Does anyone purchase leica gear in HK recently? Would like recommendation for a reliable and resonably price dealer/s in HK. Thanks

-- Tim Tan (kctan18@yahoo.com), February 07, 2002

Answers

Yes search out seller; etefore one ebay. Poon is excellent! http://cgi6.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll? MfcISAPICommand=ViewListedItems&userid=etefore&include=0&since=- 1&sort=3&rows=25

-- John Abela (jamriman@yahoo.com), February 07, 2002.

Nee How:

I bought some stuff from Francisco's in Lock St in Kowloon, just behind the Hyatt, a 2 min walk from the Sim Tsa Sway( Sp is horrible) metro stop. Prices were OK, selection is excellent and they know their stuff, but you need to negociate. They are registered dealers and I would NEVER touch anything in HK that is not from a registered dealer.

Cheers & Joy Kin

-- RICHARD ILOMAKI (richard.ilomaki@fmglobal.com), February 07, 2002.

Wing Sing in Mongkok. HONEST dealer !! I bought a M6 TTL with 35mm/f2 ASPH recently for $19200HKD, to convert it into US$, divide HK$ by 7.8. That's the only place I'll get my photo gear - may not be cheapest, but U won't get cheated

-- jeff (jefflicv@hotmail.com), February 07, 2002.

Hi Tim, I live in Hong Kong. There are a few reputable photo dealers here, they all offer grey market products as well. The price quoted by jeff above is presumably grey products. I also brought grey products which is just as good as those without the original service guarantees.I brought all my leica gears from Kinefoto at 66 Stanley Street, Central. They never push you to make a purchase, you'll feel comfortable looking around inside the shop and they are also authorized leica dealer offering original service guarnatees. Their prices are one of the lowest in Hong Kong. Good luck to you.

-- tom tong (tom.tong@ckh.com.hk), February 07, 2002.

I would just like to add my 2 cents worth on this topic. I also live in HK, and I've done endless research into which shop was the best/cheapest before I plonked down my hard earned cash to buy an M6. I'll start off by saying that I ended up buying my M6 and 50 cron from Francisco's in Tsim Sha Tsui. I paid HKD$11100 for the body, and HKD$4850 for the lens. Keep in mind that these prices are for grey market goods. The owner there was very helpful and indeed knew what he was talking about.

If you're after Leicas with international warranty, then your best bet is to go to Wing Shing/Man Shing (same owner) in Mongkok. They sell only authorized goods there. As Jeff has pointed out, they are honest and reliable. Their shop is large and well stocked. Their quoted price for the M6 body was HKD$12800.

As for Kinefoto on Stanley St., I've had mixed experiences with them, sometimes their attitude can be very good, and sometimes shocking. Their prices are not the cheapest, however OTOH I also know some satisfied customers.

My advice is just to go and look at all the shops before you buy. And keep in mind that shop owners might quote a higher price to foreigners. Unless prices have changed dramatically, you can use the prices I've given above as a rough guide.

Hope this helps.

-- Steve Chan (schan@hotmail.com), February 08, 2002.

The only two places where I would buy photo equipment in Hong Kong are Wing Shing and Man Shing in Mong Kok. They are the only two honest shops that I know of in Hong Kong. The sales people are generally friendly, but don't expect much service in terms of giving you product information, etc. You can expect to get very fair prices and complete products without stuff taken out of the box (adapters, caps, etc.). There isn't much bargaining at these places because the prices that they quote are pretty good to begin with. I bought a new M6TTL from Man Shing two months ago for HK$12,200. That was the price he quoted right off the bat and there was no room to move. Credit card payments are not charged another 2-3% like some other places, but they don't like American Express. Happy shopping.

-- Bill Lee (Bill_Lee@telus.net), February 08, 2002.

I forgot to mention that they only sell official products with warrantees. The current M6TTL grey price is only HK$800 less than the official product which I purchased at HK$12,200.

-- Bill Lee (Bill_Lee@telus.net), February 08, 2002.

Thanks Guys for all the valuable input

-- Tim Tan (kctan18@yahoo.com), February 08, 2002.

Three places I'd recommend:

Fully warranteed stuff: Wing Shing and Man Shing (under the same owner) in Mongkok. Honest dealers, fixed prices, salespeople can be a little grumpy, which is nothing unusual in Hong Kong.

Grey market or used stuff: Tin Cheung in Tung Ying Building, on 100 Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui. Another honest dealer; younger salesguys are a little inexperienced. Owners are one Mr. Lee and his wife Jennifer--really nice people; will give you a little discount if you act like a good customer.

Grey or warranteed stuff: Kinefoto on S66-68 Stanley Street, Central. Also an honest dealer; Simon's the one I usually deal with, his colleagues can be grumpy at times, but they're OK.

Tips to shop for cameras in Hong Kong: don't look for the cheapest place, look for a place where the prices are reasonable and which has a good reputation, and don't judge a place by the attitude of the salespeople. In the above mentioned places, the salespeople will feel insulted if you drive a hard bargain and treat them as if they're trying to cheat you. Instead of bargaining, ask for a little discount or a free accessory item. Seek out the older guys (who're more experienced and usually know their stuff) instead of the younger ones (who usually pretend to know what they don't know). Hong Kong is a strange town--most shop people can't seem to act cheerfully even if they know for sure that you're bringing them business!

-- Hoyin Lee (leehoyin@hutchcity.com), February 08, 2002.