Developing film in NYC

[maksim]

Hello, I recently started taking photos with an M6 and I have a really stupid question.. Does anyone have any tips on where to get film developed and scanned in New York (preferably closer to West Village)?

I can't do my own developing for now and paying C-Lab $9 for developing + $10 for scanning / roll seems too expensive.

Are there cheaper places that are good? Developing at a drugstore seems like a bad idea, but is it?

And, as far as scanning goes, it seems something I should be doing at home. Is it okay to start with a flatbed scanner like a CanoScan 8800? Or would I need something else to get a good scan?

I am sorry for how basic these questions are. But I hope that somebody can help!

Thanks,
Maksim

First photos I shot with a mf rangefinder before picking up the m6: http://www.flickr.com/photos/maxnoy/sets/72157616513804317/

 

[arthur sadowsky]

Hey Maksim,

I think you and me are on the same boat: in my own experience unless you have access to high-end scanners (including Nikon's consumer grade scanners which are great!) your choices are very limited.

All what you really left in NYC is CVS's (or similar chains) photo departments.

I've included the typical scan by my local CVS - feel free to judge yourself, but that is what you're going to get on the good day:

I can going on and going on, but you got the idea (if I would have some $$ I would go for personal scanner and not necessarily most expensive),

BTW I like your Flickr's pics very much, wish you all the best😉!

 

[hjfischer]

Try Adorama. Their full service film lab is one of the best and I use their online service frequently.. Go to adorama.com for the address.

 

[Pablito]

Big difference in cost between the pro lab and the drugstore processing but bearn in mind that many drugstore processing machines are not even hooked up to a running water wash so the archival nature of their processing is highly questionable to say the least. Also many pro labs use a dip & dunk machine, which gives very even processing and minimizes the possibility of scratching.

The pro lab scene is changing fast with less and less film being used. The lab I used in the West Village, CMYK Color Lab is gone, so is Flatiron Color Lab in Chelsea.

 

[arthur sadowsky]

Try Adorama. Their full service film lab is one of the best and I use their online service frequently.. Go to adorama.com for the address.

Last time I checked Adorama they don't process and develope/scan 35mm film anymore, kind of sad🙁...

 

[35mmdelux]

I go cheap unless I've got a good capture.

 

[maksim]

Thanks for the info, everyone. i found a place in Chelsea that has cheaper processing at $4/roll and rents darkroom space (would be useful if I got someone to show me how to use it) -- http://www.printspacenyc.com/. I'll give them a shot.

Thanks,
Maksim

 

[gehrm]

I am moving to NYC this summer and was wondering the same thing.

Has anyone used Grand Photo Solutions? They looked like they might be good.

http://www.gpsnyc.com/filmsection.html

 

[Willy Elder]

A lot of Duane Reade stores have late model high-end Fuji Frontier machines that are very good, and you can get one hour developing.

Go into the store and check to make sure they have an in-store machine and see if it looks fairly new and the person operating it appears competent. Don't use a store with an older machine or one where they send out your film to another place.

If you find a good one (several downtown that I know of), you can get excellent results cheap.

I sometimes get my negatives developed only (no prints) for $2.79 and scan them myself.

 

[Willy Elder]

You can also use Clark Photo mailers, which are very cheap and very good quality lately, if you have the patience to wait around 10 days to get your photos back.

 

[nightfly]

For color if you're serious about the quality I would shoot slide film and get it developed at a pro lab (I like A&I) and leave it unmounted and scan it yourself. Even a flatbed Epson is going to be better than the average C-41 + drugstore scan. I find the quality of development of C-41 film has gone way downhill lately. I like the color accuracy and look of slide film much better and it scans well. To me if you're spending money on a Leica and good glass, I can't imagine shooting C-41 and getting drug store scans.

For black and white, develop and scan yourself no question.

 

[starless]

Manhattan Color Lab is decent, really cheap but not in the Village. 5th ave and 20th St if I remember correctly.

For b/w - MV photo lab in Meatpacking is quite good and very expensive. They are located in the last building on Little West 12th St.

 

[HelenOster]

Message from Helen at Adorama Camera

Message from Helen at Adorama Camera

Last time I checked Adorama they don't process and develope/scan 35mm film anymore, kind of sad🙁...

That's quite correct, we no longer do.

 

[richardl]

Brian Young / phototechnica
32-03 34th Ave, Long Island City, NY, 11106
718-626-2632 tel/fax
phototechnic@earthlink.net www.phototechnica.net

For black and white.

 

[sepiareverb]

That Print Space NYC looks like a great spot. I might use them to do some really big color prints one of these days. A great excuse for a few days in NYC!

 

[drewbarb]

Print Space is great. You can't process your own b&w film there any longer (unless you rent a private darkroom and use it for film?), but they have pretty nice facilities. I no longer live in NYC, but I still work there when I'm in town. They do very good C41 processing, and you can rent time on Imacon scanners, too, besides the good color and black and white rooms; highly recommended.

 

[jke]

I'll second the vote for both Manhattan Color Lab and Print Space NY. I pay about $5/roll on average (sometimes I get a discount, sometimes not) for develop-only on E-6 and B&W, though I usually do B&W myself. Print Space not only does development, but they have rental Imacons once you get something worth scanning. And they have a pretty good quality C-Print machine that is very affordable (go for the matte, which is more of a satin) when you have the scan all worked out. If you are looking for lessons on dark room, you might ask the people there. They may know someone who provides instruction. It is in a non-descript building. Entry is right near Sid's Bikes. 🙂 And don't miss visiting Cafe Grumpy on 20th between 7th and 8th next door to the police station. Best coffee in them there parts. Or Uncle Moe's Burritos over on 19th between 5th and 6th. 🙂 Like photographer Disneyland.