Who do you use for E6 Processing?

[Brian Puccio]

For the first time, I tried Hi-Tech here in NY - but damn, it's been nearly TWO WEEKS since I sent in my 120/E6 and I still haven't gotten it back. WTF? Does it always take this long?

I think I need to find a new place.

Okay, I got fed up and called to see if they were ready; FINALLY! Two weeks.

Of course, the price is something else. $10.50/roll of 120 (with ten 6x7 shots each) plus tax. Unmounted, strips of three... Whoa. Good thing I didn't get them mounted, contact or normal prints.

I think it's time to scrap the labs altogether and develop my own E6. That's insane.

Hey man, I dropped my 35mm E-6 there several weeks ago and they told me 10 days, maybe longer. I gave up on them. I want to support a local lab, but not when they cost more and take longer. I also asked if they would charge me less than the $13 a roll since I don't want them cut or mounted, they said no, it was the same price either way.

I now use Samy's. I get it back in about a week, and that includes priority mail to and from the west coast from LI. $5 a roll plus shipping. At that cost, it almost makes sense to mail off even just one roll.

If you start DIY E-6, I'll gladly pay you whatever you want to run mine, if you're open too that suggestion.

 

[ItsReallyDarren]

I just started using Samy's for E-6 and have to say I'm fairly impressed. It took less than a week to get my film back and the results were great. I have a few rolls from this weekend I'm going to send to them.

 

[Brian Puccio]

I think it's time to scrap the labs altogether and develop my own E6. That's insane.

If you do, maybe pick up something like this: http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost-classifieds/showproduct.php/product/22341/limit/recent

I'll drop my film off in your mailbox with several dollars per roll 😀

 

[Roger Hicks]

If you do, maybe pick up something like this: http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost-classifieds/showproduct.php/product/22341/limit/recent

I'll drop my film off in your mailbox with several dollars per roll 😀

Dear Brian,

That's not necessarily a bad idea. Cooperatives could get more mileage out of the chemistry, and 'experts' (who develop more film) could deliver better results. But you'd need (a) relaxed schedules and (b) an allowance that non-professionals may screw up occasionally.

Cheers,

R.

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

I started using Visions in Santa Fe when I lived there and they did great same day work. When I moved back to Indiana, I found that the pro lab I had used for years here went under, so I kept sending film to Visions.

http://www.visionsphotolab.com

 

[vincentbenoit]

Loxley Colour, Glasgow, Scotland.
Vincent

 

[bensyverson]

Phoenix Imaging in Chicago is outstanding. They're the friendliest people you'll meet, and their service is incredible.

http://phoenixchicago.com/

 

[Chris101]

I use Tempe Camera's film service.

 

[wpb]

+1 for Phoenix in Chicago.

Most employees transitioned from Precision Photo at the same location, so they have decades of professional level photofinishing experience even though the operation has been open for only a few months. They do E-6 and C-41 in dip-and-dunk processors. Highly recommended.

 

[marnicq]

ACL in Brussels, only takes 2hours. 🙂

 

[Frank Petronio]

Edgar Praus in Rochester, New York is the best pro lab left -- it's small enough that you talk right to the boss or one of the couple employees actually working on your stuff -- but he's invested in all the best gear (and spares) to keep processing and printing traditional film for another generation (all Durst, Refrema, etc.). I've watched him transition from being a local lab to doing mostly mail order business -- turn around time is in minutes, I'm a local so I can go get coffee and pick up my film afterwards.

He's my friend so I am biased but this is where Kodak, Fuji, and Ilford send their film for testing. And unlike NYC labs, his prices aren't stupid expensive.

http://www.4photolab.com

If I write anymore I am probably violating the law for kissing ass but check him out for C41, BW, and printing too.

 

[Zonan]

I like agx imaging in Michigan (agximaging.com). Fast, clean, great results, very reasonable pricing, doesn't gouge on return shipping. Also offers Imacon scans @ $10.

 

[kuzano]

Beating the Same Old Horse....

Beating the Same Old Horse....

If this horse is available to you???

I've given explicit details a number of times in the past ON this forum about using Walmart Send Out Only. Search it if this interests you.

My experience:

Nobody at Walmart touches your film or processing.
Walmart Pays the shipping.
My processing has always either been Fuji or Dwaynes
I have never paid over $7 total for negs and prints or transparencies sleeved.
Sometimes as little as 2.88$.
That's for 120/220.
Never over ten days return from date of drop off into the send out only slot.
Happy with the results.
Walmart is not dropping processing on "send out only" basis.
You have to research this yourself... NOBODY in the stores can answer your questions, except whether your processing is back.

 

[rbsinto]

I use Blacks, a national photo/electronics chain here in Canada. Turn around varies from 1-2 weeks, but whoever does it for them does a good job ( they used to do E-6 in-house with 8-hour turn around but sold the equipment and began farming out the slide processing a number of years ago), and it is convenient to drop off amnd pick up near where I work.
Also they have told me that for the forseeable future, they'll continue to provide the service.

 

[oftheherd]

I haven't shot any of the Elite Chrome I recently purchased. But I know Dominion Camera in Falls Church, VA, does it on site. They do their own E-6, b/w, and color develiping and printing, from 35mm to 4x5 (I've never asked about 8x10 or larger). They don't have Walmart pricing, but they do a good job, and get it back within a few days. I would guess you could get faster if you asked or paid for it.

 

[gnuyork]

The last time I sent film to Dwaynes, it came back dirty and dusty. Of course I have no choice for KodaChrome. I just used Edgar Praus for the first time recently. That's where I will send stuff from now on, except Kodachrome of course.

 

[imokruok]

I just started using Samy's for E-6 and have to say I'm fairly impressed. It took less than a week to get my film back and the results were great. I have a few rolls from this weekend I'm going to send to them.

I will add another positive comment to Samy's. Their $5/E6 roll deal online is great. (I assume you guys are sending it to Santa Barbara.) I will also take C41 in to one of their local shops here in LA, and I get medium-res scans plus development for $14 even.