Hong Kong camera guardian David Chan spent 60 years collecting vintage gear
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- Опубликовано: 22 окт 2020
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“They are works of art”, says David Chan as he describes the massive collection of vintage cameras he has assembled in his Hong Kong shop over about 60 years. Though Chan buys and sells some equipment, he considers himself more of a guardian of vintage photographic gear, on a mission to help future generations see the beauty of camera craftsmanship.
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Making this film with David Chan is the most phenomenal filmmaking experience I ever had. David's personality is one of a kind, his love and passion in vintage cameras started when he worked as a camera salesman back in the 1960s. He learnt to collect vintage cameras when he made his first trip to Ginza Tokyo. Back to Hong Kong, he became a middleman, trading Leica cameras with the Japanese camera dealers, and sold Japanese cameras to the Americans and locals in Hong Kong.
Today, he is very happy to run a place that can bring film photographers together. No matter you are a beginner, or a professional, David is always happy to share his experience in film cameras with you.
As a photographer I find this film very inspiring. Thank you for making it. Hopefully I will visit his shop one day.
Documentary well executed...
badhabit where is his shop ?
This short film was wonderful, thank you for making it! It also made me wonder, does Mr.David buy vintage cameras, or is he only selling them? If so, I have a vintage Olympus camera he might be interested in, and it would make me happy to send it somewhere where it could shine again, and not just collect dust in the attic.
That is our mechanical history and culture. Great to document this man.
*_Protect this man at all costs_*
No, we need more national security laws
@@insectbite1714 national security laws protect this old man from rioters so it is a winwin situation
@@user-dt2lk7bx1q the law might hurt the freedom of photography though
@@kevc.2958 life first，then freedom
@@user-dt2lk7bx1q That's why you will always live under Party boot. Different mindset to ideas that spread in 18 century through Europe and are still alive here. We had our share of one party rule. Luckily in 1990 it has changed(not enough. thou, most commies should have been hanged)
The fact that he doesn’t push anyone to buy anything but loves to chat with everyone is just so marvelous.
It almost makes you want to buy a camera
Not for sale.
I can relate to this because the moment someone started talking about camera or photo/videography, I can never stop talking. Not many people in my neighbourhood loves camera.
A store filled with and dedicated to a hobby he loves dearly. This is something I wish I could do.
Do it.
Nothing stops you. This man most likely started from only one camera, so can you.
Hearing him said that his children didn’t like the camera really broke my heart :(
The children are actually smart! What is the purpose of collecting anything to the extreme in life. Buy something that we need to use, or buy one or two. This is a big waste of money!
@@rothschildianum spoken like someone with no passion lol
With that attitude why do anything you like in life? It's all gonna die anyway. One day the earth itself will be pulled apart by the cosmos. That's a fact.
Let the man and others enjoy a glimpse of humanity while we are around.
Capturing photos helps me cherish the world around me. For that reason I like photography.
Do you see how cynical your viewpoint is?
@@rc2760 you worded that very well, this man is just trying to cherish his passion. I respect that. But yeah same with me I love photography because I’m able to capture the moment and view it in the future
@@rothschildianum exactly.
@@rc2760 Don't feed the troll...
this guy must start and have a youtube channel. cameras never gets old as long it can take picture and tell a story.
Underrated comment.
he know every detail cameras he had and to tell its history or beauty of its camera i hope his knowledge can be passed to next gen
I wonder if its cause of the censorship out there..sux if it is
Yeah~ to document down his entire collection as history
We need his story.
I visited his store. He was about to close the door that evening. He asked me to come back tomorrow to 'yam cha' with him. What a nice chap!
This is very sweet thanks for sharing! 老闆好有人情味
If you are white,
yam = drink
cha = tea
@@brianfong5711 and if I’m African?
@@abraxamovic If you are African,
yam = drink
cha = tea
@@brianfong5711 and if I’m Latino/Arab/Jewish/Indian/etc.? Wouldn’t it be much simpler if you wrote "If you’re non Cantonese speaker”?
