Vintage Camera Shopping in Hong Kong

[@MichaelsExplorations]

So many beautiful cameras 📷😍😍😍😍😍 very kind customer survice i would love to visit and just look at all the cameras thanks for sharing

[@Mc007Queen]

Camera and lens heaven

[@DIMGDV]

Oh, that's great that Dot Well Photo still exists. In August it was closed on Saturday and I expected that they gonna completely close the shop where I developing films on my trips to HK. So great news and thanks for video.

[@bigheadtaco]

+Dmitry Grudinin those guys were so busy, and yes open and still getting film developed there. I wanted to talk with them but they were busy and I ran out of time. If I could talk with them all this would have been a 2 hour video!!

[@DIMGDV]

bigheadtaco No doubts it would.

[@KeigoMoriyama]

What is better to buy there from your point of view?In jpn we have lots of cheap one

[@mattypaxton]

thanks for the tip about the "On)))" speaker setting. knew it beeped.. didnt know why. i reckon go colour for your vids

[@Minerva___]

Incredible. I could be in there for hours.

[@bigheadtaco]

I spend hours in here all the time when I'm given the chance :-)

[@Minerva___]

That Minolta CLE.. what dreams are made of.. haha. I actually just won one and should be getting it in this week! Super excited to shoot with it! Love your videos, btw. I just found your channel and have been binge watching!

[@bigheadtaco]

ha ha, thanks for subscribing and for your support. Congrats no the CLE as well. It's a great little M mount camera.

[@billchandler237]

The Nikon F3 Af was the F3 model designed to be used with the new AF series lenses. I think there was an 85mm and a 200mm to start.

[@bigheadtaco]

+Bill Chandler awesome, thanks for the info. Perhaps they had light indicators to confirmed focus, or maybe just allowed the newer AF lenses to work properly on the manual focus bodies. Thanks again!

[@tomislavmiletic_]

+Bill Chandler from what I can remember, there was only one AF lens for that F3AF, a 80-200 mm f/4, with a huge bulk on the left side, used to house not-so-refined af motor inside. Canon tried a similar thing pre-EOS on Canon T80, but they opted for 35-70mm instead...

[@bovver6092]

Doesn't seem like David Chan recognized you!

[@lightscrimmage]

my heart is a flutter

[@ubarhd1]

What a photo camera stores tour great 👏🏻👏🏻🙏🏻

[@bigheadtaco]

thanks!

[@EduardoMendozaPhoto]

I can't hold me from drooling!!! Definitely a must visit!! Thanks BHT!!!

[@ronstar7027]

I used to LOVE the old Shutterbug magazine from the 70's, with its endless ads for used gear.

[@bigheadtaco]

Me too :-)

[@h2odogizzy]

Your wonderful video has inspired me to start using my Leica M4 again.

[@eladbari]

Wonder what are the prices now @ 2018 . Those stores seem more expensive than eBay

[@bigheadtaco]

EBay in general will be cheaper since you can immediately see the competition's pricing. However, if you're looking for something rare or something in mint condition and you want to see it in person before buying, there's still an advantage to walking into a store and holding it.

[@eladbari]

Interesting. I always thought it was exactly the opposite on Ebay. Some guy farts out an insane price. Another guy with the same camera looks for how much that camera costs on eBay- then he copies the insane price the 1st guy decided upon. The problem is now that I wanna buy the Nikon FE-2, but even after paying the insane eBay price of 200$ [even more], the seller expects me to pay customs & taxes for a camera from the 80's? Just because they decided to sell it for this insane pricetag [which demands taxes, since above 75$ items are taxed]. This camera isn't sold in stores anymore. It's like you buy it from a yard-sale. It's like I decide to sell an old soda bottle cap for 1000$. It's just a frikkin soda cap. It shouldn't be taxed. I made up this price. It could've been 2$ as well. Then, why sellers are so keen on giving hell to their clients? I'm already a sucker for buying an 80's camera for 200$. Why should I pay 50$ more because some guy decided it goes for 200$ and wants to report it while shipping? That's why I'm holding off on that FE-2...

[@ronstar7027]

I LOVE your videos. I only wish I could visit these shops as easily as you can. I am in Idaho, slim pickings for cameras. I rely on B&H and Adorama.

[@bigheadtaco]

Make it a camera history and photography vacation. Hong Kong is an amazing place to shop, but also take photos.

