OK to send film out for development?

jono · Feb 17, 2011

hello,
I am considering getting a 4x5 camera, but am a bit hung up about the developing. Does it make any sense to have the film developed by an outside company, or is most of the joy found in doing it yourself?

I ask because I spoke with someone who I thought would be supportive of switching over to film, but he basically felt digital was quite good enough, and thatt the darkroom is a dinosaur.

If you could reply to the developing question, I would greatly appreciate it.

Thanks

Tom Kershaw · Feb 17, 2011

If you can, I'd highly recommend processing the film yourself due to control over the process. For sheet film you need a few developing trays, good temperature control and a timer.

A quick suggestion:

FP4 Plus in D-76 1+1

I assume you are in the USA?

Tom

papagene · Feb 17, 2011

Yes it is OK to send your film out to be developed, but...
Like Tom stated above you do have more control over the process. And you get a sense of satisfaction by processing it yourself. But...
Until you get the space and equipment to do your own processing, send it out, get the practice of working with a large format camera. You'll discover it's a lot of fun.
My $0.02.

removed account4 · Feb 17, 2011

hi jono

what kind of film is it,
and where do you live ?

brucemuir · Feb 17, 2011

4x5 gets pricey if a lab processes it.

I think Daniel said Samy's in LA had a good deal on color processing.

bblhed · Feb 17, 2011

Process it yourself if you can, but if you can't there are a lot of places that do it, turn around times are high, and you don't have the control you would doing it yourself. The big advantage of getting it done for you is that you can see what a print and negative should look like (provided you exposed correctly). After having someone do it for you doing it yourself is easier.

As for your un-supportive friend, be nice to them when their hard drive crashes they will need comforting.

The same rule applies to film or digital 3-2-1 for anything you really don't want to louse Three copies, two types of media, one stored off site.

winger · Feb 17, 2011

If you can, it's better to develop it yourself. It's really not difficult. Sending it out is definitely an option, though. It will just make it more expensive and a little slower.
If you can get a darkroom set up to be able to do your own enlarging, 4x5 is beyond sweet. OK, so I like the smell of fixer, etc..., but it's just plain cool to print from 4x5s. Darkrooms might be dinosaurs, but they're not gone and it's still fun.

Christopher Walrath · Feb 17, 2011

Not to mention that tray processing is dirt cheap to start. Tray, some graduates for mixing, chemistry, thermometer, timer, a way to dry the sheets (hang them with clothespins) a few more odds and ends. And all you need to make your own contact prints is a contact frame, paper developer (stop and fix the same) and tongs. Cheap and easy and MUCH more rewarding.

Tom Kershaw · Feb 18, 2011

Christopher Walrath said:
hang them with clothespins

I've tried other methods but would recommend the Paterson film clips, which hold up well to repeated use.

Tom

stillsilver · Feb 18, 2011

Start developing your own work now. You have total control and it is cheaper and quicker. Then you'll start enlarging, then alt process, then.....

Mike

tedt · Feb 18, 2011

try cox b&w lab inc. 1-916-631-7275

TRY COX B&W LAB INC. @ 1-916-631-7275

4X5 $4.50 PER SHEET35MM OR 120 $7.00 PER ROLL

TEDT

Jeff Kubach · Feb 18, 2011

DIY it is usually better.

Jeff

Christopher Walrath · Feb 18, 2011

At the above cost of 20 sheets you could conceivably be on your own way.

Dan Henderson · Feb 18, 2011

Digital might be "good enough" for your friend, and it is for some things, and some people. But for me anyway, nothing comes close to a fine black and white print made from large format film. There is a large (maybe 20x24") digital monochrome print from another photographer hanging in a show in which I also was accepted. I have no idea what megapixel count the guy's camera was, but the picture begins falling apart at that magnification. Definitely not "good enough." And for me, nothing beats the personal satisfaction that I derive from developing and printing my own pictures in a traditional darkroom. Sometimes I think that digital photographers beat the "film is dead" drum in hopes that if traditional photography disappears there will be nothing to compare lower quality digital pictures to.

Do what moves you, not someone else.

holmburgers · Feb 18, 2011

jono,

You can find methods that allow home processing to be very easy and without a question, more affordable. However, I send out all my color 4x5", slide or negative. I know a good place that only costs $2 a sheet for E6.

A darkbag, chemicals, and this setup -> (there was a url link here which no longer exists) you'll be good to go at home. And, with a paper developer and photo-paper, you can even do you own contact printing, Edward Weston style with no enlarger. Just a dark-able room.

I think a lot of the older generation have secretly hated the darkroom, and frankly, if that was the only option, I can see how some might become resentful. Thus, digital is a RELEASE from the dark. But to me, and people of the younger generation, we have a choice and the darkroom is far more interesting in my book.

Alternatively, scanning 4x5" is perfectly acceptable and will still give you huge benefits over digital capture.

OK to send film out for development?

Membership Council

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency