Lab for b/w film processing?

[Dan Meyers]

I no longer have my traditional darkroom so I need to find lab to process some b/w 4x5 negs. I'm in the U.S. on the east coast and my local place takes 7-10 days, probably because they are outsourcing it. Does anyone have recommendations for high-quality processing?

Thanks!

 

[Donald Qualls]

I doubt there's anywhere you could mail your film that would beat that turn around time. All the usual suspects (Blue Moon, The Darkroom, Glass Key, etc.) can handle B&W sheet film readily enough, though.

Have you done a Google search for professional film labs near you? I live in the sticks in north central North Carolina, and the nearest one to me is a two hour drive in Charlotte -- and I haven't checked if they process film in house or can handle sheet film (I do all my film myself, anyway).

 

[Alan Edward Klein]

LTI Lightside in Manhattan. Pro developer
https://www.lti-lightside.com/ BW and color negative but no Chrome E6

For E6 CRC in NYC and other as well although I never tried them. Pro shop.

CRC - Pro Film Lab — Color Resource Center NYC Photo Lab

Need to develop your film? Interested in a bundle of process + scans or prints? CRC provides services for black and white, color and slide (E6) film for 35mm, 120, 220, 4x5, 8x10. We offer contact sheets, c-prints, inkjet prints, digital c-prints and more. Send in your film and we'll take care of th

www.colorresourcecenter.com

I've used North Coast Photo in CA as well for all types of film and was satisfied. Pro shop.

Film developing

Processing and Scanning Film from around the world. 35mm, 120mm, and Sheet film processing, C41, Black and White, and E6 color positive film. Located in Carlsbad, California.

northcoastphoto.com

Check with them for the type of developer they use if you have a preference.

 

[BrianShaw]

7-10 days is not an unusual turnaround time unless the lab is one that you can walk in and they process in-house. You'll certainly not be able to beat that by much if sending the film to a mail order place. Time in the mail, for me sending less than 100 miles away is 3 days going and about the same in return. The actual processing time at the lab for dev and basic scan is about 2 days.

Have you thought of processing yourself? I sent mine out for a long time and then the cost started to add up. The initial investment in basic processing equipment isn't small but easily amortized over a reasonable amount of time.

 

[NortheastPhotographic]

We process B&W film in our Jobo ATL 3. Sheet film mostly goes in Expert Drums or 2509n reels depending on the quantity. We use replenished XTol. Process only turnarounds are 3-5 business day. Dev + Scan are currently 5-7, and all scans are made with our Eversmart Supreme II. You can also opt to have your film processed in 510-Pyro.

If it's not clear from the user name, my lab is called Northeast Photographic. We're located in Bath, Maine. Can do 4x5 - 11x14 in C41, E6, or B&W.

 

[Dan Meyers]

I doubt there's anywhere you could mail your film that would beat that turn around time. All the usual suspects (Blue Moon, The Darkroom, Glass Key, etc.) can handle B&W sheet film readily enough, though.

Have you done a Google search for professional film labs near you? I live in the sticks in north central North Carolina, and the nearest one to me is a two hour drive in Charlotte -- and I haven't checked if they process film in house or can handle sheet film (I do all my film myself, anyway).

I have done a Google search for my area but I'm not jumping at what is being offered and wanted more (possible) options. Thanks for those lab names, though.

 

[Dan Meyers]

LTI Lightside in Manhattan. Pro developer
https://www.lti-lightside.com/ BW and color negative but no Chrome E6

For E6 CRC in NYC and other as well although I never tried them. Pro shop.

CRC - Pro Film Lab — Color Resource Center NYC Photo Lab

Need to develop your film? Interested in a bundle of process + scans or prints? CRC provides services for black and white, color and slide (E6) film for 35mm, 120, 220, 4x5, 8x10. We offer contact sheets, c-prints, inkjet prints, digital c-prints and more. Send in your film and we'll take care of th

www.colorresourcecenter.com

I've used North Coast Photo in CA as well for all types of film and was satisfied. Pro shop.

Film developing

Processing and Scanning Film from around the world. 35mm, 120mm, and Sheet film processing, C41, Black and White, and E6 color positive film. Located in Carlsbad, California.

northcoastphoto.com

Check with them for the type of developer they use if you have a preference.

Alan,

Thanks for passing along these labs; I'll check them out.

