B&W Developing: Let's Help Out!

[pesphoto]

I would do it, no problem. I use Sprint developer mostly which is pretty much like D76. Maybe we could compile a list as to who has what kind of developers and such. That way people can pick and choose who they would need to send their film to. I also use Rodinal.

 

[kaiyen]

You can get personal attention to your film at some labs, where they even do hand development (rather than dip-n-dunk, which is usually the best you can expect). But around here that's already $10-$15, plus postage.

allan

 

[amateriat]

my endless backlog of films dating back to 1988 sadly prohibits me from daring to offer aid to others...🙂

joe

Roger that. I had started souping my own b/w again about a year and a half ago, just several months before moving across town, giving me just enough time to get to a serious backlog of rolls, going not quite as far back as yours (oldest roll I had was from about 1995), totaling about 20 or so rolls. This felt great (good thing I had largely switched to shooting chromogenics at the time for this reason). Unfortunately, it's taken a while to get things set up again post-move; at the same time, I recieved a ton of Ilford HP5 from a colleague who had given up film for digital (and who recently switched back to film – had to restrain myself from writing "came back to his senses"), so now I have a fresh backlog of b/w to process. At least this time it's all stuff shot within the last year, but I'm itching to get to it all the same.

It's because of this erratic developing schedule (so far) that I've decided against offering developing services to others. Consistency (foolish or otherwise) may be the hobgoblin of small minds, but it sure helps when dealing with souping film, be it mine or others'.


- Barrett

 

[raid]

I see several people here who are receptive to the idea of having a spelled-out agreement for occasional B&W developing for others. I think that the information here is useful to others.

Raid

 

[raid]

I have worked out a plan with Al Kaplan to develop B&W film for me as he develops his own B&W film in Miami. Many of you know Al from his threads in photo.net in the past years. He is a highly experienced B&W photographer, and I got this way custom work from a friend online. The developed negatives he is sending me back look great. He sends them to me in long sleeves uncut [based on my request] in a small tube. This way, I can either take the negatives for a commercial scanning or I can cut the negatives into strips of six for my own scanning in a Nikon scanner.

The advantage I am seeing is in having Al take personal interest in my negatives. He is offering me advices on choice of film, and he explains to me what could have gone wrong on my end with a specific roll. Having one person do the developing results also in more consistent results.

Thanks, Al.


Raid

 

[Nokton48]

Wow, that is a great pairing of talents.

Makes sense since you guys are both in Florida.

Good luck on all your future projects.

Dan

 

[rbiemer]

I can't believe I didn't bring this up before (DOH!), but Ken Norton, from the OM list does custom b&w work. He's a good photographer, great guy, and is meticulous. Not exactly cheap, but for $10 you get b&w processed and digital proof.

http://www.image66media.com/b&wlab.html

Once I get proper facilities reconstituted, I'd be happy to contribute to this effort.

Thanks for this, Earl!
Rob

 

[raid]

Wow, that is a great pairing of talents.

Makes sense since you guys are both in Florida.

Good luck on all your future projects.

Dan

Dan: Thanks. Al and I are friends without having met.

Raid