Professional Film Developers

[Procrasticus]

Hi, new guy here. I know this is only slightly related to what should be in a forum section called "Printroom", but I swear, I cannot find a place that looks like it really fits my question here.

Anyway, I live pretty close to Denton, and having just gotten myself into the world of film, I realize I need a decent developer. I initially tried Walgreens (there's at least two in town) and while they get the job done, the quality on the film scans is decidedly lacking and they tell me they can't develop film with the professional label on it. The CVS Pharmacy can't either, but they didn't know that and I didn't think to ask so I ended up with a blank roll of black and whites.

So, the question is, does anyone know of any good film developers in or around Denton County?

Thanks, in any case.

[venchka]

Edit: Welcome! It's great to have another film user here.

First of all, define the film you are exposing. Size & emulsion. Every drug store mini-lab on earth can develop, scan & print 35mm C-41 process film. Color negative film to the high school kid working the counter. that includes Kodak BW400CN and Ilford XP2 Super chromogenic black & white film. It also includes all of the Kodak and Fuji color negative films with the word Professional on the can.

Any other size or real black and white film will have to go somewhere else. There are members here who know about pro labs in the DFW area. Do a forum search for member Bigdog (David). He should know. You may want to meet the Texas Church Project folks too. avid is a member of that group. Jeremy Moore is also a member and I think he lives in/around Denton.

Good luck!

[timbertoes]

Call this number:
903 583-7497

even though it's 903, it is in McKinney.

I am about to drop off some 120 color this evening.

I just talked to them a little while ago, and already i forget the actual business name...


Also, post a pic of that Voigtlander!

[CaptainTom]

BWC in Dallas will process your film, make your enlargements, print your catalogs, etc. etc.

[Procrasticus]

Thanks for the fast responses, people! I'll have to pick between your respectively mentioned developers, timbertoes and Captain Tom. (And I'll get a picture of that Vito up shortly, timbertoes.)

As for you, venchka, thanks for the information. Because all I own are 35 millimeter cameras, any film I get is of course 35 millimeter. I recently got a big bag of 36 shot Tri-X 400, which is the black and white film that CVS and Walgreens can't develop for me and what actually prompted this thread, but I just bought a bunch of film on Amazon last night that I thought I should probably also mention: Fujichrome Provia 100F slide, Kodak Professional Ultra Color 400UC print, and Kodak Ektar 100CN.

Edit: Here's the Vitomatic, timbertoes : D

[timbertoes]

Nice rangefinder :) I have 2 rangefinders, neither works..

I have also used BWC, the have an office close to my work, for drop off.
BWC would be considered the more professional lab, but for all I know they might use the same basic equipment for 35 and 120, as does anyone else.
I was told they use Ilford chemicals.

for B&W, you can do them at home for a reasonable inital outlay.
$25 for a plastic reel/daylight tank (the easiest to load), $20 - 30 in chemicals - developer and fixer, and a bottle of Photo-flo that lasts forever.

Stop bath can be just water and a few ounces of white vinegar. I dont use hypoclear (for better or worse) lol.

I hang the strips from the shower enclosure upper rail, suitcase paper clips with a small fishing weight at the bottom of the strip.

the best part is you can tailor the developer and time to the film and the ISO you use.
I use the Bathroom at night, when no light leaks past the door. But I have no Bathroom window, so that helps.

fwiw, I usually wait till I have 4 or more rolls, so the developer and fixer are not wasted with just one roll.

it is kind of hard to beat the 3 or 4 dollars that bwc charges, though.

[Procrasticus]

Thanks. The integrated rangefinder is broken, actually, but I don't mind using the marks on the camera to adjust focus. I'll have an external rangefinder soon anyway, so I'll just use that when necessary.

While I like the thought of being able to develop my own film, the thought of being able to also ruin it kind of makes me want to avoid it. I think I'm just gonna stick with a professional developer for the time being, but thanks for explaining the basics of what to do-- seems simple enough.

[Big Dog]

Originally Posted by Procrasticus

While I like the thought of being able to develop my own film, the thought of being able to also ruin it kind of makes me want to avoid it.

As opposed to what the drugstore will do?

Originally Posted by Procrasticus

I think I'm just gonna stick with a professional developer for the time being, ...

Also recommend BWC as a processing lab for your film. A "developer" is a chemical.

Just kidding ...

If you insist on using one-hour labs, they can do any color neg film you mentioned. They can also do the chromogenic B&W films as was mentioned. They don't (usually) do slides, although they might send them somewhere for you. And, they CAN NOT do Tri-X.

[Jaydandy]

Ken Rockwell has info on film labs on his site
http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/labs.

[venchka]

David beat me to it. You can't hurt film any worse than a lab. After about 2-3 rolls you will be better than most labs.

Developing b&w film is sooooooooooooooooooo easy. The hardware is soooooooooooooooooooooooo cheap. Or free even if you find somebody with boxes of stuff they want to get rid of. I have filled up my wagon 3 times for the cost of gas to get the stuff. A bottle of Rodinal and a gallon of Kodak Rapid Fixer will develop 50-100 rolls of Tri-X. Total for both under $30. Pro labs are charging upwards of $10/roll.

You will need a scanner or enlarger for prints. I have an extra HP scanner that scans 35mm negatives and slides you can have for $50 plus shipping. I probably have an extra Paterson tank and 1-2 reels I could throw in the deal.

[Procrasticus]

Originally Posted by Big Dog

As opposed to what the drugstore will do? :

Yeah, I know a lab can ruin my photos just as well as I can, but I just feel safer having people who have at least a little experience developing my stuff. Or processing my stuff. Remember, new to this sorta thing.

Thanks venchka, that deal sounds pretty appealing--I've private messaged you over it.

[venchka]

I went through 2 Wal-Marts, a Walgreens, Sam's and CVS trying to find decent color work. When I found someone who was decent with the film, they quit. I pretty much gave up on color and went back to DIY B&W. When I do need color processing, there is a decent lab in Houston and it's only about a 90 minute round trip after work. YUCK! I'm going mail order next time. Postage is cheaper than gas and my nerves.