Who/Where to Process B&W Film?

Jonathan Mac · 08-17-2017, 04:44 AM

I would probably send my B&W for processing elsewhere (I enjoy doing it but don't have the time for all the B&W film I shoot) if it weren't for the price. Here in Madrid the cheapest I've found was €12 a roll, that's almost three times more expensive than colour. And the total investment to develop it myself was €90 so by the time I'd developed a handful of rolls I'd broken even (including the first bottles of the chemicals required).

Last edited by Jonathan Mac; 08-17-2017 at 04:53 AM.

drmoss_ca · 08-17-2017, 05:26 AM

Should you decide to go the DIY route, you won't even need the changing bag with a daylight loading tank like a Rondinax. And if you don't have a suitable flatbed scanner around already, even a simple PrimeFilm will give perfectly acceptable results for web and prints to 10x8 (use VueScan rather than the included software though). Here's a K1000 shot from 1974 scanned with PrimeFilm 3650u:

disconnekt · 08-17-2017, 10:46 AM

Here's a site where you can find a photolab in your area (or closeto you):

Photo Labs and Darkrooms ? I shoot film.

Church Key · 08-17-2017, 04:03 PM

I closed my darkroom down in 1984 when I moved to a new house. Really don't have any interest in fiddling with chemicals for a roll or so a month. Appreciate the comments. Also, I'm pushing 80, so don't know how long I will be able to keep on shooting.

Disconnekt - That's an interesting site. However, there is nothing near me (no sites in West, By gawd, VA).

Church Key

disconnekt · 08-17-2017, 09:14 PM

I would say Dwayne's Photo (A trusted name in photo processing for over 50 years - Dwayne's Photo) is going to be on the cheaper side for developing film ($5 for b&w and C-41, a couple bucks more for E-6 film)

Xmas · 08-18-2017, 02:04 AM

Originally posted by Vendee

That sounds quite expensive to me. If you are in it for the long run, it might be better to buy a changing bag, tank and a scanner.

+ Thermometer, 2xclips, measuring cylinder, 2hand from someone gone digitl?

mulveyr · 08-18-2017, 07:30 AM

Originally posted by Xmas

+ Thermometer, 2xclips, measuring cylinder, 2hand from someone gone digitl?

Yep; I bought a tank and other equipment on Craigslist. Including the chemicals, and using my local B&W lab @ $16.00/roll for processing and scanning, I figured it would break even after about 10 rolls, which is what I've been shooting around every 6-10 weeks.

Xmas · 08-18-2017, 10:16 PM

You should get better quality control to!

08-17-2017, 09:14 PM	#20
disconnekt Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: SoCal/I.E. Photos: Albums Posts: 1,699	I would say Dwayne's Photo (A trusted name in photo processing for over 50 years - Dwayne's Photo) is going to be on the cheaper side for developing film ($5 for b&w and C-41, a couple bucks more for E-6 film) Last edited by disconnekt; 08-18-2017 at 09:22 AM.

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08-17-2017, 04:44 AM	#16
Jonathan Mac Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Madrid, Spain Posts: 10,894	I would probably send my B&W for processing elsewhere (I enjoy doing it but don't have the time for all the B&W film I shoot) if it weren't for the price. Here in Madrid the cheapest I've found was €12 a roll, that's almost three times more expensive than colour. And the total investment to develop it myself was €90 so by the time I'd developed a handful of rolls I'd broken even (including the first bottles of the chemicals required). Last edited by Jonathan Mac; 08-17-2017 at 04:53 AM.

08-17-2017, 05:26 AM	#17
drmoss_ca Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Nova Scotia, Canada Posts: 520	Should you decide to go the DIY route, you won't even need the changing bag with a daylight loading tank like a Rondinax. And if you don't have a suitable flatbed scanner around already, even a simple PrimeFilm will give perfectly acceptable results for web and prints to 10x8 (use VueScan rather than the included software though). Here's a K1000 shot from 1974 scanned with PrimeFilm 3650u:

08-17-2017, 10:46 AM	#18
disconnekt Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: SoCal/I.E. Photos: Albums Posts: 1,699	Here's a site where you can find a photolab in your area (or closeto you): Photo Labs and Darkrooms ? I shoot film.

08-17-2017, 04:03 PM	#19
Church Key Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: West (By Gawd) Virginia Posts: 133 Original Poster	I closed my darkroom down in 1984 when I moved to a new house. Really don't have any interest in fiddling with chemicals for a roll or so a month. Appreciate the comments. Also, I'm pushing 80, so don't know how long I will be able to keep on shooting. Disconnekt - That's an interesting site. However, there is nothing near me (no sites in West, By gawd, VA). Church Key

08-18-2017, 02:04 AM	#21
Xmas Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Posts: 617	Originally posted by Vendee That sounds quite expensive to me. If you are in it for the long run, it might be better to buy a changing bag, tank and a scanner. + Thermometer, 2xclips, measuring cylinder, 2hand from someone gone digitl?

08-18-2017, 07:30 AM	#22
mulveyr Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Posts: 26	Originally posted by Xmas + Thermometer, 2xclips, measuring cylinder, 2hand from someone gone digitl? Yep; I bought a tank and other equipment on Craigslist. Including the chemicals, and using my local B&W lab @ $16.00/roll for processing and scanning, I figured it would break even after about 10 rolls, which is what I've been shooting around every 6-10 weeks.

08-18-2017, 10:16 PM	#23
Xmas Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Posts: 617	You should get better quality control to!