RicardoD
Well-known
Hi guys,
Right after the 4th of July, I have to return to beautiful Shenzhen, China, the industrial city that put the "made" in Made in China. This involves passing through Hong Kong and I do my best to spend a night there on every trip.
I was wondering if anyone had some camera stores they could recommend for film, rangefinder, and TLR stuff. My wife would kill me if I buy more equipment there but I'd like to try and find some cheap Lucky 120 film and just see what's available and pricing. I plan to take my DSLR, Bessa R, and Yashica Mat 124G on this trip but want to focus on using the TLR Yashica Mat for my personal photos. I may actually leave the Bessa at home but I'm sitting on a bunch of Shantou Era film now so it seems appropriate for me to shoot with that while in China.
Last time I was in Hong Kong I did a search at dpreview.com and went to this recommended camera store: Tin Cheung Camera which is on Nathan Road. Now in general I was warned to stay away from the touristy stores right on Nathan road but this store is buried inside a small mall. At the time of my last vist I had yet to get into film and rangefinders but I remember the loads of used shrinkwrapped equipment in the windows.
Here is what I found on dpreview for Hong Kong and appreciate it if anyone else has some other suggested spots. I still have to hunt down where the good shops are in Shenzhen.
----------------begin quote from Mr. Dazzler --------------------------
Photo Scientific
6 Stanley St, Central District
Tel: 2525 0550
Website: http://www.yp.com.hk/photoscientific
The place to go for film stuff, excellent range of films, photographic
papers, darkroom gear etc. The other shops on Stanley Street are
mostly quite good too, but sometimes a bit more expensive than the
Kowloon-side shops.
Tin Cheung Camera Company
Look at map on website (recently moved)
Tel: 2722 1265
Website: http://www.tincheungcamera.com.hk
Excellent range (including Sigma) knowledgeable staff, good prices,
generally good service. This is where I have bought most of my lenses.
Through the back of this arcade and next door in Champagne Arcade
there are a few good second-hand camera shops as well. Avoid other
shops in Tsim Sha Tsui (especially on Nathan Road) as many are tourist
rip-off places.
------------------end quote from Mr. Dazzler--------------------------------------
Right after the 4th of July, I have to return to beautiful Shenzhen, China, the industrial city that put the "made" in Made in China. This involves passing through Hong Kong and I do my best to spend a night there on every trip.
I was wondering if anyone had some camera stores they could recommend for film, rangefinder, and TLR stuff. My wife would kill me if I buy more equipment there but I'd like to try and find some cheap Lucky 120 film and just see what's available and pricing. I plan to take my DSLR, Bessa R, and Yashica Mat 124G on this trip but want to focus on using the TLR Yashica Mat for my personal photos. I may actually leave the Bessa at home but I'm sitting on a bunch of Shantou Era film now so it seems appropriate for me to shoot with that while in China.
Last time I was in Hong Kong I did a search at dpreview.com and went to this recommended camera store: Tin Cheung Camera which is on Nathan Road. Now in general I was warned to stay away from the touristy stores right on Nathan road but this store is buried inside a small mall. At the time of my last vist I had yet to get into film and rangefinders but I remember the loads of used shrinkwrapped equipment in the windows.
Here is what I found on dpreview for Hong Kong and appreciate it if anyone else has some other suggested spots. I still have to hunt down where the good shops are in Shenzhen.
----------------begin quote from Mr. Dazzler --------------------------
Photo Scientific
6 Stanley St, Central District
Tel: 2525 0550
Website: http://www.yp.com.hk/photoscientific
The place to go for film stuff, excellent range of films, photographic
papers, darkroom gear etc. The other shops on Stanley Street are
mostly quite good too, but sometimes a bit more expensive than the
Kowloon-side shops.
Tin Cheung Camera Company
Look at map on website (recently moved)
Tel: 2722 1265
Website: http://www.tincheungcamera.com.hk
Excellent range (including Sigma) knowledgeable staff, good prices,
generally good service. This is where I have bought most of my lenses.
Through the back of this arcade and next door in Champagne Arcade
there are a few good second-hand camera shops as well. Avoid other
shops in Tsim Sha Tsui (especially on Nathan Road) as many are tourist
rip-off places.