[@mistylandschaft]

A black Leica M2 at 3:24 for roughly 1,100$, isn't that supposed to be cheap?

[@bigheadtaco]

+mistylandscapes many black paint Leica's are not factory black paint but custom versions.

[@myownirvana]

+bigheadtaco This is what I always imagined heaven would be like. :-)

[@bigheadtaco]

+Jermbug Photography ha!

[@LE672AJ]

I need all of those cameras 🤤

[@jeffkim6729]

Hi Take....I noticed you were using an iphone to make this video. Were you using an attachment mike or was it the phone mike. Also can you recommend a make of a selfie stick?

[@bigheadtaco]

For this video it was the built in microphone. I now use an external microphone

[@jamesmeterissian7654]

Hello, do you think you could do a review on the Nikon f3?

[@bigheadtaco]

+James Meterissian I will eventually do vintage camera reviews, but I need a good workflow for film first. Until then, I'll do these types of reviews once in a while. Matt Day and Mike Padua are great for film camera reviews.

[@jamesmeterissian7654]

bigheadtaco ya lol I'm subscribed to both of them. I was just wondering what you had to say on cameras like the f,f2 and f3

[@bigheadtaco]

+James Meterissian I've shot with all of them and worked with pros who've used them for actual work in the 70s, 80s, 90s. I prefer the FM-2T because of the higher shutter speeds and flash sync. The FM is less rugged than the F3 and less modular, but it's better for the average hobbyist photographer.

[@Tonylionni]

whats your own camera and lens you show us around the 14 min mark looks freakin awesome.

[@bigheadtaco]

+Tony Lionni Ricoh GR II with lens hood and Fujifilm EF-X20 flash. I shot this video immediately after shooting this one: kzbin.info/www/bejne/b3XVeomudr55psk

[@Tonylionni]

+bigheadtaco thanks a love these type of camera shop tours your doing check out my flickr street photography page www.flickr.com/photos/tonylionni/

[@bigheadtaco]

Tony Lionni you have some great shots! Keep up the good work.

[@calyth6615]

I can't remember if it's this one, or other HK videos, but you mentioned that a roll of 35mm could be developed and scanned for $35HKD. Would you know where?

[@bigheadtaco]

Yes Dot-Well Photo just outside Champagne Court on Carnarvon Road. It's hard to miss because it's street level entrance but the shop is underground. Quick turn around and reasonable prices. Output Pro Lab is my favourite ma-and-pa shop in Hong Kong near Prince Edward MTR station in Mong Kok. It's a weird shop because you have to buzz in from the outside and they drop the key out the window for you to come up. Cheapest development price in town, quickest turn around time (same day black and white), and the friendliest lab in town.

[@calyth6615]

bigheadtaco awesome. Thanks very much!

[@postreason]

What camera did you have around your neck when you were looking at the nikon D1?

[@bigheadtaco]

+Riley Cameron I had the Ricoh GR II around my neck. I shot this video just before shooting this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/b3XVeomudr55psk

[@postreason]

+bigheadtaco Thanks

[@JohnLehmannPhotography]

Wow! I want that Nikon F3. Best film camera ever!

[@bigheadtaco]

+John & Jeong let's go back.... next year.

[@jordanlockhart5667]

was that 02:00 $3,300 USD for a Ricoh GRs??

[@bigheadtaco]

+Jordan Lockhart this is in Hong Kong so all pricing is in Hong Kong dollars :-)

[@jordanlockhart5667]

bigheadtaco oh! $412 USD not bad!

[@bigheadtaco]

Jordan Lockhart yes the USD is pretty strong so goes a long way in HK. The CAD is very weak so I didn't buy any gear :-(

[@romanwang8176]

which one would you get: Leica M3 or M4 (if there were being sold for generally same price and in relatively same condition)?

[@bigheadtaco]

I would get the M3 for the viewfinder, as long as you're shooting 50mm. It's the biggest, brightest and best magnification M that's ever been produced.

[@romanwang8176]

I see, thanks! Love your videos!

[@user-om3hi5dw6h]

6:43 contax t2 for HKD1000?

[@philipyeung6054]

yes, the story before all celebrities haha

[@JavierOdriozola]

I loved the video. The prices seemed a little expensive. Comparing to Tokyo would you say HK is more expensive regarding film cameras? I'm going to Japan in a couple weeks and after that I'll go to mainland China and Hong Kong I really look forward to check this place, but I don't expect to be able to afford anything!

