Buying Leica Lenses from Hong Kong

[mark13]

Any experiences or recommendations regarding purchasing leica equipment from ebay dealers operating out of Hong Kong?

[richard_ilomaki]

Mark;

 

<p>

 

I have bought lenses and an M6 in Hong Kong and regretted it less

than a year later.

 

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I bought thestuff new from an authorized dealer and then when a lens

fogged over less than a year later, the distributor, Schmidt, refused

to acknowledge anything to do with it, as I had bought the lens in

hong Kong, but was living in Singapore, even tho the distributor was

the same. I was furious!!!

 

<p>

 

I was so furious, I sold the M6 outfit and bought a Konica Hexar, and

have NOT regretted that. I have since bought another M6 and a lens,

but used and not from a Leica dealer, knowing that I am on my own.

 

<p>

 

If you want, or are expecting a warrantee of any kind, do not buy any

Leica stuff from anywhere but where you live, UNLESS it comes with a

written, world-wide guarantee, just as the Konica did, and just as my

Nikon FM3a did recently. If you buy it as is, or used, then it is the

same as anywhere else, except it may be a bit of a hassle importing

it with duties on entry etc.

 

<p>

 

My experince after living in Asia for a few years-unless one lives

here as a permanent resident, the savings are illusory. Duties on

entry-at least into Canada for me- are a pain. Since I have lived

outside Canada for years, I can bring used stuff back in with no

hassles, but as a tourist, or by mail-order-it may not be easy.

 

<p>

 

Most digital cameras come with warantees good only in the country of

original purchase, as the software packages are different.

Caveat Emptor!!!

[peter_phillips2]

I was the original wide-eyed boy from Oz in HK amonth or so ago. I

looked at an M6 in a sealed pack in a "You lucky customer" shop in

Kowloon. Because it was in the window in full sun, I could see the

condensation inside the sealed(?) plastic bag. I guess that this same

condensation would have been corroding the working parts and assisting

lens fungus. I gave it a miss.

Peter

[david_page1]

I purchased a 21mm ASPH lens on Ebay from Mr. Poon Hung Lok who goes

by the Ebay name of "etefore". I have nothing but good things to say

of my experience. The 21 is perfect in every way. Mr. Poon was

responsive and I would buy from him again without hesitation.

[john_alfred_tropiano]

I don't believe it a wise choice to purchase anything, Leica or

otherwise, in a foreign country. I purchase everything from a handful

of local dealers who know me personally and with whom I often

accompany on photo excursions. It is important to establish a good

relationship with professional dealers since, at least in my

experience, they have been more than fair and very helpful when

quesioned about a potential purchase. Their technical knowledge is

much appreciated.I also do not think it wise to purchase "grey market"

items.

[joel_matherson]

I went to Hong Kong and was seeing the sights and decided to purchase

a Nikkor 28 f2.8AIS, I knew what to look for (ie proper international

warranty etc) well I had to go to 27 thats right 27 different dealers

before I found a dealer that had the genuine article with the correct

warranty. My father reminds me of the number of dealers to this day

as I dragged him with me when he wanted to be seeing the sights! Most

problems included fake warranty slips with no watermark, one dealer

offered me a 3.5 that said it was a 2.8 on the front ring! They will

try anything on over there and get very angry when you catch them

out! The dealer I purchased from strangely enough was the most

expensive. If you know what your looking for and have the time you

can save but over the internet with all the crooked dealers I met, i

wouldnt risk it, buy locally and you wont worry yourself sick

wondering if your lens is the real deal for the rest of your life.

The genuine article should last you for life.

[william_m._carson]

Yes, there are a lot of marginal and downright dishonest camera

dealers in Hong Kong but if you are discerning, you can tell them in

an instant. Look at their stock; if they don't have any, look

further. I have made many purchases (Leica, Nikon, Hasselblad,

Rollei) over the past fifteen years and have NEVER been disappointed!

I know only Kowloon and Poon is not only familiar but thoroughly

honest as are Dr. Joselh Yao, K. M. Chin and Francissco of a camera

shop of the same name. Francisco and Chin are related and their shops

are next to each other behind the Hyatt Regency Hotel on Nathan Way --

- They are both on Lock Road (#16 for Chin). Dr. Yao is the best for

Leica and he may be reached at <joseph@yao.com. He is one of the

participants in the "Dragon" special commemorative camera project and

is an M.D. practicing at the Kowloon Emergency Medical Clinic. Never

fear with these recommendatrions and you will probably enjoy the best

prices available ANYWHERE! Bill Carson

[william_m._carson]

Dr. Yao's eMail address was cut off: <joseph@yao.com>. Give him a

call! Bill

[raymond_tai]

I currently live in Hong Kong and I have no problems buying Leicas

here. When I used to live near New York City I avoided all those big

neon dealers the same way I avoid all those similar places here in HK.

Just do a little research and shop where the locals shop. As for ebay

dealers I have seen many of these auctions and they seem fine.

[Spearhead]

<i>I also do not think it wise to purchase "grey market" items.

</i><p>

 

Why not? I have bought almost all my camera gear that I purchased

new grey market. I have yet to have a problem. Last year I saved

about $400 by buying a Leica 35mm lens from Tamarkin grey market. I

expect that if anything happened, they would hold up their end of the

bargain.<p>

 

I feel strongly that I should buy grey market when companies block

warranty service on grey market goods. It's a worldwide economy

these days, and you can bet that Leica buys raw materials in the

country that offers the best price for any given item. Why should

consumers be forced to live with terms Leica would never accept?<p>

 

Konica's policies in this respect should be commended. Konica USA

was willing to service a product never sold in the US (at the time),

a black Hexar AF with date back, but it turned out it was a problem

understanding the (truly terribly written) manual.<p>

 

Never been to Hong Kong, sorry...

[damond_lam]

Dear Richard,

 

<p>

 

I live in Hong Kong and purchase Leica lens in HK. Schmidt Marketing

offers 2 year warranty in Hong Kong. In Singapore I believe the

distributor/service center is Jebsen and Jesson, not Schmidt.

 

<p>

 

Please find below the authorized Leica dealers in HK. There is even a

price list for all lenses if you look around their web page. Street

price is around 75-80%% of the listed price.

 

<p>

 

 

http://www.schmidtmarketing.com/CGI-bin/Dealer.asp?DV=PHD&CO=SPA&PS=PH

 

<p>

 

In the humid environment in South East Asia such as HK and Singapore,

it is a good idea to have a humidity controlled dry cabinet for

storage when you are not using the cameras and lenses.

[hoyin_lee1]

See here for tips on camera shopping in Hong Kong: <a

href="http://www.bubbachan.com/photoshopHK/shophk.htm">http://www.bubb

achan.com/photoshopHK/shophk.htm</a>. For Leica gear, I've shopped

at Kinefoto and Man Shing (sister shop of Wing Shing, but only Man

Shing carries Leica equipment) with no problem (these shops are

mentioned in the webpage). For grey-market stuff, try Tin Cheung

(see: <a

href="http://www.tincheungcamera.com.hk">http://www.tincheungcamera.co

m.hk</a>).