Tokyo is a big city. Tokyo is full of huge malls. Tokyo has plenty of small shops. I love the latter. I like to discover them and get lost amongst crazy and original products.
During my sabbatical, I’m dedicating a lot of time to one of my passions: photography. I’m a gadget geek too, so I like to check out new products. Having more free time also means that I’m back to experimenting a bit more, in particular in the analogue and lo-fi photo worlds.
In the last months I’ve been playing mainly with analog cameras: a fuji instax cheki 50, a Superheadz keyring camera and a Blackbird, fly (BBF135) TLR camera, apart of dusting off my Nikon F3.
Serendipitously I discovered Camera Cabaret in Shibuya, Tokyo… and it was love at first sight. Not only it is full of great vintage and new products, but the staff is cool and stylish… a DJ plays live to make it even cooler. In fact it has been defined as a “camera shop for music lovers” by Jun Akaike, manager for international affairs.
Camera Cabaret from Gianfranco Chicco on Vimeo.
These are some pics of this photographic paradise, below a short interview to Jun and a visit to all the products on sale.
If you want to by one of these beauties and you don’t live in Japan or haven’t got a local dealer, drop me a line and we will work something out.
edit: address of Camera Cabaret in Shibuya, Tokyo
edit2: check out Cameron’s “The Plastic Lens” blog for a Blackbird, fly 135 tutorial
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Thanks so much for giving us a glimpse into this wonderful place! If I can’t be there at least I can have this virtual visit! It was fun seeing all the great cameras (and ticking off the ones I have in my collection!) What an Aladdin’s cave for lovers of analog cameras (and music)
Please say hello for me next time you are there, quite a few of my photos are on the blackbird,fly promotional poster.
Cheers from Australia!
It looks like your adventure is going well.I’ve read about you on 7thfloor few minutes ago.
Yeah, you are making true what many people dreams for all life long…going away and leaving all you got is not simple,but maybe is easer than most people thinks.
I agree with you when you say that here in Italy there are few reasons to stay and feel part of the innovation and change process that is bringing world to renewing itself. Each day I find another reason for going away I find also some reason to stay…
I wish you find the right humus to spin-off your mind and your ideas!
Have good time and take back some good camera;)
Cheers from Bologna
Take care of you.
Lalinda
[update] I have created an open group on Facebook for Blackbird,fly owners and fans:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=28685514252