Five Stars for Hong Kong Supplies

Digital Photographers in Need of Gear Should Stop Here First

Shopping for high-end electronics can be a challenge. You scuttle from store to store, checking prices against models, the prices against features, and judge the competence of the staff attempting to help you. In today's big-box world, for those of us looking for a bargain, shopping can be a chore. Living in China, I sometimes have to go to Hong Kong to purchase items unavailable on the mainland.

Several months ago I purchased the new Canon EOS Rebel XTi camera. This DSLR camera is a 10 mega-pixel wonder. It offers intelligent automatic settings or complete control should I need to make adjustments. I've used film SLR cameras for more than 20 years. In my youth I purchased additional lens from the used counter at the local camera shop. I spent many a Saturday, half-crouched with my face pressed against dirty glass, daydreaming about the captures I could make if I only had that lens.

We all grow up. Given the chance I would return to that used counter, for financial (and nostalgic) reasons. I currently reside in a country that's main language isn't English. Shopping can be extremely trying. The bargaining process can suck the life out of you faster than the noon sun on a summer day. I wanted some extra lenses and flash unit for my Canon DSLR and shopping in the local markets was only leading to frustration.

I'll preface the rest of this by saying I had done my research. I knew what I wanted, a Canon 70-300 IS USM zoom lens, and the new 580 EX II flash unit. I read good and bad reviews on digital photography sites. I felt I had educated myself enough to make an informed purchase.

So, I turned to the internet, and EBay.

I was an EBay virgin. I know many who have used this auction site to purchase memorabilia, and odds and ends. For some reason I had never knocked at EBay's virtual door. It's probably the concept of safety, or lack there of, that many internet users have.