Asim
Well-known
I've always processed my slide film in Toronto over the years (Color Genics, Downtown Camera, Toronto Image Works). Sadly, all of them stopped processing E6... the last one to go was Toronto Image Works just a month ago.
So while visiting the US with a few rolls of 35mm Provia 100F, I started researching online where to send them. I came across Dwayne's and AgX.
I sent all my rolls to Mike at AgX in Michigan because he ONLY does E6 and so is very specialized in this field. After a few days I decided to call him to check up on the progress. Right next to my phone my wife had stacked the mail. Just as I was dialing I saw a package from AgX.
I was pleasantly surprised to see that all the rolls had come back before I had expected! In fact, I also realized that I hadn't even paid or given any credit card info. So AgX did this immaculate work (mounted in plastic mounts, all stacked in plastic boxes, and not a speck of dust) without taking a penny! Mike had just written a note with the slides saying that 'I can pay at my convenience'.
I'm not affiliated with AgX. I'm a first time customer that was thoroughly impressed with their work ethics and high quality. When I called Mike to give him the credit card info and thank him, we talked about his plans of continuing slide processing for the long term. I even suggested that he call up Toronto Image Works and see if they want to sell him their slide developing gadgetry.
I highly recommend AgX for the following reasons:
1. Excellent and kind customer service and support.
2. Fast.
3. Top quality work.
4. Specializes in E6.
5. Plans of continuing E6 processing for the long term.
The last point is the most important. After sending the film to AgX I discovered a camera store that does E6 down the street from where I'm staying here in the US. When I spoke with this camera store, they said they were going to stop E6 processing at the end of this year. This made me realize that I should continue supporting AgX with my business even though it's more convenient for me to drive down the street and get them done in a day.
The more business we slide film shooters concentrate into one location, the longer that business will continue. If we scatter our business to places that don't even intend on continuing with E6 in the near future, we are limiting slide film's survival potential.
So while visiting the US with a few rolls of 35mm Provia 100F, I started researching online where to send them. I came across Dwayne's and AgX.
I sent all my rolls to Mike at AgX in Michigan because he ONLY does E6 and so is very specialized in this field. After a few days I decided to call him to check up on the progress. Right next to my phone my wife had stacked the mail. Just as I was dialing I saw a package from AgX.
I was pleasantly surprised to see that all the rolls had come back before I had expected! In fact, I also realized that I hadn't even paid or given any credit card info. So AgX did this immaculate work (mounted in plastic mounts, all stacked in plastic boxes, and not a speck of dust) without taking a penny! Mike had just written a note with the slides saying that 'I can pay at my convenience'.
I'm not affiliated with AgX. I'm a first time customer that was thoroughly impressed with their work ethics and high quality. When I called Mike to give him the credit card info and thank him, we talked about his plans of continuing slide processing for the long term. I even suggested that he call up Toronto Image Works and see if they want to sell him their slide developing gadgetry.
I highly recommend AgX for the following reasons:
1. Excellent and kind customer service and support.
2. Fast.
3. Top quality work.
4. Specializes in E6.
5. Plans of continuing E6 processing for the long term.
The last point is the most important. After sending the film to AgX I discovered a camera store that does E6 down the street from where I'm staying here in the US. When I spoke with this camera store, they said they were going to stop E6 processing at the end of this year. This made me realize that I should continue supporting AgX with my business even though it's more convenient for me to drive down the street and get them done in a day.
The more business we slide film shooters concentrate into one location, the longer that business will continue. If we scatter our business to places that don't even intend on continuing with E6 in the near future, we are limiting slide film's survival potential.
KevinVH
Nikonian!
Even though I don't shoot slide, and am not a US resident, I'm happy to hear such stories. It's nice to know people still care about delivering good work, and trust customers. I hope he gets more business from this post, and that he keeps delivering the same quality. Thanks for sharing
Tijmendal
Young photog
It's great to hear stories like these, but every time I look at the US prices for processing I'm glad I'm in Yurp. I pay 2.40€ for one roll of 120/135 E6 processing (no scanning) done by Fuji themselves.
Robert Lai
Well-known
I use Mike at AgX for my slides also.
He uses very thick and solid GEPE slide mounts, not cardboard as Dwayne's uses. The mounts also have square corners, not the rounded edges of the cardboard mounts.
The only complaint that I've had about these GEPE mounts are that they are so thick, they don't feed well in my Nikon Coolscan 5000 with the SF 210 batch feeder.
Unfortunately, I haven't supported Mike's enterprise for some months as I've got bricks of Kodak Ektar that I'm working through. Once they are done, I have lots of Provia 100 and 400X to get back into.
He uses very thick and solid GEPE slide mounts, not cardboard as Dwayne's uses. The mounts also have square corners, not the rounded edges of the cardboard mounts.
The only complaint that I've had about these GEPE mounts are that they are so thick, they don't feed well in my Nikon Coolscan 5000 with the SF 210 batch feeder.
Unfortunately, I haven't supported Mike's enterprise for some months as I've got bricks of Kodak Ektar that I'm working through. Once they are done, I have lots of Provia 100 and 400X to get back into.
tempest68
Established
That's good to know. There is a local shop that does E-6, but I've had issues with their color print C-41 work. So I've been using thedarkroom.com. The local shop also does NOT process traditional B&W, which was the original reason why I tried mailing my film out. I've had no complaints so far, but AgX might be worth a try.
I just wish Fuji hadn't decided to drop the 400X. As far as I know, there are no other ISO 400 slide films being made (someone please surprise me and tell me I'm wrong).
I just wish Fuji hadn't decided to drop the 400X. As far as I know, there are no other ISO 400 slide films being made (someone please surprise me and tell me I'm wrong).
rumbliegeos
Well-known
I also send all of my E-6 film to AgX, and I agree with all of the positive comments here. Mike is a perfectionist, and offers reasonable prices for very good work.
HHPhoto
Well-known
Hi Asim,
thanks for the report. Good to hear about such a good work.
Although AgX is already in the list, you maybe add your positive experience in this thread about recommended E6 labs:
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=137289
Cheers, Jan
thanks for the report. Good to hear about such a good work.
Although AgX is already in the list, you maybe add your positive experience in this thread about recommended E6 labs:
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=137289
Cheers, Jan
Asim
Well-known
Hi Jan,
Yes, I read that thread with great interest and found that the ones that I've had experience with are all already listed. I think I should cut and paste my original thread opening from here onto that thread.
Yes, I read that thread with great interest and found that the ones that I've had experience with are all already listed. I think I should cut and paste my original thread opening from here onto that thread.