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Canon lens shops in Toyko

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Boomz

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Anyone care to recommend some good new and used shops in the Ikebukuro, Ueno and Shinjuku area (Tokyo)?

I hear the are such stores and some are better than others. I only have 3 days in the city at the end of Aug and so would like to quickly zero down on a few.

Thanks (Arigato!)

--
http://www.istockphoto.com/user_view.php?id=598880

DPRchallenges Macro - Honorable Mention - http://www.pbase.com/dprchallenges/image/50892944

My toys:
EOS-5D
DMC-FZ5K
DSC-P200, V1, H1, U40

Lens:
50mm F1.8 II
17-40 f4L USM
24-105 f4L IS USM

Flash:
420EX,
580EX,
AB400
 
Just back from Tokyo, my second visit in a few months. PhotoGuide Japan is a good site for details about used camera stores.

http://www.photojpn.org/dir/listings.php?cmd=viewlistB&cid=36

I used this site on my first visit when looking for an old Oly 21mm. In practice, I found locating the stores on the ground very difficult due to the Japanese address system. Without a map, or the address written in Japanese so that you can ask a local for directions, you will probably only come across it by accident after hours of looking, as I did.

If buying new, the big stores can still be useful for the temporary visitor. There are a few bargains in Japan if you know your prices.

I bought the 85 1.2 II for US$1550 from BIC Camera. This included 5% GST but less 17% in store credit. I then used the credit 5 minutes later for a 24-105 for US$1000 (again including 5% GST but less 13% in store credit this time). I burned up the rest of the credit on various accessories.
--
Andrew D
 
That's an awesome link.

Yeah I heard it very difficult locating addresses in Japan as there isn't a logic to the way things are numbered. And shops above and under ground level are sure to go unnoticed if you don't read Japanese.

At the same time I've also heard that you can find some treasures and bargins there if you know the right place. So thanks again for sharing.

Mike
Andrew David said:
Just back from Tokyo, my second visit in a few months. PhotoGuide
Japan is a good site for details about used camera stores.

http://www.photojpn.org/dir/listings.php?cmd=viewlistB&cid=36

I used this site on my first visit when looking for an old Oly
21mm. In practice, I found locating the stores on the ground very
difficult due to the Japanese address system. Without a map, or the
address written in Japanese so that you can ask a local for
directions, you will probably only come across it by accident after
hours of looking, as I did.

If buying new, the big stores can still be useful for the temporary
visitor. There are a few bargains in Japan if you know your prices.

I bought the 85 1.2 II for US$1550 from BIC Camera. This included
5% GST but less 17% in store credit. I then used the credit 5
minutes later for a 24-105 for US$1000 (again including 5% GST but
less 13% in store credit this time). I burned up the rest of the
credit on various accessories.
--
Andrew D
Click to expand...
--
http://www.istockphoto.com/user_view.php?id=598880

DPRchallenges Macro - Honorable Mention - http://www.pbase.com/dprchallenges/image/50892944

My toys:
EOS-5D
DMC-FZ5K
DSC-P200, V1, H1, U40

Lens:
50mm F1.8 II
17-40 f4L USM
24-105 f4L IS USM

Flash:
420EX,
580EX,
AB400
 
Japan - normally does not used numbered streets but a divisional system that reeks of the feudal history. You need a map.

Lenses - I've bought from both Yodobashi and Bic and prefer Yodobashi, but BIC is fine. NOTE on the points thing... you are supposed to have a Japanese address to get the point card. On the other hand, as a foreigner on a visitor visa you are exempt from the 5% sales tax but will need to show your passport and may need to fill out a form.

Canon lenses (and lenses in general) are more expensive in Japan than in some other places. However, you can get some good deals here on DSLR bodies, except for the Canon 1 series and Fujifilm bodies.

Used Canon lens prices here tend to be too high for me... might as well buy new.

-gt
 
Thanks GT for your information. I'll check out both these stores and ask about the 5% no tax. Shucks! I was hoping for a lens or two. I have these silly visions about being in lens heaven where they are just falling off the shelves and people picking them up like supermarket items :)
greentoe said:
Japan - normally does not used numbered streets but a divisional
system that reeks of the feudal history. You need a map.

