High demand for film processing

Yamaotoko · Aug 15, 2010

Glenn Mathison said:
I wonder if you have a BigW or Kmart there that you could try?

I have several! I've only ever seen signs up for digital processing, not that I've ever gone to the trouble of asking. I go through so little colour 35mm that I've usually just ended up taking it to the guys that do my other formats (at a relatively reasonable rate). I'll be sure to give BigW a try next time, especially after all these good reports. Thanks guys.

ntenny · Aug 15, 2010

MaximusM3 said:
I stopped taking any C41 to the various Costco, Wal-Mart, CVS, etc. All I get back is horribly scratched, poorly processed negs. The "lab technicians" at these places, (if you can even call them that), are inept and the machines likely poorly maintained.

There's a lot of variation from place to place, though. I've located a CVS whose photo lab is run by an Actual Photographer, a large-format guy who seems to take it all seriously enough to run a fairly tight ship. I don't shoot much C-41 and virtually never for anything critical, but I've been happy with the results there. On the other hand, their sister shop a couple of miles away butchered everything I ever gave them.

-NT

darcyjohnperkins · Aug 22, 2010

@tomalophicon: Are you sure anyone does E-6? Because I haven't found anyone. BICA sends it off to Adelaide, and Photographics International (kingston) sends it off to BICA, who then send it off to Adelaide. Who does it it locally? They would be much more convenient!

And for those who don't need prints, I don't know if this has been said but Big W will develop-only for about $1.97 a roll C-41! Also consider joining the Canberra Flickr group; some guy on there offered to let people use his Jobo and says he can do E-6, C-41 and B&W.

OH, and Kmart is slowly swapping to a HP Digital-only lab

tomalophicon · Aug 25, 2010

darcyjohnperkins said:
@tomalophicon: Are you sure anyone does E-6? Because I haven't found anyone. BICA sends it off to Adelaide, and Photographics International (kingston) sends it off to BICA, who then send it off to Adelaide. Who does it it locally? They would be much more convenient!

And for those who don't need prints, I don't know if this has been said but Big W will develop-only for about $1.97 a roll C-41! Also consider joining the Canberra Flickr group; some guy on there offered to let people use his Jobo and says he can do E-6, C-41 and B&W.

OH, and Kmart is slowly swapping to a HP Digital-only lab

Camera House in the City does E-6.

Stephen Frizza · Aug 26, 2010

I own and operate The Lighthouse Lab in NSW and I process E-6 dip and dunk up to 11x14" sheet daily.
I also process C-41, B&W and Scala and I am aware there are fair few other labs around Australia still processing E-6, C-41 & B&W. they are there! I promise.

jacksond · Aug 27, 2010

Film in Melbourne

I found a Fuji lab in East Burwood (Melbourne) that does E6 and B/W. The B/W takes about a week, apparently. The guy there was very positive in his responses, as well.

foc · Aug 28, 2010

I was chatting to the Fuji Ireland manager in Dublin the other day and he told me that they had a 50% increase in film sales between Jan to July this year (half of the sales were single use cameras but that still leaves 50% 35mm film) so that's a 25% increase in 35mm film.

Of course that was sales but at some stage these films will have to be developed so I expect to see a bigger increase in film processing shortly.

alexmacphee · Aug 28, 2010

foc said:
half of the sales were single use cameras but that still leaves 50% 35mm film

I wonder if that's due to spring/summer events like weddings, where single-use cameras are often given to guests.

Steve Smith · Aug 28, 2010

One of our local photographic shops left a Facebook message today reporting a significant increase in film sales. I would expect this to be more consumer snapshot type of stuff rather than professional and hobbyist though.

Steve.

Ektagraphic · Aug 28, 2010

That's great steve!

Sirius Glass · Aug 28, 2010

Steve Smith said:
One of our local photographic shops left a Facebook message today reporting a significant increase in film sales. I would expect this to be more consumer snapshot type of stuff rather than professional and hobbyist though.

Steve.

Several major photographic stores in the US are on Facebook et al and report a bump in sales.

Steve

wotalegend · Aug 28, 2010

jacksond said:
I found a Fuji lab in East Burwood (Melbourne) that does E6 and B/W. The B/W takes about a week, apparently. The guy there was very positive in his responses, as well.

