What lab are you using for C41/E6 in 2013?

mgilbuena

mgilbuena

San Francisco Bay Area
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After personally committing to making 2013 a year of film (to consume my rolls that are approaching or have passed expiration), I now have quite a few rolls of slide and negative film waiting to be developed.

In the past, I have used Photoworks SF (photoworkssf.com) and Precision Photo. Unfortunately, after a poor experience with velvia scan quality from precision, I abandoned using photo labs and self-developed C41 and E6. I no longer have the time to spend scanning each frame and deal with the frustrations of color correction.

As it's been over a year since I've used either lab, I was curious what labs you are using in 2013. Specifically, I am looking for quality of scan and a lab located within the United States. I would love to hear from folks who have used Precision and Photoworks SF and could provide a direct comparison against those labs or simply an update on the state-of-affairs for those labs.

Thanks, all!
 
For my 35mm C41 and XPro stuff, I take it to Walgreens unless it's important. I also use my local film lab/camera shop for some color. But most of it I sent to Photosmith's 120Processing.com site (or their new 35mm site). I trust them to handle my Xpro work over the local lab. But honestly I get pretty good results with the color stuff I send to Walgreens.

I do all my scans myself, however. Walgreens scans are kind of low resolution for print needs or I'd use them for that more for the color stuff.

I'd try checking out 120Processing.com and http://oldschoolphotolab.com. They are pricy but they do great work and I trust them.

I am sure others will have their experiences to share as well with other places. 😀
 
I used to use Precision, but literally every single order I ever had was messed up: I'd request mounted slides, they'd be returned unmounted; I'd ask for negs to be cut, they'd come back uncut; and one time an entire roll was never scanned. The work they did do was excellent, but I couldn't handle it anymore.

Locally, I use Colortek here in Boston if it's important, or Hunt's if it's just everyday stuff. Colortek is good but they don't hi-res scans, which is OK because I can scan myself.

I think I am going to try North Coast Photo next. They seem to get good reviews and are affordable.

B&W I develop myself. And I'm going to attempt to develop my own E6 this weekend.

I would love to know of other good labs out there.
 
Quite happy. I like the convenience and the speed. Last week I dropped film in the mailbox on Monday afternoon, had online scans of 1 roll by Tuesday and the other roll on Wed. The negs and CD were in my mailbox on Thurs. The only sevice I've yet to use (but will soon) is their print services. Since you are on the other side of the country the mail might take longer than it does for me.
 
I have a local lab that does a good job at competitive prices. Otherwise I'll bring my 35mm c41 to Walgreens if I'm in a hurry and don't care if it gets scratched (and it will).

Been meaning to try mpix.com mailers. Mailers are postage paid, from what I gather they charge $0.19 per exposure, post low-res scans, and mail the negatives back to you for free. Seems legit.
 
Gumby said:
Quite happy. I like the convenience and the speed. Last week I dropped film in the mailbox on Monday afternoon, had online scans of 1 roll by Tuesday and the other roll on Wed. The negs and CD were in my mailbox on Thurs. The only sevice I've yet to use (but will soon) is their print services. Since you are on the other side of the country the mail might take longer than it does for me.
Click to expand...

Sounds great. I'm sold. I will send them my next batch of film, for sure. Thanks!
 
I just used http://www.amimage.co.uk/ for the first time for my first sheets of 4x5, helpful and perfectly fine results. They deliver scans by download, which makes so much more sense than a CD in the post. Faster and more reliable, I've had CDs which simply don't work in the past.
 
BDI in London, just near Old St roundabout.

The best, cheapest and probably last pro
lab left in central London.

Very friendly reliable and quick C41.

-TC
 
I'm using Hunt's Photo for all my E-6 and C-41. Their C-41 pricing is very reasonable and with FAST turnaround. Their E-6 is a little more expensive, but they are the last place in the area that is really catering to film, so I don't mind paying the little more to keep them around. I have had no issues with any of their developing and when they are in doubt, they call right away to clarify what you want to have done. I can not speak for their scanning though as I do it myself.
 
alienmeatsack said:
For my 35mm C41 and XPro stuff, I take it to Walgreens unless it's important. I also use my local film lab/camera shop for some color. But most of it I sent to Photosmith's 120Processing.com site (or their new 35mm site). I trust them to handle my Xpro work over the local lab. But honestly I get pretty good results with the color stuff I send to Walgreens.

I do all my scans myself, however. Walgreens scans are kind of low resolution for print needs or I'd use them for that more for the color stuff.

I'd try checking out 120Processing.com and http://oldschoolphotolab.com. They are pricy but they do great work and I trust them.

I am sure others will have their experiences to share as well with other places. 😀
Click to expand...
oldschoolphotolab/Photosmith are a local lab, about 20 minutes from me. They are great people and did a KILLER job with dev/scanning some c41 for me. Highly recommended if you're in the area or even mailing.

/first post, about time I stopped lurking!
 
For critical 35mm work, medium or large format I go to CSW Film Systems in Chicago. I think the only quality color lab left here. Osan, the owner, does careful quality work. I have been using his lab for years and meet many other pros there. I guess because it's the only game in town!
 
any recommendations for a us mail order place that will do a good job with devel and scans with a roll of the discontinued Portra 400 VC?

Was shot at box speed. I like scans of decent JPG sizes, otherwise, I'd just go to walgreens. I'm not too picky, less than $10 or $12 would be great.
 
Just got a roll back from BigW in Fountain Gate, Melbourne. Other than the low scan res, which I expected, it was very good, barely any dust or scratches at all, which is more than I can say for some labs in London costing twice the price, BigW charges $11.88 AUD for dev and scan, which is pretty good, will use again.
 
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