Where I can buy large format films in Chicago?

carsten

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Jan 26, 2005
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Hello,
This summer I will spend some days in Chicago (I'm from Italy), and I need to purchase some films (4x5, Kodak portra 160 VC or NC).
Do you have some good address?
I will not have a car, so I would prefer something quite central.
I saw online a supplier named Central Camera Company.

Thank you very much,
Best regards,
Carlo
 
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carsten

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Thank you Terence,
you are right.
But I think it is not so central, I will check anyway
 

Barry S

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Central camera on Wabash will definitely have a selection of large format film. It's great place that's been there forever and is crammed with gear and it's a friendly shop. Calumet is great, but the Goose Island location is not exactly centrally located for a traveler.
 

Toffle

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I'll second the recommendation for Central Camera on Wabash. It is truly a unique establishment, with a broad selection of films and papers, and a very... um... eclectic staff who are willing to help and simply chat about anything photography related. (or unrelated)

cheers,
 
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carsten

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Thank you guys!
I am not sure my english will be good enough to have a chat with the staff at Central Camera, but I will definitely go there...

Ciao,
Carlo
 

B&Jdude

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Carlo, I don't think you will have any problem chatting with the folks at Central Camera. From your posts on this thread, your English is great. Also, Central might have a couple of Italian speakeing employees.
 

mjs

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The chief problem with Central Camera is getting out of the store. It's an old store with many nooks, crannies, and deep shelves, all packed head high with... stuff... and the deeper you dig the more interesting the treasure. If I went in there with a credit card, I'd be doomed. Doomed!!!

Mike
 

Anscojohn

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Central Camera is classic photographic Americana.
 

David A. Goldfarb

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I was in Central Camera this past December to pick up some 4x5" Tri-X for my Tech V (I was doing some street shooting between sessions at a conference I was attending), and there were a couple of young students at the film counter, very enthusiastic about large format. It's a short walk from the Art Institute and most of the big hotels around there.
 

RoBBo

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I wonder if that could have been me.
Wouldn't be all that surprising.
 

David A. Goldfarb

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RoBBo said:
I wonder if that could have been me.
Wouldn't be all that surprising.
Click to expand...

Coulda been. They were both working there, one male and one female. It would have been between Christmas and New Year's. I had the camera with me and showed it to them and bought a 25-sheet box of Tri-X.
 

RoBBo

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David A. Goldfarb said:
Coulda been. They were both working there, one male and one female. It would have been between Christmas and New Year's. I had the camera with me and showed it to them and bought a 25-sheet box of Tri-X.
Click to expand...
Ah, don't work there.
Must not have been.
I just happen into there far more than I should, and far more than most other people I know.
 
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carsten

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Wow! Central Camera sounds like an old shop sprung out from a Dickens novel!
 

Chazzy

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I like Central Camera too, and it is conveniently located for visitors in the Loop.
 

Toffle

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Kevin Caulfield said:
Absolutely, complete with the quirky but friendly characters.
Click to expand...

That's what I wanted to say, but I was afraid to offend anybody... (some of you might work there )

My next trip to Chicago (hopefully this summer) will have Central top on my list of places to stop. (then I'll swing by "the Bean" and gawk at the gawkers)

Cheers,
 
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carsten

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Toffle said:
... (then I'll swing by "the Bean" and gawk at the gawkers)

Cheers,
Click to expand...

Dear Toffle,
Would you be so nice to translate in "english for beginners" what I quoted?
Maybe even for me could be nice swinging and gawking, whatever it means...

Thank you
Carlo
 

mjs

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"The Bean" is a giant, shiny (SHINY!!!) bean-shaped sculpture. Google "Chicago The Bean" and the first few images will show exactly what it is.
 

Toffle

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carsten said:
Dear Toffle,
Would you be so nice to translate in "english for beginners" what I quoted?
Maybe even for me could be nice swinging and gawking, whatever it means...

Thank you
Carlo
Click to expand...

Yes, pretty much what MJS has said. The bean is a top tourist attraction in Chicago, and from my understanding, many locals despise it for that reason. Its highly polished and convoluted shape does create some interesting distortions in the reflected cityscape. It is probably the place in the city where you will hear more languages spoken at one time. I like it for that reason.

Cheers, (Ciao)
 
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