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Black&White Slide Process dr5 to shut down

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Hasslebad

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From the DR5 site and DR5 Facebook group. Sad to see the end of this service. The quality and results out of this unique lab were always excellent.

We are currently in production. THIS IS THE OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE LAST DR5 LAB RUN. (SORRY NO SEPIA RUN). We will keep the line going for as long as films come in, SO GET THOSE ROLLS INTO US! I expect the line to be active, possible to July, but will depend on films that come in and or if chemistry is depleted." PLEASE SHARE..

Attention one and all - Fellow dr5'ers.
It has been with great contemplation, thought and some sadness that it is time for all good things to end. The dr5 service is approaching its 25th year and is coming to an end as it currently exists. Sadly, without industry support and a higher volume of film, the service is not sustainable in this digital driven world. Custom shops like ours simply can't make ends meet and maintain quality. The cost of raw materials, water, power and gas - some up 800%, have made this highly custom process too costly to provide, and we can't see film users paying gross amounts more per roll for processing, which in-turn will further deplete the volume we need for the highest quality control.

Dr5 is an important photographic process. We still are looking to publish dr5 and we hope the publishers of the darkroom cookbook want to add dr5 to its pages.
As the creator, my plan is to bring it back home and close to the vest. Dr5 has come 'full-circle'. It will be once again for my own shooting work. There is plan to maybe set up a private service down the road - no plans are yet made in this regard.

In the meantime, in 2022 we may announced dr5 runs and we'll have to figure out how to broadcast that news - stay tuned.

Thanks for all the films over the years. I've seen each and every roll, numbering into the 100s of thousands.
All the best. Dave Wood / dr5
 
Since I have not shot slides for decades I looked at .dr5 but never followed through. However I am still sad to see them leave the market.
 
Shame to lose such a unique service. Glad I got my last roll of Scala 200x shot and developed a few months ago.
 
Threads merged
 
I currently don’t have a still projector, but just realized there is no Projection subforum on Phototrio.
 
I currently don’t have a still projector, but just realized there is no Projection subforum on Phototrio.

You don't have to have to project these to see how fantastic this process it. Look at the online images to get an idea and then get a set of your shots in your hands and see them with a slide viewer. They at the top of the top (if you like B&W).
 
What may he mean with "without industry support"?
 
Both makes sense, especiaially though the Ilford thing.
 
Philip Greenspun wrote something to the effect that “Slides make you feel like a hero.” In the last few years, I have gone back to shooting slides whether color or black and white (dr5 processed). There is a feeling of awe and appreciation when viewing them on a light table or projector.

I shoot digital if I need quick results or a very controlled output but black and white transparencies have a timeless quality. I am taking more photos this month with hopes of making the deadline for the final run at dr5.
 
Scala 200, being a B/W film, should keep pretty well in time if refrigerated.

For B&W slides, age fog in the film can cut down DMax which might not be desirable especially when the film is push processed. Fresh film is generally advised.
 
Dr5 is a couple hour drive west of Iowa City. I hope they are able to publish the formulas and techniques. I've never shot black and white reversal.
 
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