Who is the master distributor for Kodak B&W Chemistry in Canada? (Like Amplis is for Ilford)

[Todd Barlow]

Does anyone know who the master distributor is in Canada for Kodak B&W chemistry, like Amplis is for Harmon / Ilford?
Thanks in advance.
Todd

 

[MattKing]

There isn't one - that is not the distribution model used.
Kodak Alaris sells to more local distributors, who tend to specialize in retail markets, rather than products.
So "amateur" film may be purchased by your retail source from a distributor who specializes in selling to drugstores, or from a distributor who specializes in selling to electronics stores, or a distributor who specializes in selling to the tourist trade, etc.
And Professional film may be purchased by your retail source from a distributor who supplies to luggage stores, or educational suppliers, or even photo-finishing labs.
My favourite local photography store tends to buy from the distributor who provides the most advantageous minimum order requirements, or shipping times, or credit terms. So they essentially shop the distribution options before placing their order.

 

[Todd Barlow]

There isn't one - that is not the distribution model used.
Kodak Alaris sells to more local distributors, who tend to specialize in retail markets, rather than products.
So "amateur" film may be purchased by your retail source from a distributor who specializes in selling to drugstores, or from a distributor who specializes in selling to electronics stores, or a distributor who specializes in selling to the tourist trade, etc.
And Professional film may be purchased by your retail source from a distributor who supplies to luggage stores, or educational suppliers, or even photo-finishing labs.
My favourite local photography store tends to buy from the distributor who provides the most advantageous minimum order requirements, or shipping times, or credit terms. So they essentially shop the distribution options before placing their order.

Thanks Matt, if I assume the stores that sell film and Black and White Chemistry limits the number of retail outlets, any distributor names you might know of that would supply those types of outlets?
ie Who supplies Henry's (nationwide), Downtown Camera (Toronto), the Camera Store (Calgary), Beau Photo (Vancouver) etc.

 

[MattKing]

I don't know who the parties are any more. Amplis is a bit of an outlier because they have an easily accessible web presence. Most off the B2B distributors don't wish to be known outside of the wholesale markets.
Educational and institutional purchasers might know.
I know that Cinestill - who distribute the newly reborn Kodak branded photo-chemicals in other parts of the world - were looking to make Canadian contacts. Perhaps they are the answer to your initial question. If you reach out through the contact page on Photo Systems website, it is Cinestill who respond.
This page: https://kodak.photosys.com/pages/contact-psi

 

[Todd Barlow]

Thanks again Matt!

 

[Milpool]

Last year at this time Photo Systems told me they had appointed Light Pro Group as their Canadian distributor and gave me a contact name but I don’t know whether or not anything has changed since then.

 

[Rob Skeoch]

The official supplier is

Mike Boylan
LightPro Group Inc.
www.lightprogroup.com

3206 Wharton Way
Mississauga, ON L4X 2C1
Toll Free: 1-800-361-9682
Tel: 905-940-9262

I was there about two weeks ago picking up some Rollei film.
They are the official supplier of Kodak chemicals (they just took over the line), Rollei films, Foma films and papers.
You can purchase direct from them. If you tell them Rob Skeoch mentioned them, .... well you won't get any type of discount but they'll smile and laugh. Anyway I picked up Rollei film and Foma paper and chemicals when I was there.
They were called Kindermann for years and did the official Leica service in Canada. The guys have been around a long time and know what's going on.

 

[MattKing]

Looks like LightPro Group Inc. are also the distributor for AP branded darkroom equipment as well - thanks Rob.

 

[Carnie Bob]

The official supplier is

Mike Boylan
LightPro Group Inc.
www.lightprogroup.com

3206 Wharton Way
Mississauga, ON L4X 2C1
Toll Free: 1-800-361-9682
Tel: 905-940-9262

I was there about two weeks ago picking up some Rollei film.
They are the official supplier of Kodak chemicals (they just took over the line), Rollei films, Foma films and papers.
You can purchase direct from them. If you tell them Rob Skeoch mentioned them, .... well you won't get any type of discount but they'll smile and laugh. Anyway I picked up Rollei film and Foma paper and chemicals when I was there.
They were called Kindermann for years and did the official Leica service in Canada. The guys have been around a long time and know what's going on.

I have known Mike Boylan for over 30 years now, he is a great guy as Rob well knows, I am truly surprised he is still around, for years he backed off and was selling rodinal as blazenoll.

 

[Alex Benjamin]

for years he backed off and was selling rodinal as blazenoll.

Blazinal is still found in most Quebec stores, although I'm starting to see some Adox Rodinal on the shelves.

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

Well, if they carry Kodak films, there is no evidence of it on their site...

 

[Milpool]

Well, if they carry Kodak films, there is no evidence of it on their site...

Not film, just chemicals. When Photo Systems took over the Kodak-branded chemicals last year they advised that They had appointed Light Pro Group to be their Canadian distributor. Photo Systems has nothing to do with Kodak films.

 

[braxus]

Where are the Kodak chemicals on the site? I dont see it in their page links.

 

[MattKing]

Where are the Kodak chemicals on the site? I dont see it in their page links.

Rob Skeoch indicated that they just took on the line.

 

[Rob Skeoch]

Just give them a call. They had cases of Kodak chemicals on site when I dropped in a few weeks back. They seemed to have all the major chems, at least the ones I would be interested in. Kodak is not there major line, but they understand chemistry as they made Blazzanol, which was Rodinol in other parts of the world. It's two guys selling photo stuff, easy to work with. Plus they are the only Linhof dealer I know of anywhere.