes it so amazeballs you’d want to sell a child and carry around a 2,5 lbs tripod head.
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# ? Jan 9, 2024 17:31 |
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Clayton Bigsby posted:What is it you like about the C1? I see people raving about it but I don’t know what makes it so amazeballs you’d want to sell a child and carry around a 2,5 lbs tripod head. I love geared heads and all the affordable ones are kinda garbage. The C1 is allegedly immune to drift or sagging. I currently use a sunwayfoto gh-pro 2 and it's done well for me but is prone to dropping slightly when I release the knob.
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# ? Jan 9, 2024 17:36 |
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xzzy posted:I love geared heads and all the affordable ones are kinda garbage. The C1 is allegedly immune to drift or sagging. I have a Manfrotto 410 and can’t say that I notice any issues.
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# ? Jan 9, 2024 18:09 |
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Dear photographers, I'm traveling to Japan this spring! I love doing photography. I especially like travel photography because they're nice souvenirs. Even tourist photography isn't quiet artistic, it's nice to constantly be stimulated by new and interesting things to look at and remember, and there are many subjects. I'm looking for travel advice for photography and warnings on blind spots in my equipment or shopping list! Anyways, taking stock of my inventory of camera equipment. Inventory
Needs
Shopping list/Advice needed
Thanks, sorry if this seems like a lot! I'm thinking out loud so that I can do my own travel planning! Toalpaz fucked around with this message at 19:53 on Jan 9, 2024 |
# ? Jan 9, 2024 19:49 |
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just have a good time
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# ? Jan 9, 2024 21:19 |
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Yeah, Japan is photography on easy mode and you won't need to worry about street photography laws or whatever. When I go I take a 28 and a 50, keep both on you as Japan has a lot of cramped efficient spaces you'll most likely want to break out a wide for.
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# ? Jan 9, 2024 21:25 |
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Be like this dude and bring 48 hand pressed autochrome plates and a 4x5 camera https://www.instagram.com/p/C0FxgGauKAU/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
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# ? Jan 9, 2024 22:38 |
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As for the rain gear, spring tends to be pretty dry. I brought a couple disposable camera bag things and never used them, I think I got three light drizzles in two months. It's nice to have one but I wouldn't pack like it's monsoon season. If you find yourself in a desperate need you can pop into a Yodobashi or something and grab them.
Grand Fromage fucked around with this message at 22:44 on Jan 9, 2024 |
# ? Jan 9, 2024 22:38 |
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Thanks for the advice. List making and planning is a bit fun for me.
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# ? Jan 9, 2024 23:01 |
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mobby_6kl posted:Yeah that's the "normal" price but it'd make the whole exercise pointless if even the exchange rate doesn't help beat amazon: Is that Amazon-Amazon or a private seller? Like I said, Amazon JP has people listing used bodies for up to 33% above that MSRP, so there’s clearly something weird or hard to find about the R8 in Japan right now.
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# ? Jan 10, 2024 02:14 |
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Beve Stuscemi posted:I literally never remember that google lens exists. Thank you though I got my used D4 at keh for "only" ~$800. Not too much money for an end-game head when compared to the convenience it offers and the gear it holds. Edit: Camera Gear v8 - Good head will set you back ~$1k.
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# ? Jan 10, 2024 02:28 |
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You can find pretty incredible used deals nowadays.
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# ? Jan 10, 2024 10:50 |
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i recently upgraded form a 15 yo D3100 to a Z f with the 40mm f/2 SE. currently i'm doing lots of night photography around in my city, and i'm looking for a slightly wider lens to complement the 40mm as i start building up a decent set of lenses, eventually for travel usage on holidays in a few months time. i'm kinda stuck between the Z 26mm f/2.8 and the Z 28mm f/2.8; they're both small/light/sneaky/portable and fairly cheap. from reviews they seem pretty similar in terms of image quality, at least, neither are particularly poo poo, there doesn't seem like a huge difference. and the two focal lengths are pretty similar too, in terms of FOV it shouldn't be a huge difference either? so i'm quite torn of which to get. in terms of other alternatives: the 20mm or 24mm f/1.8 primes are also interesting (bigger max aperture) but a lot bigger/conspicuous and more expensive which is possibly less fun for wandering around night, and the 14-24mm f/2.8 or 14-30mm f/4 S zooms also seem interesting because of the wider view but again more conspicuous etc. i'm also blessed/cursed with having lots of money to drop on expensive lenses if i wanted to, and trying to avoid the trap of spending a small car's worth of money on lenses before i'm really ready for it. Mr SuperAwesome fucked around with this message at 12:54 on Jan 10, 2024 |
# ? Jan 10, 2024 12:51 |
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harperdc posted:Is that Amazon-Amazon or a private seller? Some camera store fulfilled by Amazon? Anyway I just saw that Germany has two discounts/cashbacks going on for a total 400EUR off lol. Only until Jan 15th though... Just need to find a non-resident to help commit some light VAT fraud and it'd be perfect...
