So you want to find a camera? Then this is what you need to know
Recently a few people have been asking me about my service and specifically what it entails. I thought I would take this opportunity to give you all the lowdown on what I do.
As many of you may know, the main part of my time is taken up with finding cameras for my clients. And that is what the meat of this site is about. You see all of the pretty pictures of cameras are items that I have found for my clients. Finding cameras is what I do and I am pretty good at it.
But how does my system work? It is very simple, I will find you anything that I can. I don’t make the guarantee that I can find everything, some things just cannot be found. But I can find a lot of things.
Step one
It starts with you…You can contact me through the ‘Find me a camera’ button at the top of the page or you can get in touch through the ‘contact’ button, either way you will be able to get to me directly.
I like information, the more information that you can give me the better. When I get mails that just say “I want a rangefinder” and nothing else I have a hard time helping you. I need as much info as you can give me. The model, the brand, the price (more on that later) and anything else that you feel is relevant.
A note on this though…Digital cameras. I can search for digital cameras for you, that is not a problem, but you must understand that it is against the law to ship a camera with a battery in Japan, and they do check. So if I do find a digital camera for you, I am not going to be able to ship it with a battery, that is the way it is and I don’t like it either.
Step two
Once I get your mail I will search for some options for you. I search various different places. Online stores, auctions, and shop websites can give me an idea of what is available for you. I also know what is on the shelves in a lot of the stores and I will share that knowledge with you. I will then show you a few options that are available to you by sending you links. I only send links to stores or private sellers that I trust. I have a very good reputation amongst these vendors and I trust them not to sell me anything that is a dud. I will not send you a link for an item that is a dud, I read the Japanese on the site for you so that I know this item is good quality. I will explain the details of the item for you.
I will search for anything. Some people think I only search for cameras, but this is not the case. I search for anything camera related and I don’t only search for the high roller items either. If I can find it I will find it, no matter what the price.
I sell all items totally transparently at cost i.e. no markup, only adding a service fee. My standard fee structure for equipment sourcing is as follows: ¥5000 for items up to ¥10,000, ¥10,000 for any item over ¥10,000 up to ¥100,000, ¥20,000 for any item up to ¥200,000 and so on. To that I add expenses like postage to obtain the item or other fees like banking.
Step three
Once I have found the item that you are happy with and we have agreed on it I will ask you to make a payment to my paypal account. Paypal is my preferred payment method, as it is easier and cheaper for all concerned. If this is not possible then I can accept bank transfers too. I don’t accept Western Union, sorry about that.
I will order the item or go and purchase it for you. I will not buy an item until a payment has been made as I have been stung on a couple of occasions by people who have changed their minds at the last minute and left me hanging on to items that I wouldn’t normally buy. I make sure the item is up to standard, by checking the item and by using my several years of buying experience. If I order something and it is not up to my high standards then I will return it, I will not let my customers be ripped off. I will offer you the option of finding an alternative or a refund. I want my customers to be happy and to have a great experience.
Step four
I will send the item to you. I only use EMS as it is cheap and secure. The insurance on EMS is excellent and I have never lost or had a damaged package in the entire time I have been doing this. I am happy to ship with Fedex or UPS, but the price that they charge in Japan often makes it unreasonable to do so. This is basically an optional extra. Shipping is fast with EMS and often I get mails from customers saying they cannot believe how quickly the item arrived.
I am also very serious about my packaging. I make sure that anything that I send is completely safe and wrapped properly. I spend money on decent packaging materials to ensure the items safety. If the item is going to a country that is hot and humid, I will put silica gel into the package too, just to be on the safe side.
Step five
You get your item and you are very very happy. So happy that you send me an lovely email to say how happy you are :)
So that is it, this is how I do what I do and I really hope that gives you a clearer picture of how everything works. If you have any questions I would be happy to answer them for you. If you want me to find a camera for you then don’t hesitate to get in touch.
And if you have bought a camera from me and you are happy with the service you can leave a nice testimonial comment below :)
Many thanks
Japancamerahunter
Haha love the fact that you used the M6 combo you found me for your article !
Bellamy is a lovely guy, very reactive and will respond to any wish with a link matching your standards.
I haven’t received my package yet but I trust him 100%.
Definitely will do business again with him if I ever feel the need to fullfil my camera porn addiction again. Definitely someone to recommend.
How about customs and stuff like that? Is already included in shipping price?
Customs are unfortunately something that are out of my control. Each country is different and whilst I try to make sure that you will not be charged a great deal by customs, I cannot cover those charges.
Although ultimately I did not purchase the camera Bellamy sourced for me quickly, I did appreciate his friendliness and professionalism. When I am ready to make the investment, I have every confidence it will be through Japan Camerahunter.