The man said it right - photography is an art ....every photographer dreams to collect cameras 😍🥰😍
Oh my goodness! This is such a special treasure! I love photography, I love my iPhone cameras, I enjoy what I can do digitally... but as a guy of my age (70) I so miss those old cameras. As David says, they were meant to last a lifetime! I pray his amazing collection will be preserved. I love the fact that he says, I don't run it like a business. It's a place for friends to meet and for us to enjoy life and talk about cameras. Beautiful storytelling here Chris Chang! Thank you for sharing David Chan!
I met Mr Chan in the 90's, my father an avid photographer took to this shop then...sad to hear they will move from this corner shop that is a landmark for photographers around the world actually. If you ever wanted to see the history of a brand, go to this shop for a lesson. A HK treasure.
What a lucky man, in his old days still healthy and doing what he loved, others not that lucky.
Honestly the best video I've seen on SCMP since I've started watching SCMP 3 yrs ago.
Thank you for watching! It’s the best video I have made for SCMP.
@@chrischang4823 oh nice
Wow I went here multiple times in 2016 while studying in Hong Kong and it was heaven for any camera lover. Unfortunately the language barrier prevented me from getting to experience the knowledge that Mr Chan has about cameras. I look forward to going back!
The government should declare this man along with his shop a national treasure !
🤷🏻♂️
@jackson pine Capitalists would disagree
That's also true
Hit me when he said “the next generation won’t know just how beautiful these vintage cameras are”
You'd be pleasantly surprised to know how many young people are getting back into film photography. The industry definitely isn't dead yet.
There's a resurgence of analog photography but it's not going to last forever. Increasing film and development costs is not going to help.
@@willg125 I am 20 and i picked up a nice nikonos for the first time this year!
@@leozen1507as another 20 year old it's really a change of pace, and shooting film for me makes me slow down and think harder about my composition.
@@willg125 true 🙌
Thank you for this documentary. We Need more of these on our generation .
This shop is more than just a shop. Its beautiful and full of history
This shop is like a shrine for photographers......I will just go to his shop and take a look at those vintage camera. They represent classics and endurance. Those electronic camera now can't give you these feeling........
If you look at it from a shop perspective it's a really bad one. Half of the stuff is not for sale and if it is it's ridiculously overpriced.
What it really is is a museum with amazing pieces and a passionate guide.
What a beautiful story. This reminds me of the old camera stores I used to visit in New York. The lighting, the glass cabinets filled with old cameras, the history. Mechanical cameras were like instruments, precision crafted machines. He's right - digital cameras are convenient but their images don't have the same flavor, the same texture as with these film cameras. Even the store, in that mall, is a step out of time. This was a trip to an earlier time, that you really can't take in the U.S. anymore.
that store is an absolute goldmine and he's probably the most prized posession in there
This dude is amazing!
A well produced documentary that evokes nostalgia in all those who came from an era of analogue film photography...
Thank you so much for watching!
Man is genius. I visited his shop many years ago. very friendly and helpful. Reasonable prices.
peter peter where is his shop?
I have a Leica M6, don't really use it that often as i am usually going to my DSLR or my phone. But every time i use that Leica, it makes me smile. I occasionally plan a half day trip just to use that Leica. There is something permanent about mechanical items.
The permanent thing about these cameras is that they require skill to some extent to operate. It’s almost like art trying to snap a photograph with these cameras. It’s what makes them special. Nowadays, anyone, even a mosquito could pick up a phone camera and take a photo as if it’s super easy. Back in the day, these mechanical items took a little bit of skill to work with whereas a phone camera is really easy. It’s hard work making it and using it. That’s why they’re so special and they really are a piece of history. Another thing is that the camera function on a phone is treated more like an extension than a real purpose of the phone, it almost seems like a declining subject which is why using these older cameras is really cool because it’s a past skill that shows people did a lot for many things.
