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mooseontheloose

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Happy Canada Day everyone!

I have now returned to Canada and will be living in Manitoba for a while. I was just wondering where those in the know would recommend to go to pick up film, chemistry, and other darkroom supplies. I won't be living in Winnipeg, but that's where I'll be doing most of my shopping (other than the internet). I'd also like to know where to go to get film processing done (colour slide mostly).

Cheers.

oh -- and if any of you have a lead on where i could pick up an enlarger (at least 6x6) that would be great.
 
Don's Photo is a good shop. There's another good local shop in Winnipeg, too, but I don't know its name.
 
Hello Rachelle,

Photo Central is also great
499 Notre Dame Avenue
Winnipeg, MB.
R3B 1R8
774-4343

Technicare (the Labworks) used to do E-6 dip and dunk

http://www.thelabworks.com/

Hope this helps

Cheers,
Clarence

quondam Winnipegger
 
I could be wrong, but the last few times I've dropped off 35mm slide film at either Don's or Photo Central it's come back in boxes labeled "the Lab Works", so I'm guessing they're ultimately the only ones in the city developing and mounting it now at all. (The Lab Works only has Mon-Fri hours, however, and isn't open late at all, whereas Don's and Photo Central both are open at least one evening a week and on Saturdays, so for me it's not usually convenient to go Lab Works directly anyway.)

Both Don's and Photo Central have decent selections of film in 35mm and 120 - not sure about any other sizes as that's what I shoot. However, be forewarned that at Don's (Main St. location at least) the ever-changing counter help doesn't know much about film and you have to be *very* specific and don't rely on them for any recommendations, etc (they are a Kodak partner of some sort, however, and about the only place to get Kodachrome 64 and have it sent away for processing as well). Photo Central, on the other hand, is staffed largely by "old timers" (with a few exceptions), and they can by-and-large answer film-related questions (they have more Fuji, and possibly more Ilford), and have B&W chemistry and paper on-hand as well. Currently Don's does have a decent web store if you want to go that route. My local preference is Photo Central, just because I get tired of educating the counter help at Don's nearly every time I go in (about basic things - which film is slide vs. colour neg, which B&W film is C-41 process, what 120 film looks like - and no, I'm not exaggerating).

As for Technicare - they're a bit of a mystery. I'm not aware of any relationship with the Lab Works - they're in physically separate premises (although fairly close by). They will sell to consumers, but seem to be geared to wholesale sales - they're not open late or on weekends, either. Also, from their website I believe they have locations in other cities as well. I asked them about Polaroid pack film once, and although they said they normally stock it they were out at the time, so I have yet to pay them a visit.

Re: enlarger - a guy in the Manitoba Camera Club said he got a used one through Technicare last year (which sparked my interest in them) for about $200 - not sure which brand or if that one can do 6x6. Photo Central also sells enlargers - I haven't looked closely at brands/features, though.
 
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Photo Central is your best option. Outside of Winnipeg, you're pretty much out of luck as far as purchasing anything locally.
 
I agree with both mabman and thebanana. IIRC Technicare and the Labworks are actually owned by the same people. They used to be side by side in Edmonton and now are all one with, I believe, Carousel on Jasper.
The trip to the Winnipeg Technicare shop is worth the experience. Big steel door in a loading bay in the Exchange District - small shop, but nice staff. They are at 61 Adelaide Street in Winnipeg. I was sent over to them by the Labworks (just around the corner - so to speak) a few years ago to pick up 8x10 negative sleeves, and was told at that time that they are the same company. They used to carry Polaroid, but got into Fuji a few years ago. I haven't been in the store for a year or two.

I have had good service from Beau Photo in Vancouver as well.

Cheers,
Clarence
 
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Just FYI, I just dropped off a roll of slide film at Photo Central - they said the Labworks is now only doing E-6 once a week instead of every day.

Bummer, but the way of the world, I guess.
 
Once a week and local is still okay. Beats mailing film in the heat of July.
 
Thanks everyone - that's exactly the information I was looking for. I live in the Interlake, about 2 hours north of Winnipeg, so I'll have long waits for film developing anyway (between drop off and pick up). I would like to support local stores, but I may have to bite the bullet and start doing colour processing myself in order to have a decent turnaround.
 
Hello Rachelle.

I lived in Stonewall in the 70's and built and renovated a few houses there, so I am familiar with the south Interlake. There is a white pelican breeding colony here (Fort Smith, NT) so IIRC there was a colony on the Shoal Lakes (Interlake - not Ontario). There is also a red-sided garter snake hibernaculum near here in WBNP similar to the one at Narcisse.