Lenses - I've bought from both Yodobashi and Bic and prefer
Yodobashi, but BIC is fine. NOTE on the points thing... you are
supposed to have a Japanese address to get the point card. On
the other hand, as a foreigner on a visitor visa you are exempt
from the 5% sales tax but will need to show your passport and may
need to fill out a form.

Canon lenses (and lenses in general) are more expensive in Japan
than in some other places. However, you can get some good deals
here on DSLR bodies, except for the Canon 1 series and Fujifilm
bodies.

Used Canon lens prices here tend to be too high for me... might as
well buy new.

-gt
Click to expand...
--
http://www.istockphoto.com/user_view.php?id=598880

DPRchallenges Macro - Honorable Mention - http://www.pbase.com/dprchallenges/image/50892944

My toys:
EOS-5D
DMC-FZ5K
DSC-P200, V1, H1, U40

Lens:
50mm F1.8 II
17-40 f4L USM
24-105 f4L IS USM

Flash:
420EX,
580EX,
AB400
 
For me, Yodobashi and Bic prices were the same and both included 10% in store credit. However, Bic had an additional 3 to 7% in store points on the two lenses I was after. As a foreigner, I had no problem getting a discount card at Bic.

The fine print: Bic would either refund 5% GST or give the 13 to 17% in store credit on next purchase, not both. They also reduce the in store credit by 3% if using a credit card. The in store credit is calculated on the purchase price less any in store credit used.
--
Andrew D
 
Boomz,

I've only bought a lens once in Japan (I go there 3-4 times/yr) so I can't say where the best deals are, but speaking of Yodobashi, you should go check out their brand new flagship store in Akihabara electronics district, it's referred to as Yodobashi Akiba, just east of the JR station there - do a google search for it.
huge store, tons of stuff not just cameras. but well worth a look at least.

as for prices, I was there in May and noticed certain lenses were much cheaper than back home, e.g. EF 100/2.8 macro, but then Canon Canada's pricing usually seems out of whack. anyhow it may pay to know your prices and check carefully, sometimes you can find some deals.
greentoe said:
Japan - normally does not used numbered streets but a divisional
system that reeks of the feudal history. You need a map.

Lenses - I've bought from both Yodobashi and Bic and prefer
Yodobashi, but BIC is fine. NOTE on the points thing... you are
supposed to have a Japanese address to get the point card. On
the other hand, as a foreigner on a visitor visa you are exempt
from the 5% sales tax but will need to show your passport and may
need to fill out a form.

Canon lenses (and lenses in general) are more expensive in Japan
than in some other places. However, you can get some good deals
here on DSLR bodies, except for the Canon 1 series and Fujifilm
bodies.

Used Canon lens prices here tend to be too high for me... might as
well buy new.

-gt
Click to expand...
 
Hi BC!
Thanks for the heads up on Yodobahi Akiba.

I just googled for it ... cool! its huge! I can't wait. Yep, I'm going to make a list of prices of the lenses I'm looking for just before I leave so that I can make informative decisions. Now Aug 30 seems so far away...............
b.c. said:
greentoe said:
Japan - normally does not used numbered streets but a divisional
system that reeks of the feudal history. You need a map.

Lenses - I've bought from both Yodobashi and Bic and prefer
Yodobashi, but BIC is fine. NOTE on the points thing... you are
supposed to have a Japanese address to get the point card. On
the other hand, as a foreigner on a visitor visa you are exempt
from the 5% sales tax but will need to show your passport and may
need to fill out a form.

Canon lenses (and lenses in general) are more expensive in Japan
than in some other places. However, you can get some good deals
here on DSLR bodies, except for the Canon 1 series and Fujifilm
bodies.

Used Canon lens prices here tend to be too high for me... might as
well buy new.

