Where to get XP2 developed and scanned in the UK?

[Juno]

Any recommendations for a good UK lab for deving XP2 and getting hi-res scans (around 4000 dpi if possible) done at the same time at reasonable cost?

I'm mainly a digital user but I like to give my film cameras a work out from time to time. I haven't got the time (nor inclination now to be honest) to develop my own black and white film or scan negatives.

Thanks

 

[Ronald_H]

XP2 is C-41 process film, so you can have it developed just about anywhere. Most photo services throw in a scanning service too, but 4000dpi is asking a bit much.

I have my C-41 developed at the local department store for a modest fee, then scan myself.

 

[Juno]

XP2 is C-41 process film, so you can have it developed just about anywhere. Most photo services throw in a scanning service too, but 4000dpi is asking a bit much.

I have my C-41 developed at the local department store for a modest fee, then scan myself.

Hi Ronald,

I've been down the department store route with variable success. I've been using my local Asda and the scans have ranged from good to poor. Sometimes the film comes back in good condition and sometimes it's covered in finger prints. Operators are supposed to wear gloves but not all do. The success of the whole process - from getting the film developed to scanning it - seems to depend too much on which operator you get.

There's a lab in the US that will develop XP2 (or any C41 colour print film as you say) and do hi-res scans at 5,035 x 3,339 pixels for an all-up cost of about £10 but postage would add to that. I'd imagine, though, that I could get it done that way for around £16. I was hoping some UK labs would be able to beat that price.

 

[Sparrow]

I use ProAm imaging in Bradford Yorkshire, develop scan to CD at 2000x3000 for £6.00

Fine for drafts, dust and scratch free

 

[Bobfrance]

I use Peak Imaging (Sheffield I think).
Seem pretty good on the Medium format stuff and the odd bits of 35mm I've used them for.
If you're sending film for developing then why not use B&W film instead of C41?

 

[ClaremontPhoto]

Develop and scan of C41 should be a standardized process.

But it often varies between the shopping mall service and the photography store service.

The person at the shopping mall was perhaps selling chocolate last week, whereas the person at the photography store may have been using their own camera last week.

 

[Juno]

I use Peak Imaging (Sheffield I think).
Seem pretty good on the Medium format stuff and the odd bits of 35mm I've used them for.
If you're sending film for developing then why not use B&W film instead of C41?

Good point, Bob! I've been using XP2 mainly for convenience but there would be no need to do that if I was sending it away.

 

[Austerby]

The Darkroom in Cheltenham have always provided me with a great service on E6 processing though I've not used them for b&w. I got their name from the back of Black & White Photography magazine where there's lots of choice and different service offerings.

 

[SR1]

Photo-Express.co.uk will develop C41 and scan to CD at approx 3000 x 2000 pixels without any prints for £3.50 (inc post)

Their minimum charge is £4.00 though. I've never used them but am just about to send off a roll.

I'll let you know the result

Regards

SR

 

[Juno]

Photo-Express.co.uk will develop C41 and scan to CD at approx 3000 x 2000 pixels without any prints for £3.50 (inc post)

Their minimum charge is £4.00 though. I've never used them but am just about to send off a roll.

I'll let you know the result

Regards

SR

That's a great deal. I was hoping for bigger files so I could print up to A3-ish without having to increase the size of the image but, to be honest, most of my pics wouldn't be printed much bigger than A4 and 3000x2000 would be fine for that. Please keep me in mind when you get the results back!

 

[Dave Wilkinson]

Another vote for Peak Imaging (Sheffield) - exellent service!
Dave

 

[tritiated]

Photoexpress are in my experience consistently excellent, having sent many rolls to them. Quick turnaround, usually get negs+cd back in 2 days (even paid by cheque).

I usually get them to put multple film on single cds, as stacks of cds tend to squash easily in the post.

Quality is consistent too, with no scratching and no erroneous development.

I don't work for them - ha!

 

[Ronald_H]

Pity that C-41 processing varies so much over there 🙁 From what I am told, all C-41 stuff in the Netherlands goes to the same two high-volume labs. I have to say that the last 10 years my C-41 results have been utterly consistent and good. Good luck!

 

[MartinP]

I am an Englishman living in the Netherlands and I am horrified that you think sixteen pounds is ok for one film !! Within a dozen (or so) films you could have paid for your own scanner . . .

 

[Juno]

I am an Englishman living in the Netherlands and I am horrified that you think sixteen pounds is ok for one film !! Within a dozen (or so) films you could have paid for your own scanner . . .

Well, I'm Scottish and I don't think £16 is OK for anything! That's pretty much a worse case scenario sending the film off to the US. For the same size of scans available in that package, I'd be reasonably "happy" to pay around a tenner in the UK. I'm not interested in spending time scanning my own negs: if I had no option but to do that, I'd probably just go back to the darkroom. I find it totally soul-destroying!

 

[Juno]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions so far - I'm checking out every one as they come in!

 

[SR1]

I've now received the developed film and CD back from Photo Express and I am very impressed for the cost. Posted Friday and received back Monday.

The scans are only good enough for 7x5 at best, however that's all I was after at this price. I've attached one of the photos.

Recommended.

SR