I just got a camera from Bellamy and I cannot really express my satisfaction. Reasonable price, mint quality, great support, super fast shipping. There always is an extra fee at customs from Japan to Italy (VAT), but Mr. Hunt makes sure you pay as less as possible. Outstanding.
Hi Marco, I also live in Italy. How much was the extra fee at custom that you have paid? thanks
A great service you offer! Unfortunately I’m still not into film photography but it seems to be a great service for everyone that’s searching for some Analog Gold!
Martin ( http://martinlux.tumblr.com )
Bellamy found me a pretty rare, at least in the US great wall camera. The thing was almost new came with original box, manual etc, pretty awesome for a camera from the 1970s.
Awesome, Fast, and Honest!!!!
Bellamy sold me his old Nikon F3/T and I love it! Got a clean 35mm 2:0 AIS for it and it is amazing. Friendly, helpful and no problems. Fo for it and get your dream camera!
Just bought a Ricoh GR1v from Bellamy, couldn’t be happier. He found exactly what I wanted and it was in my price range. Incredible service! Shipping to Canada was super fast. If I ever need another camera I’m using Japan Camera Hunter. Thank you!
I’m happy with my Bigmini and 3 MS-O lenses. I’d have bought a lot more but he always sells the item just before I place the order. Gotta move fast!
I’ve not bought anything from Mr. JCH but queries are always answered and in full detail!
Keep up the great work!
Hope to buy from you one day!
Got a great little Contax T2 off Bellamy and arrived in Australia within 5 days… Great work.
Must say that I was hoping to read this article and hear of blackened alley deals, searching in shadows for rare bits and pieces… You know, more the Indiana Jones Camera Hunter type deal. Im still going to keep thinking thats how my little Contax was discovered anyway!
Great work dude!
Bellamy recently sourced a relatively rare Mamiya 100 2.8 lens. I had been searching for that lens for a while but the only ones I found on the bay were unreasonably priced. After I got tired of looking and waiting I sent Bellamy a quick email and he responded to me within a few hours with a link to my new baby at a reasonable price and in nice condition. He was courteous and clear about his process, I placed the order and just waited for my lens to arrive. To my surprise the lens arrived much faster than I expected, all in all I couldn’t be happier with my purchase and the experience. To be honest, I’m grateful for a niche service like that this and most of all the seamless process. I’m looking forward to my next purchase through JCH.
I only trust buying my cameras off Bellamy. Bought a Ricoh GR1s, GR1v, Leica MP, and Contax T3 off him. Highly recommend his service!
Cheers mate. I am glad that you are happy with them.
I needed to have my Fuji Klasse repaired and after failing to find a repair for it here in the USA I contacted Bellamy. The Fuji was repaired for an acceptable cost at the factory and everything related to the process was taken care of for me. I liked Bellamy’s whole concept quite a bit so I also ended up buying a Mamiya 7 from him. I was very happy with the whole service and I will definitely consider Japancamerahunter when making future purchases.
Got a Contax G2 with 45mm lens, flash & databack from Bellamy in superb condition. Excellent service & professionalism. Shipping was fast. Really happy with the camera and service, and will be buying my next camera from Bellamy!
Thanks so much!!
No comments here for a while so I hope to continue it.
Last quarter 2015 I started ordering from Bellamy. And I hate him for being so accessible and convenient!!! It actually makes me feel being in Japan hunting even if am not. I love that country.
Ive bought Olympus 4Ti, Nikon F3/T with Voitlander40f2 and several cases and they’re great.
With such convenient service I am now waiting for my new order of Mamiya 6mf with 50 and 75 lens and imagine a Nikon S3 2002 with 50 lens in box! Im so excited. I cant imagine how crazy my Gas is.
Im loving all the experience im having with these cameras. And I am sure to buy more from him. There is this feeling that I might be disappointed if I buy from someone else or if I buy by myself.
My bro is in the US and there are so many temptation to get online but the hesitation is much greater.
Keep it up. Im sure business will just get better – if cameras will stay available.
Hello:
I’m looking for a Hasselblad 503 CW. I don’t know much about them but want to get into medium format. Obviously not a professional. I know this is the cream of the crop and pricey.
Are they abundant? Are prices reasonable for the camera or are the prices unusually high for the name? I realize my coming comparison is not apples to apples but I have seen very clean Bronica ETRsi and Mamiya RZ67 Pro 2 set ups which are fairly cheap and reasonable. Bronica being the most reasonable.
Can you give me your thoughts between these 3 medium format cameras? This is likely something I would not get rid of and have wanted since childhood so I would be willing to “pay up” to a certain point of no return.
Thanks,
Mick
Dear Mick,
Please e-mail me through the site directly and I can give you more information.
Many thanks
Bellamy