Dave Flash Loc: South Jersey

I am in search of a quality film processing, scanning, and sometimes printing of 120 and 35mm B&W and color negative film. I am considering The Darkroom in CA, Dwayne’s, and NJ Photo which is actually in NY.
Past results from local services have proven to be unsatisfactory with dirty negs resulting in poor prints.
Probably I should resurrect my stored B&W processing equipment and use up the several bags of film developer and fixer that have been stored in unopened Kodak bags for 20+ years. The chemicals and still loose in the bags.
I have a Epson Perfection V550 Photo flat bed scanner and a Nikon Cool Scan V ED and question if lab scanning would even be much better.
Your recommendations are welcomed.
Thanking you in advance for your help.

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

I used a Nikon CoolScan LS-2000 for awhile, and discovered that their “multi” mode actually tended to make scratches worse beyond some point - it tended to ‘widen’ them.

Wasn’t “Dwayne’s” {in Kansas} the last company to process Kodachrome? I don’t know anything about their actual work, but it would expect them to hold well to professional standards.

StanMac Loc: Tennessee

I have used Memphis film lab and had the negs returned uncut. I scan my own rather than pay for scans.

Stan

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

Is there any benefit to having the negatives uncut?

J11 Loc: Ocean Springs MS

Take a look at northcoastphoto.com. I have used them several times and am happy with their work. Paul who runs this section had recommended them in the past. He was not wrong. Jim.

MrPhotog

If you use your camera (rather than a scanner) to digitize your negatives it is faster to start a long strip of film, and advance it frame by frame. With the negatives cut in strips of 4, you have to load your negative carrier nine times for a 36 exposure roll. And if you were lucky enough to manage an extra frame or two on that roll of film, the lab will give you that small clip, and it may be the most difficult of the batch to handle.

The time to cut into strips for storage is after they have been digitized.

Since I used to make B&W contact sheets from strips of 6 35 mm negatives , many years ago I started my filing system around that length. With color work, the labs usually return strips of 4, but if I process the negs myself I’ll do strips of 6. It is a more convenient length, and the longer strips don’t move around as much on a light table.

The downside to having the negative processed, and returned uncut, is how the lab packages and ships those back to you.

Over the years I’ve had them sleeved and rolled around a large diameter cardboard drum ( best) and another lab (worst) rolled it up and shoved it in a plastic film can ( the kind you get a roll of fresh film in). I’m surprised I didn’t have a zillion small scratches in that, but I didn’t use that lab again.

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

I use an actual scanner - if they don’t cut the roll into groups of 4 or 6, that is my first task. My filing system is based on the individual image.

Dave Flash Loc: South Jersey

Rehess, Dwayne’s did process the last roll of Kodachrome which was shot by legendary photographer, Steve McCurry. National Geographic produced a show (documentary) about the the last 36 frames which is readily available on YouTube. So I guess if it was good enough for Steve, I shouldn’t hesitate.
Any comment on 20+ year old photographic chemicals, dry powder type?
Thank everyone for your suggestions.

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

I have my film developed at our local camera store {a place called “Gene’s”}. I’m not sure if they have a ‘mail order’ business. My understanding if that Pentax will provide ‘mail order’ processing by one of their industrial partners as part of their Film Project, but that won’t start up for several months.

StanMac Loc: Tennessee

You can cut them to fit your particular filing medium or method.

Stan

RodeoMan Loc: St Joseph, Missouri

Dwayne processed some Kodachrome 25 of mine during the final days. I also bought a commemorative Last Days of Processing Kodakchrome Yellow T shirt. I've got it stored away never worn.

RodeoMan Loc: St Joseph, Missouri

There is (or was?) an interesting youtube video of McCurry flying with his stock of Kodachrome to Kansas City and then driving to Parson's Kansas to hand deliver the film. I believe that the last roll of Kodachrome to be processed wias actually shot by Dwayne himself.

BebuLamar

The lab tends to cut the film in strips of 5 while my scanner takes strips of 6. So if I cut the film myself I can scan faster (6 at a time instead of 5). Back when I do my own printing in the darkroom my enlarger with the Negatran can take the whole uncut roll. I just need to spin the wheel to load the correct negative.

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

My scanner also accepts strips of up to 6, but speed is the least of my concerns, so I accept anything I can get.

AzPicLady Loc: Behind the camera!

For developing, try Replicolor in Salt Lake City. I've used them and found them quite nice to deal with and they do good work. I've not had them scan anything because I have my own scanner.