Finally some good news for US film users

[Bingley]

I see they'll process and print non-Ilford films too. This is very good news, and I may try some Ilford films that I haven't used before and send to them for processing and printing.

 

[jsrockit]

Develop, standard scans, 24x prints and return postage will total almost $30/roll.

I wish them well.

Chris

Well, at least it'll probably be done right... unlike the supposed "pro" labs in NYC. I'd pay the extra $12 or so for precise development and usable scans.

 

[noisycheese]

This is really great news, although I develop my own film at home. Anything that helps to keep B&W silver based photography alive and well is a godsend. 😀

From Ilford's website:

ILFORD LAB USA NOW OPEN FOR BUSINESS

28th August 2013

ILFORD LAB DIRECT establishes process and print outlet in California USA for traditional silver gelatin black and white images.

HARMAN technology Limited, the company behind the ILFORD brand of black and white photographic products is pleased to announce the availability of processing and printing services in California, USA. Serving North America, Ilfordlab-us.com is now ready to accept film orders by mail.

Established in the UK, the service based at the HARMAN factory in England has ran successfully for over 15 years. This Mail Order service was originally introduced to satisfy amateur and hobbyist photographers who found it difficult to have their films processed and printed on real black and white silver gelatin photo paper at a local facility. With the advent of digital imaging fewer mini labs had the capability to print real black and white, preferring to print on colour paper. The ILFORD LAB service can process any make of black and white film, and prints will be made on ILFORD black and white paper. Each film is processed with a unique development time to obtain optimum contrast and density. Develop and Print turnaround is normally 2-3 working days in the lab. Regular 4 x 6 inch prints are returned by mail, or special delivery, in a sturdy ILFORD presentation box. A range of upgrades and enlargements are also offered, including three levels of quality for scanning black and white negatives.

ILFORD Process Paid mailers are available from popular photographic dealers, alternatively customers can now use the secure website to pay for film processing online. Dealers interested in stocking the Mailers should contact info@ilfordlab-us.com or HARMAN technology at 888 372 2338 extension 106.

HARMAN Director of Marketing and North American Sales, Steven Brierley, explained, “It has become more and more difficult for black and white film users to have their films processed and printed to a high quality on real black and white paper. Our Lab based at the HARMAN factory in England has provided a continuous quality service to UK photographers for many years, and we are seeing an increased number of enquiries from overseas, including North America. We are excited to announce that built on that success we can now offer the same service from a base in California.”

For more details of the complete range of services and charges visit: www.ilfordlab-us.com

 

[charjohncarter]

Great news, do they accept orders yet? I'm very happy to hear this.

 

[mark18068]

That's great news. I'll be especially interested in their scans since I've had my share of difficulties in getting high quality B&W ones from different labs.

 

[stompyq]

+1. Been burned by the supposed prolabs. Develop only prices are not bad at all.

Well, at least it'll probably be done right... unlike the supposed "pro" labs in NYC. I'd pay the extra $12 or so for precise development and usable scans.

 

[nlubis]

Good news. I will at least try 1/2 roll 120, especially to see the print quality/scan quality.

 

[mynikonf2]

Fantastic news!

 

[kknox]

Just setup my account. This is good news for all of us.

 

[Pablito]

at $16 developing per roll, that's $0.45 per frame of 35mm! Not including shipping or any sort of proof sheet or scan. $1.33 per frame of 120. Not really a viable alternative for many.

 

[adamburns2000]

Pretty sure they're just using these guys to do everything: http://www.swanphotolabs.com ...my local camera store sends out all their b&w & e6 to them. I've been happy with all the stuff i've gotten back from them. Haven't got their scans tho, get those at my local place. Haven't got prints, either. But I'll give them a thumbs up for their processing.

 

[Lauffray]

yep, definitely good news...though I don't live in California 🙁

 

[mwoenv]

Finally, a film manufacturer is doing something that will encourage people to use their products!

Other things they all could do: 1) put a little money into promoting film as an alternative medium (e.g., on college campuses); 2) set up a lab (like Ilford has) or invest in or somehow support labs; 3) make high-quality color film and print development chemicals for home users in convenient, reasonably-priced kits and sponsor/run classes on processing; 4) work with camera manufacturers and/or repair people to help make sure reasonably-priced high-quality film cameras are available, possibly even some new ones.

I wonder if this has not happened because the film manufacturers have looked into this and decided it's a poor investment. It could create some momentum for film, i.e., more users, which could bring prices down a little and encourage even more more people to use film.

 

[Major Tom]

If you develop on your own these scan prices are really, really good.

Does anyone have scans from the lab they're using?

 

[stompyq]

If you develop on your own these scan prices are really, really good.

Does anyone have scans from the lab they're using?

Yeah I was thinking the same thing.

 

[whitecat]

I am so happy to hear this! All we need is for Minox to do the same.

 

[robbeiflex]

Well, at least it'll probably be done right... unlike the supposed "pro" labs in NYC. I'd pay the extra $12 or so for precise development and usable scans.

In my experience all of the Ilford films were done exactly as should be. I had a non-Ilford film pushed one stop mixed in with one batch, and the results were sufficient but nothing special. Lesson learned, marketing message received, and no hard feelings: HP5+ or Delta 400 if I plan to have them develop a roll that I push. ;-)

 

[Dirk]

Hopefully, another sign that film's decline has bottomed out and may remain viable.

 

[Aristophanes]

This is good news. From what I can see, Ilford have made an arrangement with The Darkroom/Swan Photo Lab in San Clemente to do this as a "division" of their overall operation (using Ilford DD, etc.).
I've seen many good reports on the work done by those folks, and this is another good option. I'll be sending some film off to them when I get back home.

I've used The Darkroom. They do excellent work.

Same address and same shipping label.

 

[Aristophanes]

If you develop on your own these scan prices are really, really good.

Does anyone have scans from the lab they're using?

I do. Colour. Scanned on a Noritsu Koki according to EXIF. Not sure what they use for b/w but I suspect they dip 'n' dunk and then thread onto the Noritsu scanner which is a separate module anyway. I have no problems recommending their service except their standard scans are on CD-ROM and I no longer own an optical drive. Their prices are what people will have to live with for high-quality outsourced film developing and scanning. Their prints are also very good. Turnaround time was excellent.

All shot with a Hexar AF.

Standard $10 scans with developing.