Dev lab options in Calgary for 120?

segedi · Apr 23, 2015

I'm wanting to embark on a film binge. I have hoarded a bit, for me, and need to get back to medium format. That I bought the Petzvar lens that a member created and I've run it on a DSLR jsut to test it out, but it needs MF film to really shine.

But, I used to send my 120 to London Drugs who would send it out to a lab in Vancouver. Apparently that contract ended and they aren't able to do it anymore. I like it because it was cheaper than sending directly tot he lab - I didn't have to pay the shipping nor the higher BC taxes.

I'm using both C-41 and E-6. I'm not interested in home development at this time. Are there any options?

benjiboy · Apr 23, 2015

segedi said:
I'm wanting to embark on a film binge. I have hoarded a bit, for me, and need to get back to medium format. That I bought the Petzvar lens that a member created and I've run it on a DSLR jsut to test it out, but it needs MF film to really shine.

But, I used to send my 120 to London Drugs who would send it out to a lab in Vancouver. Apparently that contract ended and they aren't able to do it anymore. I like it because it was cheaper than sending directly tot he lab - I didn't have to pay the shipping nor the higher BC taxes.

I'm using both C-41 and E-6. I'm not interested in home development at this time. Are there any options?

http://www.yelp.co.uk/search?find_desc=Film+Processing&find_loc=Calgary,+AB

MattKing · Apr 24, 2015

benjiboy said:
http://www.yelp.co.uk/search?find_desc=Film+Processing&find_loc=Calgary,+AB

AFAIK, no film processing at any of the entities listed there.

Although The Camera Store might have recommendations.

I'm not sure there is anyone left in Alberta, Saskatchewan or Manitoba.

In Vancouver, you are pretty well limited to "The Lab", due to your requirement for E6.

The Lab is good though: Dead Link Removed

segedi · Apr 24, 2015

Ben - thanks for the effort, but none of the shops do 120 and most don't do E6
Matt - I'll contact the Lab. Thanks!

BradleyK · Apr 24, 2015

A second for the Lab; I have been using them for my 120 E6 (as well as for my black and white when I get behind in my darkroom work) since I moved back to the West Coast five years ago. Their work is top-notch.

One additional benefit we enjoy here, of course, is the three-hour turn around for processing - a far cry from the two weeks-plus that it took London Drugs in Deadmonton to return film!

I am surprised to hear issues re processing availability: I used have used both Don's or McBain's to forward my 120 E6 after London drugs stopped 120; it was my understanding that the former were forwarding to a lab in Saskatchewan. Perhaps that processor has shuttered its doors?

segedi · Apr 24, 2015

I'll give both Don's and McBains a call. I do like that the Lab does dip/dunk. And yes, London Drugs turnaround for sendout was surprising; it was either 3 days or 3 weeks!

Kilgallb · Apr 25, 2015

I have sent 120 and 4x5 Ektar to ABC in Vancover. They do good work. If you are willing to pay they can turn around via courier in Less than a week. Be sure to send sleeves or envelopes with the film. They charge a fortune if they supply them. Give them a call and they will explain it all.

I also have given film to Vistek. They send it out but turn around is fast.

Finally, London drug in Brentwood actually has a C41 processor for 35 mm. They also sell ilford film.

MattKing · Apr 25, 2015

ABC no longer do E6 in house - they send it to The Lab.

But I do recommend them. I use them for C41.

stool · Apr 25, 2015

Dons photo in edmonton is fine. Their scanning is kinda shit though.

segedi · Apr 27, 2015

Kilgallb said:
London drug in Brentwood actually has a C41 processor for 35 mm.

Yep, I still use that store for 35mm. And they send out for 35mm E-6, but it just goes to their downtown store, so it's pretty good.

segedi · Apr 27, 2015

Kilgallb said:
Be sure to send sleeves or envelopes with the film.

Thanks for the tip!

