Used Film Gear Shops in Tokyo?
p.1 #1Used Film Gear Shops in Tokyo?
I'm in Tokyo now, and I've been looking at used 35mm film gear at several shops in Shinjuku and Shibuya. So far I'm a bit disappointed. Most lenses/cameras I've come across are in rough shspe and are priced at double the asking price in the US. All those shops that advertise "curated selection" are just overpriced display pieces with limited selections. I'm thing that maybe its because I'm in a tourist area.
Any recommendations on decent shops where I can find deals on used lenses? I'm looking for Canon FD, Pentax SMC K mount, Minolta MD, and Konica AE/AR.
Any recommendations on decent shops where I can find deals on used lenses? I'm looking for Canon FD, Pentax SMC K mount, Minolta MD, and Konica AE/AR.
Aug 06, 2026 at 03:04 AM
p.1 #2Used Film Gear Shops in Tokyo?
Tokyo actually isn't great for deals. It's great for seeing/touching rare stuff, but prices on FM tend to be a lot better. You CAN find gems in the junk camera stores, but it takes a lot of sifting (and potentially knowledge re: how to fix stuff).
Aug 06, 2026 at 09:18 AM
p.1 #3Used Film Gear Shops in Tokyo?
Also really carefully check for fungus.
Aug 06, 2026 at 02:52 PM
p.1 #4Used Film Gear Shops in Tokyo?
This is three years old now but might be helpful: https://phillipreeve.net/blog/used-lens-and-camera-shopping-guide-for-japan/
Aug 06, 2026 at 02:56 PM
p.1 #5Used Film Gear Shops in Tokyo?
I did the JCH camera store tour for a Wirecutter article this winter: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/tokyo-used-camera-shopping-tips/
Also stopped off at a Kitamura Camera with a junk floor.
Both cool experiences, but I didn't buy anything at either, aside from a MR-9 voltage converter.
Also stopped off at a Kitamura Camera with a junk floor.
Both cool experiences, but I didn't buy anything at either, aside from a MR-9 voltage converter.
Aug 06, 2026 at 04:12 PM
p.1 #6Used Film Gear Shops in Tokyo?
deadwolfbones wrote:
I did the JCH camera store tour for a Wirecutter article this winter: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/tokyo-used-camera-shopping-tips/
Also stopped off at a Kitamura Camera with a junk floor.
Both cool experiences, but I didn't buy anything at either, aside from a MR-9 voltage converter.
Nice article Ben. Can't image what was going through your head holding the same camera used on lunar missions. Very cool.
Greg
I did the JCH camera store tour for a Wirecutter article this winter: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/tokyo-used-camera-shopping-tips/
Also stopped off at a Kitamura Camera with a junk floor.
Both cool experiences, but I didn't buy anything at either, aside from a MR-9 voltage converter.
Nice article Ben. Can't image what was going through your head holding the same camera used on lunar missions. Very cool.
Greg
Aug 06, 2026 at 06:52 PM
p.1 #7Used Film Gear Shops in Tokyo?
Tokyo is not really the best place for camera deals. Smaller independent shops in the suburbs can be a good place as its where I would pick up a lot of neat old expired film and my first Nikon things but these places are very out of the way and you need to be able to speak japanese really
Aug 07, 2026 at 07:56 AM
p.1 #8Used Film Gear Shops in Tokyo?
The only deals in Japan that I saw in January 2026 were on NEW made in Japan products. New digital cameras from Fuji, Sony, Nikon etc are considerably cheaper there. Many of these have Japanese menus but you can DIY flash the software to the English version. A friend of mine got a brand new Ricoh GRIV Mono there for like $1600 after conversion and tax refund, and the store employee switched him to English for free.
I personally got Voigtlander's 35mm f2 Ultron and 50mm f1.5 Nokton for around $450 apiece after conversion and tax refund. Brand new in the packaging, taken out of their boxes in front of me with white glove service for my inspection.
For anything else you're gonna be going through bargain bins and hunting for a while. It's why someone like Japan Camera Hunter even exists. He lives there and can go through store after store, week after week, to find something someone wants.
I personally got Voigtlander's 35mm f2 Ultron and 50mm f1.5 Nokton for around $450 apiece after conversion and tax refund. Brand new in the packaging, taken out of their boxes in front of me with white glove service for my inspection.
For anything else you're gonna be going through bargain bins and hunting for a while. It's why someone like Japan Camera Hunter even exists. He lives there and can go through store after store, week after week, to find something someone wants.
