Canadians, where to buy 8x10 film?

This is directed mostly to canadians that use 8x10 film.

I bought my first pack of 8x10 film from Freestyle photo a while ago and fedex delivered it pretty fast and i was extremely happy that they didnt ask for customs tax and brokerage fees. then 2 weekslater i got a letter from FEDEX canada saying that i owe them C$21 for customs fees. I called them up and told them that there is no way on this earth that i was paying that money since i wasn't informed during the delivery and if i was, i would tell them to send the package back to where it came from. They understood my complaint and didnt ask for the payment.

Last week i was about to place another order on freestyle and just as i was checkingout i saw the little note saying ;

"Duties Notice:
You are responsible for all duties, customs, and brokerage fees associated with your order. If you refuse to pay the carrier or the carrier's agent for these charges, Freestyle will charge your credit card for all amounts billed to Freestyle by the carrier or the carrier's agent."

I was a little choked since my next order was gonna be $100+ and the fees would probably be around C$50. So i canceled my order and started looking around.

Film here in Canada is extremely expensive. C$100+ for ilford line of 8x10 film. arista.edu fits my budget very nicely.

Does any one in canada experienced something similar with JandCphotos? Their JandC Pro film seems to be similar to Arista.edu which basically is a fortepan..

How do you canadians get your big film?

Eight Elm photo in Toronto carries Fortepan 200 and 400 in 8x10 (25) sizes for C$75 which equals to $55 usd (Arista.edu is $34 and its the same film as fortepan)

So here is my dilemma.. I am on budget and i want 8x10 film...


help me out, please..
thank you


Deniz

Those are good prices for Fortepan film. I have made many wonderful negatives with Fortepan 200 and 400 (I buy mine from Lotus View Camera in Austria and it costs 44 and 48 Euros respectively).

Francesco (www.cicoli.com)

Large format film is certainly getting more difficult to get in Canada. Kodak is no longer supplying 8x10 and larger film through Kodak Canada - the local camera store (named, suprisingly enough, The Camera Store) has been flat out told by the Kodak rep that they will NOT supply 8x10 film in Canada, regardless of the order size. 5x7 I think they must purchase by the case. 4x5 is still available, for now.

That said, the prices that are offered in Canada are better than what you can get in the US, at least for Kodak 4x5 films. A 50 sheet box of Tri-x is about $55 Cdn, whereas in the US it's around $56 Cdn. Not sure about Ilford, I don't use their films.

And Deniz, I'm with you on the Custom's fees. They *suck*, and are just another price gouge. If you can swing it, try and have things sent via USPS - at least this way, you'll pay a $5 handling fee + GST (via Canada Post), which is still annoying, but certainly less than what you would pay using a courier company.

I would also mention that I believe the GST is included in the brokerage fees, so perhaps the fees aren't as bad as you thought?

Deniz, I see you reside in Vancouver. Do you have a friend that lives in Washington State that can help you out? A "gift" from a friend in the states with a value of $10 should not garner much of a customs fee.

Did you try Vistek (www.vistek.ca). Their website lists HP5, T-max, delta 100 and ilford ortho at about $3.16 to $3.58 (CND) per sheet. Plus orders over $99 CND ship free.

Kris

Ps. I wish I had an 8x10 camrea!!!

Hi,

I do not have an experience with this store, but I found this place a long time ago when I was looking for Forte Pan in 8x10. At least on their website, they still list the prices for Forte Pan 400 and 200. They also sell Bergger and, top of that, Moersch chcemicals! (Where on the earth can I find their papers?) Hope this helps.

<http://www.eightelmphoto.com/paper.htm>

Warmly,
tsuyoshi

J&C & local

Deniz,
I pick up 8x10 (Ilford) locally at thecamerastore. Most of the time it is stocked.

I have also ordered from J&C - Efke25 & J&C200. I had the package mailed (~$us19) and paid the GST+$5 to pick-up.

Try Treck Hall, Deniz.

They have offices all over Canada and they do have a sales office in Vancouver. Send them a note as to what you want and they will fire off a quote to you. They do carry Kodak and Ilford 8x10. Try this link.

http://www.treckhall.com/page.asp?i...on-sList_class-9619,355962_intCurID-6_sPos-0;

You can also check out your locals stores in Vancouver as, surely, some of them can get Ilford and/or Kodak 8x10 for you as a special order. Buy a whole case of film (10 boxes of 25) as you will save $$$ in the long run.

If you want other brands such as J&C, you will pay dearly i.e FedEx, Duties, Brokerage fees, Taxes, and film... It'll come to well over $3 Cdn per sheet! Way too much.

Eight Elm, Vistek, are also possibilities but I am guessing they will be more than Treck Hall.

Beau Photo in Vancouver stocks Efke Sheet films

1 Box J&C 200 shipped to Canada would cost $12.10 shipping by Priority Post. Film would cost $33.99. With GST and Pickup the total cost delivered is around $57. Two Boxes is $21.18 shipping with Express Mail delivery and would be around $52.50 per box delivered. Four boxes shipping Express Mail would be $29.98 for a total cost delivered including GST and Pickup of $48 per box.

Deniz:

I purchase from J&C. Try also trek hall, they have a warehouse in Richmond. FedEx and UPS are not bonded carriers (as I understand), whereas USPS and Canada Post are and hence only a $5 brokerage fee. It can be frustrating. I use to purchase from 8 Elm and found them very good but decided to change film to Efke from Bergger.

Good Luck,
Matthew

Call the boys at The Camera Store in Calgary. Ask for Julian.

Tel: (403) 234-9935
Fax: (403) 234-0815
Toll Free: 1-888-539-9397

www.thecamerastore.com

I buy my film (Kodak and Agfa before it was discontinued) from my local professional photofinishing lab...

Labs have to buy papers and chemistry for themselves... They often also stock film etc. for their customers. Just because you don't see it, doesn't indicate that it isn't available.

I place my orders now for product using a simple email and swing by to pick it up when it arrives or when I'm in anyhow... I'm sure there is a lab that would be more than happy to be a supplier for you. Call around!

joe