------------------end quote from Mr. Dazzler--------------------------------------
Last edited:
David Murphy
Veteran
The serious camera shops in Hong Kong are on Stanely Street on Hong Kong side -- some have very good, knowledagble people on staff.
tron
Established
Tin Cheung has moved. This carries its new address: -
http://www.tincheungcamera.com.hk/
In fact, the whole Tung Ying Building is going to be demolished and the other two cameras shops there have also moved. The one next to Tin Cheung has moved to a a hotel shopping mall in Kimberly Road. The name of the hotel should be Kimberly Hotel. Anyway thereare only three hotels at Kimberly Road. Outside the hotel there is a Watson's Drug Store. Another one called Shogun, also used to be in Tung Ying, has moved to Hankow Road (or Lock Road) junction with Haiphong Road, TST.
Hope that helps.
http://www.tincheungcamera.com.hk/
In fact, the whole Tung Ying Building is going to be demolished and the other two cameras shops there have also moved. The one next to Tin Cheung has moved to a a hotel shopping mall in Kimberly Road. The name of the hotel should be Kimberly Hotel. Anyway thereare only three hotels at Kimberly Road. Outside the hotel there is a Watson's Drug Store. Another one called Shogun, also used to be in Tung Ying, has moved to Hankow Road (or Lock Road) junction with Haiphong Road, TST.
Hope that helps.
nigelamies
Newbie
Camera stores in HK
Camera stores in HK
Never, ever buy anything from any so-called 'camera shop' anywhere on Nathan Rd. They are all con artists and rip-offs. Stanley Street, in Central district on HK island, and PhotoScientific especially, is the only place to go.
Camera stores in HK
Never, ever buy anything from any so-called 'camera shop' anywhere on Nathan Rd. They are all con artists and rip-offs. Stanley Street, in Central district on HK island, and PhotoScientific especially, is the only place to go.
RicardoD
Well-known
Tron,
Does the map at this link: click here for map show the location of the old store relative to the new one for Tin Cheung Camera.
Does the map at this link: click here for map show the location of the old store relative to the new one for Tin Cheung Camera.
David Murphy
Veteran
nigelamies said:
I concur about PhotoScientific -- I love the place, but there are also a couple of other reliable ones whose names I can't remember, but they are all on Stanely St. I find the photo finishing services at these shops to be good too. They process and mount color slides in a day or less, even Sunday. They process medium format beautifully. Their film prices are reasonable and their selection thoughtful.
tron
Established
nigelamies said:
As a local Hong Kong guy, I agree with that comment about shops in Nathan Road. They will refuse to do business with local HK people. They are rip-offs and the Police have and are still working to arrest them. There was one fraud and criminal intimidation report last year and the TST Police took all the trouble and expenses of flying the victims to HK from Canada to testify.
That said, the three shops listed above are reputable and can be trusted. Local HK people buy from them.
I do not travel to Hong Kong Island often. However, I have done business with this shop named "Good World Photo Supplies Limited" at No. 8, G/F., Gilman Bazaar, Central. It deals in both new and second hand photographic equipments.
The owner Mr. CHOW is a photo fanatic himself and he operates his shop, well, at least to me, more like he wants to meet friends than doing business.
You may want to visit this shop when you stroll along Stanley Street.
RicardoD
Well-known
Thanks for the tips guys. I will be sure to get on the Island and check out Stanley street now. Perhaps even try and get some 120 developed while I'm there.
Avotius
Some guy
This is one of the best camera stores in China. Our school does most all its bussiness here and many of my friends have bought expensive (hassies, mamiyas, etc) here.
RicardoD
Well-known
Avotius, which store are you referring to?
Avotius
Some guy
ps. Lucky 120 film goes for about 5.5-6 rmb a roll. Dont get taken.
Avotius
Some guy
RicardoD
Well-known
Avotius, Where is this store located? Is it one of the Stanley Rd stores on HK island? Thanks for the Lucky 120 price range. That will come in handy.
