Lens shopping in Hong Kong and Shanghai

[thegrandpoohbah]

I will be travelling to Shanghai and Hong Kong next month and thought I might do a little camera shopping while I'm there. I've been wanting to pick up an EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro. My primary concerns are of course getting ripped off by an unscrupulous shop and the lack of a warranty. Any tips on what to look out for? I also want to pick up a battery grip and possibly a 580EX II as well.

[thegrandpoohbah]

Oh, and I will of course also be looking for an EF 24-105mm f/4L USM coffee travel mug!

[TheRealBoat]

I have never done any international shopping for Canon equipment, but I am pretty sure that international warranties cannot be carried over.

[eg6turbo]

cool ill be in hong kong and shanghai too next month...shanghai for the worlds expo and HK because my gf is from there and im planning on getting some gear there too...like buying anything...ask questions and always try out the equipment and never let it out of your sight...theres a link on here that gives some good info if you search for hong kong in the title.

[Spaniard]

Some of the reputable camera shops are found in Mongkok. Like Tin Cheung, Man Shing Photo Supplies, Wing Shing. These few shops are located at Mongkok area.They do sell grey sets but make sure you ask before you purchase. Most of their Canon do come with international warranty. Bear in mind about buying DSLR in HKG. DSLR only come with HKG warranty and lens is international warranty.

Hope this help.

[thegrandpoohbah]

Thanks Spaniard, that was most helpful!

[Koshin]

yeah, the warranties wont carry over. Have fun overseas. Im getting ready to go back to Europe, cant wait

[sigma pi]

Originally Posted by Spaniard

Some of the reputable camera shops are found in Mongkok. Like Tin Cheung, Man Shing Photo Supplies, Wing Shing. These few shops are located at Mongkok area.They do sell grey sets but make sure you ask before you purchase. Most of their Canon do come with international warranty. Bear in mind about buying DSLR in HKG. DSLR only come with HKG warranty and lens is international warranty.

Hope this help.

I bought a 7D and have an international card

I forget the name of the place but I can get the name if its needed

[picken]

I have been to both Shanghai and Hong kong, I would stick to HK as there is more of a choice and cheaper.The lens and flash will have international warranty and cameras HK warranty. There is not many camera shops in Shanghai.

[thegrandpoohbah]

Originally Posted by picken

I have been to both Shanghai and Hong kong, I would stick to HK as there is more of a choice and cheaper.The lens and flash will have international warranty and cameras HK warranty. There is not many camera shops in Shanghai.

Good to know, thank you!

[mcluckie]

skip shanghai, hk is ok and I agree with mongkok and new territories. glean some shop names from here, but most are rude and of questionable value. you'll save money, some, but look out for customs coming home. I haven't bought there, but go there often. I know in the mainland, cameras/lenses cost exactly the same as states. I've had better deals in Tokyo.

[elitejp]

I live in mainland and i would recommend not buying here in china. Dont buy here in china if you dont have too. Unless you live here its going to be hard to find anyone that is reputable and cheap. Hong Kong would be the safer bet but from what ive seen just visiting there most prices are about the same as what the US prices are.

[DreDaze]

why?...just curious but it seems like it'd be such a hassle...i'm imagining the shopping i did just in the silk market in shanghai where the opening price is something like $200 for a scarf...and yet you have to bargain, and bargain with them to get them down to $5 a scarf...and even then you're probably getting ripped off...

unless the savings were pretty substantial, i'd just buy before the trip

[Spaniard]

One thing to take note when in Hong Kong. If you come across any salemans in any electronic shops with a BIG SIGN outside their shops saying NO TAX!!!...BEWARE & NEVER ENTER THE SHOP!!! Why HKG have no GST....These shops will sell you electronics stuffs cheaper than other reputable shops found in HKG but they might give you a bad sets or ask you to purchase this & that.

Go to the shops that I recommended earlier...

[thegrandpoohbah]

Originally Posted by DreDaze

why?...just curious but it seems like it'd be such a hassle...i'm imagining the shopping i did just in the silk market in shanghai where the opening price is something like $200 for a scarf...and yet you have to bargain, and bargain with them to get them down to $5 a scarf...and even then you're probably getting ripped off...

unless the savings were pretty substantial, i'd just buy before the trip

The why is because I live in Fort Nelson, BC and no longer have as many opportunities to physically try out a piece of gear before buying it. We are travelling through Vancouver but do not have enough time there to do any shopping. I may skip the lens unless I find a good deal but I figure I can get a battery grip and some other accessories cheaper than I can up here.