Sad Day for DeKalb...

[SolaresLarrave]

Yesterday was a sad day... and today is even sadder. My local professional lab (which belonged to my university) just closed down forever yesterday... No more E-6 film processed twice a week (and it used to be daily!) today. No more free push-processing (up to two stops ). No more film developing for $4.00 for 24 exposures, and $5.00 for 36 exposures! 🙁

Now... I have a nice lot of Ektachrome 100 and 400, and a small cache of Provia 400 that I must send out. Time to stock up on mailers... and to think twice before burning a roll with silly nonsense.

Any experience with slide-film mailers? I can still send my stuff to Dwayne's Photo in Parsons, KS, but they're kind of expensive in the shipping fee. Hence, I use them only for K-chrome film.

Has anyone used Fuji film mailers? How about A&I?

Thanks for your kind help... :bang:

 

[taffer]

Francisco, have you checked if there's another option locally ?

Also, if you happen to know some more photogs in the area, maybe they can give you some more info about the best way to develop E6 there (if they burn it, of course).

Last resource... maybe E6 processing is not that difficult to do on your own with the proper E6 processor...

Sad day indeed 🙁

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

Sorry to hear that, Francisco. I really don't know what would happen if I had that service taken away from me. Luckily, there are at least four pro or semi-pro labs with at least four different locations for each, here in the Twin Cities alone.

I don't have any experience with mailers, but I have read good things about people's experience with the mailers bought from B&H. You could give those a try...

 

[bean_counter]

Arrghhh.... the Huskies lose a heartbreaker, then this....

I'm an NIU alum in Oswego (SW of Aurora). E6-wise, I might as well be on Mars. Closest pro lab I know of is Camera House in Joliet.

Last E6 mailers I did were Kodak in March; they messed up the first 6 frames of one roll, mis-cut the last 3 in another (out of 5 rolls total). Won't use them again; besides, they raised thier prices.

I just shoot B&W and Kodachrome now. Suppose I'll have to do E6 when K64 dies.

 

[ywenz]

I wouldn't mind if Jet Photo in Hoffman Estates shut down.. $12 processing for B&W + 1 stop push, $10 processing for 120. They've also screwed up my order the past two trips there -telling me they'll be ready at certain time, only they're not.

 

[allthumbs]

Another one bites the dust. *sigh* Well, you had a sweet deal for a while.

What I would urge you to do is find out where that equipment and chemistry is going, whether you can get a hold of it, either by yourself or with a group, and try to keep the goodness going!

I used a Fuji mailer once for a 36 roll of Provia and they did a good job, except it took forever (over two weeks round trip). They used paper mounts, which I prefer.

I just sent off a roll of EBX in a Kodak mailer, my first time. I have heard more than one horror tale re Kodak mailers.

I also have an A&I mailer on the way with my last B&H order. It was the cheapest, is brand-agnostic, no roll-size specified, and convenient $1 per stop push via enclosed check. So if they are any good, I'll stick with them.

 

[TEZillman]

Francisco,

Sorry to hear it finally happened.

 

[GeneW]

Bummer, Francisco! I hope you find either another nearby lab or a good, reliable mail-order lab to work with!

Gene

 

[SolaresLarrave]

There's a bit of hope... Helix Camera has a film developing service. They charge a one shot shipping charge of $7.00 per shipment (whether is one or five rolls) because they return the slides via UPS w/signature requested (wow... are they fancy). Problem is, since they're in Chicago, they charge 9 % tax on stuff. Otherwise, prices are fair: $ 5.75 per 24 exp. rolls and $7 for 36 exp. rolls, with push-processing at no extra charge.

I think I'll send them my recently purchased Ektachrome ISO 1600 rolls for developing. I believe Dwayne's charges extra for push processing, and the Fuji lab in AK charges one buck for stop.

Otherwise, there's no local hope. I've checked, believe me... And I really don't dare ask in places like Jewel (grocery store chain owned by Albertson) and Walgreen's or Target 'cuz their employees will look at me and ask "what kind of film is that?"

