Newoldcamera (NOC)

A place where photography and humanity converge

More than a camera shop, Newoldcamera is, at its core, a celebration of photography. Founded in Milan by Ryuichi Watanabe, it feels less like a retail space and more like an old-world workshop — warm, familiar, and profoundly human.

Its name, Newoldcamera, couldn’t be more fitting. It reflects the essence of this unique place, where history and future, passion and precision, come together. Cameras are bought and sold with love, care, and expert attention. The staff — a mix of skilled technicians and deeply knowledgeable employees — embody the shop’s philosophy: thoughtful, dedicated, and always ready to share their experience.

In an era of impersonal e-commerce and rapid transactions, Newoldcamera defies the trend. They ask, “What can we do for the future?” Their answer: remain human.

They offer something the internet can’t: true personal connection. And they remind us that photography, like any art, is a deeply human act. Through those bonds — between people, stories, and images — culture stays alive.

Ryuichi Watanabe, presents Camp Erech, the book in the casket

A Shared Vision of Photography’s Role

The team at Newoldcamera approaches photography not merely as a business, but as a cultural force. They understand the importance of preserving and sharing visual history — not as nostalgia, but as a way to move forward and open new windows on the world.

Today, anyone can take and share images instantly. But Newoldcamera asks the real questions: Why do you want to photograph? What is your relationship with the image?

These are the same questions we ask ourselves at Ayzoh!. While others might shoot for awards or recognition, we reject the idea that human lives can be judged, compared, or ranked. Our work is not for galleries or critics. It’s for the communities we live with, the people whose voices we help carry. We are not at the center — they are.

This shared vision is why we feel so connected to Newoldcamera. We both believe that photography must be rooted in purpose. Why do you take this photo? Who does it serve? What sense does it make?

An Invitation to Learn and Grow

Newoldcamera offers more than gear. It’s a space to reflect, to create, to learn, and to grow. Their magazine, NOC Sensei, stands as a testament to their dedication to photographic culture — and we’ve been honored to be part of its pages.

The name Sensei — “the one who has gone before” in Japanese — captures the spirit perfectly. In this shop, everyone becomes both teacher and student, learning through dialogue, exchange, and presence.

Since our very first visit, they’ve embraced Ayzoh! and our work with open arms. They’ve offered support without expectations. In all these years, we’ve only bought one camera from them. We’re not gear chasers — we use only what’s essential and push our tools to their limits.

And still, they’ve never turned us away. They’ve given us space to breathe, to think, to shape ideas — and, sometimes, simply a place for a good conversation.

In Newoldcamera, we’ve found more than friends. We’ve found a refuge. A place where the human touch prevails. Where photography is not about competition, but about connection, resistance, and the quiet power to reveal the hidden corners of our world.

Stories from the blog

CML 1360
Hope Cathedral
Hope Cathedral is an interfaith and environmentally focused art project located in Fredrikstad. Built on a 120 m² wooden barge, the structure takes architectural inspiration from traditional Norwegian stave churches. Its 300 m² roof is made from recycled...
CML 9750
Penzi: A Labor of Love
I met Guadalupe Alvarez in Lalibela, Ethiopia, during the war. The town was tense, the air thick with fear, and then — there she was. A woman from Mexico. Alone. Calm. Fully present. She wasn’t a journalist. She wasn’t on assignment. She was just there....
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Afar Textiles: Time, Craft, and the Future of Ethical Design
At Ayzoh!, we don’t choose sponsors based on money. We choose them based on values. AFAR Textiles is not just a supporter of our work — it’s a company that reflects the principles we try to live by every day: dignity in labor, beauty rooted in the...
Unesco Journee International De La Dance 005
Ayzoh! Ethiopia Tours was born
A new travel agency rooted in the spirit of Ayzoh! and in the countless social, photographic, and editorial projects we’ve carried out across Ethiopia. To bring it to life, we trusted Amlaku — a tour operator with over 20 years of experience and a brother...
CML 9713
El Rosario: A Library, A Community, A Vision
A new photo book titled El Rosario offers an intimate portrait of a community-driven revolution unfolding in the hills of southern Mexico. Created by the independent nonprofit Ayzoh!, this work blends poetic documentary writing and powerful photography...
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Introducing Ayzoh! Magazine
At Ayzoh!, we’ve never waited for someone to give us space. We build it ourselves. On our own terms. With our own tools. That’s why we created Ayzoh! Magazine — a space that’s ours. A space where no algorithm decides what deserves attention. Where no...

Latest Publications

Somos Guatemala 01
Somos / Pueblo Ancestral Viviente
"Somos" is a call to listen, to witness, and to act. Created in deep collaboration with Maya communities across Guatemala, this project amplifies ancestral voices that have long been silenced, distorted, or ignored. At its heart lies the Popol Wuj, the...
El Rosario 001 01
Biblioteca Comunitaria El Rosario
El Rosario is a photo book and a tribute to a grassroots library in Oaxaca, Mexico. Created with the community of Santa Catarina Minas, it celebrates literacy, biodiversity, and collective imagination. All proceeds support the library and its partner...
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Je Suis la Rue
Discover the vibrant streets of Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, through the eyes of talented youth who transform urban spaces into creative playgrounds. Ayzoh! established the Centre Photographique de Ouagadougou (CPO), an inclusive photography center empowering...
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Visit Awra Amba
Awra Amba, a visionary community in Ethiopia, challenges conventional norms by promoting equality, peace, and sustainability. As global ambassadors, Ayzoh! shares their inspiring story through an illuminating photographic book and dedicated website, highlighting...
Isegran-01
Isegran
An intimate homage to the maritime community of Isegran, Norway, this book celebrates the profound connection between humans and the sea. Explore themes of love, tradition, craftsmanship, and passion, reflecting on the sea’s timeless ability to unite...
dialogo-silenzioso-001
Dialogo Silenzioso: the Book
Dance meets Ethiopia’s ancestral rhythms in "Dialogo Silenzioso," a compelling visual narrative commissioned by the Ethiopian Embassy in Italy. Ayzoh! created this book and traveling multimedia exhibition, celebrating dance as a universal language and...

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