Modernage NYC $$$ Through the Roof

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Dropped off 10 rolls of Tri-X at Modernage in NYC yesterday--only to find that have raised their already outrageous prices. B&W 35mm developing (no push) and contact sheet will now cost $13 (up from $10). Standard full-neg B&W 8x10 on RC semi paper (a "standard" not "custom") print will now cost $13 (up from $10). All other prices are up, too. Color 8x10 custom enlargements are now $23 (up from $18)!

Modernage says that haven't raised prices in six years, so they were overdue.

I was willing to pay the earlier (high) prices because they would, when necessary and obvious, burn and dodge and make minor adjustments, even if you didn't ask--or pay--for it. They produce beautiful prints, and since I'm not a darkroom wonk I was generally willing to trust their judgment and expertise.

Can anyone recommend other B&W labs in NYC whose prices are cheaper and whose quality is still acceptable? I'm willing to sacrifice some of what Modernage offers in favor of cost--I'm really only interested in work prints.

I know I could go digital or rent darkroom space or find other cost-cutting solutions, but at this stage I really only want a trustworthy, reasonable priced hand-off lab.

Any advice?

Thanks in advance.

-- Preston Merchant (merchant@speakeasy.org), February 09, 2002

Answers

Preston, try Carol Color Labs, 42 W. 17th St. Developing (Normal) & contact sheet will cost you $10. Plus, Carol always takes off 30% if you pay up front with cash. I can't speak for 8x10s because I always do mine in either the darkroom or via digital, but they do a great job developing my film (plus they turn it around in 24 hours).

-- Richard (rvle@yahoo.com), February 09, 2002.

Forgot to add, the price I quoted above is for BW film. Color negs are slightly more.

-- Richard (rvle@yahoo.com), February 09, 2002.

Preston; I've had custom BW developing and contact sheets done in many places in different parts of the country. $13 is very reasonable and $10 sounds very cheap. I'm surprised that one of NY's well known custom labs has managed to keep the prices down that long.

-- jay goldman (goldman@math.umn.edu), February 09, 2002.

Typical (top quality) pro-lab price in London for a 35mm 36 exp dev and contact is £12 (US $18). Sounds like you're getting a bargain!

-- Giles Poilu (giles@monpoilu.icom43.net), February 09, 2002.

I find that I've gotten quite spoiled with New York prices when it comes to photography. Cost of a roll of film (which includes neg film, developing, and contacts) is $10-15. Plus, I've been shopping at several camera stores here in the city for years so I always get reduced prices on used gear.

-- Richard (rvle@yahoo.com), February 09, 2002.


No matter what you pay, if you use a big commercial lab, you should be satisfied if they don't lose or damage your work. Don't even worry about consistancy, or quality. Most of them are really that bad. In NYC, after you have tried all the hack labs that claim to do high quality B&W work, go to Silverworks (212) 414-9800. (No, I have no connection with them.) They do work on a different level than the arrogant, big, sloppy commercial labs. regards.

-- Jimmy Katz (jdkatz@nyc.rr.com), February 09, 2002.

You're complaining about $13 for develop & contact?! That's the going rate here in DC, too, but we don't have nearly as many choices for good labs as you guys in NYC (or even places like Miami).

-- Chris Chen (furcafe@NOSPAMcris.com), February 09, 2002.

Panopticon in Boston, $16.50 process/contact normal

-- Steven Alexander (alexpix@worldnet.att.net), February 09, 2002.

Thanks, all. I had no idea I was so spoiled. Everything else in New York is so expensive, parting with such cash at the lab is acutely painful . . .

-- Preston Merchant (merchant@speakeasy.org), February 10, 2002.

I know the money adds up but from my perspective it allows me more time out shooting, which I love. BTW, at Chome in Washington the price for normal processing and a contact sheet is $11.

-- David Enzel (dhenzel@vei.net), February 10, 2002.


David:

I know about Chrome, but after tax, the cost is closer to $12 & Nat'l Geographic charges close to $14 (also incl. tax). Also, neither of them are open late during the week (7pm for Chrome & 6pm for Nat'l Geo) or on weekends (Chrome closes @ 2 on Saturdays & Nat'l Geo isn't open @ all).

-- Chris Chen (furcafe@NOSPAMcris.com), February 10, 2002.


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