camperbc
Established
For the past couple of months I have been toying with an idea, and it may come across as a strange one, I don't know, but I would appreciate any and all input you might have. But first, let me explain for those of you who don't already know me, nor my circumstances. (I am relatively new around here, having joined RFF late last year, after a lengthy "lurking" period)
I am for the most part bedridden, due to suffering a serious and unfortunately permanent spinal injury after a bad fall back in 2004. I have perhaps two or three days each month when I am well enough to get up and about, and with some luck, outside with my cameras to photograph this windswept little island in the North Atlantic which I am fortunate enough to call home. (a one hour ferry ride off the northeast coast of Newfoundland)
As I get so very few "good" days (health-wise) I have, at least for the foreseeable future, given up on my plan to get back into developing my own film; preferring to spend these precious "good" days out photographing, if at all possible. I want to start shooting more b/w film and less digital. The plan is to ship the film out to some urban centre for developing, (there are no labs within hundreds of kms of my little Gilligan's Island!) have the negatives scanned at a high enough res for printing at least 8X12's, and then get everything shipped back to me, so that I can then send some of my favorite images back out again for printing. (Yes, I know it would help if I had a film scanner, heck even a good flatbed scanner... and a printer... but this is just not in the cards, on my fixed disability pension) The trouble I am finding, however, is that it appears to be a futile effort to locate a quality film lab in Canada that can develop my film AND do quality hi-res, (affordable) scans, meaning much back and forth postage between at least two different labs. (then back out for printing) So a lot of wasted time and expense!
This got me to thinking. What if I was fortunate enough to hook up with a fellow forum member, (who just so happens to do their own film developing AND owns a nice scanner!) to whom I would of course be happy to pay a fair price for their time/materials, etc., who just might be interested in earning a bit of extra cash, to develop perhaps an extra roll or two per month, and scan the negatives at a decent resolution? This way, I could simply mail them my film, and they would mail the scans back to me, or upload them, or whatever. Then all I would have to do is send any favorites off to Shutterfly for printing.
OK, so tell me straight up; is this a dumb idea, and perhaps I never should have even mentioned it, or is there a chance someone on here with a proper set-up might want to make an extra few bucks by taking me up on my silly idea? Or maybe you could steer me to someone you think might be interested? As I stated at the beginning, I would love to hear everyone's opinions, and possibly other (better?) solutions to my problem.
Naturally, in a perfect world I would much prefer to set up a complete darkroom again, and do it all myself, and in fact up until these past couple of months I was indeed planning on at least doing my own developing, if nothing else. But the fact is that I am almost always flat on my back in bed, often for a week or more at a stretch, and it would just be too difficult for me to take this on myself. When I have one of my blessed "good" days, I would admittedly prefer to spend it out in the fresh air taking some pictures, rather than developing film.
Your thoughts?
Glen
I am for the most part bedridden, due to suffering a serious and unfortunately permanent spinal injury after a bad fall back in 2004. I have perhaps two or three days each month when I am well enough to get up and about, and with some luck, outside with my cameras to photograph this windswept little island in the North Atlantic which I am fortunate enough to call home. (a one hour ferry ride off the northeast coast of Newfoundland)
As I get so very few "good" days (health-wise) I have, at least for the foreseeable future, given up on my plan to get back into developing my own film; preferring to spend these precious "good" days out photographing, if at all possible. I want to start shooting more b/w film and less digital. The plan is to ship the film out to some urban centre for developing, (there are no labs within hundreds of kms of my little Gilligan's Island!) have the negatives scanned at a high enough res for printing at least 8X12's, and then get everything shipped back to me, so that I can then send some of my favorite images back out again for printing. (Yes, I know it would help if I had a film scanner, heck even a good flatbed scanner... and a printer... but this is just not in the cards, on my fixed disability pension) The trouble I am finding, however, is that it appears to be a futile effort to locate a quality film lab in Canada that can develop my film AND do quality hi-res, (affordable) scans, meaning much back and forth postage between at least two different labs. (then back out for printing) So a lot of wasted time and expense!
This got me to thinking. What if I was fortunate enough to hook up with a fellow forum member, (who just so happens to do their own film developing AND owns a nice scanner!) to whom I would of course be happy to pay a fair price for their time/materials, etc., who just might be interested in earning a bit of extra cash, to develop perhaps an extra roll or two per month, and scan the negatives at a decent resolution? This way, I could simply mail them my film, and they would mail the scans back to me, or upload them, or whatever. Then all I would have to do is send any favorites off to Shutterfly for printing.
OK, so tell me straight up; is this a dumb idea, and perhaps I never should have even mentioned it, or is there a chance someone on here with a proper set-up might want to make an extra few bucks by taking me up on my silly idea? Or maybe you could steer me to someone you think might be interested? As I stated at the beginning, I would love to hear everyone's opinions, and possibly other (better?) solutions to my problem.
Naturally, in a perfect world I would much prefer to set up a complete darkroom again, and do it all myself, and in fact up until these past couple of months I was indeed planning on at least doing my own developing, if nothing else. But the fact is that I am almost always flat on my back in bed, often for a week or more at a stretch, and it would just be too difficult for me to take this on myself. When I have one of my blessed "good" days, I would admittedly prefer to spend it out in the fresh air taking some pictures, rather than developing film.
Your thoughts?
Glen
dfatty
Well-known
Doesn't seem like a dumb question at all, no harm in asking. Even if you can't find a person who can help, someone may know a lab that can meet your needs. Given your situation it certainly makes sense that you would want to spend your time shooting rather than developing and scanning, good luck!
camperbc
Established
Doesn't seem like a dumb question at all, no harm in asking. Even if you can't find a person who can help, someone may know a lab that can meet your needs. Given your situation it certainly makes sense that you would want to spend your time shooting rather than developing and scanning, good luck!
Thank-you Dean. Ideally, it would be best to find someone right here in Canada who may be willing to assist me in this endeavor, but I also know that with my rather unusual predicament I can't be too picky! All I know is that I get more enjoyment from shooting film than digital, and am willing to make some compromises to do so. Hopefully more members will reply.
Glen
gdi
Veteran
Glen, flatbed scanners capable of doing what you need can be pretty cheap; Epson has a V300 refurbished photo scanner in stock for $55 and a V500 is around $100. I know that may still not fit the budget, but it could be the most convenient route. Note that I don't have experience with those models, but they seem to have good specs.
I would be happy to help if I processed film of scanned regularly, but I would not be a reliable resource. Good luck
I would be happy to help if I processed film of scanned regularly, but I would not be a reliable resource. Good luck
dfatty
Well-known
For what it's worth, Glen, your color work on your site is wonderful. Perhaps the gods are steering you to stay with color ;o)
jesse1dog
Light Catcher
You have some stunning colour photos on your site and have certainly got the 'knack' of producing high class work. The film is certainly another challenge and we all need challenges to keep us going, so, 'more power to your elbow' as the saying goes.
I appreciate your position but can't help - I'll go back to looking at your site though.
jesse
I appreciate your position but can't help - I'll go back to looking at your site though.
jesse
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