Why would u own a Leica and not use it..?
Mr Chan
Well done David... Your contribution well appreciated..
Most wholesome video I’ve ever seen. I love this man. ❤️
You can see and feel how happy he is every time he tells someone a story or two about cameras.
How I wish everyone has a passion like his. They dont make people like him anymore.
There is something about hearing the shutter sound. 🖤📸
My late grandma pass away 6 month after her shop closed because the landlord want to sell the land to other people. She was 94. She always walking from home to her shop (Its just 1KM walk, so not really far :D)
I hope David Chan never retired and continue to his shop..
hope your collection lives forever even when your gone, the kids of the family should preserve this historic collection, hes right modern day cameras are not make to last a lifetime, when something is made to last a lifetime the quality is far different , these are priceless, living life today is so fast that we need everything on the second every second. Cameras today are sharp yet people still complain images are not sharp enough. Give me vintage anytime.
Mr. Chan has a beautiful shop. Mr. Chan has a beautiful attitude, Ng-koi.
In this case, saying '多謝(do1ze6)' should be more proper then '唔該(m4goi1)"
A pleasure to watch. Thank you
A man with a dedication and passion, he must loved his work so much.
Be like this guy.
Long Live and prosper to legendary Mr. David Chan. Hope to see you one day and visiting your infamous shop.
This is a great short form doc! As some one who has worked with photography, as a photographer, an editor, and many other roles on the periphery, I used to love cameras for what they could help me achieve image wise, but as I get older and age along with the tech I really find a new appreciation for these as material culture, and part of the ever so brief but ubiquitous art form that just saturates and permeates our lives.
He’s so precious
His knowledge is priceless.
I've been to this vintage camera place. So much history in it.
It's not a store, it's a museum
Beautiful
I hope this man live longer ☺️
This is remarkable! Thank you for making this film!
Should create a public camera museum and let him stock it and run it ...
I like how he has some of these priceless items that he doesn't sell, but just shows in his shop.
"The unique flavor is gone". Totally agree.
Still possible to shoot film, I do.
@@jeremyfielding2333 I also shoot film. If not, I use my vintage lenses on my mirrorless digital. There are many ways to preserve that feeling and uniquity that old gear retains and new stuff just cant replicate.
Awesome Video! Very happy to see his passion for vintage cameras
I can’t even figure how to use a camera within 10 minutes while this dude here-
If this guy was my grandpa I would be the happiest person in the world
Lots of fond memories there... buying, selling, trading, bargaining with the lenses, learning things from Mr. Chan and his staff.... He could even name my photography teacher when he saw my school uniform. Missed him much after I migrated to Canada and hopefully will see him again when he moves to the new location.
I love his passion in cameras
I bought a Rolleiflex from him in 2008. Great store
Love to meet this guy. You can see it’s more than a business to him, but a passion.
I’m very much like Mr Chan in that I love cameras for what they are, mechanical works of art. They fascinate me from the way they look to their mechanical workings and their styling. A wonderful man indeed.
Imagine the worth and value of 60 years of passion and expertise
He hasn't collected cameras, he collected masterpieces
Beautifully done.. A lifetimes passion! Thank you! Will visit him one day in Hkg
Its nice to see these old shops around, hope he stays around for a long time.
Normally this kind of hobby inherited to the grandkids not to the children. But only if the children allow their parents to spend lots of time with their grandchildren. I hope he lives long enough for his grandchildren to show interests with his hobby and willing to continue his legacy. Honestly If i have grandpa like this, I would probably spend a lot of my childhood on his store and learn everything about the cameras and all the stories on them. Eventhough I don't have any interests on it now
If he were to create a RUclips channel where he showcases different cameras, it will definitely be popular among enthusiasts
I love his passion for cameras
An absolutely charming mini-documentary.
felt the love for photography from this gentleman! what a shop! thank you for the discovery!, made my evening!
