Yes, there are cheaper places in Hong Kong than Chung Pui Photo to get your film developed, notably on Kowloon side but the most famous one, Dotwell Photo, has the most miserable lady on earth (see my scathing review on Dotwell Photo Here). If you live on the Island, there’s no reason to go to Kowloon, it’ll cost you $100 in tunnel fees or at best take you another 30-45 minutes to get there on the train. UPDATE SEP 2017: I now send all my negatives to OutPut Pro Lab, who are considerably cheaper, bit of a pain to get to, especially from where I am in Pokfulam, but the cost savings are still well worth it. And sorry, Chung Pui Photo is not really a film camera shop, they sell a few old film cameras but I’ve included it here because they develop, scan and print film. For gear, they mostly sell digital, not a huge selection but they can order most things.
I find the guy who’s in charge of the film section ay Chung Pui Photo Hong Kong very friendly, and if you go there enough, they’ll give you decent prices on all equipment. In the first 8-9 months of shooting film, I probably developed well over 150 rolls of film, colour, Black and white and slide film. They can push and pull process and turn around times are a day for colour and a few days for black and white. With the exception of about 5 rolls of JCH StreetPan 400 and Rollei I took in Vietnam, I’ve been happy with almost everything I’ve got back.
Chung Pui Photo Hong Kong has a few Google Reviews saying the guys are not that interested and I can understand that but I was a (very) regular customer so didn’t find it a problem. I haven’t bought much digital off them except a Nikon underwater camera years ago but have got a price on the Fujinon 55-200mm and it’s a bit more than what you see advertised in price.com.hk, but that’s understandable as they’re in the heart of central and and will be paying massive amounts in rent. I’d rather pay a bit more and have a friendly conversation with the guys then go somewhere and buy it cheaper but be treated like shit. In all honesty if you’re looking for a bargain this is probably not the best place to go. However if you bargain with them you might be able to get a comparable price to somewhere like Sim City.
If you want convenience, live on HK Island, or are staying on HK Island, than Chung Pui Photo Hong Kong is well worth it, especially if you’re developing film. I would say they probably cater mostly to locals living/working in Central who don’t really care too much about getting the absolute best price, and tourists. They don’t seem to be that much more expensive than some of the other camera shops in Hong Kong and if you live on Hong Kong Island, or happen to be staying on Hong Kong Island, then these guys are the most convenient.
Unfortunately, since trying out OutPut Pro Lab and discovering their film developing prices considerably less, I haven’t been back to Chung Pui Photo but if you don’t want the hassle of going over to Kowloon, then Chung Pui Photo on Stanley Street will do the job. How To Get to Chung Pui Photo: Head up Lan Kwai Fong from Central MTR, take the first right which is Stanley Street, walk up until the first intersection and on the left side you’ll see them at the top of the hill. They open at 10a.m but are usually a bit late so don’t be too much of a keener. If you’re driving, park at IFC and walk over or at Manyee Building on Pottinger Street, but if you go after 11a.m it’s 50/50 if you’ll get a park there.
Chung Pui Photo don’t have a website and will take about a week to answer an email, if at all, but send us any questions or comments you have about Chung Pui Photo via email or ask us on twitter.
