Where to go
If you venture out west, this two floor camera emporium is the place professional photographers venture to update their SLRs or to pick up the latest specialist equipments, but the vast choices make it the best spot in town for anyone desiring to purchase a normal camera as well. Look for the giant billboards of Jackie Chan posing with the latest Canon camera, and you will know you’ve come to the right place.
The first floor is packed with booths selling all the big brands like Nikon, Canon, Sony etc. with similar products at corresponding prices. Bargaining below a base price is tricky but you can try to get accessories thrown in for example discounted camera cases, memory cards or UV filters.
All the cameras peripheral your heart could ever desire is available: filters, hoods, lighting, backgrounds, bags and even darkroom chemicals and accessories.
Take our advice
If you don’t speak Chinese then it’s best to take someone who does, and it is wise to do your homework prior to venturing to the Wukesong camera market. Virtually no English is spoken here and the market can be overwhelming if you’re just window shopping. If you need some relief, head upstairs for the widest range of hideous wedding gear you would have ever seen; truly remarkable.
Digital divas
Digital is the future! No wait, it’s the present. Or is it the past? While we decide, the letters SLR (single-lens reflex) still elicit nods of recognition from budding David Baileys.
When in the market, head to booth B-2 for all your SLR needs. A Canon EOS 1000D (3,280RMB for the kit) is a good starter model. It’s the lightest SLR on the market and its impressive range of features is both easy to use and not as scary as others.
Alternatively, the Nikon D90 (7,100RMB) is a slightly more professional camera, with an 18-105mmkit lens and a movie mode (although not camcorder quality).
Head to B-1 for the fun; Nikon Coolpix, a simple focus-and-capture that comes in colors such as blue, maroon and pink, and sells for between 950 and 2,480RMB depending on the model. The S8000 version (approximately 2,350RMB) is one of the thinnest focuses-and-captures at3cmthick, and has an extendable 10x zoom lens that sets it apart from competitors.
Bargained purchases
Second hand is the way to go here. Those who remember it will know that Rolleiflex is the brand to be reckoned with. This revered company falls well into collectable status and older models are particularly sought after.
Head to booths A-9 and 2 on the ground floor and you’ll be looking at prices between 2,500-10,000RMB (based on age and condition) for a classic Rollei.
It’s important to note that lenses outlive camera bodies, where as the technology is always changing. For second-hand lenses, we spotted a Canon 28—125mm/3.5—5.6 IS USM (with image stabilizer) at booth B-9 for an incredible bargain (take our word for it) at 2,450RMB.
For Nikon (or maybe Canon), try the ‘Nifty Fifty’, a fixed50mm/1.4 lens; its wide aperture is ideal for portraits and low-light conditions. We found one at booth A-20 for just 1,500RMB.
Picks for the pros
God bless those lovely Swedes, Hasselblad medium format cameras are at the top in business. Booth C-11 has the H2 (40,000RMB), an older film camera that can be upgraded with a digital back for the patriotic; while the 503CW (170,000RMB) is a special commemorative model engraved withChina’s recent 60th anniversary logo.
Another brand beloved of those in knowledge is the German made Leica, which can be found at booths A-7 and A-13. The M6 (18,300RMB) is a sturdy model for those who know how to handle it. Make sure you do.
Visit booth C-11 for Hasselblad’s impressive H4D- 60 (100,000RMB), which has an astonishing 60-megapixel digital sensor — it’s the obvious choice for professionals creating massive, high-res andbillboard friendly images. You’ll need to get a terabyte hard drive too!
Wukesong Camera Market, 40 Wukesong Lu, Xicheng district (8811 9797). Open 9am-4.30pm daily.
