Credibility of Retailer (Tokyo's Map Camera)

[Jaroslaw]

Dear All,

Has anyone of you dealt with Map Camera in Tokyo (http://www.rakuten.co.jp/mapcamera/)?

They seem to be the only retailer that has a new Toyo 5x7 monorail in stock. I'm inclined to buy it as a complement to my Toyo 4x5 field and would appreciate receiving some intelligence on the seller before embarking on such a substantial trans-Eurasian internet purchase.

Regards,

Jaroslaw

[Gary Smith]

Hi Jaroslaw,

I have bought numerous things from Map Camera over the last few years. They are a good outfit, nice people and a good selection. I have never had any problems with them, and they have always answered any warranty issues very pomptly.

The one problem is they are a little slow to answer emails in English, as there is only person in the store who speaks it well. So sometimes there is a delay in getting a reply back. I live in Japan, and speak the language so its not a problem for me.

If you need any information please let me know.

Gary

[Oren Grad]

The first question is whether they're willing to sell outside Japan at all. Very few Japanese camera retailers are - I can think of only one that I know for sure has ever done it, Lemon-sha in Ginza.

[Tom Davis]

I'm very interested in the answer to Oren's question about whether Map Camera will actually sell outside of Japan. I checked their website and they have the 65mm Horseman extension lensboard for my HF that I need for my just bought Fujinon 300C. I've been having a REAL hard time finding this board in the States. So: does anyone have experience ordering from Map Camera?

And then Oren: you mentioned Lemon-sha, do you have their web address?

thanks much

[Hening Bettermann]

ooops, Tom Davis has asked for the web address while I tried to. - Another option might be "proxy buing" through Philbert Ono photojpn.org/. I have, however, no experience with him (yet) other that he has been too reclined to try to obtain information from makers that had no web site. Right now, I have asked him if he would buy a Jitto for me and am awaiting the reply.

Good light -

[Oren Grad]

Tom, I'm not sure I would chase Lemon-sha over this. My recollection of them is that other than Linhof, they didn't deal in LF - they were more of a European import candy shop - Leica, Hassy, Rollei, etc., - though they did carry some other stuff. I took a glance at their website a moment ago and it was entirely in Japanese, so that won't help you.

I would have suggested Philbert Ono's proxy buying service, but I've had an inquiry of my own outstanding with him for a while now and after a preliminary response he seems to have dropped the ball. It may be that he can't be bothered with anything other than the lowest-hanging fruit.

If you want to take a shot in the dark, perhaps just try contacting Map Camera directly. I'd try a fax, not an email. Make it very simple, very clear, and very legible. The fax for their film camera store, listed in their ad in the current Nippon Camera, is (0)3-3342-3350.

Another longshot might be Gin-ichi (www.ginichi.com). They serve as an import agent for some western brands, so they must have someone who can deal with international transactions on at least some level.

Good luck - it's amazing how difficult this particular problem remains in this day and age...

[Jaroslaw]

Thank you for the replies.

I did have an exchange of e-mails with one gentleman from Maps and he confirmed that they're OK with sending shipments abroad, at least to the two countries I considered (Poland and the US). I'm told that submitting an order by fax is the only way to do it if you don't speak Japanese.

By the way, I understand that while lenses and accessories are a different story, cameras imported into the US from Japan are free from customs duty and any state-imposed taxes. Is this correct?

All the best,

Jaroslaw

[Oren Grad]

I did have an exchange of e-mails with one gentleman from Maps and he confirmed that they're OK with sending shipments abroad, at least to the two countries I considered (Poland and the US).

Jaroslaw, that's great news. What was the email address from which you got a response, and were there specific instructions with respect to ordering procedures via fax?

If anyone here tries to place an order and succeeds, please do post a follow-up - if this really works it would be great.

[Gary Smith]

Hi,

I will also confirm though they are sometimes slow they will ship overseas. A friend of mine has bought from them numerous times and has stuff shipped to the US. Sorry I should have included this in my last post.

Hope it helps.

Gary

[Oren Grad]

Gary, it does indeed. Do you know anything more about their ordering procedures?