Australian looking for good lab scans

[akremer]

Hi all,

I'm sick of my local 'professional' lab giving me poor scans and I don't currently have the cash for a scanner.

Can anyone put me onto a lab in Australia (or a cheap one in the USA) that I can mail to for quality dev and scans?

I'd prefer one in AUS but I'll ship to the States if I have to.

Thanks,
Adam

 

[gavinlg]

Honestly...

Just buy yourself a scanner. Get a minolta dual scan IV off ebay if you're 35mm only. Will set you back between 200-300 dollars au, and will give you scans that rival full frame 21mp digital cameras.

If you do 120 as well, get an epson v600 or v700. I'm using a v600 and it's good enough for 35mm and great for 120. Cost me around $500 au.

 

[fixbones]

I second fdigital's suggestion.
Unless you are looking for drum scans, getting a scanner yourself is the next best option.

My experience with scans from the local labs are terrible. Scratched like no tomorrow.

 

[fixbones]

Local lab where i live that is....

 

[Leigh Youdale]

The scans and 8x10 prints I got back from Horsham Colour (Victoria) were pretty good in my book. I used them while I was trialling the Bessa III but I also got some of my own 35mm and 120 films from the Rolleiflex and the Bessa scanned and printed.
They have a good fast mail order service, are mainly attuned to the professional market but will do stuff for others like me and might be worth a try.
<http://www.horshamcolour.com.au/services.html> The contact details are accessed from a link on the above page. It would be worth phoning Ruth and explaining what exactly you want.

 

[Iain W]

There is a good pro lab in Adelaide, Atkins Technicolour. They offer a Process, Print and Scan package. There is a hi res scan option within the package. The price details are on the WEB. From memory it was under $40.00 for a C-41 36exp. I have used this service but I do all my own scanning now.

 

[jonmanjiro]

North Coast Photographic Services (NCPS)
5451 Avenida Encinas, Suite D
Carlsbad, California 92008
(760) 931-6809

I need to give these guys a try some time...

 

[akremer]

Honestly...

Just buy yourself a scanner. Get a minolta dual scan IV off ebay if you're 35mm only. Will set you back between 200-300 dollars au, and will give you scans that rival full frame 21mp digital cameras.

If you do 120 as well, get an epson v600 or v700. I'm using a v600 and it's good enough for 35mm and great for 120. Cost me around $500 au.

Can't afford now - Spending some months in NY for photo stuff and saving big.

Also, we should meet up if you're in brisbane - I see you also like shooting ink. Your stuff is great man.

 

[gavinlg]

Thanks dude, I shoot ink when my friends get it haha.
Would be keen to meet up sometime for sure.

btw have you tried Prolab or Allchromes for scanning? Both are in Brisbane and prolab's meant to have some pretty expensive gear.

 

[akalai]

You might want to have a look at the Service Guide at;

Vision Imagelab
http://www.visionimagelab.com.au

10 Danks Street
Waterloo NSW 2017
tel: (02) 9319 3300

 

[agricola]

I can vouch for Allchromes in the Valley - let me know if you would like some samples of scans they have done for me: XP2 using the M4 and colour on the Hexar AF. I have a scanner but cannot equal what they do. However it is much cheaper to develop and scan yourself.

 

[Gareth67]

Imagescience. They have a couple of Imacons.

http://www.imagescience.com.au/

They're based in Melbourne, if that helps.

You could also think of investing in a Coolscan - 9000 for medium format, 5000 otherwise.

Cheers
Gareth