Film Developing in the UK

OK, I've uploaded my spreadsheet to Google Docs, and with my completely inexhaustive testing it appears to work (for me). That is, I entered 1 C41 film and got some results for costs! I have now set it up for sharing at the following link:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0ApD_hzAmA-budE4xbjYwc0cyYkNpa0wtMjR1cXJXclE

It is set up for access by anyone who has that link. However, I did not set it open for edit, which I suspect is a flaw (as you have to edit in order to add the film numbers!). My hope is that you can edit it but just not save the results. Can someone give it a try and report back, please?

BTW the results show enormous variation in cost. 5 C41 films processed with a medium resolution scan can vary from £25 to £96!!! :cautious:

I thought, if it works, and others want to join in the task of maintaining it, I could give update access to folk who are willing to PM me their Google details...

Just to be clear, this is best effort on my part, and is almost guaranteed to be inaccurate in some ways. I can take no responsibility for what you do with the information; best to check with the relevant websites first.

I do hope the processing companies don't mind; this is public information from their web sites!
 
It cant be edited at all unfortunately :( i reckon you need to give update access to everyone who plans to use it
 
sorry Chris, it's read only - just tried and I can't swap the figures in b4,c4, or d4...
 
Chris, I've had a look at your excel and its really quite good. I don't think google docs has the ability to lock down only specific cells so its probably an all or nothing, might be worth having a master copy in your drive and opening up the other.

Looking at the cost of decent quality scans I'd say my scanner has paid for its self already...
 
OK, this is a bit of a hack and I don't know if it will work yet. I've protected the first sheet, but added a second sheet which contains the first few lines. I've then changed it to allow the spreadsheet to be editable; presumably not the first sheet. Now I hope that you can put the film numbers in the second sheet, then flip to the first sheet to see the results...

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0ApD_hzAmA-budE4xbjYwc0cyYkNpa0wtMjR1cXJXclE#gid=1

I'm sure there's a better way to do this, and I suppose another alternative is to allow it to be edited by anyone with the link... but that need not only be you guys from F&C but just anyone who browses the web (dark forces, some if them :wacky:)
 
That works, I would suggest putting a link to the out put in a table under the inputs so people don't flick between the sheets. People could still make a mess of the sheet 2 but it would be easily repaired.
 
If any one has a SQL database internet side it would be easy fairly east to add the information the forms wouldn't be overly onerous. As a first pass though this is very useful.
 
That's my thought.

I did this for my own web site a while back, which has a mySQL back end holding all the info, with PHP pulling it out for display.

http://www.cybertects.co.uk/scirocco/paintcodes/codeList.php

Provided an instant answer to lots of FAQs on a couple of VW forums I frequented. :)

It's just finding the time to build it and then keeping it up to date.
 
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steveo_mcg said:
Chris I've made the change I suggested above feel free to remove it.
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Actually that's much better Steve. I suppose it would be better to change the names of the sheets, to have the workings in sheet 2 and the input and output in sheet 1... I'll maybe make that change next time I'm editing.

I've just had an email from CCI pointing out that their 35mm Lomography prices can be used: process only at £5 per film inc postage and process, print at 6*4 and free scan at £10 inc postage (plus VAT?). Personally, I don't want prints, so I haven't included any print+scan offers in the spreadsheet.

I think we'd also have to go up to a larger print size to match the "medium" resolution idea. Assuming printing at 300 dpi, 6*4 is 1800*1200, ie 1200 dpi on 35mm film (all this changing units is so confusing!). To get 1800 dpi you'd need 9*6 which works out at £17.99 according to http://www.ccimaging.co.uk/news/latest/lomography.html, more than the process plus scan cost I'd included.
 
steveo_mcg said:
If any one has a SQL database internet side it would be easy fairly east to add the information the forms wouldn't be overly onerous. As a first pass though this is very useful.
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Isn't a SQL DB a bit overkill for this job? It's never going to get huge. I'm hoping if folk like it, I can add some individuals as editors who can change the base data, add more suppliers etc...
 
ChrisR said:
Isn't a SQL DB a bit overkill for this job? It's never going to get huge. I'm hoping if folk like it, I can add some individuals as editors who can change the base data, add more suppliers etc...
Click to expand...

