Thrifting Cameras in JAPAN!

In this video, I wanted to shake things up a little. I recently moved to Japan and one of the things that amazes me the most are the thrift/second hand stores and the quality of the items that can be found in them. I want to take a little hiatus from shooting film to try something new, so I challenged myself to find an old digital point and shoot at one of these second hand stores and take it out shooting to see how it held up!
Main Camera: Sony A7iii
Camera used in this video: Ricoh Caplio R7 (2007)
Audio: Rode Wireless Go II
Lighting: lol I forgot to bring any lights to Japan

[@MikeMorgan]

Man this video hit me with the nostalgia! Lived in Japan from 2004-2006 and went digital point and shoot crazy, trying several different cameras. To this day those janky photos lift me up and this video reliving that did the same. Just wanted to say thanks. 😊

[@hunterjames.]

I’m glad this video could help you relive that!! Thank you so much for sharing your story and watching :)

[@agb5003]

this is some good chill informative content, make more or else😡

[@hunterjames.]

Thank you so much!! I’ll definitely make more 😂

[@silverscreenwanderer]

Yeah I definitely like watching the process behind your photography. Love the way you explain things and how you then cut to examples with your photos. Super well put together and I’d like to see more of this! I’m a photographer myself but struggle with street photography, so videos like this are helpful to me!

[@hunterjames.]

Thank you so much!! I definitely want to do more videos like this, especially on street photography since I’m just starting out on it myself! Glad you found some helpful info in this one :)

[@spicecaptain7279]

I'm impressed about production quality compared to subscriber count. Keep it up, Hunter!

[@hunterjames.]

Thank you so much!!

[@GODSPEEDseven]

Like these kinds of thrift store videos. Combining my curiosity for tech in general, but with a look into a country I've never seen with my own eyes. Awesome.. subbed!

[@hunterjames.]

Well thank you so much!! I’m glad you enjoyed it 😊 more videos like this are on the way!

[@waider]

I like the fact that it's unedited, many of these old ccd trending videos are edited af and do not give a realist impression of what the camera will make.

[@hunterjames.]

Thanks so much!! I wanted to give a real representation of what to expect using one of these old cams :)

[@raceface_m2579]

I definitely agree. Everyone posts it’s post production with editing to look like film, but never it’s original look.

[@genkishan]

Chill vid, nice pics too! I have the R5 but your vid made me want the R7 too ..Thnx bro

[@hunterjames.]

Thanks so much for watching! I think we should collect all the R cams 😂

[@BigBreakfast]

absolutely LOVE the story you were able to tell, and what a great batch of shots you got! you've got a similar mindset to me- i really love looking for new things in familiar enough areas< but of course you living in japan makes it 20x more beautiful- and a similar camera story, funnily enough. about a year ago i snagged a canon powershot a2300 in silver (16MP CCD, metal front) for $5 at a garage sale and it's been absolutely living with me ever since. been yearning to see someone show a good thrifting story involving these lovely point and shoots. subscribed

[@hunterjames.]

Thank you so much :) I’m glad this one could resonate with you!!

[@ironmike2732]

Awesome video. I love the 'Lomo' look of the photos!

[@hunterjames.]

Thank you so much :)

[@cafesizzle]

This is pretty cool 👍😁

[@hunterjames.]

Thank you so much!! 😊

[@bolshoff97]

Thank you for the video! Getting myself a 17$ R8 soon, a similar model, and it's hard to find a perspective from a modern poing of view on this camera family. Chill vibes were a great bonus!

[@hunterjames.]

That’s a great find! I’m sure you’ll really enjoy it :) I took some of my favourite shots on this little camera! Thanks for watching!

[@robertosupertramp9322]

I'm looking for a point and shoot just like this! I also live in Japan and I love hard off stores. Great video!!

[@hunterjames.]

I hope you can find a good one!! Glad you enjoyed it, thanks for watching :)

[@KudoYoung]

For the price the quality is an absolute win.

[@hunterjames.]

I’m glad you agree!! These old cams definitely shouldn’t be overlooked. Probably the best bang for your buck for a simple everyday camera!

[@iosmusicman]

I envy you you ready availability of shedloads of tech. Great vid. Cheers. Lee

[@hunterjames.]

I’m definitely very lucky! Thanks so much :)

[@bleach7409]

Really enjoyed this video! Subbed 🥂

[@hunterjames.]

Hey thank you so much!!

