Proper Developing
Discussion
That home printing thread got me thinking about something that's bugged me a bit recently.
Basically, it appears that most high street developers are now using digital developing kit. I.e. scan in the film and print off the results. The quality can be somewhat variable i've found.
Does anyone know of any places that still do proper developing with vats of chemicals and bits of string?
Basically, it appears that most high street developers are now using digital developing kit. I.e. scan in the film and print off the results. The quality can be somewhat variable i've found.
Does anyone know of any places that still do proper developing with vats of chemicals and bits of string?
simpo two said:
But the film would have to be developed before it could be scanned, no?
Er, pass. Just got my last lot back from Cheapo Bob McCheap's Budget photo emporium and they're a bit pixelated as if they've been scanned or printed at low res. Put the next 3 in with boots for some vastly over inflated price.
Yep, develop the negative film as per the normal C41 process, scan it at up to 2000 dpi (usually 1000 dpi, high res on request for extra fee), automatically manipulate it to improve contrast, saturation and sharpness, then use lasers to expose onto normal photographic paper, develop the prints and out theuy come in under an hour. That'll be £x.99p please and a couple of quid extra if you want it on a CD too.
You can have it done the old-fashioned way, it usually takes a week to send away and the results aren't nearly as good as a properly run digital lab.
As always it all depends on how well trained (and interested) the lab staff are...
You can have it done the old-fashioned way, it usually takes a week to send away and the results aren't nearly as good as a properly run digital lab.
As always it all depends on how well trained (and interested) the lab staff are...
Yes, the film must be developed before it is scanned. What used to happen is that the lab would place each negative on an enlarger, and print the image.
Now, developed negatives go into a big machine, get digitally scanned, and printed off. There is very little user input, everything is done automatically.
Thats why I prefer slide film - once its developed, you can't do anything to alter the exposure (unlike print film).
You could always buy a developing kit, they don't cost much. B&W is quite easy to do, colour I believe is more difficult.
Now, developed negatives go into a big machine, get digitally scanned, and printed off. There is very little user input, everything is done automatically.
Thats why I prefer slide film - once its developed, you can't do anything to alter the exposure (unlike print film).
You could always buy a developing kit, they don't cost much. B&W is quite easy to do, colour I believe is more difficult.
parrot of doom said:
Thats why I prefer slide film - once its developed, you can't do anything to alter the exposure (unlike print film).
Yes indeed, you save a generation.
I'd have thought that for big-scale print stuff it would have been quicker to shine a light through the negative and make a print in the normal way, rather then have to make a 4000dpi scan - but I expect the kit is rather good and pricey...
NB When I used film I used Fuji Superia and sent it to Bonusprint - good quality glossy prints in a few days, and they didn't insist on sending a replacement cheapo film back. I was generally very happy with the prints - but that's where the image is 'stuck'.
All professional labs will process B&W, colour neg (C41) and transparency film (E6). Kodachrome is developed by Kodak only. Labs will also do push and pull processing if required (sometimes at an extra cost) as well as clip tests.
I've not used a lab for some time now, but you will be looking at paying £5.50 + vat for each of the above processes and about £3 for a clip test for 35mm film.
I've not used a lab for some time now, but you will be looking at paying £5.50 + vat for each of the above processes and about £3 for a clip test for 35mm film.
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