Recommend film developing & printing/scanning service
Discussion
Hi Everyone,
Long time lurker/admirer, and this is my first post in this section!. I was extremely lucky to be given, as a 40th birthday present, a Leica M3 with 50mm Summicron lens, of which I am still recovering from the shock!. I started off shooting with my Dad's old Olympus OM-10, and progressed through various kits over the years to end up with an Olympus EM-5 of which I enjoy using very much. So, going back to a '58 film camera with no in-built metering system is certainly tasking my brain, but in a very good way I might add.
Anyway, I'll get to the point, it has been a while since I had film developed and was wondering if you guys could recommend an on-line service? Initially, I am looking at developing & scanning onto CD, so I can load it into Aperture for viewing. I am trying very, very had to resist the temptation of going down the personal darkroom avenue, even though this is something that I've wanted to do for a long time!. So, digital scans of films will do me for the time being.
Cheers,
Darren
Long time lurker/admirer, and this is my first post in this section!. I was extremely lucky to be given, as a 40th birthday present, a Leica M3 with 50mm Summicron lens, of which I am still recovering from the shock!. I started off shooting with my Dad's old Olympus OM-10, and progressed through various kits over the years to end up with an Olympus EM-5 of which I enjoy using very much. So, going back to a '58 film camera with no in-built metering system is certainly tasking my brain, but in a very good way I might add.
Anyway, I'll get to the point, it has been a while since I had film developed and was wondering if you guys could recommend an on-line service? Initially, I am looking at developing & scanning onto CD, so I can load it into Aperture for viewing. I am trying very, very had to resist the temptation of going down the personal darkroom avenue, even though this is something that I've wanted to do for a long time!. So, digital scans of films will do me for the time being.
Cheers,
Darren
I'd highly recommend developing your own black and white. There is no need for a darkroom unless you get in to printing - the film goes in to a developing tank in a changing bag and then everything else can be done with the lights on. Opens up a lot more options for push/pull processing (faster/slower film speeds) and varying the contrast and grain. Lots of information on the Ilford website if you are interested.
Colour is a bit more of a hassle (I've not tried it myself) so for that I would use a lab. I'm lucky enough to have one local who've produced decent enough results so far but as far as online is concerned I've used Peak Imaging for prints and been very happy with them.
Colour is a bit more of a hassle (I've not tried it myself) so for that I would use a lab. I'm lucky enough to have one local who've produced decent enough results so far but as far as online is concerned I've used Peak Imaging for prints and been very happy with them.
Mr Will said:
I'd highly recommend developing your own black and white. There is no need for a darkroom unless you get in to printing - the film goes in to a developing tank in a changing bag and then everything else can be done with the lights on. Opens up a lot more options for push/pull processing (faster/slower film speeds) and varying the contrast and grain. Lots of information on the Ilford website if you are interested.
Colour is a bit more of a hassle (I've not tried it myself) so for that I would use a lab. I'm lucky enough to have one local who've produced decent enough results so far but as far as online is concerned I've used Peak Imaging for prints and been very happy with them.
Hello. Thanks for the response. Just had a look on the Illford website, and what a wealth of information! Will definitely consider developing my own films but, as I do not have a film scanner, I will look at Peak Imaging in the meantime. But you have certainly given me food for thought. Thanks. Colour is a bit more of a hassle (I've not tried it myself) so for that I would use a lab. I'm lucky enough to have one local who've produced decent enough results so far but as far as online is concerned I've used Peak Imaging for prints and been very happy with them.
Craikeybaby said:
Where are you based? Is there anyone that does it locally - the postage adds up fairly quickly.
I've used OneVision Imaging in Coventry a few times and have been happy with the results.
I'm based in Preston, Lancashire. I'm going to go to the Leica shop in Manchester (where my camera was bought from, I'm led to believe) and have a chat with the guys there, and see if they can recommend anywhere local'ish.I've used OneVision Imaging in Coventry a few times and have been happy with the results.
Thanks.
I used to be in the B&W darkroom trade and although it's incredibly satisfying to be able to develop your own films, it can be tricky and there's a very steep learning curve. Various things, such as having a hard water supply can make home processing an uphill struggle. These days I'm happy to recommend Ilford's process and scan service - I've represented them in the past and I can vouch for their extremely high standards of service. However, if you're going to shoot your own films and use a lab, you need your exposure regime to be spot on to get the best out of it.
If you'd like a more personal service, I don't know of anyone offering a bespoke process and printing up north but someone like Dave Butcher (top bloke) would, I'm sure, be happy to advise ~ www.davebutcher.co.uk
Lastly, if you want top trumps service from one of the very best hand printers in the world, contact Robin Bell (also top bloke) ~ www.robinbell.com Yes, I know he's in London, but there aren't many people offering bespoke hand process/print services left in the Uk and, when it comes to printing, Robin is the bolleaux du chien (if you don't believe me, check out his his client list). Better still, his prices are surprisingly reasonable.