[@bigheadtaco]

+Javier Odriozola because the Yen is weak and the Hong Kong dollar is high, I find the prices in Japan better, although HK will have more rare vintage cameras

[@wichersham]

OK, I am a Japanese and will definitely visit this All Good Friend Camera shop one day.

[@DavidBirchphoto1.]

This video is awesome.

[@matchat86]

Why is it that quite a few of the HK sellers choose to shrink wrap their cameras? Does it not lead to problems with fungus?

[@bigheadtaco]

Yes on some cameras the shrink wrap can do more damage. However, in Hong Kong, it's very humid and things oxidize quicker without it being covered. However, things like cloth shutters need to breath or they can degrade quicker. I don't really know which is better, but I think more and more shops are starting to realize certain cameras shouldn't be shrink wrapped as I see within the same store, some cameras are wrapped, some aren't

[@matchat86]

bigheadtaco thanks for your reply! I had noticed it on a few videos from different vloggers and it had me wondering.

[@jamescortesos]

Just great..like this..its a passion .thank you bht...

[@Carmerafe]

Oh my this fills my camera craving Take san

[@williamschaffel3760]

What's the name of the background music used with this video. Did you buy the CLE

[@bigheadtaco]

+William Schaffel it's just a stock track in iMovie. I couldn't convince Billy to sell me the lens separately so no I didn't buy it. I really wanted that minty lens!! Body and lens was A++ condition. I think it was around $850-900 USD at the time.

[@BeingWolfy]

+bigheadtaco - You should have bought it, and then sold the body. It might be a long time before you see one in that good of condition again.

[@bigheadtaco]

wolfywho don't make me cry... you're right :-(

[@tomislavmiletic_]

All prices shown are in Hon Kong or US dollars? Big difference...

[@bigheadtaco]

+Tomislav Miletić Hong Kong dollars while in Hong Kong...

[@tomislavmiletic_]

thanks

[@Tungtek]

Take san, how good is the price there compare to in Japan? I'm interested in a camera trip too but still considering which to go first. There're such camera stores here in Singapore but the prices are off the roof hence I'm buying from Ebay/Japan most of the time, but not sure about the walk-in-shop prices. Thanks

[@GloomGaiGar]

Japan is insanely more expensive from what I've seen. Look for Japan Camera Hunter here on youtube.

[@truetothegame2928]

D1 has a fab color science - dont sleep !

[@photoboy2005]

Old Good Friend looks like a cool place! I want to go to Hong Kong so bad to go camera shopping. Its hard to find a good camera store in the states!

[@whiskydhot3318]

When are you going back to review SLR cameras sir? :) I noticed most of the film shooters 4 years ago are now reviewing mirrorless cameras. :(

[@CarltonHui]

Hmm they seem pretty cheap compared to what you'd find anywhere else. A 1000 HKD Contax T2? Is that accurate?

[@bigheadtaco]

+Carlton Hui I can't read the Chinese characters, but I'm sure that's not correct. Either it's only the data back portion, or perhaps non-working condition, or maybe he forgot to add an extra zero? If you look at the prices of the accessories, they're more expensive, so we must be reading it incorrectly. it should be over $1000 USD is my guess. I found the prices in HK for good condition cameras more expensive than Japan.

[@CarltonHui]

I see, I was thinking it's odd they list in USD though but I guess it depends on their customers. Love the videos by the way! Keep em coming!

[@christopherjones6846]

great video. my dream vacation.

[@migrodz]

that F3/AF is the autofocus F3 film camera......as far as I know there were only 2 autofocus lenses made for this camera!

[@randallstewart175]

Right. Nikon's first autofocus SLR effort, more of a panic entry coming late into the AF market. Few made; fewer sold - one of Nikon's very few total failures.

[@sorenmeyer7347]

These prices are awesome compared to germany! I assume most of the stuff is cla'd?

[@bigheadtaco]

Hong Kong probably has the most concentration of repair masters. I still feel the Japanese have some of the top service technicians (Kanto Camera being one of them) but Hong Kong has some amazing repair masters too. I would say the top dealers will have them all CLA'd, but you would have to ask about specific models. If you're into Leica, there are many Leica-centric shops, and those would all be CLA'd locally.

[@lices]

HEAVEN

[@daniel166hue]

Buy that CLE and sell the old one..solve the problem ;-) man your video made me can't wait to go there..5 years ago I went around TST too but I barely know about photography..good job on your video, looking forward to your next upload!

