bad quality processing

[fernando_b]

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I still use mainly film, mostly colour slides. It is about a couple of years that i note a clear degradation in performances of developing labs. May be the casue is that I'n not a professional (so I seldom shot more than 30 rolls per year).

All the last, say 60, rolls of framed slides I sent to develop returned to me indecently. Frequently (at least two per roll) returned with small holes in the film. Frequently they have spots of dried water leaving circular transparent discs, however clearly visible both during projection and after scanning. ALL the slides have a plenty of dust on their surfaces.

I changed the shop (and the developing lab) two times without effect.

I wonder if there's a co-ordinated action for convincing us to move to digital.

Any similar experience?

Regards,

Fernando.

[earleygallery]

I don't think your experience is unique. I've had some very bad experiences with commercial processing lately. It drove me back to doing my own B&W processing which was a good thing.

 

Apart from keep trying until you find a decent processor or 'Do it Yourself' I don't have any answers for you. I would have said try Kodachrome (always excellent) but that's stopping this year.

[Gift]

If you want to remain "film" nowaday, the only way is "do it yourself".

I process my own color slides and negatives and it's more easy than people usually think, and the results are so much better than in a comercial lab.

 

There are developers kits (tetenal, kodak and fuji) that makes the job very easy and you don't need special requeriments.

 

Try it and you won't regreat it.

 

Cheers.

[Glenn R]

I'm pretty much decided on setting up to process my own now. Recent experiences of poor dev/print results have made my mind up. The high street places clearly place a low priority on quality these days.

[fernando_b]

Thanks you all for the answers.

May be I'll start to conveince my woman...

Best wishes,

Fernando.

[jerryharwood]

There is a small firm in Heath& Reach, Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire- Tempo Photographic Ltd. This firm is quite exceptioal, and turns out top quality processing, both neg and pos. turn round is usually 3 days, and you will have absolutely NO complaints. Cost for process only of Trannies is including first class postage, is £6.72 for a roll of 36. they also do 120. I have used them, ever since a word of mouth recommendation- they are leica/ hassy people, and they really take care. Tel; 01525 237344