C41 - will any lab do?

[goldTopDeluxe]

Hi all,

I've always sent my C41 negs to be processed at professional labs, which where I am, there are only a handful, and turn around time is usually 24 hours.

Now, i've never thought about this, but given developing C41 is a 'process', shouldnt all labs produce the same output, even the NON professional labs? Or should I stick with the pro labs?

I understand getting prints done is a whole different ballgame - but what about developing negatives? Come to think of it, i guess this question applies to E6 as well?

 

[DanielStone]

all labs SHOULD give you as the consumer the same results, but sadly, they DON'T.

Generally, *pro* labs are supposed to be held to a higher standard, but in all reality, a minilab with a high throughput might have better consistency than a lab that might run less film per day.

you really want to look for a lab that has these attributes:

1. high throughput(lots of customers). This shouldn't be because they're the only game in town, send your film to a good lab, not just the convenient one for you. If you can find a local lab that is consistent, all the better.
2. A lab that actually has PHOTOGRAPHERS behind the counter, not just techs(aka "lab monkeys"). I've worked in 2 labs in my life, and I have some horror stories, believe me . Preferably people who shoot FILM, because that's where they most likely process their film. They most likely don't want scratches or other marks, and I'd venture to guess you don't either.
3. A lab that is on top of their chemistry, and is willing to show you their charts. Now this is kinda extreme, but if a lab really means business, they'll be willing to show you their charts as to chemistry changes, fluctuations, etc... I've only had to do this once, when overseas, the lab manager looked at me kinda weird, but I told him "I'm a pro"(aspiring ), and he changed his opinion, and handed over the clipboard very quickly. I don't know really what to look for, but this is a "dumbies guide" to see if a lab is cool or not, and not hiding something.


personally, I send my film to a lab that has a quick turnaround, but I have to mail it to them. You didn't mention as to where you're located in this great earth, but I'd assume some metropolis with a somewhat big population. Let us know where you are, there's probably someone near you that can recommend somewhere good(if there is one).

E-6 is a little more finicky, and since there are more steps(vs. c-41's 6 steps, 10 steps for commercial E-6 lines), and controls are tighter. Negs you can adjust filtration for printing, chromes(slides) are meant to really be more of an end product in themselves, so keeping an E-6 line in check is generally a full-time job in a lab. That's why so many labs have shut down over the past decade, mostly because those people who still shoot film are mostly shooting C-41, or d!g1+@l for their work(if working pro's).

the same thing with printing, the more throughput, the greater the expectation for top-notch results. Costco has long been lambasted as a bad place to go. Some Costco's are great, and I've NEVER had a problem with their processing/printing, others not so good. And their prices are better than those at a "pro-lab" too . Just wish they could process 120/220.

-Dan

 

[RustedChrome]

In theory, it should give the same results since the highschool kid down at the local drugstore just has to load the film into a machine, which may be the same machine used at a "Pro" lab. In practice, the non-professional labs seem more likely to let the chemicals get old and to scratch the negatives. I use the non-pro lab for non-critical work. I get some scratches, nothing too horrible, on one out of every 5 rolls it seems. Of course your mileage may vary!

 

[Sirius Glass]

the same thing with printing, the more throughput, the greater the expectation for top-notch results. Costco has long been lambasted as a bad place to go. Some Costco's are great, and I've NEVER had a problem with their processing/printing, others not so good.

I have had many rolls of 35mm processed at several Costcos. I never had a problem with their in store processing. I still use Costco for 35mm C-41 film.

The film that went out to Qualex [formally connected to Kodak] screwed up and lost film!

Steve

 

[stevebrot]

In theory, it should give the same results since the highschool kid down at the local drugstore just has to load the film into a machine, which may be the same machine used at a "Pro" lab. In practice, the non-professional labs seem more likely to let the chemicals get old and to scratch the negatives. I use the non-pro lab for non-critical work. I get some scratches, nothing too horrible, on one out of every 5 rolls it seems. Of course your mileage may vary!

The issue is not the machine or the operator. Rather it is whether good QA practices are in place for calibration and chemistry. Stretching the replenishment schedule or letting the temperature slide can have disastrous results with some films. In my town, the only up-front difference between using the pro lab and the drugstore is convenience. The price is the same. The real difference is what comes out the other end and the pro lab wins in terms of consistency.

There is also certain other small matters such as accurate cuts for negative strips and handling. I still remember seeing a customer's roll draped down over the edge of a table and down onto the floor at the local Costco.


Steve

(Quit Costco because of two rolls of film on two different days, both seriously under-developed...)

 

[goldTopDeluxe]

cool. message i'm getting is - stick with the professional labs, unless i find a smaller lab which proves to be consistent/gives good results.

i think i'll sacrifice a few rolls of c41 at some of the smaller labs just to see what they come up with.

 

[perkeleellinen]

My experience has been that the pro lab I send my films to has always given me back clean negatives which print consistently on the same filter pack. The downside is that I must post the films and wait 3-4 days for the negs. A local minilab beats the pro lab for convenience as it's only 20 minutes cycle ride away and can develop in an hour, the downside being dirty and inconsistent negatives which require hunting for a new filter pack each time.

 

[tlitody]

I agree with what others have said. I got lucky and my local minilab is very good so I use them for colour film developing. The owner is a pro photographer and has a vested interest in his machines doing a good job on his own negatives. He rates the Fuji minilab chemistry more consistent and easier to get right than the kodak kits he tried. But I expect others find the opposite.

 

[mcgrattan]

I've found my local Boots provide me with very good negs. They are always perfectly flat [a big plus if you are scanning them], and free of dust and scratches. Some of the mail order 'pro' labs I've used are also excellent, and are actually cheaper if you don't mind waiting a few days for postage, but I've had some quite poor experiences with labs in a couple of major UK high street photo processing shops, where the negatives have been very badly treated.

 

[hoffy]

I have been using the same lab for years. Its just a suburban mini-lab, but they have given me a few years of excellent service (lets just say, the two who run the lab aren't just desk monkies!). But, they only process C-41 in batches once a week (for now….until that trade completely dries up). The turn around doesn't bother me, but I am starting to get concerned after reading the comments above. I would say the negs are clean, but it is hard for me to judge consistancy, as I don't print at home.

So, what is better, in relation to the lab having the chems right? A lab that prints a small throughput daily, or a lab that batches and prints a big batch weekly?