 

[OpenWater]

I've used Fuji mailers with good success - although they do take a very, very long time (2-3 weeks). I prefer my local camera store.

 

[taffer]

Is there anybody here processing his/her own E6 ?

 

[Flyfisher Tom]

Oscar,

I tried processing my own E-6 a few time. Trust me, it is not easy, even with a Jobo machine. Unless you have infinite patience, suffice it to say, it is not as easy or forgiving as B/W development.

Tom

 

[Trius]

Dwayne's is more expensive for shipping, but it's not too bad if you do multiple rolls on an order. And I never worry abut their work.

As far as home processing goes, I have done E-6 and it was problem free. I used the Tetenal chemistry because it was only 3 solutions, IIRC. I processed Agfrachrome in it and it was beautiful. Mounting is as pesky as the actual processing, but I didn't cut the negs and just sleeved them.

Earl

 

[tajart]

labs closing

labs closing

one of the indie labs closed this week here as well (b'ham, wa) - reason: just couldn't compete w the big mall boxes- fortunately we have a couple indie shops still open where one still does e-6 and you can still get b&w custom work done, for a while at least- and we have some one hour labs still open that do c-41.
i've used mailers before but prefer to use a good pro lab for e-6. soon that will mean saving it up and coordinating errands for a drive to the city. but then we could also say, more power to b&w.

 

[fredus]

A&I .. Top notch quality. Buy their mailer on at B&H ...

http://aandi.com/

Fred

 

[rover]

I have some A&I mailers I am still using up. I send them my 120. My experience is that they are very good, but don't have the fastest turn around time. My stuff is usually out for 3 weeks at least before it is returned.

 

[SolaresLarrave]

Methinks I'll have to get used to shoot today, mail tomorrow... view my slides in three weeks.

Problem is that Happy D, Dwayne's consumer lab, quit processing E-6. They had the most convenient prices (still have, if you do only C-41). They transferred all their E-6 & K-14 to their professional wing, which is Dwayne's.

I won't complain. There's something to learn here: first, shoot less, think more. Second, ship in threes or fours only. Third... never take a good thing for granted.

Also... I'll try both, Fuji and A&I mailers some time later. For now, the shots of my upcoming trip to Washington DC will be done by Dwayne's.

As for home processing... it'd be easier to do B&W. In fact, my new year's resolution is to learn the secrets of Diafine to do my own souping up at home. 🙂

Dreams... 😉

 

[Trius]

Francisco: E6 is no harder to do than B&W except for more precise temperature control. With b&w you have a contact sheet to make if you need it, w/ slides that's not the case. In any event, your thoughts on shoot less, ship in bunches is pretty much the conclusion I came to before I found a good E6 lab here.

Earl

 

[payasam]

Trius is correct: time and temperature must be spot on. That is not so difficult to manage. There's another factor, though. Chemicals may be supplied in quantities which make economic sense only if several rolls are processed in one mixing.

 

[ch1]

Yesterday was a sad day... and today is even sadder. My local professional lab (which belonged to my university) just closed down forever yesterday... No more E-6 film processed twice a week (and it used to be daily!) today. No more free push-processing (up to two stops ). No more film developing for $4.00 for 24 exposures, and $5.00 for 36 exposures! 🙁

Now... I have a nice lot of Ektachrome 100 and 400, and a small cache of Provia 400 that I must send out. Time to stock up on mailers... and to think twice before burning a roll with silly nonsense.

Any experience with slide-film mailers? I can still send my stuff to Dwayne's Photo in Parsons, KS, but they're kind of expensive in the shipping fee. Hence, I use them only for K-chrome film.

Has anyone used Fuji film mailers? How about A&I?

Thanks for your kind help... :bang:

I've had very good results using Fujichrome mailers. About a 10-day turnaround from NY. They go to Phoenix so when I'm at Tucson house I send them out to be returned to my NYC address and then that's only about a week total turn.

Similar with Kodak.

Have never used A&W.