Heading to Hong Kong

[mauriceasher]

Hey guys,

I am heading to Hong Kong in 2 weeks time..

Anyone can recommend me any good spots for photography?

Also, would you recommend to get the Speedlite 580EX MK II there? What would the price difference be?

Appreciate your help!

Thanks,
Asher

 

[CS TAN]

Try Mongkok area.

Starting from Wing Shing just outside MTR station. The whole stretch nearby are full of shops selling camera gears.
Wing Shing:
Shop Location 1: 55-57 Sai Yeung St., Mong Kok, Kowloon, Hong Kong. (Original store)
MTR: Mong Kok station - exit D3 - 25m ahead over the road.
Shop Location 2: 91-95 Fa Yuen Street, Mong Kok, Kowloon, Hong Kong. (New store)
MTR: Mong Kok station - exit D3 - 2 blocks away from location 1 above on "sneaker street".

Other reputable stores include Fortress, Citicall. They all have quite a few stores in HK.

Another reputable shop is Tin Cheung in Tsim Sha Tsui:
Location: Shop 5 Friends' House, 6B Carnarvon Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong.
MTR: Tsim Sha Tsui station - exit D2 - over the road next to the 7-eleven.

580EXII is selling around HK$3,300 with international warranty. Compare to S$720, you should be able to save around S$140 on the flash...

 

[Parka]

Shops are everywhere at MongKok. Always do research on prices locally first, also.

 

[ortega]

HK streets in the evening are great for photography

 

[mauriceasher]

Thanks GUYS!!!

Appreciate your help!!!

Should i bring my wide angle 10-22 or will my 28-135 be sufficient?

Wat is a good time to take photos at the peak?

 

[night86mare]

Anyone can recommend me any good spots for photography?

everywhere is good.

personally i like to head to the wilder side of hk, i.e. the offshore islands and new territories, though of course there are shots to be had of the city.

 

[CS TAN]

With the smog/fog that is engulfing HK and other China city, I doubt you can get a clear shot from the Peak. However, no harm trying since you are there.

The best time will be in the evening and after dark but you will have to lug around your tripod with you. The scene from the Peak is magnificent on a clear day when you can see both the HK island and Kowloon.

 

[mauriceasher]

Hey Thanks for the tips..

Are the lenses and accessories in Hong Kong much cheaper as compared to Singapore??

Think i will end up spending a bomb there.. They accept cards and all right?

 

[CS TAN]

In general, HK photo gear is cheaper. However, do your homework and know the Singapore price before you go. Don't make impulse buying as you will easily get cheated to pay more that way.

Go to the reputable shops that I have mentioned in previous post. They all accept credit card but most will be willing to reduce further if you pay cash. If the CC exchange rate is not good, it might be better to pay in cash. Of course, you will have the added risk of getting robbed (not that HK is such a risky place)...

 

[maswu]

If i am not wrong, Canon has recently dropped all its lens and acessories prices in SG to match the prices in HK. I was told that at John 3:16. They told me as a reference that, 24-70L dropped from $2070 to $1890 recently.

So really....do your homework b4 yu buy from HK...

cheers

 

[CS TAN]

From what I can tell, the Canon price after the reduction is still higher than HK price.

But, yes, make sure you get the latest price from Singapore before you go. If the difference is not much (after factor in all the CC exchange rate, etc...), you might want to get it in Singapore. At least you can always go back for 1-to-1 exchange if something goes wrong within the 7-day period which most shops here will honor.

 

[Astin]

Go to this Hong Kong Tourism website, they have some suggested walks in Hong Kong, with directions on taking trains and buses and street signs.
http://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/attraction/hkwalks/index.jhtml

If this is yr first time in Hong Kong, this should be good enough, unless u are more adverturous and want to venture out to the outlying islands or New Territory.

For camera buying, aviod those shops in Tsim Sha Tsui area, u will always see a few sales guys standing near the display windows and act friendly, they are just like our Sim Lim Square or Lucky Plaza. Personally I would buy in Tin Cheung (location not easy to find) and Wing Shing (always crowded) only.

 

[mauriceasher]

From what I can tell, the Canon price after the reduction is still higher than HK price.

But, yes, make sure you get the latest price from Singapore before you go. If the difference is not much (after factor in all the CC exchange rate, etc...), you might want to get it in Singapore. At least you can always go back for 1-to-1 exchange if something goes wrong within the 7-day period which most shops here will honor.

Yes, i see that the prices of Canon accessories has dropped lately. Take example the Speedlite 580EX MK II, the price is now $730 at CP where previously around $800 plus. But if you are comparing to what was quoted one of the post at HKD3300, exchange rate begin 5.7, it would probably cost around $580 which would be a possible $150 saving. Well, you are right though, would need to check with all the prices before making my move to HK. the only accessory i am actually looking at would be the speedlite and probably some handy bags. My crumpler brazillion dollar is getting a lil bulky..

Which bags are you guys using?? prefer the handy ones that can fit a 40D, mount with 28-135 and battery pack. also carrying a flash and 10-22.

 

[maswu]

i will say for bag...just get the stealth reporter 300AW and get it from Cathy Photo (Peninsular)...no where else sells cheaper than them i believe i regretted not getting the 300AW straight away and now am stuck with the EX180 until have money to buy

 

[mauriceasher]

Anyone knows about lomo cameras in HK? Are they cheap there???

 

[CS TAN]

Are you talking about the film Lomo or the mini digital camera from Lomo?

The mini DCs are quite popular in HK right now. The one shop I saw was at Sheung Wan 上環普仁街 in HK island.

You can go visit the website to find out more http://www.vistaquestusa.com/pages/products.htm

VistaQuest VQ1005 (1.5mp CMOS) around HK$400

VistaQuest VQ3007 (3.0mp CMOS) around HK$550

 

[mauriceasher]

Are you talking about the film Lomo or the mini digital camera from Lomo?

The mini DCs are quite popular in HK right now. The one shop I saw was at Sheung Wan 上環普仁街 in HK island.

You can go visit the website to find out more http://www.vistaquestusa.com/pages/products.htm

VistaQuest VQ1005 (1.5mp CMOS) around HK$400

VistaQuest VQ3007 (3.0mp CMOS) around HK$550

Wow, that's something new to me.. No la, i was actually refering to the Lomography cameras, like those LC-A, colorsplash and Holga type. They have one shop at Sheung Wan too. I was wondering if they are cheaper there than here.

 

[CS TAN]

The Sheung Wan address is correct. Here is an English one:
Lomography Shop Hong Kong/ G/F, No.2 Po Yan Street, Sheung Wan

Not sure about price...

 

[mauriceasher]

The Sheung Wan address is correct. Here is an English one:
Lomography Shop Hong Kong/ G/F, No.2 Po Yan Street, Sheung Wan

Not sure about price...

Thanks!

Got it!

 

[maswu]

hey mauriceasher, do share with us what you bought in HK and the price from which shop yea? cause i oso wanna go HK and probably visit the shop and get a 580EXII oso thanks!