Camera Stores and Photo Equipment in Hong Kong


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Hong Kong is a city where it seems everyone is constantly selling, shopping, or on the way to sell or shop; yet with all that commerce, finding the right place to buy many specialty items in the city - professional photography equipment, for instance - is surprisingly challenging. Many shops have poor online presences or are just plain obscure.

In an effort to make some of the better Hong Kong photo equipment businesses a bit easier to locate (and to avoid regurgitating this sort of information in emails), here is a list of the places where I have done business, shopped, or been referred in Hong Kong.

last updated 2016-05-06. Additions and corrections always welcome.

General Camera Shops

A note on pricing: Hong Kong rates for common items - like new Canon and Nikon kit - are usually similar to those at the major American mail order outfits. Prices for less common imported items can be all over the map.

Zhao Xiang Guan

Rm 1201-02, 12/F, Kimberley House 35 Kimberley Road, Tsim Sha Tsui KLN HK zxgcwsel@hotmail.com www.zxg.com.hk Tel: +852 2722 0068 +852 2722 0161 Fax: +852 2366 9915

Zhao Xiang Guan has a reputation for being amongst the best general camera and light photo equipment shops in Hong Kong; my limited experience with them has been positive. It is certainly the best camera shop I’ve seen in Tsim Sha Tsui. Some say you will get the best results working with Sun.

Zhao Xiang Guan is one of the few places in Hong Kong that carry Photoflex lighting. I’ve also heard that it is the best place to buy used cameras and lenses in the territory.

Photo Scientific Photographic Equipment and Supplies

64 Wing Lok Street, Sheung Wan Tel: +852 2525 0550 Fax: +852 2810 6917 Email: enquiry@photoscientific.com

Photo Scientific is the first camera shop I was introduced to in Hong Kong was a perennial favorite of many at its former location on Stanley Street. The former manager, Mr. Poon, was amongst the most personable camera shop salesmen in Hong Kong (a place known for an otherwise abrasive retail environment) but has since retired.

Photo Scientific has a good selection of cameras and lenses, stocks various films and can order seamless paper backgrounds. They stock small accessories but are not the place to go for lighting, grip or studio equipment.

Mirama Photo Supplies

45 Stanley Street Central Hong Kong As of 2013-05, I’m told Mirama is now located on the other side of the street - something like 21 Stanley St.; if you can confirm the new address, please do.

Mirama Photo is just down the street from Photo Scientific. I don’t find the environment there nearly as charismatic as Photo Scientific but they do have a similar selection of cameras, lenses and small accessories.

DC Wave

Shop 323-324, 3/F., Sim City 47-51 Shan Tung Street Mong Kok, Hong Kong 2940 6282

DC Wave is one of better shops in Mong Kok. It is part of a large, multi-story indoor photo market with a variety of shops that include purveyors of inexpensive (often low-quality) Chinese-branded photo goods, used camera shops and other odds and ends. The shops here are a bit more upscale than the Apliu Street market shops (see below) but generally not aimed at professional photographers.

DC Wave has a selection of cameras and lenses but specializes, it seems, in imported accessory brands that are a bit scarce in Hong Kong: ThinkTank, Markins, Photoflex, and Lumiquest, amongst others. Prices are generally higher than at B&H Photo or Adorama.

Wing Shing Photo Supplies

G/F.,55-57 Sai Yeung Choi Street, Mongkok, Kowloon, Hong Kong +852 2396 6886

I haven’t visited Wing Shing but some folks seem to like the place. Website in Chinese only.

Tin Cheung Camera

Tin Cheung has a number of retail outlets in Hong Kong. I find their prices high and haven’t been impressed by their staff; they do carry a broad range of equipment and are relatively convenient to find in a pinch.

There are many other retail purveyors of cameras in Hong Kong. I would avoid most of them at all costs, particularly the places in Tsim Sha Tsui with window displays full of shrink-wrapped DSLRs and point-and-shoots. Be sure to check for a valid international warranty for Canon and Nikon goods if manufacturer coverage is a concern.

