Darkroom for hire in Toronto?

starless

Well-known
Local time
9:38 AM
Joined
Mar 31, 2009
Messages
265
Hi all,

Do you know if there is a darkroom for hire in Toronto? Or at least a good printer who can print b/w photos for you?

I am aware of all the digital printing services but I am interested in silver-gelatin prints only.

Thanks!
 
Thanks! So many options ...

While I am still at this topic, what is the best place to purchase Ilford paper from?

Having just moved from NYC, I am also trying to find a good analogue photo store. Whats the equivalent of B&H here in Canada?
 
For black and white printing the traditional way, Toronto Black and White is the only one. Other shops send their stuff there.

Toronto Image Works is pretty high end and I am not sure that they print in the old darkroom way. They probably scan and print which I gather from the first post is not what is wanted.
 
Recommend Toronto Image Works, they are excellent. Fully stocked darkrooms with any equipment you could want, if you're renting. If you want prints done, they are able to as well.
Also heard great things about Elevator.
 
Just to add two stores to the list-
Downtown Camera on Queen very close to Henrys. Not as big a store but they have a darkroom section. Out of Toronto there is Burlington Camera, a good store with knowledgeable people. The have a darkroom section, but like all store it's not as big as it once was.
No store is B&H, it's really something.
 
West Camera got rid of their darkrooms a few years ago unfortunately. Toronto Image Works for rentals would be my suggestion as well.

For supplies, Downtown Camera, Eight Elm. Henrys' darkroom section has shrunk so much over the years that it's almost laughable but they still stock decent selection of papers.
 
For black and white printing the traditional way, Toronto Black and White is the only one. Other shops send their stuff there.

Toronto Image Works is pretty high end and I am not sure that they print in the old darkroom way. They probably scan and print which I gather from the first post is not what is wanted.

This is absolutely incorrect. Elevator Digital (www.elevatordigital.ca) offers wet darkroom prints as well as lambda fibre (wet finished).

Ask for Bob Carnie (he's one of the few master printers left in Toronto - over 30 years of experience printing work for quite a few big names and work that has hung in important galleries and museums) and mention that Ken Ng referred you.
 
Heard back from TIW, they are still in business and their prices are great. $9 if you book in advance is so cheap!

Prices in Manhattan last year were a little over $20 per hour.
 
This is absolutely incorrect. Elevator Digital (www.elevatordigital.ca) offers wet darkroom prints as well as lambda fibre (wet finished).

Ask for Bob Carnie (he's one of the few master printers left in Toronto - over 30 years of experience printing work for quite a few big names and work that has hung in important galleries and museums) and mention that Ken Ng referred you.

Thanks, I will check them out as well. Do you know how much they charge roughly for FB B/W prints? I wasnt able to find any information on the website.
 
Thanks, I will check them out as well. Do you know how much they charge roughly for FB B/W prints? I wasnt able to find any information on the website.

Its a good rental space (I've used it myself over the years), however it is a dry darkroom (meaning the paper processor only accepts RC paper)... unfortunately, you won't be making archival prints at TIW unless you pay someone to make wet prints on fibre for you.
 
Thanks, I will check them out as well. Do you know how much they charge roughly for FB B/W prints? I wasnt able to find any information on the website.

http://www.elevatordigital.ca/printing.html

$50 for an 8x10 wet print on fibre. It ain't cheap but if you want an experience printer to make the highest quality print possible you're unlikely to find a cheaper price.

They also offer lambda fibre silver gelatin prints (wet finished prints exposed from a digital file using a durst lambda laser enlarger) for $40 (8x10).
 
Another option is to apply for membership at Gallery 44 (block away from TIW). I believe they're still set up for fb printing.

membership and facilities would be the info you'd be looking to read up on. I've had friends as members and served on the board and the member's darkroom sounds ideal. I think full members have 24 hr access to the darkroom as well but you'd need to check that out.

Great area and close to plethora of stuff.

http://www.gallery44.org/navbar/index.html
 
This is absolutely incorrect. Elevator Digital (www.elevatordigital.ca) offers wet darkroom prints as well as lambda fibre (wet finished).

Ask for Bob Carnie (he's one of the few master printers left in Toronto - over 30 years of experience printing work for quite a few big names and work that has hung in important galleries and museums) and mention that Ken Ng referred you.


I was misinformed re elevator. Sorry. Have used Toronto Black and White and found them great.
 
Back
Top Bottom