Where do you guys get your film processed?

flipflop

flipflop

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Hello,

I recently began shooting more film both 120 and 35mm.

I am trying to find the most inexpensive reputable lab.

I found http://www.dwaynesphoto.com and I am considering sending my film to them.

Do you guys have anyone else you could recommend?

I am going to process only on most of the film for $3.99 a roll.

Thanks!
 
You might check out Precision-Camera, they're a forum sponsor and nice people to deal with.

I used Dwayne's a great deal for Kodachrome and was pleased with their service as well.
 
I had my last Kodachrome done by Dwaynes and so I used them for color negative 35mm work this past year. I got other folks film sent to me on two different occasions, they briefly lost one of my rolls, two different rolls with strange red marks on them but the last straw came last fall. I sent them four rolls of 35mm out of three different Leicas, not a single print was in focus. None. I recently had one of those rolls scanned, printed and copied to CD by the local Ritz and they came out sharp and lovely. No more Dwaynes for me. All this out of about 30 rolls. Joe
 
I have been sending my 120 and 35mm film to NCPS, North Coast Photographic Service, in California for processing and scanning. They do excellent scans. I get 48mb scans of all my work. I have been very satisfied with their work. northcoastphoto.com
- Jim
 
It looks Dwayne's could be a good place for B&W processing. I would choose Precision Camera deal for Slide or 135mm processing.
 
When I'm just testing out a camera repair to see if the thing works right, I'll bang off a short roll of 24 in color, and take it to CVS for developing and scanning onto a Kodak CD (much better resolution than if done on the store brand CD). But if I'm doing something I don't trust them with (I do get a lot of bad scans from all the crap on the film, and sometimes a roll might get eaten up on the machine), such as any 120 or regular B&W, I'll drive to the other end of town to the local PhotoUSA lab. Although they seem to have some QC issues of their own.

PF
 
There are two locations that will get a lot of mentions for processing and very good machine scans.

North Coast Photographic Services (NCPS) in San Diego and our own sponsor Precision in Austin TX. Very reasonable charges, good processing, and excellent machine scans (but limited to jpg only). Their scans are enough for most of my uses; I can do a little better myself but only with a lot of work and care.

North Coast will develop your B&W onsite, Precision sends it out. Both develop C-41 and E-6. Precision offers free color developing for RFF members. Someone please correct me if I've got any facts wrong.
 
farlymac said:
When I'm just testing out a camera repair to see if the thing works right, I'll bang off a short roll of 24 in color, and take it to CVS for developing and scanning onto a Kodak CD (much better resolution than if done on the store brand CD).
Click to expand...

Likewise, I like CVS for quick, good C-41...

I always pick the store CD -to me a CD is a CD. Is there something different here or do they use a different scanner for the Kodak disc, or ???
 
In my experience, chain drugstores are worth a try. If you can find a CVS that still does a good amount of processing, it's an excellent deal at $2.30 per roll of 135 (develop only, no scans, no prints). Just be aware that most of the staff will have no idea and won't even find the "develop only" option in their menu without calling a manager in.

My local CVS has maybe two or three people who know how to run the minilab machine, the others are clueless. It helps to chat a little, maybe even bring the camera in. Didn't take long for them to get to know me and now they ask if I want the film cut and sleeved or rolled up, and even if I want to stick around while they run it through (only takes about 15 minutes). Again, this is my experience.

For 120, you can get good processing at Fuji labs at unbeatable prices (84 cents a roll) through Wal-Mart's send-out service. It does take two weeks, though. There are a number of threads on this subject.
 
I'm currently evaluating http://stores.prophotoirvine.com/ and http://www.indiefilmlab.com/

The first lab does hi-res scans and development for $8.50 for a 35mm roll...far cheaper than NCPS and Precision. They also offer downloading the scans...saves time and postage. They'll even hold your negs for a while until you have enough to ship back in bulk...

Precision sends out E6 and B&W for an additional $8/roll...almost as much as the full dev/scan charge at Pro Photo.

Both are highly recommended among a small group of wedding shooters who shoot film, along with http://www.richardphotolab.com/ which is probably the best but pricey, but the pros love them.
 
could be the free image software included

could be the free image software included

When I had Dwayne's do my last K25 and K64 rolls, they had a Kodak check box. Those scans came back in small sizes (~1MB files) with the PhotoCD sw on them.

Without checking the Kodak and selecting their Hi Res option, I got generic CD's back with larger files (~4MB images).

Checking both, and paying for both, got me the small Kodak images on photocd discs only.

The Costco's I use, still scan medium res (~4MB files) and scanning and developing only, is less than $5 for a 36 exp. roll.


burancap said:
Likewise, I like CVS for quick, good C-41...

I always pick the store CD -to me a CD is a CD. Is there something different here or do they use a different scanner for the Kodak disc, or ???
Click to expand...
 
Has anyone purchased one of those Mini film processors that sell on eBay? They can go for less than a grand with chemicals.
 
If there is a Costco in your area that still has a photo lab with film processors, I would recommend checking it out. I get my C41 done locally at Costco and it only costs me $1.48 for developing. I send 120 film out to Fuji labs through the Walmart mailers for a couple bucks.
 
For black and white, there is only one place: Labwork in Cleveland. Website:http://labwork-bw.com/

The shop is run by Jim and Jeff (not me, another Jeff!), and they are one of the last fully hands on black and white labs remaining. They process all film by hand, including odd, old film, and they make all prints by hand. And they only send the best work that they can be proud of - I've seen their discard pile - they will print an image 2 or 3 times to get it correct.

I get my film processed and proof sheets made, and lately have been getting fiber base prints made.

I am fortunate to be local and can go there in person, but they do most of their work for out of town folks via telephone, email, and delivery.

Check them out!

Jeff
 
Small correction: I believe Precision announced that they are now sending out their E6, too. Not enough volume, apparently.

ColSebastianMoran said:
There are two locations that will get a lot of mentions for processing and very good machine scans.

North Coast Photographic Services (NCPS) in San Diego and our own sponsor Precision in Austin TX. Very reasonable charges, good processing, and excellent machine scans (but limited to jpg only). Their scans are enough for most of my uses; I can do a little better myself but only with a lot of work and care.

North Coast will develop your B&W onsite, Precision sends it out. Both develop C-41 and E-6. Precision offers free color developing for RFF members. Someone please correct me if I've got any facts wrong.
Click to expand...
 
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