Rental and Lighting

Rent A Pro Limited Hong Kong

407 Block B Ming Pao Center 18 Ka Yip Street Chai Wan Hong Kong +852 2838 6328 info@rentaprohk.com

Rent A Pro is the main (only?) still photography rental house in Hong Kong and the only supplier I know for some professional expendables like color correction gels. They make a nice large light stand bag that is a particularly good value (although rather large). Prices for equipment are often on the high side but the guys know their stuff and are helpful.

A&S Broadcast Hong Kong

15/F., YooHoo Tower, 38-42 Kwai Fung Crescent, Kwai Chung, N.T. Hong Kong Phone : +852 2499 1011 E-mail : info@asbroadcast.com

A&S is a good place to buy lights and video equipment. All my Dedolights are from A&S; they have excellent prices for Dedolights. The company is geard towards video and isn’t really a retail operation; get a quote for the exact things you want well ahead of time and then be prepared to wait for them to be ordered and shipped. Be sure to ask for Peter Chang; he seems to be the only member of the staff who does any selling.

Film Gear

No.7, Cumberland Road, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong (852) 2794 3608 Mr. Donny Chan/ Mr. Johnny Leung info@filmgear.net; donny@filmgear.net; johnny@filmgear.net

Film Gear is a manufacturer of really nice fresnels and other continuous lighting fixtures. I’ve picked up orders from their Guangzhou factory but it is possible to arrange to collect equipment from their Hong Kong office as well. Their fixtures are high quality and priced well; their prices for bulk expendables are excellent as well (if you need a full roll of CTB, for instance).

Film Gear isn’t a retail operation; if you only want to buy one fixture or if you need to pick up a few lights in a hurry, they might not be able to help.

Cinerent Limited

No.7, Cumberland Road, KowloonTong, Kowloon, Hong Kong Tel: (852) 2338 7188 Fax: (852) 2338 3186 Email: hongkong@cinerent.net

Cinerent is the best-known rental house in Hong Kong serving the motion picture industry. They are run by the same parent company as Film Gear, I believe. I’ve never worked with them directly but would enquire if I needed to rent a large quantity of continuous lighting, grip equipment, camera support or sound paraphernalia.

There is another cinema rental house in Hong Kong but I have been disappointed in the state of repair of their rental items.

Hong Kong Camera Rental

9c, Unionway Commerial Building 283 Queen’s Road Central Central Hong Kong +852 66806333 +852 34891318

Hong Kong Camera Rental is a relatively new entrant into the Hong Kong rental market. I have no experience with them beyond their request to be included in this list.

The Lens Room

+852 5605 4962 lensroomhk@gmail.com

The Lens Room offers an unusual rental service; they deliver and pick up the equipment from your door. I haven’t worked with them but have heard positive feedback.

b3camera

+852 9848 7993 rent@b3camera.com Shop 27 3/F Metro Sham Shui, 226-242 Cheung Sha Wan Road, Sham Shui Po, Kowloon, Hong Kong (Sham Shui Po MTR station Exit D1) 10:00am- 8:00pm (By Apointment Only)

b3camera is another new outfit specialized in renting out DSLR cameras and lenses.

HMI Rental

Wendy: +852 6171 2588 (the owner/manager, or so I’m told. She apparently speaks Mandarin and presumably Cantonese but limited English)

HMI seems to be the HK rental house of choice for budget film/video productions. They stock hot lights, Kinos, stands and other grip, as well as some camera support options. Their stuff is well-used and often in a poor state of repair in my experience. Their lights are all wired with huge industrial connectors that need an adapter to connect to regular household HK/UK wall sockets; be prepared to rent lots of their heavy, bulky stingers.

Radiant Company

Rm. 101 1/F - Thomson Ctr 76 Thomson Rd. Wanchai Hong Kong Phone: +852 2575 7859 Fax: +852 2520 0973 radiantco@yahoo.com.hk

Radiant is the distributor for Elinchrom strobes in Hong Kong. They also offer repair services.

