Toy Cameras in Dublin

nmd64

Where's the best place to buy Toy Cameras in Dublin? I'm looking for the cheapest place to buy them, not picky about brands but Holga and Diana seem the most interesting. I have no interest in paying 40 euro for one in Urban Outfitters, I'm just looking for cheap cameras for fun, the film is expensive enough.

magicbastarder

the film is not particularly expensive; it's usually the processing which is more expensive than the film.
pop up to gunns.

dubtom

I got my Holga 120 N delivered from Hongkong for €22. It had free delivery but I chose to pay 2 quid or something for express. You can also get 10 rolls shanghai GP 3 100 120 film on ebay for €20 or so delivered from China,although I must admit I'm still waiting on that a couple of weeks, the camera arrived in a week or so. Seen a few Holga's of different types in camera stores in Dublin today ranging in the 30 to 40 quid, way over priced for what they are.

thefizz

Gunns are well stocked with toy cameras.

nmd64

Thanks, I've checked Gunns before and they didn't have any at the moment and he said they were unsure if they were getting more, but that I should just look round and ask in all the shops. I will check out that website 22 euro with express delivery seems like a good deal, would 35mm be as cheap?

thefizz

Which camera are you looking for?

nmd64

Either the HolgaBC135 or a Holga 120, something for a beginner really bu I know that's a lot to ask for considering the temperamental nature of these cameras. A 35mm will save a lot of money on processing but I hear they lack the charm of the 120's.

thefizz

I was in Gunns just a few weeks back and I'm sure they had both of those in stock.

pete4130

For a camera thats more than likely made in east asia, shipped halfway across the world, sold in an expensive country like Ireland, in an overpriced hipster shop like Urban Outfitters.....€40 sounds pretty cheap really.

Your not just paying for the 20c worth of plastic that went into the making of the camera. Your buying into the fashion, lifestyle of the toy camera photographer. That hipster factor when you take it out and push that little spring loaded plastic button to create art, and if you forget to wind on the film you'll make double exposure art. It's a win/win situation all round.

Tesco do €2 disposable cameras if your looking for a new camera thats cheaper than €40?

thefizz

Check out Eddie Mallin's images taken with a 120 holga.

DaireQuinlan

pete4130 wrote: »

Tesco do €2 disposable cameras if your looking for a new camera thats cheaper than €40?

Or go second hand. I got a Konica Big Mini recently for the princely sum of €25 primarily so I could pretend to be Robert Frank every time I hit the shutter button. I'll get a Yashica T4 next so I can simultaneously shoot and fondle my models aka Terry Richardson. I think that's the reason the Yashicas go for more than the Konicas, the fondling.

nmd64

pete4130 wrote: »

For a camera thats more than likely made in east asia, shipped halfway across the world, sold in an expensive country like Ireland, in an overpriced hipster shop like Urban Outfitters.....€40 sounds pretty cheap really.

Your not just paying for the 20c worth of plastic that went into the making of the camera. Your buying into the fashion, lifestyle of the toy camera photographer. That hipster factor when you take it out and push that little spring loaded plastic button to create art, and if you forget to wind on the film you'll make double exposure art. It's a win/win situation all round.

Tesco do €2 disposable cameras if your looking for a new camera thats cheaper than €40?

Well I'm looking for the dreamy style of the Holga, but the problem I have with the price tag is that I know they're cheap to manufacture and I don't like being charged a high price just because there are rich wanna-be hipsters willing to pay whatever price to be cool. And if I'm wrong and importing really does cause that much of an expense, I'll hold my hand up and admit I'm wrong but I know how companies work and they like to make money out of trends.

Thanks for all the advice, I didn't expect such a helpful response, I think I'll check out Gunn's prices and maybe some second hand cameras

DaireQuinlan

nmd64 wrote: »

Well I'm looking for the dreamy style of the Holga

Sounds like wanna-be hipster talk to me

nmd64

DaireQuinlan wrote: »

Sounds like wanna-be hipster talk to me

Haha, I don't expect anyone to believe me, but I'm not looking for one for fashion reasons, I think they just have a certain charm. But certain people have also said they don't and they produce awful photographs unless you're a pro, so that's why I don't want to spend much money

pete4130

If you want one and it will bring you enjoyment then €40 isn't alot. Thats how I justify all my purchases. Mark up is 100% usually so the shop is paying about €20 for it.

thefizz

pete4130 wrote: »

Mark up is 100% usually so the shop is paying about €20 for it.

Maybe some shops do but I think it's unfair to suggest that it's usually 100%. My experience would suggest it's nothing like that.

thefizz

nmd64 wrote: »

Haha, I don't expect anyone to believe me, but I'm not looking for one for fashion reasons, I think they just have a certain charm. But certain people have also said they don't and they produce awful photographs unless you're a pro, so that's why I don't want to spend much money

I wouldn't say pro, but as with any camera, a talented photographer will get the best out of it.

pete4130

I'm at the stage where I'm not really sure what you want from a mass produced, cheap (and it is cheap...name me another camera that you can load 120 into, or possibly even 35mm into, brand new for less than €40?) for €40?

A holga is a "hit & hope" for a while. Every holga camera is different though, some leak light, some don't, some have badly placed lenses, others don't.
All you need is a bright sunny day and an interesting scene for the best results.

From working in a camera shop, seeing the trade vs. retail prices...mark up is about 100%. If they are charging €40 then they are buying it in from anywhere between about €18-€24.

thefizz

pete4130 wrote: »

From working in a camera shop, seeing the trade vs. retail prices...mark up is about 100%. If they are charging €40 then they are buying it in from anywhere between about €18-€24.

Maybe some shops do, such as the one you work or worked in but to imply that most shops are marking cameras up by 100% is very wrong. I have a working relationship with some camera shops in Ireland and know for a fact that they are not marking up by 100%, certainly not for cameras, film and paper supplies. In fact you'd be very surprised to hear how little the markup can be.

Also it must be remembered that the price of a camera from Asia does not have vat included so there's one reason for the higher price in Ireland. You are liable to pay vat at point of entry into the country but for a small item like a holga you may be by overlooked.

pete4130

Do whatever you need to. Either way €40 isn't a whole lot for a camera that you'll get enjoyment out of.