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US b&w cheap deveoping/scanning help
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PostPosted: Sun Oct 16, 2011 4:18 pm    Post subject: US b&w cheap deveoping/scanning help Reply with quote
gosh, as i am shooting more and more film, i note the price of developing/scanning are ridiculous in the US and muh more expensive than color. does anyone know a place where i can get b&w film developed and scanned cheaply?
thanks!
tony


PostPosted: Sun Oct 16, 2011 5:23 pm    Post subject: Re: US b&w cheap deveoping/scanning help Reply with quote
rbelyell wrote:
does anyone know a place where i can get b&w film developed and scanned cheaply?


Yes, your home.
I'm not joking, to develop B&W film is as easy as drinking a cup of tea, and the investment in the materials is pretty low.
Check PeterQD's introduction to film developing in the Darkroom section.


PostPosted: Sun Oct 16, 2011 5:31 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
I think the hard part will be finding a lab that is still set up to run B&W through machines in larger volumes.. That is the only way they can get the prices down.

All of the shops that I've seen that still do B&W will do it in-house in hand tanks. It costs more because it is more labor intensive... but they don't run enough of it to justify keeping an extra machine set up with B&W chemistry... Neutral


PostPosted: Sun Oct 16, 2011 7:47 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
In Rodinal 1:50 developing cost is 10 cents /roll to me.


PostPosted: Sun Oct 16, 2011 8:06 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
yes, i totally get it and you are all correct. its just not going to happen at home for me. i cant even scan properly let alone set up a darkroom. there are just certain things we are not good at, and these are the types of things i am not good at, and truly do not want to devote the time to overcome my natural disabilities.

so if anyone uses a cheap service for both developing and scanning, please do post!


PostPosted: Sun Oct 16, 2011 8:27 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Tony , this is key in your case

Quote:
think the hard part will be finding a lab that is still set up to run B&W through machines in larger volumes..


I think mass developer machines designed for C-41 or E-6 process , they can't process b&w film so no cheap develop and scan.

At least I never seen here locally. Another tip if you won't make it at home, buy B&W film which is designed for C41 and you able to use
cheap store chain services.


PostPosted: Sun Oct 16, 2011 9:10 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
oh, thats an interesting tip about c41, thanks attila! i just bought a whole bunch of tmax and i dont think thats c41. do you know any c41 b&w?


PostPosted: Sun Oct 16, 2011 9:12 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
rbelyell wrote:
set up a darkroom. there are just certain things we are not good at, and these are the types of things i am not good at, and truly do not want to devote the time to overcome my natural disabilities.


You don't need a darkroom, rbelyell. All you need is developer, fixer, a tank, a sink with running water, and a lightproof bag.
Cost of everything except sink and water: less than 100 USD.
And trust me, if someone completely helpless with handwork like me can do it, then you can do it too.


PostPosted: Sun Oct 16, 2011 9:42 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
http://photo.net/black-and-white-photo-film-processing-forum/00Ysx4

Read it here , not good as real b&w film

http://www.kodak.com/global/en/professional/support/techPubs/f2350/f2350.pdf


PostPosted: Mon Oct 17, 2011 12:49 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
thanks for the ideas guys!


PostPosted: Mon Oct 17, 2011 3:40 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Attila wrote:
I think mass developer machines designed for C-41 or E-6 process , they can't process b&w film so no cheap develop and scan.


I think that quite a few of the mid to high-end machines can actually handle B&W, the shops just do a lot more color film and can't justify a dedicated machine for B&W. So if they only have one machine, it only makes sense for it to be C-41 color. If they can afford the space for two, it is probably C-41 and E-6. I considered picking up an Agfa D-Lab 2 that a local shop had for sale a year or so ago... the price was less than a worn-out Jobo! Very Happy It listed B&W film on its spec sheet, separate from C-41 B&W. I didn't buy it because of the freight logistics to get it to my house, and the maintenance of keeping it running...

With the way the film market is shrinking though, unless some specialty shop is set up (or already exists!) that specializes in B&W, I doubt it would happen.. Sad In the end, as strange as it is, C-41 B&W will likely be the cheapest way forward for non-DIY film processing.



For what it is worth, here's a handy site that lists and compares some of the minilab machine specs:
http://www.phototechservice.com/digitallabcharthigh.htm
(click the other links up top for the different categories of machines)


PostPosted: Mon Oct 17, 2011 6:08 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
My bathroom is my darkroom. Not sure what your fear of developing is? Put film in tank, get chemicals to the right temp, add to tank for allocated time, stirr occasionally. It's like making tea; just don't try and drink it though. Laughing


PostPosted: Mon Oct 17, 2011 4:07 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Dwaynes Photo - ww.dwayneshoto.com

$ 4.49 B&W develop only, either 135 or 120
2.99 photo CD

They did about 8 rolls for me, reasonably quick and no problems.

Their scans are not high res apparently, though you may want to check with them.


PostPosted: Mon Oct 17, 2011 4:36 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
For me the easiest & cheapest B&W developer is Diafine. You don't even have to mess with temperature or time as long as it's between 70-85 degrees F and at least 3 minutes in each part. And, it's very reusable and lasts a long time in storage.


PostPosted: Mon Oct 17, 2011 5:43 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
martinsmith99 wrote:
My bathroom is my darkroom. Not sure what your fear of developing is? Put film in tank, get chemicals to the right temp, add to tank for allocated time, stirr occasionally. It's like making tea; just don't try and drink it though. Laughing

Laughing exactly . All developing is holly moment to me like shoot with old folders , just relax and joy. Always need to rush , at this time no rush I love it.


PostPosted: Mon Oct 17, 2011 7:30 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
rbelyell wrote:
oh, thats an interesting tip about c41, thanks attila! i just bought a whole bunch of tmax and i dont think thats c41. do you know any c41 b&w?


Ilford XP2


PostPosted: Mon Oct 17, 2011 8:38 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
thanks edgar, xp2 looks pretty neat. i just bought 15 rolls of kodak bw400cn...
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