Color Lab film and paper processors

[crabby]

A local lab closed a few years ago when the owner retired. He never went digital. The lab processed 35mm and MF film in house, and created beautiful color prints on their own equipment. Now the equipment sits in storage.

Is there any market for used film-era pro processing equipment?

I'm not sure of the exact models, but they are a Colenta Colex C-41 film processor and accompanying printer which does up to 20x24.

 

[apochromatic]

nope

 

[apochromatic]

Sorry - that was a bit curt! Must have had a bad day! The full answer is 'scrap value only'. Colour equipment, unlike BW, has little intrinsic value. Producing colour prints is simply a matter of doing it as well and as cheaply as possible. That old equipment had no particular merit, it was cutting edge once but is now entirely superseded by Epsons and HPs, which do a better job ( as far as most commercial clients-who-pay-our-wages ) at a lower overall cost. Hope the dear old fella doesn't get clobbered for landfill charges....oh dear I have had a bad day ;-)

 

[dbonamo]

A local lab closed a few years ago when the owner retired. He never went digital. The lab processed 35mm and MF film in house, and created beautiful color prints on their own equipment. Now the equipment sits in storage.

Is there any market for used film-era pro processing equipment?

I'm not sure of the exact models, but they are a Colenta Colex C-41 film processor and accompanying printer which does up to 20x24.

There may be a market, but you will not get more ten 5-10% of the original value, I purchased Colenta RA-4 processor for 500.00 and it was 5 years old a few months ago, the original invoice with it, I think the value was 13000.00. I see the C41 processors go on ebay for .99cents. There would be more of market for a paper processor then large c41 processor I believe.

As far as Epson and HP printer mention, I still like the feel and look of a traditional print. I believe the RA-4 process is less expensive then Ink Jet also, especially if your doing a large number or prints.

 

[crabby]

I agree with your comments. Problem is, the old guy won't believe it. He still expects to get his money back on his machines. It's sad, but technology has advanced rapidly and passed him by. He's from a different era.

 

[dbonamo]

I agree with your comments. Problem is, the old guy won't believe it. He still expects to get his money back on his machines. It's sad, but technology has advanced rapidly and passed him by. He's from a different era.

I knew a guy like that, in the 80's he paid close to 3000.00 for an IBM XT, he was trying to sell in 10 years later for 2500.00, he purchased a 1gig hard drive when they were still new for about 1200.00 then wanted to sell if for 800.00 when the 20gig drives were going for about 200.00.

 

[Aurum]

I agree with your comments. Problem is, the old guy won't believe it. He still expects to get his money back on his machines. It's sad, but technology has advanced rapidly and passed him by. He's from a different era.

I wouldn't want to burst his bubble, but I'd point him to the bay of e, and show him what laser printers go for after a few years. The problem is that there is no market from hobbyists, as even a dedicated shutter loon isn't going to use enough film in a week, to justify even a few hours use.

The only place I can see him getting rid, is to do a deal with a college that still runs a proper film course. Even then, these days, I've found most of them don't want to know, as they prefer to lease that sort of equipment.

 

[Wayne]

A local lab closed a few years ago when the owner retired. He never went digital. The lab processed 35mm and MF film in house, and created beautiful color prints on their own equipment. Now the equipment sits in storage.

Is there any market for used film-era pro processing equipment?

I'm not sure of the exact models, but they are a Colenta Colex C-41 film processor and accompanying printer which does up to 20x24.

if there is any market these guys would know. They still market used processors though I dont know if they actually sell any...and I havent looked close enough at their list to see if any are film processors.

http://www.footprintsequipment.com/index.html

 

[crabby]

Thanks. Everyone has been very helpful. I'll forward the information to the owner.