[July 2025] Color Neg Lab Recommendations - US

bjorke

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I haven't shot color neg for about three years, and now I will be doing so (on 35mm) for a project.

I want to use a lab that will (a) treat my negs well and return them unscratched, etc. (b) Return scans that are good quality and not "automatically improved" by altering color and exposure.

I've used mail-in labs before, but it appears that several have appeared, and some vanished, in the past half-decade.

Suggestions are much appreciated!

Thanks in Advance.
 

koraks

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bjorke said:
Return scans that are good quality and not "automatically improved" by altering color and exposure.
Click to expand...

Color and exposure (in the meaning of black point and contrast) are always interpretative on CN film since there's no objective baseline for either. Especially color is almost entirely subjective unless you operate a color-managed workflow, which is exceedingly rare when working with CN film. I'd suggest to do the scanning and color balancing yourself; if you're a discerning photographer (and that's certainly the impression I have of you), you're never going to be entirely happy with whatever lab sends you.
 

koraks

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bjorke said:
Instead I can be unhappy with what I did myself
Click to expand...
Well, in my book, there's a pretty serious undertone to that joke, at least if I apply it to myself! I know that many times, I've messed up in many ways that a lab might not have. But they have always been my own treasured mess-ups!

Sorry to be of little help otherwise. I just don't know the landscape in your area well enough to recommend a lab.
 

MattKing

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Even back in the day when we were blessed with many good options, I always valued the quality of lab/customer interaction as much as anything. So if you are considering a particular lab, try reaching out directly to explain your needs and experience/capabilities and see how well they respond.
 
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