developing film - London

meeh · 26th June 2008

i know this may seem a weird request, and i'm not sure if this is in the right forum, but i'm trying to ask this from a similar point of reference... =)

i am moving to london soon, and was wondering if anyone knows about places that will develop B&W film like the way/price (haha) Riceball photography or other shops here like Ruby does for folks like me who do not know how to develop film. I take photos with a konica c35, which i love dearly and i cannot imagine going for a year without using it.

I've done some googling, but the places I've come up with are professional developers, and they charge an arm (and a leg) for developing film (no prints). So having remembered vaguely that some of the posters here are in fact in London - would appreciate any help.

thanks!

enivre · 26th June 2008

Originally Posted by meeh

i know this may seem a weird request, and i'm not sure if this is in the right forum, but i'm trying to ask this from a similar point of reference... =)

i am moving to london soon, and was wondering if anyone knows about places that will develop B&W film like the way/price (haha) Riceball photography or other shops here like Ruby does for folks like me who do not know how to develop film. I take photos with a konica c35, which i love dearly and i cannot imagine going for a year without using it.

I've done some googling, but the places I've come up with are professional developers, and they charge an arm (and a leg) for developing film (no prints). So having remembered vaguely that some of the posters here are in fact in London - would appreciate any help.

thanks!

If it's just B&W why don't you just do it yourself? It'll save u a lot of money, buy the powdered developer locally (prob cheaper her too) then ship it over.

alternatve · 26th June 2008

Lucky you, all that Ilford film, paper and chemicals fresh from the factory and not imported in.

Samuel

meeh · 26th June 2008

ah haha. i forgot to mention - i don't have the time (or space) to learn to develop film at this time. i'm going to be a poor student, stuffed in a hostel. but thanks for your thoughts...

chiif · 26th June 2008

Originally Posted by meeh

ah haha. i forgot to mention - i don't have the time (or space) to learn to develop film at this time. i'm going to be a poor student, stuffed in a hostel. but thanks for your thoughts...

developing your film only need a sink and less than 1 square foot of space. Bring along a cheap negative scanner and you can be guaranteed of satisfaction and fun no digital gears can give. Being poor is not an excuse for not learning. The whole kit plus D76 powder & Ilford fixer cost slightly more than S$100. You can reuse the developer & fixer like me, and replenish yearly when u come back!

BTW, being a student, you have all the time in the world. If you don't enjoy the process now, later in working life you will look back and regret.

Have FUN!

adamadam · 26th June 2008

Originally Posted by chiif

developing your film only need a sink and less than 1 square foot of space. Bring along a cheap negative scanner and you can be guaranteed of satisfaction and fun no digital gears can give. Being poor is not an excuse for not learning. The whole kit plus D76 powder & Ilford fixer cost slightly more than S$100. You can reuse the developer & fixer like me, and replenish yearly when u come back!

BTW, being a student, you have all the time in the world. If you don't enjoy the process now, later in working life you will look back and regret.

Have FUN!

You make it sound so good,
I want to get into this

chiif · 26th June 2008

Originally Posted by adamadam

You make it sound so good,
I want to get into this

It's really that simple...

Just like anything else.. the most difficult part is taking the first step.

koolcat · 26th June 2008

you can develop it at metro imaging downtown london. if you always go there you can ask for corporate rates.... and they rend lots of stuff... really really professional.... handle your art with care.......

night86mare · 26th June 2008

good luck, if you want good developers i fear you will not be able to find them easily.

i have been trying for a year plus now, there are none in the common central areas.. i was referred to really ulu places.

anyways, you can start off by trying snappy snaps or jessops. they seem to have erratic results based on feedback from contacts.. but when you're a beggar, you can't be a chooser.

szekiat · 26th June 2008

hi, for chems, consider going to silverprint.co.uk. The shop is in waterloo, near the old vic theatre. They also do developing but u'll have to pay a premium (like all things in london). Alternatively, u can rent a darkroom in electric avenue (brixton) or from silverprint and do it yourself for the more exotic prints that require privacy.

meeh · 27th June 2008

thanks very much for all your replies! will look out for the places mentioned.

chiif - Thanks too - will learn to have fun. Actually at some point i would like to learn to develop film, but i will have to leave it for some other time (i don't think i have space to cart over a scanner either

). i've been working for a looooong time now, and going back to study is a break for me, but not one where i can be a real student - you know, young/foot-loose & fancy free and spending parents/gahmen's money & having all the time in the world.

. (but will still be taking photos!)

stnicholas81 · 27th June 2008

Maybe you can hook up with Vortex (Andy) who has jsut moved to London with his developing kit (B&W). I am sure he don't mind earning an extra dime. keke....

mamoo · 27th June 2008

You might want to check out Drill Hall in London if you want a cheapie dark room. Just bring your own developing chems and papers. It's fairly central (Tottenham Court Road tube station) and there is a fairly large Jessops nearby.

alternatve · 27th June 2008

Originally Posted by meeh

ah haha. i forgot to mention - i don't have the time (or space) to learn to develop film at this time. i'm going to be a poor student, stuffed in a hostel. but thanks for your thoughts...