Prosperity Lamps

Peter Chong +852 3416 8331 +852 9026 9862 peter.chong@prosperitylamps.com

I don’t have any experience with Prosperity Lamps but hear they sell continuous lighting fixtures for video production and still photography.

Shriro

Suites 4201-3, 42/F., One Island East 18 Westlands Road Island East (Quarry Bay), Hong Kong 852 2524 5031 info@shriro.com.hk

Shiriro is the HK distributor for Broncolor strobes and Hasselblad cameras among other things. I asked them for a quotation once and was not impressed.

Falconeyes

Unit E1, 11/F, Phase 1, Hang Fung Bldg., 2G Hok Yuen St., Hung Hom, KLN, Hong Kong +852 2363 2825 info@falconeyes.com.hk

Falconeyes is a manufacturer/distributor of Chinese-produced lighting equipment. I haven’t been to their HK office but have bought some grip equipment from their shop in Guangzhou. Their stuff is generally a step above the completely generic Chinese stuff (much of the merchandise at Apliu Street falls in the later category). I prefer to use grip from Matthews, Manfrotto and such but their merchandise is difficult to find and/or extremely over-priced in Hong Kong; Falconeyes does the job in a pinch.

Seamless Background Paper

Keng Seng Trading & Co., Ltd.

1/Floor, Winner Commercial Building, 401 - 403 Lockhart Road, Hong Kong. Tel.: +852 2591 1068 Fax: +852 2893 2259 hongkong@kengseng.com

I haven’t visited Keng Seng but hear they carry seamless background paper in just about every color out there.

Photo Scientific Photographic Equipment and Supplies

See listing above under “General Camera Shops” for address

I don’t believe Photo Scientific stocks seamless paper; I am told that they can and will order it by request.

Camera Repair and Service

Canon Professional Services Hong Kong

17/F., 26 Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon (exit L1 from the East TST MTR station) the service center is now in a separate building: 20/F, iSQUARE, 63 Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui (exit H from the TST metro station) +852 2170-2860 canon_cps@chk.canon.com.hk

Canon Professional Services Hong Kong is the place to go in Hong Kong if you have a Canon camera in need of TLC. Discounts are given to CPS HK members; turn around time is also a little faster.

If you bring a camera in for a sensor clean before 11, you can usually pick it up later that day. Most repairs take two days to a week.

Nikon Professional Services Hong Kong

Nikon Hong Kong LTD. Suite 1001, 10/F Cityplaza one 1111 King’s Road Taikoo Shing, Hong Kong

I don’t shoot Nikon so have not worked with NPS or been to their HK NPS office (please verify the above address before visiting!). I have heard that Connie is their top rep: +852 2902 9007

Sellen International

Room 1105~6, Chevalier House, 45-51 Chatham Road South,T. S. T. Kowloon, Hong Kong. (852) 23349381 (852) 27640243 info@sellenhk.com

A friend reports that Sellen works on Mamiya equipment, apparently exclusively.

Camera Repair Centre LTD.

17B G/F Champagne Court 16 Kimberley Road Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon Hong Kong +852 2366 3002

I haven’t visited the Camera Repair Centre and am generally leery of Champagne Court in general, but have heard of this repair shop successfully addressing faulty Nikon equipment.

Panda Camera-Repair Service

Mr. Lee Cho Tat Penthouse, Double Building, 14/F 22 Stanley Street, Central, Hong Kong Tel: 2522 9905, 2522 9908

I have heard Panda mentioned as a good independent repair shop but have no experience with them myself.

Of the below firms, I only have direct experience with Chaudigital. I have heard good things about the other places from friends who have used their services.

Chaudigital Hong Kong Limited

Room 609, Chai Wan Industrial City, Phase 2, 70 Wing Tai Road, Chai Wan, Hong Kong (852) 9240 1131

Chaudigital is the Hong Kong distributor for Hahnemuhle papers. Danny Chau, the firm’s founder, is perhaps the best-regarded fine art printer in the region.

I have only bought paper at Chaudigital; a friend has commissioned Danny to make a few extremely large prints with pleasing results. Chow Yun-fat happened to be visiting Danny when I was there and gave me a ride to Sham Shui Po, which makes it difficult for me to rank either the shop or the actor as anything but the coolest in Hong Kong.

Media Visual

36 Tai Chung Hau Sai Kung, NT, Hong Kong +852 6680 8272 gresham@mediavisual.com

This sounds like a small b-to-b operation offering printing, laminating and mounting services.

Christco

Flat B, 5/F., North Point Ind Bldg., 499 King’s Road, North Point, H.K. (852) 2889 0171 gloria@christco.com.hk

Christco apparently no longer processes film (see the comments). They do appear to be one of the few (if only?) shops offering drum scanning.

Hong Kong Imaging

Hong Kong Imaging 9/F, Henan Building 19 Luard Road (entrance on Jaffe Road) Wanchai, Hong Kong contact@hongkongimaging.com Telephone: (852) 3180-7680 Mobile Phone Number: (852) 6971-6761

Digital Force

Room A, 7 Floor, Wah Ha Factory Building, 8 Shipyard Lane, Quarry Bay Telephone 2573 2092

E6 processing as well as other lab services.

Color Six

中環威靈頓街51號1字樓 1/F, 51 Wellington Street, Central, Hong Kong +852 2526 0123

Digital and analog processing and enlargement, as well as framing and related services. I have heard them mentioned a few times but usually in the context of finding someone else to do the job.

Excellent Colour Limited

+852 2866 8893 701 Beverly House, 93-107 Lockhart Road, Wan Chai

Fine art injet printing and related services.

Widerhall

2810-11 Hing Wai Centre 7 Tin Wan Praya Road Tin Wan, Aberdeen, HK +852 2518 8916 info@widerhall.com

Yet another fine art inkjet printing operation.

+852 9609 2124 1801 Wing On Central Building 28 Des Vouex Road Central, Hong Kong +852 9609 2124 quixoticgallery@gmail.com

Quixotic Gallery specializes in printing on canvas. I haven’t used them but they do come highly recommended from a photographer I respect.

FilMe

14B, Redana Centre, 25 Yiu Wa St., Causeway Bay, Hong Kong 香港銅鑼灣 耀華街25號 丹納中心14樓B +852 2575 3355 thefilme.sales@gmail.com

Film, processing and related services. I have no direct experience with the place but it looks like another Lomo boutique (I’ve seen a few of these open recently). If you are a Holga-toting hipster or otherwise aspire to attain celluloid and silver nirvana, this could be your right up your alley.

Dot-Well Photo Workshop

G/F, 44 Carnarvon Rd, TST +852 2368 3826 info@dotwellphoto.com

Dot-Well is another shop for analog aficionados; they offer a wide-range of film and associated paraphernalia as well as processing services. I haven’t been there but a friend is a fan.

The Photocrafters

3rd Floor, Heng Fat Building 140 Wing Lok Street, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong +852 2851 1003 +852 6136 5800 (Simon) info@thephotocrafters.org

The Photocrafters is a rental darkroom space.

Photo Studio Rental

I have not rented studio space in Hong Kong but have heard of the below spaces.

StudioRentHK

3F Hong Kong Jewellery Bldg. 178-180 Queens Road Central Tel 2834 3200

Chickenfish Studios

Near Central

Rent A Pro Limited Hong Kong

See entry under ‘Rental’ category above for details.

Danfo Superrstudio

Unit 1908 - 1909 Phase 2, Chai Wan Industrial City 70 Wing Tai Road, Chai Wan, Hong Kong Danfo Sze: +852 2558 2108 danforosy@yahoo.com.hk

No, that isn’t a typo: They really do call it “Superrstudio.” Their website describes their facility as a 2726 square foot Manhattan-style space. I’m not sure how a Manhattan-style studio differs from a non Manhattan-style studio.

