dkmoore Posted October 3, 2018 Share #1 Posted October 3, 2018 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hello all, Back in the film game with a new black paint Leica MP.. I have missed my trusty M7 over the past couple of years and am glad to be on the horse. Who do you use to process and scan your film 35mm film in the US if you don't do it yourself? I am looking for a very high quality company to work with. I print mostly 8X10 up to 12X18 max but I believe this requires very high res scans if memory serves. Most likely this will be mail order companies because I live in NJ and I haven't found any local companies that can do this. Any help is greatly appreciated! Thank you and please. - D 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted October 3, 2018 Posted October 3, 2018 Hi dkmoore, Take a look here Back in the film game - Need Recommendation please. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
d.s. Posted October 3, 2018 Share #2 Posted October 3, 2018 I've been using http://bleekerdigital.com/ for C41 for several years. They develop black and white and slide as well. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ktmrider2 Posted October 3, 2018 Share #3 Posted October 3, 2018 Precision Camera in Austin, Texas, does great work. They are a sponsor over on rangefinderforum.com. I have had good luck with them. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dkmoore Posted October 3, 2018 Author Share #4 Posted October 3, 2018 Thank you both. I’ll check out both to see what they offer. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanT Posted October 3, 2018 Share #5 Posted October 3, 2018 I've used Digital Silver Imaging in Belmont Massachusetts (maybe close to you?) for my 6x6 negative scans and printing of my M246 files. The quality of their scans - and their silver based prints are outstanding. I am a customer - I have no affiliation with them. https://digitalsilverimaging.com/ Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmahto Posted October 3, 2018 Share #6 Posted October 3, 2018 I have used https://www.thegoodmanfilmlab.com and liked the service. Mostly C-41. They are in LA area. I have got high quality scans (of 35mm) done by them as well and they are good. Now a days I get only development done by them and scan myself (cost effective as well control over results). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dsj Posted October 3, 2018 Share #7 Posted October 3, 2018 Advertisement (gone after registration) people say good things about Richard Photo Lab and Indie Film Lab. Haven't worked with either as I am in Europe but it might be worth a look. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fedro Posted October 3, 2018 Share #8 Posted October 3, 2018 +1 for Bleeker Digital - I kept developing with them for a while even after I left NY ... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rpittal Posted October 3, 2018 Share #9 Posted October 3, 2018 people say good things about Richard Photo Lab and Indie Film Lab. Haven't worked with either as I am in Europe but it might be worth a look. Indie Film Lab is my current choice (they are even in my state!). They send E-6 out, but do everything else inhouse, with several scanning options. Excellent results and very pleased with their service. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dkmoore Posted October 3, 2018 Author Share #10 Posted October 3, 2018 Thanks all. I'm going to try out a few of these to see which I get the best results from. I plan on shooting a few rolls this weekend in fact. I really appreciate the info. It may take me a few weeks but I'll let everyone know which service I found to be the best. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
d.s. Posted October 4, 2018 Share #11 Posted October 4, 2018 P.S. Scanning with Plustek 7200dpi scanners should be more than adequate for "Super B" prints. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dkmoore Posted October 6, 2018 Author Share #12 Posted October 6, 2018 I have actually been looking at the 8200i AI scanner as well as the Epson v850. I'm hesitant/concerned that I won't be happy enough with the scans from either of these. 7200 DPI is certainly enough to print 13 X 19 but at what quality level? Have you compared the printed results from your Plustek to printed digital files from a digital camera? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pico Posted October 7, 2018 Share #13 Posted October 7, 2018 (edited) Seeking high resolution, better called accutance for our digital v film comparisons, is made difficult by digital susceptibility to sharpening - that is edge contrast which is difficult enough with film that we rarely, if ever see it. Digital wins if one likes sharpening. Another factoid is that in optical enlarging film, the original resolution is diminished at the enlarger's lens. Certainly, I have made enlargements which show the film grain, but only with grainy film. To resolve grain under such a case is more likely than resolving detail. It can fool us. In my opinion, an ink-jet print can show more detail from a high pixel image than film can. But resolution is not everything. Edited October 7, 2018 by pico 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
