I just returned from Europe and took around 30 roles of Tmax black and white film. I no longer have access to a darkroom and therefore need to find someone who can develop my film. I want to avoid taking my film to one of those drug store chains and would prefer if the pictures were printed by hand (3x5 or 6x4) with borders. The place I used to use in Atlanta has gone out of buisness. I live in Washington D.C. currently. Does anyone have a suggestion of some places to contact and ballpark prices?

-- Ellie Ballard (eeb_wach@yahoo.com), October 19, 2001

Answers

Ellie, before I set up my "gypsy" darkroom(s), I sent my film to San Miguel Press in Las Vegas New Mexico. They are very reasonable and have the option of "proof" prints along with developing and contact sheets. Their web address: www.bestlab.com Check them out and give them a try, Bob

-- Bob Smith (rangerbob1993@yahoo.com), October 19, 2001.

specialty photo in santa barbara is top notch

-- mark lindsey (lindseygraves@msn.com), October 27, 2001.

The best place in the DC area is Black & White Custom Lab in Arlington, VA. Address is 1916 Wilson Blvd, 703-525-1922. They have a great reputation, and do very good work. Developing for 24 exposures is about $7, and will do a contact sheet for about another $5. If you are not developing your negatives yourself, this is the kind of place you want to take them to.

-- Jim Rock (jameswrock@aol.com), October 30, 2001.

Check MV Labs in New York City. http://www.mvlabs.com

-- James Megargee (jmegargee@nyc.rr.com), October 30, 2001.

I wouldn't try to ship undeveloped film around at the time in or out of the D.C. area. the P.O. started contracting IBA to nuke the D.C. mail.

Try Penn Camera in D.C. and MD. They are better and more expensive than the CVS, and they do prof sheets. They don't do custom printing. I don't know where you are in D.C. There are a few that I have gone to in Baltimore. I have heard the National Geographic lab is really good and are open to the public.

Alex

-- Alex Siu (Alex_s2@yahoo.com), November 12, 2001.

The lab i use is in New Brunswick, NJ. It is a pro-lab. They do archival film processing, in an automated nitrogen burst, dip and dunk processor (my film Always comes back properly processed, and clean!) Dev. and contact costs me 12 bucks total per roll. I think they only offer machine proofing tho ( i get contacts, and then custom enlargements of the shots i love), give them a call and ask to be sure. the info... Strictly Black & White, 732-249-9042. Good Luck! George

-- GEORGE (zbeeblebrox42@yahoo.com), December 01, 2001.