Buying in Hong Kong

Razor-BladE

Razor-BladE

Razor-BladE

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I realised i don't really use the 50mm 1.8 because i find it a bit long for on the 450d and it's not that versatile because it's at one FL, so i thought of selling it and the kit lens, and then just upgrading to the Tamron 17-50.
Is the Tamron 17-50 as sharp as the 50mm at 50mm both at 2.8?

Initially i thought of just upgrading when i get home getting it from onestop for a tad under £270.
Then i realised that the goods here aren't taxed and started to research where i could get lenses cheaply. And a few places stuck out, mainly shops around the **** Kok area.
Then i found the digitalrev website, and the 17-50 non vc and vc is only £230 and £280 respectively.
I'm assuming they're genuine authorised dealers?
And then i found that digitalrev actually have a shop at the peak tower, so would it be worth buying from here? Assuming their store prices are the same as their website prices.
Or are the shops around **** Kok cheaper?

And should i go for the VC version?? Because from onestop it's £415. Optically the same as the non vc?
 
The Tamron won't be as sharp as the 50mm at f2.8, the 50mm is a very sharp lens when stopped down. The bokeh however will be nicer on the Tamron at that focal length, sharpness isn't everything and the Tamron isn't soft (it will get sharper stopped down as well).

The VC is not as well regarded as the non-VC, optically it isn't as good. I haven't actually tried one, this is just info from reviews\forums etc.

The Tamron is a great little lens, I really liked mine and saw no reason to go for the cannon 17-55 IS (I don't personally need IS in this focal range).
 
Hmmm you see, i'm not sure about my 50mm then. Because there's so much great talk about it, but when i received mine i didn't find it a great deal sharper than my 18-55 IS.
I'll do a test when i have time.

Yeah same about the 17-55 IS. Can't justify the price jump.

The 17-50, is there a noticable difference from the 18-55 IS?
 
I changed from the latest version of the 18-55IS to a Non VC Tamron 17-50 and I am happy with the change.

Wide open it isn't as sharp as the 50mm (I have one of these as well). In terms of IQ, it is much better, less distortion at 18mm, it's also a nice chunk of glass which I finds helps me keep the camera steady handheld - I found the 18-55IS very flimsy and too light. It also is noticeably wider than the Canon which is handy, but you do get a small about of barrel distortion.

Samples:

4739020670_b64788459a_z.jpg


Code: 
Camera  	Canon EOS 550D
Exposure 	0.001 sec (1/1250)
Aperture 	f/4.5
Focal Length 	50 mm
ISO Speed 	100

4738388943_e34ecbcc78_z.jpg


Code: 
Camera  	Canon EOS 550D
Exposure 	0.001 sec (1/1250)
Aperture 	f/5.6
Focal Length 	17 mm
ISO Speed 	100
 
Digitalrev's shop prices are more expensive than their websites so it is best to shop around in Hong Kong. Never accept that price listed as they are always willing to give discounts if you haggle. I actually found the prices on onestop cheaper than shops in Hong Kong, one of the reason being the country attracting a lot of tourists from mainland China since 1997 and a lot of them are really wealthy so they just go by the list price and never bother haggling so the shops are taking advantage of this especially around the more famous tourist district. So unless you are a local and know how to bargain, dont expect a 'fantastic' deal, how do I know? I went there back in January expecting to grab a few bargains also.
 
mcc49 said:
Digitalrev's shop prices are more expensive than their websites so it is best to shop around in Hong Kong. Never accept that price listed as they are always willing to give discounts if you haggle. I actually found the prices on onestop cheaper than shops in Hong Kong, one of the reason being the country attracting a lot of tourists from mainland China since 1997 and a lot of them are really wealthy so they just go by the list price and never bother haggling so the shops are taking advantage of this especially around the more famous tourist district. So unless you are a local and know how to bargain, dont expect a 'fantastic' deal, how do I know? I went there back in January expecting to grab a few bargains also.
Click to expand...

I'm heading over there in December and am looking to pick up a 16/2.8D which will probably require ringing ahead...are you able to name any recommended shops?
 
"Dear customer,

Thanks for the email.

Regarding your inquiry, we are writing to inform you that the prices may vary a little depending on the exchange rate. Besides that, the prices should be fairly similar. "

I'll definitely check local shops around HK, but i'll have a look into the digitalrev shop as well, see what it's like. I think i'll get the non-vc then if it's optically better than the vc one.

The thing about the 50mm is that i rarely use it.. sits in my bag most of the time.. and it's quite soft until 2.8 anyway. I'll see what i think of the tamron before i decide what i'll do with it though.

So my plan is to go to **** Kok and check prices there, then go to the peak and check prices there, and then decide.
Is it worth spending a little more than online prices though if i get to try a few copies and get a sharp one than taking a chance with buying online?
 
@Mud- I went to a few shops around **** Kok but cant remember their names

@Razor-BladE- Unless you have a very good reason for going up to Peak Tower then I would recommend going to their Tsim Sha Tsui Branch as it's abit of a mission to get to peak tower and the store there is really small and didnt offer much selection when I was there.
 
Check out Stanley street. It's regarded as a hot place where many pros do their shopping. The first time I was in HK, I bought a Nikon 16-35mm VR lens, for much less than UK obviously.

Many of the shops in the street were about the same price, but I felt that one shop, KinePhoto, was the best. The guys in there were photographers, not pushy salesmen. They let me try out the lens etc, and knocked a bit off the price.

I've been told that the shops in Kowloon are more expensive, and I was advised against them. While in the area I did pop into one, asking about a cheap small tripod. When he realised I wasnt interested he kept lowering the price, and hassling me. Didnt feel comfortable at all, no way I would have bought a 1k lens there!!
 
mcc49 said:
@Razor-BladE- Unless you have a very good reason for going up to Peak Tower then I would recommend going to their Tsim Sha Tsui Branch as it's abit of a mission to get to peak tower and the store there is really small and didnt offer much selection when I was there.
Click to expand...

Yeah i want to go back up to take better photos anyway. On their website it says that store is closed for relocation :( otherwise i would have just gone to that one.

Shadowness said:
Check out Stanley street. It's regarded as a hot place where many pros do their shopping. The first time I was in HK, I bought a Nikon 16-35mm VR lens, for much less than UK obviously.

Many of the shops in the street were about the same price, but I felt that one shop, KinePhoto, was the best.
Click to expand...

I'll take a look there, thanks.
 
My cousin is a photographer and i spoke to him, and he gave me a contact for a shop on stanley street; new tamron 17-50 non vc for $2700 which is about £230-235 (depending on exchange rates), and hopefully they'll have a few copys to try :)
 
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