Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1998/12/19
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]I'm not that experienced with home E-6, but I've found the Tetenal 3-bath set easy to use. That being said, I can get my rolls of 120 processed at $4.50 each at a very professional outfit in San Francisco (it's called "New Lab"). I bet you can find labs that will give you a lower price. I am not sure what it would cost for 35mm. If you can get the film back unmounted surely the price will reflect that difference. After doing 12 rolls or so at home, I decided to stay away from it. The chemicals (at least in the specs) perish quickly, and I didn't think the savings were enough to justify the effort. Given that prompt processing for the film is important, it's easier for me to go to SF and get it developed while I wait. Note that the stabilizer is a formaldehyde solution, which the instructions will warn you is a carcinogen. I don't know how dangerous it is in the concentrations used in E-6, but it was one more reason to steer away from DIY. Finally, perhaps I'm deluding myself, but the creative controls available to me are just that much greater with B+W (choice of developers, dilutions, pushing, pulling), and it justifies the effort. I didn't get that satisfaction from E-6, maybe because I didn't stick with it. Byron.