How often do you use a lab?

SafetyBob · Jan 19, 2013

I have not used my local lab for around a year now. Starting last summer I got the Tetenal C-41 kit and ran around 4 120 rolls and 2 or 3 35mm rolls through it within 3 weeks of getting the chemicals. The more I did it the better I got, and the improvement was noticable. I got tired of my lab doing average at best scanning, and of course the price was rising but I don't shoot that much but I was spending alot of time traveling to the lab.

There was a lot of enjoyment in being on the edge of my abilities (I thought) developing film. I am ready for E-6 now.....ready to play with slides for awhile. Doing one's homework and getting everything prepared to go for me was the key. After that it was just waiting for the buzzer to go off on my timer to change liquids.......simple.

My two cents is if you are really considering developing at home, then please consider this.....one of those new JOBO processors. I know they are pricey, but if you are processing film alot, I think by the time you figure all the gas you burn to the lab, time, ect, ect, your breakeven point may suprise you.......at how soon it comes. I know personally, if I had one of those Jobo processors, I would be shooting way more film than I am now which isn't much right now.

Bob E.

StoneNYC · Jan 19, 2013

SafetyBob said:
I have not used my local lab for around a year now. Starting last summer I got the Tetenal C-41 kit and ran around 4 120 rolls and 2 or 3 35mm rolls through it within 3 weeks of getting the chemicals. The more I did it the better I got, and the improvement was noticable. I got tired of my lab doing average at best scanning, and of course the price was rising but I don't shoot that much but I was spending alot of time traveling to the lab.

There was a lot of enjoyment in being on the edge of my abilities (I thought) developing film. I am ready for E-6 now.....ready to play with slides for awhile. Doing one's homework and getting everything prepared to go for me was the key. After that it was just waiting for the buzzer to go off on my timer to change liquids.......simple.

My two cents is if you are really considering developing at home, then please consider this.....one of those new JOBO processors. I know they are pricey, but if you are processing film alot, I think by the time you figure all the gas you burn to the lab, time, ect, ect, your breakeven point may suprise you.......at how soon it comes. I know personally, if I had one of those Jobo processors, I would be shooting way more film than I am now which isn't much right now.

Bob E.

Don't the JOBO processors take just as much time to process the film as any hand tank?

~Stone

Mamiya: 7 II, RZ67 Pro II / Canon: 1V, AE-1, 5DmkII / Kodak: No 1 Pocket Autographic, No 1A Pocket Autographic | Sent w/ iPhone using Tapatalk

PentaxBronica · Jan 19, 2013

Every time I need colour negatives developed and printed.

I will probably try developing my own at some point but at £6 for a 36 exposure roll I don't think it's a bad deal. Plus it means that the lab is likely to stay open rather than abandoning film completely. The more places on the high street where you can buy film and have it processed the more people will get into it.

George Collier · Jan 19, 2013

Once a year when I get my physical. I don't like messing with blood. ;>)

newcan1 · Jan 19, 2013

I don't use labs. I have a darkroom. I mix chemicals from scratch for C41 and RA4 (and d76 for b&w film). Hey, maybe that makes me a lab. I AM LAB...

StoneNYC · Jan 19, 2013

newcan1 said:
I don't use labs. I have a darkroom. I mix chemicals from scratch for C41 and RA4 (and d76 for b&w film). Hey, maybe that makes me a lab. I AM LAB...

Bahahah!!! This post made me burst out laughing haha awesome!

PS can I have that C-41 formula and the places you buy the chemicals from?

Have the E6 one by chance?

~Stone

Mamiya: 7 II, RZ67 Pro II / Canon: 1V, AE-1, 5DmkII / Kodak: No 1 Pocket Autographic, No 1A Pocket Autographic | Sent w/ iPhone using Tapatalk

newcan1 · Jan 19, 2013

StoneNYC said:
Bahahah!!! This post made me burst out laughing haha awesome!

PS can I have that C-41 formula and the places you buy the chemicals from?

Have the E6 one by chance?

~Stone

Mamiya: 7 II, RZ67 Pro II / Canon: 1V, AE-1, 5DmkII / Kodak: No 1 Pocket Autographic, No 1A Pocket Autographic | Sent w/ iPhone using Tapatalk

Hey Stone, the C-41 formula I use can be seen at post #9 at the the thread below ("C-27"):

(there was a url link here which no longer exists)

I'm afraid I haven't done E6 for about 25 years.

I have a stockpile of chemicals dating back to 1987, but when I run out, I typically go to Artcraft Chemicals.

David

StoneNYC · Jan 19, 2013

newcan1 said:
Hey Stone, the C-41 formula I use can be seen at post #9 at the the thread below ("C-27"):

(there was a url link here which no longer exists)

I'm afraid I haven't done E6 for about 25 years.

I have a stockpile of chemicals dating back to 1987, but when I run out, I typically go to Artcraft Chemicals.

David

Thanks!!!

~Stone

Mamiya: 7 II, RZ67 Pro II / Canon: 1V, AE-1, 5DmkII / Kodak: No 1 Pocket Autographic, No 1A Pocket Autographic | Sent w/ iPhone using Tapatalk

BrendanCarlson · Jan 20, 2013

Everyone saying they use labs for C-41 makes me feel much less guilty about the fact that I do.

Poisson Du Jour · Jan 20, 2013

I use a pro-level lab all the time now, both for E6 and printing. No scanning done here because the cost of pricey exhibition-quality Kodak Endura Professional metallic media includes drum scan work and colourimetrics, saving me at the minimum two very long days of post-scan ops that could be better spent behind the camera, not at a computer.

StoneNYC · Jan 20, 2013

Poisson Du Jour said:
I use a pro-level lab all the time now, both for E6 and printing. No scanning done here because the cost of pricey exhibition-quality Kodak Endura Professional metallic media includes drum scan work and colourimetrics, saving me at the minimum two very long days of post-scan ops that could be better spent behind the camera, not at a computer.

Wish I had a nice lab like that, the one around here sucks... they can't even scan as high as I can at home for their "pro" level scan...

Poisson Du Jour · Jan 21, 2013

StoneNYC said:
Wish I had a nice lab like that, the one around here sucks... they can't even scan as high as I can at home for their "pro" level scan...

Truth be told, the lab does not scan higher than I would, but about the same, and sometimes lower, and with significantly more error-checked automation so that everybody gets the same quality result in good time and there are no hangups from mismatches, bad files or other workflow bottlenecks (most of the time...!). The trick bit is with the colourimetrics to get the very best result on the printed media I tell you this stuff is getting a serious leg-up over the old bastion of Ilfochrome Classic (those framed prints are still beautiful under spot, but so too now are the 'alternative media' products!). That colourimetric stuff drives me cuckoo. I just use my V700 for stat proofing now. I'll probably sell it off this year one of 10 New Year Resolutions I made, and boy-o, do I stick to 'em!!

How often do you use a lab?

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