Camera/Lighting/Digital

Vistek is the biggest place in town, lots to buy or rent. Lots. And lots. Of all your favorite flavors including Speedo, Dynalite, Profoto, Nikon, Canon, medium and large format, computers, monitors...big. Three stories big. East end of town. And in Mississauga. On occassion, not really the friendliest place, especially for assistants.

Film Plus is the exact opposite. West end location. Small, but carry Canon and Profoto to buy and rent. All your digital needs. Decent supply of grip. And a warm, super-friendly staff and management.

Photo Creative is a great place for Nikonians and Leicaphines wishing a smaller pro-oriented camera store. Mississauga location (conveniently located minutes from Nikon's eastern Canada HQ). Also sell white lenses and matching bodies. And Thinktank bags. Owner Jeff Chevrier is a former news photographer and great guy.

Complete Film is to moving pictures what Film Plus is to stills. Small place with good selection of all the big toys you could need (20x20 frames and silks, sky high stands, sand bags), great staff and none of the hassle of renting from a traditional film rental house. East end location.

Prints

Tricera makes amazing giclee prints. Makes them in 24 hours or less. And for a really good price. Great people. Convenient Carlaw Avenue location.

PIKTO – processing, prints, studio computer rental, and an amazing set-up for DIY scanning and output. Great people, phenominal building and a cool gallery. And coffee. In the Distillery district.

Studio

S1 is first rate. Like a Hilton Hotel for photogs. Bring and idea and they can and will supply everything else you need, from cameras, to strobes, assistants, computers and even fine dark roast coffee are available. Great east end location. And great staff.

Galleries

Stephen Bulger 1026 Queen St. W. Looking for inspiration, on one of Toronto's coolest streets.

MOCCA Museum of Contemporary Canadian Art Just down the street at 952 Queen Street West. Small, but almost always has really interesting.

Corkin Gallery Located in the Distillery District. Great space and often some interesgting work.

Ydessa Hendeles Art Foundation 778 King W. 416-413-9400. Great space and incredible variety of photography. Sat noon-5 p.m. or by appt.

Web Hosting

Ethical Hosting is a small, environmentally friendly Toronto-based company with amazing service.