 

[Dan Meyers]

7-10 days is not an unusual turnaround time unless the lab is one that you can walk in and they process in-house. You'll certainly not be able to beat that by much if sending the film to a mail order place. Time in the mail, for me sending less than 100 miles away is 3 days going and about the same in return. The actual processing time at the lab for dev and basic scan is about 2 days.

Have you thought of processing yourself? I sent mine out for a long time and then the cost started to add up. The initial investment in basic processing equipment isn't small but easily amortized over a reasonable amount of time.

I used to always do my own processing but the darkroom is not kaput ...

 

[Dan Meyers]

We process B&W film in our Jobo ATL 3. Sheet film mostly goes in Expert Drums or 2509n reels depending on the quantity. We use replenished XTol. Process only turnarounds are 3-5 business day. Dev + Scan are currently 5-7, and all scans are made with our Eversmart Supreme II. You can also opt to have your film processed in 510-Pyro.

If it's not clear from the user name, my lab is called Northeast Photographic. We're located in Bath, Maine. Can do 4x5 - 11x14 in C41, E6, or B&W.

Cool, will take a look!

 

[BrianShaw]

I used to always do my own processing but the darkroom is now (?) kaput ...

Understood. I do not have darkroom and set up for B&W processing using a Stearman SP-445 and changing bag. No need for a darkroom. The per-sheet processing prices to send out were killing me when I was shooting more, and especially when I was just snap shooting with a 4x5.

For send-out lab processing I send to The Darkroom. Always had good quality, fast turnaround and they pre-pay the shipping to them.

 

[bluechromis]

I would second Blue Moon Camera and Machine. They are one of the only labs that still do traditional optical printing. So it you want real, wet-print proof sheets and prints they can do it. But you are not going to get faster than seven day turnaround. For a fast turn around there is home processing. You don't have to have a darkroom to develop film. If you use daylight tanks you can load in dark bathroom etc. or use a bag. If you use trays, just make sure your room is dark.
https://bluemooncamera.com/

 

[Donald Qualls]

I would note that if working space is the main issue, an SP-445 and a quart bottle (at a time) of Cinestill Df96 monobath are about as simple and space-efficient as you can get. Changing bag to load the tank (you must have one of those already to load your film holders). Clips to hang film sheets in the shower to dry, some negative sheets and a large ring loose leaf notebook, and either a digital camera of some kind (even a cell phone) plus a cardboard film carrier or a flatbed scanner (probably the largest item here) to digitize the negatives, everything you need will fit in an overnight bag.

 

[cmacd123]

Ilford also has a deal with a US based Lab, But I belive that is in California... http://www.harmanlab-us.com/

 

[Drew B.]

I use a great lab in Plymouth, MA, if you're in the southern new england area. Message me if interested in this lab.

 

[Donald Qualls]

Ilford also has a deal with a US based Lab, But I belive that is in California... http://www.harmanlab-us.com/

That's actually aka The Darkroom. They do good work, but mail time round trip from the East Coast to the Bay Area will equal the OP's existing local turn-around, and then you still add the actual processing or processing/scanning time.

 

[Oren Grad]

Panopticon

https://www.panopticonimaging.com/

Edgar Praus

https://www.4photolab.com/

 

[BrianShaw]

That's actually aka The Darkroom. They do good work, but mail time round trip from the East Coast to the Bay Area will equal the OP's existing local turn-around, and then you still add the actual processing or processing/scanning time.

Also, actually Swan Photo Labs, in SOUTHERN California.. not really the "Bay Area". But the thought is one in the same.

Another benefit of The Darkroom that somewhat offsets the time in mail is that scans are available online, on the day of processing.

Company

www.swanphotolabs.com

 

[Dan Meyers]

I use a great lab in Plymouth, MA, if you're in the southern new england area. Message me if interested in this lab.

just started a conversation with you ....

 

[Dan Meyers]

Panopticon

https://www.panopticonimaging.com/

Edgar Praus

https://www.4photolab.com/

Thanks, Oren!

 

[Donald Qualls]

@BrianShaw Yep. All same team.

 

[MarkS]

Praus Productions in Rochester NY. Edgar Praus is the best. www.4photolab.com

 

[Pieter12]

BTW, my most recent experience with labs is there is not the volume to make it worthwhile for them to process large format film every day, thus the long turnaround time. Of course, now I do everything myself so turnaround time is more a factor of motivation than anything else.

 

[Two23]

I began processing my own b&w in Stearman tanks because of turn around time (and cost.) It's as easy as making pancakes.


Kent in SD

 

[Dan Meyers]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I sent off my film to Praus because they have the vibe I'm drawn to!