[@bigheadtaco]

+Daniel Arai I know I know, I totally didn't think about that. I guess I'm not so good at the buy&sell business.

[@rodrigopages1054]

are these prices on dollars or yens?

[@bigheadtaco]

Hong Kong Dollar

[@mhsvz6735]

Thank you.

[@danielbdbe]

hi , i bought from all good friend camera ebay store few times - seller was danny - I was very satisfied by the items , the servioce and the prices . I do recommend them . daniel from france

[@bigheadtaco]

+danielbdbe yes very friendly, reasonable prices, and lots of stock.

[@ShootStreetTV]

Hey Take, I was nerding out the whole time, watching this video! lol.. Even though i just kinda started falling in love with old film cameras, about 2 yrs. ago (especially rangefinders). Anyways I am now looking for my very first Leica. Which one would you suggest? M3 or an M6? Just wanted to know your expert opinion. Thanks! Oh and you got me looking up on Minolta CLE… smh… hehe… Cheers!

[@bigheadtaco]

+ShootStreetTV although my personal fav is the M3, the frame lines only cover to 50mm, no wider. Bang for your buck the Leica CL (sister camera to the Minolta CLE but it's fully mechanical) as one of the cheapest ways to get into M-mount Leica. The M6 is probably one of the most popular choices for most starting out shooting Leica, but I know guys who swear by the M4's. The thing about Leica M bodies is that if you buy one in good condition, when you decided to trade up (or down) you rarely lose money on it, and often make money if you're savvy at buying and selling.

[@ShootStreetTV]

Thanks Take for your informative and fast response. The M6 looks sexy, but I like the look of the M3 much better. I know i got the GAS right now for rangefinders hehe.. (I can't help it). Its good to know that M3 does not cover 35mm frame lines. I think I just have to borrow each camera for a week to get a hands on feeling on it. I want my first purchase of Leica to be a forever camera. Again thanks for your awesome tid bids and will be looking forward for your next video. Cheers!

[@bigheadtaco]

ShootStreetTV the M2 is very similar to the M3 but allows for framelines to work with 35mm, but at a lower magnification of course. Just another option.

[@ShootStreetTV]

Thanks Take!

[@jeffer8762]

any reason why people still buy old camera?

[@bigheadtaco]

lots of reasons. Like those who collect vintage watches, cars or antiques, many buy older cameras as a collection, sometimes for money, other times as a way to connect to the past. Cameras are beautifully engineered and built. Others buy to shoot, since film is still available and there are many many film photography enthusiasts. Yes digital is the majority of the market now when it comes to taking pictures, but buying and selling of anything antique is a very strong market. It doesn't matter if it's paintings, old furniture, old tools, watches, cars, trading cards, etc.

[@okazo81]

here is heaven of camera

[@jedteng2650]

Nice condition cameras,id say not cheap also 👍

[@bigheadtaco]

I went back later but was sold.... so sad

[@636117]

Anything affordable for those of us living on SS?

[@bigheadtaco]

always find bargains at Champagne Court.

[@636117]

Thanks so much. Looks like quite the adventure. Looking forward to it!

[@CDNChaoZ]

Those prices seem high. The cameras must be mint. Even then I hope there's room to haggle.

[@bigheadtaco]

+CDNChaoZ you can always negotiate pricing, but it really depends on what it is. If they know they have a super rare camera, prices will stay high. But I saw a lot of repeat cameras in multiple stores, so I'm sure you can shop around and haggle...

[@northstar1950]

What a fabulous place, I could spend days there :)

[@wilson_law]

This video needs an update. Please do one. 😀 What are your views to justify shooting film compared to digital? IMO, unless the process is completed with printing from a darkroom, scanning and sharing a film photo is quite pointless. Whats your take?

[@bigheadtaco]

being able to do the entire process from beginning to end, including bulk loading your own film is a beautiful but time consuming process. There's still a certain aesthetic you get when shooting film but then scanning, but I get what you're saying. A purist will do the whole thing, but most just can't. Also there are those who shoot slide film, so there's no printing involved. I think the process of shooting versus the darkroom process can be two different worlds, but also the same world, depending on the person. In the past there were darkroom artists that specialized only in the darkroom, they weren't shooters. There were also shooters who never printed, even in the film days. Two separate worlds. But there's guys who shot and printed (Michael Kenna is an expert in both), and that's a rare breed of photographer.