Overkill would be expanding it to fill in people's order details and create a pdf copy that could be printed and sent to the processor along with automagically generating a paypal payment to go with it so it would be paid for upfront without faffing :D
 
Probably a little overkill, but I have a pet hate of spreadsheets used as databases, probably comes from spending the last five years trying to wean my dept off excel and into access for storing thousands of rows of multi faceted data...
 
steveo_mcg said:
Probably a little overkill, but I have a pet hate of spreadsheets used as databases, probably comes from spending the last five years trying to wean my dept off excel and into access for storing thousands of rows of multi faceted data...
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Fair enough, I just remember so many IT solutions that built big complicated solutions that fell apart because they weren't kept up to date!

The other option is my first suggestion: put up a link to the Excel spreadsheet in my public Dropbox, then you can each download it if you wish and modify as you like. For example, you may all want print as well as scan, or be happy with lower res scans, or want higher res etc etc. And I know quite a few would be interested in 120 prices, but I don't have a 120 camera (yet)...
 
Hi, first post here. Many thanks for the positive comments on our film processing and I have noted the confusing way we have presented the postage cost. Just to clarify:

Processed films are returned free.
We have given the postal costs on the website for sending films to us, to assist customers in applying the correct postage.

However we are looking at switching to free post in and a lighter weight band return of £1.96 - this will mean customers will get free post into us worth £2.70 - so it works out a better deal. Also, it means there will never be any confusion over the correct postage so no packets will get stuck at the sorting office with a surcharge.

The Film processing was really an experiment to see if customers would click and add to basket a service like film processing. We are now going to be extending services to include scanning and printing. Emphasis on quality, but value for money too.

Threads like this are really helpful for understanding requirements.
 
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AgPhotographic said:
Hi, first post here. Many thanks for the positive comments on our film processing and I have noted the confusing way we have presented the postage cost. Just to clarify:

Processed films are returned free.
We have given the postal costs on the website for sending films to us, to assist customers in applying the correct postage.

However we are looking at switching to free post in and a lighter weight band return of £1.96 - this will mean customers will get free post into us worth £2.70 - so it works out a better deal. Also, it means there will never be any confusion over the correct postage so no packets will get stuck at the sorting office with a surcharge.

The Film processing was really an experiment to see if customers would click and add to basket a service like film processing. We are now going to be extending services to include scanning and printing. Emphasis on quality, but value for money too.

Threads like this are really helpful for understanding requirements.
Click to expand...

Hi Matthew, it's great for us to have contact with suppliers and processors. As can be seen from some of the threads on here it can be really constructive for both parties regarding problems and the occasional misunderstanding as well giving us a point of contact when we have questions about products we'd like to see stocked and explanations as to why products are no longer stocked.

I personally haven't tried your processing yet but will certainly be giving it a try.

So welcome to TP and more importantly the best bit F&C.
 
Following the various recommendations on here I have sent off 3 120 B & W rolls to The Darkroom for processing.

It will be interesting to see the results as two of the rolls expired in 2000!
 
I normally shoot B&W and have used Ilford (along with a local Snappy Snaps for the odd colour film). Having seen some lovely shots using Portra I have got a roll and intend using soon - question is, where to get developed??? Ilford only do B&W and not sure if Snappy are the best place. Previous develops have been fine as just basic colour film but worry that as Portra is a 'specialised'(?) type of film, if there was anywhere better to send to?
 
From my own experience you can't go far wrong using Peak, CC imaging or The Darkroom UK although having said that Asda did dev my first ever roll of Portra and did a very acceptable job for £1.99 but if the images were anything but a test roll I'd rather entrust it to a pro lab.
 
RaglanSurf said:
From my own experience you can't go far wrong using Peak, CC imaging or The Darkroom UK although having said that Asda did dev my first ever roll of Portra and did a very acceptable job for £1.99 but if the images were anything but a test roll I'd rather entrust it to a pro lab.
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Another recco here for CC. All mine have been 1st class.
 
Well from my holiday I took six rolls of Fuji Reala 36exp to Asda and they did them to separate CDs in 1hr 10mins...if I wanted them on one CD, the total cost would have been £13. But I suppose if I was a wedding photographer or whatever, would use a lab.
Also for the newbies is:- if you get blank results on your roll, there is no charge.
 
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Got a phone call form CC Imaging today regarding prices for deving XP2, the nice chap just said put them in the ten pound offer envelope and he'll send me more free film too..(y)
 
/subscribes to thread.

I have quite a lot of 120 film in my (garage) freezer so any new competant places for developing is going to be useful. My local Snappy Snaps, while doing a good job on developing (and leaving uncut), has put its prices up from a doable £4.50 a roll to now something like £7.50 a roll for dev only (ouch). B&W is a couple of quid more than that.

