Summary
- Karl Rock visited Hashmi Electronic Center in Karachi
- The market includes vintage cameras, modern gear and lenses
- Models from brands such as Yashica, Zenit, Rollei and Widelux appear in the video
- Some camera prices are notably low compared with Western markets
- Many products are second-hand or repaired and require careful testing
- The market also includes technicians who repair old and modern cameras
YouTuber Karl Rock has documented one of the most impressive camera markets in the world, located in Karachi, Pakistan.
Karl Rice, known online as Karl Rock, visited Hashmi Electronic Center, a large market in Karachi where cameras, lenses, accessories and photography gear from different eras are sold.
The visit is interesting because it shows that, at a time when much of the camera market has moved online, there are still physical places where vintage models, modern gear and highly knowledgeable repair technicians exist side by side.
A market full of classic cameras
Hashmi Electronic Center is presented as the largest camera market in Pakistan and one of the few major markets of its kind still operating.
Across the market’s shops, visitors can find well-known names from photography history, including Widelux, Rollei, Zenit and Yashica. The market is not limited to collectible or old models, as it also includes modern cameras, action cameras and professional equipment.
Karl Rock speaks Hindi and also appears to understand Urdu quite well, which helps him talk with shop owners and technicians, ask questions about the products and record small stories behind the cameras.
From Yashica to modern models
In one shop, the YouTuber finds a Zenit 122 and a Yashica Electro 35. The shopkeeper explains that, in the past, that Yashica model was considered a status symbol and could be given to the groom by the bride’s family, at a time when owning such a camera had particular social value.
However, the market is not aimed only at collectors. According to what is shown in the video, Hashmi Electronic Center also offers much more modern equipment, including high-resolution cameras and cameras used by professionals in cinema and video production.
One shop owner says he supplies equipment to directors of photography working in Lollywood, Pakistan’s film industry.
Prices that stand out
One of the most notable details is the pricing. The report mentions, for example, that a Sony a6400 costs 66,000 Pakistani rupees, around 237 dollars, while a Canon 700D costs 20,000 rupees, around 70 dollars.
These prices are very low compared with what buyers usually find in markets such as Europe or the United States, but Karl Rock also stresses that buyers need to be careful.
Many products are second-hand, several have been repaired, and they do not necessarily come with a warranty. For that reason, testing before buying and negotiating the price are considered essential.
The technicians keeping old cameras alive
Beyond the stores selling gear, the market is also home to technicians who repair cameras. Karl Rock speaks with Mahmood Hassan, a repair technician who says one of the most common problems he sees involves shutters.
Hassan explains that when he repairs an expensive camera, he uses new parts so that after the repair the camera works like new.
Of particular interest is the handwritten manual he has created for repairing old film cameras. The manual includes notes, diagrams and drawings, and according to the report he began writing it in 2000.
A glimpse of a different photographic culture
Karl Rock’s video highlights a camera market that operates differently from the modern Western model of online shops, major retail chains and standardized service centers.
At Hashmi Electronic Center, the experience feels more direct and personal. The buyer talks with the seller, negotiates, tests the equipment and is often surrounded by people who can open, repair and bring an old camera back to life.
That makes the market not only a commercial location, but also a place where practical knowledge around analog and digital photography is preserved.
What we think
The existence of such a large camera market in Pakistan shows that photographic culture is not limited to the major Western markets. For collectors, photographers and fans of vintage gear, places like this have special value, not only because of prices or rare models, but also because of the people who still know how to repair and maintain cameras that elsewhere might have already been abandoned.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the market Karl Rock visited?
The market is Hashmi Electronic Center and it is located in Karachi, Pakistan’s largest city.
What kind of photography gear is sold there?
The market includes vintage cameras, old film cameras, modern digital models, action cameras, lenses and accessories.
Are the prices low?
According to the report, some prices are particularly low compared with Europe and the United States, but many products are second-hand or repaired.
Should buyers be careful before purchasing?
Yes. Karl Rock stresses that buyers should test the equipment before buying, as many products do not come with a warranty.
Are there repair technicians in the market?
Yes. Hashmi Electronic Center includes technicians who repair cameras, including old film models.
