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View Full Version : Where can I get Tmax processed in England?



duff photographer
2-Sep-2008, 15:15
The two local pros in Dorset, England, I use for processing my 4x5 B&W sheet film (TMax 100) no longer do so (such has been the effect of digital).

I would do it myself but lack of space and skills do not allow me. Can anyone in England suggest someone close to Dorset (or even in Dorset) that does a good professional job? I'm adverse to sending it by post as my experience of the postal service has not been good, but if needs be then...

Any help would be very much appreciated.


Cheers,
Steve

PS. Add Fuji's Neopan 100 Acros to the Tmax 100

Joanna Carter
2-Sep-2008, 15:52
I would do it myself but lack of space and skills do not allow me
First of all Steve, have you thought of joining us on the UKLFPG forums? www.lf-photo.org.uk/forum.

Next, I do all my B&W in a CombiPlan tank in the kitchen. I use a Calumet "darkroom" (sort of a large, framed darkbag) to load the tank. It only takes about half an hour from start to finish to do a batch of 6 sheets, and is a whole lot cheaper than any lab.

butterfly
3-Sep-2008, 11:35
Send them to Peak Imaging. They do a great job on all 4x5, and negs come back spotless. Not cheap though. I used them for some once in a lifetime stuff earlier this year rather than risk cocking them up myself. They are great to do business with. Freepost to send also! Even stuff sent in a big kodak Tmax film box.

But if you want to carry on shooting Tmax, get a combi-plan tank and a changing bag, and a few other bits and pieces and away you go. You do not need much ability to process -just time and the ability to follow chemical mixing instructions - if I can do it anyone can!

dwhistance
3-Sep-2008, 15:35
Try The Darkroom in Cheltenham (www.the-darkroom.co.uk), excellent for colour and B&W.

David Whistance

Ash
3-Sep-2008, 16:03
I'd recommend doing it yourself.

Not only is it more rewarding, but YOU are in control of your negatives at EVERY moment.

I process my own b&w negs, and this week bought myself a Jobo CPE-2 for temperature control, and that means colour processing is gonna commence any day now too.

The cost of setup for b&w is equivalent to somebody else processing a pack of film, maybe less.

duff photographer
7-Sep-2008, 09:35
Many thanks everyone for the suggestions - most kind.

I'm not keen on sending anything by post as I've had material disappear on more than one occasion (I still feel the heart pangs when I'm reminded of it).

I shall however, look at self-processing; on the face of it it doesn't seem to be as difficult as I have imagined.

Thanks again.

Ash
7-Sep-2008, 09:59
It's very easy, so long as you have the money for the initial setup.


I can only recommend that you don't scrimp.


There are a lot of threads on this elsewhere, but basically make sure you get the correct processing tanks, chemicals, etc. The most difficult part of the process is getting the film in and out of the tank.

If you can afford it, get a "Changing Tent" as they are large and spacious. Bags are nightmarish. If you can afford to have a darkroom or pitch black room (no light at all) it will do the same thing.

Joanna Carter
7-Sep-2008, 10:56
I'd highly recommend that you get the "Changing Room" from Calumet http://www.calumetphoto.co.uk/item/RM1000/ and, unless you want to go for a Jobo processing machine, get the CombiPlan developing tank.

kilimanjaro1996
7-Sep-2008, 11:37
Actually I just processed my first batch of 4x5 B&W sheet film over this weekend, and it is much easier than I thought. I got an older $20 Doran tank set, which was scorned upon by some LFF members here. But the previous owner did small hacking on the tank so it functions pretty well. You don't need much space apart from the vanity counter top for a bathroom sink. But then again in US we normally have the luxury of larger bathrooms and 2nd/3rd bathrooms. :-)

The only time you need total darkness is loading and unloading film. One good tip from a LFF member (Ken Lee) is the use of an infrared google, so you can actually see everything in the darkroom when doing B&W film. This takes some stress away from the beginner, even though later on I can certainly do it in total darkness. Also this opens the possibility of doing tray processing and developing by inspection.

I'm not going to details of developers etc, but the simple process for me is like this. I have almost constant temperature in running water (22 degree C), so I use a large bucket (or bath tub) as water bath. I put developer, stop bath, fixer in 2L bottles (1.6L for my tank) and leave the bottles in water bath bucket. And the whole process for developing 12 sheets of film will not take more than one hour. Quite consistent results and well under my control.

Keith Tapscott.
7-Sep-2008, 11:58
The two local pros in Dorset, England, I use for processing my 4x5 B&W sheet film (TMax 100) no longer do so (such has been the effect of digital).

I would do it myself but lack of space and skills do not allow me. Can anyone in England suggest someone close to Dorset (or even in Dorset) that does a good professional job? I'm adverse to sending it by post as my experience of the postal service has not been good, but if needs be then...

Any help would be very much appreciated.


Cheers,
Steve

PS. Add Fuji's Neopan 100 Acros to the Tmax 100
Hi Steve,

I believe that Peak Imaging will process Kodak T-Max 100 Readyloads and Fuji 100 Acros Quickloads if you don`t have the facilities to do your own processing and printing.

http://www.peak-imaging.co.uk/

Bob Singleton
8-Sep-2008, 04:45
I'm afraid I'm another one who does it himself. I use an old Paterson print processing tank a sort of flat dish with a light tight lid with a light trapped filler/emptier. You can get them pretty cheap on ebay. Some people knock them but I get clean streak free negs. The only mod I made was to stick some gaffer tape on the base inside, just small pieces to break the vacuum and stop the film sticking to the base.

It does 4 sheets at a time and is very easy to dry so you can do a second batch more or less straight away. Also since it doesn't use film holders it is very easy to load in a changing bag.

And it only takes 150ml solutions so its dead cheap to run.

Ash
8-Sep-2008, 09:27
Bob, I also use a Paterson Orbital like you.

domenico Foschi
8-Sep-2008, 11:39
What about tray processing?

snip
10-Sep-2008, 16:14
As most other replies I too urge you to do it yourself, it is easy and good fun. Otherwise try Peak as advised, or Monoprint (google for it), A&M In Edinburgh who I use for my colour work are also really good, I have never had B&W done there though.

I've used Monoprint before for having prints made, and also some 120 stuff, they are really good albeit a tad pricery, buy a copy of Amateur Photographer, there are a few ads in the back for other specialist B&W developing outfits.
//Jan