A place to buy film in Chicago IL

CatLABS · Apr 3, 2014

Just came back from the lomography store in Chicago.
Amazingly, they carry TONS of film, from BW to Chromes, and we spotted some Fuji T64 rolls beating around as well as fuji pack film, and all kinds of other stuff.

They are open long hours and this store is a real brick and mortar, locally owned business that sells nothing but film and film cameras.

More then worth the effort to go there and buy some film if you are local, and give them your business, especially in light of calumet being closed etc....
The 3 times i was there parking was a breeze right in front of the door.

Support them, support film. Buy local, support your community!

RattyMouse · Apr 3, 2014

Address?

CatLABS · Apr 3, 2014

1422 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60622
Whicker park

TheToadMen · Apr 3, 2014

A new store is announced in Chicago:

"CalPhotoUS is a small start up based in Chicago with decades of photo experience to supply you with the gear you want and the answers you need.
We are beginning to stock from the top Vendors and have Nikon at the ready.
We can ship to any location in the US and are looking to open a store location in the Chicagoland area very soon.
Check us at Dead Link Removed - updates as we continue to grow.
Thanks for your support!"

Bert from Holland
http://thetoadmen.blogspot.nl

CatLABS · Apr 3, 2014

until that store (which will most likely not sell film) is open, and has a real address there is no reason not buy at the lomo store...

summicron1 · Apr 3, 2014

Central Camera, 230 S. Wabash, has everything.

No, seriously. Everything. Old line, long-time old fashioned camera store.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Central-Camera-Company/539424756139595?fref=ts

CatLABS · Apr 3, 2014

Of course central camera is an excellent store for the film minded person.
The lomo store is for anyone not in downtown, or who wants somewhere easier to get to, with a super cool vibe and lots of friendly help and resources (and of course film).

RattyMouse · Apr 3, 2014

CatLABS said:
1422 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60622
Whicker park

Small correction: It's Wicker Park.

Know the area well. I used to go to concerts at the Double Door as well as pick up cheap CD's at Reckless Records.

eclarke · Apr 4, 2014

But, no sheet film.

TimFox · Apr 4, 2014

CatLABS said:
Of course central camera is an excellent store for the film minded person.
The lomo store is for anyone not in downtown, or who wants somewhere easier to get to, with a super cool vibe and lots of friendly help and resources (and of course film).

The two stores mentioned are less than three miles apart. Take the Blue Line El from one to the other.

bvy · Apr 4, 2014

summicron1 said:
Central Camera, 230 S. Wabash, has everything.

No, seriously. Everything. Old line, long-time old fashioned camera store.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Central-Camera-Company/539424756139595?fref=ts

Just off the plane from a week in Chicago -- my first time there. I think it's my new favorite city! -- in spite of the late season cold (will this winter ever end?). I ran out of film, and took a walk down to Central Camera for some Portra in 120. Very cool old store, and it seemed very well stocked, even though I didn't have time to stay and look around. Calumet was closer to where I was staying, but alas, alas...

CatLABS · Apr 4, 2014

TimFox said:
The two stores mentioned are less than three miles apart. Take the Blue Line El from one to the other.

Folks were lamenting the fact the calumet stopped selling a proper selection of film even before their demise.

This store was not even on the radar.

Its a great alternative to the online hacks, and why not support any brick and mortar business that sells film?
Sure buy some at central, and buy some here. They all need our support.

bvy · Apr 4, 2014

CatLABS said:
...and why not support any brick and mortar business that sells film?

In my case, because I refuse to pay US $13.99 for one roll of Portra 400 (120).

Película · Apr 7, 2014

Lomo has been closing many of their stores lately (LA, SF, Santa Monica, Toronto, Manchester UK) to concentrate on their web based model of retail sales. I hope the Chicago store remains open. The only Lomo shops left in the US are Chicago and NYC. Although none of this has any real bearing on the popularity of film use. The cost incurred by Lomo to keep physical stores open was the bigger issue.

fwiw, the LA Weekly wrote an article on the closing of the LA store, entitled ""If Hipster Cameras Are So Popular, Why Did LA's Lomo Stores Close Down?" http://www.laweekly.com/publicspect...ular-why-did-las-lomography-stores-close-down

The article explains why a brick and mortar model doesn't quite work for Lomo "With one million web-based community members worldwide, Lomo really doesn't need its stores."

CatLABS · Apr 7, 2014

Película said:
Lomo has been closing many of their stores lately (LA, SF, Santa Monica, Toronto, Manchester UK) to concentrate on their web based model of retail sales. I hope the Chicago store remains open. The only Lomo shops left in the US are Chicago and NYC. Although none of this has any real bearing on the popularity of film use. The cost incurred by Lomo to keep physical stores open was the bigger issue.

fwiw, the LA Weekly wrote an article on the closing of the LA store, entitled ""If Hipster Cameras Are So Popular, Why Did LA's Lomo Stores Close Down?" http://www.laweekly.com/publicspect...ular-why-did-las-lomography-stores-close-down

The article explains why a brick and mortar model doesn't quite work for Lomo "With one million web-based community members worldwide, Lomo really doesn't need its stores."

All true, and as i understand, the Chicago store is staying open, at least for now, regardless of this sad, albeit very logical and true move from lomo.

ME Super · Apr 7, 2014

Local isn't always more expensive. My local camera store has started selling Precisa CT for $9.99. B&H has it for $9.95. I have to pay more than 4 cents a roll to have it shipped from B&H so when I have the desire to shot this, I'll get it from my local shop, like I do the HP5+. Pro E6 is still cheaper online, and the local shop doesn't carry the Rollei IR400s, so those will still come from NYC.

A place to buy film in Chicago IL

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