Where can I get some b&w negs developed and scanned??

[Corran]

I'm not quite ready to do my own developing. I have used North Coast Photographic for my development of 135/120 for a while but they don't offer scans of 4x5. Chrome Digital offers "production scans" that seem perfect for what I need but don't do b&w. Short of sending my film to both (I really don't want that) who can I use to both develop my b&w AND scan? Preferably for about $8-$10 per sheet.

Excuse my ignorance as I get all this large format business sorted out

[lenser]

Location, location, location. Where are you in the whole wide world????

[Frank Petronio]

Edgar Praus does expert lab work and Imacon scans at www.4photolab.com but there is no way he can do them for $10 each lol.

[Corran]

Sorry! USA...deep south, no where near any big city unfortunately.

I'm not sure how Chrome charges only $5.50 for "production scans." I'm not sure what they even mean by that*.

*Actually I figured out their nomenclature and I see I won't be getting quality scans for cheap. Well better start looking for that Epson whatever on ebay.

[Professional]

I feel sorry that USA is so big so many people asking about processing and scanning film more nowadays, i think i will be in same issue if i were living there, but good we have one lab only not so far even it is a bit far for me but not that much.
I saved myself bucks when i started to develop at home [B&W only] and have a scanner, i use the lab only for color film processing, i even don't use them for drum scanner and i am planning to buy a drum scanner i hope next year or after.

[lenser]

Corran, In mid USA, I use Allied Photocolor in ST. Louis. You can access their services and price lists at Alliedphotocolor.com. I have not had them do any scanning, but I've been in their plant and the work on display (and their work ethic) is awesome. Excellent E-6 and B&W processing!!!

[Corran]

Thanks guys. This questions was a little dumb because I misunderstood the Chrome site. I see now that cheap 4x5 scans are going to be impossible.

I have a Coolscan 8000 for my 120/220 so I want that level of quality for my 4x5s. I don't want to ask the same old questions about scanning but I might have to, in the appropriate forum. I don't want my 4x5 scans on a cheap scanner to barely equal the resolution from 6x7 scans from the Nikon!

[Frank Petronio]

The Coolscan will outperform a consumer (ie Epson) flatbed in an equal test but the added real estate of 4x5 negates that somewhat... but not necessarily in a cut and dry, linear fashion -- you just have to test and compare. And it really depends what your needs and budget are.

But even people with higher end drum scanners will usually have an Epson 4990/700/750 around if for nothing more than quick proofing. A lot of us, who have budgets and modest needs for smaller (>16x20 prints) can squeak by with one ;-)

The strategy or rationalization I make is that I can scan a lot with the Epson and the real winners can go out for higher end scans as I need them for larger prints or when I become super-famous or something.

[Richard Mahoney]

Dear Corran,

About six months ago my processing costs hit the roof. (I'm taking it New Zealand simply doesn't have the economies of scale to keep things at a reasonable level.) When I was fielding around for alternatives overseas Frank started his usual refrain -- `Praus rules, Praus rules, Praus ...'' It took me a while to get around to sending material to Rochester, but the other day I got the first lot back. And -- surprise, surprise -- Frank is right: the help was great, the film was carefully processed (E6 and TMAX), and the final invoice, postage included, was almost half what I would have had to pay locally. Yes, it took a few days longer, but really, when its one's own work, and when its critical that it's handled properly, the slight delay is irrelevant. Rochester is closer to you than me.


Kind regards,

Richard

[Greg Blank]

Use Edgar Praus http://www.4photolab.com or Duggal for the processing http://www.duggal.com.

Then Buy a V750 to do the scans. Having a lab do processing for B&W white is going to limit you to making exposures that work the way the lab processes though. If you want esoteric differences in your images based on developer choice, you will need to process them yourself or find a very specialized lab or person skilled with using many developers.

This subject is highly subjective, the term "better" is relative. Prior to having my V750 I had a Perfection 2450 (maybe four generations of Epson back). The lab I worked at had both a drum scanner they never used and an Imacon for 4x5. I had Imacon scans made of four 4x5 inch images and two were the largest files that they would create for me at 45.00 dollars each, those translated to 16x20 files for Lamda printing. One of the last scans I personally did on my 2450 was a 24x30 inch print. I let the lab output the image, being someone that has made 1,000's of color analog prints I feel I can state now that at a lower resolution one will most likely never see enough difference between a (Insert your high end scanner of choice here) and a V750. to warrant paying someone else to scan and tweek the scan. Certainly low budget customers never will.

Now if one has no ability to work with color or files it does change the outcome.

I'm not quite ready to do my own developing. I have used North Coast Photographic for my development of 135/120 for a while but they don't offer scans of 4x5. Chrome Digital offers "production scans" that seem perfect for what I need but don't do b&w. Short of sending my film to both (I really don't want that) who can I use to both develop my b&w AND scan? Preferably for about $8-$10 per sheet.

Excuse my ignorance as I get all this large format business sorted out