Author Topic: The Lost Camera Shop.  (Read 1858 times)

Skorj

  • Global Moderator
  • Self-Coat
  • *****
  • Posts: 1,901
  • the black cat
    • Filmwasters.com
The Lost Camera Shop.
« on: November 16, 2009, 09:52:33 AM »
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

« Last Edit: November 16, 2009, 10:05:30 AM by Skorj »

astrobeck

  • Guest
Re: The Lost Camera Shop.
« Reply #1 on: November 16, 2009, 05:08:19 PM »
I feel faint......
What a score, just to be able to see them would make me weak at the knees.

Love the little Ricoh you picked out.  When you get bored with it, you can send it my way.  ;-)

Nigel

  • Self-Coat
  • *****
  • Posts: 1,523
    • nigel rumsey photography
Re: The Lost Camera Shop.
« Reply #2 on: November 16, 2009, 05:35:55 PM »
That's the sort of thing I dream about.........
"Imagination is more important than knowledge." Albert Einstein

website

Francois

  • Self-Coat
  • *****
  • Posts: 15,741
Re: The Lost Camera Shop.
« Reply #3 on: November 16, 2009, 10:07:14 PM »
Just looking at the room is a bit overwhelming...
Francois

Film is the vinyl record of photography.

moominsean

  • Global Moderator
  • Self-Coat
  • *****
  • Posts: 2,173
  • Living in camera shadows.
    • moominstuff
Re: The Lost Camera Shop.
« Reply #4 on: November 16, 2009, 10:53:01 PM »
this kind of stuff happens in the midwest. barns full of cameras and such.
"A world without Polaroid is a terrible place."
                                                                  - John Waters

LT

  • Global Moderator
  • Self-Coat
  • *****
  • Posts: 5,030
Re: The Lost Camera Shop.
« Reply #5 on: November 16, 2009, 10:57:35 PM »
this kind of stuff happens in the midwest. barns full of cameras and such.

same here Sean.  Actually, there was a recent archeological dig to open up a neolithic long-barrow.  amongst the bones, there was a complete batch of mint, unopened in-the-box, hasselblad flex bodies, lenses, 120 and 220 backs etc.  treasure trove.

 
L.

gregor

  • Self-Coat
  • *****
  • Posts: 821
    • gregor jamroski photo
Re: The Lost Camera Shop.
« Reply #6 on: November 17, 2009, 04:53:07 AM »
mmmm, if you find any polaroid cams or accessories let me know !

Ed Wenn

  • Global Moderator
  • Self-Coat
  • *****
  • Posts: 4,300
  • Slowly getting back into it. Sometimes.
Re: The Lost Camera Shop.
« Reply #7 on: November 17, 2009, 11:10:12 AM »
'Bronica' and 'lenses' has me going. First dibs if you buy them from her.

Skj, as previously discussed, if I wasn't so damn jealous of this find I'd be more capable in sharing in the excitement  ;D ;D

But seriously, it must have been a thrill to find this little back street shop with it's wonderful inventory. I'm curious as to the history though. Did she run a mail order business, or perhaps a more high profile shop back in the day?

Skorj

  • Global Moderator
  • Self-Coat
  • *****
  • Posts: 1,901
  • the black cat
    • Filmwasters.com
Re: The Lost Camera Shop.
« Reply #8 on: November 17, 2009, 12:19:23 PM »
I'm curious as to the history though. Did she run a mail order business, or perhaps a more high profile shop back in the day?

Definitely a real shop, with a sign and everything. In one of the classic beside the station side streets...

formica

  • Sheet Film
  • ****
  • Posts: 463
  • professional amateur
    • formica
Re: The Lost Camera Shop.
« Reply #9 on: November 24, 2009, 09:40:29 AM »
i'm flabergasted and a bit jealous too.

           william