[@wilson_law]

bigheadtaco thanks for the quick reply. Its just that I've been constantly going back and forth with film. Scanning is very hard to get right. Plus lately i realised film is usually shot only in bright lighting conditions (pushing only adds contrast and not speed) whereas digital has way surpass that. Then again, shooting instax film is the same experience. However, the majority of people dont listen to vinyl records and cds when i.e. spotify can provide such quick and high def music. Plus, only our grandparents would print and hang photos these days. Arg, im so confused... Help!

[@bigheadtaco]

check out my Instagram feed. My latest post was shot at night with CineStill 800T: instagram.com/bigheadtaco

[@jtrisott]

Great Place

[@bigheadtaco]

the best

[@fairhill2612]

There was a slight second when i confused the Hong Kong Dollars conversion rate with the yen

[@helthuismartin]

A black Leica M2 for only 1029 eoros???? Thats real cheap man.

[@bucksellers5364]

What would that be converted to US dollars ? ..Around 750.00 dollars?? ...Is that correct ?

[@helthuismartin]

no 1200 dollars

[@bucksellers5364]

helthuismartin...thank you...on second thought I think I was probably converting Canadian.. ..lol....I cant keep up with the conversions....

[@OlliL]

helthuismartin That's got to be a repaint and at that price, probably not a really good one.

[@Mc007Queen]

No the camera doesn't have a price is because he doesn't want to sell it half the stuff that's in his shop he doesn't want to sell anything he's got like 3 Nikon F - 3s still in the box and doesn't want to sell any of them

[@maypoolqueen9265]

I love Minolta guys ; D

[@ChrisPugh]

Man Alive!

[@bucksellers5364]

Damn!! ...I wish we had something like that in the USA...I'd like to visit...only I probably couldn't afford anything...I am a bargain hunter....And I do find bargains....I usually cant pay store prices....I mostly buy in lots....That is a great way to buy vintage camera gear....Lots of the goodwill ...salvation army....those kind of stores don't have the time or experience to test and properly list the photography items for sale....So they sell them in lots or boxes full of photography equipment....as is...It is a gamble buying that way but most times I come out ahead....sometimes way ahead....sometimes not so much...lol.....I have obtained some really nice items that way...that I wouldn't be able to afford otherwise...I'm not gong to get rich doing that...But its fun to me and I do make a little extra money...Every time I get a new box of items I am like a kid at Xmas....The best part is you always get something they didn't have in the photos....something you didn't expect....Sometimes those surprise items are the most valuable items in the box...Things they thought weren't worth mentioning or adding to the pictures....A huge mistake ....Bad for them.....great for me !! ...Thanks for the great video!!....Now, if I ever get rich I will know where to go!..

[@vintagecameras9623]

amazing

[@BeingWolfy]

I still like watching this video. =)

[@bigheadtaco]

ha ha, thanks. Me too. Good times. I tried repeating the success of this video the last time I was in HK but it didn't happen. Both Billy and Mr.Chan were out all 3 times I visited.

[@stephengreico2810]

I love this store...this video is asmr for my GAS

[@maurolopesmarziano]

nOt for sale !! Lol

[@benny9588]

This building is going to bulldoze and rebuild very soon, and David Chan already announced that he will retire and may donate all of his stuffs to government's historic museum department, if they are willing to show them to people in public.

[@depotmsa2362]

thats Kai shop ! digital rev all day

[@jayrdee8929]

Auto Focus F3

[@Jengalese]

That CLE.

[@vjvijith]

better to have someone operate the camera, compared to other videos that you uploaded.... just a suggestion. nice attempt though

[@AlGreenLightThroughGlass]

Mecca

[@mungbeanwarrior]

love your videos. glad i've found you. HNY

[@richardhaw9757]

F3AF = autofocus

[@bigheadtaco]

cool thanks for the info. I don't think it was popular model was it? I haven't seen too many around. My guess is that the lens did all the focusing, the body just accepted the lens, which had its own built in motor and focus sensor? Thanks again.

[@richardhaw9757]

It was not mainstream but certainly not rare. Here in Tokyo, you can get one any time in the auctions. The prism does the calculation and the camera does the AF. My blog has a picture for the prototype of Nikon's 1st AF camera in the early '70s.

[@bigheadtaco]

***** awesome thanks again for all this extra info. I love learning new things and adding it to my own knowledge. Happy shooting!

[@richardhaw9757]

richardhaw dot com

[@annasylvester704]

7777777