Buying A Film Camera

I have been shooting digital since late 90's, got very serious around year 2010 and bought my first DSLR during that year.  I have learn a lot using my DSLR and I have produced some pictures that I think are probably presentable over the years.



Link to my 500px

Recently, I have been watching videos on film camera and I had developed some interest in it.  I am working in a Japanese company which gives me a lot of chances to travel to Japan.  I have been to Japan many times (lost count) mainly Tokyo and I discover a way to obtain film camera (or any other item) in a relatively cheap way - Auction.

For the passed two weeks I have been hunting for Canon AE1 Program after seeing this video.


I do not mind whether it is Canon (because I am a Nikon shooter) because the price is relatively cheap compare to other entry level film camera and I own mostly G lenses it will not work in older Nikon anyway.

I live in Malaysia, a decent AE1 P cost around USD160, in ebay mint condition ones sell around USD199.  In Japan, I am able get it at USD80 (the amount I am bidding) with 50mm 1.4 S.S.C lens! (I am bidding in the auction while I writing this... hopefully I can win the bid)

... I lost

But I managed to get another (with 50mm 1.8) from from the Auction by buying outright and I paid total around USD80 + shipping to my Japan address.

Below are some pictures I took using AE1 Program

Ektar 100 - Gibson Shop Front - Tokyo, Yaesu

Fuji Velvia 50 - Lone Blossom - Malaysia, Genting

You can actually get a really good condition film camera in Japan in a fairly good price, you just need to know where to look.

Good luck hunting...


By the way, it is totally a different experience when you shoot film.  You will think before you shoot and you have to wait for your film to be developed, maybe I'll share in another blog post, thanks for dropping by

Japan - Opportunity for great pictures

Japan, one of my favourite country to visit, "why?" you may ask.

Anyone ever step their foot in to Japan soil will understand my statement.  The reason are simple, Japanese are very polite, food are delicious, transportation are convenient, environment are clean and tidy, scenery are just perfect for people like me.

I like traveling with camera but honestly I hate traveling with heavy camera and gears.  But this is the best camera I have, like Chase Jarvis said "The Best Camera Is The One That's With You".  Totally agree!  So I will make sure the best camera I have and the camera I have with me to be the same camera. (even though I hate the weight)

Shibuya (渋谷), the one location that I will always visit whenever I'm in Japan.  The picture above taken at Shibuya, right in front of the massive cross road.  You can never find anything quite like that, I can stand there and watch people crossing for hours, I'm serious.  There are lots of article and write up about Shibuya Crossing, such as this wiki post.

The most recent trip to Japan was on March 2014.  Not much time to travel around, mainly spent time working.  However I managed to visit the 歌舞伎町 (Kabukichō, red light district in Shinjuku, Tokyo) and I took this street shot which I missed for the past few visit to Japan.  Generally, this area is pretty safe and no one seems to care even you are standing in the middle of the street with tripod and camera.

The other place I visited was お台場 (Odaiba) located somewhere near Haneda Internation Airport.  The Giant Gundam is the reason I visited this place.

More to come...