Quality of processing?

[MadFor3D]

Seems to me like the film I just got processed at one place came back in worse shape that some I got back from another place. Small dents, dirt, scratches, etc.

I thought all processing places just used the same techniques/machine? to do it. Is it possibly an important factor in choosing which processing place to use?

Thanks,

M

[MadFor3D]

Another factor: I just realized, I used my old Cannon 814 to shoot the footage that came back less than perfect... My new Beaulieu for the footage that came back clean as can be.

?????
-M

[mattias]

well, maybe you should clean your canon?

/matt

[Alex]

Yikes!

Yes, labs matter. Some care more than others, sometimes that caring is represented in higher costs. (but not always)

I suppose the best test is start with 4 rolls per each film stock you want to evaluate lab processing for.

Shoot two rolls of very similar things at the same time of day, preferably the same day, in the same camera, send one to one lab, the other to a second lab.

Now, do the next two rolls, (following the same procedure as above) sending the opposite camera shot-roll to each lab....this way both labs ends up with one roll each from the two different cameras.

Be careful of bright sky shots, they show off the most dirt...especially the white overcast skys.

Good luck...and yes, clean the camera!

Although if the camera is "chipping" the film it may have colored lines and white specks, if it is actual dust, for reversal film it should look like black specks.

The fronts and ends of rolls of each film roll are notorious for having scratches and dust...

.... and your projector may be the biggest culprit of all.

-Alex



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