Here is my project: to come up with a highly defined print using the best black and white film/developer combination. I need to find a photo lab in the US that can give me that kind of development-- perhaps using DiXactol on a low-ISO black and white film. What recommendation can you make for a lab that does that kind of work? Most limit you to D-76 and that won't work on this kind of project. If you are familiar with Barry Thornton's work--that is the kind of print I am aiming for. FYI-- I am an experienced b&w photographer with four decades of experience in photojournalism and have developed most of my own prints. I am looking for a lab that can handle this particular project. Thanks.
Contact Gamma Labs in Chicago --- for decades they have catered to the professional fashion photographer trade...perhaps they can do it. www.gammaimaging.com
A few possibilities, tho' you'll need to contact them directly for availability and details: http://jaygaffney.com/ http://www.alexisneel.com/ http://www.dr5.com/
You don't say how large your print needs to be or what format you want to shoot. If you just need a print of a certain size then using a medium format or large format camera will be the easiest way to get there. If you are shooting with 35mm equipment then you can use a document type film like Kodak Imagelink HQ film along with a low contrast developer. With the right lens and a film like Imagelink you can certainly keep fine detail in a fairly large print. The problem is that the EI will be very low so this kind of combination is only good for very slow moving or non-moving subjects.
Barry Thornton prescribed higher iso films eg 400 for perceived acutance. he compared panf 50 to a 400 speed film ( i assume it was hp5 ) in a side by side comparison. if you look at the info attached to some of his images you'll see mostly 400 speed films. hope this helps.