Good Labs in NJ/NY???

[lbi115l]

I'm in a bit of a jam. I don't shoot a whole lot of color film, but

shoot mostly E-6 in 120. I also now shoot 8x10, all B&W, but would

like to do some color (E-6 or C-41). I appreciate good processing. So

far I've used Trucolor in Hackensack and have been very happy. I

dropped off three rolls of grin & grip photos for my school, and saw

a notice that they will cease doing retail photofinishing and

processing as of this friday (June 30). Does anyone have a

recommended replacement, preferrably in the NJ area? If not, a lab in

the city is fine, but I'll have to FedEx it. Does anyone know of a

lab in the city that does this work, along with Ilfochrome and LF B&W

enlargements, and is nice to students/amateur photographers?

 

Thanks!

 

PS - Trucolor recommended two C-41 labs. One didn't know what C-41

is, and the other only does 120/220.

[david_goldfarb]

Modernage handles color sheet film and does very consistent work with good customer service. Locations at www.modernage.com. I haven't used them for reversal printing.

 

This place does Ilfochromes, but I haven't used them:

 

http://www.cloneachrome.com/

[mike_dubrow]

The Path train is a helluva lot cheaper than Fed Ex, if you're coming in from Hackensack. I would second Dave's recommendation for Modernage. They're a pro lab and they offer a full range of services, but they've always been very friendly and courteous to me, a lowly amateur (caveat: I use the East Side location, so I can't really vouch for the folks behind the counter at the other locations).

 

I have used them to produce prints from reversal film (in 35 mm format), and the results were outstanding, both from an internegative and from a digital scan. (Actually, in a side-by-side comparison from the same original, the digital scan yielded finer detail than the internegative.) Modernage doesn't do ilfochromes, however.

[bob_salomon]

TPI in Fairfield, NJ

[james_driscoll2]

try the following:

 

www.flatironcolorlab.com- they are on 17th street between 6 and

7th, if you chose to not have it the same day it is really

inexpensive and they do good work. they are partnered with 68

degrees, which is a very good black and white lab-but not the

best in the city.

 

www.mvlabs.com- THE BEST BLACK AND WHITE LAB IN THE

CITY!!! mv, is owned by jim megargee who is one of the best

black and white printers around. He is james nachtway's, mark

seliger, and was annie lebovitz printer for many years. They are

expensive, but they are worth it. hand processing of all film, and

they will process by inspection on request. they are very honest,

and jim was a teacher at RIT for years, and travels all over giving

lectures on film processing and printing.

 

http://www.coloredgenyc.com/- they do very good e6/c41

processing, they have a lot of big name cleints, so they are less

likely to screw your film up. avoid their black and white

department. i have only had c41 contacts made from them, and

they were wonderful. i pretty much use them all the time now.

 

c printing and cibachrome printing is so expensive now, that I

would not bother having them done. you can rent color darkroom

space in NYC for $12.00 an hour (less if your a student, its 20%

off at some places) and since a box of fuji crystal archive 11x14

is only $36.00- I would do my own.

 

in the amount of money you would spend on getting one 8x10 C

print made ($40.00) you can rent 3 hours of darkroom time.

Color is a LOT easier than you think, in fact it is easier than B&W

printing.

 

Spend a Saturday afternoon at print space-

http://www.printspacenyc.com/ and you will be more satisfied

and dollars ahead.

 

we spoke before, take advantage of the fact that you are close to

NYC. start building relationships at all of these places, and you

will see doors open up. remember a couple of cups of coffee

goes a long way at these places.

 

ALSO- a lot of the color labs in the city give a 20%-30% discount

if you pay in cash up front.

 

AND- places to avoid- almost all of the labs on 20th street and

Duggal. the exception is HONG color on 20th street- the have the

best internegs in the city.

 

 

 

james

[david_goldfarb]

I'll second the recommendation to do your own color printing. It's not really that difficult, and sending it out is costly, if someone else isn't paying for it.

[rob_tucher]

ProSet in West Paterson is very good. They are presumably moving soon but are still operating. E-6, pretty sure C-41 though I don't do it, and digital output and scanning.

 

By the way, I tried emailing you and it bumped back. I have two Elwood 8x10 enlargers and am in NJ. I am keeping one but the other can go cheap, if you are still interested. I also have lots of parts for a wooden 11x14 studio camera that can be converted, but has no bellows.

 

Rob

[terence_m.]

Another vote for Modernage. I've dealt with their West Side office, and they have always been very helpful, even though I always show up 10 minutes before they're supposed to close (maybe it just seems that way). The only problem is that they DO close a bit early if you're trying to run there after work.

[dave_ulmes]

Come to Klein & Ulmes Inc in Middlesex NJ. In business for 25 years. We are Digital Imaging specialists and run all conventional film processes as well. ( E-6 Qlab , C-41, B&W - all dip and dunk)

www.kleinulmes.com

[lbi115l]

I just got through (yesterday) calling about 12 labs in the NJ/NY area and finding out about their pricing and capability. I decided on Duggal in South Hackensack, they're a small operation but can do what I wanted. I dropped off 4 rolls of 120 C-41 and 2 of 35mm C-41 for process and proof today. We'll see how they turn out.

 

David, there's a reason why I didn't use your lab, I've had the number for a while. Let me go and check my notes, I'll be right back.

[lbi115l]

First of all, apologies, the lab is Donegan Chrome in S. Hackensack. I'll post more about them after my vacation next week, when I get the stuff back.

 

Dave, It was just that Donegan is much closer to where I live and I didn't really want to either run them down there or pay for FedEx. Next time I'm down that way, I'll being some film.

[lbi115l]

Another note for the record on labs - I avoided ProSet because they do all of their C-41 in roller-transport, or so I was told by the person on the phone. Actually, I am keeping a list of the labs not to visit, though most of my info from my phone calls is still handwritten.

[cliff_gallup]

I'm curious about the warning to avoid Duggal, which is where I generally go. My own experience there has been mixed; some of the B&W work I've had done there has been fantastic -- when I've been able to speak to the guy actually doing the work -- but too often there's lint or dirt on the enlarger resulting in flawed prints, and often the negatives look like they've been improperly developed. I suspect it's a place where getting to know the staff is key.

 

I've used Spectra, and found their West 72nd street lab to be inconsistent and full of rude and incompetent staff. They did a nice job of scratching a couple of rolls of film for me. The location at 28th street is better, but don't bother using them for internegs; abysmal.

 

I've also used Modern Age, and just didn't think the results were on a par with Duggal (when Duggal is paying attention).

 

I haven't yet found a NYC lab that does consistently high-quality non-custom work at a modest price.