Hong Kong Camera Gears Shopping Guide

[Langga]

i dun think they will handle after sales... i thought its handled by the manufactor, eg Canon?

Sorry, not really meant for after sales service but does those 2 shops offer 7days return policy just like the other shops in HK? I'm planning to buy Sigma Lenses and we all know Sigma has some issues on focusing. Just want to make sure i will be getting good copies rather than going to manufacturer for calibration.

another sorry for the double post, i did not see the "quote" button. newbie here

 

[CS TAN]

Sorry, not really meant for after sales service but does those 2 shops offer 7days return policy just like the other shops in HK? I'm planning to buy Sigma Lenses and we all know Sigma has some issues on focusing. Just want to make sure i will be getting good copies rather than going to manufacturer for calibration.

The usual return policy in HK is 2 weeks but you should ask the shop about their policy before the purchase. And the return policy is only limited to 1-to-1 exchange under normal circumstances (some shops will allow top-up in exchange for another product).

Ask the following before handing over the cash:
[1] the length of their shop's return policy (7-days/10-days/or two-weeks)
[2] whether they will allow exchange for front/back focus lenses since this is a gray area as to whether the lens is sharp or not unless the f/b focus is very obvious. The 1-for-1 exchange is normally for defective products.

 

[CS TAN]

I just got back from Hong Kong. I visited a few of the shops on the list. Here's my frank feedback:

1. Tin Cheung Camera (天祥攝影器材公&#21496 – Mongkok branch
I was dissapointed because I felt that they were not honest with their business. Their opening prices are higher (which can be expected) but they came up with odd excuses. Here's why I say so: I was looking at the Manfrotto 190CXPRO3 tripod. On their website, it is listed as HK$2,176. When I visited their store, they quoted me HK$2,700. I asked why there was a difference. They were first stunned (I guess they didn't expect me to have checked their website) and then claimed that it was because the product on their website is a gray market product!

Then, I asked about the 190CXPRO4 tripod which, on their website is listed as HK$2,805. Given the small price difference, I was prepared to consider the 190CXPRO4 instead. Next, they tell me that the price is a cash price only. Credit card price is higher. Apparently, with a credit card, the price is HK$2,860. I was disgusted!

I am surprised Tin Cheung gave you those silly excuses.

On the gray set excuse, if I were you, I would just go for the gray set if the price is right since there is very little chance you need to service a tripod. And on the credit card excuse, I would ask them how they intend to receive payment if the customer is purchasing the item over the internet? Are we suppose to mail in cash? If not, their website's price should definitely be on credit card terms.

Having said that, Tin Cheung does charge extra for using credit card as confirmed by quite a few CSers here. On the other hand, Wing Shing/Man Shing has just one price either you pay in cash or credit card.

I am not defending Tin Cheung but when shopping in HK, always be careful as the merchants sometimes will over charge on the unsuspected customers.

 

[CS TAN]

Hi CS Tan and Senior members,

Thinking of getting Tokina and Sigma lens fr HK and like to request if any can share with me their knowledge of international warrenty in Singapore in term of 1) will it be vaild in Singapore; 2) How long will the warrenty period be? Thanks.

Have been on vacation the past week in remote China so I was unable to reply.

Just gave Tokina's HK dealer a call this morning. According to them, there is only local warranty and no international warranty provided. In another word, you have to send the lens back to HK authorized dealer for warranty claims. The local warranty is 3 years which includes parts and labor.

Here is the HK authorize dealer contact:
[FONT=Arial,Helvetica,Geneva,Swiss,SunSans-Regular]HKT Imaging Limited
[/FONT][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,Geneva,Swiss,SunSans-Regular]Unit B, 9/F On Lee Commercial Building,[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Helvetica,Geneva,Swiss,SunSans-Regular]37 Cameron Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Helvetica,Geneva,Swiss,SunSans-Regular]Tel:852-2369-2768 Fax:852-2723-5988
[/FONT][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,Geneva,Swiss,SunSans-Regular]hktimaging@biznetvigator.com

Will try to add these info to the shopping guide later.
[/FONT]

 

[CS TAN]

Hey Thanks CS Tan for such a wonderful guide...

I am going to HK in Dec. Anyone know the price for 70-200 F4 IS ??? :dunno:
Juz in case i dun get "chop" ;p

Here is the link to price.com.hk http://www.price.com.hk/product.php?p=105834

Around HK$9,100 for a local set. If you can't find one with the international warranty card, you might want to consider the gray set which usually is priced at around HK$200 less.

Do check the price.com website just before your trip to get the latest price since the price are being updated quite regularly.

Enjoy your HK shopping...

 

[nottipiglet]

Hi CS Tan and Senior members,

Thinking of getting Tokina and Sigma lens fr HK and like to request if any can share with me their knowledge of international warrenty in Singapore in term of 1) will it be vaild in Singapore; 2) How long will the warrenty period be? Thanks.

I just checked with Sigma. I emailed them my warranty card and receipt. My warranty is valid for 1 year.

I bought from DC Fever in Mongkok.

 

[dissonance]

Hi,

Does anyone knows which stall in HK sells the yongnuo flash 468 ?

Thanks in advance

 

[orbcom]

Hi CS Tan and nottipiglet,

Thanks and greatful for your help in providing the info for us.

 

[yummylatte]

seems like panny lumix lenses are more expensive in hk?