-gt
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
--
http://www.istockphoto.com/user_view.php?id=598880

DPRchallenges Macro - Honorable Mention - http://www.pbase.com/dprchallenges/image/50892944

My toys:
EOS-5D
DMC-FZ5K
DSC-P200, V1, H1, U40

Lens:
50mm F1.8 II
17-40 f4L USM
24-105 f4L IS USM

Flash:
420EX,
580EX,
AB400
 
I agree with previous posters that biccamera and yodobashi are the stores of choice. I have bought items from both. For the more common items their prices are the same but the point amounts can differ a bit. Both stores have online webfronts. http://www.biccamera.com and http://www.yodobashi.com . You can search prices without knowing any Japanese. For example if you are interested in Canon's 70-200mm lenses put "EF70-200" in the search box minus the quotes. The price should be the same but the point amounts in the online store will be a bit higher (probably 3% more).

For the limited amount of time that you have I suggest sticking with Yodobashi's main photography store in Shinjuku and Biccamera's in Ikebukero. If you want to compare prices between the two Biccamera also has a good photography store in Shinjuku in the Odakyu department store. It is about five minutes walk from the Yodobashi store.

Best Biccamera store for photography is in Ikebukero east side of the station. Go out exit 35 from the north east corner of the station. Keep going straight once you go out the exit until you come to a big intersection. Look for the Lotteria fast food restaurant. The store is next to it.

Best here means biggest range. If you want to play with lenses before you make your final decision then Biccamera is better. In Ikebukero they even have the EF600/f4 mounted on a head with a body for customers to play with.

It is easy to get confused. Biccamera have four stores on the east side of Ikebukero station (and one on the west)! You want the one that basically has only camera gear. Also Yodobashi have two stores very close to each other. Again you want the one that has basically only camera gear.

I have gotten a point card and bought stuff from biccamera in the same morning and also used the points on the card. Yes they want an address but it isn't used for anything so just give them a hotel address.

I strongly suggest doing your research using their websites as lens prices are strange in Japan. For example the EF70-200 f/4 L and EF70-300 IS are almost the same price in B&H but vastly different prices in Japan. The EF70-200 f/4 is much more expensive in Japan. But the EF24-105 f/4 L is a real bargain in Japan compared to the US. I have no idea why.
 
Thank you for the detailed directions to the correct store. I'll definately be following your advice doing the price search too.

Did a quick search and found some very high prices for most lenses but also found that the new ef-s17-55 is cheaper than the US by about $100. Maybe newer released lenses might be better priced in Japan, where as older models have dropped below the Japanese market due to price competition in the US - will need to search more to see if this is true.

Thanks again for the advice!
gnagent said:
I agree with previous posters that biccamera and yodobashi are the
stores of choice. I have bought items from both. For the more
common items their prices are the same but the point amounts can
differ a bit. Both stores have online webfronts. http://www.biccamera.com
and http://www.yodobashi.com . You can search prices without knowing any
Japanese. For example if you are interested in Canon's 70-200mm
lenses put "EF70-200" in the search box minus the quotes. The price
should be the same but the point amounts in the online store will
be a bit higher (probably 3% more).

For the limited amount of time that you have I suggest sticking
with Yodobashi's main photography store in Shinjuku and Biccamera's
in Ikebukero. If you want to compare prices between the two
Biccamera also has a good photography store in Shinjuku in the
Odakyu department store. It is about five minutes walk from the
Yodobashi store.

Best Biccamera store for photography is in Ikebukero east side of
the station. Go out exit 35 from the north east corner of the
station. Keep going straight once you go out the exit until you
come to a big intersection. Look for the Lotteria fast food
restaurant. The store is next to it.

Best here means biggest range. If you want to play with lenses
before you make your final decision then Biccamera is better. In
Ikebukero they even have the EF600/f4 mounted on a head with a body
for customers to play with.

It is easy to get confused. Biccamera have four stores on the east
side of Ikebukero station (and one on the west)! You want the one
that basically has only camera gear. Also Yodobashi have two stores
very close to each other. Again you want the one that has basically
only camera gear.

I have gotten a point card and bought stuff from biccamera in the
same morning and also used the points on the card. Yes they want an
address but it isn't used for anything so just give them a hotel
address.

