medium format development

11 Mar 2010 | 04:23 am | Category: portal.qdbs.com      edit
  • how easy is to find a lab that develops 120 film?

    I'm starting now with medium format, but have no idea about how normal or rare is to find a lab that develops the film (and how expensive, as well). Is it something that only a few professional labs will do, charging a considerable amount of money, or rather most labs will do it, more cheapish?

    Sorry for my childish ignorant questions, but so far I have been aaaalways shoting just 35mm (can't wait to start playing with medium format, though! -hope soon I can start developing as well!)


  • It's around $10 for 120 C41 develop and a set of prints at my local pro lab.


  • Quote:
    Originally Posted by ksmattfish
    The cameras are usually bigger, but to me roll film is roll film. If anything, I find handling the larger 120 film in the darkroom to be easier than 35mm.


    I agree. I use plastic reels and just push it on.

    The only problem i have is that there aren't any notches on the 120 film.

    ....granted half the time the notches get in the way more than they help..... boy do I love those old fashioned metal reels


  • I agree with you mountain.... Medium format is the BEST isnt it? a bit of a Hassle (where the camera gets its name mabey?) but once you get used to it it is Butter.


  • [QUOTE=ksmattfish]Notches? I don't know what you guys are talking about? Like film ID notches? I use metal reels. 120 goes on like butter, unless the reel is bent.



    I think their talking sprocket holes.

    Oh gotcha. Like Hewes 35mm SS reels with the sprocket hole prongs. Yeah, clips can be a pain in the butt.


  • [QUOTE=ksmattfish]Notches? I don't know what you guys are talking about? Like film ID notches? I use metal reels. 120 goes on like butter, unless the reel is bent.



    I think their talking sprocket holes. The plastic reels use the sprocket holes for moving the film through.

    You can get two rolls on a plastic reel if you tape them together and feed through.


  • The only problem i have is that there aren't any notches on the 120 film.

    ....granted half the time the notches get in the way more than they help..... boy do I love those old fashioned metal reels

    Notches? I don't know what you guys are talking about? Like film ID notches? I use metal reels. 120 goes on like butter, unless the reel is bent.

    what medium format gear are you guys shooting on?

    I use an Ansco Titan 6x6 folder for my carry around point-n-shoot. I've never used it for client work, but it does a fantastic job for the family album.

    My favorite all around camera is my Rolleiflex 3.5E planar. I use it when I need accurate focusing (the Titan has no focus assist), but still want compact size, and hand holdability. The downside is it only has a 75mm lens.

    When I don't mind carrying a big kit, or I need different focal lengths I use a Pentax 67II or a Hasselblad 500c/m.

    I use a Norita 6x6 SLR as my beater. It's ugly, built like a tank, fairly inexpensive, and the 80mm lens is f/2, which is great for low light photography in bars and at shows.


  • I just got my first roll of 120 developed at my local camera store w/ 5x5 prints for $10.24.

    I REALLy like med format.


  • cant you load 2 rolls of 120 on 1 metal reel?

    I've talked to folks who load 2 rolls of 120 back to back. They take two strips of 120, put them together emulsion side out, and spool them on like a single roll. It seemed too complicated for me. I just bought a bigger tank, that'll hold more reels.

    I have a couple of 220 size reels. I tried loading 2 120 rolls on one after the other. Big mistake. Without the clip to hold the second roll a few inches crept off the reel, and got scratches rubbing between the reel and the tank during agitation.

    While cruising Ebay looking for treasure I found a dip-n-dunk tank that held 18 120 reels. I got it for $10. I don't use it very often (twice so far), but 18 120 SS reels for $10 was a pretty good deal.


  • I actually like the hassle (and would love a Hasselblad also :mrgreen:.) The process is one the things I enjoy the most about it.


  • Show off. ;)

    And that's not the complete list of medium format cameras I own. Just the ones I used last week. ;)


  • The cameras are usually bigger, but to me roll film is roll film. If anything, I find handling the larger 120 film in the darkroom to be easier than 35mm.


  • I use an Ansco Titan 6x6 folder for my carry around point-n-shoot. I've never used it for client work, but it does a fantastic job for the family album.

    My favorite all around camera is my Rolleiflex 3.5E planar. I use it when I need accurate focusing (the Titan has no focus assist), but still want compact size, and hand holdability. The downside is it only has a 75mm lens.

    When I don't mind carrying a big kit, or I need different focal lengths I use a Pentax 67II or a Hasselblad 500c/m.

    I use a Norita 6x6 SLR as my beater. It's ugly, built like a tank, fairly inexpensive, and the 80mm lens is f/2, which is great for low light photography in bars and at shows.

    Show off. ;)

    I have a Yashicamat 124G Ebay special.


  • The cameras are usually bigger, but to me roll film is roll film. If anything, I find handling the larger 120 film in the darkroom to be easier than 35mm.

    I agree. I use plastic reels and just push it on.

    Im just wondering, what medium format gear are you guys shooting on?


  • The only problem i have is that there aren't any notches on the 120 film.

    ....granted half the time the notches get in the way more than they help..... boy do I love those old fashioned metal reels

    You had to out do me with your metal reel savvy, didnt you trog?

    cant you load 2 rolls of 120 on 1 metal reel?


  • Any proffesional lab will process it, (not walgreens sav-on wal-mart etc.) it isnt to expensive at all, I get mine done for $7 or so. I process all my b&w stuff myself so that is almost free. good luck in the medium format world...It is awesome.


  • I agree with you mountain.... Medium format is the BEST isnt it? a bit of a Hassle (where the camera gets its name mabey?) but once you get used to it it is Butter.

    And on top of that it costs you a Blad-y fortune as well! (couldn't resist!):mrgreen:







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