Hong Kong camera shop recommendations
Discussion
Nikon Lenses carry an international warranty but Nikon Bodies don't...or at least Nikon UK will honour lense warranties but they won't honour them on bodies...obviously with second hand you'd only get a shop warranty anyway which won't be much use to you.
If you have a look on eBay for what you are looking for you can get a good idea of what HK retailers are charging.
I'd also have a look at what these guys charge...they are UK based and only sell grey imports so not a bad comparison http://www.hdewcameras.co.uk/ The good thing is you get a UK based warranty with them so that is worth something. Seem competitively priced compared to the HK based online retailers.
If you have a look on eBay for what you are looking for you can get a good idea of what HK retailers are charging.
I'd also have a look at what these guys charge...they are UK based and only sell grey imports so not a bad comparison http://www.hdewcameras.co.uk/ The good thing is you get a UK based warranty with them so that is worth something. Seem competitively priced compared to the HK based online retailers.
Edited by Beardy10 on Tuesday 25th January 23:34
I'm mainly after used prime lenses, 24mm, 85mm 1.4 and 105mm, maybe an F6 and if its cheap a Mamiya 645 AFS. I hope low-use SH kit abounds at good prices, especially film stuff. I just need to know where to go, the specialist Nikon SH shop for example, I wont have much time so straight in / out. I can make a vfm judgement there based on what I can get stuff here for.
Where are you staying Ian? Which part of HK?
If you are staying HK Island side, here are a few to look for...
Broadway
G/F & B/F, Hang Lung Centre,
Paterson Street,
Causeway Bay, Hong Kong.
(852) 3427-9819
Broadway
Shop 714, Times Square,
1 Matheson Street, Causeway Bay,
Hong Kong.
(852) 2506-1330
Broadway
Shop 012, Cityplaza, Taikoo Shing,
Hong Kong
(852) 2884-0324
Alternatively, there's also Fortress...
Fortress
Shop 418, 4/F,
Cityplaza,
Tai koo Shing, Hong Kong.
(852) 2568-2280
Fortress
SHOP 73, 75 & 76 ON BASEMENT, WINDSOR HOUSE, 311 GLOUCESTER ROAD. CAUSEWAY BAY
(852) 3907-0411
Be very very wary of the small shops in both Causeway Bay and Kowloon side on Nathan Road and the surrounding areas - the shops I'm talking about have loads of neon "manufacturer" signs on them, and you can't see the shop names. If nothing else, they will ensure you waste a few hours. They are very heavily staffed, and trap the unwary visitor - when inside, they attempt to switch sell, or over sell to you.
Another good place to look, is around the Soho area on the Island side. There's quite a long narrow street full of real shops here that would be a good place to browse.
Broadway and Fortress listed above are large chains, similar to Currys over here. They do sell mainly at SRP but can be pushed lower. Even SRP will show a decent saving though, when converted back to GBP - even after you've added the duty and VAT on entry back to the UK, as I am sure you will...
One final thought - are you doing the tourist thing, or with work? If work, will you have a Cantonese speaker handy? If so, you will find that the discounts offered are far greater when negotiated in the local tongue!
If you are staying HK Island side, here are a few to look for...
Broadway
G/F & B/F, Hang Lung Centre,
Paterson Street,
Causeway Bay, Hong Kong.
(852) 3427-9819
Broadway
Shop 714, Times Square,
1 Matheson Street, Causeway Bay,
Hong Kong.
(852) 2506-1330
Broadway
Shop 012, Cityplaza, Taikoo Shing,
Hong Kong
(852) 2884-0324
Alternatively, there's also Fortress...
Fortress
Shop 418, 4/F,
Cityplaza,
Tai koo Shing, Hong Kong.
(852) 2568-2280
Fortress
SHOP 73, 75 & 76 ON BASEMENT, WINDSOR HOUSE, 311 GLOUCESTER ROAD. CAUSEWAY BAY
(852) 3907-0411
Be very very wary of the small shops in both Causeway Bay and Kowloon side on Nathan Road and the surrounding areas - the shops I'm talking about have loads of neon "manufacturer" signs on them, and you can't see the shop names. If nothing else, they will ensure you waste a few hours. They are very heavily staffed, and trap the unwary visitor - when inside, they attempt to switch sell, or over sell to you.
Another good place to look, is around the Soho area on the Island side. There's quite a long narrow street full of real shops here that would be a good place to browse.
Broadway and Fortress listed above are large chains, similar to Currys over here. They do sell mainly at SRP but can be pushed lower. Even SRP will show a decent saving though, when converted back to GBP - even after you've added the duty and VAT on entry back to the UK, as I am sure you will...
One final thought - are you doing the tourist thing, or with work? If work, will you have a Cantonese speaker handy? If so, you will find that the discounts offered are far greater when negotiated in the local tongue!
Edited by bradders on Wednesday 26th January 14:38
bradders said:
Broadway
Fortress
No harm looking in Broadway and Fortress, but as mainstream consumer-electronics chains they only carry a fairly limited selection of (new) gear.Fortress
bradders said:
Be very very wary of the small shops in both Causeway Bay and Kowloon side on Nathan Road and the surrounding areas
+1. Stay away. These places are known for their bait-and-switch tactics and are mostly run by local mobsters. If you venture a little further up Nathan Road, however, at the top end of Tsim Sha Tsui around Carnarvon Road and Miramar Road, you'll find a cluster of proper camera shops in that neighbourhood such as Echo (Shop D, G/F, Hanyee Building, 19-21 Hankow Road), Matsuya (Blk B, Tsimshatsui Mansion), and Tin Cheung (Shop 5 Friends House, 6B Carnarvon Road, http://www.tincheungcamera.com.hk/)bradders said:
Another good place to look, is around the Soho area on the Island side. There's quite a long narrow street full of real shops here that would be a good place to browse.
That would be Stanley Street, Central, and yes a good place to look. (Technically not Soho but Noho though, /pedant)Also don't miss Sai Yeung Choi Street on Kowloon side (Mong Kok MTR) - chock-full of places like Wing Shing (57. Sai Yeung Choi Street), offering good prices on new equipment, while there are a few secondhand outlets around the corner in the Sim City Shopping Mall, 47-51 Shan Tung Street.
+1 for Tin Cheung.
Also have a look at this site which gives street prices (tho some are aged it gives you an idea).
http://www.ygdragon.net/index.php?page=photo/camer...
Also have a look at this site which gives street prices (tho some are aged it gives you an idea).
http://www.ygdragon.net/index.php?page=photo/camer...
iirc there is a japanese market there.
you will have to ask around as to exactly where it is, but it's a large indoor marker full of japanese electrical goods.
they manage to avoid all the import taxes somehow, and your warranty will be fine as it's just like buying from Japan. you just have to transfer the warranty over. can't remember how to do this, But I managed it easily enough with a Panasonic Leica
do haggle with them too, they expect it. it you can find someone to translate cantonese for you you may be able to drive a harder bargain, but make sure you have gone around every single stall before selecting.
thinking about it, maybe it was temple st market, but maybe not. pretty sure it was all inside.
you will have to ask around as to exactly where it is, but it's a large indoor marker full of japanese electrical goods.
they manage to avoid all the import taxes somehow, and your warranty will be fine as it's just like buying from Japan. you just have to transfer the warranty over. can't remember how to do this, But I managed it easily enough with a Panasonic Leica
do haggle with them too, they expect it. it you can find someone to translate cantonese for you you may be able to drive a harder bargain, but make sure you have gone around every single stall before selecting.
thinking about it, maybe it was temple st market, but maybe not. pretty sure it was all inside.
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