MF film processing

<p>Afternoon all,</p>

<p>As I have become less interested in shooting all digital all the time I find myself going back to 35mm and medium format shooting. I've got several Nikon film bodies but a couple of years ago KEH had a great deal on an RB 67 Pro S with a 120 back and a variety of lenses so I got them all for relatively little cost. I'm getting more interested in doing both fine art and portraiture in both color and b&w. While b&w is something I continue to process on my own I've run head on into a lack of a pro grade lab that does c-41 processing in 120 and 220 film. Is there anyone left who can process and print and perhaps scan film in these two formats? It looks like B&H and probably others still sell that film but I need a reliable source for processing and getting prints made. Yeah I know, it's so old school these days but so what? Is Dwaynes still in business? Any others of good quality and decent turnaround time? I think I'll pick up another RB body and a couple of backs as well as a lens or two, I continue to think that two of anything is almost enough. I wouldn't mind finding either a Mamiya 645 set up or perhaps a Bronica ETR variant but I am thinking no repair is available for either one any longer. Then again I am getting older myself.... Anyway, I'd appreciate a lead to a couple of decent labs and perhaps a good used 645 rig as well. Thanks.</p>

<p>Rick H.</p>

<p>You don't say where you are. There are, I believe, still two pro labs in Seattle that do C41 in 35mm and 120. I use them because I am in Seattle. </p>

<p>I suspect most larger cities still have one or two. If you are in a smaller city, then mail order is probably the best way.</p>

<p>I've been very happy sending both 35mm and medium format 120 E-6 and C-41 to North Coast Photographic Services (ncps) in Carlsbad, Calif.(north San Diego county). Here: http://www.northcoastphoto.com/index.html</p>

<p>I also use NCPS in Carlsbad for both 35mm and 120, and they do excellent work. Their handling of Fuji Velvia and Provia is outstanding. I ran my wedding photos on C-41 Portra through them, and they were beautiful. I've had mostly excellent, clean, clear and contrasty results on B&W, though I also like some of the more controlled gray scale I get developing my own, so B&W is more of a mixed review.</p>

<p>I've never experienced a failure of their processing. They've never lost my stuff. They are never slow. The scans are great. Dust control is perfect. </p>

<p>I have had them mix up the CD disks a couple of times out of maybe a couple hundred rolls, but they retain the original scanned files for awhile, and shipped me fresh copies immediately at no charge.</p>

<p>That's my review! </p>

<p>- Brad</p>

<p>Millerslab.com in Pittsburgh, Kansas has been my choice, check them out!</p>

<p>I don't know if they do retail/end user, SWAN Labs in southern Calif is where two of the local shops used to send their stuff to.</p>

<p>Just to answer your question, Rick, yes, Dwayne's is still around:</p>

<p>https://dwaynesphoto.com/index.html</p>

<p>I used to use Dwayne's until fairly recently. Sometimes I'd use a local pro lab if I were in a hurry. But most recently I've begun buying chemicals from Freestyle and developing my own C-41. I'm using the Unicolor kits. It isn't any harder than developing E-6, and I've been doing E-6 for years. The most important component to developing either C-41 or E-6 is keeping a tight control on temperature. Other than that, it's a piece of cake.</p>

<p> </p>

I agree with Michael. If you want a job done

properly - do it yourself!

 

A Jobo CPE-2 processor makes tempering

chemicals and processing dead easy. No more

complicated than B&W developing really.

 

If you can get hold of some pre-exposed process control

strips, then quality control is reasonably easy as

well. Most important step, IMHO, is to ensure the

bleach-fix stage has fully cleared the silver out of

the film.

<p>I appreciate all this input. I live in Alabama so no one is close by. I have no problem sending film to any location as long as the quality is good and I'm glad to see good quality is still available. I've run hundreds of rolls in C-41 and E-6 myself and am familiar with the temp requirements and other issues unique to working color. I suspect nearly everyone is better printing color than me so I'd rather farm it out. I had thought that E-6 was long gone but always enjoyed printing on Cibachrome for some odd reason. Rodeo Joe thanks for that. I was beginning to think you and I might never agree on anything at least photographically. What can I say, I love the F4S, a camera I recall you don't like at all :-) Anyway thanks for these leads everyone. I'll be sending them all some film and see if I like them all. I suspect I will.</p>

<p>Rick H.</p>

<p>The Darkroom (<a href="http://www.thedarkroom.com">www.thedarkroom.com</a>) is my go-to lab. Reasonable price, fast service, and they really seem to care and support film photography. I haven't gotten prints from them yet so I can't comment on that. They are also the lab for Ilford in the US.<br>

Blue Moon Camera and Machine (<a href="http://www.bluemooncamera.com">www.bluemooncamera.com</a>) does good work and I think they may still do wet prints.<br>

Old School Photo Lab (<a href="http://www.oldschoolphotolab.com">www.oldschoolphotolab.com</a>) also does a good job though I haven't used them in a few years. </p>

<p>Check out Dale Photo & Digital in Hollywood, Florida. 2960 Simms Street Hollywood, Florida 33020 phone: 954-925-0105 <a href="http://www.dalephotoanddigital.com.">www.dalephotoanddigital.com.</a> They do a great job processing my 6X7 transparency film. Friendly,capable and knowledgeable staff. Best wishes, George Rhodes </p>