I have ten rolls of 120 film that need to be developed. I'd also like to have low-res scans made, because that's the easiest way for me to go over the work, and I can make my own contact sheets from the digital files. I'd like to do this without bankrupting myself. There are twelve images on each roll. How much can this possibly cost? I made some calls.
Here are the results, from cheapest to most expensive:
ALKIT
227 East 45th Street
212-674-1515
99 cents per image, for processing and 4.5mb scans, and 4x5 prints
TOTAL: $120.00
Baboo Color
37 West 20th Street
212--727-277
12.99 for a 4.5mb jpeg scan, including processing
TOTAL: $129.90
Hong Color
123 West 20th Street
212-924-2080
$6 for processing, and an additional $10 for a 4.5mb jpeg scan=
$16 a roll
TOTAL: $160.00
Flatiron Lab
108 West 17th Street
212-633-9191
$18 for processing and a 6mb jpeg scan
$20.50 for processing, 4x5 prints and 6mb scans
TOTAL (w/out prints): $180.00
LTI
34 East 30th Street
212-685-6871
$18 for processing and 6mb scans
TOTAL: $180.00
Coloredge CRC
20 west 22nd street
212-633-6000
$6 for processing, and an additional 12.65 for a 4.5mb jpeg scan
= 18.65 a roll
TOTAL: $186.50
US Color Lab
12 Mercer Street
212-254-7200
$19.99 for processing and 4.5mb jpeg scans
TOTAL: $199.99
L&I Color
12 West 17th Street
212-206-7733
$5 for processing, and an additional $15 for a 5mb jpeg scan=
$20 a roll
TOTAL: $200.00
Duggal
29 West 23rd Street
212-941-7000
$7 for processing, and an additional $15 for a 4.5mb jpeg scan
= $22 a roll
TOTAL: $220.00
I think I'm going to go with Hong Color. They're a small operation, and they have personable service. Also, they have a reputation for good quality, and I've had hugely varying results with Baboo. Alkit's my second choice, but 45th Street on the 12th floor is the deal breaker. Anyone else have a better tip?
Stumble Upon
You might want to price out Dwayne's Photo; I've used them before with success. They do charge a lot for low rez scans on cd.
Strangely, they are located in Kansas, but the flickr Holga group swears by them: http://www.dwaynesphoto.com/newsite2006/color-neg-processprint.html
Have you tried this one before?
http://local.yahoo.com/details?id=11059475
I've been using their processing service for a few years, but have no idea about the scanning price.
I've never paid that much at US Color Lab, but I always get a discount. I'd inquire. The scans truly suck, but like you, I only want them for the select process.
I know it's more expensive but my experience with CRC has been great. They take extra care with film. I've had problems with US color in the past. I don't care for them much at all.
Maybe try Luster on Ave A, I know they do pretty cheap dev/scan to disc and the scans are actually quite decent...
For the price of processing and scanning all that film you could buy a half decent Epson flatbed with film holders on eBay and scan as much as you want. This is what I did. I get the rolls processed for a few bucks each, take the negs home and scan everything in low res just to look at.
Buy a lightbox and a loupe for that price.
Old skool it!!!
PS. Do I love it here or what: it costs me 27 dollars for develop only for 10 rolls.
If you are going to Hong Color you're going to have a hard time finding them. The address is 123 W. 20th St., not West 23rd. st. You wander around West 23rd street with a bag of film and Duggal kidnaps you.
I like Photomax.
For $10-12 per roll (less price per roll with more rolls) they'll do c-41 120, with 1050 pixel wide scans on disc
West Village
http://ziphip.com/Photomax.9.15434659p.home.html
i've tried most of the labs you listed and here's my verdict: try Manhattan Color Lab. i've been using them for a while now. not as fancy as duggal(rip offs!). or as pro as crc. but they always do a good job and they're pretty cheap - 15 bucks a roll. and if you're lucky they'll give you a highres scan (18MB) for the low res scan price! whoot! whoot! they're on 20th st near 5th ave. no website but here's the number: 212.807.7373
and is anyone else pissed that alkit moved to 45th? it was one of the few places around union square that was open on saturday. now what? calumet? i tried to buy some portra there on the weekend. they had to dig in their storage room to find the last 5 rolls they had left! damn you alkit. damn you.
Yes, Alkit broke my heart when they moved away.
Try L&L on lafayette