Camera shopping in Hong Kong

 

 Source: Wikipedia

After 5 years, I'm back in Hong Kong for a short holiday/long weekend getaway with my mum and sister. Summer time, so it was scorching hot. Make sure you have bottled water in your bag. Since I was outside walking the whole day, on 3 occasions, I felt massive headache due to heat. Stay safe or stay inside the malls, as my mum and sister did.

My purpose of coming to Hong Kong: food and camera gear shopping trip.

Apliu Street. 

Source: hkphotoworkshop

Make sure you canvass in your home country before you leave, because not everything is cheaper in Hong Kong (in my case it X 6). To check prices in Hong Kong click here: http://www.price.com.hk

You can click on the English version of the site or just type in the search box what you're looking for:

Camera model (ex. Canon 5D Mark III) and you'll see a bunch of price range in HKD and shops with contact#s

If you wish to know whether they have the item in-stock, please phone them. Most of them are traditional shops and don't reply to e-mails. Also, they are busy with walk-ins who are mostly regular customers.

Tips:

1. Always pay in cash to get additional discounts.
2. Avoid the brightly lit shops of Nathan Road, TST They are cheats and swindlers. Please exercise due diligence. If the price is too good to be true, it probably is.
3. Ask for international warranty and receipt. The goods will cover local warranty, which will be useless when you return to your home country.

Camera/gear and accessories shopping tips:

1. I was hoping to get a new lens while in Hong Kong, but since the conversion is quite high, I only managed to get a memory card, Sandisk Extreme Pro 32 GB for $400 from Echo Audio and Video at Hankow Road, TST. 

Look for Andrew Yip, +852 2376 2523 / 2376 0478. He's had 45 years of experience in the business and will tell you an honest recommendation.

Feedback:

4/5- Very good prices for camera and lenses compared to other shops like the popular Wing Shing and Tin Cheung. I did get a good price on my memory card (equivalent to 2,400 Php vs 2,700 Php in Greenhills). Uncle Yip was trying to sell me the Sigma 18-250mm for my Nikon D5200 for $1,800 cash! However, I don't see any purpose yet, so I said I'll come back or have someone get it for me.

However, a few hours later, while strolling at Elements after our check-in for the flight home, I asked Broadway for the same item and they were selling at $330.

I know, I got ripped by $70. However I'm not sweating it because I know I'll be back to get more stuff at Echo. Also, it's a smaller shop compared to Broadway (they have stores all over HKG).

However, is one of the lowest when it comes to lens and camera bodies. The Canon 5D Mark III is at $16k cash, compared to the electronic big chain shops that sell for- $17,800. This shop seems to be the cheapest, along with Suntek Co.

Uncle Yip is very patient and entertains questions with a good grasp of English. There was a customer who came in and ask how he can get a refund, as "his friend" was ripped-off by the Nathan Road shops. He was kind enough to tell him what to do.

Overall, I'm very happy with my deal and the shop isn't pushy that you purchase. 

2. Suntek Co. 

They have now changed their billboard to yellow. They used to be along Haiphong Road, but now in Haikow Road.

A few shops before Echo Audio and Video is Suntek Co. They seem to be a popular electronic shop among Filipinos. My uncle referred us to Mr. Danny Pang, and we've bought several point and shoot cameras here. They also sell smartphones and other gadgets, and the price is a bit cheaper than Echo (ex. the Nikon 1.8 dx lens costs $1,300) but they don't have so much of camera gear. 

The only reason I didn't get my memory card here, I wasn't able to find it amongst their display. Anyway, I didn't bother asking.

3. Wing Shing Photo Supplies Co.

Credit: Caveman Lee

A popular shop amongst photo pros and enthusiasts alike, Wing Shing is in Mong Kok, Kowloon.

They got camera bodies, lenses (specialist lenses even), memory cards, camera cleaners, smartphones, tripods. Just name it, they got it.

You can even try the lenses before making your purchase and the staff are friendly and helpful. They won't push you to buy. Canvass and come back.

I asked the Tamron 1.4G and it's about $5,000 or 30k Php which is about the same price. 

4. Tin Cheung Camera Co.

Located at K11 mall, TST

Another popular camera shop is Tin Cheung with several branches around Hong Kong.
They have displays and you can test and play around before making your purchase.
The staff is knowledgeable and not pushy. Like Wing Shing, they are a bit pricier.

Also, they seem to be a Leica specialist.

I asked for the Tamron 18-270mm, and they were selling it for $3,000 (it's Php 18,200 in my country).

Hope you were able to pick up a thing or two about Camera shopping in Hong Kong.

For easier reference, click on the shop name and you'll get to their website with details.