Used Lenses in Kyoto and Osaka

[stephengv]

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I'm currently in Kyoto and Osaka. Anyone know where I can purchased used good quality Leica lenses in Kyoto and/or Osaka? Thank you. 

[SMAL]

Google says, there is a Leica Store in Kyoto.

[farnz]

5 hours ago, SMAL said:

Google says, there is a Leica Store in Kyoto.

I visited it about 3 years ago when the forum's Asia One Challenge was in Kyoto and it was very pleasant, the staff were very courteous, and they very kindly arranged a photoshoot of a Geiko and Maiko (Geisha and apprentice) in the store's on-site studio.  It's in the Gion district (the old town) and it has a small gallery but I don't remember it dealt in used lenses then.

Pete.

[dsetiono01]

Tokiwa Camera in Osaka

 

[stephengv]

8 hours ago, dsetiono01 said:

Tokiwa Camera in Osaka

 

Thank you!

[keriso]

I have just visited all the three cities in Osaka, Kobe and Kyoto

Let’s start with the Kyoto official Leica shop in Gion - beautiful shop - in a old Japanese building. As others has mentioned upper floor is a gallery for any exhibition of that period. Lower floor is the Leica shop - no difference from the one you can see in London - unless you want to buy a Leica - there is really nothing much to see - there are M3 displayed but it’s the usual Leica shop.

In Kobe - nothing much - the second hand shop has some second hand Leica but nothing extraordinary. 

Tokiwa as Eric Kim YouTube video has shown has some old cameras and the folks are nice and helpful though limited in English. they do have some old film cameras there plus some new ones. None of the used digital camera from the established brand was interesting - more on Nikons and Canons with some Fuji and Olympus and Sony - nothing strike me as interesting there. 

Camera Kitamura in Namba City basement floor 1 - nothing special some very little Leica shown - small section of used camera and lens - but this is more a multi shop for photo printing, Apple phone repair centre etc

The real interesting shop in Osaka is Camera-Naniwa - right near to Daimaru in Shinsaibashisuji area - now the upper floor beside a photo studio has a wide range of Leica old and new cameras. They do have quite a range of the old lens too - not as large as those in Hong Kong Champange court but close enough - well laid out and organised. Price on the high side. Camera Naniwa has quite a range for film Leica and the older lens too - 

Downstairs is the shop for the “other” brands -  again not as extensive as some places like Hong Kong - or Tokyo but this is about all for these three cities

I hope i help to add some updated information for all.

 

 

[newnew]

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I am just back from Japan (Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto). What I have observed is that in the stores the used leica material is expensive and no real advantage to purchase versus Europe (not a usual practice to bargain especially with limited language practice from both sides); with the additional disadvantage that once you leave the country there is no guarantee for service or so.

The japanese material looks very affordable and I am sure this is where the real bargains are.

This said , Japan is a photography country and there is plenty for great shots. People are very friendly towards photographers too.

Edited April 12, 2019 by newnew

[dugby]

I understand the OP's question was for Kyoto and Osaka.

However I have visited over multiple years,  MAP Camera shop at Shinjuku train station In Tokyo, which has hundreds of used Leica cameras and lenses for sale.

 

The website below currently lists  2,347 Leica items for sale

https://www.mapcamera.com/

[farnz]

2 hours ago, dugby said:

I understand the OP's question was for Kyoto and Osaka.

However I have visited over multiple years,  MAP Camera shop at Shinjuku train station In Tokyo, which has hundreds of used Leica cameras and lenses for sale.

And of course Shinjuku is handily placed very near to Kabukicho 'entertainment' district for testing a new camera on interesting subjects.😇

Pete.

[AndreasG]

Am 13.4.2019 um 05:38 schrieb farnz:

And of course Shinjuku is handily placed very near to Kabukicho 'entertainment' district for testing a new camera on interesting subjects.😇

 

OT: Pete, you are right, Kabukicho is a paradise for night photos - colorful and bizarre, a fast lens is recommendable (I took a Summilux 1,4/35)

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[Paulus]

I'll remember being in Tokio years ago, there was a store about four stories high. On the top floor they had a very large collection of rare M cameras. It was a wonderful site. I don't know if this store still exists. 

[AndreasG]

I think this was the former Matsuzakaya Department Store at Ginza, where once or twice a year they held a special camera exhibition/sales on the top floor. I got there my M Tele-Elmarit 2,8/90 second hand at a reasonable price many years ago.