Best E6 Processing Labs in USA and Canada

guangong

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Most of my color slide work was done using good ol' Kodachrome and only after its demise did I begin shooting E6, except for some E6 slides that I processed in the late 1980s. Now, not using enough E6 film to justify home processing I have been sending my film to labs for processing. Although I have used labs in NYC (not all really satisfactory), I have been sending film to various labs across the country with varying results. In this day and age location of lab is of little importance since shipping anywhere takes only a day or two. So, in your opinion who does the best job? Also, whom would you avoid sending any more film to be processed?
 

Bob Carnie

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the best E 6 will be a lab that is still very busy and has a qualified staff with a Refrema dip and dunk... one suggestion would be Icon in California, Nobody in Eastern Canada I would recommend
Probably about three in NY but cannot tell you who.
 

LeftCoastKid

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I've been patronizing The Lab, here in Vancouver, BC, for about the past five years. I have never had an issue with any of the work they've done; I would rate them as one of the best I have ever used in North America. The Lab utilizes dip and dunk for all its processing (E6, C41, and black and white).
 

wiltw

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A few months ago, in a thread I raised the question of E-6 processing calibration, frequency of calibration check, etc. During that discussion only TWO labs in all of USA and Canada were mentioned as quality labs...
  • ICON in Los Angeles
  • Vista on 18th St in NYC, "so far, I've been happy with their work. I'm guessing they have enough volume because they're just about the only game in town."
 

Trail Images

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I've been using North Coast Photographic in Carlsbad California for a little over a year now as a few of my other local labs closed. I was unaware of NCP until I had to research the lab on line. As it turns out the owner was a friend of mine from my drag racing days here in So Cal. He was a well known photographer in that circuit for many years.

Anyway, as I ONLY shoot E-6 I was thrilled to find the lab that has been in business for many years and I've sent work to them in both 120 & 4x5 during the last year or so and have had perfect results every time.......North Coast Photographic
 
OP
OP

guangong

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All great responses. Some I never heard of, like Vista in NYC. Keep them coming! The more onto, the better.
 

Larry Cloetta

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These people have proven to provide excellent results and service which has been not only well managed but timely. I tried a lot of different labs after my local source dried up 10 years ago, but Denver Digital Imaging/the Slideprinter has given me the best overall results. As good as anything I have ever gotten, and I started out with shipping Kodachromes to Kodak in Rochester in the Fifties.

http://www.theslideprinter.com/services/e6-slide-developing/
 

MultiFormat Shooter

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Dodge Chrome in Silver Spring, Maryland, is an excellent professional lab. They process roll film and sheet film up to 8x10.

+1,000 I use Dodge Chrome for all of my E6 processing. They also offer imprinting of 35mm slide mounts, a service that isn't as easy to find as it should be.
 

deembee

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May 7, 2017
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CSW in Chicago is cheap, same day and excellent results.
 

jbmia

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Aug 28, 2011
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Surprised no one's mentioned Dwayne's ...
https://www.dwaynesphoto.com/newsite2006/slide-film.html

For years they've done the processing of Fuji's mailers.. And since Kodak's been out of slide film for a while, I imagine they did a lot of volume on those over the years. If you read back a few years you'll see they were the last Kodachrome lab to shut done.

I've used them myself a few times, but more recently do my own processing so can't comment on a recent experience or anything, but if I were sending slide film out for processing, I'd probably give them the business.
 
  • gcoates
  • Deleted
  • Reason: Found a more recent thread

James McClean

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Jan 4, 2019
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Praus Productions in good old Rochester NY. Only place I sent my E-6 before taking matters into my own hands. Other than a needing a specialised aquarium thermostat/ heater good for 40°C in an Igloo cooler for water bath I find the Arista Rapid kit as easy as doing BW negs. I wait till I have shot two 5 roll 120 pro-paks and then do the whole kit within 48 hours. Has become a spring and fall ritual.
Still send Praus my sheet film, but I don't like the clip marks, so I want to set up a small tank drum roller.
 

Rich Mulvey

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Jul 5, 2017
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Rochester, NY
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Seconded on Praus, and not just because they're a 10 minute bicycle ride from my house. I've had very good luck with them for C-41 and E6 processing.
 
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