lens in Hong Kong

[timothy to]

aus4ever,

I think you were right. I went to Cameroon Photo in Tsim Sha Shiu East this afternoon and asked discount for 17-55 which was selling HK$10500. I was given HK$100 off and a word from the shop owner "If you don't buy there are many will buy..." Not very confortable with the service or i guess i shouldn't have asked for discount...

17-55 was quoted HK$10500 and 70-200 HK$12800. According to the shop no discount will be given cause these 2 lens are selling like hot cake in HK. Bit disappointed but will continue to shop...

My friend bought the 70-200 for me at HK$11600 a month ago.
This shop you went knew that they could charge a premium because the
entire city is out of stock. Wish you luck.

--
'It is good photos, not expensive gears that earn respect.'

 

[Brad Morris]

welcome to HK. the land of supply and demand. soory to be blunt but the honkies are masters of identifying monopolies
--
http://www.flickr.com/photos/k-blad/

 

[Since2007]

welcome to HK. the land of supply and demand. soory to be blunt but the honkies are masters of identifying monopolies

That's merely business sense. As you already mentioned, it's a land of supply and demand. The ability to adapt to changes quickly is one of the strengthes of Honkies, and Singaporeans.

--
'It is good photos, not expensive gears that earn respect.'

 

[Since2007]

I think you were right. I went to Cameroon Photo in Tsim Sha Shiu East this afternoon and asked discount for 17-55 which was selling HK$10500. I was given HK$100 off and a word from the shop owner "If you don't buy there are many will buy..." Not very confortable with the service or i guess i shouldn't have asked for discount...

I don't like that kind of attitude either. Apart from the shortage of supply, affluent visitors from China has helped to push the price up. I think they are determined to make HK$900 extra. Did you buy from them?

I sold the rest of my Leica gear yesterday. It's a rather sad bye to Leica forever unless I win Lotto. I have entrusted a friend to find a 17-35 for me to pick up in September. If it is not available, I'll settle for a 12-24. I still have money left for a 105VR micro but I know the other half is going to object. : )

--
'It is good photos, not expensive gears that earn respect.'

 

[timothy to]

The price offered for 17-55 was only around 7% cheaper than Singapore so didn't go for it. However i bought a SB800 from them (Cameroon) as it was 20% cheaper than Singapore. One thing i didn't think of was the manual in Chinese.... but didn't bother me much (just not used to).

 

[Riki]

Cameroon is one place you dont bargain much in HK. That is what I have learnt. About the manual just ask him, he has all language manuals with him , he will gladly exchange it for you.

 

[Since2007]

However i bought a SB800 from them (Cameroon) as it was 20% cheaper than Singapore. One thing i didn't think of was the manual in Chinese.... but didn't bother me much (just not used to).

Yes, as Riki said, they should be able to swap an English manual for you. In case you have a tight schedule and no time to go back, a soft copy is on the way to you. Please check email. It's a little bit over 3MB.

Me too, although I have no problem reading both traditional and simplified Chinese, I am more used to reading the manual in English.

--
'It is good photos, not expensive gears that earn respect.'

 

[timothy to]

aus4ever,

Got your English menu. You guys are so helpful. Although didn't have luck getting the 17-55 in HK this time but i enjoyed the time staying there. Most of the retail services were very good and street food was my favour.

In summary, i found the Fortress (tel: +65 26947866) in Shatin new city plaza offered the best price(although no stock). ie 17-55 HK$9552, 70-200 HK$12213. Second alternative would be Cameroon Photo (+65 23666043) cause i beleive they are the distributor as i can see the amount of stock they are holding in the shop is huge and also their price isn't that expensiver comparing to those in Tsim Sha Shiu tourist area. Remember to ask for English menu as suggested by aus4ever. Hope this also help those whom is going HK for lens too...

PS: Btw I was able to experience the crowd right after the announcement of a class 8 typoon there yersteday... Within that first 2 hours train station was jam pack of people, people were pushing in train shouting "don't push". After so much struggling I could get in the train after 5 or 6 full train. Shops were closing. Bread shops gone empty. Super long queue in supermarket. Mobile phone system was partial down....but i guess this is just part of Hong Kong life during the Typoon season.

 

[FrancisCF]

My suggestion is just go to Wing Sing and Man Shing

They have a price list folder

The price is very reasonable and good enough

The most important are you can trust them for the price.

The shop I like is Coxell at 9/F Yau Shing Commercial Centre, 51 Sai
Yeung Choi Street, Mong Kok. They gave great service and the prices
are very close to the Dragon.net listing that you have inclusive of
Credit Card charges (after bargining of course).

I have even managed to bargin at shops on the 10/11/F of Time Square
in Causeway Bay to the extent of the price being about 2-3% above the
Dragon.net listing inclusive of Credit Card charges.

Good luck in your shopping quest. The hunt (vs chase in another
context) is 1/2 the fun. If you dare, if you don't like a price at
any shop, just say very loudly that their prices are crazy and are a
rip off in Cantonese as you walk out of the shop and see their
reaction, they just might come back with a great price; but just know
when and where and how to do that....

--------------------
Amateur Photographer, constructive criticism most welcome:
http://www.pbase.com/kennethw

--
Canon EOS 1V/EOS 5D
Nikon F100/D80
F31fd

 

[Since2007]

Pleasure Timothy.

Thanks for the info about those two shops. I'll ask my friend to check if they have stock for the 17-35. Enjoy the rest of your stay in Hong Kong. : )

--
'It is good photos, not expensive gears that earn respect.'