Off to Hong Kong / Kowloon - Leica shops?

[peterm1]

I am off to Hong Kong for a week very soon and would like to know if anyone knows where to shop for cameras in general and Leica or Voigtlander equipment in particular. I presently own an M8.

I don't think I will spend up too big (definitely no Leica bodies or glass but probably some Leica M related accessories.)

And I will definitely have a Voigtlander lens in mind - maybe the new 50mm f1.1 Nokton or 35mm f1.2. Depending on the deal I can get of course.

(I recently got a good deal on a 75mm f1.8 so am OK in that department.)

I often find myself tempted on eBay by things like half cases for cameras etc so anywhere that sells accessories would be great too. One thing I do need (and cannot get in Australia) is an eyepiece correction lens for my Leica M8. I have found since re-engaging with Leica that my eyes are not what they once were!

Either specific shops or shopping malls / districts.............

 

[dyao]

http://www.tincheungcamera.com.hk/

prices are generally cheaper in the US

 

[menos]

Peter, every time, I visit Hong Kong, I pay a visit to the "New Francisco Photo Co." shop.

Address is here:
SHOP NO. G50-G51, WING ON PLAZA. 62 MODY ROAD,
TSIM SHA TSUI EAST, KOWLOON
HONG KONG

It is in the ground floor of the shopping mall right next to the Shangrila Hotel in Mody Rd. - difficult to miss ;-)

They sell mainly Leica, but have lots and lots of great film gear form all manufacturers.
They also sell Voigtlander lenses and get any model, you want within a short time on the same day, if it is not in stock.

Very friendly and knowledgable owner and seller. I bought on my last visits a 15 Heliar-M and later a Leica Frankenfinder for competitive prices.
It is my preferred Leica related shop in Hong Kong. Others seem more pushy, less patient and customer oriented.

I bought a 135 Telyt this year from Tin Cheung (they have two shops in Hong Kong). The price was standard, but it was the only shop, which had one in stock. I was amazed by their stock in unlimited different sizes for filters !!! So if you can't find something in the US, you quite surely find it in Hong Kong.

Tin Cheung has big stock in the range of Voigtlander M and LTM lenses. The big sellers are very likely in stock and at good prices.

I have to say though, that Asian prices mostly can't compete with USD prices, so I see it from the perspective as a German, living in Asia.

Have a nice trip Peter and enjoy Hong Kong - a wonderful place!
You are not by any chance visiting Hong Kong for the lighting fair later this month? ;-)

 

[ZorkiKat]

Avoid Kine Photo on Stanley Street in Central. Rude shop keepers.

 

[John Lawrence]

If you're extremely wealthy, these guys have a showroom there:

http://www.arsenal-photo.hk/company.asp?act=abt

John

 

[shadowfox]

Peter,

Go through this thread, there are lots of useful info for your Hong Kong trip:
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=91613

 

[kutting]

+1 for Tin Cheung

Kinefoto aren't so bad, I bought my MP, 24mm Elmarit, 35mm and 50mm Summiluxes there over the course of a few years, the prices were excellent. Although there were no group hugs!

I always stock-up on film in Photo Scientific on Stanley Street when I visit and they've got a nice range of bits and pieces, but I don't think they specifically stock Leica.

 

[dyao]

Kowloon Photo Service and Wing Shing on the Kowloon side usually have cheaper prices on film than Photo Scientific...but Photo Scientific is the only shop I've found that stocks Neopan 1600...

 

[peterm1]

This is all very useful so thank you for those contributing. Please keep the ideas coming. I will be looking for some "bits n' Pieces) i.e. the kind of small accessories commonly sold on eBay by HK based outlets. (Fliters, camera cases etc) Any ideas on who might be specifically good for this kind of stuff? Or should I just buy on eBay and not worry about it?

 

[menos]

This is all very useful so thank you for those contributing. Please keep the ideas coming. I will be looking for some "bits n' Pieces) i.e. the kind of small accessories commonly sold on eBay by HK based outlets. (Fliters, camera cases etc) Any ideas on who might be specifically good for this kind of stuff? Or should I just buy on eBay and not worry about it?

Peter, I know exactly, the place, you want to look up:

- unfortunately, I don't have the address anymore, nor do I remember the place - maybe somebody can help ;-)

It is a shopping mall mostly for second hand stuff, spreading over 3 floors, full of small stalls, selling everything from iPhone accessories to cameras.
You enter the mall over a staircase, also leading into some kind of supermarket or electronics market (if I remember correctly). You have to head further upstairs though.

The first floor has mostly cheap hifi and electronics stuff, but the second floor is full of second hand camera gear and accessories.

The mall is very close to the camera mile with big camera chain stores and flyer handing young ladies outside (always full with middle aged gentleman, fully decked out with DSLRs + flash + diffusors and external power packs ;-) ).

 

[dyao]

I believe menos means Sim City in Mong Kok - exit E, then walk south a bit on the main road and hang a right on Shantung street.

Here's the view on Google

A Tin Cheung opened recently on the first floor as well

 

[menos]

That's the one Dan!
Wow - this street view thing is quite impressive - I guess, I have to come out form behind the sofa and catch up on the latest internet technology ;-)

 

[breathstealer]

Sim City is great for those accessories, as are the stores on Ap Liu Street in Sham Shui Po (follow the directions from the MTR station). Ap Liu Street has especially good deals on flash equipment, and there are a couple flea market tables full of old cameras if you're willing to take that risk. I'd be a little wary of buying a new camera from these sorts of places (in fact, much of Ap Liu Street doesn't carry cameras or lenses at all), but if you want things like hoods, cases, filters, tripods, brackets, and so on - anything photographic that isn't a camera, really - then this is your place.

 

[kutting]

Be careful with the shops on Nathan Road, some of them are masters of the bait and switch scam.

 

[Mark D.]

I am heading to HK soon as well.

I won't be making any substantial purchases, but am wondering about the prices of lucky and shanghai film. What's the going rate for both 120 and 35mm?

 

[Mister E]

Be careful with the shops on Nathan Road, some of them are masters of the bait and switch scam.

For sure they are as shady as can be!