Last year I managed to pick up a 1V-HS for $420 US in a 2nd hand store in Japan (their used market is massive) and it was in mint condition (as were the three others sitting next to it for the same price). I have seen excellent 1VHS bodies here in Australia for $550 USD (parity exchange rate)
Where is the best place to find good used equipment in Japan? I go there fairly regularly for work and would like to check out what is available. You say a second hand store so it sounds like a smaller place than the Bic Camera and Yodabashi Camera superstores, where I often go to drool over the latest Canon stuff that they have out on display. Most of my recent trips have required at least a few days in Tokyo, which I imagine must have a whole district of used camera stores. Somewhere around Akihabara perhaps?
A 1V for under $500 US sounds like a great value. I was looking at used 1Vs at KEH last year before I took the plunge into DSLRs with a 5D2. (I don't want to abandon film completely, but my EOS 10S is 20 years old and it would be nice to upgrade to the ultimate Canon 35mm body.) I could swear the 1Vs were selling for quite a bit more than $500 over a year ago. Maybe they have come down as the demand drops off and FF DSLRs are getting more affordable?
I always enjoy scoping out used medium format too. Maybe I can add to my collection of Bronica gear. Or, if my wife doesn't forbid it, expand into Mamiya, Pentax, Rollei...
