Who's good for film, paper and chems in Canada??

andrewmoodie

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I'm planning to move back home (Ottawa) next year and I'm a bit concerned about the availability and variety of all necessary supplies, so where do you Canadian photographers living outside Ottawa, Montreal and Van get your stuff?

I'm resigned to getting stuff mail order and getting taxed to death but as long as I can get the stuff that's ok.

Thanks.

Andrew
 

Daniel Grenier

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All depends what you mean by "necessary supplies", Andrew. If all you need is 35mm b&w film and some Ilford MG then this is all on the shelf in a number of stores in Ottawa. If, OTOH you need LF or ULF film, specialised chems or some other weird and wonderful stuff then you may have to go outside Ottawa. For instance, JD Fotochem in Montreal can get any and all photo-related chems, Rob Skeoch in Toronto (Big Camera Worshops) can get a lot of great LF related supplies and there are many other stores in Montrea, Toronto or Vancouver where you will likely find most anything you need. Good luck and welcome back home.
 

Mike Kennedy

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Supplies are still available in Fredericton,N.B if you are talking about 35mm.The local shop is a member of Photo Source. Kind of whole sale/warehouse outfit.
 

Nick Zentena

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Michel Hardy-Vallée

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I buy most of what I need in Montreal from LL Lozeau and Photo Service (member of Foto Source): films, chems, accessories, etc. I got my Kentmere papre from Rob Skeoch. My print developer is Ansco 130 so I order the kit from the Formulary. I got many litttle bits from Freestyle as well: archival boxes, other papers, Sistan, etc. I used to buy from J&C when they were in business. I get some gear from KEH as well, lespac.com APUG members and eBay. I'm going to get some more Rollei Retro from the Canadian importer (he's listed on Maco's site).

It all depends on what you're looking for. Basic Ilford/Kodak/Fuji film, paper, and chems, you shouldn't have a big problem in Ottawa. There has to be at least one pro store somewhere. The store should be able to order what you need as well.

If not, then have e a look at the small resellers (Skeoch, that guy who sells Retro 100) or the stores in other towns that deliver (Eight Elm in Toronto, for instance, who are great for speciality papers). After that, you can compare the prices with the american stores (B&H, Freestyle, KEH, Calumet, etc etc) or what you find on eBay, APUG/other sites classifieds.
 

MurrayMinchin

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andrewmoodie

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Thanks for all that guys. Those dealers in Montreal look great, I'm happy to have any excuse to go to Montreal so I'll check them out when I'm home scouting out work etc in January.

I'm not going to be needing anything too way out, except for some 120mm film, and that's not very way out anyway. Mostly I was concerned about getting a good variety of chems, papers and reasonably priced film.

You get spoiled for all that in London that's for sure. I'll definitely miss it.

Thanks again.

Andrew
 

Michel Hardy-Vallée

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andrewmoodie said:
I'm not going to be needing anything too way out, except for some 120mm film, and that's not very way out anyway. Mostly I was concerned about getting a good variety of chems, papers and reasonably priced film.
Click to expand...

I've found that outside of Kodak, Ilford, Agfa (snif), and Fuji materials, it's hard to find more variety. Granted, these companies have very satisfying product lines, but Photo Service impressed me when they ordered some Kentmere papers, something Lozeau would never even try. More specialized offerings from the big four are sometimes harder to find: stores will not stock Ilford Galerie, for instance.

You won't find much european products like Maco, Tetenal, Foma, Forte leftovers, or Bergger. Eight Elm is commendable for their stock of such products, but they're a specialized store.
 

Uncle Bill

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Toronto has a couple of stores stocked with what you are after, Henry's, Downtown Camera, Eight Elm, Aden and Vistek.

Bill
 

Rob Skeoch

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I have a fair bit of b&w films in stock... including all the Ilfords and some Infrared. HP5 for example I have in 35mm right up to 12x20 and 11x14
For papers I have a selection of Kentmere (mostly fibre base), and Ilford (again mostly fibre base).
I have Galerie in stock up to 20x24 I think. 16x20 for sure. Kentmere bromide I have up to 20x24.
I stock most Ilford chemicals as well.
Plus if you need a new 8x10 I have that also.
-Rob
 

Removed Account

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I'll glady endorse Rob, I've placed a few orders with him and both times the items have arrived rather quickly, despite being all the way on the West coast, and shipping quite reasonable compared to bussing up to the North end of the island. My second order arrived a few days ago, but I still have to go pick it up. I've asked him about ordering some not-in-stock Ilford products, and he's willing to do that, so perhaps he will with some other stuff. I know I want to try the Efke infrared, and possibly some of their other films. Thanks for supporting traditional photography in Canada Rob! I have a feeling that folks like you may be the future of traditional photography in Canada. I would only order out-of-country if you have to. Although the prices and selection at B&H, Freestyle etc... can be great they are often outweighed by the import duties and taxes.

