NortheastPhotographic
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If you've used my lab, or even the FIND Lab, Indie, Goodman, etc... you're familiar with the dev/scan workflow. I like to think of it as the modern version of Kodak's original "You push the button, we do the rest" pitch. It's great for roll film, and with the lab scanners that we use you can get print-ready files for a very reasonable price these days. I've made pigment prints from my Fuji Frontier scans that enlarge quite well, and will last generations. No need for clunky desktop scanners that never get the color right from C41 film.
One thing I've noticed though, is that there really isn't a good option for large format shooters. You can get 8x10 or 4x5 processed "fairly" easily at a variety of labs. 4x5 isn't too bad, as the flatbed scanners available today do very well with it. 8x10 however is a pain. Getting a good scan without newton rings is an exercise in self flagellation. Other labs will do a dev/scan with 4x5 on an Imacon for about $20/sheet, not really a budget option when you don't know what you're going to get...
I'm wondering if anyone would be interested in a proper and affordable Dev/scan workflow? I am considering acquiring an IQSmart3 scanner, along with an Expert Drum jobo system for sheet film processing. I'd be able to do B&W, E6, and C41 quite easily. Using the IQSmart3, I could supply "proof" quality scans for a reasonable price, or a "digital contact sheet". These might print well to about 8x10, or be great for online sharing. Once reviewed, you could order a "fine art scan" using the IQSmart3 at it's higher resolutions. I think I would be able to do this because the IQSmart can do 2 sheets of 8x10 at a time, or 8 sheets of 4x5. Or dagnabbit, 1 whole 11x14 thing of beauty. If you don't know, the IQSmart3 has an optical resolution of about 5200ppi, and rivals drum scans for quality.
This would require significant investment on our end, so I want to gauge the interest. For 4x5, I would hope to hit a price point of $10/sheet dev/scan with an 8x10 'proof' file included.
Let me know your thoughts!
4x5 film would still be processed in our Phototherm SSK-8r, and 8x10 would go in the Jobo using Expert Drums. 11x14 would have to be processed in Print Drums as I understand it. I would be VERY excited if someone sent me 11x14 film.
One thing I've noticed though, is that there really isn't a good option for large format shooters. You can get 8x10 or 4x5 processed "fairly" easily at a variety of labs. 4x5 isn't too bad, as the flatbed scanners available today do very well with it. 8x10 however is a pain. Getting a good scan without newton rings is an exercise in self flagellation. Other labs will do a dev/scan with 4x5 on an Imacon for about $20/sheet, not really a budget option when you don't know what you're going to get...
I'm wondering if anyone would be interested in a proper and affordable Dev/scan workflow? I am considering acquiring an IQSmart3 scanner, along with an Expert Drum jobo system for sheet film processing. I'd be able to do B&W, E6, and C41 quite easily. Using the IQSmart3, I could supply "proof" quality scans for a reasonable price, or a "digital contact sheet". These might print well to about 8x10, or be great for online sharing. Once reviewed, you could order a "fine art scan" using the IQSmart3 at it's higher resolutions. I think I would be able to do this because the IQSmart can do 2 sheets of 8x10 at a time, or 8 sheets of 4x5. Or dagnabbit, 1 whole 11x14 thing of beauty. If you don't know, the IQSmart3 has an optical resolution of about 5200ppi, and rivals drum scans for quality.
This would require significant investment on our end, so I want to gauge the interest. For 4x5, I would hope to hit a price point of $10/sheet dev/scan with an 8x10 'proof' file included.
Let me know your thoughts!
4x5 film would still be processed in our Phototherm SSK-8r, and 8x10 would go in the Jobo using Expert Drums. 11x14 would have to be processed in Print Drums as I understand it. I would be VERY excited if someone sent me 11x14 film.