Lab Services

[removed account4]

please post information about
the commercial or mail in or consumer lab you use
and any information about the services they have to offer.

if you liked what they did, or didn't or you got what you paid for ...

 

[BrianShaw]

OK, I'll play..

http://www.darkroomlab.com/

Likes: good quality and prices; fast turnaround for processing/negs; acceptable turnaround for prints; knowledgable staff.
Dislikes: parking can be difficult due overflow parking from the burger joint that went in next door.

 

[mr rusty]

yes me too. I only use mail.

For 35mm I always go to Photo Express. http://www.photo-express.co.uk/

Really quick turn around, 2000x3000 D&scan for £4.50/film and the quality is good. Price *includes* return postage

For (a relatively new) MF shooter, for 120, I have used a few, but the place that is going to get my repeat business as best compromise on cost/quality for the time being is Spectrum

http://www.spectrumphotolabs.co.uk/content/about.htm. approx 2100x2100 develop & scan £8.60/film + £4.00 per order P&P, although I would like to find a higher resolution scan for the same cost.

 

[Toffle]

http://www.abcphoto.com/ in Vancouver. Optical prints and good prices on processing. That reminds me, I've got a box of Fuji 4x5 and a half dozed rolls of mixed 120 colour sitting in my fridge to send them.

 

[Steve Smith]

In the UK, Transpacolor and Peak Imaging get my vote.


Steve.

 

[coigach]

Dr5 lab - reversal processing for a wide range of film. Processes b+w film as positive transparencies:
http://www.dr5.com/blackandwhiteslide/filmreview.html

Provide a unique commercial service for a large number of film types, and top-notch quality too.
I've used them for years and had 100's of rolls processed - always pristine processing. I bundle my orders and send several times a year from the UK - they're that good.
They're a small bespoke outfit and offer excellent help and advice to specific queries about using reversal film.
If anyone wants any other info / feedback please feel free to PM me.

 

[MattKing]

http://www.abcphoto.com/ in Vancouver. Optical prints and good prices on processing. That reminds me, I've got a box of Fuji 4x5 and a half dozed rolls of mixed 120 colour sitting in my fridge to send them.

I will second Tom's suggestion - I've been dealing with ABC since the 1970s.

Apparently they are moving (to G. King Photo's old location), and the ownership is changing. I'm told that the owner has sold the lab business to one or more of the long time staff, and that other then the pending move, no major changes are expected.

I do find it ironic though that Tom is sending his film over 3200 km (2000 miles) each way.

That is farther than the distance between London, England and Moscow, Russia (or if you prefer in the USA, Chicago to San Francisco).

 

[Klainmeister]

If you're ever in Santa Fe or NM in general, Visions Lab does E-6, C-41, and BW (D76 or Pyro) in any size. Also, they do traditional color and BW printing services as well as Imacon scanning and inkjet printing. I've been very impressed with their services and Nicole is always friendly and knowledgeable.

Highly recommended.

 

[SuzanneR]

I've "stickied" this thread as I think it will be a good resource, and for what it's worth, I've been using Color Services in Needham, MA to process and make contact sheets for color film. Haven't as yet, had them print (or scan) anything, but I've been happy with their work. Dead Link Removed

Also, I've had Palm Press in Concord, MA make large gelatin silver exhibition prints. I can't really print bigger than 16x20 in my darkroom, and they have made some beautiful 20x24's for me. http://palmpress.com/

Lastly, there is Panopticon Imaging which I have never used, but have, nonetheless heard good things, and seen some gorgeous prints. Dead Link Removed

 

[Toffle]

Also, I've had Palm Press in Concord, MA make large gelatin silver exhibition prints. I can't really print bigger than 16x20 in my darkroom, and they have made some beautiful 20x24's for me. http://palmpress.com/

Do they work under your direction, or with printing notes you have made? I have no problem with labs doing proofs for me, but I might be a little more reserved at giving them creative control over my final prints.

 

[Tim Gray]

These threads tend to be more useful in my opinion if an actual list is compiled at some point at the top of the thread...

But, I've been happy with mail order processing with North Coast Photo (http://www.northcoastphoto.com/) and Precision Camera (https://www.precision-camera.com/). Both do decent lab work for 35mm and 120.

North Coast Photo (NCPS) offers both budget and enhanced scans; I think the budget scans are pretty decent for the price. They end up being about $12/roll for development and 2000x3000 scans. Their 120 scans are a bit more stingy - 2k x 3k as well.

Precision Camera is offering developing and scanning for about $12/roll too, but they give you 4000x6000 scans on 35mm. For other formats, they are even bigger for the same price. I think I got back 12000 x 4000 for my XPan scans. If you use this link (Dead Link Removed) you can get the cheaper price. Also, they have been returning the negs cut to a length of your specification sleeved in high quality sleeves, the kind you might get from Archival Methods.

I have full rez samples online from both companies if anyone is interested.

 

[SuzanneR]

Do they work under your direction, or with printing notes you have made? I have no problem with labs doing proofs for me, but I might be a little more reserved at giving them creative control over my final prints.

