Last Straw on E-6 Process Lab

Today was the last straw. I had purchased 20 of these mailers in September 2011 along with equivalent number of rolls of Fujichrome and Ektachrome film from B&H. I recently got back into film after a 10 year absence and trusted B&H's selection of this company for E-6 processing in Parsons, Kansas. Their previous choice of lab was A&I and they were very reliable.

Some of you know I now use a Pentax 67II in addition to my Canon 5D Mark II. First off, after returning from Scotland on a once in a lifetime photo trip, I sent about 10 rolls of film for processing (a mix of Fujichrome and Ektachrome but all E-6 process) to this lab in Parsons, Kansas. After looking closer I noticed the film was crinkled probably due to too fast or incomplete drying (I have developed my own film in the past for many years, so had an idea something was off). This also happened with two rolls of 120 Fuji film taken on a trip I took to Maine in October 2011. Today (3/12/12, the straw that broke the camels back...... I just received back 2 rolls from Mt Washington developed by this same company that have scratch lines down the entire length of both rolls of film as well as the crinkles, one Fuji Velvia 50 and one Ektachrome 100. I have 8 mailers left and will NOT USE THEM. I have also sent this info to B&H asking for a refund on the remaining mailers.

While I am not a professional photographer I am a serious semi-professional photographer. I have done film work for over 30 years and photography for close to 40 years and have never seen the likes of this poor quality in handling and processing. The worst I have seen in all those years. I have been a loyal customer of B&H for over 35+ years (everything from my own dark room equipment, film cameras - 35mm and MF, digital cameras, used film lenses, etc, and do not take posting this review lightly. We'll see what B&H has to say since I did send this review to their web site and I am certainly upset and am asking for a refund at least on the unused mailers.

Has anyone else experienced this poor quality processing with this particular lab in KS? Also, if you have a more reliable E-6 lab n the US, please let me know. Thanks.

Upset in NH.

Eva, I haven't used Parsons. I send my 4x5 film to Samy's Camera in Santa Barbara, CA.. They do E-6, and the quality is excellent. Unfortunately, they are not close to you at all, and I am unfamiliar with labs on the right coast that do E-6.

Sorry to hear of your bad experience. I know I'd pretty unhappy. Hopefully B&H will make it right for you. Have you been in touch with Parsons? Most labs will replace film with new film if they were at fault. I know this won't replace the unuseable chromes, but at least you would get some satisfaction.

--P

Eva, haven't ever used B&H mailers or the lab in Kansas. Given that so many labs no longer offer E6 processing, took me a while to find a well recommended lab. Some of the folks at Large Format forum suggested Digigraphics. So I have been sending my 4x5's to Digigraphics LLC in Fort Collins, Colorado. Website address: www.digi-graphics.com (wed address does have the dash). Have used them for several years now and have been very happy. They do a lot of mail order E6 and have fast turn around; I usually get my film back in 6-7 days via Priority mail both ways. Great folks to talk to as well.

Eva, sorry to hear about your recent experience with the E-6 processing. A&I had processed my work for many years without one event or issue of lost or damaged film in both 6x7cm and 4x5 inch transparency films. However, as of December they had stopped processing E-6 and I've been working with Samy's in SB after receiving strong input about their quality of work from long time customers Harley, Lon, and Preston. Since my transition over to them they have processed at least 5 or 6 (20) sheet boxes of 4x5 Velvia 50 without one item being in question. They are timely with their processing and communicate well through email in quick fashion too.

Wow Eva, that sucks. I've used Denver Digital Imaging, www.theslideprinter.com, with good results. Also in Denver is Reed Photographic. Both have there own E6 lines. At least they did as of 6 months ago.

- Dan

Eva,

Here's a lab in New York that gets high praise from the members of the Large Format Photography Forum. They do E-6 and C-41, and other services, as well.

Praus Productions

Praus Productions, Inc.
176 Anderson Avenue
Rochester, NY 14607

Phone: (585) 442-4820

--P

Thanks all for you helpful input. I started checking out some of the places mention. The one in NY will cut out a lot of shipping time. Thanks Preston.

Hi Eva,

Sorry to hear of your troubles. I can imagine how frustrating it must be.

If you don't mind, I am curious to know why did you get back into film photography recently, and in particular the Pentax 67ii, especially since you already have a Canon 5Dii?

Once upon a time I worked for Fuji TruColor film processing plant. The scratches are a result of not running a cleaning strip through the machinery. I'm lucky in that I still have an E6 lab in my town that does good work.


Kent in SD

Hi Anil. Guess there are two factors. I have worked with film since the mid 70's including 35mm, MF, and LF (4X5) and darkroom work for all of the above. I especially liked B&W but Cibachrome eventually stole my heart. I had a Mamiya 645 (shooting Ektachrome and Kodachrome) and loved that format the best until now. While I like digital for its convenience and do like the results I get with my Canon 5DM2, I miss the quality of film. There is just something different about it. Mainly I think the smooth transitions of tones When I went on a workshop with Ian Cameron, I asked him if I could take some film images. He did have a spare Pentax 67II I could use and I did. I became more obsessed and decided to get back into film though I will not give up on digital. I now think of film as a supplement to my digital work. I have used 645 format as well as square format Bronica ETS (that I hijacked from my husband as mine). So the Pentax 67II is between them both. I also have a really old Yashica Mat twin reflex camera my Grandfather gave me and an Omega 120 Press camera my uncle gave me many many years ago. I may put a roll of film in both of them one day once again.

Thanks Eva, for explaining some of the reasons for getting back into film photography. I hope you can find a nice lab near you, which provides excellent service.

On my side, after using the Pentax 67ii for slightly over 9 years, I am on the verge of moving to digital capture. Purchasing the film I want, getting it processed and later drum-scanned has become such a nuissance that I just don't want to deal with it anymore. If I can find a digital camera that meets my needs and doesn't require me to sell one of my kidneys, I'll make the jump.

Hi again Anil - With the new Canon 5DM3 out, the 5DM2 price has dropped incredibly. I don't see much benefit with the latest version unless doing sports, weddings, or video. The lenses though are the big price tag. I only use L glass with my Canon 5DM2 (my favorite being the TS-E 24mm for the large format kind of control of sharpness). I don't see any advantage with Nikon but that is a personal perspective. For now, getting back into film may just be a fad with me. It is a pain finding labs that still do it well. Time will tell.

Thanks Kent.... Working in electronics manufacturing, sounds like a day in my life. .....Process control, process control.

Eva, I'll second Denver Digital. I've had good results with them also. Ron