How much should it cost for a lab to develop a 4x5 sheet?

[Leigh]

Dodge Chrome in Silver Spring, Md, charges the following for 4x5 per sheet:

$3.10 for E-6
$3.50 for either C-41 or B&W

- Leigh

[Nguss]

U.K is about $3.44 per sheet for B/W C41 or E6. I need to get a tank to try home developing b/w.

[Louie Powell]

The COST of processing a sheet and the PRICE for processing that sheet can - and should - be quite different.

If the lab has enough volume to be able to maintain a constant flow of film through the process line, then their cost will be the lowest possible, and the price they can charge will also be lower. And if that is the case, then it also makes sense that the market they are serving has enough demand for the service that they probably also have competition, and that will also help control the price. But if they get half a dozen sheets a month, and have to mix chemicals and set up specifically to process those sheets, their cost will be much higher, and the price they charge will also be higher.

So the question really comes down to what does the market demand.

I don't think that there are any labs where I live that process sheet film anymore.

[Kuzano]

They post a price list on their web site. I recall that currently one of their processes is in house and another (E6?) goes out.

There seems to be a good commitment to processing on their part because they expanded from their main store and opened their new processing lab around the corner about 5 years ago, again as I recall.

Link to their processing price sheet:

http://www.prophotosupply.com/p-lab_price.htm

[Jim Michael]

To add to Louie's comment, if the lab doesn't process sufficient film to make it a profitable venture, e.g. they do it only because it generates additional business for printing and mounting, they may be hesitant to put adequate resources into it. So, they may not be monitoring the process, they may not be cleaning the equipment, they may not be changing water and dryer filters, etc. You might find a "great deal" but then spend hours retouching embedded dirt out of your images or trying to resolve color crossovers. There is a reason we send our film all the way up to Praus. If the lab is local ask for a tour, ask to take a look at their process control charts, ask about the maintenance schedule they follow. Then judge for yourself based on the cleanliness of the facility, appearance and behavior of employees, etc.