That would be Photo Barn in the Kmart complex. They are friendly and helpful people and I use them all the time for C41. They do a great job on that, but they don't do E6 or conventional B&W themselves - they send it out. A few years ago, before I returned to doing my own B&W, I asked them for a quote which was about $40 a roll! That was one of the things which motivated me back to doing my own. As for E6 which is a rarity for me, I have used Lab X in St Kilda who provide a 2-hour service for $10. Their only problem (for me) is location - close enough to the CBD to make driving and parking a hassle - far enough from the CBD to make it un-viable for a lunchtime tram trip.

darcyjohnperkins · Aug 29, 2010

tomalophicon said:
Camera House in the City does E-6.

Holy cow! I went in, and they said they usually do it once a week (on weekends), and it's $20 for dev only! I could send it to Adelaide for less than that. Heck, I can send it to Hong Kong, get it developed, and get it sent back for about $13. I think Camera House will be my "only when I'm in the biggest rush" type place.

Poisson Du Jour · Aug 29, 2010

Yes, Camera House charges $22 for E6 and mostly only on Friday. I ditched them long ago and now get a pro lab in Melbourne to do it for $9.50.

It's worth noting that Camera House is strictly digital. Not a skerrick of analogue cameras and they are very averse to suggestions to get any in, even for students.

alexmacphee · Aug 29, 2010

darcyjohnperkins said:
it's $20 for dev only!

Cripes. Sounds like their way of saying they don't want the business.

tomalophicon · Aug 29, 2010

Poisson Du Jour said:
Yes, Camera House charges $22 for E6 and mostly only on Friday. I ditched them long ago and now get a pro lab in Melbourne to do it for $9.50.

It's worth noting that Camera House is strictly digital. Not a skerrick of analogue cameras and they are very averse to suggestions to get any in, even for students.

That's not true.
They sell Fuji instant cameras.

Athiril · Aug 29, 2010

Cairns has a cruise ship or three with an E-6 lab ON BOARD. :/ lol

Ektagraphic · Aug 29, 2010

Athiril said:
Cairns has a cruise ship or three with an E-6 lab ON BOARD. :/ lol

Seriously?

Athiril · Aug 30, 2010

Ektagraphic said:
Seriously?

Yep.

In Cairns several corner shops have dip n dunk E6, and sell Velvia off the shelf (not refridgerated).

http://www.aquaprodive.com/Cairns_dive_trip_Mike_Ball.html
http://www.divingcairns.com.au/vessel13.html

"Photographic and video facilities aboard M.V Spoilsport include E6 processing, 1 video player and 2 monitors, slide projector and screen, viewing loupes, 1 large light table, a large multi-level camera station with air guns, a 3 tier camera shelf with recharging facilities (110v & 240v), along with dedicated fresh water rinse tubs."

http://www.allwaysdive.com.au/destinations/australia.php

and not described on their site now but previous was (I assume they still have it, its a popular thing apparently)

"TAKA DIVE AUSTRALIA - ‘TAKA II’
The ‘Taka II’ is a 22 metre vessel with a cruising speed of 11 knots. She can accommodate 28 passengers in air-conditioned cabins. There are 7 two berth and 3 four berth cabins. The vessel has E6 photo processing on board and underwater photography courses are available for those wishing to learn about taking underwater shots."

Other places do it too - http://diversionoz.com/en/palauaggressor.htm

Poisson Du Jour · Aug 30, 2010

tomalophicon said:
That's not true.
They sell Fuji instant cameras.

And—...?

Ektagraphic · Aug 30, 2010

Well I should go on a cruise then! That's pretty unique and increadable!

darcyjohnperkins · Aug 30, 2010

Poisson Du Jour said:
And—...?

And the Polaroid PIC-300 - a rebranded Fuji instant camera...But saying that, I've never seen an actual Instax in CH (Fuji brand instant camera)...

At least my local Ted's does second hand gear.

tomalophicon · Aug 30, 2010

Poisson Du Jour said:
And—...?

And I'm a legend. :0

Poisson Du Jour · Aug 30, 2010

Ted's, or for Melbourne locals, Michaels and the Camera Exchange are infinitely more useful to analog photographers than Camera Action.
I am following with great interest an apparent increase in the demand for film and film processing; more communcation reached me this morning that even my pro lab is seeing a sharp increase in film processing demand as opposed to their staple digital pre- and post-ops.

Wyno · Aug 30, 2010

The local Camera House store here in Geelong is closing down its E-6 processing in the very near future and the guy who did is selling his Minilog processor. It will do up to 4x5, so if anyone in the local area wants it, contact him(Brian) for a quote. The other fellow who works there used to have his own store and when it closed he threw out all his 8x10 processing equipment (It went to the rubbish tip). He did keep his 8x10 enlarger....and the bast...er.... person won't sell it to me. However their B&W processing is increasing because of Holgas and Diana cameras.
Mike

High demand for film processing

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency