Cafe Analog in Budapest

ronwhit · Oct 11, 2017

I recently returned from a river cruise on the Danube which began in Budapest. While there, I stumbled across a wonderful shop specializing in film photography called "Cafe Analog". It is located in the neighborhood of the Dohany Street Synagogue, itself very well worth visiting. The address is:1075 Budapest, Kazinczy utca 35. The proprietor, Kaposvari Anett, speaks excellent English, and is a true advocate of film. The shop has used film cameras, a variety of film and other analog photo items, including great t-shirts. The web site is www.lomography.hu.

Theo Sulphate · Oct 11, 2017

I must go there - thanks!

Stefan Gonzalevski · Jan 19, 2018

Searching about Budapest on this forum, I found this thread.

And I can confirm what ronwhit said about Cafe Analog. This is where I give my films to be developped. They are very friendly, and open to discussion. I gave them duplicate films to develop (so, not the usual) and they did a good job with that.

And they have a website :

http://cafeanalog.hu

darkosaric · Jan 19, 2018

This is what I would like to have in Hamburg: some place where I can drink coffee, have a cake, speak with others about analog film photography, buy films and chemicals, and if possible - to have 1-2 darkroom for rent, and a place for quick portraits (good lightened place with bar stool and some different color backgrounds), and small place for exhibition of local analog work.

For me this sounds as something that could have business success, but I have not seen this anywhere.

Ces1um · Jan 19, 2018

darkosaric said:
This is what I would like to have in Hamburg: some place where I can drink coffee, have a cake, speak with others about analog film photography, buy films and chemicals, and if possible - to have 1-2 darkroom for rent, and a place for quick portraits (good lightened place with bar stool and some different color backgrounds), and small place for exhibition of local analog work.

For me this sounds as something that could have business success, but I have not seen this anywhere.

I think the café itself would likely sustain your costs. The portrait studio would also be a wonderful addition. These "mixed" businesses where you're doing a lot of different things tend to work from what I've seen. Locally we have a shop where you can go buy vinyl records (and a few cd's), have a coffee/cookie/cake, or get your hair cut- I kid you not. It's been there for 15 years now and it seems to be thriving. Obviously one person isn't doing all the jobs though. It's kind of a joint venture in a single location that maybe has 400 sq ft. It's quite unique. Good luck if you decide to do it.

gr82bart · Jan 19, 2018

I have been there too. Wonderful shop. Great people.

Regards, Art

Stefan Gonzalevski · Jan 19, 2018

darkosaric said:
This is what I would like to have in Hamburg: some place where I can drink coffee, have a cake, speak with others about analog film photography, buy films and chemicals, and if possible - to have 1-2 darkroom for rent, and a place for quick portraits (good lightened place with bar stool and some different color backgrounds), and small place for exhibition of local analog work.

For me this sounds as something that could have business success, but I have not seen this anywhere.

This analog café is a bit small for darkrooms and studio (though I didn't visit the back office) but a place like you described sounds great !

macfred · Jan 19, 2018

darkosaric said:
This is what I would like to have in Hamburg: some place where I can drink coffee, have a cake, speak with others about analog film photography, buy films and chemicals, and if possible - to have 1-2 darkroom for rent, and a place for quick portraits (good lightened place with bar stool and some different color backgrounds), and small place for exhibition of local analog work.

...

My dream (+ it would be nice if one could get a decent shave there ...) !

Colin Corneau · Jan 19, 2018

I think having studio space available for rent to photographers would bring in some valuable revenue, and make the whole thing viable. I don't know any photographer who either needs an alternate space or doesn't have a studio and occasionally needs one.
The café would be wonderful too, but those can either be viable businesses or a drain...either way, you need another person to handle that side as it's a whole full-time job in itself.

Renato Tonelli · Jan 19, 2018

darkosaric said:
This is what I would like to have in Hamburg: some place where I can drink coffee, have a cake, speak with others about analog film photography, buy films and chemicals, and if possible - to have 1-2 darkroom for rent, and a place for quick portraits (good lightened place with bar stool and some different color backgrounds), and small place for exhibition of local analog work.

For me this sounds as something that could have business success, but I have not seen this anywhere.

I agree - it sounds like a wonderful idea to me.

mooseontheloose · Jan 20, 2018

darkosaric said:
This is what I would like to have in Hamburg: some place where I can drink coffee, have a cake, speak with others about analog film photography, buy films and chemicals, and if possible - to have 1-2 darkroom for rent, and a place for quick portraits (good lightened place with bar stool and some different color backgrounds), and small place for exhibition of local analog work.

For me this sounds as something that could have business success, but I have not seen this anywhere.

I’ve thought about being able to do something similar here in Kyoto, but unless I win the lottery it probably will never happen.

I think the darkroom/studio area would be quite useful here, as homes are so small here, with little extra space. Even though I do have a darkroom in my apartment, I’ll probably never be able to have a large format enlarger (4x5), or do most alternative processes, because the space is too small and without running water.

Cafe Analog in Budapest

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