Found a "jewel in the OC"- Datachrome E-6 Lab

[Daniel Stone]

Hey all,

I've just returned with a fresh batch of PERFECTLY processed(although not perfectly exposed, well, not all of them ;)) and just wanted to report on my terrific experience.

Now; they're in OC, and I'm about 40mi north of them in east LA county. Not a short drive. But I figured that since I've never used their services before, and I had some spare time today, I'd drive it down and wait. They finished fast(they boast, and actually BEAT(today) a 3-hour turnaround time). Wowsers!!! I'm impressed! Despite this place being almost a "hole in the wall" size-wise, they go BIG on service, and strive to deliver consistent, super high quality E-6(that's all they do) service.

So, for those of you here in LA, OC, or anywhere else, and need a high-quality lab with a fast turnaround time, AND TAKES film via MAIL-ORDER, I'd highly recommend this lab.

Its nice having a lab "down the street"(sorta) that you can count on, and Rochelle(the person who takes your order at the counter) is the one who is processing your film. To me, that's piece of mind, and worth every penny.

They take 35mm, 120/220, 4x5 and 8x10. I did not inquire on 4x10 or 5x7, as I'm not shooting those formats at the moment, at least in E-6.

Here's their website:

http://data-chrome.com/index.html

-Dan

[BrianShaw]

Thanks Dan. You're right, Santa Ana isn't exactly next door but if they really turnaround in 2 hours it will be easy to grab a bite of lunch and get it all done in one trip.

[ghostcount]

I've been going to her for a couple of years now - no complaints and the prices are fair. Fast turn around too.

[Daniel Stone]

You can also mail/fedex/ups it to her.

Dan

[Peter De Smidt]

Thanks for the tip, Dan.

[LF4Fun]

Thanks for tips, Daniel.
I just hate A&I (and now they're no longer process E-6)

[false_Aesthetic]

hows this compare to Icon on wilshire?

[ghostcount]

hows this compare to Icon on wilshire?

Never tried Icon but here's an E-6 process published price trade off...

Datachrome (http://data-chrome.com/price_lists.html)
35 = $7.75
120 = $6.75
220 = $11.00
4x5 = $2.50
8x10 = $6.75

Icon (http://www.iconla.com/main/services_price_pst/e6.html)
35 = $9.50
120 = $6.50
220 = $12.00
4x5 = $3.50
8x10 = $7.00

[Daniel Stone]

hows this compare to Icon on wilshire?

I like supporting SMALL business. This lab DEFINITELY qualifies for that category.

Quality-wise, I can't really say. My film is clean, properly processed(well, looking at it on the lightbox it looks like how I wanted it), and the staff(really just one person, Rochelle(owner/operator)) is very nice. Not that ICON isn't nice, but I'd rather give her my money and know that I can talk directly to the person souping my film, rather than through someone at the front desk.

YMMV, but since she also now takes mail-order, I think that for people in the LA area(or any area really) should give her a try. You might just like what you get back :).

-Dan

[Robert Jonathan]

I've just sent my 4x5 sheets to DigiGraphics. Not sure if anyone knows about this place:

http://www.digi-graphics.com/default.html

E-6 form (or you can specify negative film instead): http://www.digi-graphics.com/forms/e6_mail_order/e6_mailform_page.html

I'll let you know how it turns out...

I could drive up to Georgetown/Washington D.C. to Dodge-Chrome, but I'll try this mail order thing first.

[Andrew O'Neill]

OC? I imagine its the initials for a city?

[ghostcount]

OC? I imagine its the initials for a city?

OC = Orange County (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orange_County,_California) California

Use to have plenty of orange groves.

[BrianShaw]

OC = Orange County (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orange_County,_California) California

Use to have plenty of orange groves.

... and now has a bunch of naughty spoiled housewives, and one decent film lab.

[madmax12]

Pro photo will continue to develope the e-6 stuff they have a large following of film people who send there stuff there from all over the world. John will take good care of you there. They are in Orange county

[Sal Santamaura]

Pro photo will continue to develope the e-6 stuff they have a large following of film people who send there stuff there from all over the world. John will take good care of you there. They are in Orange countyWhen Pro Photo moved to its current location (approximately a year ago, perhaps a bit longer) it brought the E-6 line along. Getting that equipment set up and obtaining city approval for its operation was problematic, so they outsourced developing in the interim. I stop in and ask John whether they've got it up and running each time I'm in the area. His answer the last time -- several months ago -- was "not yet, but we're still working on it." I don't know which lab they've been using, but E-6 wasn't done in-house since the move.