All photographers know the secret to taking better photos: more gear! Luckily for Shanghai residents, we have Xing Guang, one of the best camera markets in Asia. Housing 220 independently run shops, Xing Guang has everything a photographer needs, from the latest mirrorless beasts to vintage lenses, lighting gear, view cameras, and everything in between. So let's check that bank balance, lie to our partners about how many lenses we already own, and head down to Huangpu to explore Shanghai's mecca for all things photography.
Finding Your Way Around
The market, which has been open since 2006 at the corner of Xietu Lu and Luban Lu (and since 1992 at other locations), covers six floors across two buildings, buildings A and C. Building B, which used to house print shops and a small photography museum, is permanently closed. While I would recommend just wandering its hallways for the full experience, if you are looking for a particular item it is helpful to know where to start.
First Floor: New Cameras and Lenses
The first floor of both buildings is where you can find new cameras and lenses for the major camera brands: Canon, Nikon, Sony, Fujifilm, Olympus, Panasonic, Leica, Ricoh, and DJI. Note that these are independently run shops, not the brand's flagship stores, but they are reputable dealers who have all the latest models, offer warranties, return policies and such.
Second and Third Floors: Second-Hand Cameras, Film and Accessories
The best part of Xing Guang, in my opinion. These floors are filled with second-hand shops and specialty gear and accessories stores. Building C houses second-hand shops (around 40 in total according to a market manager), and the range of cameras and lenses being sold can occupy a photography nerd for hours. Case after case of Leica jewels, Nikon bazookas, and matte white Canons line the hallway.
Those interested in photo history can also handle relatively rare Chinese-made camera bodies. There are of course Seagulls, but also lesser-known brands like Peafowl, Huqiu, Phoenix, Qingdao, and Peony.
In building A, the second and third floor shops focus on new products from third-party brands, including dealers for Sigma and Tamron lenses, Billingham bags, Zhiyun gimbals, Benro tripods, SmallRig accessories, and Haida filters.
There is Shanghai's best film store, Shang Wen, which carries 400 types of film, and Shutai, an excellent photography book store. There is a store devoted only to lens adaptors, from common to exotic, and one for straps and bags. There are also shops selling Chinese lenses—Laowa and Viltrox have their own dedicated shops, and QY Camera specializes in Chinese lenses from a variety of brands.
Upper Floors: Lighting, Printing and Repairs
In building A, the fourth floor is mostly devoted to lighting gear and grip equipment, while the fifth and sixth floor house printing and framing shops. Brands available include Profoto, Godox, Nanlite, and Aputure.
In Building C, the fourth-floor houses camera repair shops. Repair services are cheap and fast (from within an hour to a few days). From personal experience, broken lens mount contacts cost 300 RMB to repair, cleaning haze off a vintage lens cost 200, and multiple problems on a 1970s SLR were 500 to diagnose and repair.
The fifth and sixth floor in Building C house offices of the Shanghai Professional Photographers Association and building management, and are not open to the public.
Buying Gear: Prices and Bargaining
One of the best parts of Xing Guang is the laid-back attitude of the shop owners. This is not the fabric market with its cat-calling bosses "welcoming" every potential mark as they walk by. Most of these shop owners are happy to sit like dragons drinking tea atop their piles of treasure as customers inspect the shelves.
Correspondingly, Xing Guang is not really the place for aggressive negotiation on price. You can try your luck, but most items are priced fairly. For new gear, prices match the standard market rates found at flagship stores and on Jingdong, and that number basically isn't moving, although you can always ask about free goodies like memory cards, cases, and straps.
For second-hand equipment, strike up a conversation and see where it gets you. From personal experience, most items are priced at a premium over what is being offered on Xianyu, in exchange for being able to inspect the item in person and walk out of the store with a brand-new toy. So check out online prices, do the mental math about what the difference is to you, and make an offer.
Also, realize that these dealers are all photography enthusiasts happy to befriend new customers. Buy a camera, come back a month later to show them the photographs you took, and now you are the one drinking tea atop the treasure pile.
Visiting Shanghai? Compare Before You Buy
Is Xing Guang cheaper than back home? That depends on where home is, and what you're buying. Don't assume a camera is a bargain just because you're buying it in China. For new cameras and lenses, compare prices with a reliable retailer back home, check whether the warranty will cover you outside China, and factor in any customs charges when you return. Don't count on a tourist tax refund either: according to the market, none of Xing Guang's shops participate in the scheme.
Chinese brands are worth a closer look. DJI action cameras, Viltrox lenses, and Godox flashes may cost considerably less here than in your home country. For second-hand gear, the fashionable stuff comes with fashionable prices: don't expect a bargain on the digicam everyone suddenly wants. Less-hyped cameras and lenses can be better value, depending on what they sell for back home. Come with a shortlist and a few prices saved on your phone. It's easy to forget your budget when you're looking at a wall of lenses.
Alternatives in Shanghai
In terms of a market, the only place comparable is the Huanlong Shopping Center (环龙商场) next to Shanghai Railway Station, where about two dozen camera shops occupy the 3rd floor. These focus mainly on used copies of newer gear. If you are in the area, it is worth poking around, but nothing comparable to Xing Guang in scale. For new gear, every major camera brand has a large flagship store (many around Xintiandi and Huaihai Zhong Lu). For used gear, the newly opened Super ZhuanZhuan actually has a large and well-priced selection of modern cameras, lenses, and digicams, and various little shops around town specialize in digicams, polaroids, and other trendy cameras.
How to Get There: Xing Guang Photographic Equipment City (星光摄影器材城), is located at 288 and 300 Luban Lu in Huangpu (黄浦区鲁班路300号). The market Is open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., although every shop is independently run, so may close earlier or not open on a certain day. The nearest metro station is Luban Road, 600 meters away. Pro tip: if you are at the metro after 4 p.m., go across the street to Longhuang Canting (龙凰餐厅) for some banging skewers.
