Gilbet Yuen, a partner in Leica specialist Photopia which is fast becoming very well known around the world, seen here in his natural habitat
The Hong Kong camera scene is proving to be much more fun than I anticipated, that’s for sure. In the past week I have made so many new contacts and friends that I feel I could spend a lot more time here without becoming bored. Instead of doing all the touristy things—although I did a few—I’ve been concentrating on learning my way around the multitude of specialist camera shops in the Tsim Sha Tsui area. I’ve also been exercising the Leica Q exclusively. The D-Lux, which I brought “just in case” has been sitting in the hotel unused. I should have stuck to the one-camera-one-lens maxim.
Later in the week I’ll be publishing my mini guide for Leica owners new to Hong Kong. I hope that my efforts will save you time and take you straight to the stores worth seeing and worth dealing with. I’ve planned a leisurely afternoon stroll from near Tsim Sha Tsui station up to my last port of call, Photopia, now one of the internationally best known Leica specialist. In the lead picture you can see Gilbert Yuen in his habitat but, during the weekend, he has been fending off hordes on his very popular stall at the Classic Camera Fair.
Although I’m a veteran of camera fairs, this was my first event in the Far East and I found it absolutely fascinating. I met so many nice people and everyone was keen to chat, with the Leica Q being a major topic of interest. What did I think? Is it worth buying? Is it better than the M?
Just to remind myself why I gave up on DSLRsThis home-made instant camera looks the business. It contains a modern Fuji Instax camera which produces better quality prints than the old PolaroidsPart of the enthusiastic team at Camera Film PhotoThe irrepressible Tom Chung, featured yesterday, is the author of a rather fabulous range of steam-punk instant cameras which you can find at Classic Camera Shop in Prince EdwardDefinitely a right-eye man, Mr. ChungTom grabbed the Leica Q to prove that even a 28mm can do bokehHong Kong pro photographer Jonathan Liu of Onelastframe was keenly interested in the Leica Q and is considering adding one to his stable. In the meanwhile he was able to demonstrate the size of his large-format snapper to me (below)
Putting a face to Facebook: Leo Kwok provided an invaluable advance briefing before my visit to Hong Kong and I am grateful to him for all the details that saved me days of research. The classic fair was a good opportunity to meet face to face
Nice watches, nice cameras: I am struck by the number of interesting old Leicas dangling around necks all over Hong Kong. This is a particularly fine example of the genre: A well brassed M4-P and Summicron sets off the watch to perfection. I am told by Sam Lok (see below) that the owner of the brassed M4P is none other than 2011 Leica Award winner, Huang Jie. Well spotted, SamOver for the day from Macau, Sam Lok shows me his pristine M2 and 35mm Summilux pre ASPH. Just purchased, the camera fair is a good opportunity to snap up a bargainThis little Rollei 35 is one bit of neck-dangled candy that was getting a lot of use. Not just for show.
Mike,
I can see you are enjoying yourself so much that Hong Kong will become an annual event.
Absolutely, but can I wait that long?