Potential LF newbie with film questions

[tmiba]

I’m going to potentially be taking the jump towards purchasing some LF camera gear in the near future. I’m doing some research before I make the jump and one thing I can not discover is information on the film. I can find the resources for purchase and have read how to load and use in the camera. However I for the life of me can not discover the following.

1) Are there still a good amount of Labs that will process 4x5?? Since I don’t have any locally I will have to send them off I assume. Of course B&W I can do myself

2) Any idea on the cost to process on average?

3) In what manner do you send everything off and keep the exposed film light tight??

Thanks for any insights

[Brian Ellis]

Don't know about 1 and 2 but you send the film to a lab in the same box in which the film originally came. People save empty boxes for this purpose.

[venchka]

People also give empty boxes to new recruits for the cost of postage.

I assume you mean sending off E-6 and C-41 color material for processing? One shop that handles mail order and is often mentioned here is in Missoula, Montana. The lab name escapes me but GOOGLE E-6 processing Missoula and the lab web page pops right up. I checked the prices recently and they were $2/sheet or less and had a volume discount price with 10 sheets or more. Less than my local labs.

Be on the lookout for cold stored recently expired E-6 film Kodak Readyloads and Fuji Quickloads. A very convenient way to shoot and mail E-6 film. Generally very good prices too.

Good luck!

[venchka]

Of course. Yellowstone Photo.

http://www.yellowstonephoto.com/

Price is $2/1-10 sheets. $1.70/10+ sheets. Those are good prices compared to Houston.