120 Color Processing options

[srtiwari]

No convenient 120 C41 processing is available in this part of Florida. This is probably similar to other parts of the US. I can either drive about 75 miles for a week's "turn around" service, or send it somewhere by mail. I have also considered DIY C41 processing, but don't know if color shifts etc will be a problem. I am looking for a convenient, cost-effective answer. Wonder how most people are getting around this...

 

[ibcrewin]

DIY. It's the way the to go.

 

[Disaster_Area]

I've pretty much given up on color 120 except in cases where a specific project really cries out for it. The cheapest 120 C41 processing in my area is about $11 a roll with no prints, way too expensive for casual shooting. Sucks, because I have about 50 rolls of C41 120 in teh freezer that I'll probably never use now. I've had some success souping C41 35mm in rodinal, comes out a bit grainy, but I might try doing that with the rest of my color 120.

 

[PatrickT]

You can always drop them off at Walmart...back in two weeks and only a couple bucks (they send them out to Fuji labs).

Other than that, DIY I suppose. That's what I'm planning to do as I'm sick of waiting two weeks

 

[Particular]

I find it is even problematic in NYC. My corner shop lab does it in 30min (!), but they charge $8 like the pro-labs, and they scratch the film and somehow always destroy one shot at the beginning or end of the roll by fogging it. They are cheaper with 35mm, but they scratch that too. I was looking for a way too cheaply burn through a lot of film, but if I am going to make a trip downtown and pay $8, I might as well shoot slide film.
I am considering self processing, as this will make 4x5 economical as well, but I feel there should be an alternative.
If anyone knows a good cheap lab in NY, please let me know.

 

[froyd]

feelin' lucky

feelin' lucky

I'm in the square middle of Amish country, but I'm lucky enough to have a pro-lab around the corner from my office that will process c-41 120 film at $0.76 x frame. That cost covers:

- film development and choice of sleeved negatives left uncut or cut to my specification
- "proof" scans to disc to produce 5"x5" prints at 300dpi (1500x1500 pixels). The proof scan include dusting and adjusytments for color and density.
- 5"x5" proof prints from said scan (unfortunately not from the negative)

The cost goes down to $0.50 per frame if I were to ask only for development and scan, no prints.

The scans are relatively low resolution, but good enough for posting on the web. If any frame deserves a better scan that's where their pricing becomes steep: they offer 12"x12" @300dpi for $5

 

[Roger Hicks]

DIY is dead easy, especially with a Jobo. The only reason for me not to do it is when I run out of chemicals.

Cheaper and quicker than taking it to a lab too, when you consider travel time and fuel. Unless of course you're next door to a lab.

Cheers,

R.

 

[Disaster_Area]

The Walmart's in my area (Canada) won't send out 120, or at least the minimum wage teenagers that work at the photo lab have no idea how to do it. I was kind of shocked that no one I've ever talked to at a Walmart photo lab has any idea about film development or how it works, they just know which buttons to push on the machine and little more than that. Actually... considering it's Walmart I guess I shouldn't be that shocked. On the plus side they never b*tch when I bring in E6 to be cross processed, as they have no idea what E6 is

 

[oftheherd]

I used to take my c41 to a store lab about 15-20 miles away, but havn't shot any for some time now. Walmart seems a good solution, and certainly Precision which is now a CamerQuest/RFF sponsor has good prices, and perhaps a shorter wait time. I don't recall for sure on that, but contacting them or our RFF member there would tell you. It helps that I don't mind waiting most of the time. 1 hour processing has been a convenience in 35mm, but I still don't get that in b/w since I don't usually stop my life to process b/w.

As to C41 in home, I think I remember doing that once a long time ago. It is doable just like E6 now and E4 before it. But I think you need to be doing a fair amount to make it economical over chemicals getting too old and having to be discarded. Also, temperature is more critical with any color process. As I said, doable, but just needs more care.

For myself, unless I know I will be making a couple of trips near the local store, I will try Precision or Walmart.

