35mm film processing & scanning in the UK?

**BigMackCam** · 04-02-2016, 03:32 PM

Does anyone have any recommendations for 35mm film processing and scanning in the UK? I've been looking at AG Photo-lab, who seem to offer a good range of services, including scanning to TIFF at 6mp. Higher resolution is JPEG only, but I'd be happy with the 6mp if the quality of processing is good. Not cheap, though... Standard C41 process with TIFF scans at 6mp works out at £9.99. I don't plan on doing a huge amount of film photography, so the price doesn't worry me unduly, but I'd be interested to know if there are better services for the same or not much more in cost, or equally good services for less.

Thanks in advance!

john.margetts · 04-02-2016, 04:09 PM

I normally use Snappy Snaps in Lincoln - it is staffed by film enthusiasts and they do a good job. However, Snappy Snaps is a franchise and other branches won't necessarily be as good. When I have wanted non-C41 processing done I used Palm Labs in Birmingham. They are happy to phone you to discuss what developing you want if they think it is required and they are not too expensive.

clockworkrat · 04-02-2016, 04:29 PM

AG has been decent enough for processing for me, but I wouldn't recommend their printing service. I had them print a 6x6 film at 10" and after scanning (at home) noticed a fair bit of detail was missing. If your time is worth more than your money then maybe just hunt out someone with a decent scanner. I can't imagine they'd be able to get much better than an Epson V700.

disconnekt · 04-02-2016, 08:55 PM

Found 4 places in the UK area that develops film (scanning also, I believe), not sure if you know about them or not: Photo Labs and Darkrooms ? I shoot film.

Zav · 04-02-2016, 11:40 PM

When I was living in London, I used the Darkroom.
I have always been satisfied by the results.
Photographs for your wall, your desk and home. Whether film, print or digital file we ensure the best possible quality results from your original

Jonathan Mac · 04-03-2016, 01:19 AM

I haven't used them myself but I follow the blog of a superb film photographer and he loves the service and results from here: UK Film Lab | Professional Film Processing and Scanning.

The sample photos on their main page look great, there's a range of services and they will upload the scans for you to download so that you get them faster, then whenever you like they will post all your negatives back to you. This approach makes sense to me as it doesn't waste money sending back the negs every time you shoot a roll, when you probably only want them as a backup.

**BigMackCam** · 04-05-2016, 02:53 PM

Thanks all for the recommendations and information! Much appreciated. I think I'm going to start with just getting my films processed and scan them at home to get a feel for how well the technicians have handled them, before I move on to having them scan and possibly print.

04-02-2016, 03:32 PM	#1
BigMackCam Digitiser of Film Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: North East of England Posts: 20,674	35mm film processing & scanning in the UK? Does anyone have any recommendations for 35mm film processing and scanning in the UK? I've been looking at AG Photo-lab, who seem to offer a good range of services, including scanning to TIFF at 6mp. Higher resolution is JPEG only, but I'd be happy with the 6mp if the quality of processing is good. Not cheap, though... Standard C41 process with TIFF scans at 6mp works out at £9.99. I don't plan on doing a huge amount of film photography, so the price doesn't worry me unduly, but I'd be interested to know if there are better services for the same or not much more in cost, or equally good services for less. Thanks in advance!

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04-02-2016, 04:09 PM	#2
john.margetts Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Posts: 84	I normally use Snappy Snaps in Lincoln - it is staffed by film enthusiasts and they do a good job. However, Snappy Snaps is a franchise and other branches won't necessarily be as good. When I have wanted non-C41 processing done I used Palm Labs in Birmingham. They are happy to phone you to discuss what developing you want if they think it is required and they are not too expensive.

04-02-2016, 04:29 PM	#3
clockworkrat Veteran Member Join Date: May 2015 Location: Black Isle, Scotland Posts: 405	AG has been decent enough for processing for me, but I wouldn't recommend their printing service. I had them print a 6x6 film at 10" and after scanning (at home) noticed a fair bit of detail was missing. If your time is worth more than your money then maybe just hunt out someone with a decent scanner. I can't imagine they'd be able to get much better than an Epson V700.

04-02-2016, 08:55 PM	#4
disconnekt Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: SoCal/I.E. Photos: Albums Posts: 1,699	Found 4 places in the UK area that develops film (scanning also, I believe), not sure if you know about them or not: Photo Labs and Darkrooms ? I shoot film.

04-02-2016, 11:40 PM	#5
Zav Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,371	When I was living in London, I used the Darkroom. I have always been satisfied by the results. Photographs for your wall, your desk and home. Whether film, print or digital file we ensure the best possible quality results from your original

04-03-2016, 01:19 AM	#6
Jonathan Mac Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Madrid, Spain Posts: 10,897	I haven't used them myself but I follow the blog of a superb film photographer and he loves the service and results from here: UK Film Lab \| Professional Film Processing and Scanning. The sample photos on their main page look great, there's a range of services and they will upload the scans for you to download so that you get them faster, then whenever you like they will post all your negatives back to you. This approach makes sense to me as it doesn't waste money sending back the negs every time you shoot a roll, when you probably only want them as a backup.

04-05-2016, 02:53 PM	#7
BigMackCam Digitiser of Film Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: North East of England Posts: 20,674 Original Poster	Thanks all for the recommendations and information! Much appreciated. I think I'm going to start with just getting my films processed and scan them at home to get a feel for how well the technicians have handled them, before I move on to having them scan and possibly print.