Buying a camera in Japan

[the foto fanatic]

Does anyone have any experience with buying photographic gear in Japan? Maybe Ozi -you seem to have bought photo gear everywhere?

I was just wondering about likely prices relative to here.

[aim54x]

Sorry...can't offer you any advice, but HK is good at times.

[Mr Darcy]

I can't speak for recent times, but it used to be about the most expensive place to buy cameras & was advised against by all the travel junkies. I know when I was last there in 1996 cameras were dearer there (Akihabara) than in Oz.

[surenj]

I got my camera gray and it was a Japanese model(box etc). It was about $500 cheaper that retail. Perhaps if you have anyone who speaks the language and has some contacts then it could be a done deal.

[ozimax]

Does anyone have any experience with buying photographic gear in Japan? Maybe Ozi -you seem to have bought photo gear everywhere?

I was just wondering about likely prices relative to here.

G'day Trevor: I haven't been in Nippon for a number of years but from my experience there, it is most probably dearer than Oz, although the range of electronics is staggering.

I am typing this from the 20th floor of the Sofitel Silom, in Thailand, and again, I can't see any value in purchasing here either. Ditto Hong Kong. Your best bet is to buy local or import from the USA. I was offered a tremendous deal in Rome a few weeks ago, that of a brand new Leica M9P for less than $6000 AUD, but I don't want, and cannot afford, same.

As an aside, I have squillions of photos I would like to post on DSLRusers too from this current trip, but I just don't have the time at present. Every spare moment is taken up with sleeping!

Take care,

Ozi