 

[venchka]

You're lucky. Your Walmart still has a film machine. The are disapearing rapidly down here in the Colonies.

 

[Particular]

On the plus side they never b*tch when I bring in E6 to be cross processed, as they have no idea what E6 is

That is funny.

I keep hearing about cheap walmart processing, but to drive to New Jersey or Long Island from Manhattan to get film processed, just seems wrong. And besides, I don't drive.

 

[nimcod]

I find it is even problematic in NYC. My corner shop lab does it in 30min (!), but they charge $8 like the pro-labs, and they scratch the film and somehow always destroy one shot at the beginning or end of the roll by fogging it.

its either because they simply pull to much of the film out to tape it onto the leader, with 35mm your pulling out a good 5-8cm before taping, if they are not familiar with 120 they may do the same,.

or it can be if you shoot a hassy (and some other 120 cameras) some models leave a tiny gap at the back end, which is the end you end up taping, so you have to ask them to reverse roll the film once pulled away from the backing paper and then tape that.

...or they just have a broken 120 loading canister that has a light leak.

 

[bolohead]

The local labs are cheap but do a junk job. The mainland labs are expensive and do a great job but I'm too impatient to wait. DIY is the best of both worlds.

 

[Particular]

its either because they simply pull to much of the film out to tape it onto the leader, with 35mm your pulling out a good 5-8cm before taping, if they are not familiar with 120 they may do the same,.

They did it once at the beginning of a roll, and once at the end. When I mentioned it to them, they denied that it could happen (they tried to blame my camera, which is not the problem) because they load it in the dark. The next roll they processed was exactly the same, so for me that did it, and I will not use them again. That is in addition to scratching, which is also inexcusable.

 

[grainhound]

Disaster Area, Silvano's in Toronto charges $2.19 for processing 120 if you're also getting proofs, which are $.45 per proof for the 5" by 5" size. I like their work, and they even used to give you pre-paid mailers for free, Cdn postage of course. I don't know if they still do that, and the return postage wasn't free.

No connection, other than I've always used them for 120.

www.silvanoimaging.com/

 

[divewizard]

I had been using NCPS, but I now use forum sponsor PCV for all of my 120 color. I have been very happy with the processing and the scans. Here are some examples of recent PCV processing and scans.

GSW690II and velvia

GW690 & Provia 100

GA645zi & Ektar 100

GA645zi & Pro400H

ga645zi & New Portra 400

All images ©Chris Grossman

 

[Darkhorse]

Processing only at CVS is only 99¢... but they've screwed up a couple of times. Fingerprints, scratches, lots of dust, and exhausted chemicals etc. The pro shop of course does a better job, but they take 4 hours or they're simply not open and you have to drive there and back.

So recently I started doing it at home with a cheap Unicolor kit. It's an easy process, keeping temps at 102° is easier for me than keeping temps at 68°. It's quick, and you see your results right away. It's pretty gratifying.

 

[djorourke]

My pro lab recently closed. That left me in the lurch a bit.

It worked out for the best though. Paying jobs I mail out my film, but for personal stuff my local Shoppers Drugmart will develop my 120 (no scans, no prints) for $3. I was lucky, I called around to find a place, and the guy working at Shoppers is a former photography student. $3 is better than what I was paying at the pro lab, so all in all I'm happy.

And like Disaster Area said, my Canadian Walmart looked at my 120 and said: "I don't even know what that is."

 

[al1966]

Well as luck would have it there is a pro lab in my town, they have the first 120 rolls I have done for ages in there at the moment. Ill post a review after I get the films back.

 

[imokruok]

Indeed for 120 color, the USPS is your friend. There are plenty of good shops that do mail order, the turnaround is fast, you can shop for prices, and it's about $5 to mail pretty much as many rolls as you like anywhere in US - and be able to track the shipment. I use the little USPS Priority boxes...no problems so far.

Unless you're in a big city, processing is going this way anyhow. There'll be a few shops doing all the work, like Dwayne's was with Kodachrome.