Posted by Paul Gana on December 2, 2007 at 1:14 PM
I am just now starting to get into large format cameras, any info on where to get film and where to get the film developed and maybe the photos into small proof prints and digital files. I've worked with digital and 35mm before and am finally able to expand to the large format family (woohoo). Any tips?
Buying Film: I only get film in town when I am in an emergency and that is from Denver Pro Photo. Otherwise I get my film from B&H Photo, Sammy's in Los Angeles or Badger Graphics.
Film Development: E6 film developement I do exclusively at Qube. I consider their service and quality to be the best in Denver (plus you get the benefit of stopping by and seeing Brent D.) B/W development is much trickier and since I work with calibrated developer/film combinations I do all of it myself. I never shoot C41 so I cannot make a recomendation.
Proofs and scans: I have no idea about proofs as the color transparencies by themselves are good enough for me to make decsions from. Scanning you can do with a flatbed scanner (Epson 4870 or greater (IMHO)) or with drum scans.
Hope that helps.
RichieV
Posted by Kalin Wilson on December 2, 2007 at 4:02 PM
Welcome to the 4x5 crowd, Paul.
I look for film deals on Ebay or buy from B&H. Hunt's and some other established outfits sell expired film on ebay all the time. I've never had any problem with expired film and you can get it for 40-50% off.
I process my film at Photocraft in Boulder. I started with them and 35mm slides and I've always been happy. I've looked at a couple of other labs but I like the fact that photocraft will index my film. Since I shoot predominantly quickloads, which have serial numbers on them, I can keep track of my film by matching the quickload number to the photocraft number. This helps me keep track of exposure information since I'm still trying different stuff in the field.
Proofing, I agree with Richie. Buy or build (what I did) a light table so you have a large surface to review transparencies. Get a 10x loupe for inspecting them. You can quickly evaluate color, exposure, and focus on the light table.
I scan with an Epson 4870 and I've been happy now that I've gotten the hang of it. I also purchased a 3rd party film holder that allows you to change the focal plane that the film sits in. You can dry or wet mount the film to optimize the results from a flat bed. I have yet to drum scan any of my trannys but plan to have Richie scan a few sometime soon.
Hope to see you out in the field sometime!
Kalin
Posted by Joshua Hardin on December 2, 2007 at 11:12 PM
I concur with Paul with Badger Graphics as a good place to buy film (and equipment). I will also add Denver Digital Imaging (A.K.A. the Slideprinter) as another source for film developing. They just did all of my fall 4x5 stuff as well as prints for an upcoming show and they look great!
Posted by Mel Ladewig on December 3, 2007 at 2:21 PM
Paul,
I've had some stuff developed at Accent Photo near my home in the Springs. Its convenient to have someone local. I've had a couple of slides where the slide was placed in the protective sleeve before it was totally dried resulting in some minor issues. The other issue I have with Accent is that they do not do silver black and white, just C41 and E-6.
For silver B&W, I had qube do some processing for me. They turned out great, but if you specialize in B&W, you'll probably want to do your own.
I've purchased all my film from B&H, but would have no problem with Badger. When I've needed film, I've never found any outdated in the flavors I use at the usual sources.
I also agree with using a light table and loupe to proof your transparencies. I got mine through a property disposal auction for $10. The work surface is roughly 24X30.
I'm not scanning my 4X5 yet, but if you choose an Epson flatbed, you'll need to get a 4990, V700 or V750. The V500 and 4490 can't do 4X5 film scanning.
Discussion
4 repliesGlad you are shooting 4x5.
Buying Film: I only get film in town when I am in an emergency and that is from Denver Pro Photo. Otherwise I get my film from B&H Photo, Sammy's in Los Angeles or Badger Graphics.
Film Development: E6 film developement I do exclusively at Qube. I consider their service and quality to be the best in Denver (plus you get the benefit of stopping by and seeing Brent D.) B/W development is much trickier and since I work with calibrated developer/film combinations I do all of it myself. I never shoot C41 so I cannot make a recomendation.
Proofs and scans: I have no idea about proofs as the color transparencies by themselves are good enough for me to make decsions from. Scanning you can do with a flatbed scanner (Epson 4870 or greater (IMHO)) or with drum scans.
Hope that helps.
RichieV
I look for film deals on Ebay or buy from B&H. Hunt's and some other established outfits sell expired film on ebay all the time. I've never had any problem with expired film and you can get it for 40-50% off.
I process my film at Photocraft in Boulder. I started with them and 35mm slides and I've always been happy. I've looked at a couple of other labs but I like the fact that photocraft will index my film. Since I shoot predominantly quickloads, which have serial numbers on them, I can keep track of my film by matching the quickload number to the photocraft number. This helps me keep track of exposure information since I'm still trying different stuff in the field.
Proofing, I agree with Richie. Buy or build (what I did) a light table so you have a large surface to review transparencies. Get a 10x loupe for inspecting them. You can quickly evaluate color, exposure, and focus on the light table.
I scan with an Epson 4870 and I've been happy now that I've gotten the hang of it. I also purchased a 3rd party film holder that allows you to change the focal plane that the film sits in. You can dry or wet mount the film to optimize the results from a flat bed. I have yet to drum scan any of my trannys but plan to have Richie scan a few sometime soon.
Hope to see you out in the field sometime!
Kalin
I've had some stuff developed at Accent Photo near my home in the Springs. Its convenient to have someone local. I've had a couple of slides where the slide was placed in the protective sleeve before it was totally dried resulting in some minor issues. The other issue I have with Accent is that they do not do silver black and white, just C41 and E-6.
For silver B&W, I had qube do some processing for me. They turned out great, but if you specialize in B&W, you'll probably want to do your own.
I've purchased all my film from B&H, but would have no problem with Badger. When I've needed film, I've never found any outdated in the flavors I use at the usual sources.
I also agree with using a light table and loupe to proof your transparencies. I got mine through a property disposal auction for $10. The work surface is roughly 24X30.
I'm not scanning my 4X5 yet, but if you choose an Epson flatbed, you'll need to get a 4990, V700 or V750. The V500 and 4490 can't do 4X5 film scanning.