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Getting C41 processed is getting more and more difficult


andybarton

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Even the supermarkets have stopped doing it now.

 

Going to have to be B&W from now on, plus the Astia homebrew.

 

Andy- is that the same processing as Ilford XP2. If so Jessops do one hour or Ilford do pre paid envelopes- 7 days

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Depends upon whether you have a Jessops nearby, but it now means that a journey is required to process, whereas it used to be very easy. Even the High Street in my small town used to have two places that processed. Not any more.

 

There's one place in Chester, one on the outskirts of Ellesmere Port and Tesco in Heswall (but they scratch your negs to buggery. I have watched the girl there wrap a whole roll of negs round her finger, like you would a dress-makers' tape)

 

Sainsburys used to do a really good, clean service further up the Wirral, but they seem to have removed all processing from their stores now.

 

Looks like a special trip into Manchester tomorrow lunchtime.

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Hi Andy,

 

Sorry to hear of your C41 woes, have had trouble with scratched negs before too - wrapping negs around her fingers - the thought makes me shiver!

 

Incidentally I haven't shot any neg for a while (even then it was on MF so no high street option), but when I have I got Russels Photographic in Wimbledon (SW London) to process the rolls and they did a great job. I know they're not 'round the corner from you, but you could always send a batch together in the post.

 

Guess we must give thanks we can still process B+W...

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Do I assume that Ilford XP2 is a reasonably good film. strangely enough I bought a roll today to try. I was just a bit unsure when Jessops told me that it uses colour processing to produce B&W negs. My first reaction was "why". Then they explained the hour service and it started to make sense. The pre paid processing envelopes would seem a good option. I takes 7 days which I am used to with colour reversal processing

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It iis the same process for that film as normal colour neg film

 

Try to get Jessops to print on special b&w paper

 

Do a search on the photo section here. Lots of people use XP2, including Bill, IIRC

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It iis the same process for that film as normal colour neg film

 

Try to get Jessops to print on special b&w paper

 

Do a search on the photo section here. Lots of people use XP2, including Bill, IIRC

 

Almost. I actually use Kodak 400CN, which I prefer. I find XP2 lacking in contrast. Conversely, I find 400CN to be sharp, and I love it's rendition of metallic surfaces. I get mine processed in 20 minutes, dev and cut to CD, no prints for £2.99 at a local Klick Photopoint. I have taken the time to befriend the manageress and instead of ranting at her for spots on my first set of negatives I showed her the camera I was using (my IID) and explained why I was keen to get decent results. Absolutely no problem since, and first class service to boot.

 

Anything worthwhile I rescan myself, btw and print accordingly. I only use the CD as a digital contact sheet, and for knocking things out for web use.

 

This is what you can do with 400CN, btw, and this is what I mean about metallic surfaces:

 

1936331211_6991284663_o.jpg

 

Oh, and I wouldn't touch Jessops with a 40 foot barge pole.

 

Regards,

 

Bill

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Almost. I actually use Kodak 400CN, which I prefer. I find XP2 lacking in contrast. Conversely, I find 400CN to be sharp, and I love it's rendition of metallic surfaces. I get mine processed in 20 minutes, dev and cut to CD, no prints for £2.99 at a local Klick Photopoint. I have taken the time to befriend the manageress and instead of ranting at her for spots on my first set of negatives I showed her the camera I was using (my IID) and explained why I was keen to get decent results. Absolutely no problem since, and first class service to boot.

 

Anything worthwhile I rescan myself, btw and print accordingly. I only use the CD as a digital contact sheet, and for knocking things out for web use.

 

This is what you can do with 400CN, btw, and this is what I mean about metallic surfaces:

 

 

 

Oh, and I wouldn't touch Jessops with a 40 foot barge pole.

 

Regards,

 

Bill

Bill, I am sorry but the shot you posted, terrific composition, looks coloured on my Mac
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I find XP2 lacking in contrast.

 

 

 

Oh, and I wouldn't touch Jessops with a 40 foot barge pole.

 

 

Bill:

 

Couldn't agree with you more on those two points! I wasn't massively impressed with XP when I used it, haven't used CN so I can't vouch for it (use HP5 mostly - although of course that's not chromogenic), but going on what you've said I'm tempted to give it a try.

 

Like on Ken's screen, your picture looks coloured on my Mac too, almost like a chromogenic film printed onto colour paper (I think they refer to the effect as 'sepia' although that's not quite what it is) and scanned, although it can't be because you stated your method. Seems to have magenta hue, actually now I look closer I notice a whole host of colours, wonder what the cause is?

 

Jessops: I'm sure each store's service varies, but a while back (probably seven years or more) I took film into the store where I lived at the time and they were AWFUL!

 

Ken:

 

As Andy mentioned you could get the XP negs printed on B+W paper, something like Ilford Multigrade RC (perhaps FB if you're feeling flush) and give it a little more contrast.

 

As Bill says stay away from Jessops.

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LoL!!!

 

Gentlemen, your eyes do not deceive you. I should have pointed out that this particular version of this shot has a slight blue tint achieved by tritoning in Photoshop! I thought the "cold" suited the subject.

 

Regards,

 

Bill

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Hi Bill,

 

So we're not colour blind or hallucinating and our monitors are not faulty!

 

I see the blueish tones, but much of the sky and some of the walkway/handrail appear magenta, do you see that too Bill? Ken, do you see the magentas?

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I have magenta on this PC monitor

 

It's not a Mac thing

 

What colour space profile have you embedded, Bill?

 

Arrrr... ummmmm.... eeeeee.... rrrrrrrrr.....

 

I'll get back to you on that...

 

:rolleyes:

 

Regards,

 

Bill

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I don't know what's going on 'cross the pond but C41 processing is not going away on this side of the Atlantic

 

I know the purists will scream, but I urge anyone within reach of a Target with a photo processing area to try their service: they do a terrific job for me with processing/prints/CD for about $10

 

Yes, all for about $10 with the coupons they throw into every job

 

In these economic times that is a Godsend to those of us who love flim

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I used to be really happy with the Target where I lived last year. Then I moved. They butcher film. Literally, they expose, etc. pulling it out of the cans and then they proceed to provide really crappy scans that aren't even centered on the frames.

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Andy

 

Have you tried Cambrian Photography in Colwyn Bay (not a million miles from Chester). I'm sure they'd offer a postal service if asked and they do take care when processing - I used to use them for all my E6 processing (which they still offer as far as I am aware). They still do most of my printing (via email) and I find them to be very good. I can put you onto the appropriate staff if you pm me.

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