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35/MF & lab availability in China?

bjorke

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Aug 17, 2003
Messages
2,278
Location
SF sometimes
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Multi Format
I am really on the fence about bringing a lot of film gear on an upcoming 3-1/2 week trip. Last time I went through Shanghai carrying 70 rolls of exposed 35mm it annoyed the heck out of the airport cops. I'm considering what the availability of decent supplies and processing for my 645 might be around the country? I will be in both Beijing & Hong Kong at different times, I'm sure there are some decent lab in HK at a minimum. Anyone have advice?
 
I bought and processed my film in Hong Kong during my first trip through China. I believe the area's called Stanley Street and has a good selection of credible photo stores and labs there.

Please check a Lonely Planet book or website to confirm that address. However, it worked out beautifully for me - I paid no tax on the film I purchased and did not have to worry about going through airport Xrays or surly security guards with unprocessed film!

I am sure that a burgeoning city like Shanghai has many facilities, also. If you have time, check out Deke Erh's gallery -- he has a wonderful art gallery there (in a former factory space) and is a very accomplished photographer also. I talked to him briefly and he shoots medium format, as I recall...if nothing else, he can point you out to a good lab. Again, Lonely Planet books are a good starting point for research.

 
I have been living full time in China (Shenzhen) for the last five years, and my advise would be... you can easily find film in most cities... certainly Hong Kong and Beijing. But be VERY WARY of having your film processed here. If you MUST, have only 1 roll processed before giving a lab any additional rolls. In 5 years, using labs all over the country (even HK), my experience is that the labs in China are TERRIBLE. While they almost always get the development right, the film itself come back FILTHY, with copious amounts of BAKED-ON dust and debris. I now process all of my film myself in a Jobo.

After investigating the recurrent problem, I came to the following conclusion... it all boils down to the prevailing attitude in China of keeping costs to the barest minimum (price first, quality second), and the ubiquitous and copious pollution present. Essentially, the HEPA FILTERS used in commercial processing machines (these are responsible for keeping the incoming air clean during the heated forced air drying cycle) are relatively expensive by Chinese standards. In China, where airborne pollution and construction dust is everywhere, the HEPA filters clog in a short period of time, making timely replacement by the operators a costly proposition. They resolve this by either using ineffective cheap alternative filtering media (I mean cheap), or by discontinuing the use of filters entirely. The result being that as your film is being force dried with heated, filthy outside air, all of the particulate (lots of it) is baked on to your film. Rewashing the film afterwards doesn't work as a cure, due to the very effective baking process... trust me, I've tried.

Since the preponderance of customers only get 3x5 prints made, they don't see all of the baked on debris... well, only the really BIG pieces. So like elsewhere, if nobody complains... the process is deemed acceptable. The problem is that "complaining" about poor service or quality is not yet a part of Chinese culture. Understandable, as the Chinese have had no choice but to "accept" inferior service and quality, for such a long, long time (many generations).
 
In Hong Kong, try Photo Scientific. It is in Stanley Street (as some people pointed out before). The closest MTR is Central Station, exit D3.

They have plenty of chemicals, bulk film, and whatever you might need, and they process the film themselves.

Anyway, enjoy your visit to Hong Kong. I am sre you will find plenty of things to photograph here.
 
Yes! Photo Scientific...that's the place I used, a few years back now, and it was a very good experience.
I took the sizeable number of ex-pats shopping there (obviously knowledgeable) as a good sign.