Large Format Photographers in Canada?

[Bruce Pollock]

We drink Vancouver Island Lager in Victoria and like to shoot Botanical Beach (near Port Renfrew) with our 4x5. I get lots of questions about my camera from interested passers-by, but don't see anyone else with a camera like my Wisner.

My question to fellow Canadian shooters is: where do you go to get your gear and supplies? I was disappointed to find out recently that Lens and Shutter, one of our biggest regional camera stores no longer deals in large format (somewhat understandable) or even medium format (shocking for a pro-type store) anymore. They used to be a great source of used equipment, but they have seen the future and it is digital.

Any other ideas for Canadian suppliers of used LF equipment? Buying my stuff from Mid West Photo Exchange in Columbus, Ohio (notwithstanding their great service) is a bit of a pain.

[David Payumo]

Oh Canada,

I am in Toronto and I shoot a beloved A-S Discovery. I got it from Amplis when they use to sell A-S directly to photographers. From now on I am going to buy LF gear from harrysproshop. The owner is a former Alt camera exchange dealer. Brian is a very friendly guy. Its grey market import and he deals with the warranty himself. I drink anything Labatt's because my dad works there! Being in Toronto I've met Burtynsky. Great nice prints and very friendly dude. I am going to assist Bob Burley who is my teacher at Ryerson. He is a very good architectural photographer. I think his website is designarchive.com. 4x5 is pretty common in Toronto shops. Sinar is plentiful and the film selection is good. I recommend Prolab @ Photomethods and Colourgenics as good labs in T.O. Happy Shooting, Canucks!

[Dean Lastoria]

Yeh, Lens and Shutter is going for that "Black's" mall look. Leo's in Vancouver is going down hill. It was the greatest store in the world, now they also sell used computers and genuine-imatation swords!?! It's also next to porno row.

Bruce, In Victoria you have http://www.camera-traders.com/ Camera Traders in that little ex-industrial mall/warehouse thing. It's small but the guy has a lot of stuff and is friendly - a lot of odd bits, but it's worth trolling from time to time. Also, Henry's mail order is not bad when you can get in touch whith them. And just across the line is http://www.equinoxphotographic.com/new.htm in Portland. This is all used stuff though. You can still get FILM from Lens and Shutter can't you?

I wonder if my suspicion is correct that American LFers have it a lot easier as far as equipment goes?

Dean

[david clark]

Hi All, I'm in Toronto (North York) with a 4*5 and 8*10 - waiting for the spring thaw now to do some shots of the Erie Cannal. Best, David

[Julio Fernandez]

Hi, I am 120km Northwest of Toronto. I shoot 4X5 and MF. Yes, in Ontario there is more than Niagara Falls, we have stuff worth looking at and photographing around Lake Superior, Killarney and the Soo. I day-back-pack in those areas in the Fall. David if you ever like to venture out there, keep my email address and get in touch.

[Paul Coppin]

Greetings Tim! (and a nod to everyone else as well!) I base out of Dundas Ont (near Hamilton) and shoot 35, mf and 4x5 (Cambo & Tachi). No wimpy beer here, a cold case of Brador will do just fine. More canucks on the list than I expected! My gear comes from all over - Calumet, Midwest, B&H. Other than Vistek in Toronto, not a lot of LF in Southern Ontario. Sinar is THE THING in the GTA. Film & processing comes for LF come mostly thru Bell Arte in Hamilton. I have to say I've done extremely well on EBAY - 6 good LF lenses and about all of the toys for abt 40% of new. Rodenstock lenses are cheaper out of the Canadian distributor (at least thru Bell Arte) than bringing them up from say B&H. (and they thru in a DOF calculator

[Ed Burlew]

I'm in York Region, just north of Ta'ranna. I was a fashion pro about 20 years ago then I got tired of sleeping in the studio, even if it was on Yorkville Ave. So I changed jobs and kept the equipment. I have shot 35,2 1/4 and 4x5 until last year when I got the urge to get an 8x10, Well the bank account and the spere time account have been drained and I am having alot more fun. I almost wept when Alt closed, The visitek used deptartment is active , they get it and move it not like a warehouse as Alt was. There doesn't seem to be any informal or formal or any way to identify the large format shooters in Southern Ontario. SOOOO... Maybe those of us who do shoot large adn mammoth should have an informal arrangement to meet once a month at a place , have a beer ,tell lies and maybe to satisfy our own vanity arange an annual large format gallert show, I have to say that the big stuff is just not getting displayed. I went down to Jane Corcoran's last fall after about 6 yrs of not going to look at the large format prints for sale. Well first off all she had were the really expensive guys, and they were all in strorage and I was able to view them. But as for the begining guy there is no place to hang and show.If the kids and the general public could just see the detail and tones in the 4x5 or 8x10 fine prints then they will understand why digital is not the best,yet.

Enough rambling, If any LFP ( Large Format Photogs) want to have a monthly lies and beer meeting contact me. I will buy the first round.

Happy new year

ED

[Mike Mahoney]

I'm in Mount Pearl, Newfoundland, and I think one of maybe two or three LF shooters in the province that I'm aware of.

If anyone is coming this way let me know, a beer (or a dark rum) sounds good to me ...

[Adam Gibbs]

Better late than never. I shoot exclusively large format and live in Burnaby (You know the home of Michael J Fox)

[Martin Loft]

Greetings all....I'm from Kahnawake Mohawk Territory on the south shore of Montreal. It's sort of Canada. Eh? I've been shooting LF for about 18 years. I started with a Crown Graphic and moved on to an Arca Swiss after about 15 years. I now have a Linhof Technica III. I shoot mostly portraits but I do landscapes too.