Diana camera -- getting film developed?

[steph729]

I just got a Diana+ camera for Christmas, and I'm really excited to see how my pictures will come out. I bought 5 rolls of 400 120m film, and I'm still on my first roll. I'd like to see how the first roll comes out before starting on the second 4 in case I'm doing something horribly wrong, or could somehow learn from my mistakes.

I really don't know much about photography and can't remember the last time I had to actually develop film. I live in Los Angeles, so I assume there are a ton of places to develop the film (can I get it developed anywhere you bring 35mm?). Is it cheaper to mail it in via some website? I would like to have the pictures on a CD.

Any information and recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks to all!

 

[DarkroomExperimente]

try A & I in Hollywood:

http://www.aandi.com/

Phone: 323-856-5280

Monday-Friday: 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m
Sunday: Closed

 

[Pinholemaster]

If you bought B&W film, now is a good time to learn to process your own film.

 

[mark]

Welcome.

Are you using color or BW.

Yes you can get the film scanned but it will not look very good. Low res scans blow. You should be able to get an idea of what the image will look like printed though. It will probably cost more. 120 film is not like 35mm most machines do not instantly pump out prints with it. You will most likely have to ask for them, and depending on the place this can get pretty darned expensive.

Also remember one of the draws with the diana cameras, like the holgas, is a unique artsy look. Don't expect super sharp pictures. It is a look.

The important thing is to have fun and get the feel of the camera.

Oh yeah. Most people here never knew a time when they did NOT have to develope their film. Welcome back to the analog side.

 

[steph729]

Thanks for such quick replies!

I'm using color film and don't have any supplies (or knowledge) to develop my own film, but that sounds like an exciting prospect. Are there places where you can rent darkroom time? I'd enjoy that immensely.

Back when I used a camera with 35mm film, developing film was the most exciting thing in the world. Then digital cameras came along, and pictures started seeming...temporary. No big deal. In fact, I rarely even upload the pictures to my computer. I just glance at them on my camera, say "eh" and move on. The Diana camera makes photos seem like art again.

Thanks for the suggestion of A & I in Hollywood. I wanted to give them a call and find out how much it costs to develop a roll of 120 film, but it's Sunday so they're closed. Does anyone know about how much this will run me, ballpark? The rolls of film cost me about $3.50 each, I bought them online from B&H photo. I was hoping this new hobby wouldn't be too expensive but I'm afraid of what the final cost will be once I factor in developing.

Right now I'm taking photos using the 12 per roll setting, which means the pitures will be 5.2x5.2 cm instead of the 4.2x4.2 cm you get if you take 16 per roll. I think I'll try 16 pictures for the next roll.

Any advice from Diana users would be warmly received!

 

[DarkroomExperimente]

here's the webpage for that...

http://www.aandi.com/film_pro2.htm

 

[rwyoung]

Well, if you are a patient person, you can usually take 120 film to places like Walmart, Walgreens and CVS and use their "send out" service. Relatively inexpensive but there is a strong possibility that the quality might be less than someplace like A & I. Check the yellow pages and make some phone calls. Explain to them your situation and ask if they would develop and make only a proof sheet. Then if you like how some of them turn out, get the enlargement made.

If you decide to go the B&W route, then developing your own is going to be cheaper in the long run but you still need to be the patient type. Making proofsheets of B&W can be done with very little equipment. Once you want to start enlarging your prints, then it is a different story. But again, consult the yellow pages or perhaps local community art centers for darkroom spaces or if you need it, Darkroom-101. There are several people on Apug from the LA area (a large area to be sure) and maybe one of them wouldn't trip your creepy-alarm and could help you out in person...

 

[gandolfi]

I don't know about the development, as I live in Denmark, Europe...

but I know about Diana's, and I also bought a Diana+ before christmas.

just a heads up - this is not a Diana camera.... more a HOLGA camera in a Diana disguise..

I was dissapointed, but that shouldn't keep you from having fun with your new camera.

If you get slightly addicted, then I suggest you search for a real Diana on the web...

you'll be surprised how big a difference there is..