I strongly suggest doing your research using their websites as lens
prices are strange in Japan. For example the EF70-200 f/4 L and
EF70-300 IS are almost the same price in B&H but vastly different
prices in Japan. The EF70-200 f/4 is much more expensive in Japan.
But the EF24-105 f/4 L is a real bargain in Japan compared to the
US. I have no idea why.
Click to expand...
--
http://www.istockphoto.com/user_view.php?id=598880

DPRchallenges Macro - Honorable Mention - http://www.pbase.com/dprchallenges/image/50892944

My toys:
EOS-5D
DMC-FZ5K
DSC-P200, V1, H1, U40

Lens:
50mm F1.8 II
17-40 f4L USM
24-105 f4L IS USM

Flash:
420EX,
580EX,
AB400
 
Boomz said:
Thank you for the detailed directions to the correct store. I'll
definately be following your advice doing the price search too.

Thanks again for the advice!
Click to expand...
no problem.

Canon accessories are definitely cheaper in Japan. Make sure you buy your hoods. If you want to buy filters Hoya filters are sold as Kenko in Japan.

A couple things I forgot. Canon lenses bought in Japan come in an international box with a manual in multiple languages including English. Should be the same as what you would get elsewhere. They also come with an international guarantee. Bodies have a Japan only guarantee.

Layout of Ikebukuro Biccamera photography store is
B1 - film, albums, processing
1 - point & shoot, memory cards, cell phones, some DSLRs
2 - SLR bodies, lenses & accessories
3- tripods and bags
4 - medium & large format, studio lighting
5 - used, glasses, books

layout of Shinjuku yodobashi is much the same but floors 3 & 4 are switched. This will also help you to know if you are in the right store. First time I went to Yodobashi it was at least half an hour before I figured out I wasn't in their main camera store but in the consumer electronics store. Of course all the cameras and even L lenses on the ground floor of the consumer store didn't make it simple.

You will probably be in the stores a while so the practical necessities: Toilet is on third floor of Ikebukero Biccamera, fifth floor in stairwell of yodobashi.
 
Already I found something I like: http://www.yodobashi.com/enjoy/more/i/51033360.html

I'll bring along the B&H sales catalog which has all the prices.

I have one question about how the % discount works (will bring passport, will have hotel address), all I know now is that it can be applied only to the next purchase. But how does it really work?

Also, I noticed the Bic has points after the % discount. There must be some use for the points. Yodobashi does not have point indicators.

It just sounds too good that I can purchase a lesser item, collect the 13% discount and apply it to a very expensive purchase. If so, I could well make up for my first purchase (free!). If it were a points system could also work the other way ie buy a $1000 lens and collect 13% aka $130 and then later purchase a $140 and pay only $5?

Could you please explain to me how it works? THANKS again!
gnagent said:
Boomz said:
Thank you for the detailed directions to the correct store. I'll
definately be following your advice doing the price search too.

Thanks again for the advice!
Click to expand...
no problem.

Canon accessories are definitely cheaper in Japan. Make sure you
buy your hoods. If you want to buy filters Hoya filters are sold as
Kenko in Japan.

A couple things I forgot. Canon lenses bought in Japan come in an
international box with a manual in multiple languages including
English. Should be the same as what you would get elsewhere. They
also come with an international guarantee. Bodies have a Japan only
guarantee.

Layout of Ikebukuro Biccamera photography store is
B1 - film, albums, processing
1 - point & shoot, memory cards, cell phones, some DSLRs
2 - SLR bodies, lenses & accessories
3- tripods and bags
4 - medium & large format, studio lighting
5 - used, glasses, books

layout of Shinjuku yodobashi is much the same but floors 3 & 4 are
switched. This will also help you to know if you are in the right
store. First time I went to Yodobashi it was at least half an hour
before I figured out I wasn't in their main camera store but in the
consumer electronics store. Of course all the cameras and even L
lenses on the ground floor of the consumer store didn't make it
simple.

