Buying from Japan
Feb 27, 2019 00:00:39 #
Never done this before but just had a very good experience buying a 24-85mm AF non VR lens from Japan. This is an older lens, but wanted a made in Japan plastic version and be a clean one. Found one on EBay from "Five Star Camera". They say they clean all they sale. What I got was a perfectly clean as new lens for $149.00. Ship to MI in 5 days.. 
I looked at several shops in Japan but found this one most satisfactory.
I looked at several shops in Japan but found this one most satisfactory.Feb 27, 2019 02:09:04 #
mas24
Loc: Southern CA
geodowns wrote:
Never done this before but just had a very good ex... (show quote)
The Angry Photographer said exactly that about buying used lenses from Japan. The majority of Japanese, are very good caretakers. KEH, is another place to get good, clean, used lenses. The prices may be a little higher than eBay. But, a very good alternative. Glad you are satisfied with your lens. The price was certainly right. You don't need VR on a 24-85mm lens.
Feb 27, 2019 03:43:16 #
geodowns wrote:
Have had same excellent experiences on lenses from Japan. The key is reading the description and making sure no statements like"Slight Fungus"Never done this before but just had a very good ex... (show quote)
Feb 27, 2019 09:19:57 #
mas24 wrote:
The Angry Photographer said exactly that about buying used lenses from Japan. The majority of Japanese, are very good caretakers. KEH, is another place to get good, clean, used lenses. The prices may be a little higher than eBay. But, a very good alternative. Glad you are satisfied with your lens. The price was certainly right. You don't need VR on a 24-85mm lens.
On their Web site they have some beautiful metal large f/2.8 telephoto zoom lens of verious focal range size that I need to research, so that's exciting.
Feb 27, 2019 09:45:24 #
I have the same lens. I paid $315 for it new in 2002. It does have significant distortion which I can't correct when I shot film. With digital it's OK.
Feb 27, 2019 11:12:03 #
BebuLamar wrote:
I have the same lens. I paid $315 for it new in 2002. It does have significant distortion which I can't correct when I shot film. With digital it's OK.
I'm using my 24-85mm on a D300 DX camera. I like the results of 36- 127mm in DX mode so far, because of that I don't have any problem with distortion or anything else.
Feb 27, 2019 11:20:05 #
geodowns wrote:
I'm using my 24-85mm on a D300 DX camera. I like the results of 36- 127mm in DX mode so far, because of that I don't have any problem with distortion or anything else.
I never bought a DX camera for real. I bought a D70s for $30 and got a free D1x and when I use the lens the 36mm equivalent isn't wide enough for me.
Feb 27, 2019 11:21:54 #
Now I see a lot of used and good condition gear from Japan on Ebay I wonder how well I could do buying them in Japan. I will visit Japan in April.
Feb 27, 2019 12:59:27 #
BebuLamar wrote:
Now I see a lot of used and good condition gear from Japan on Ebay I wonder how well I could do buying them in Japan. I will visit Japan in April.
If I need to I can buy a 28mm DX lens for wide shots. On going to Japan, I'm sure you will be overwhelmed by how many camera shops you will find. I was in Hong Kong in 1969, a long time ago, much younger. They told us about the authorized Nikon dealers that were recommended, but I found myself exploring around and found a very nice little shop. That's where I bought my Nikon FTn and all the lens I needed. It served me well for 50 years until I painfully moved over to Digital. On the shop I got my lens on EBay, I looked at a lot of them, but this one specialized in used cameras, lens etc with a lot of very good sharp photos. They even had white cloves while holding a lens, and they said they clean everything. I was impressed enough and got the lens, its like new. I don't know where its located in Japan (Five Star Camera), can be brought up on the web. I'm impressed by the way everything was presented and they sure have a lot of nice metal tele lens. Good luck with your adventure, can't wait to see the photos and to hear your side of the story.
Feb 27, 2019 15:58:15 #
mas24
Loc: Southern CA
geodowns wrote:
If I need to I can buy a 28mm DX lens for wide sho... (show quote)
Hong Kong in 1969? I heard stories from servicemen, who went there for R&R, during the Vietnam War, and many came back, or had sent home, goodies such as cameras, lenses and clothing, etc. My mom and dad went there in the late 1980s, and he took his Minolta SRT-101 camera. He only had a standard 50mm lens on it. He never bought any other lens for it. Like you, he finally went digital. The British were in charge of Hong Kong back in 1969. China controls it now, since 1997. Hong Kong gets tourists, from those who can afford it, from Mainland China. That was not allowed in 1969. And, a woman is the Governor of Hong Kong today. And she is firm in her governorship.
Feb 27, 2019 21:45:18 #
mas24 wrote:
Hong Kong in 1969? I heard stories from servicemen... (show quote)
Yes.... it was R&R from Vietnam, I was stationed in Vietnam at Phu Cat Air Force Base in 69/70. Took a ton of pictures in Hong Kong. Explore everywhere including where I was not suppose to go on the Chinese border and other places. Loved Hong Kong the British version.
Feb 28, 2019 06:13:28 #
I have purchased several cameras and lenses from various stores in Japan. Been extremely pleased with every purchase. I highly recommend them. Be aware that with standard shipping , it usually takes 7 to 14 days before the merchandise arrives. But as with KEH and Roberts, it is generally better quality than described.
Feb 28, 2019 06:17:38 #
I have found that Japanese vendors (camera stores) on eBay tend to be reliable, honest and very professional. I have purchased several medium format cameras (Bronica GS-1) with accessories (speed light, 120 backs, variety of lenses, Sekonic light meter, filters, shutter release, etc) all from Japan. All are in near mint condition, as described by the sellers. Delivery time can take a week to a month, depending of vendor and shipping method. It appears that pre-owned Japanese optical gear has been meticulously and lovingly used by their original owners.
I have had consistently BAD experiences dealing with Chinese vendors. I will NOT use one again.
I have had consistently BAD experiences dealing with Chinese vendors. I will NOT use one again.
Feb 28, 2019 06:26:24 #
billnikon
Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
geodowns wrote:
Never done this before but just had a very good ex... (show quote)
Never had a problem buying from Japan. However, for Nikon anyway, you must be careful because usually those products cannot be serviced by Nikon USA.
If that is not a problem for you, then go for it. I have received very good products from Japan and have never paid any customs fees.
Feb 28, 2019 06:29:35 #
geodowns wrote:
Never done this before but just had a very good ex... (show quote)
I bought a used lens from Japan through eBay, and the transaction worked fine. You can do well or not-so-well buying online from anywhere.
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