 

[CS TAN]

Hi,

Does anyone knows which stall in HK sells the yongnuo flash 468 ?

Thanks in advance

IIRC, shops inside Sim City in Mongkok carry extensive Yongnuo and Phottix products. I will try to do a check next time I visit Sim City.

 

[midicity]

IIRC, shops inside Sim City in Mongkok carry extensive Yongnuo and Phottix products. I will try to do a check next time I visit Sim City.

Hi CS,
Just out of curiosity, do you have a specific/preferred shop that you visit if you want to buy lenses or do you go to a few and shop around?

Thanks. Will be going HK and getting some stuff

Regards

 

[nottipiglet]

IIRC, shops inside Sim City in Mongkok carry extensive Yongnuo and Phottix products. I will try to do a check next time I visit Sim City.

You can get Phottix products on Ebay at a substantial discount. For example, 550D battery costs under USD10 while Red Dot Photo charges around SGD30? John from Red Dot Photo isn't too pleased because he has the distribution right in Singapore. :bsmilie:

 

[daredevil123]

You can get Phottix products on Ebay at a substantial discount. For example, 550D battery costs under USD10 while Red Dot Photo charges around SGD30? John from Red Dot Photo isn't too pleased because he has the distribution right in Singapore. :bsmilie:

Or you can buy them in China..

 

[CS TAN]

Hi CS,
Just out of curiosity, do you have a specific/preferred shop that you visit if you want to buy lenses or do you go to a few and shop around?

Thanks. Will be going HK and getting some stuff

Regards

I do not have a preferred shop since HK camera stores are so competitive, I just go with the shop that offers me the lowest price. However, I do frequent Citicall 雷射 since you can always bargain a bit if you know the current market price. Not every Citicall will quote you the same price so beware of the price difference even within Citicall.

Note: Citicall recently changed owner and have changed their name to SUNING 蘇寧雷射. SUNING is a China listed electronic appliance company owned by mainland China businessman with 1,100 stores all over China, Hong Kong and Japan.

 

[nottipiglet]

Sorry, not really meant for after sales service but does those 2 shops offer 7days return policy just like the other shops in HK? I'm planning to buy Sigma Lenses and we all know Sigma has some issues on focusing. Just want to make sure i will be getting good copies rather than going to manufacturer for calibration.

another sorry for the double post, i did not see the "quote" button. newbie here

I don't think it is fair to say that Sigma has issues on focusing. It just so happen that Sigma makes very good f/1.4 lenses, and these have notoriously shallow DOF. Coupled with the fact that each camera has its manufacturing tolerance, it is not possible for Sigma to ensure that its lenses will focus well on all cameras. The pro cameras have a 'micro-adjustment' feature, so that you can calibrate the lenses to the camera yourself.

This is not a problem with f/2.8 since the DOF is wide enough... so that the subject remains in focus even though the lens may be front/back focusing slightly.

I would say that if you buy a f/1.4 lens, you will need to do a bit of calibration, regardless of brands. I just sent my EF 50mm f/1.4 to Canon recently because it is front focusing a little. Mind you... it may not be the lens at fault, but it could be my camera. Anyway, it's spot on after it came back from CSC.

Therefore, if you want to buy a f/1.4 lens... make sure your camera has the micro-adjustment feature, or make sure the warranty is valid so that you can send it in for calibration. I just booked my calibration appointment with Sigma.

 

[CS TAN]

You can get Phottix products on Ebay at a substantial discount. For example, 550D battery costs under USD10 while Red Dot Photo charges around SGD30? John from Red Dot Photo isn't too pleased because he has the distribution right in Singapore. :bsmilie:

Since I am now based in Hong Kong, I don't see the need to go to eBay for China made Photographic accessories. You can always get them in Hong Kong with very competitive price. Plus, you don't have to pay the shipping and handling fees.

 

[nottipiglet]

I just booked my calibration appointment with Sigma.

I do not think that Sigma Singapore actually knows for sure if your warranty is valid before you buy. Generally, you will need a warranty card with the laser HK Sigma logo, and a valid receipt from a HK authorised dealer. They won't know for sure who is an authorised dealer in HK because I don't think they maintain a list.

Basically, when you need to service, or book an appointment for calibration, they will ask you to email an image of the warranty card and the receipt to them... after which, they will be quiet for a couple of days... before they reply if your warranty is valid or not. I suspect that they forward your receipt to HK Sigma to see if they will honour the warranty because I suspect that they will collect the service fee from HK Sigma, who profited by selling the lens to you.

 

[daredevil123]

Since I am now based in Hong Kong, I don't see the need to go to eBay for China made Photographic accessories. You can always get them in Hong Kong with very competitive price. Plus, you don't have to pay the shipping and handling fees.

Most ebay sellers ship stuff out from HK anyways. Envy you bro.

 

[Fallenphoenix]

Don't me asking...any one know how much cheaper is sirui tripod in HK than in Sg? I'm currently based in Melb. I have a friend from sg coming to melb soon and another heading hk and back to melb during X'mas. I'm torn between the two choices.

 

[CS TAN]

Don't me asking...any one know how much cheaper is sirui tripod in HK than in Sg? I'm currently based in Melb. I have a friend from sg coming to melb soon and another heading hk and back to melb during X'mas. I'm torn between the two choices.

If you can provide me with a model no. I can try to check the price for you next time I visit the camera shops. For Sirui, I think shops in Apliu street will have the lowest price.