Thanks folks.
 
i had an email from AG Photographic this morning announcing their dev + scan service. They're also doing E6 and b/w too and will supply prepaid mailing bags to send your film to them.

A new web site to go with it.

http://www.ag-photolab.co.uk/
 
Musicman said:
i had an email from AG Photographic this morning announcing their dev + scan service. They're also doing E6 and b/w too and will supply prepaid mailing bags to send your film to them.

A new web site to go with it.

http://www.ag-photolab.co.uk/
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I've adjusted the price estimator on Google Docs, see https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0ApD_hzAmA-budE4xbjYwc0cyYkNpa0wtMjR1cXJXclE#gid=1 to include that AG Photographic do E6 and BW as well as C41. I think someone has added an adjustment sheet for 120 film; I haven't touched that as I haven't looked at those prices.

It looks as if Photo Express is still cheapest for process and scan (medium) for C41. I think AG was second cheapest for E6 and cheapest for BW. They would probably be very competitive for a mixed bag....

(BTW is the price estimator useful enough to go into the head post on this thread?)
 
ChrisR said:
...BTW is the price estimator useful enough to go into the head post on this thread?
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I think so Chris, very useful, thanks.
 
I added the 120 adjustment tab but then realised I wasn't quite sure how I was going to implement it, the costs are fine just add the number to the relevant 35mm output.
 
Can I just point out Steve that AG Photographic have now changed to a Freepost address and now charge return postage?

http://www.ag-photolab.co.uk/delivery-12-w.asp

Also the spreadsheet has the Darkroom down as charging £3 delivery, they charge no postage there or back, its included in the price unless you want to upgrade to special delivery or a courier. Could you update it to correct this?

It would also be nice if there was an option for mounted E6 as I and some others always get that with a view to project.
 
s162216 said:
Can I just point out Steve that AG Photographic have now changed to a Freepost address and now charge return postage?

http://www.ag-photolab.co.uk/delivery-12-w.asp

Also the spreadsheet has the Darkroom down as charging £3 delivery, they charge no postage there or back, its included in the price unless you want to upgrade to special delivery or a courier. Could you update it to correct this?

It would also be nice if there was an option for mounted E6 as I and some others always get that with a view to project.
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Postage is always a nightmare but I'll try to correct it. AG Photographic say they'll charge £1.96 for lightweight return orders (freepost to them) and I think that's what I'll put in. There will always be cases where the postage is wrong; the golden rule is that this is only a guide, CHECK!

I think I must have misunderstood The Darkroom charges. I'll fix that!

I'm reluctant to add more options like mounting etc as it gets harder to keep up to date and to display well. Then you move on to different scan resolutions etc. So I'll hang off on that, unless there's an outcry!
 
I used Snaps Photo Services in bournemouth for the last 6 rolls of film and they have given an excellent service, I used their process and scan to 18mb Tiff and I can't fault them, they even push or pull process upto 2 stops at no extra charge. They do c41, B&W, E6, process, scan, prints etc.
 
Erm Today at Asda was told that dev and scan to CD will in future be £3.98...with the cost of fuel getting there (which is about £2), which bumps it up to £6, I'll have to decide whether to wait about 4 days for results at Tesco for the same deal at £3, or post off to a lab mentioned here.....:(
 
Posting to a lab isn't cheap either. £2.20 minimum due to a 35mm spool being slightly too large for a "large letter". Dev only? Asda scanning is hopeless any way, well mine is.
 
steveo_mcg said:
Posting to a lab isn't cheap either. £2.20 minimum due to a 35mm spool being slightly too large for a "large letter". Dev only? Asda scanning is hopeless any way, well mine is.
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Most labs send out freepost packets/boxes now

AG photographic and Peak Imaging do off the top of my head
 
robhooley167 said:
Most labs send out freepost packets/boxes now

AG photographic and Peak Imaging do off the top of my head
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As do The Darkroom and their return postage was included as well but now due to the Royal Mail price hikes they have unfortunately started to charge £3 return postage, although this seems to be regardless of the number of films.

But I've never used them for scanning, I've never needed it but I don't think they're cheap either.
 
Peak charge return postage of £3.50 for up to 15 films IIRC and £1.75 for a single film
 
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robhooley167 said:
£1.75 for a single film
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But not if their mounted slides, although it doesn't explicitly say that on their site, I was a bit shocked at price on the receipt when I got when I had one slide film processed and mounted a couple of years ago as I was expecting it to be less because they previously used to include it in the lower postage band.

I switched to using The Darkroom, but as it now looks to be the same sort of price since they added on that new postage charge I think I will have to find somewhere else.
 
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