Hello List,
Just found your list a few weeks ago and subscribed. As a Zuikoholic
since the OM-1 and someone who lived in Tokyo from 1987-1992, I enjoy
finding and visiting the few remaining shops that sell new OM system
equipment as well as those that deal in used OM system equipment,
particularly in Japan.
After 10 years away, I was able to visit Tokyo four times in 2002 and
found several stores in Tokyo (in Ginza and Nishi-Shinjuku) with good
selections of new and used OM system bodies, lenses, and other
equipment. Surprisingly, despite the relatively poor U.S. dollar to
Japanese yen exchange rate, I found some really good deals on equipment
in really good condition. Unlike buying from E-bay or online stores, it
was great to be able to actually test out lenses on my OM-4Ti before I
bought anything. The Ginza used photo equipment stores even waive
Japan's Value Added Tax on purchases when you present a valid foreign
passport.
I was wondering if anyone is maintaining a web site of stores, both
brick and mortar and online, that deal in Olympus OM system equipment,
as I travel extensively, in Asia, North America, and sometimes Europe.
I have to admit that searching for and finding the stores that deal OM
system equipment in international cities I visit is almost as much fun
as finding a great buy on a piece I'm looking for.
As for Japan, probably due to the depressed economy, there's a
significant market for used photo equipment. I was pleased to note that
the inventory for used OM system equipment when I was there wasn't too
big, and the prices, while reasonably competitive in some cases with
North America, weren't a "fire sale" either, indicating that the
Zuikoholics there probably aren't all dumping their OM system equipment
just yet. Over the course of my stays, I visited several shopes
repeatedly and noticed that turnover for some items was particularly
brisk and I wasn't the only one carefully examining the OM system
display cases.
If any of you will be traveling to the Tokyo area and would like
directions to the used equipment stores I found, please feel free to
contact me.
Best regards and Happy New Year,
Andy Mukk
Honolulu, Hawaii
< This message was delivered via the Olympus Mailing List >
< For questions, mailto:owner-olympus@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx >
< Web Page: http://Zuiko.sls.bc.ca/swright/olympuslist.html >
|