As a medical student, I no longer have time to develop and make proofs of my B&W film. Is there a place you send your B&W film out to that you trust- that doesn't destroy your negatives? Thanks, Ellen

-- Ellen Beth Grossnickle (egrossn@itsa.ucsf.edu), August 22, 1999

Answers

You simply have to find someone in your area and give them a try. Some labs are reliable and others are not. I would ask them what developer they use, what sort of replenishment, what they do to assure consistent development, etc. Talk to them about photography and see if they seem to know what they're doing.

-- Ed Buffaloe (edbuffaloe@unblinkingeye.com), August 23, 1999.

Silver Lab (in Hollywood Calif.) processes B&W film for clients all over the World. Call toll free 888/PHOTO BW for price list and free offer.

-- Donald P. Hodgdon (silverlab@earthlink.net), August 23, 1999.

Hi Ellen

I've been in a similar situation for the past 11 years- (meds/residency/fellowship). I do miss the darkroom days but I've found some acceptable compromises. If you're completely attached to using conventional B&W film, get a change bag and develop your own film in your bathroom, then ask a lab to make a contact for you (or do it yourself in the bathrom as well). As you know, it doesn't take very long and helps you retain much control over the final image.

Alternatively, I've had much satisfaction from using C41 process films like Ilford XP-2, and more recently Kodak T400CN. I get the least epxensive "proofs" (3x5 on color paper) and use them to plan any burn/dodge/crop instructions for the final prints. I've had to give up proper printing completely (see my question in the creativity section "Convenience vs. short cuts").

I hope that helps- good luck in school.

Asher

-- Asher Schachter (schachter@a1.tch.harvard.edu), August 25, 1999.

Well, golly, you're in the Bay Area, aren't you? When I lived there a few years ago there were lots of decent labs. Find one that you can trust to know b&w.

-- August Depner (apdepner@uswest.net), August 29, 1999.

Here in Berkeley, I've been using Photo Lab (on 5th Street at Bancroft) for processing and proof sheets successfully for a while.

-- Chris Patti (cmpatti@aol.com), August 29, 1999.

My experience has been that the bigger the operation the more your film gets handled. Find a photo student who develops at home and give him/her some cash..they'll be happy for the money and give your film the TLC and consistant results a big lab can't provide.

-- Tom Reitemeyer (udorn74@yahoo.com), August 31, 1999.