[July 2025] Color Neg Lab Recommendations - US

[bjorke]

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]

Return scans that are good quality and not "automatically improved" by altering color and exposure.

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.

 

[Nicholas Lindan]

Dwayne's is a standard go-to https://www.dwaynesphoto.com/