[@SilentGig1]

Loved this video. As a camera noob i wish you went into the specs and what they mean... i know i could go somewhere else for that but i wouldn't have the chill vibe.

[@hunterjames.]

Hey thanks so much! I'd love to do a video going into more detail, what kinda of things would you be interested in learning?

[@Magnetar83]

I wish we had thrift stores like that in Norway 😀

[@hunterjames.]

They’re my new obsession. Always a fun time going through then here!

[@siofna9709]

Informative Video and interessting video. I like older Digicams and use them. If you know your camera very well, you can get good results. With greetings from lower Bavaria

[@hunterjames.]

I’m glad digicams are on the comeback! Thanks for watching :)

[@caohocquynhan7779]

❤❤❤❤❤

[@zakil89]

Thanks for the video! On a separate note I hope you get some sleep bro!

[@hunterjames.]

Thank you for watching!! I was finally able to get a good nap in last month 🤣

[@imseeno]

Hey! I randomly came across this vid. I too am a photographer (just as a hobby) in Utsunomiya. Maybe I'll run into you one day. Or maybe we can even go shoot together. 👍

[@hunterjames.]

Amazing!! I’d love to meet up and go for a shoot!! DM me on Instagram :)

[@raceface_m2579]

Great camera, but the battery door on mine just keeps slipping open.

[@hunterjames.]

That’s the worst! I had an old Olympus that I had to retire for that exact reason. Just a good excuse to buy a new camera though!

[@kn-wz7nz]

where can i find an online shop of a japan thrift cameras?

[@hunterjames.]

Sadly I don’t think there is one! I know you could probably find some on Yahoo Auctions Japan, but I don’t recommend it because you can’t see the cameras in person and shipping is super expensive :(

[@kawaiiiscute131231]

Hi, I'll be travelling to Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto in November and want to buy a digital camera for fun. Nothing too fancy, I liked the price range you stayed within. Do most Hard Off's in the main city sell these type of digital cameras for around this price? I'm interested in Canon Ixy/ Canon Ixus range but have seen other proper 2nd hand camera stores sell the cameras for much more expensive (from online photos). I don't mind if the camera doesn't last long, I mainly want to use it during my trip. Thanks!

[@hunterjames.]

Hey there!! That sounds like a wonderful trip! With the recent trend in older digital cameras, prices have gone up a little bit. Hard Off and comparable second-hand stores still stock lots of them but more around the 4000¥ mark. I recently saw a late model Canon Ixy for 3800 I believe. If you’re starting your trip in Tokyo, you should head to Akihabara right away. You’ll be able to find a camera there for sure either at that price or slightly under :) Hope that helps! Have a great trip!!

[@gillesputtemans]

which store did you visit? Any other stores?

[@hunterjames.]

I got this cam from the Hard Off second hand store. They’re a huge chain across Japan so they’re super easy to find! There are endless camera stores in Tokyo especially, so if you can’t find one at a hard off, you’ve got lots of options!

[@nikonbosse5920]

Akihabara? That place usually have lots of thrift store especially for cameras

[@hunterjames.]

Aki is great! Usually less great deals to be found since it’s a major tourist area :)

[@nikonbosse5920]

@@hunterjames. any places you can recommend around Tokyo for camera thrifting

[@hunterjames.]

I recommend checking hard off/off house, used camera box (Shinjuku), and Kitamura camera (Shinjuku) :)

[@rachelefilm3714]

may i know the name and the address of the store?

[@hunterjames.]

It was just a Hard-Off here in Utsunomiya, Tochigi! :)

[@katelynnhealy2001]

Vlogs!!!!

[@hunterjames.]

I’ll see what I can do!!

[@101yen]

I have this camera. I bought it new for 25000 yen 15 years ago.

[@hunterjames.]

That’s awesome!! Glad to hear it was always a great deal :)

[@hiroakitakagi7724]

You are lucky

[@hunterjames.]

I definitely had good luck that day!

[@qwertyasdf2838]

Digicam? Casio..enough said.

[@hunterjames.]

I’ll keep my eyes out for a Casio!!

[@user-kd8mh7wh1g]

Body is sticky oh we got it💏😅

[@kiwipics]

I've had the R7 and R8, and have even suggested this model to onemonthtwocameras on youtube ... Mine only cost me £20 and £25 respectively.

[@hunterjames.]

Fantastic options!! If I come across an R8 I definitely won’t hesitate to pick it up! Really happy with the performance on these old Ricoh cameras :)