Headsup for Melbournites: LabX closed (?) - any alternatives?

[Peter R]

EDIT: As Spyro said below, not closed down, just moving. Hooray.

Old post for housekeeping's sake: Just heard that LabX has closed down (although their website is still live and the phone still connected as of yesterday). Thank god I didn't have anything truly important on the three rolls I sent to them recently, doubt I'll see them again.

Very disappointing as I really liked the place - only a month or two ago had some flawless very large prints made by them.

Oh well, upside is it looks like I'll be spending Christmas learning to develop my own film - I knew it would come one day but secretly hoped that a city the size of Melbourne could support at least one pro lab, especially one that did art exhibition grade digital printing as well as film developing.

 

[Spyro]

Nah it isn't closed, they just had some dramas with a flooding and the landlord wanted to make them pay for the repairs through a hefty increase in the rent. Or something like that... a friend was telling me but I wasnt really paying attention. Anyway there's always Vanbar in Carlton, which is a proper pro lab. Worth a look if you havent been, they stock lots of film equipment and consumables.

 

[Peter R]

Phew, well here's hoping that's true and they don't go under(water). I'd like to keep going there for prints & colour even if I start developing my own B/W film.

I've been to Vanbar in Carlton & North Melbourne, bought some equipment there - didn't realise they were a pro lab of the same level as LabX. I'll check them out if LabX do close down for good - thanks for the pointer.

 

[elshaneo]

Don't use Vanbar unless it's not that important, I have a lot of friends who had a lot of trouble from them busting the processing of their films etc... The results were so bad that the films could not be used and thrown to the bin.

 

[Spyro]

To be honest I havent been to LabX so I cant really compare but I use Vanbar regularly because it's walking distance from work. Never had any complaints (other than prices but thats common for all local retailers)

 

[Richard G]

Hi Spyro. Hope you're well. I must show you my M5 some time. I go to Vanbar most weeks. I have had some minor issues with too high contrast development of Rollei 100 and one ruined transparency frame, but it's generally OK. The prices for scan, develop and print have even come down a little. I like the staff but hate the dopey logistics at point of sale and complained about that in writing which the sales guys were grateful for. Nothing's changed yet. Bond Colour in Richmond might be the place to go for a special print job. One of the Vanbar experts recommended a gallery in Fitzroy last time I was there.

 

[Spyro]

Hi Richard, we should catch up soon 🙂

 

[ChrisN]

Peter - please post more information when you find out what's happening. I've been shooting a few rolls of Ektar 120 and was hoping to send it to them when I have enough to make the postage worthwhile.

 

[Peter R]

Chris - I wouldn't send anything until you hear they are definitely open for business again. I have had three rolls with them for developing for the last 3 weeks and can't get in touch with them by phone or email.

I'll be in Canberra over xmas actually, if I see you wandering about with a Range-e-Finder I'll know to say hello.

 

[Leigh Youdale]

Check out Gold Street Studios in Trentham for mono processing of several different kinds and also Horsham Colour (for colour film, obviously) in Horsham (obviously).

 

[Spyro]

Leigh, do you know if they do mail orders for processing?

 

[skibeerr]

My luck, all of the Melbourne members at once.

we will, if all goes well, come to Melbourne around july 2011 for a period of up to five years.

Hope I will be seeing some of you guys then.

Cheers,

Wim

 

[Peter R]

Hoi Wim - looks like you're Dutch? Tot ziens in Melbourne dan, zou ik zeggen (emigrated here as a kid in the 80s).

 

[skibeerr]

Don't want to hijack the thread so I started a new one.

 

[Leigh Youdale]

Leigh, do you know if they do mail orders for processing?

Horsham Colour do mail - I used them from Sydney several times, including the Travelling Bessa Project. I find it best to phone them and talk to them. Can't answer for Gold Street Studios I haven't used them and they seem to be on the high art end of the photographic spectrum.
If you're prepared to use mail then Blanco Negro in Sydney do mono processing and printing up to exhibition standard.

 

[Peter R]

Hooray - just got a call from LabX with the lowdown: as Spyro said, water damage, insurance claims, moving to new location - and not closing down. They should be up and running again soon.

Not only that, my films are safe and developed & I'll get them this afternoon.

I imagine that'll be a relief for a bunch of people who use them for exhibition printing and pro film processing.

 

[Spyro]

Thats good to know!

Leigh, thanks for the info 🙂

 

[parasko]

I'm ssssooo glad to hear this. LabX is THE prolab. I live in Sydney and used to mail at least one roll of film to them weekly (after all pro labs closed down up here). I'm just getting back into shooting slide film after a 6 month hiatus. Please keep this thread updated and let us know when they are back in action.

Hooray - just got a call from LabX with the lowdown: as Spyro said, water damage, insurance claims, moving to new location - and not closing down. They should be up and running again soon.

Not only that, my films are safe and developed & I'll get them this afternoon.

I imagine that'll be a relief for a bunch of people who use them for exhibition printing and pro film processing.