When a friend moved to the outskirts of Tokyo (room for his pool, he said), we laughed. Out with his GR-1 shooting he came across the following:
Down a back lane.
Behind some grubby glass.
Guarded by two cats.
Shelves...
... and shelves...
... and shelves...
... and shelves of cameras. Most from the 1970s and 1980s, but a few choice items from the 1960s too. On my second visit, I was able to persuade one of the cats to give me change from
ichi-man for a brand new 'Redline' Ricoh Auto Half. Never touched, new, in box. Quite an experience to unwrap a forty year old camera, as new.
I am not quite sure what the next step should be. We are toying with the idea of offering to buy the lot, or to perhaps assist in the sale of what is a considerable stock. As well as the front shelves, there is more out the back too. A quick look has new in boxes:
o Canon F-1, Autoboy, 300mm f8, 500mm f8
o Nikon F601, Nuvis, F2, SB-12, MF-14, SB-16, CL-30S, MD-12, FM
o Nikkor 105mm f2.8, 35-80mm, 105mm f2.8 AF, 50mm f1.4
o Bronica lenses and bodies
o Minolta 35-105 f3.5, 35-80mm AF
o Pentax 21-50mm f4
o Polaroid Spectra and 636
o Ricoh Auto Half E2 and EF2
o OM winder, 85-250mm f5
o Fujica ST-F
o Fuji Fotorama
o Contax G1
o Lots of Microfine, audio cassettes, and cat food