Aug 07, 2026 at 04:25 PM
p.1 #9Used Film Gear Shops in Tokyo?
icarus_ wrote:
The only deals in Japan that I saw in January 2026 were on NEW made in Japan products. New digital cameras from Fuji, Sony, Nikon etc are considerably cheaper there. Many of these have Japanese menus but you can DIY flash the software to the English version. A friend of mine got a brand new Ricoh GRIV Mono there for like $1600 after conversion and tax refund, and the store employee switched him to English for free.
I personally got Voigtlander's 35mm f2 Ultron and 50mm f1.5 Nokton for around $450 apiece after conversion and tax refund. Brand new in the...Show more →
Japan Camera Hunter is a great way to buy a camera at often multiple times the going rate.
Holy ish - check this out! This is the same camera I used for our FM One shot project where this camera was shipped all over the world.
https://www.japancamerahunter.com/product/ricoh-ff-1/
He wants $620 for it and it has coating damage! You can get a good one for under $100.
The only deals in Japan that I saw in January 2026 were on NEW made in Japan products. New digital cameras from Fuji, Sony, Nikon etc are considerably cheaper there. Many of these have Japanese menus but you can DIY flash the software to the English version. A friend of mine got a brand new Ricoh GRIV Mono there for like $1600 after conversion and tax refund, and the store employee switched him to English for free.
I personally got Voigtlander's 35mm f2 Ultron and 50mm f1.5 Nokton for around $450 apiece after conversion and tax refund. Brand new in the...Show more →
Japan Camera Hunter is a great way to buy a camera at often multiple times the going rate.
Holy ish - check this out! This is the same camera I used for our FM One shot project where this camera was shipped all over the world.
https://www.japancamerahunter.com/product/ricoh-ff-1/
He wants $620 for it and it has coating damage! You can get a good one for under $100.
Aug 07, 2026 at 06:13 PM
p.1 #10Used Film Gear Shops in Tokyo?
Desmolicious wrote:
I personally got Voigtlander's 35mm f2 Ultron and 50mm f1.5 Nokton for around $450 apiece after conversion and tax refund. Brand new in the packaging, taken out of their boxes in front of me with white glove service for my inspection.
For anything else you're gonna be going through bargain bins and hunting for a while. It's why someone like Japan Camera Hunter even exists. He lives there and can go through store after store, week after week, to find something someone wants.Japan Camera Hunter is a great way to buy a camera at often multiple times the going rate.
Holy ish - check this out! This is the same camera I used for our FM One shot project where this camera was shipped all over the world.
https://www.japancamerahunter.com/product/ricoh-ff-1/
He wants $620 for it and it has coating damage! You can get a good one for under $100.
He definitely overcharges but for those particularly rare unicorn items he’s got the benefit of boots on the ground as they say. I know which of us would have better luck finding a Nikon F2 Titan “no name” within a day or two, for example. That said, there are so many cameras available on eBay through Japanese sellers too.
icarus_ wrote
The only deals in Japan that I saw in January 2026 were on NEW made in Japan products. New digital cameras from Fuji, Sony, Nikon etc are considerably cheaper there. Many of these have Japanese menus but you can DIY flash the software to the English version. A friend of mine got a brand new Ricoh GRIV Mono there for like $1600 after conversion and tax refund, and the store employee switched him to English for free.I personally got Voigtlander's 35mm f2 Ultron and 50mm f1.5 Nokton for around $450 apiece after conversion and tax refund. Brand new in the packaging, taken out of their boxes in front of me with white glove service for my inspection.
For anything else you're gonna be going through bargain bins and hunting for a while. It's why someone like Japan Camera Hunter even exists. He lives there and can go through store after store, week after week, to find something someone wants.
Holy ish - check this out! This is the same camera I used for our FM One shot project where this camera was shipped all over the world.
https://www.japancamerahunter.com/product/ricoh-ff-1/
He wants $620 for it and it has coating damage! You can get a good one for under $100.
He definitely overcharges but for those particularly rare unicorn items he’s got the benefit of boots on the ground as they say. I know which of us would have better luck finding a Nikon F2 Titan “no name” within a day or two, for example. That said, there are so many cameras available on eBay through Japanese sellers too.
Aug 08, 2026 at 05:49 AM
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p.1 #11Used Film Gear Shops in Tokyo?
Yeah, he provides a service for people who (unlike us) are not willing to wait for the right item to pop up on FM or Reddit or whatever.
Aug 08, 2026 at 02:26 PM
p.1 #12Used Film Gear Shops in Tokyo?