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# ? Jan 12, 2024 20:21 |
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Is there a better online store for buying old/secondhand camera gear than ebay? I'm thinking of getting a view camera this year and every time I type a search into ebay I feel like I'm about to get scammed.
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# ? Jan 12, 2024 20:30 |
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keh/mpb/calumet. keh especially, at least last i looked, had large format stuff. someone posted some random camera shop in indiana or something a while back that look legit too ebay has few protections for both seller and buyer these days. i wouldn't gently caress with it.
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# ? Jan 12, 2024 20:34 |
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Also do not be worried about KEH "Ugly" or "Bargain" condition. Even the one thing I've bought that was specifically marked as damaged (bent filter thread ring on a lens), they took the time to cut out the bent section, and file down the edges from where they cut, so you could still use the filter ring just fine, and it wasn't sharp or awkward looking at all. Many other things Ive gotten in "Ugly" shape look like they've been barely touched and I have no idea why its graded that way.
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# ? Jan 12, 2024 21:03 |
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JAY ZERO SUM GAME posted:keh/mpb/calumet. keh especially, at least last i looked, had large format stuff. https://usedphotopro.com is great too. Adorama has a great used section also: https://www.adorama.com/Used For large format, you might try Blue Moon camera, although they're priced pretty high generally: https://bluemooncamera.com Vermont Center for Photography's PhotoThrift store also lists a lot of great used gear at what I would call below market prices. If you're not local check their instagram: https://www.instagram.com/photothriftvcp/?hl=en
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# ? Jan 12, 2024 21:03 |
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xzzy posted:Is there a better online store for buying old/secondhand camera gear than ebay? I'm thinking of getting a view camera this year and every time I type a search into ebay I feel like I'm about to get scammed. Keh has always been fantastic for me. ' toadee posted:Also do not be worried about KEH "Ugly" or "Bargain" condition. Even the one thing I've bought that was specifically marked as damaged (bent filter thread ring on a lens), they took the time to cut out the bent section, and file down the edges from where they cut, so you could still use the filter ring just fine, and it wasn't sharp or awkward looking at all. Many other things Ive gotten in "Ugly" shape look like they've been barely touched and I have no idea why its graded that way. this is a big part of why.
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# ? Jan 13, 2024 02:55 |
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That is a ton of links to dig through! I did peruse the big four (mbp, keh, b&h, adorama) but their inventory on large format lenses seems pretty limited. Or their search just wasn't turning up what I wanted. In that link dump I already see some lenses I've got my eye on that I couldn't find on my own so that's a plus. Not buying yet, in the research phase. But maybe by this summer I'll have some cool old stuff.
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# ? Jan 13, 2024 03:26 |
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xzzy posted:That is a ton of links to dig through! I did peruse the big four (mbp, keh, b&h, adorama) but their inventory on large format lenses seems pretty limited. Or their search just wasn't turning up what I wanted. I am a newbie in LF, but my starting point for LF gear is typically catlabs.
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# ? Jan 13, 2024 03:43 |
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theHUNGERian posted:Brace yourself. https://competitive-cameras.shoplightspeed.com/ Here's another! I've done a bunch of business with these guys over the last few years. Pretty sizeable used collection. They have a brick and mortar storefront in Dallas. One time a shipment got delayed a week or so because they couldn't source some filters or something as quickly as they expected, so they comped them and upgraded a memory card I had ordered to a larger size for free. Edit: But I don't guess they stock a lot of older/esoteric stuff.
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# ? Jan 13, 2024 04:16 |
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litany of gulps posted:https://competitive-cameras.shoplightspeed.com/ This store is great. I go in there all the time
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# ? Jan 13, 2024 04:40 |
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If your camera has a focal plane shutter: https://www.wetplatedreams.com/, although perhaps some of these can be fitted with an in-lens shutter.
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# ? Jan 13, 2024 04:55 |
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theHUNGERian posted:I am a newbie in LF, but my starting point for LF gear is typically catlabs. Catlabs x80 4x5 is my favorite film at the moment, but Catlabs prices on 4x5 gear are very high. They aren't like, shady. You will get good working order gear, but, they are pricier than others.
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# ? Jan 13, 2024 15:55 |
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toadee posted:Catlabs x80 4x5 is my favorite film at the moment, but Catlabs prices on 4x5 gear are very high. They aren't like, shady. You will get good working order gear, but, they are pricier than others. Yeah, they are certainly not cheap. But the owner runs a brick and mortar store and he has to make a profit in order to stay in business. I also found him to be very responsive and patient in after-purchase support.
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# ? Jan 13, 2024 16:04 |
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# ? May 16, 2024 17:26 |
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theHUNGERian posted:Yeah, they are certainly not cheap. But the owner runs a brick and mortar store and he has to make a profit in order to stay in business. I also found him to be very responsive and patient in after-purchase support. Oh I know, I live right by them, but, certainly for people looking for a deal it's not really It, at least on the used camera gear. Definitely buy tons of their sheet film though, it's incredible for the price.
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# ? Jan 13, 2024 19:44 |