Cheaper 2 buy Body/Lens in Hong Kong? Share ur views...

[hkquah]

Cheaper 2 buy Body/Lens in Hong Kong? Share ur views...
Any knows where to buy from? I am thinking of getting friends to buy for me when he next cometo town...

Cheers,
hkquah

[NikLeica]

hi....think it all depends on what you are looking for....

when i was there in July, Canon 1D Mk II was more expensive than
singapore as demand is higher than supply. don't forget that china is
just across the border and the noveau rich just grab.

secondly u r rite about shopping at the right places.....i dont have the name of the shop i went to but usually man shing etc are good places to start.

i bot some like new second hand accessories over there for a fraction of what I would have paid in singapore! if you are dabbling in older systems like manual leicas, hasselblad, rolleiflex, bronica, nikons, canons etc there is no better place than HK..Tokyo comes second. good price and range.

for the newer technology, the supplies come and go very quickly.....

pays to make a trip there if you are interested

[jamestan]

I will be going to China (Shanghai and Beijing) and HK at the end of the month. Thinking of getting a D70 there. Is is safe? Reliable? Where to buy? Any international warrenty?

Finally, one stupid question: What is HK currency? Is it still HKD or RMB?? Have never been to that part of the world, so I am mountain tortise when it comes to China and HK.

Thanks in advance for all your advice... Cheers...

[AJ23]

Originally Posted by jamestan Finally, one stupid question: What is HK currency? Is it still HKD or RMB?? Have never been to that part of the world, so I am mountain tortise when it comes to China and HK. Thanks in advance for all your advice... Cheers...

HK's currency is HKD, China's is RMB.

Nowadays, a lot of HK's shops accept RMB, some at the same rate as HKD, some with slightly more RMB.

[therat]

Originally Posted by AJ23 HK's currency is HKD, China's is RMB. Nowadays, a lot of HK's shops accept RMB, some at the same rate as HKD, some with slightly more RMB.

heard that the exchange rate (RMB) from the shops is not very attactive.

BTW, for lens hood, is it cheaper to brought @ HK. Any recommend shop.

@ Ebay, 1 guy locate @ China is selling a lens hood @ US$9.99 (exclude the shipping cost) but it is a clone one.
I prefer to support the orginal.

[darkavgr]

I may be going in Dec.
Can anyone recommend shops for Canon, Contax equipment ?

Thanks...

[MCS]

Many Qs, try to answers them all, let me know if anything missing.

1. Exchange Rate SG$ 1 -> around HK$4.55, and HK$1 -> around RMB$1.05

2. Warrenty Goods as known as "Hong Goods" in Cantonese meaning, Grey market gears known as "Water Goods" in Cantonese meaning, you need to term it correctly or you ask whether warrenty provide or not, but HK's "Hong Goods" is only 1 year, not as good as 5 yrs in US. The price is almost the save after rebate. e.g. AFS70-200 VR is selling at HK$11600 and USD 1.42K after USD150 rebate, The rebate is only applicable for American So almost the same and only different is 1yr vs 5 yrs warrenty, but it seems not that helpful for most of Singaporean

3. "Hong Goods" can buy in WingShing and Man Shing at Mong Kok, take the MTR there, These shops are not the cheapest price, but they are "the worst in attitude", you buy from them, but they cheat you beg them to sell. Also, those accessories are selling slightly expensive but reasonable. e.g. ML-L3 priced at HK$100 but other shops ask for HK$180. But again not the best price but WORST ATTITUDE, you need to prepare to receive a cold un-friendly face but wish you good luck

4. "Water Goods", I would say only for those small accessories. e.g. cables, filters..etc. Or if you can speak good HK style Cantonese, then you can try to bargain to those parallel importers for expensive items e.g. AFS 70-200 VR , it will be at least 10-15% cheaper. Try this shop at TST, opposite to the Kownloon Park at Nathon Road. But watch out, it is expensive in some items, this shop is good if you want Leica, Linhof etc.. I want the Technorama 617 there, but too expensive HK$47,000
www.tincheungcamera.com.hk

Please do let me know if you need help. Thanks and good luck

[hkquah]

Thanks to those who have given their inputs.

Also, good to know that are others out there planning to save a little by sourcing from cheaper alternatives... only concern is the warranty that might not be of use in Singapore.

I am thinking of getting Canon 20D and Lens, but seems like it may not be easy to get a good deal there as well.

Any more comments from fellow CS shutter bugs out there, keep your comments coming...

Cheers
Andy

[lhjz]

cheapest 20D and BG-E2 prices HKD12380 + HKD1280 (buy straight from canon HK - search www.dcfever.com)
exchange rate is fluctuating at 4.64 - 4.52

lens prices differ.. some are abt the same price some are cheaper by 10-20%
eg EF17-40L same price as in SIN, sigma50-500 SGD1300(HK) vs SGD1600(SIN)

[megkris]

Hi all,

any good place to buy CF cards/filters etc in HK? Am workin in HK island and hopefully not too far from where i'm staying.

tks

[jamestan]

Anyone know in Shanghai and Beijing too?? Anyone has experience buying there as well? I am planning to get a D70... and maybe come cards... Any views??

[therat]

Originally Posted by jamestan Anyone know in Shanghai and Beijing too?? Anyone has experience buying there as well? I am planning to get a D70... and maybe come cards... Any views??

Heard that its not cheap.
coz china impose a very high tax (30%) on electrical items ..