Buying /Processing film in Alberta Canada

I am shortly off to Canada for a holiday and am pondering whether to

buy film here or wait until I get there.

I have 2 bodies and am looking to shoot velvia 50 on one and an ISO

400 on another (possible wildlife with telephoto zoom).

Am I best to purchase and develop my film in Canada? I am going to

Alberta (Calgary -Emerald lake - Banff - Lake Louise - Jasper) Does

anybody know where I could buy film in any of these places and of any

labs that process slide film. I am travelling from the UK so am

guessing like everything else it would be cheaper to buy/process

abroad plus I would avoid the potential x-ray problem.

Any thoughts and advice would be appreciated.

You will not have a problem finding any of these films that are fresh and kept in cool storage within Calgary, Alberta. I would recommend for the freshest film that you call "The Camera Store at Ph: 234-9935 or Technicare at Ph: 228-0075 upon your arrival. These stores are just south of downtown and within blocks of each other.

Technicare can probably also develop the films without any problems or otherwise recommend a local lab.

If you are coming this far, be sure to visit the Kananaskis Valley and Mountains as the scenery is fantastic.

Kind Regards,

Two locations I would suggest. The first I use for all my lab requirements (and some equipment)and the second for the majority of my purchases including film:<p>

<a href="http://www.vistek.ca">Vistek</a> and the second as already described is <a href="http://www.thecamerastore.com/Pages/indexII.html">The Camera Store</a><p>

Although it snowed this morning, our normal daytime high temperatures should be around the 16 degree mark. Enjoy your trip!

Contact Vintage Visuals. It's a small photographic store located on 16th Ave.

http://www.vintagevisuals.com/

1020-16th Avenue N.W., Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2M 0K5

Tel: (403) 282-6065 Fax: (403) 289-6667

Mon-Fri 9:30 am - 5:30 pm (MT) Sat 10:00 am - 5:00pm (MT)

While they do not carry films themselves, the staffs are compentent enough to guide you to a good place.

I don't buy any pro-emulsions. I buy repackaged Fuji Superia and Kodak HD 400. In fact, a friend just handed me 20 rolls or so of color negative, I can had some over to you if you want. The London Drugs (yes, it's a drug store. but their labs aren't bad) carry some pro film - kodachrome, ilford, etc. Their price are cheaper than Walmart; eg, the TMAX 400 3-pack costs 8$ at the drug store but 10$ at walmart. If you are a firm believer that cheaper price means worse performance, than stay away. otherwise, they aren't bad. remember, in Europe, Velvia is sold as consumer film, with no requirements for refridgation.

Thanks for all your answers. I am only going to be in Calgary for the first night

and last afternoon. Does anybody know of any in Banff or Jasper?

Thanks again

I remember buying a roll or two of Velvia in a camera shop in Banff a few years ago, so it's available. They didn't have much in stock though and it was about $3/roll more than I could get it in Edmonton or Calgary. Visit any of the above mentioned stores if you can at all swing it before going to Banff.

Here's a thought if you have no time: order the film by phone with a credit card and have them deliver to the hotel you'll be staying at in Calgary that first night. Then you don't have to find your way around a foreign city while under a deadline while overtired and jetlagged.

Don't bother trying to get professional film here in hte Parks!!!

There are none available and if by some miracle you do find some expect to pay a

hefty price for it.

Vistek (1-800-561-0333) is a good choice and they have a professional lab as well,

very good equipment, highly recommended.

A good lab in town is ABL imaging.