I am looking for a decent mail-order lab which can process 5x7 transparencies inexpensively.

My local lab charges me $4 for a 5x7 sheet ($4.75 pushed/pulled). I have seen Fleshtone Miami 800-625-4202 advertise $2.5 for a 8x10 sheet, and would have given them a try, unfortunately they don't have 5x7 racks. I have not been that satisfied recently with Flatiron color lab.

Any suggestions ? It can be constly coming back from a trip with several dozens of transparencies...

-- Q.-Tuan Luong (luong@ai.sri.com), June 19, 2000

Answers

www.hollandphoto.com, $2.50 for 5x7, donno decent or not.

-- Aaron Rocky (ar7786@hotmail.com), June 19, 2000.

This brings up a question that I have. I started doing my MF myself, and I have been doing the few LF E-6 that I have. I'm not a color guy but I have been very pleased and it seems to be very inexpensive(yes it takes some time but I usually find something to do while waiting). The results seem to be very good. And I think it's one of the more enjoyable processes (I'm always amazed!)and the chemicals seem to have a fair shelf life, and the process is real easy, with minimal equipment(most of it already in the average Darkroom). But I don't hear of to many people trying it. What am I missing?

-- R.(Mac)McDonald (rmacsteam@aol.com), June 19, 2000.

Mac:

I have done it for some time [wow, we are talking decades now, I am getting old; it seems just yesterday that I had to coat my own plates in the tent and watch out for the Indian attack]. It is easy to do. It just depends on the time required. If your time doing other things is more valuable; pay someone else to do it. If not, you can do it yourself.

Best wishes,,,,

-- Z1X4Y7 (Z1X4Y7@aol.com), June 19, 2000.

I wouldn't commit ALL at once, but try Flatiron Color in NYC. I have been happy with their work-affordable and excellent turnaround time.

-- David Stein (DFStein@aol.com), June 21, 2000.

You might try Prolab in Seattle. I dont know if they do 5x7 but they've done my 4x5's for years and I've rarely had a problem, and their prices are better than most.

As for why more people dont do it at home....I used to do it about 10-12 years ago and I found it nearly impossible to maintain the strict temp control that is necessary. Plus, after an hour or more of setup, processing and cleanup, all I had to show for it was 6 trannies! Not worth it, IMO, as long as there are labs that do a good job for a good price. Not that it cant be done at home with good equip, but I think those are the reasons more people dont do it, plus some of the chemicals are nasty.

-- Wayne (wsteffen@mr.net), June 21, 2000.

Theres another place in Seattle too, that also does LF but again I dont know about 5x7. I also dont know how to spell their name, but I've heard it pronounced: I-vee-see-right

They cost slightly less than Prolab, too, but I've never used them

-- Wayne (wsteffen@mr.net), June 22, 2000.

Gamma in Chicago charge $3.25 for 5x7. It's a good lab. But it's not much cheaper than your lab. You can visit their website at www.gammaphoto.com, or call 800-337-9959.

-- Tao Wu (twu@math.nwu.edu), June 23, 2000.

I too have been searching for a good 5x7 E-6 lab since I can't find a decent one in Salt Lake. I believe my search has ended with a lab called Edgar Praus Productions. They are out of Rochester, New York and do not charge for shipping for orders over $30 and only $5 for anything less. Most of the places I contacted charge up to $10+ for shipping. You can also set up an account with them. They charge $3.00 per 5x7 sheet. Their Web site is "www.4photolab.com." They can also send you a catalog of services. Their phone number is (716) 442-4820.

-- John Wiemer (Wiemerjo@slcc.edu), June 30, 2000.

Hi, this response is from the owner of Flatiron . I am sorry you have been disappointed with my service. I do have 5 x 7 racks and you continue to send me film. I appreciate your business but if your not happy and you dont tell me what your problem is how can I help.

Seth Goldman Flatiron Color Lab

-- seth goldman (gooby @earthlink.net), April 12, 2002.

Seth,

Since no one else is answering, I will try. I am a current FlatIron customer, and am reasonably satisfied with the lab. However, I have noticed (and I think this may be the cause of the orignal post) that the sheet film I send to you for E-6 developing is often bent in weird and often unexplicable ways--sometimes it is nice and flat, but more oiften then not the film is warped. Once I had a transparency come back bent. For the time being, I will continue to use FlatIron, since as you well know, your lab is the cheapest in NYC. However, if I can find another lab of similar price, but without the danger of ruining film, I will probably switch.

best regards,

-- jason (sanford@remple.edu), April 19, 2002.

Not sure that it's the cheapest, but I've always had professional, clean, consistent results with Modernage in New York. They handle E-6 up to 11x14" as standard services and probably can do larger as a custom service. Quick turnaround, too. Locations at www.modernage.com.

-- David Goldfarb (dgoldfarb@barnard.edu), April 19, 2002.