Yikes, should this cost that much?

Hi, I'm new to professional processing (usually just got only negatives from the 1-hr photo

and scanned them myself) but I needed some pull processing done so I had to go to a

professional lab. I dropped off 2 rolls of Fuji NPH 35 mm to be pull processed from 400 to

320 and one roll of Agfa 200 to be normal processed. I also requested contact sheets.

Maybe I'm not used to the expense of such work but is $63 a normal rate for this? It

seems awfully high. Any help would be appreciated-as well as less expensive custom

(pull/push) labs in the Seattle/Mill Creek WA area.

I'm no expert, but since push/pull processing requires different timing it can't be run as part of a standard batch. Therefore the few times I've done it I've been hit with a charge for the batch. If it's several rolls it isn't too bad, but when it's just one it seems pretty steep.

 

Still, your cost seems high. They should have given you a detailed bill with the charges spelled out; all good labs will. Look to see what fees you don't understand.

That same order at my lab would run $49.00. I use a very high quality lab that is a little pricy, but not too bad. I don't consider this to be too high, but it is more than I pay. Did you order normal contacts, or enlarged contacts?

 

Brady

I don't see any reason for or benefit from pulling a color negative film, especially from 400 to 320, but they probably charged you a lot for doing that. I'm sure the contact sheets were expensive, too.

Interestingly enough neither did I but hindsight is 20/20. Point being I found the

recommendation on this site, I had never used NPH and though "why not?" well obviously

there is a *reason* why not. I could have guessed as much, hopefully they are darned

good negatives is all I've to say.

You should read up on basic photography.Color negative films have a great ability to handle over exposure.Having NPH "pulled" from 400 to 320 is pretty silly,since most of us rate it anywhere from 200-400 and have it processed normal.Three rolls D&P'd at most custom labs around here (NYC area)runs about $10-15 a roll.Nothing personal,but they saw you coming!Also Im curious,why do you feel the need to push or pull color negative films?Contrary to PHOTO.NET belief,this is almost never done.

Well, you can hardly blame them it was a drop box. At any rate I suppose I'm not the only

rube to spend too much on a hobby (cough, cough Leica ;)

NO expose at 320 and process at 400 is the way to do it. The idea is that the slight overexposure improves the shadow detail without loss of highlights.

NPH actually looks better when shot at EI 250-320 and processed normally. In fact, virtually all professional color neg films improve with half a stop of over-exposure.

 

Pull-processing print films should only take place when you are two or more stops over-exposed. That said, I highly doubt the lab is going to alter their process times for you, but at worst will still charge you the same and collect their money while their techs laugh at you in the back.

If they are a respactable lab, they will pull your film.. And laugh at you behind your back..

 

We charge $21 per roll for pull processing plus contact sheets.

Mike, how do you pull Fuji NPH to 320? I want to see your C-41 chart on that one, so please send me a picture of it.

 

Full stop pulls with print film are fuzzy enough because it's only a fraction as common as pushing, and then it's only done of the film is two stops or more over-exposed in common practice. One stop over is within the quality tolerance of professional print films. Makes a lot of it actually look better.

 

Before scanning entered the scene with critical density requirements even two stops over was negligible because analog printers could still chew through a color neg. Scanners on the other hand can have problems with color negs two stops over, even though the film can theoretically handle it.

 

What's likely to happen if the lab tries to screw around with processing is they'll pull NPH a full stop, and you'll end up with thin negs.

 

Process normally and stop arguing about it. If NPH were shot at EI 100 I'd be fussing with pulling, and then only if the scene had strong contrast ratios. This is NPH, not Provia 400F.

Blech, I thought that's what was meant, shoot at one process normally. Oh well, live und

learn. I suppose these things happen for a reason, yadda yadda, i got hosed.

There is no reason whatsoever to alter the processing for color negative film that has received 1/3 stop more exposure than 'normal'. That is within the film manufacturing tolerance, in any event.

 

Are you aware that film varies slightly in speed from batch to batch? Amateur films are held to tolerances of ± 1/3 stop, while pro films are held to within ± 1/6 stop.

Scott,

 

We very rarely get push or pull orders on C41( all we do is change the set time on the processor, and change it back once the film has gone through the developer). I've only done a couple, and they were all 1 stop. We do have a chart to tell us the times, but I don't know it off the top of my head. If I think about it on Monday, I'll check the times..

My pro lab would charge $34. I chose it because it was the cheapest I could find in SF.

 

CXC