Korean Job Discussion Forums

Swiss James · Joined: 26 Nov 2003 Location: Shanghai

it's around there but I'm not so good with the directions.

The subway station is near a big cinema- well the camera shops are on the other side of the road from that. Basically if you were around the design and printing shops you were nearly there- just keep looking around the back streets.

This guy http://www.ppknude.com/ runs a cafe/camera shop that's got good prices- he offered me a Leica IIIc for 390,000 and a Rolleiflex for 300,000- he's got loads of SLRs at ebay type prices too.
Around gate 1 of Namdaemun there are quite a few shops, heading all the way down to Myeong Dong- and in the underground arcade near the old post office there are a few more.

Seoul seems to be a really good place to buy vintage gear in fact.

gdimension · Joined: 05 Jul 2005 Location: Jeju

For those of you with photos online, I've recently been submitting photos to weekly photo memes, which you might be interested in doing...

http://www.odilialiuzzi.com/INSPIRATION_CHALLENGE/ - Sunday
http://macroday.com/ - Sunday
http://moodymonday.org/ - (Monday)
http://www.godamonginsects.com/tuesday/ - (Tuesday - currently not working)
http://www.lensday.com/index.php - Wednesday
http://www.spunwithtears.com/thursday.html - (Thursday)
http://www.photofriday.com/ - (Friday)
http://www.pxite.com/index.php - Saturday

For those of you who have no idea what a photo meme is (like me, originally): each week on the specified day a word or theme is given, and people submit links to their photos that they feel represent that theme. Some of the sites having voting for the best, some not. I've found it to be a great way to see others' photos and get some comments on mine.

indytrucks · Joined: 09 Apr 2003 Location: The Shelf

VanIslander · Posted: Tue Mar 07, 2006 3:55 pm Post subject:

http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/korea/viewtopic.php?t=53325

KoreanMike · Joined: 07 Mar 2006 Location: Seoul, South Korea

Hey!

Those are excellent pictures - - go to: http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/korea/viewtopic.php?t=53325

we should all meet up sometime in the near future!

Mike

indytrucks · Joined: 09 Apr 2003 Location: The Shelf

A photography club is a great idea. Meeting up once a month would be fine with me ... but how about alternating venues (e.g. NOT Seoul every time?). Pick a place that has photographic merit (there are lots ... Gongju, Buyeo, Gyeongju, Yeosu, etc. not to mention the mountain parks and folk villages) and meet there. There's no where that people armed with the LP and a train ticket can't get to. That way the Seoulites can get out of Gotham and see a bit of the country. Only a idea.

BTW, I found this in my Flickr mailbox the other day:

Swiss James · Joined: 26 Nov 2003 Location: Shanghai

[quote="indytrucks"]
BTW, I found this in my Flickr mailbox the other day:

indytrucks · Joined: 09 Apr 2003 Location: The Shelf

jinju · Joined: 22 Jan 2006

Cool..

now that we are bragging:) I may be featured in DC magazine, a large photographic magazine in Korea. Ill be having an interview with them next week:) An interview and my photos in a mag..how cool.

indytrucks · Joined: 09 Apr 2003 Location: The Shelf

That's pretty cool ... how'd that happen? Where can I get a copy of the magazine?

I wasn't braggin' ... Wink

jinju · Joined: 22 Jan 2006

Reflections · Joined: 04 Jan 2005

Hey, Swiss James, nice camera: Rollei 35S aperture, 2.8

I used to own a Rollei 35SE, which had the light meter insided the viewfinder instead of at the top like yours.

I spoke to alot of older Korean photographers and they all prefer your version - something about the SE more likely to obtain problems as its meter is more 'delicate'.

I picked mine up two years ago in Chungmuro for 320,000W - it was and still is in perfect condition. I often go to that area and scan for second hand cameras.

You mentioned you saw a IIIC - the IIIG was the best of that series, but it comes at a price. I saw one in Namdaemun and one in Chungmuro a few months ago for 1,600,000W, without lens.

I have heaps of Japanese photography magazines that advertise 2ND cameras and there is in Japan what is known as 'leica mania'. They are crazy for Leicas - the prices are comparative with Korea - Korea is probably a little cheaper for a secondhad Leica with the exchage rate.

When I come back to Korea, I will pick up an M3, one of the best rangefinders constructed.

Swiss James · Joined: 26 Nov 2003 Location: Shanghai

thanks Reflections-

I'm actually finding the Rollei really difficult to use, the lightmeter seems to underestimate a lot (I'm checking the battery is the right voltage and fresh when I finish this film) and the scale focus makes it difficult to use at anything wider than f5.

Stopped down it's been taking pretty sharp photos though, and it feels great- I'm picking up a Rollei XF soon, same(?) Sonnar lens, but with a rangefinder so we'll see.

That IIIc does seem like a pretty good deal, and I think the guy had Leicas from the whole III range and some Ms too. It's partly a camera museum, partly a cafe, and partly a shop- really interesting place.

Here's one from the Rollei

Reflections · Joined: 04 Jan 2005

Swiss James, I know that photography coffeeshop/museum that your talking about. I got drunk there a few times.

Actually, around the corner on the second floor, there is a service shop for Hasselblad, Rollei, Leica etc Ask the guy in the coffee shop place for directions.

If you go there, they can check your meter and service for a reasonable price. It could be a good option before you leave.

I got my Leica fixed a few times, and because I was polite (maybe) they did it free of charge even though it was out of warranty.

There is also the Contax G2, but I don't like the viewfinder as its to cramped. I know that the IIIC was the earlier one of that series, so its cheaper.

Cheers and good luck>

indytrucks · Joined: 09 Apr 2003 Location: The Shelf

One more bump for one more question ... SJ, I'm looking in your direction.

So I was in Chungmuro again today, wandering around looking for the fabled land of camera shops, but to no avail. I must either be blind or stupid or both. I asked some random people on the street if they knew where I was talking about but they looked at me like I was asking directions to the moon.

So, one last time, can anyone help me out with any kind of directions to camera shops around Chungmuro Station?

PS I'm also wondering if anyone knows of a good pro lab that consistently stocks slide film ... specifically, Fuji Velvia 50 and 100, Fuji Provia 100 and Kodak Ektachrome 100 and 64. I seem to remember someone talking about a place near Gwangwhamun.