Cheers,
Clarence
 
I'll also throw in for the Lab Works and Photo Central. I have dropped off at PC and picked up at LW (and vice versa) on a number of occasions due to their hours- no probs. FYI- I had to get a roll of E6 done a couple months ago at Don's in a pinch and it was labeled Don's Photo, and not mounted very well. I won't be going back. I've no experience with Technicare, but I see no need to go when PC is here. I was talking to the owner (now retired) a couple months ago, and he mentioned the darkroom section was to undergo an *expansion*!!! His son's now running the place- we'll see how things "develop" :rolleyes::tongue:

Tim
 
Happy Canada Day to you too Rachelle!

I agree with those who have mentioned Photo Central, Don's and the Labworks. All three are terrific places to deal with. We are actually a bit spoiled in Winnipeg. Compared to a lot of mid-sized cities in North America nowadays, there is still good support for the analogue shooter in terms of film, chemicals, paper, analogue gear etc.

I run a photography school in Winnipeg www.prairieview.ca and may have an enlarger or two for sale. You can drop me a line at craig@prairieview.ca or call me at the number found on our website.

Oh, and just a clarification, Labworks and Technicare are separately owned and operated businesses.
 
Photo Central is the king. Great selection, terrific staff.

The Lab Works is great for developing, either B&W or colour.

Don't even waste your time with Don's Photo. Good business, if you want digital..but they pretty much abandoned analog/traditional. I much rather my money and support go to people who support me.

Are you anywhere near Gimli? My first newspaper job was in the Interlake in Selkirk and I got around to a few places in that region. Very interesting part of the province.
 
Happy Canada Day to you too Rachelle!

....

Oh, and just a clarification, Labworks and Technicare are separately owned and operated businesses.

Well I stand corrected, but I was told this by the owners of Labworks/Techicare in both Edmonton and Winnipeg and the woman who founded it who happened to be at the Hargrave store in Winnipeg a couple of years ago. I would be interested to hear from the owners for clarification.

In Edmonton you could try Dead Link Removed

If you look at http://www.technicare.com/ and click on the pix portal (upper right) you will be taken to pix portal

I don't know what is going on here, and it is probably not that important, but if you have further info, please advise.

Business evolves - I am probably stale dated.

Cheers,
Clarence
 
Thanks everyone - that's exactly the information I was looking for. I live in the Interlake, about 2 hours north of Winnipeg, so I'll have long waits for film developing anyway (between drop off and pick up). I would like to support local stores, but I may have to bite the bullet and start doing colour processing myself in order to have a decent turnaround.

It's always a good idea to stop at the Moosehorn Hotel for a cool beverage on the way north!
 
I am 99% sure Carousel Photo in Edmonton is no more...which is a shame because it was a real joy when I frequented that weird city 2 or 3 years ago. They did same-day turnaround on 4x5 E6!

I don't mean to sound harsh on Don's Photo -- for what they do, they're fine but as I said they have not made a commitment to silver. We're facing some real challenges these days in following our analog muse, so it's more vital than ever to support those businesses who support us...we can't afford to take things for granted anymore.
 
And as long as we're all together here on this thread...how about a little Manitoba large-format shoot-together?
 
FWIW I've bought my last two batches of 120 B &W film through Don's Photo on the internet. It was Plus X, which they didn't list on their site at the time, and which they don't seem to list now.

Matt
 
And as long as we're all together here on this thread...how about a little Manitoba large-format shoot-together?

Sounds interesting, except I don't shoot large format - largest is 6x9 for me (well, potentially 6x12, but not sure if that fully works yet...)
 
Clarence -- thanks for the suggestions on where to shoot in the southern Interlake. It's funny having grown up here what used to interest me and what interests me now, as a photographer.

Colin - I'm in Fisher Branch, which is not that far from Gimli, maybe an hour. The area around here is not that interesting beyond old barns and gravel roads, but I'm hoping to spend time near the lakes, the area around Gimli in particular, to see what that offers photographically.

I'd also be interested in a Manitoba get-together, but, like mabman, I don't shoot large format either.
 
We could probably organize something regardless of format. I think Colin is pretty flexible. Gimli or Grand Beach would be great options, and downtown Winnipeg during the Fringe Fest might be another one.
 
Yes, let me clarify: I don't think we should be limited in format. I shoot 4x5 but also a lot with the new Xpan I got, as well as a Horseman 6x12 back I just got for the 4x5 also. And then there's the Bronica...

There are many paths up the same mountain, folks. If I can use a mountain metaphor in a place like Manitoba!

I hope we can all meet up -- maybe the Peg is the best bet given our locations? The Fringe would be a great idea, but anytime would be good, really. Plenty of places to do a walkabout ... let's toss some ideas in and make it happen.
 
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