Best b+w processing in nyc

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I have over 200 rolls of tri x and hp5 plus that I need to develop and contact. This represents almost a year of difficult and dangerous street photography. I am very wary about which lab to use. In the past I used duggal successfully, but I am not happy with some recent test rolls I gave them. Is their method of "dip and dunk" superior to other ways of developing? I do not want any special processing, just normal negatives. Does anyone know of a "great" lab in new york city that really has tight quality controls and good turnover? Price in this case is no object. Thank you.

-- shane solow (spirit@losttrails.com), September 26, 1999

Answers

being an east coast photographer, i have seen many disasters from nyc labs that hire underqualified help. the two labs i would trust my work two are Johnathan Penny ( who only takes on private clients, by application ) in statten island. or Strictly Black and White, in new brunswick NJ.. hope this helps- the best is to do it yourself if you have the experience and time....

-- Sean (ZBeeblebrox42@yahoo.com), September 26, 1999.

I used to work at Duggal many years ago and I wouldn't trust them with squat. Could tell you horror stories. My advice would be to either develop them yourself or find a fine b&w photographer who will do them for you, to your specs and to your satisfaction.

http://www.ravenvision.com/rvapeter.htm

-- Peter Hughes (leonine@redshift.com), September 26, 1999.


Peter, lately the worst thing i have seen out of a nyc lab was from carroll. a friend of mine, who does mostly weddings, had over 70 weddings processed there. after about 9 months the negatives started to deteriorate. it looks to me that they must have been using some sort of roller transport film processor or washer, that someone tried to force to go faster by pulling the film out. the very end of each roll was fine, but after about 2 inches the film wasn't washed enough and had actually turned brown- beyond repair. after taking a second look , i noticed the negs were overdeveloped, as well as reticulated!!! i can only imagine ( in a horrific way ) what i would tell my clients if thier job turned out that way... over 70 weddings!!! that's and average of 10 rolls black and white each... well thats the worst one lately. surely more will follow. i guess when labs offer things cheap and fast... stuff like that happens.

-- Sean (ZBeeblebrox42@yahoo.com), September 27, 1999.

Ship your film to me in Calgary, Alberta Canada. I graduated from Brooks 12 years ago and worked my way through the lab business doing my best at all times. I now own and run the highest quality lab in the city, with a very loyal following of pros. Whenever big shooters come to town (mostly from L.A./Seattle/Vancouver/Toronto) they bring their film to me. You get the added advantage of U.S./Canadian $ exchange rates. I offer the full range of services - E-6/C-41 dip&dunk etc., but my specialty is B&W. Contact me @ 403-232-6959

-- tim ruck (auroraphoto@compuserve.com), September 29, 1999.

Try Modernage Custom Imaging Labs, 212-997-1800, they are the best in the city.

-- Paul Danziger (pdanziger@beaubiz.com), October 02, 1999.


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