Which 35mm film development lab in the UK?

Taz777 · Jul 26, 2019

Decades ago I used to use Colab to develop my 35mm reels. Having just dusted off my old Minolta Dynax 7000i, I've sourced a few rolls of Kodak Ektar 100 35mm film. The camera seems to function well after at least a couple of decades in storage.

However, I don't know if it's taking decent pictures until I get the first roll of film developed and prints produced.

I understand that Colab isn't around any more. Can anyone recommend a a similar pro-am film development lab in the UK that they've had a good service from? Something mid-budget would be fine.

Stephen Weston · Jul 26, 2019

The only lab I have used is Ag Photolab. ( https://www.ag-photographic.co.uk/photo-lab-service-11-w.asp). Had couple of rolls developed and some enprints doing so I could have a quick look. Couldn't complain about the service and the films came back ok.

Taz777 · Jul 26, 2019

Thanks, Stephen. Following the links through, the process and print part takes me to their sister site:

https://www.ag-photolab.co.uk/35mm-c41-process--print-optional-scan-60-c.asp

I think this looks fine to me. At this point in time I just want my first test roll printed just to verify that my camera is working correctly, so I think I'll send them the film.

perkeleellinen · Jul 26, 2019

Can recommend Ag Photolab and Peak Imaging

https://www.ag-photolab.co.uk/
https://www.peak-imaging.com/

Taz777 · Jul 26, 2019

^ Many thanks, perkeleellinen.

Ste_S · Jul 26, 2019

Taz777 said:
Thanks, Stephen. Following the links through, the process and print part takes me to their sister site:

https://www.ag-photolab.co.uk/35mm-c41-process--print-optional-scan-60-c.asp

I think this looks fine to me. At this point in time I just want my first test roll printed just to verify that my camera is working correctly, so I think I'll send them the film.

There's also filmdev who are the cheapest in the UK for c41 dev/scan - £6 for dev and a 'medium' scan. The scans aren't as good as what I get from AG or Palm, but they're fine for test rolls

Black Dog · Jul 26, 2019

Taz777 said:
Decades ago I used to use Colab to develop my 35mm reels. Having just dusted off my old Minolta Dynax 7000i, I've sourced a few rolls of Kodak Ektar 100 35mm film. The camera seems to function well after at least a couple of decades in storage.

However, I don't know if it's taking decent pictures until I get the first roll of film developed and prints produced.

I understand that Colab isn't around any more. Can anyone recommend a a similar pro-am film development lab in the UK that they've had a good service from? Something mid-budget would be fine.

Colab changed their name to One Vision and I'd happily recommend them.

Taz777 · Jul 26, 2019

Black Dog said:
Colab changed their name to One Vision and I'd happily recommend them.

Oh, I didn't realise that. I've found One Vision's website here:

https://www.onevisionimaging.com

I'll be sure to check them out too as I used to have great experiences with Colab.

railwayman3 · Jul 26, 2019

The only two which I use nowadays are Peak Imaging (Sheffield) for all E6 and C41 in 120. Otherwise Photo Express (Hull) for 35mm C41 (check that you have the "Hull", address as there seems to be some unrelated businesses with similar names.). The Ilford lab is also good for the occasional B&W film, when I don't have time to process it myself. (TBH, I had some poor experiences with Colab (lost film and scratches), but, to be fair, that was some years ago.)

Taz777 · Jul 26, 2019

Thanks all for the replies. I'll send one roll to AG Photolab and one to Peak Imaging to see how each company does in terms of ease of use, turnaround time and quality of prints.

Taz777 · Jul 31, 2019

I thought I'd update this thread with my experiences of AG Photolab so far. I initially called them to chat to them about their service and was very impressed with their responsiveness, both in answering the phone and answering all of my questions over the phone.

Subsequently, I used up a 36-exposure roll of film and ordered dev/print online from AG Photolab: https://www.ag-photolab.co.uk/35mm-c41-process--print-optional-scan-60-c.asp

I went for the most basic service. On their website they supply a pre-paid address label, so you're only paying for the prints to be returned. Here's the timeline so far from this week:

Monday: Posted film at my local Post Office in a Jiffy bag using their prepaid address label. In terms identifying myself, I just printed off my order confirmation email and put that into the Jiffy bag, alongside the film.
Tuesday: Got a confirmation email from AG Photolab letting me know that my film is in the lab
Wednesday: Got a confirmation email from AG Photolab letting me know that my prints have been dispatched to me

So far so good. I'm on tenterhooks as I still don't know if my old Dynax 7000i takes pictures properly but I'll know by the end of the week. If all is well and the prints are of high quality then I'll be using AG Photolab for my future prints.

As someone with an OCD for detail, accuracy and timeliness, the service from AG Photolab has been very good so far - in particular the email communications at every stage of the order process provide reassurance. I'll update again once I receive the prints.

RokkorZ · Apr 28, 2021

Not tried AG for developing film before, but used them for supplies and can attest to them being stellar.

I've been using Palm Labs in Birmingham for the last few years. They do good work and prices seem pretty good. Worth a try if you need somewhere in the Midlands.

pentaxuser · Apr 28, 2021

RokkorZ said:
Not tried AG for developing film before, but used them for supplies and can attest to them being stellar.

I've been using Palm Labs in Birmingham for the last few years. They do good work and prices seem pretty good. Worth a try if you need somewhere in the Midlands.

In the West Mids I have found that the Molyneux lab is very good at producing light out of the shadows. It was even its brand. A very old firm with a nice large lawn in Wolverhampton and it used to be run by a Mr Cullis with Billy Wright as his best operator.

Sorry, couldn't resist.

pentaxuser

Which 35mm film development lab in the UK?

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