Buy camera equipment in Asia

Hi, I'm visiting HK and South East Asia this December. Is it true

that it is cheaper to buy electronics and camera equipments in

Singpore and HK. Any good dealers to recommend?

Any comments on Nikon 28-200mm f/3.5-5.6 D IF Autofocus Lens?

I need a flash light for my N80. What would you recommend? How about

Nikon SB-28 DX vs. Sunpak 4000 AF?

Thanks!

Answering your questions in order:

1. No, better deals can be found here in the states (assuming you are in the United States).

2. If you are really serious about sharpness, color saturation and contrast from you lens, this one will disappoint you.

3. SB-80DX. The 28DX is nice too but the 80DX has a metal feet and lever pin which makes sliding the flash unit off/on very smooth.

I'd lived in HK for many years. Are the camera equipments cheap there??

Yes if you're local people and make the staff believe you're a potential frequent customer (usually, the staff can mark the price down 5-10% if you negotiate hard enough and convince them you'll go back there frequently in the future. Sometimes, they may refuse to mark down the price, but give you 5-10 rolls of "almost-expired" consumer films).

No if the staff know you're foreigner and have very little chance to go back there again.

Tin Cheung Camera is a good place to visit. The staff I dealt with (many years ago) were usually pro and honest.

I'm a Canon shooter. I don't know much about the Nikon lenses and flashes. USUALLY, those "super-wide-range-zoom" (e.g. 28-200, 28-300, etc...) lenses are not sharp.

New York City has some of the lowest prices in the world on camera equipment. Hong Kong, I've heard, may be even lower. I know there are a number of Hong Kong residents who participate in photo.net. Right before you leave on your trip, you might try posting a message in the unarchived forum, asking for suggestions from these Hong Kong residents.<P>

The last time I was in Asia (last year), I did find particularly low prices on camera gear in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia). You might want to check into it when you arrive there. <P>

I would avoid the 28-200. Stick with the Nikon speedlights. Happy travels.

De Lee,

In Hong Kong, you may like to try Tin Cheong Camera Co. in Tung Ying Building along Nathan Road, or Zhao Xiang Guan Camera Workshop in the same building. They're two of the better shops here.