Re: 70mm developing

["David M. Young" <david@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

At 07:26 PM 10/12/98 -0600, you wrote:
>I am tempted by Kodak's 70mm IR film. It seems like such a great format,
>and 70mm film backs for the Hasselblad seem to be readily available.
>However I really don't want to buy a new expensive film tank and reels
>to process the long rolls. Is there any lab in the U.S.  which processes
>Kodak 70mm IR black & white film?

Russ, 
I've found that you can convince a lot of B&W labs to do it for you... but
you have to make a concession.  First, call around and find a lab or two
that does B&W in a Dip and Dunk processor.  Make sure that they'll do Kodak
infrared as well (some places won't... because they like to use infrared
goggles when loading the D&D machine).  Next, load your 70mm, cutting it NO
LONGER than 2.5 feet in length.  This allows them to process it as if it
were 120.  If you cut it longer (i.e. 220 length) it won't work because 220
has to be looped over, and the guides aren't wide enough for 70mm film.
Downside is that you'll only get 5 or 6 exposures (at 6x6) on a roll. 

Finally, do some fast talking.  It took me a while to find a lab that would
attempt it; most heard "70mm" and stopped there. I found the best way to
convince them was to start with "Do you do Dip and Dunk processing of B&W
film?" then, "Do you do infrared B&W processing... specifically Kodak
HIE?", and finally "I've got a bit of a special request.... I need to have
some B&W infrared processed that is *essentially* 120 size.  It's actually
70mm, but it's been cut down to 120 length and can be processed fine in a
dip&dunk tank."   

If you're in the SF bay area, drop me a note and I'll let you know where
I've had mine done. Keep in mind however, that Jobo has 70mm reels in both
5 and 15 foot lengths that are reasonably priced.

Cheers, 
D.

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David M. Young  |  david@xxxxxxxxxxxxx  |  http://www.cloudance.com
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