Opening a Film Lab From Nothing!

[@ThePhotoDept]

it was so cool having you here! you need to come hang more. thanks for making such a cool video.

[@1972myc]

I am in Rockford Illinois. The only photography store in Rockford just went out of business two weeks ago. So we have no Film labs in town or surrounding area. Been thinking of starting a lab here too. There is a nich for vintage Vinyl records, so why not a vintage camera and Vintage Camera store. My goal is start part time, not quitting my day job and do it on weekends. Keep Film Alive is #1 I have no idea how to develop film or the equipment, nor money, so it will be slow. Edit: Local Photography Studios here want to start offering film developing, but want to send the film out to Ohio a dcwait a week or two for delivery. Maybe they can send it to you.

[@Walkercolt1]

Gee, I've never closed mine in 54 years! I process and print B&W, C-41 color negative film, R-6 color negative film (Chinese and Indian YELLOW mask film) , and E-6A color transparencies daily. I can "machine print" color negatives on REAL FUJICOLOR RE-2B COLOR paper with my semi-automatic printer (up to 11"x 17") or make darkroom enlargements up to 50" wide and about 85" long with my DeVere enlarger and ONLY Rodenstock Gold Ring Enlarging lenses (the lenses were my new Ram Pick-up!). Machine prints from 110 negatives up to 4"x 5", and I CAN make enlargements from 8x10 negatives, but not with 5 day turn-around. I have to install the 8x10 lamphouse on my enlarger, and that's a half-day job! I don't "dump develop" B&W films. I follow time/temp recommendations for EVERY DIFFERENT film, and use T-Max developer on T-Max film, and usually ID-11 on most films, except where a different developer is recommended by the manufacturer. I can custom develop B&W in a half-dozen developers I mix from raw chemicals-I use a JOBO processor, and I'm a fanatic about consistency! No address/phone/e-mail-this IS NOT an advertisement, just information. I don't accept all comers as customers. I'm "retired" and 70, and I don't want to work my former 60-80 hours in the lab a week.

[@anthonys_expired_film]

Good luck! Keep us posted! 🍀

[@joeprete7424]

Yeah, Keep Film Alive!

[@supeergelay]

Wow! Im happy for you, Chris! Congratssss!

[@ThePhotoDept]

thank you!!

[@btrdangerdan2010]

Good to see Chris again!

[@ThePhotoDept]

ayy!

[@joshuahedge7039]

Milwaukee on the rise! Also shoutout James Hoffmann

[@ThePhotoDept]

the one and only.

[@alexbemanian]

This is cool, love to see a new film lab. Congrats !

[@ThePhotoDept]

thank you!

[@DirtTravelAdventures]

Very cool! 💯 📸

[@trooperfilms]

This place sounds perfect - love the community feel and plans. Shame I’m in Australia as I have no idea if I’ll ever be in Milwaukee, but I would love to visit if I ever get there. Good Luck and I hope it is an amazing success

[@BeeMichael]

New Jersey could sure use something like this. Best in your endeavor.

[@ThePhotoDept]

thank you

[@AaronStoneVLOGS]

Your KZbin video worked.. Just placed an order with you!

[@ThePhotoDept]

youre the best.

[@AaronStoneVLOGS]

@@ThePhotoDept don’t judge those photos 😂🤣🤡 trying to figure this film thing out.

[@acecreates]

Awesome video mate, I hope it goes well!

[@dilybar4938]

I am looking at starting a film lab in my city. Thank you for sharing your experience.

[@cwantuch]

Is the lab still in business? The link doesn’t seem to work.

[@Zetaphotography]

How do you process and scan 4x5

[@yourfilmdealer669]

You will have no life now lol. Looking forward to see more updates of the lab. Stressful but rewarding for sure.

[@mudcud]

Are you still open?

[@legacy_mens]

view this from Ukraine))) dude you cool