[pacman]

I'm currently visiting HK and in my shopping list I have a few camera related goodies.
Problem is I can't seem to find any good camera shops that actually have a wide availability of items.

I've already been to Mong Kok, walking up and down Sai Yeung Choi St. (among the Broadway, Citicall etc. shops), as there's supposed to be a lot of serious camera shops there, but I only found one (which didn't have the lens, filters etc. I was interested in: pretty general stuff really), and was told that the two other close by are owned by the same store.

Stanley St. on HK island is apparently the other place to go, but I haven't been there yet.

Are there any huge camera stores in HK, similar to Yodobashi or Bic camera in Japan? I'm tired of running all over the place and getting a "sorry, no stock".

[lowlight]

Yeah I tried helping my sister when she was in town. I went to what I thought was a more 'serious' place in MK too, but the only filters they carry are polarizers and UV filters... Lame...

If you do find out, I'd like to know myself

[TaLL|dUdE]

what items are you looking for specifically?

[nation]

You'll find the stores here in HK only stock up in the bigger selling items. You won't find the full range of lenses, tripods, lights etc just the narrow band of items that sell here. When in HK your best bet is to identify what you want before hand so you're only discussing price with the store then get them to order. They canb usually get anything in within 2 days.

As for stores, Wing Shing and Man Shing (cheaper but moving away from being a dedicated pro camera shop) in Mongkok. The stores in Stanley Street are tiny and not as competitive on prices but still worth visiting. Tin Cheung in TST good on price but check they are not selling water goods (i.e. grey imports). Also consider Echo Photo & Audio in TST.

[pacman]

To be more specific, this is what I'm looking for (for use with my Canon EOS 350D):

• B+W "MRC" circular polarizing filter (72mm)
• Cokin P filter holder (72mm)
• Hitech 2 stop hard graduated ND filter (which fits the above Cokin filter holder)
• Canon 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM lens
• Canon 430EX flash
• mini tripod and/or beanbag

The Canon lens seems to be impossible to get here. Nobody has it in stock, and nobody knows when it'll arrive. But perhaps I should ask Canon HK themselves about it. The flash is OK. I just haven't forked out the cash yet.
The filters on the other hand are hard to find. Nobody has B+W, and it seems correct what's written here about shops no longer being dedicated photo stores. I'll have a look to see if I can find the ones mentioned here.

[nation]

B+W filters are easy to find. Man Shing has B+W filters (was about to buy one 2 weeks ago) as does Tin Cheung. Failing that you can try maxsaver:

http://shop.vendio.com/hkd

The Cokin and the ND filter should also be easy to get at the above places or the Stanley Street stores. But I haven't looked so don't quote me on that.

A mini tripod again should be easy to get but I don't recall seeing bean bags in HK. You can easily make your own bean bag though. All you need is the casing and fill it with sand sand or small rocks when you get to your shoot.

[Lammarite]

Have you been to stanley Street yet?

Pointless moaning about stuff not being available if you haven't been to the shops recommended. Mongkok is where you get cheap, limited, camera equipment- Stanley street is where you go to get what you want.
If you are getting the 70-300 i would advise you get the one with the image stabiliser as at 300mm it isn't too stable otherwise.

[lowlight]

Originally Posted by Lammarite

Pointless moaning about stuff not being available if you haven't been to the shops recommended. Mongkok is where you get cheap, limited, camera equipment- Stanley street is where you go to get what you want.

Holy crap, way to answer someone's question

[pacman]

Originally Posted by Lammarite

Have you been to stanley Street yet?

Pointless moaning about stuff not being available if you haven't been to the shops recommended. Mongkok is where you get cheap, limited, camera equipment- Stanley street is where you go to get what you want.
If you are getting the 70-300 i would advise you get the one with the image stabiliser as at 300mm it isn't too stable otherwise.

Yes, that's the one I mentioned above (IS USM). I've also been considering the 70-200 f/4L, but without the IS and 100mm less I think the 70-300 IS USM might be a better choice when running around in HK.
I was at the Peak yesterday night and tried to some good shots with my tripod ($ 60 tripod bought in Apliu St. a few years ago)
It's a little wiggly, but OK for the price. But yesterday it was pretty windy up there, so my photos didn't turn out as clear as I wanted. I saw someone with a clamp-on tripod sort of thing which looked very smart. They just clamped it on the railing across Lugard Rd. Very smart!
I should get one of those instead of dragging a tripod around. Perhaps I should give Stanly St. a visit.

I found Tin Sheung, and they could at least supply me with more than the other stores I've been to so far. But I'm a little wary when it comes to TST stores. Is this a trusty store or a "sucker tourist" type of store where you (a) end up paying more than the locals (b) get sold fake goods, or (c) they remove items that are originaly included in the package?


I've never been to Stanley street, so I'll check that out. Anyone know if any of those shops have Hitech filters?
Thanks guys

[Lammarite]

The 70-300 is a great bit of glass though you will need a strong tripod to use it. The Stanley street shops are where many of the pro's go to buy their gear and are run by people who know what they're selling. It helps if you make sure that they know you live in Hong Kong though!
I believe i have seen Hitech filters but I'm not sure.