PASM Workshop

Flat C, 1/F, Block C, Chin Fat Factory Building, 3 Tsat Po Street, San Po Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong +852 3693 4044 (Studio)
+852 6627 5277 (24-hour hotline / WhatsApp) sales@pasmworkshop.com

Rental studio space

Shing Fung Film Studio

94-95, Sun On Tsuen, Sai Kung, Kowloon, HK +852 2792 2176 sales@studios.com.hk

Film sound stage rental.

Shaw Studios

201, Wan Po Road, Tseung Kwan O, Kowloon, Hong Kong +852 3123 1111 Momoko Cheng +852 3123 1177 +852 9801 6737 m.cheng@shawstudios.hk

High-end sound stages.

Clear Water Bay Film Studio

368 DD 224, Hang Hau, Ying Yip Road, Clearwater Bay Road, Sai Kung, New Territories Hong Kong +852 2780 5355

Sound stages

Model Agencies

I don’t have direct experience with any of these agencies; they have been recommended by a reputable Hong Kong photographer.

Jimmy Model Management

Flat 1602, 16/F, Professional Bldg, 19-23 Tung Lo Wan Rd, Causeway Bay, HK +85267011080 (10:00AM~6:00PM) keith-jimmymodel@hotmail.com

Billions Model Management

Room 803, 8/F, Yue Xiu Building, 160-174 Lockhart Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong CK Lee, Director +852 3488 6170 info@billionsmodel.com

Mission Models Limited

8/F., Kwong Fat Hong Building, 1 Rumsey Street, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong Milla Chung, Booker - milla@missionmodels.com.hk Tel: +852 2815 0555 Mobile: +852 6067 8162 Fax: +852 2815 1311

Style International Management Limited

Room 701, 7/F, Park Commercial Centre, 180 Tung Lo Wan Road, Tin Hau, Hong Kong Kelvy Wong +852 9037 7034 Kelvy kelvy@stylemgt.com.hk msn : alicenine_devil@hotmail.com

Talent Hundred Performance Limited

22/F, Shun Kwong Comm. Building, 8 Des Voeux Road West,HK. +852 6686 7176 +852 3163 2313

Randy Shiu, Booker +852 9777 0608 +852 3163 2313 randyshiu@talent100.com

Ms. Hugo Lau, Booker +852 6686 7176 hugolau@talent100.com

Stage Models

Kenny Yeung, Manager Tel: +852 2877 7809 Fax: +852 2111 0261

Retro House

Unit 4H, Tung Kin Factory Building, 200-202 Tsat Tsz Mui Road, Quarry Bay, Hong Kong Ruby Ho, Marketing Executive +852 3568-4012 info@retro.com.hk

Starone Model Agent

Brian, Director +852 9817 8981 staronehk@hotmail.com

Publishing

Magnum (Offset) Printing Co. Ltd

11B E-Tat Factory Building, 4 Heung Yip Road, Wong Chuk Hang, Hong Kong. Tel : +852 2555 2438 Fax: (852) 2814 0524 info@magnumoffset.com.hk

Magnum is a quality offset printing company based in Hong Kong. A friend had his photo book printed there and I shot a video of the printing process at Magnum’s Hong Kong factory and Dongguan book bindery.

In the interest of full disclosure, I should mention that Magnum did buy me lunch a few times (which was both tasty and very much appreciated).

AO: The Photo Book Center

G/F, Asia One Tower, 8 Fung Yip Street, Chai Wan Tel: +852 2976 0913 Business Hours: 11am – 8pm (Mon – Sat)

This retail arm of the Asia One publishing group has perhaps the largest selection of photo books in Hong Kong. AO also offers small run custom publishing services that could be useful.

Galleries

### Laurence Lai Gallery Shop No.31, L1 and Shop No. 3, G/F The Peak Galleria, 118 The Peak Road, Hong Kong +852 2191 2097

The Laurence Lai Gallery is a commercial gallery primarily targeting tourists. Laurence, the owner, is an enthusiastic supporter of local photography and entirely worth meeting.