While I'm a little bit disappointed that I couldn't find any decent, affordable used film gear in Tokyo, at least I was able to walk in to one of the many Yodobashi Camera stores and purchased a couple of Kanto MR-9 voltage regulated adapters for use on some of my older camera bodies. Yes, I could've ordered them online, but since I was already in Tokyo I thought it would be worth the walk.
http://flic.kr/p/2suabbt
http://flic.kr/p/2suabbt
Aug 09, 2026 at 05:30 AM
p.1 #13Used Film Gear Shops in Tokyo?
Update:
I was finally able to find a decently priced camera and a couple of lenses at Five Star Camera in Shinjuku. Staff was super nice and they had a small but decent inventory of used gear. I picked up a Canon AE-1 (no shutter squeek) with an FD 50mm f1.8, FD 24mm f2.8, and FD 28mm f2.8. All were in good condition at a reasonable price.
http://flic.kr/p/2svVfvP
I was finally able to find a decently priced camera and a couple of lenses at Five Star Camera in Shinjuku. Staff was super nice and they had a small but decent inventory of used gear. I picked up a Canon AE-1 (no shutter squeek) with an FD 50mm f1.8, FD 24mm f2.8, and FD 28mm f2.8. All were in good condition at a reasonable price.
http://flic.kr/p/2svVfvP
Aug 18, 2026 at 09:23 PM
p.1 #14Used Film Gear Shops in Tokyo?
Just to add, I went to many used camera stores in Tokyo as well (two weeks ago). I got hasselblad a16 back from also Five Star Camera in Shinjuku. But generally I feel prices are not as competitive and conditions usually not up to many sellers on FM.
Aug 19, 2026 at 11:57 AM
p.1 #15Used Film Gear Shops in Tokyo?
seebeyond wrote:
Just to add, I went to many used camera stores in Tokyo as well (two weeks ago). I got hasselblad a16 back from also Five Star Camera in Shinjuku. But generally I feel prices are not as competitive and conditions usually not up to many sellers on FM.
I agree with you 100%. However, compared to the other stores in Tokyo, Five Star Camera was the best overall. I definitely agree that I can find used equipment in similar or better condition at the same or lower price here in the US, but locally in Tokyo Five Star Camera was the better option over there.
Aug 19, 2026 at 12:02 PM
p.1 #16Used Film Gear Shops in Tokyo?
You still had fun and happened to get a cool souvenir that you will actually use!
Aug 19, 2026 at 01:58 PM
p.1 #17Used Film Gear Shops in Tokyo?
Desmolicious wrote:
You still had fun and happened to get a cool souvenir that you will actually use!
True! I forgot to mention this other camera I got for only ¥500:
http://flic.kr/p/2sw1UA2
😀
Aug 19, 2026 at 02:04 PM
p.1 #18Used Film Gear Shops in Tokyo?
snegron7 wrote:
True! I forgot to mention this other camera I got for only ¥500:
http://flic.kr/p/2sw1UA2
😀
The OG!!!
I had one in the past...
Desmolicious wrote
You still had fun and happened to get a cool souvenir that you will actually use!http://flic.kr/p/2sw1UA2
😀
The OG!!!
I had one in the past...
Aug 19, 2026 at 02:05 PM
p.1 #19Used Film Gear Shops in Tokyo?
I purchased a Leica APO-Summicron-M 75mm f/2 ASPH. Lens at Map camera at a fair price in July of 2025. The real advantage here was that they had many copies of this lens and a knowledgeable staff. I traded my Zeiss ZEISS C Biogon T* 21mm f/4.5 ZM Lens (Black) which was in like new condition and they paid me a fair price. Again, evaluated in a special department that only evaluated gear and the woman that handled the transaction was quite professional. In terms of used gear, I suspect that you will find better deals in larger cities outside of Tokyo, but I only looked at gear in Tokyo and Himeji.
I did notice that new Hasselblad bodies and lenses were a good bit less in Map camera vs B&H. I’ll be visiting the Leica Store in Busan Haeundae next month. I doubt that there will be much of a price advantage, but last time there the store was closed.
I did notice that new Hasselblad bodies and lenses were a good bit less in Map camera vs B&H. I’ll be visiting the Leica Store in Busan Haeundae next month. I doubt that there will be much of a price advantage, but last time there the store was closed.
Aug 19, 2026 at 02:20 PM
p.1 #20Used Film Gear Shops in Tokyo?
I stopped by few shops while in Tokyo and feel in general cameras in good shape are pricier or at least at same price as in US. Especially for more popular stores, you can get something at fair price but finding a insane deal is quite hard.
Aug 20, 2026 at 09:32 PM