Buying equipment in Japan

Nifkin

Nifkin

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Evening,

I've a friend who's going over to Japan for three weeks next week, and he asked me if there was any camera equipment I wanted that he could pick up for me whilst over there. Now, I know that there are plenty of HK-based equipment retailers on the net, but I haven't seen any Japan-based, so I was wondering if anybody knows what the prices are like over there for Canon stuff compared to here???
 
I've spend several months living in Japan.

With the very weak pound, you won't find any bargains.

Have a look at Bic Camera or Yodabashi Camera for "High Street" type stores.

This price comparision site is useful, I've bought a few items while living in Tokyo

www.kakaku.com

HK will be cheaper for most things.
 
And at the moment HK is not much cheaper - if at all than current UK reputable internet sites... Recently tried to buy a 50D - but with the exchange rate it came in at over £800 - you can pick one up from an authorised UK distribuitor online for £812 now.

The way the economy and the pound is at the moment :) It's not worth it...
 
Whenever I've been there prices have been more expensive than over here. Although for my colleagues from Sweden it works out much better for them to buy in Japan...
 
I was over there oct last year and bought a 400d with 18-55 kit for about £80 less than here, but no english manual, no warranty and a Japanese spec charger. Still I was quite happy. I went over again in oct this year looking to upgrade to a 40D and was shocked as to how much the pound has dropped, I was looking at £700 for a body only! (tried Yodobashi and Bic Camera). The Japanese retail prices are the same if your earning Yen, but with our economy the way it is, you're better off buying locally, plus you get english manuals etc.
 
If you buy Nikon gear, you can just pop along to Nikon in Ginza and they'll give you English manuals, and a free sensor clean while you wait.
 
Yep, no real bargains in Japan at the moment because of the exchange rate which is absolutely hideous for Brits at the moment (unless you're sending money back home). Down about 40% from last year now.

You'll probably find that the UK is cheaper as prices haven't appreciated there as much as the pound has fallen - guess that importers must have hedged currency purchase or are simply selling old stock which was bought when the pound was strong.

It's funny, some stuff, like memory cards, are always really expensive in Japan compared to the uk. Currently at least 3 times the cost actually.

Lets all hope for the Japanese government to yield to internal pressure and intervene directly to reduce the Yen's value.
 
For the past couple of weeks there have been threads on here about what a shame it is that dealers are closing left right and centre. Purdy being one crying shame and you are all talking about saving a few quid and buying in Japan and Hong Kong.

Are you all mad?

If you don't use it you'll lose it. and it's because people are trying to save a few quid - pennies in some cases I've seen on here - that we are loosing the retailers and wholesalers here.

Not long ago, there was someone saying that they could get a CF card from HK and it was 50p less than they could get it here. Selfish madness.

Come on folks, stop being stupid. Think before you buy from outside the UK. Think about what you are doing.
 
RichieRich said:
It's funny, some stuff, like memory cards, are always really expensive in Japan compared to the uk. Currently at least 3 times the cost actually.
Click to expand...

Don't I know it! I was stuck out in Tokyo without any memory cards last year (my own fault) £54 for a 2Gb CF card!
 
You went to the wrong place - I picked up a 4 Gig A-Data CF card for under £16 in Akihabara last year. There is a little place under the JR line station exit thats dirt cheap

(sorry its a bit late for you now, but having lived there for a while, you can pay loads more than you need to, or pay less than you'd expect)
 
I was in the big shop across the road from there (we went in to try out the massage chairs)
 
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