An Australian in Denmark

trotkiller · Sep 2, 2013

Hi all

I have recently moved to København from the other side of the world. I haven't started my Danish language classes yet so I apologise that this post is written mostly in english.

So far I have found two local stores that stock film, paper and chemicals:

http://fotoc.dk
http://www.photografica.com/

The prices seem ok, its about what I used to pay for gear in Australia. Are there any other shops I should be looking at instead?

I used to buy my film from B&H in the states. Even with the huge shipping costs it was usually 50-30% cheaper than buying it locally. If I try this here, will our lovely friends at SKAT hit me with moms/25% tax when the package comes into the country?

Now for the important topic, Darkrooms/Mørkekammer

I haven't been able to find any public/rental darkrooms online. I'm sure this is due to language barriers but any suggestions would be nice. I don't think that a bathroom darkroom is going to be an option at this stage.

I'm currently looking for work so I have plenty of free time. If anybody wants to go shooting or meet up for a coffee or beer, send me a PM

TheToadMen · Sep 2, 2013

Hi,
Welcome to Europe!

Here are some good internet stores within Europe (so no import taxes!):

Norway: http://www.fomafoto.com/

Germany: http://www.macodirect.de and http://www.fotoimpex.de/shopen/ and http://www.monochrom.com/

England: http://www.silverprint.co.uk/

If you compare prices and check for shipping costs you might get it cheaper then getting it from B&H (USA), also avoiding extra import taxes (on items + shipping costs = 25% extra?) and a long wait for shipping.

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

gandolfi · Sep 2, 2013

Welcome to Dk...

Bert is almost right, BUT as Norwau is NOT a EU member, the shipping prices/taxes can be high... On the other hand the owner of Fomafoto frequently comes to Denmark so a more direct line could be possible.

A a Dane I always get my stuff from Macodirect or Moersch.. much cheaper and often also faster...

If you take a sight seeing trip to the north of Denmark - you should be welcome to visit me! See our big photohouse and wild landscape..

TheToadMen · Sep 2, 2013

gandolfi said:
Welcome to Dk...

Bert is almost right, BUT as Norwau is NOT a EU member, the shipping prices/taxes can be high...

Your correct, but Norway is a member of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA). The EFTA (ex. Switserland) and the EU form together the European Economic Area (EEA), which is good for free exchange of people and goods within this area. So there shouldn't be any import taxes from Norway to any EU country. See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Economic_Area

gandolfi · Sep 2, 2013

TheToadMen said:
Your correct, but Norway is a member of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA). The EFTA (ex. Switserland) and the EU form together the European Economic Area (EEA), which is good for free exchange of people and goods within this area. So there shouldn't be any import taxes from Norway to any EU country. See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Economic_Area

I stand corrected - BUT the shipping prices are still VERY high...

cliveh · Sep 2, 2013

An Australian moved to Denmark, struth, you will find it a tad bit cooler there and no need for the hat with dangling corks. On the upside there is Danish Lager.

TheToadMen · Sep 2, 2013

gandolfi said:
I stand corrected - BUT the shipping prices are still VERY high...

Yeh, shipping can be expensive. So it is always good to compare prizes and think how much you want to order.
For example, one roll of Ilford FP4+ 120 costs 4.28 (and 3.00 if you buy 10 or more). At Photografica (in Denmark)
one roll costs 6.12. So, if you order enough even the shipping costs of 10 can be affordable.

I also see that VAT in Denmark is 25% and in Germany 19%, so that is a plus.

In short, decide what you're gonna buy, check prices + shipping costs on internet and go for the cheapest supplier, or - also important - support your local photo store.

Soeren · Sep 3, 2013

Welcome to Denmark
Though Macodirect and the other webshops can be very cheap, check prices (film and chemistry) against Photografica sometimes they are cheaper and you can buy smaller amounts without suffering high shipping costs.
Danish lager tsk tsk try some great brew from one of our countless microbreweries.
Re darkrooms in Copenhagen. I have to ask my sister about that. Most I know of are closed down but there maybe one or two left. Have you tried asking in Foto C an Photografica?

Ehh Emil, isn't it about time we have another get together at Vrå? I need another fix.....................of inspiration
Best regards Søren

trotkiller · Sep 3, 2013

Thanks for all the replies.

Yes, the weather is different. This upcoming winter will test me!

I will be dropping by Foto C and Photografica tomorrow to see if they have any ideas.

Macodirect and Moersch both look good. Can't wait to play with the Moersch lith developers and toners.

TheToadMen · Sep 3, 2013

trotkiller said:
Thanks for all the replies.
Yes, the weather is different. This upcoming winter will test me!

Hey,
Your first Christmas during the winter season

Soeren · Sep 4, 2013

TheToadMen said:
Hey,
Your first Christmas during the winter season

Oh yes BTW. LOOK OUT FOR THE REINDEER

Soeren · Sep 4, 2013

on the topic darkroom
there may be a couple of options worth considering.

Dead Link Removed

SDF may help you get in touch with other photoclubs that have a darkroom

Dead Link Removed

Best regards

phelger · Sep 5, 2013

hi there,
I've once bought some stuff at LYBÆCKS FOTO, Tagensvej. A very nice and helpful guy.

Dead Link Removed

good luck in my hometown
Peter

Ezzie · Sep 5, 2013

Being a Norwegian resident I have bad news for you. but sorry Bert, it is not so. Importing from Norway will result in mva/moms/vat being added. I know, I get it slapped on goods from the EU. I also work for a Nordic company where we have our warehouse in Sweden, and have to import all goods to Norway the good old way, invoking mva. You may apply for a refund of the VAT from the country from which it was sent, but that is another matter.

I would find my film and chemicals within the EU proper.

Where are my manners? Welcome you are to the cold North.

TheToadMen · Sep 5, 2013

Ezzie said:
Being a Norwegian resident I have bad news for you. but sorry Bert, it is not so. Importing from Norway will result in mva/moms/vat being added. I know, I get it slapped on goods from the EU. I also work for a Nordic company where we have our warehouse in Sweden, and have to import all goods to Norway the good old way, invoking mva. You may apply for a refund of the VAT from the country from which it was sent, but that is another matter.
I would find my film and chemicals within the EU proper.

Hi Eirik,

I stand corrected - and amazed - and wonder why we invented the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) in the first place .....
Maybe it only applies to free travel of people, not the goodies??

BTW:
I love your selfmade cameras and images on your blog.

Ezzie · Sep 6, 2013

Dank je wel Bert. Within the EU it´s more or less plain sailing. But the EØS/EES/EFTA agreement is a bit different. We are only partly part of the open market. All our goods however get taxed, the more processed they are, the more the tax. Which is why Denmark smokes all our Salmon, we can´t afford to do it ourselves, as it would mean we would have to pay import duties through our teeth to the EU. Sad fact.

Foma is a Czech. So how the main European distributor ended up in Norway is a bit of mystery. Until you find out he is a ex-pat Czech. He lives just 20 km from me. I keep reminding myself I should use more Foma products. I will too, if not until I have my darkroom up and running. Foma papers are good.

Another good bet is http://www.scandinavianphoto.se/ I used to shop from them until I found a Norwegian alternative.

alex gard · Mar 22, 2014

trotkiller said:
Hi all

I have recently moved to København from the other side of the world. I haven't started my Danish language classes yet so I apologise that this post is written mostly in english.

So far I have found two local stores that stock film, paper and chemicals:

http://fotoc.dk
http://www.photografica.com/

The prices seem ok, its about what I used to pay for gear in Australia. Are there any other shops I should be looking at instead?

I used to buy my film from B&H in the states. Even with the huge shipping costs it was usually 50-30% cheaper than buying it locally. If I try this here, will our lovely friends at SKAT hit me with moms/25% tax when the package comes into the country?

Now for the important topic, Darkrooms/Mørkekammer

I haven't been able to find any public/rental darkrooms online. I'm sure this is due to language barriers but any suggestions would be nice. I don't think that a bathroom darkroom is going to be an option at this stage.

I'm currently looking for work so I have plenty of free time. If anybody wants to go shooting or meet up for a coffee or beer, send me a PM

Curious, why did you move to Denmark? For work or just change of scenery? Was it hard? What kind of process did you have to go through?
I want to move out of Australia to get away from how it's turning out. Thinking somewhere Scandinavian... any advice would be appreciated

hope you're enjoying

An Australian in Denmark

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