Vintage Visuals

[FrankS]

I just watched a cool documentery on TVO's "View From Here" about a Chinese/Vietnamese immigrant who was into photography from an early age and when he came to Canada with his family, began a used film camera store in Calgary. They have now closed and are now doing internet sales. Does anyone know about them? The children were interviewed and it was interesting to hear them talk about their father and his obsession.

 

[EtoileFinder]

They are great. I bought online a M6 and a Hexar AF from them.

 

[jky]

Frank,
I've dealt with them quite a number of times. Their shop, when it was open, had the most "vintage visuals" on display one can find in the city. It was always a feast for the eyes when I visited. Tim, the son, was a pleasant man to deal with from what I recall. Regarding their pieces for sale, it was at times cheaper to purchase elsewhere online. However, they were willing to haggle within reason and if you needed that item immediately, nothing beats buying it in person.
I believe they fell prey to a combination of the rapid economic/housing boom here in the city a few years back and a lease that was in its expiration (this is what I remember discussing with the owner's wife my last visit to their store - but that was a few years back so I may be wrong).

 

[xayraa33]

I liked that Canon bottomloader with the chrome 135mm lens and finder that they pulled from the shelves to show to a potential customer.
interesting documentry, but living with that eccentric tiny old man must have been hard for his kids.

he sure liked his stereo photography though.

 

[jky]

he sure liked his stereo photography though.

...ha! Oh yes he did! I remember seeing him around the city with that thing taking some photos....

 

[ChrisPlatt]

I have bought from them several times, and it was always a pleasure.
I'd love to see the documentary...

Chris

 

[FrankS]

Chris, try searching/googling TVO, The View From Here, documentaries. (I can't remember the actual title.)

 

[xayraa33]

The TVO View From Here program was called "Daddy Tran: A Life in 3D".

http://www.tvo.org/TVOsites/WebObjects/TvoMicrosite.woa?b?7664541223865117000

 

[sienarot]

How interesting!! I must see this show!

I had been to their store a couple times while it was still open. A good friend of mine (also a photog) either lives or lived down the street from him and would visit him on occasion after he closed his shop. I even had my friend ask him if he had a camera I was looking for once. He unloaded a lot of stuff prior to closing up the shop, but he still has a quite a bit of inventory -- things he refuses to let go of for cheap. I've heard from other people who know him or his family that he's a bit of a pack rat. If you've ever been or seen the store, you could see a bit of truth to that.

They were never good at updating their website, but it still continues to linger around:
http://www.vintagevisuals.com/

 

[Nikon Bob]

I am sorry that I missed that show. I had visited the store once and have done some on line dealings with Vintage Visuals. The store was an absolute treat to look through and Tim was always very good to deal with.

Bob

 

[venchka]

Hmmmmmmmmm...was the shop on the south side of the main highway leading from the airport to Banff? Not too far west of the airport? I remember seeing a building proclaiming used photographic equipment. I always meant to stop in in. Alas, I was always in a hurry to get to the mountains. I later found the same establishment on the internet. Sorry to hear that the store is gone. Assuming it's the same store.

 

[summar]

Yes, Venchka, that's the store. It began on the south side of 16 Ave (Highway 1) NW near 10 St NW, then moved across the street. It was always a pleasure to browse there

 

[venchka]

I drove by in the mid-90s.

 

[Photon42]

I've got a Nikon F2 near mint from them approx two years back.