Insurance

Insuright Insurance Brokers Ltd.

I’ve heard Insuright mentioned as the best bet in local insurance options for Hong Kong photographers. I have no personal experience with the company.

AXA Insurance

Some photographers use AXA. Apparently KK is the go-to guy for photographers there.

Kwiksure

neil@kwiksure.com

Kwiksure also insures photographers. It seems Neil is the go-to guy there: neil@kwiksure.com

Aerial Photography - Helicopters

Heliservices

+852 2802 0200 chp@heliservices.com.hk

According to Graham Uden (author of a book of HK aerial photos), it can be nearly impossible to book flights on clear days (when most photographers would want to go aloft in a whirlybird), not to mention expensive. Typhoon season in Hong Kong (around June) usually features the greatest number of clear days.

Quadrocopter Aviator

Joe Yu +852 9227 7757 +852 2982 8684 joe_yu_@hotmail.com

RC helicopter services; able to put a DSLR aloft for something like 1/25th the cost of hourly helicopter rental.

Business Registration / Working Visas

InvestHK

Hong Kong Visa Geeza

Hong Kong is known for its relatively humane immigration policy and free business environment. Many freelance photographers obtain working visas by registering a business in HK (which requires little more than a local mailing address) then applying for a working visa through that company (a process apt to require substantially more documentation).

Other Bits and Pieces

Apliu Street Flea Market

There are a number of shops dealing in Chinese-brand photography accessories at the Apliu Street market in Sham Shui Po. Prices are often better than those in mainland China and the goods are sometimes higher quality. It is possible to find things at Apliu Street that will last quite well under professional use but the vast majority of the goods are poorly designed, sloppily made and produced from materials inferior to those found in imported goods (to be a bit blunt…).

From the Sham Shui Po metro station, take the Apliu Street exit then turn left. There are four or so camera shops scattered along both sides of the walking street.

Howen International Co

RM. 201, 2nd Floor, Entrepot Centre, 117 How Ming St., Kwun Tong, Kowloon, Hong Kong +852 2356-2863 howen@pacific.net.hk

Howen International is the Hong Kong distributor for Think Tank Photo bags and Markins tripod ballheads. Their shop is a bit out in the middle of nowhere (by Hong Kong standards) but David, the proprietor, is exceptionally nice and a great salesman.

Golden Computer Market

Golden Building 146-152 Fuk Wah Street Shamshuipo Kln HK

The Golden Computer Market is the best place I’ve found to buy hard drives and other bits and pieces of computer hardware I frequently need for storing and working with digital photos: everything from monitors to odd-length USB cables. Prices are sometimes lower in mainland China or Macau.

Wan Chai Computer Center

The Wan Chai computer market is perhaps more convenient than the Golden market but generally has higher prices and a smaller selection of odd electronic components.

It’s right on top of the Wan Chai metro station; follow the signs in the station to get to the correct exit.

VST Computers

Flat 4, 2/F., Chong Fat Building 266-268 Cheung Sha Wan Road Sham Shui Po, Kowloon +852 2728 7728

VST is one of the main companies handling warranty service on hard drives (which photographers, or at least this photographer, buy often and replace often under warranty). I list them here because their contact details aren’t listed on their hard drive warranty stickers, only a very criptic “VST.” Their warranty office is near the Sham Shui Po metro station (exit A2, I believe). Bring a receipt and original box if you have it.

The <a href=”http://www.hkipp.org)rel=”nofollow”>Hong Kong Institute of Professional Photographers Ltd (HKIPP)</a> also has a list of Hong Kong resources for professional photographers. The <a href=”http://www.hkipp.org)rel=”nofollow”>HKIPP</a> is a valuable resource in and of itself as well.

The Hong Kong government Film Services Office has a production directory that may be useful.

For a few other photography equipment resources in Macau and mainland China, please see my earlier list of south China photography resources.