WayneStevenson · Apr 29, 2015

I used Don's here in Edmonton for 120 up until 6 or 7 years ago... Hope it helps. Of course with the way everything's going, that could be a lifetime ago.

sagai · Apr 29, 2015

I know you do not interested in home development ...
but ... it gives you a freedom and also quality.
Recently I think far better quality can gained at home than in a lab with their elderly not necesseraly serviced equipments and with the budget million times reused chemicals. (sorry for the rare exceptions I am not aware of at all)
In addition C41 and E6 chemicals are supercheap compared to lab prices even in a short term (appr. 10 rolls).
and you do not necesseraly need extra hardware apart from a kettle and a body thermometer to do so.
Regards

WayneStevenson · Apr 29, 2015

The quality everywhere has gone down to the point where I had to take on my own development 6 or 7 years ago. Though Don's wasn't the place that made me make that decision. Though they were giving me back rolls with insane curls from their method of storage.

skorpiius · Sep 25, 2015

Although this thread is 5 months old, I thought I'd add a few things.

As far as I can tell, there is no 120 colour processing in Alberta or Saskatchewan.
McBain in Edmonton does accept orders for 120, but they send it out. ~3 weeks turnaround, but at least you are saved shipping. That said, it looks like you're paying $25 for a roll of 120 processed and scanned, so shipping elsewhere will actually be cheaper if you have more than just a couple of rolls.

That leaves you with processing in Vancouver (ie The Lab, maybe others), or Winnipeg (Don's Photo/The Lab Works), or the States, Toronto, Montreal.

It's a real pain because, for example, sending a small bubble wrap parcel to Winnipeg is $12-15, and they return via expresspost for $15. So right off the bat you're looking at ~$30 shipping, which means it's really not economical unless I send 10 rolls at a time, in my opinion anyway. Not sure if Vancouver will be much better. It's making me seriously consider home processing.

thecamerastore sells C-41 processing kits for $37 incl tax. I think these kits tend to say 8 rolls per kit, so ~4.75 a roll for processing. Might be able to push it past 8.

sagai · Sep 25, 2015

skorpiius said:
Although this thread is 5 months old, I thought I'd add a few things.

As far as I can tell, there is no 120 colour processing in Alberta or Saskatchewan.
McBain in Edmonton does accept orders for 120, but they send it out. ~3 weeks turnaround, but at least you are saved shipping. That said, it looks like you're paying $25 for a roll of 120 processed and scanned, so shipping elsewhere will actually be cheaper if you have more than just a couple of rolls.

That leaves you with processing in Vancouver (ie The Lab, maybe others), or Winnipeg (Don's Photo/The Lab Works), or the States, Toronto, Montreal.

It's a real pain because, for example, sending a small bubble wrap parcel to Winnipeg is $12-15, and they return via expresspost for $15. So right off the bat you're looking at ~$30 shipping, which means it's really not economical unless I send 10 rolls at a time, in my opinion anyway. Not sure if Vancouver will be much better. It's making me seriously consider home processing.

thecamerastore sells C-41 processing kits for $37 incl tax. I think these kits tend to say 8 rolls per kit, so ~4.75 a roll for processing. Might be able to push it past 8.

I would encourage you to go for the home development.
I have the Tetenal C41 5 liter pack. 1 liter working solution lasts at least 3-4 months and fine for 15+ canisters.
The only reason I flush it after 12ish canisters is the increased development time rather than any discrepancy.
Also, 5 liter pack is more economical than the 1 liter one.

little bit of practice and you will be fine.
Remaining dusts even hanging in the bathroom bugs me more than the little bit of hassle with the temperature to be honest.

skorpiius · Sep 25, 2015

I'd be really curious how many 120 rolls are in need of processing each month on Calgary or Edmonton.

Thanks for the info sagai

iamthejeff · Apr 20, 2016

Another late reply.

Argentix.ca carries 1 quart E-6 kits for $44 with $20 shipping to Alberta. Buy a second kit and the shipping only increases to $22 total ($110 CAD total for two kits). Each kit is rated for 8 rolls of 135-36 or 120, but can be easily stretched 50% or more if you are careful about cross contamination and use the chemicals quickly (over the course of a couple weeks). Even at the rated amount of 8 rolls/kit, it comes to $6.88/roll if you buy two kits at once. If you stretch the chems 50% more, it drops to $4.58/roll. That's pretty affordable.

The Unicolor C-41 kits that the camera store sells for $36 (identical to the Tetenal powder kit) can also be stretched quite far. I've personally developed 20 rolls from one kit which is rated for 8. Even if you are "conservative" and only process 15 rolls, that's only $2.40 per roll.

Dev lab options in Calgary for 120?

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Dev lab options in Calgary for 120?

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