E 6: Quality, Consistency, and Labs

[Berkeley Mike]

E-6 is threatened by Fuji, promised by Kodak and on the wish-list for several small and potential producers. So; in flux. I haven't shot that stuff since 2003 and we used to test a lot to maintain control for delivery to clients. Here we are 15 years later. So I wonder: Do contemporary production methods show fluctuations in batches? What sort of controls exist in terms of storage and expiration dates on E-6. Are the effects of aging showing up? Does processing vary from lab-to-lab or run to run?

Here's is a survey question: How much E6 do you shoot?

 

[wiltw]

In early 2017 in a thread I raised the question of E-6 processing calibration, frequency of calibration check, etc. During that discussion only TWO labs in all of USA and Canada were mentioned as quality labs...

• ICON in Los Angeles
• Vista on 18th St in NYC, "so far, I've been happy with their work. I'm guessing they have enough volume because they're just about the only game in town."

The issue in part is insufficient volume of processing compared to lab volumes 20 years ago.

 

[Poisson Du Jour]

Here's is a survey question: How much E6 do you shoot?

Enough and at a cost to make your eyes water...

 

[Berkeley Mike]

Enough and at a cost to make your eyes water...

Have no worry: I know what a lab bill looks like, or used to. I'm just interested to get a sense of volumes these days as supply and chemistry are in flux. This is a time of change in our craft and worth watching.

 

[Berkeley Mike]

In early 2017 in a thread I raised the question of E-6 processing calibration, frequency of calibration check, etc. During that discussion only TWO labs in all of USA and Canada were mentioned as quality labs...

• ICON in Los Angeles
• Vista on 18th St in NYC, "so far, I've been happy with their work. I'm guessing they have enough volume because they're just about the only game in town."

The issue in part is insufficient volume of processing compared to lab volumes 20 years ago.

If you still have it, may I have a link to that thread?

 

[RattyMouse]

Why does the poll not have a zero option? That's a valid answer.

 

[thuggins]

I have been processing all my E-6 at home for more than the past year. Before that I sent it off to Dwayne's and was pleased with the results. The only issue there is that they will not mount polyester base films (the Lomo stuff). They claimed their cutter can't handle it. While I trust that they have had legitimate issues with it, I had no problems cutting it with my little manual thing.

 

[wiltw]

If you still have it, may I have a link to that thread?

I went looking for the thread, but could not find it. I wish search tools in Photorio were a bit more robust!

 

[jamesaz]

I have 50 sheets of 4x5 in my film freezer for maybe 5 years or so. I'd shoot it but It would need to be something special because of the lack of processing locally and shipping expense. In years past, I processed miles of it in wing-lynch machines but have never tried the 3 part home kits. Maybe they are more forgiving but I don't know.

 

[Berkeley Mike]

I went looking for the thread, but could not find it. I wish search tools in Photorio were a bit more robust!

Thank you for trying.

 

[MattKing]

I went looking for the thread, but could not find it. I wish search tools in Photorio were a bit more robust!

Is this the thread you were thinking of: https://www.photrio.com/forum/threa...e-today-than-they-were-before-digital.144370/ ?

 

[wiltw]

Is this the thread you were thinking of: https://www.photrio.com/forum/threa...e-today-than-they-were-before-digital.144370/ ?

Yes, much appreciation for finding it, Matt!!!
Starting with post 22, and going to post 65 the thread tends to be about process control, and the effects on quality...and the key issue of VOLUME in maintaining the consistency of quality economically for the lab operator.

keyword: photolabprocess

 

[Berkeley Mike]

Attending to specs frequently and intently was the rule. I described testing film as late as 2003: filtration and bracketing frequently to see what the lab was doing and keeping up with film batches and got all sorts of grief about being anal.
Thank you all for bring the reality back. And now, how is it all going with E6 now?!

 

[Berkeley Mike]

Is this the thread you were thinking of: https://www.photrio.com/forum/threa...e-today-than-they-were-before-digital.144370/ ?

Thank you, Matt.