I would love to visit this store!!! Well done Mr. Chan, I also am a lover of vintage cameras. I would love to have more.
Photography is art. Cameras are the tools that tell the story. Take care of Mr. Chan. It will be history
Cant wait to visit HK!
Such an awesome person! May he be blessed with many more years of health and life 🙏❤️
Love, David Chan Great man!
the community may be smaller than it once was - but we’re still here - and this art will continue 💛✌️
Beautiful, thank you for sharing.
Such a wholesome man
Top marks to SCMP for this film, and for continuing to showcase the unique aspects of Hong Kong in these documentaries. I've been to Champagne Court and marveled at the windows filled with cameras, but never gone into his shop. If I get to go to Hong Kong again, I will definitely drop in to say hello.
camera vendors in small shops like Mr Chan has are the best camera stores!
Lovely video, for so many reasons. Made me regret getting rid of my old cameras when I upgraded to newer models (not that I would ever have this many cameras).
Really reminiscing these old vintage stores in Hong Kong, hope he can keep his store and continue to spread joy in his photography community. Hope I can visit him soon
What a wonderful, peaceful and considered little film. Well done. Side note, the British photographer he refers to whose life was saved by the Nikon F5 is Don McCullin, I reckon. One of my all-time favourite photojournalists.
David is a the one leading character in the world of cameras.
Wow, what a great collection of cameras!! I saw several I have had over the years. David is also right about the lenses.... the old ones had a particular flavor that the new ones don't. I gave them a personality. It will be a sad day when the store closes....all the knowledge will go away.... newer does NOT mean better.
I want to visit his shop! Thank you for making this film!
I love this story 💜
got so many chills throughout the video, i will definitely visit you Mr Chan! I will 🤞
During my trips to Hong Kong, I had the pleasure to meet this Legendary Gentleman and he was very humble and spoke about all his cameras. I have had the pleasure to interact 3 to 4 times. Hope he is doing well.
I had the chance to meet him a few years ago in his shop and try out a few vintage Leica lenses on my Sony. No pressure. Nice guy. And indeed, he showed me several items he had no intention of selling. I think he just enjoys showing people the gear and talking about it and doesn't care if you buy it or not.
What a brilliant guy, amazing shop, inspiring attitude!
Wow this was such an amazing video. As a collector I can relate to wanting to talk to people about cameras in general and spreading the knowledge. He definitely knows a ton more than I do but wow this was great. It’s a museum to him where he educates people about his collection (and also sells from time to time) I want to go see this shop in person.
Beautiful piece
Future museum! Beautiful.
I first went David's shop in Champagne Court Kowloon in 1981 when I first arrived in Hong Kong, and i have been going there ever since although laterally it has been a bit scarce as I now live in Thailand. I was a professional photographer in the eighties and I had a deal with David where I could take anything I liked and as long as I brought it back within 1 month he would give me 90% of my money back. Camera hire, but at teatime there was no camera hire in Hong Kong and yes there are cameras where I said 'how much is that?' to get the reply 'Its not for sale' David has his collections. whenever I go back to Hong Kong I always pop in for a chat usually Leica and Hasselblad chat. Best regards David please keep it going. Rgds Neil
Absolute beautiful business model. Thank you for sharing this.
this is true passion
Great video. I enjoyed it very much keep up posting such interesting videos. Will be back to watch more in the future
Beautiful documentary!
Really, really inspiring film. Thanks for share it.
this brings tears to my eyes
This man is a treasure himself. Absolutely astonishing collection that hopefully will last for years to come so new generations can appreciate and learn the beauty of film cameras as they used to be long time back. I hope I can visit him in HK before he moves out.
Beautiful Thanks 🙏🏻
Hey David you're a smart man some beautiful cameras you collect it very nice my friend thank you for sharing this great video
Now I gotta go to HK to visit this shop and meet this guy.
Love the m5 and the cross needles
A true enthusiast 👍
Just wow! Really cool