Why NOT to Buy a Camera in Japan

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Buying a camera in Japan may not be the best idea... Today we are talking about why, along with how to choose a new camera and so much more!

**GEAR USED [2021]**

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Where I Get My Music For Vids:
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**Where to Send Stuff**
Norm Nakamura - Tokyo Creative Redhorse Corporation Co. Ltd
9F Tokyo Foresia 3-2-24 Toyosu Koto-ku, Tokyo, Japan 135-0061
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Tokyo Lens Podcast:

[TokyoLens]

Exciting Days!!! Has there ever been a better reason to be a part of the Notification squad? lol
And Yes... I’m on Clubhouse for now~
This is going to be the year of giveaways, with many being Notification-Squad specific! 😉
Glad I could answer some questions for you!
Looking forward to seeing you guys sharing love with each other in the comments below!
See you in that next video!!

[geraldundone]

Hi, Norm!

... Thanks for the shout-out. 🤓🙏

[tinkertoe]

Probably the best mentality of the "What's the best camera" question, I've heard. Thanks!

[JasonVong]

Used Lenses, on the other hand, absolutely BUY IN JAPAN! I swooped up so many good deals on immaculate 2nd hand lenses from MapCamera. They are incredibly honest with their inspection down to the teeny tiny dust - it's insane!
P.S. Holy cow. Gerald and Lukasz in the same video?! 🤯 🤯 🤯

[Gdquest]

Regarding buying in Japan, definitely not necessary for new gear. However, it can be nice for second-hand as I've bought a DSLR and lens in excellent condition for about 40% off the new price. The only thing is I dunno if you can get them without speaking Japanese as I only found them listed in sites in Japanese.

But I've not been disappointed buying second-hand in Japan.

[SergioCuen]

Me watching this video in a camera store in Japan 🤣 (silently returning the camera to the shelf and existing)

[DavidRamgobin]

"Use it til you break it" is super great advice. One thing I've applied from my days in engineering jobs is to master your tools. Know what your tools can and can't do, and let that guide your decisions in future purchases.

[megamcee]

"Use it till you break it" is an amazing motto to use for most things in life. And then if you add a "learn how to fix anything that you break" motto to that - you're golden!

[VIRTUALJAPAN]

I'm in the group that bought my A7siii here in Japan, and while I love the video quality, it just seems so silly that they limit the menus to only Japanese and no 50fps...I hope that they can open their eyes, realize that we are in the year 2021, and start thinking more globally

[xForeverXerox]

Use your camera until you break it.
Norm: Challenge accepted.

[Andrea-hdvx]

My sister is a photographer and an old Japanese camera is a great souvenir idea! 🤔And that 360 camera looks wild! 😄

[Alienturnedhuman]

I was shocked when I came to Japan and all the Japanese electronics were more expensive than they were back in the UK. Someone told me this was because there is an additional tax that you have to pay to cover the pensions of the workers of the company that isn't charged abroad (I don't know how true this is) but my wife (who is Japanese) told me that it's mostly down to the fact that most Japanese people will only buy Japanese electronics, so they don't have to compete against brands from other countries - like Samsung. It means that the Japanese manufacturers can charge a lot more in Japan than they do abroad.

[Josua_Nel]

I love that price of advice in the beginning. Really helps you rethink if you should purchase something or just double down on learning to master your current equipment

[blockytoast]

Saw this and went on a camera phase for 3 months learning everything I could getting hyped about taking good photos. First video to get me into photography and loved it. You are a true inspiration.

[RahatAzim]

I was just binging Norm's Ehime videos. Those videos have such a chill vibe it always calms me down.

[liddlej]

I love this. I used to be very into photography until a decade ago when I struggled with really bad depression and my camera died on me. Right now I'm taking a visual design class at my college and it comes with the whole adobe creative suite for free and it's got me feeling inspired again and wanting to save up to get a new camera.

[ak]

Thanks Norm for your no frills and candid review and comments. Always had that question to buy in Japan but that fog is lifted. TYVM. Please keep these videos coming.

[areasevenpro]

I was in Hiroshima for a Mazda event in 2019 and I needed a reasonable zoom camera to replace my antique Canon PowerShot SX230 HS. Fortunately, Bic Camera has the PowerShot SX740 HS in stock, and the sales clerk was nice enough to switch the language to English.

[DSQueenie]

0:40 as someone who worked in a camera hire house for five years the answer is… the one you can afford. Honestly if you are taking pictures for you and for family price should be your only factor.

I think I’d always give more advice the more specific you needs. For example if you’re taking pictures at sporting events then you might need to have raw images in a camera with a big sensor. However that will limit your lens choice. The “look” of an image usually comes from the editing after the fact not when you take the picture.

[torianjallen]

This is the absolute best video on what camera to get advice I’ve ever heard. I’ve been getting the question all the time, but now I have a much better answer to give. Thanks man.