Ed Kaspar wrote: " I will hopefully be moving to Shanghai in about six
months to stay for a year or two. I have all the kit I need, but if
something did need to be
repaired, can it be done in China? It would be past the warranty period,
so that is not an issue. Also, if I did suddenly get the urge to buy a lens
or body, does anyone know how the prices compare to the situation in
S/Japan/Europe?"
Ed - I don't think you have much to worry about. Although I can't speak for
Shanghai, I found Beijing to have excellent shopping on my trip there about
two years ago. I smashed one of my Nikkors (35-70/2.8) while photographing
on the Great Wall on a particularly windy day. I located an excellent Nikon
dealership the next day in Beijing and replaced my lens with the new 'D'
version and at less than what I would have paid in the USA. The only
problem I had was in obtaining cash since the dealer would accept nothing
else (a common practice). Film is in abundant supply, especially in
touristy places. But if you shoot with other than mainstream film such as
velvia or Kodachrome, you had best stock up before going over and then allow
yourself time to locate a source for resupply. As for repair, I suspect
that you will have to mail to Nikon, Japan for anything sophiscated in
nature just as you would mail to Nikon USA in this country. All in all, I
found shopping in China to be surprisingly good and lots of fun - much
better than Malaysia where I was living at the time. Have a good trip.
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Craig A. Whitney
Mayville, Wisconsin, USA