Good Luck.

 

[jasonjoo]

Hey steph729,

I get my 120 film developed at A&I Hollywood. I've also used the Icon LA. Both places are great and will deliver professional quality. Why I chose A&I over the Icon is beyond me as well!

I'm not sure where you can rent a dark room, but you can try asking some community colleges or universities in your area and see if they will allow you to use their dark rooms.

Have fun with film! I came from the digital world, and I can relate to what you're feeling right now. Photography has never been more fun!

Jason

 

[mark]

Heck, if you get addicted I know where a box of Dianas are slowly being run over by dust. I keep meaning to liberate them and get them t people who can actually use them.

 

[Krockmitaine]

Heck, if you get addicted I know where a box of Dianas are slowly being run over by dust. I keep meaning to liberate them and get them t people who can actually use them.

If the price is right, I'm interested
I would be more than happy to get one out and be used

Marc

 

[Stephen Frizza]

If anyone in australia requires services from films shot in a Diana / Holga or Lomo camera or the like my lab is capable of providing a full range of process, printing and scanning services from these materials.

~Steve Frizza
The Lighthouse Lab
Shop 2-219 Bondi Road Bondi
N.S.W Australia 2026
Ph: (02) 9365 6063

 

[MenacingTourist]

Toy cameras are addictive

I have three dianas/clones plus I just gave holgas to my wife and kids for Christmas. I even purchased a melted Diana so I could take the lens and put it on a Holga. It's kind of a sickness but it's pretty fun too

Good luck.

 

[Silverhead]

There are plenty of places to get your film processed in L.A. Photo Impact is very good, as is Richard's Photo Lab. Freestyle also sends film out to a pretty decent lab (don't know which one, sorry) so you can just drop your film off while you shop...with a one or two day turnaround in most cases. Not bad if you don't need to see your results immediately. There's a place on Sunset right across the street from the old L.A. Color Lab that I keep telling myself I'm going to try. And of course there is the venerable A&I, which used to provide better service, but is still OK. I miss the old Chrome n R lab on Beverly Blvd., though...they provided great personalized service.

 

[srs5694]

Concerning renting darkrooms, that topic pops up here every now and then. You may be able to find some pointers by searching on "rental darkrooms" here on APUG; or check your Yellow Pages. You don't really need to rent a darkroom to develop film to negatives, though; you can do that for $50-$100 in equipment and starter chemicals, with no need for a full darkroom (just a space you can make dark, such as a closet or bathroom, for a few minutes). Darkroom rental is more likely to be necessary for making enlargements from your negatives.

One other point: As you're in LA, you'll probably find Freestyle a more convenient source for film than B&H, since Freestyle is in California. That'll make for quicker and/or less expensive shipping, if nothing else.

 

[JBrunner]

You don't need a darkroom to develop 120 film. Check out this guy- he's sort of an idiot, but he shows how to do it using a changing bag and a kitty litter tray:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6P9bNcBE_Hc

 

[davidamosphotography]

Do you still have any of the Holgas left?
email me... info@davidamosphotography.com.aiu

 

[rkoate1]

Collecting dust?!

I'm really interested in a dust collecting Diana

 

[Atlo]

if you do the walmart thing,
prints actually come out very well and were very cheap ($5 for processing and printing 16 shots)
my only beef is that my prints usually come back somewhat small (only a littl ebigger than the negative).
there is a post on flikr with detailed instuctions, just google "120 film processing walmart" and it should come out

 

[msdemanche]

a place that sounds like it is full service lab in la

Main Photo & Imaging Service, 5 Southern California locations
Since 1933, photo lab and digital imaging services. APS, 35mm, medium format C-41, E-6, movie film, Agfa Scala slide film, black and white film processing. Hasselblad XPan 4x12 panoramic prints. Machine prints, enlargements. slide dupes, copy slides, internegatives. Digital prints, photo restoration, video transfer, Photo CD, slide output, more. Locations in Santa Ana, Yorba Linda, Cypress, Fountain Valley and Laguna Hills.

Sounds like this is a good one since it has several locations.