dSLRs in Japan - what to buy?

Thirdfox

Hey guys,

Do you know if it would be any cheaper to buy Canons and Nikons in the land of the rising sun? (I would have assumed so since they are Japanese companies...) I might have an opportunity to go there soon...

Also if there are bargains to be had which would be a better choice (as a cheap introduction into dSLR photography) the 400D or the D40?

The D40 looks impressive and the price is cheaper than the 400D right? But the Canon is a Canon... every other manufacturer is playing catchup to it (right?).

Thanks for any advice guys!

Thirdfox

Fajitas!

D40 ain't that impressive...more a step down than up!

Imo, go for the 400D

Exar Khun

I wouldnt say that every other manufacturer is playing catchup to the Canon at all. The D40 and 400D are quite different cameras in terms of features ect. the D40 being the more basic of the two. I'm sure some of the heads round here will give you technical read outs (love that phrase) of the various cameras, but there are other cameras you should consider, like the nikon D50 or D70 and further on (I have a 400D btw). I would presume that they all would be super cheap in Japan, just watch the customs officials on the way home i.e. dont have any camera shaped lumps sticking out of your bag :P

Roen

I think China (HK) and the States will beat Japan hands down for prices, then again Japanese websites rarely ship outside of Japan for some reason so I couldn't be exactly sure on that.

Thirdfox

Custom officials??? I've actually never seen one - there's usual (from my personal experience) no-one manning the red zone (goods to declare). Everyone just walks through.

But... just to prepare for any eventualities what do you have to pay for the camera if customs gets you?

mathias

Ive been to Japan a number of times with work, and unfortunately, it is highly unlikely to be cheaper than here, the chances are that it will be considerably more expensive.

The Akihabara district in Tokyo is the famous electronics district and this is where you will find all the latest gadgets , pricewise though , with current exchange rates , brings all the latest gear in at approx 20 - 30 % more expensive than buying in Ireland , Japan makes rip off Ireland look like a tax haven.

As well as that you have to take into account that all the camera software is written in Japanese script and is unlikely to have english on the camera menus , this is the main reason that people dont usually to here from ship from Japan. They may well have english versions , but this is going to be more expensive again.

Exar Khun

mathias wrote:

Ive been to Japan a number of times with work, and unfortunately, it is highly unlikely to be cheaper than here, the chances are that it will be considerably more expensive.

The Akihabara district in Tokyo is the famous electronics district and this is where you will find all the latest gadgets , pricewise though , with current exchange rates , brings all the latest gear in at approx 20 - 30 % more expensive than buying in Ireland , Japan makes rip off Ireland look like a tax haven.

As well as that you have to take into account that all the camera software is written in Japanese script and is unlikely to have english on the camera menus , this is the main reason that people dont usually to here from ship from Japan. They may well have english versions , but this is going to be more expensive again.

My bad on the prices, but the opinions on the other cameras still stands.

drive3331

Have to second what mathias said. Prices for anything electronic in Japan is expensive. That said there are 2 duty free department stores near the Akihabara station, cant remember the names but you cant miss them. They stock all sorts of cameras, phones etc that are geared at the export market and have manuals and menus in English. The prices are still high though. Best bet is to price the cameras at whatever duty free airport you pass trough on your way out to Japan.

Fionn

the answer is no to the Op i have a niece there and lots of stuff like computer equipment that you'd think should be dirt cheap isn't.. as was said we're not the only rip off nation...more a victim of our own success!!!

anyway the HK vendors or the US are much much cheaper!!!

Thirdfox

I see... thanks for the info guys!