I give them either an 8"x10" or an 11"x14 guide print, but I allow for some interpretation on their part, sometimes what looks good at 8"x10" may be too dark or light or something at 20"x24". I've worked with one or two printers there for several years now, so they know how I like my prints to look.

I think a big part of using labs is developing a really good relationship so that you and are ultimately on the same page. It can take several times going back and forth, but I think it's worth the effort. I think just about any lab can pull your vision out of your negatives, but it can take some work to get there.

 

[2F/2F]

I can recommend:

Samy's in Santa Barbara
Titan in the Detorit suburbs
A and I in L.A.

 

[Toffle]

I think a big part of using labs is developing a really good relationship so that you and are ultimately on the same page. It can take several times going back and forth, but I think it's worth the effort. I think just about any lab can pull your vision out of your negatives, but it can take some work to get there.

I could not agree more. Even when I was getting my prints at the local drugstore, I built a positive relationship with the photo manager, and she would take the time to run as many prints as necessary to get a print to both our satisfaction. Dealing with labs that are farther afield now, I usually initiate business with via email, but follow up with a phone call. It does not hurt to know the printers and office staff by name, and to show an interest in who they are and how they do their job.

 

[bdial]

Peterborough Camera in Peterborough, NH 35 and roll film C41 processing. Their printing is all ink-jet now, but they do good work. Occasional really good deals on used stuff.
Also Monadnock Imaging in Keene, NH, 35 and roll C41, etc. They will do cross processing also.

 

[removed account4]

i have used kerry's 1hour photo
renaissance creative
printmakers ... all in RI
they all do very good work.

kerry's processes 35mm
renaissance only does printing now
and printmakers does both, and custom work.
they listen to and do what the client wants and if
the client isn't happy they do it again no problems no questions asked.

 

[brianmquinn]

For Half frame I send my film here
http://www.cleverlyhidden.com/Lab_FIlm_half_frame.htm
They also do high resolutions scans on half frame

For 110 film I have tried a few labs and find that
Blue Moon Camera and machine gave me the best results.

 

[ricardo12458]

I send all of my E6 slide film to The Black and White Lab (aka BWC Photo Imaging-South Lab).
<http://bwc.net>

In Dallas, phone 528-4200, otherwise phone toll-free +18004450264.

Just note that the prices quoted on the website for film developing are NOT correct. (for now)

E6 develop/sleeve/cut is still $9.05 for 36 exposures. Which means if you order mounted E6 slides, it still costs $11.00 (36 exp.).

-R

 

[brianmquinn]

Although Pre-Paid film mailers are not as common as before they are still sold. I love to use them when I am traveling. I shoot a roll, drop it in the mail. It usually takes a week so on a longer trip I return home to find my first rolls waiting for me. They are available from A&I or Fuji (Unique photo has them).
See
Dead Link Removed

 

[brianmquinn]

opps, I found this link stating that A&I will stop doing E6 in December 2011.
Dead Link Removed

 

[F/1.4]

I can't believe nobody has mentioned Richard Photo Lab, that's who I go through.

They take forever and are outrageously expensive, as in I'm spending about $100 for 4 rolls D&S that I won't see till December, but I get perfect results every time off their Frontier.

They cater to the individual, so if you make common adjustments they'll remember that, and as far as a portfolio goes, they're as impressive as they get.

http://richardphotolab.com/

 

[benjiboy]

I use Metro Colour Lab http://www.metrocolourlab.com/ in Birmingham U.K they produce at a reasonable price some of the best work E6 and C41 work I've seen.

 

[2F/2F]

I can't believe nobody has mentioned Richard Photo Lab, that's who I go through.

They take forever and are outrageously expensive, as in I'm spending about $100 for 4 rolls D&S that I won't see till December, but I get perfect results every time off their Frontier.

They cater to the individual, so if you make common adjustments they'll remember that, and as far as a portfolio goes, they're as impressive as they get.

http://richardphotolab.com/

It is not really a ton of money for quality developing and scanning IMO. And they are local to me. Thanks for the tip. I had heard of them existing, but not anything good or bad about them until your post.

 

[MattKing]

For those who use ABC Photocolour in Vancouver, just a heads up. They are in the midst of their big move. As I understand it most of the large machinery was moved over the weekend, and they expect this week to be taken up with setting up and calibrating. So rush jobs aren't in the cards.

They looked just a bit tired when I drove by there yesterday.

 

[Toffle]

For those who use ABC Photocolour in Vancouver, just a heads up. They are in the midst of their big move. As I understand it most of the large machinery was moved over the weekend, and they expect this week to be taken up with setting up and calibrating. So rush jobs aren't in the cards.

They looked just a bit tired when I drove by their yesterday.

Thanks for the heads up. I'm just finishing up a couple of boxes of colour 4x5 to send to them. I hope all goes well, I enjoy working with them.

Just to save others the lookup, their new address is: 472 West 15th Avenue, Vancouver