Amazing; no-one develops slides or Ilford!

[Shypii90]

I live in Malta (a small island in the Mediterranean sea) and just this weekend I e-mailed the 3 biggest photography shops I know of who actually develop film and are very professional.

The Fujifilm Centre on the island told me they don't even develop Velvia (transparency) film because the demand has drastically decreased recently (Fuji B&W films included).

The most expensive and professional centre on the island told me they don't know where it's possible to develop Ilford B&W film on the island...

And another big establishment told me as far as they know, nowadays every shop here only develops C-41 negative film so they're unsure about anywhere that even develops E-6 slides!

In the past 5 years the country has become increasingly digital and it's becoming harder and harder to find stuff of film; I doubt any 35mm cameras are on display to be sold anymore!

This is very restricting because I'd have to stick to C-41 regular negative film until I leave the country or develop a darkroom and buy the chemicals from abroad. I'm going on a student exchange trip to Germany in November for a week and I was very excited about trying out Ilford films and Velvia there because I'm going to very picturesque places... Guess I'll have to stick to regular C-41 films instead...B&W included...

 

[JBrunner]

Hi,

I can't help with the E-6 issue, but I will say that you don't need a darkroom to develop B&W.

All you need to develop B&W is a tray for a tempered waterbath, some developer and fix, reels and a tank, and someplace dark to load, like a changing bag, or a closet made dark. It's fast, and once you get the hang of it, no more difficult than making a sandwich. The modest supplies needed will pay for themselves in short order.

Best

J

 

[Paul Howell]

You can develop any E 6 film with a kit, need the E 6 kit, a daylight developing tank, and a changing bag.

 

[kevs]

A few UK outlets for you.

Hi Shypii90,

For E6 processing, there's http://www.e6processing.co.uk - based in Plymouth - they're a good pro lab I've used during my time as a student in that city;

For E6 and mono film, http://www.silverprint.co.uk/ - sadly they won't ship chemicals outside the UK and have a £100 minimum order from overseas;

Also there's http://www.process-supplies.co.uk/ - couldn't find any info about overseas orders;

For mono film and chemicals, try Dead Link Removed - they ship to EU countries but contact them because malta isn't on the drop-down menu in the website shop They don't have a minimum order inside the UK - not sure about overseas.

If you're happy to wait a week, there's http://www.7dayshop.com/ who are based in Jersey and will ship to overseas. They also have a processing arm, http://www.dlab7.com/ aimed at enthusiasts.

You should send e-mail to these companies for more info on their services.

IMO, if you're scanning the negs, C41 can be an excellent option and you have more lattitude than tranny.

And there's still Kodachrome...!

 

[Roger Hicks]

Have you tried contacting the camera club in Valletta? Or do they no longer exist?

Cheers,

Roger

 

[Shypii90]

they exist but it's members usually show old photos of theirs not recent ones they took and got developed somehow so i'm not even sure they still take photos in 35mm.

thanks for the advice kevin and paul, i'll browse those websites

 

[Matt5791]

www.dlab7.com do all their processing mailorder - I cant imagine it makes a lot of difference if you are in Malta or the UK.

Also:

http://www.metrocolourlab.com/

Have a good, well known, mail order service. They are just down the road from me.

Matt

 

[Discpad]

You can also drop off your chromes for processing when you're in Germany, and pick them up the next day or have them mail them to you so they are waiting when you get back home.

Good luck on your trip!

 

[Keith Cocker]

Hi,

I have Maltese friend who is a very experienced photographer - a Leica M6 user and I mentioned your query to him. His reply was.

"Yes, the Malta Photographic Society still exists and i'm also sure he will get alot of help there.
He could speak directly to the President of this Society. A wonderful man and a personal friend of mine.
I would also encourage him to join and become a member.
Getting b&w film and also to get it developed has become a headache for us all. I know that AGFA Labs did it untill a while back, and they could still offer this facility. He should try there too."

Hope this is of some help

 

[Shypii90]

Thanks for the good luck wish discpad, i can't wait to go; i'm sure i'll have so much fun

I was actually considering becoming a member of the Society but as yet i'm still very new to the world of 35mm photography so I want to settle with it and start producing good results before I start displaying them and such, but yeah it's not a bad idea. I'm glad to know that they'll help, now I'll contact them. Thank you very much! I appreciate that you asked your friend for me also

 

[Discpad]

Thanks for the good luck wish discpad, i can't wait to go; i'm sure i'll have so much fun

I was actually considering becoming a member of the Society but as yet i'm still very new to the world of 35mm photography so I want to settle with it and start producing good results before I start displaying them and such, but yeah it's not a bad idea. I'm glad to know that they'll help, now I'll contact them. Thank you very much! I appreciate that you asked your friend for me also

Don't worry about you being new: They are not 10 feet tall... They put their pants on one leg at a time just like you & me!