If you'd like a more personal service, I don't know of anyone offering a bespoke process and printing up north but someone like Dave Butcher (top bloke) would, I'm sure, be happy to advise ~ www.davebutcher.co.uk
Lastly, if you want top trumps service from one of the very best hand printers in the world, contact Robin Bell (also top bloke) ~ www.robinbell.com Yes, I know he's in London, but there aren't many people offering bespoke hand process/print services left in the Uk and, when it comes to printing, Robin is the bolleaux du chien (if you don't believe me, check out his his client list). Better still, his prices are surprisingly reasonable.
Mr Snap said:
I used to be in the B&W darkroom trade and although it's incredibly satisfying to be able to develop your own films, it can be tricky and there's a very steep learning curve. Various things, such as having a hard water supply can make home processing an uphill struggle. These days I'm happy to recommend Ilford's process and scan service - I've represented them in the past and I can vouch for their extremely high standards of service. However, if you're going to shoot your own films and use a lab, you need your exposure regime to be spot on to get the best out of it.
If you'd like a more personal service, I don't know of anyone offering a bespoke process and printing up north but someone like Dave Butcher (top bloke) would, I'm sure, be happy to advise ~ www.davebutcher.co.uk
Lastly, if you want top trumps service from one of the very best hand printers in the world, contact Robin Bell (also top bloke) ~ www.robinbell.com Yes, I know he's in London, but there aren't many people offering bespoke hand process/print services left in the Uk and, when it comes to printing, Robin is the bolleaux du chien (if you don't believe me, check out his his client list). Better still, his prices are surprisingly reasonable.
Fantastic! Thanks for the advice and recommendations. Developing my own prints is something I'd like to do eventually, and I would be looking at going on a course to start off with. But, while I'm still getting to grips with the camera and understanding manual exposure/metering, I will look at one of the on-line services and then seek out more professional developers once my shots become more consistent. If you'd like a more personal service, I don't know of anyone offering a bespoke process and printing up north but someone like Dave Butcher (top bloke) would, I'm sure, be happy to advise ~ www.davebutcher.co.uk
Lastly, if you want top trumps service from one of the very best hand printers in the world, contact Robin Bell (also top bloke) ~ www.robinbell.com Yes, I know he's in London, but there aren't many people offering bespoke hand process/print services left in the Uk and, when it comes to printing, Robin is the bolleaux du chien (if you don't believe me, check out his his client list). Better still, his prices are surprisingly reasonable.
Thanks
djsmith74 said:
Mr Snap said:
I used to be in the B&W darkroom trade and although it's incredibly satisfying to be able to develop your own films, it can be tricky and there's a very steep learning curve. Various things, such as having a hard water supply can make home processing an uphill struggle. These days I'm happy to recommend Ilford's process and scan service - I've represented them in the past and I can vouch for their extremely high standards of service. However, if you're going to shoot your own films and use a lab, you need your exposure regime to be spot on to get the best out of it.
If you'd like a more personal service, I don't know of anyone offering a bespoke process and printing up north but someone like Dave Butcher (top bloke) would, I'm sure, be happy to advise ~ www.davebutcher.co.uk
Lastly, if you want top trumps service from one of the very best hand printers in the world, contact Robin Bell (also top bloke) ~ www.robinbell.com Yes, I know he's in London, but there aren't many people offering bespoke hand process/print services left in the Uk and, when it comes to printing, Robin is the bolleaux du chien (if you don't believe me, check out his his client list). Better still, his prices are surprisingly reasonable.
Fantastic! Thanks for the advice and recommendations. Developing my own prints is something I'd like to do eventually, and I would be looking at going on a course to start off with. But, while I'm still getting to grips with the camera and understanding manual exposure/metering, I will look at one of the on-line services and then seek out more professional developers once my shots become more consistent. If you'd like a more personal service, I don't know of anyone offering a bespoke process and printing up north but someone like Dave Butcher (top bloke) would, I'm sure, be happy to advise ~ www.davebutcher.co.uk
Lastly, if you want top trumps service from one of the very best hand printers in the world, contact Robin Bell (also top bloke) ~ www.robinbell.com Yes, I know he's in London, but there aren't many people offering bespoke hand process/print services left in the Uk and, when it comes to printing, Robin is the bolleaux du chien (if you don't believe me, check out his his client list). Better still, his prices are surprisingly reasonable.
Thanks
Just to add, if you want to shoot B&W and get it developed at the 1hour photo places, you can use the XP2 range as that can be developed using the C41 process (Boots/Asda etc use this) rather than HP5 Plus, which will melt if you try and use a C41 setup.
My local Asda develop and scan to CD for £2.50, which isn't too bad!
Congratulations on the camera as well! I've got a Zorki 4k with a Jupiter 8 50mm lens (Leica 2 russian copy from 1976).
My local Asda develop and scan to CD for £2.50, which isn't too bad!
Congratulations on the camera as well! I've got a Zorki 4k with a Jupiter 8 50mm lens (Leica 2 russian copy from 1976).
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