Avotius
Some guy
RicardoD said:
no they are in guangzhou but thats like a walk across the street down there
David Murphy
Veteran
One comment about HK shopping: Never pay the sticker price unless its a small item. If you are not good at bargaining, look at the item and ask the merchant "how much is it", even though it is readily apparent that the price is marked. This is a cue for them to give you a small price break. You can do more sometimes to lower the price, but that's where bargaining experience comes in, and of course it depends on many factors.
This is part of the fun of shopping in HK. Many first timers to HK blow a lot of money fast and head home with maxed out credit cards and more loot than they can get on the plane -- it's a wonderful place to shop.
This is part of the fun of shopping in HK. Many first timers to HK blow a lot of money fast and head home with maxed out credit cards and more loot than they can get on the plane -- it's a wonderful place to shop.
pdx138
Established
I was just about to pose the same question! I'll be going to Hong Kong in September and was hoping to find some interesting small cameras. I've always wanted a GR1v or GR21 and a Hexar AF. What are the chances of finding these types of cameras in HK? Any other interesting stuff to keep an eye out for that is scarce in the USA?
By the way, I managed to avoid posting a "what travel outfit" thread and I think I've settled on an Olympus XA and Natura S, but I am still considering bringing my iiig.
I've been warned about carrying flashy cameras in HK because of crime. I'm not ususally very worried, but a couple of people have mentioned it. Any opinions?
Thanks!
By the way, I managed to avoid posting a "what travel outfit" thread and I think I've settled on an Olympus XA and Natura S, but I am still considering bringing my iiig.
I've been warned about carrying flashy cameras in HK because of crime. I'm not ususally very worried, but a couple of people have mentioned it. Any opinions?
Thanks!
David Murphy
Veteran
pdx138 said:
My opinions: Most of what you can get in HK you can get here just as cheap, but I could be wrong. There is still some very interesting stuff to gander at.
Hong Kong is one of the safest cities in the world. The police are very efficient there. The main thing is to watch your wallet when riding the MTR (the subway system).
David Murphy
Veteran
My further advice: Take the IIIg. The photo ops are superb and you want your best camera.pdx138 said:
froyd
Veteran
Resurrecting this thread because I'm in Shenzhen note and just ran out of film. My Chinese colleagues all live in HK and can't name any place in SZ that sells film. Looking for xp2 but will settle for drugstore film.
kepa
Newbie
These are the places I go for film:
IN MONG KOK
- Wing Shing Photo Supplies on Sai Yeung Choi street, exit E2 of the MTR, is the easiest place to find film.
- There is a small store on the top floor of Sim City, a building full of used camera gear shops just round the corner on Shan Tung street, that also has a good supply.
IN TSIM SHA TSUI
- Dot-Well on Carnarvon Rd
- David Chan Camera in Champagne Court, the entrance is right next to Dot-Well.
IN PRINCE EDWARD/MONG KOK
- Output Pro Lab on 612 Reclamation Street. Have XP2 according to their website, but it is very hard to find. Located in an old building on a street of old buildings, have to press the buzzer and wait for them to drop the key down a tube that falls on the ground behind you to open the door. Located on first floor. Prince Edward MTR exit C2 is the closest MTR exit.
CENTRAL
- Chung Pui Photo Supplies on Stanley Street
IN MONG KOK
- Wing Shing Photo Supplies on Sai Yeung Choi street, exit E2 of the MTR, is the easiest place to find film.
- There is a small store on the top floor of Sim City, a building full of used camera gear shops just round the corner on Shan Tung street, that also has a good supply.
IN TSIM SHA TSUI
- Dot-Well on Carnarvon Rd
- David Chan Camera in Champagne Court, the entrance is right next to Dot-Well.
IN PRINCE EDWARD/MONG KOK
- Output Pro Lab on 612 Reclamation Street. Have XP2 according to their website, but it is very hard to find. Located in an old building on a street of old buildings, have to press the buzzer and wait for them to drop the key down a tube that falls on the ground behind you to open the door. Located on first floor. Prince Edward MTR exit C2 is the closest MTR exit.
CENTRAL
- Chung Pui Photo Supplies on Stanley Street