Where to process B&W film? (Page 2): I use: P . J. Camera Film Developing 622 Roosevelt Rd. Glen Ellen, IL 60137 They do excellent work and their prices are competitive with other labs...

jsmangis Loc: Peoria, IL

DHThomas wrote:

I was examining my collection of old gear and found an almost fully shot roll of B&W film in a Nikon FM body. Any recommendations on where to process it? Its likely to contain baby photos, from about 30 years ago. I used to process B&W myself, but reestablishing a darkroom for one roll would be too expensive.

I use:
P . J. Camera Film Developing
622 Roosevelt Rd.
Glen Ellen, IL 60137

They do excellent work and their prices are competitive with other labs I've used.

CatMarley Loc: North Carolina

DHThomas wrote:

I was examining my collection of old gear and found an almost fully shot roll of B&W film in a Nikon FM body. Any recommendations on where to process it? Its likely to contain baby photos, from about 30 years ago. I used to process B&W myself, but reestablishing a darkroom for one roll would be too expensive.

At home. A little film developer vessel thingy must still be available and cheap, as are the chemicals necessary. Once you have the negatives, you can get someone with a good film scanner to make some nice big files for you to print.

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

Your development for a single roll of film could be expensive. A professional lab would be your best choice.
Since you stated you have experience with b&w development I hope you understand that it is impossible to achieve the best negatives from a general processing. What I mean is that best results are achieved when you know at what ISO speed the film should be exposed and what type of developer and for how long the film should be developed. That is usually achieved in one's own darkroom.
Leaving b&w processing to someone else that follows the instructions of the manufacturer seldom results in the best negatives.

74images Loc: Los Angeles, California

D'Wayne's Photo in Kansas, Check on Website for Prices & Service.

74images

DHThomas Loc: Baton Rouge, LA

Thanks for all the suggestions.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

DHThomas wrote:

I was examining my collection of old gear and found an almost fully shot roll of B&W film in a Nikon FM body. Any recommendations on where to process it? Its likely to contain baby photos, from about 30 years ago. I used to process B&W myself, but reestablishing a darkroom for one roll would be too expensive.

Campus Camera in Kentucky Ohio might.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

CatMarley wrote:

At home. A little film developer vessel thingy must still be available and cheap, as are the chemicals necessary. Once you have the negatives, you can get someone with a good film scanner to make some nice big files for you to print.

It's a nice idea, and might spark a renewed interest in film use, but let's see...

Tanks are $23 (for one 35mm reel) to $25 (for two 35mm reels or one 120 reel) new at B&H. Reels are $30 for 35mm, or $15 to $50 for 120.

Timers are on your smartphone. Or, you can pay $125 for a Gra-Lab 300...

Of course, he would need a big plastic tub like TSA uses in airports (to temper the water around the developing tank and bottles of chemicals). $15 - $20 at industrial supply houses.

Chemical bottles for storing/tempering mixed Developer, Stop Bath, Fixer, Hypo Clearing Agent, and Photo-Flo (quart size, about $4.00 each; gallons, about $8.00 each)

Decent darkroom thermometer: $13 to $40

Various Measuring Graduates (Gallon, Quart, Pint, 5-6 Oz.): $50

Mixing Paddles: $7

Developer: $6 to $50 per gallon
Stop Bath concentrate: $6.50 and up
Rapid Fixer: $14
Heico PermaWash: $20
Photo-Flo: $8

Changing Bag: $24 (or a closet or bathroom that is completely dark: FREE)

Then, of course, he would need knowledge of how to process very old film exposed a long time ago, using the right developer and time. Emulsions deteriorate over time, as do latent images on them. So some compensation is needed. Knowledge of how old the film is, and when it was exposed, is helpful in determining that. There are guidelines on the Internet from several sources. They are rough estimates... So much determines the state of the film: heat, humidity, background radiation, age...

So yes, he could do it, and it would make lots of sense if it were going to be an ongoing hobby. But at around $225 to $400 to set up for and soup one roll? I dunno.

I have all that stuff (except chemicals), left over from the 1970s – 1990s, just in case I ever get crazy enough to use film again. So I might do it if the film were mine, and I were curious enough. But I'd probably use the outfit I mention in my next post.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

http://www.filmrescue.com/old-still-film-developing/

This is a firm that specializes in the art of developing and scanning old films.

CatMarley Loc: North Carolina

burkphoto wrote:

It's a nice idea, and might spark a renewed intere... (show quote)

I have about 6 of those tanks in my attic I can send him. And I can throw in an old chem thermometer. I'll bet some of that stuff is available on ebay too. A plastic tub, a sink, a few mixing bowls and a clip for drying the roll of negs - all he would need is the chemicals and some running water. Dosn't seem too expensive to me. In fact I would get a roll of B&W film, expose it in an old film camera, like my trusty FM, and run a test before trying to rescue a 30 year old roll just to be sure of my technique. I would do that before trusting some unknown lab.

DHThomas Loc: Baton Rouge, LA

I still have most of the equipment, including a developing tank, changing bag, GraLab timer, safelight, Omega B8 enlarger, trays, tongs, etc., so I'm only missing the chemicals and time. I priced getting it done at The Darkroom; don't believe I could purchase the chemicals and paper for their price. Looking into Filmrescue - it might be my best choice.

hassighedgehog Loc: Corona, CA

If you don't actually get Yellow Pages (no wired phone) it is on line at YP.com

jrcarpe Loc: Jacksonville,AR

I use Bedfords Photo in Little Rock. They do a great job.There are several listed online that still do film processing.

TallTree

Check local newspapers, they may have knowledge of people with home darkrooms. Camera stores selling darkroom supplies.

James Slick Loc: Pittsburgh,PA

TJ28012 wrote:

My darkroom is a tank and chemicalss for b/w and then I scan the negatives.

James Slick Loc: Pittsburgh,PA

burkphoto wrote:

http://www.filmrescue.com/old-still-film-developing/

This is a firm that specializes in the art of developing and scanning old films.

They are probablyobably the best choice for old film if the D.I.Y. option is out.