You will probably be in the stores a while so the practical
necessities: Toilet is on third floor of Ikebukero Biccamera, fifth
floor in stairwell of yodobashi.
Click to expand...
--
http://www.istockphoto.com/user_view.php?id=598880
 
I would echo the comment about accessories, and also that they seem to have a huge selection of some hard to find or unusual accessories too, not just Canon but including 3rd party. if you have time be sure to check the accessory aisles, you may find some things you didn't know you need :) another thing easy to find are custom made LCD screen protectors for every imaginable camera model.

also I find that multicoated filters seem relatively cheap (but then again I'm comparing to local inflated Canadian prices)
gnagent said:
Canon accessories are definitely cheaper in Japan. Make sure you
buy your hoods. If you want to buy filters Hoya filters are sold as
Kenko in Japan.
Click to expand...
 
They don't do the points thing but they do have some of the best prices. They are located one block from the JR Nakano station. I bought my 430EX flash there for the same price as B&H plus shipping. They had stock on everything from the 600mm beast with case on down to some decent used stuff. Plus upstairs are the MF cameras and other 'esoteric' stuff.

How to get there:
http://www.fujiya-camera.co.jp/floorguide.shtml

For Canon stuff, you want the building on the top right of the page. Hover your pointer over the building and you should get a picture of the display cases with guys behind them.

Price page:
http://www.fujiya-camera.co.jp/new_price.shtml

I believe I bought my Lowepro backpack at the Ikebukero Bic, the one across the street from the station exit (not connected to the station). If you try the Ikebukero Bic's, don't give up if you don't find the right one the first time as it is worth it to see what they all have.

Brian
 
Thanks Brian for another good lead and wonderful direction. I'll be sure to check it out too.
I'll first try the used and then the new section.

Just made flight and accomodation bookings a few minutes ago (will be based in Sunshine City Prince Hotel, Ikebukuro), so I think I'm all set for my Tokyo Canon shopping extravaganza! :)
BSell said:
They don't do the points thing but they do have some of the best
prices. They are located one block from the JR Nakano station. I
bought my 430EX flash there for the same price as B&H plus
shipping. They had stock on everything from the 600mm beast with
case on down to some decent used stuff. Plus upstairs are the MF
cameras and other 'esoteric' stuff.

How to get there:
http://www.fujiya-camera.co.jp/floorguide.shtml
For Canon stuff, you want the building on the top right of the
page. Hover your pointer over the building and you should get a
picture of the display cases with guys behind them.

Price page:
http://www.fujiya-camera.co.jp/new_price.shtml

I believe I bought my Lowepro backpack at the Ikebukero Bic, the
one across the street from the station exit (not connected to the
station). If you try the Ikebukero Bic's, don't give up if you
don't find the right one the first time as it is worth it to see
what they all have.

Brian
Click to expand...
--
http://www.istockphoto.com/user_view.php?id=598880
 
Haven't been there in six years, but I lived in Tokyo for 10 years, and Fujiya used to be the best place to buy used. Huge selection of stuff in excellent condition at good prices. I once got a near-mint Contax 35-70 f3.3 for $300.

--

'Power tends to corrupt. Absolute power corrupts absolutely.' Lord Acton, British
historian.
 
Wish I could live there for a few years. It must have been a very interesting experience.

I'll be looking for used stuff first just for the sheer fun of it (I imagine its like being in a flea market in Europe, the ones here are nothing compared to theirs where you'll find treasures and real bargins. I'll also look at new. So far I'm eyeing a few excellent condition used primes like the 24, 35 and 85, but I'll probabily won't find used EF-S17-55 IS USMs.

Well see .............
Majikthize said:
Haven't been there in six years, but I lived in Tokyo for 10 years,
and Fujiya used to be the best place to buy used. Huge selection of
stuff in excellent condition at good prices. I once got a near-mint
Contax 35-70 f3.3 for $300.

--
'Power tends to corrupt. Absolute power corrupts absolutely.' Lord
Acton, British
historian.
Click to expand...
--
http://www.istockphoto.com/user_view.php?id=598880
 
no I think they are much more restrictive about returns. Upside of this is that you will not end up with something that has been returned by someone else.
 
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