5
You won't find the prices here better than at home. You might find them better in Japan but it is always hard to compare.Few people on this forum recommend buying camera equipment or electronics overseas because of warrenty issues, concerns about bait and switch, products aren't necessarily comparable, etc.
Ruth
6
You might do OK in Hong Kong price-wise, if your trip is taking you there as well, though you may still have warranty issues.7
I only found Hongkong to have sometimes better prices, like Wingshing-Photo in Mongkok. But you always should know the current prizes from home. Chinese brands sometimes are cheaper when bought in China than from the importeur in Europe. This was the case with a small Benro carbon tripod, which would have cost me about 30 percent more if I would have bought it from an european distributor.8
I would advise against buying expensive electronics in China unless you absolutely have to. "Original and cheap" does not exist in China. Original products will be quite a bit more expensive than elsewhere (USA is probably the cheapest and if the yen ever returns to normal levels, Japan is quite good for electronics as well). Anything you buy cheaply will be fake or stolen, no matter what anyone tells you. You can find some deals in Hong Kong, but do your research online before you go. Most camera retailers in tourist areas are not to be trusted.9
There is a big, 5-6 floor, photography equipment mall, Xingguan Sheyingqicun Guangchang, on Luban Lu and Xietu Lu. That's where local enthusiasts and pros go. There are shops selling second hand equipment on the upper floors. It's about 10 minutes cab ride south of Xintiandi, on the north-south highway. The nearest metro stop is Luban Lu on the No. 9 line.Here's the listing:
http://www.dianping.com/shop/2858896
I have bought two cameras there and haven't heard any problems with fakes. Prices vary but at best they will be in line with Hong Kong or US prices and more likely higher. You can check taobao for the lowest prices in China before you go.
