Darkroom Chemicals and Supplies - Hong Kong or Shenzhen

[cblurton]

I am looking for a store that sells darkroom equipment (for instance a 4x5 enlarger, timer, etc.) and chemicals (for example Unicolor Powder C-41 Film Negative Processing kits, Kodak XTOL Powder Film Developer) in Hong Kong or Shenzhen. I have tried the usual suspects in Hong Kong, e.g., Photo Scientific on Stanley Street and shops in Tsim Tsi Tsui and Mongkok, without much luck. They only carry small amounts of standards like D-76 and Dektol that are, in some cases, outdated.

I understand about mail ordering from the UK, USA, or Australia, but find the shipping prices to be prohibitive. Any pointers to a more local source would be welcomed.

 

[cblurton]

I've found a source for Kodak darkroom chemicals in Hong Kong, but still no luck with the Unicolor Powder C-41 kits or darkroom equipment. Here's the source for the chemicals:

Sino Promise Holdings Limited
FLAT A, 10/F, CHINA DYEING WORK BUILDING,
388 CASTLE PEAK ROAD,
TSUEN WAN, N.T.
HONG KONG
Phone: 852-2611-7211

 

[ashokgoyal42]

Check "Photo Scientific" 6 Stanley Street, Central, HK. Tel 25250550. I have been to the shop and I've seen chemicals and Patterson tanks somewhere tucked into the side. I think if you buy something the owner may be more talkative. I didn't buy anything. Good luck.

 

[ashokgoyal42]

I'm sorry I just read your opener again - you have visited the place.

 

[cblurton]

Thanks, they do stock more chemicals than any other store I've found, but not much. The owner seems a little shy, but friendly.

 

[BerndR]

I understand about mail ordering from the UK, USA, or Australia, but find the shipping prices to be prohibitive.

The shipping prices aren't as prohibitive as they seem: If you order in Germany or the UK, advertised prices include 19% or 20% VAT, i.e. if you order for HKD 2000, HKD 400 are taxes that will not be levied when you order from outside the EU. As HK doesn't have a VAT, HKD 400 or 500 of shipping costs actually do not hit that hard.

Any pointers to a more local source would be welcomed.

I would like to have local supplies, too. Got any pointers over the last couple of years? :confused:

 

[cblurton]

Nothing new, sorry. Sino Promise for Kodak chemicals years ago but don't know if they are still selling any and Photo Scientific as an alternative. Freestyle for overseas orders of paper, etc.

 

[BerndR]

So I take it that shipping chemicals is no issue at all? Powder or liquid?

There's surprisingly little to find about this topic ...

 

[cblurton]

Both.