d.s. Posted October 7, 2018 Share #14 Posted October 7, 2018 D, My use of digital is limited to the web and small retail packaging so I can't provide a comparison. As Pico mentioned, grain will be more apparent, even compared to drum scans. For 18x12 prints I'm satisfied. Above that I've sent the work out, but only because I have an R3000. Regardless, the low cost of these scanners makes it easy to see if they're a good fit for you. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pyrogallol Posted October 7, 2018 Share #15 Posted October 7, 2018 If you are only going to scan the negatives to use on a computer and not intending to have a darkroom you might as well stick to a digital camera. But if you prefer the tactile handling of a film camera and the mechanical and chemical feel of traditional photography think about setting up a darkroom and join the second half of the film revival. Good luck with your film photography. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dkmoore Posted October 7, 2018 Author Share #16 Posted October 7, 2018 Seeking high resolution, better called accutance for our digital v film comparisons, is made difficult by digital susceptibility to sharpening - that is edge contrast which is difficult enough with film that we rarely, if ever see it. Digital wins if one likes sharpening. Another factoid is that in optical enlarging film, the original resolution is diminished at the enlarger's lens. Certainly, I have made enlargements which show the film grain, but only with grainy film. To resolve grain under such a case is more likely than resolving detail. It can fool us. In my opinion, an ink-jet print can show more detail from a high pixel image than film can. But resolution is not everything. Thank you for this information. I am diving in deep and doing a lot of googling. This info if also very helpful in better understanding. D, My use of digital is limited to the web and small retail packaging so I can't provide a comparison. As Pico mentioned, grain will be more apparent, even compared to drum scans. For 18x12 prints I'm satisfied. Above that I've sent the work out, but only because I have an R3000. Regardless, the low cost of these scanners makes it easy to see if they're a good fit for you. Agreed, I am going to buy either the Plustek or the Epson and give it a whirl. I also found a small company about 10 minutes from my house that appears to do some high end processing, scanning, and printing. If you are only going to scan the negatives to use on a computer and not intending to have a darkroom you might as well stick to a digital camera. But if you prefer the tactile handling of a film camera and the mechanical and chemical feel of traditional photography think about setting up a darkroom and join the second half of the film revival. Good luck with your film photography. I mention above that I am printing, and I print a lot. The intention is not to use just on my computer. Plus, I just like film, the look, the feel, the idea. That being said, I have two small kids at home and a very busy job and therefore: A. don't have time to process my own film B. don't want the chemicals in my house because of the kids (yes, I know I can build a dark room and keep it locked...maybe some day) I had to pick which film activities I prefer to be a part of the creative workflow. I don't have time for all three so I picked 1 and 3. 1. taking photos 2. processing 3. printing *I plan on sticking to digital as well. No need to pick one or the other. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dkmoore Posted October 24, 2018 Author Share #17 Posted October 24, 2018 First rolls of film coming back from processing using my new Leica MP. These were scanned at 42" X 28" @ 72 DPI which I don't think is high enough resolution for anything above 8 X 10 (max). Not a great photo by any means but excited to share my first images back. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/290140-back-in-the-film-game-need-recommendation-please/?do=findComment&comment=3618889'>More sharing options...
jmahto Posted October 25, 2018 Share #18 Posted October 25, 2018 5 hours ago, dkmoore said: First rolls of film coming back from processing using my new Leica MP. These were scanned at 42" X 28" @ 72 DPI which I don't think is high enough resolution for anything above 8 X 10 (max). Not a great photo by any means but excited to share my first images back. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Like the colors. What film? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
250swb Posted October 25, 2018 Share #19 Posted October 25, 2018 (edited) 8 hours ago, dkmoore said: First rolls of film coming back from processing using my new Leica MP. These were scanned at 42" X 28" @ 72 DPI which I don't think is high enough resolution for anything above 8 X 10 (max). Not a great photo by any means but excited to share my first images back. If you are going to buy a scanner the Epson is not a good scanner for 35mm, a Plustek is far superior (although it can't scan larger formats). The price would soon be recouped by doing your own scanning, and remember you only need to scan the good ones to full resolution. Edited October 25, 2018 by 250swb Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pixie Posted October 25, 2018 Share #20 Posted October 25, 2018 Do it yourself. It's easy, need a change bag or perfectly dark room or cupboard. A tank to hold film, thermometer, some chemicals and a scanner. I use the Canonscan simply because i found it on street with everything in box! IT does not work on newer PC's or laptops Window 7,8,10..i keep a XP off line for it! Plustec very nice scanner but needs program to work (Pay). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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