- Justin
 
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rjas

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I am lucky to be able to buy chemicals locally, but I mail order all of my paper and film from places like Freestyle. The savings have always been great, and with the CAD so high, its even better.
 

kaygee

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I lived in Van for years, and could get everything I needed when I needed it. Loved it.

Then I moved to nowheres-ville in the Kootenays (and planning my escape back to the big city soon), where the local "pro photography supply" doesn't actually seem interested in ordering anything for me without a hassle. Meaning, they act like they don't even want my business.

So, I started ordering from Henry's, loved it, they are my new favourite mail order source for photo supplies. Good prices, and shipping is only $10 for expedited, so I'll get my stuff within a week (if they need to transfer something from one of their stores for shipment to me, they send me an email just letting me know). Fabulous service and good prices, I couldn't ask for more!

And the best part is - no duty! Or whatever they call it. Freestyle is cheap, but even with the Canadian dollar being so high, you still get the duties attached to your order, so it's usually not any cheaper, and if it is, it's only a few bucks.
 

Nick Zentena

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kaygee said:
And the best part is - no duty! Or whatever they call it. Freestyle is cheap, but even with the Canadian dollar being so high, you still get the duties attached to your order, so it's usually not any cheaper, and if it is, it's only a few bucks.
Click to expand...

Most things shouldn't have any duty. You'll pay PST/GST. Not sure if Henry's charge you that in BC.
 

Nick Zentena

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How are you shipping?

Post Office used to tack on $5 for handling if they remembered. I think that might have gone up but not much.
 

MurrayMinchin

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Nick Zentena said:
Post Office used to tack on $5 for handling if they remembered. I think that might have gone up but not much.
Click to expand...

Not Canada Post, but Customs will sometimes apply a handling fee...can't remember how much though.

Murray
 

Nick Zentena

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No the post office tacks on a fee for clearing. The same way the couriers do. It's just lower then some thing like UPS ground which can be pretty scary.
 

MurrayMinchin

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I'm a postie. We don't add any fees for the recipient to pay.

Customs charges the handling fee and the taxes. The posties (or the contracted parcel delivery company working for Canada Post) collects the money from the recipient and sends it all to Customs.

Murray
 
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Snapshot

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If you live in Toronto, Efston Science Supercentre is able to get most of the photochemicals you need. I was pleasantly surprised at this revelation. However, they cannot obtain certain classes of materials if they are deemed hazardous.
 
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Nick Zentena

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Across from Yorkdale? Or is it something else?

If it's the one across from Yorkdale I'd wonder about prices. They were very much gold plated prices in the old days. Don't know about today.
 

Snapshot

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Nick Zentena said:
Across from Yorkdale? Or is it something else?

If it's the one across from Yorkdale I'd wonder about prices. They were very much gold plated prices in the old days. Don't know about today.
Click to expand...
Yes, that would be the place. You are correct that their prices are more expensive but if you need something in a pinch they may be able to help.
 

Snapshot

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Daniel_OB said:
Snapshot
what is "Efston Science Supercentre"
what is phone # or any other locator
Click to expand...
The Efston Science Supercentre is located at...

3350 Dufferin
Toronto, ON M6A 3A4
(416) 787-4581 - Telephone
(416) 787-5140 - Fax
(888) 777-5255 - Toll free

Call them and see what they can get for you. They could order everything I asked for. They use a 3rd party for their chemicals and will have to get back to you on pricing. In addition, it still takes a week or two for orders to be fulfilled as they try to bundle orders together to save on HAZMAT handling charges. They may not be competitive on pricing but it is better than nothing if you have no other resource. I don't mind paying more if it saves me a drive to a downtown location or several weeks of waiting as well as international delivery charges.
 

Shelly Grimson

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Nymok chemicals in toronto at 416-465-1929 will also ship anything allowable. He also mixes lith and other formulas for you and has his own batches as well for most needs. Very friendly on the phone. Several of my ardent photo buffs in Toronto have said he's the place to go for chemicals.
Shelly
 
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