Being poor is a very good motivation tool to self develop your film! After taking into account HC-110 and fixer cost, each roll only takes around 30-40 cents to develop! Scanning is also free since I do it on my own.

But time... yea time's the big problem here.. Developing and scanning sure takes up a lot of it.

Samuel

szekiat · 27th June 2008

meeh, let me know if u want to DIY. I have most of the kit u need to do it in daylight (i have a darkbag) and will be in london for the next 12mths.

meeh · 30th June 2008

thanks again guys. Will keep all the above in mind when i move over. Szekiat - you may expect a note from me as I'll be in London come Sept for the next 12 months! (the last time i stepped into a dark room, i was in JC and part of the photographic society. I peered over the shoulder of the guys in front of me demonstrating - and that was my entire lesson. haha.)

26th June 2008	#1
meeh New Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 35	developing film - London i know this may seem a weird request, and i'm not sure if this is in the right forum, but i'm trying to ask this from a similar point of reference... =) i am moving to london soon, and was wondering if anyone knows about places that will develop B&W film like the way/price (haha) Riceball photography or other shops here like Ruby does for folks like me who do not know how to develop film. I take photos with a konica c35, which i love dearly and i cannot imagine going for a year without using it. I've done some googling, but the places I've come up with are professional developers, and they charge an arm (and a leg) for developing film (no prints). So having remembered vaguely that some of the posters here are in fact in London - would appreciate any help. thanks!

26th June 2008	#3
alternatve Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 1,311	Re: developing film - London Lucky you, all that Ilford film, paper and chemicals fresh from the factory and not imported in. Samuel __________________ f/8 and be there.

26th June 2008	#4
meeh New Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 35	Re: developing film - London ah haha. i forgot to mention - i don't have the time (or space) to learn to develop film at this time. i'm going to be a poor student, stuffed in a hostel. but thanks for your thoughts...

26th June 2008	#8
koolcat Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Singapore, London Posts: 88	Re: developing film - London you can develop it at metro imaging downtown london. if you always go there you can ask for corporate rates.... and they rend lots of stuff... really really professional.... handle your art with care.......

26th June 2008	#9
night86mare Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: in your mind Posts: 19,301	Re: developing film - London good luck, if you want good developers i fear you will not be able to find them easily. i have been trying for a year plus now, there are none in the common central areas.. i was referred to really ulu places. anyways, you can start off by trying snappy snaps or jessops. they seem to have erratic results based on feedback from contacts.. but when you're a beggar, you can't be a chooser. __________________ Gallery \| Dreamscapes 09 Pentaxian 伪君子之所以更可憎

26th June 2008	#10
szekiat Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: London Posts: 2,378	Re: developing film - London hi, for chems, consider going to silverprint.co.uk. The shop is in waterloo, near the old vic theatre. They also do developing but u'll have to pay a premium (like all things in london). Alternatively, u can rent a darkroom in electric avenue (brixton) or from silverprint and do it yourself for the more exotic prints that require privacy.

27th June 2008	#11
meeh New Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 35	Re: developing film - London thanks very much for all your replies! will look out for the places mentioned. chiif - Thanks too - will learn to have fun. Actually at some point i would like to learn to develop film, but i will have to leave it for some other time (i don't think i have space to cart over a scanner either ). i've been working for a looooong time now, and going back to study is a break for me, but not one where i can be a real student - you know, young/foot-loose & fancy free and spending parents/gahmen's money & having all the time in the world. . (but will still be taking photos!)

27th June 2008	#12
stnicholas81 Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 353	Re: developing film - London Maybe you can hook up with Vortex (Andy) who has jsut moved to London with his developing kit (B&W). I am sure he don't mind earning an extra dime. keke.... __________________ Flickring moments

27th June 2008	#13
mamoo New Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Singapore Posts: 4	Re: developing film - London You might want to check out Drill Hall in London if you want a cheapie dark room. Just bring your own developing chems and papers. It's fairly central (Tottenham Court Road tube station) and there is a fairly large Jessops nearby. __________________ mamoo.tv - In love with Life and all things Beautiful

27th June 2008	#15
szekiat Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: London Posts: 2,378	Re: developing film - London meeh, let me know if u want to DIY. I have most of the kit u need to do it in daylight (i have a darkbag) and will be in london for the next 12mths.

30th June 2008	#16
meeh New Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 35	Re: developing film - London thanks again guys. Will keep all the above in mind when i move over. Szekiat - you may expect a note from me as I'll be in London come Sept for the next 12 months! (the last time i stepped into a dark room, i was in JC and part of the photographic society. I peered over the shoulder of the guys in front of me demonstrating - and that was my entire lesson. haha.)