penguin alert

[fluffy_penguins]

hi everyone,

i am moving back to toronto next month after 12 years away, arriving mid august and just wanted to say hiya and i look forward to meeting some of the GTA apugers.

about me - i love toy cameras, pinhole, and crazy mixed-up, scratched up exposures. i have my own darkroom (coming with me). my first purchase when i settle in will be some studio lighting, so could use some tips for pro shops; also ideas on where to buy film, chemicals and such.

everyone here in ireland can drink me under the table (andrew excluded) but despite this i'd still love to meet up for a drink sometime. see you soon!

all the best,
catherine aka fluffy_penguins

[Dinesh]

Welcome back Catherine.

[gr82bart]

so could use some tips for pro shops; also ideas on where to buy film, chemicals and such.

http://www.headshotsrentals.com/ <-- Proshop, good rentals and they deliver and pick up too, good but small used equipment
http://www.vistek.ca/ <-- Proshop, rentals, film, paper, chemistry, equipment
http://www.henrys.com/ <-- same as vistek; large selection of used equipment, multiple locations
http://www.downtowncamera.com/ <-- has paper, chemistry and some film; they will annoy you by asking why are you still shooting film since digital is better
http://www.adencamera.com/ <-- Prosumer level; decent film, paper & chemistry selection
http://www.filmplus.ca/ <-- Props for studio
http://www.eightelmphoto.com/ <-- Small selection of interesting equipment not found elsewhere
http://www.spectrum-studios.com/ <-- Inexpensive studio rentals, plus Genn has lighting equipment kits for rentals
http://www.torontoimageworks.com/ <-- Decent selection of film, darkroom rentals
http://www.pikto.com/ <--The place to find all the Toy Cameras and LOMO products you want; workshops; located in a very hip and trendy part of town
Nymoc (416) 465-1929; 24 McGee St <-- place to get alternative chemistry
Elpro (416) 348-8600, 3 Elm St <-- place to get cheap prices on darkroom supplies as they are geared toward students
http://www.gallery44.org/ <-- Just check this place out every now and then; membership is cheap and gives you access to a fantastic darkroom
http://www.elevatordigital.ca/ <-- You MUST visit this place; ignore the grumpy old man called Bob behind the counter - I hear he's a decent printer

There is not a good proshop in Toronto for studio lighting - selection on display or for demo is VERY limited. Actually, best selection is the rental departments at Headshots and Visteks. At least you can try equipment out before making a purchase. Most lighting equipment is bought from the US. The retail supply is controlled by a small group of wholesalers who have the crappiest marketing on the planet - which is why most Canadians buy their gear from the US.

• http://www.amplis.com/
• http://www.daymen.com/
• http://www.kindermann.ca/
• http://www.gentec-intl.com/

Hope this helps.

Regards, Art.

[Mike Wilde]

There is a GTA regional forum- Toronto. We have a hard time getting the crowd together, but that is how we try.

Bob Carnie was nice to host a bbq when Nicole was in town, and a number of apugers turned up to network.

The next big event that I'm doing is the fall workshop that Elevator is running. There should be a good apug crew turning up when the gallery showing of the prints goes up after that workshop.

If you are short on paper and chems first up, get in touch. My freezer is overflowing with paper (some film too) and we can raw mix enough chems if cash is short after the move for you to stock up.

[Mike Wilde]

that was in the regional forum already.

Note to brain... after only sleeping 4 hours overmnight.. look twice before posting a response.

[fluffy_penguins]

The next big event that I'm doing is the fall workshop that Elevator is running. There should be a good apug crew turning up when the gallery showing of the prints goes up after that workshop

Is this the Yanks/Brits invade? I've signed up for that, it should be a blast. A million years ago when I was in high school we used to go partying aka drunken skiddoo-ing around there. It will be good to be back, even though it's too early for snow.

First thing on the to do list is to find somewhere to live; second on the list is to find a job; but third, def. is to set up the darkroom again!

Thanks for all the info, guys, and the warm welcome.

C.

[Mike Wilde]

yep, the yanks and brits - I see you there.

[Brian Gatien]

Catherine;
Best wishes from northern Ontario for a great return to Canada. I am also going to Calabogie (White Pines) for the Yanks and Brits.
I am occasionally in the Toronto area, usually to have a few with Les McLean when he is in town (and once, which I vaguely recall from some kind of stupor, I was in Toronto having a few with a very (unusually I am told) sober Dinesh - there were medications involved).
Art has already given you a great list of resources in the area, there are a few used equipment places in the suburbs as well.
Do visit with Carnie, the Canadian pugnacious equivalent of McLean; he doesn't know where things are but he knows a lot of people who do.
Brian

[Ian Grant]

Henry's . . . . . . . please don't it's the best photo-store I've ever visited in any country. I made a trip into Toronto city cenre from Missississagau that unspellable place (sorry Mike) to visit it and all the Photo galleries - lazy people sleep in all day Modays

Ian

[fluffy_penguins]

thanks for all the info! see you in a few weeks,

catherine