passionately disappointed

[brentsky]

Hi All,

I'd just finished a roll of agfa b&w in a Nikon F2 AS (with great 55mm f/1.2) for a portfolio im working on to be submitted next week. I had dropped the roll off yesterday evening at a well-known camera retailer/lab in elizabeth st, Melbourne, relying on the 'pro lab' to develop it for the weekend as I could work on my prints.

I received a call midday today to tell me that due to error, the film had been ruined by the chemicals and hence all frames were lost. Although apologetic, the employee informed me that these things happen and legally I am entitled to be compensated only with another roll of film.

I was shattered. A matter of weeks I spent working on those shots just to be destroyed by a trusted lab. I insisted that a roll of film cannot compensate the time, effort, and energy I spent creating the images. I was unimpressed by the lack of professionalism of the lab manager and needless to say, quite upset with the situation.

Understandably there's nothing I can do to regain the frames, but I feel the lab should take more responsibility in similar situations should they happen again. I hope they don't. Needless to say I will never go there again.

Where can I go to get true black and white developed in melbourne?

Brentsky

[gstark]

Sadly, this is quite typical in the industry. You may have been on an overseas trip, made lots of images, only to have the images screwed up by negligence or an accident in the lab. They're not going to pay for you to go back overseas either.

I think it's very wrong. I think it's a disgusting cop-out on the part of the labs.

I think the industry should be ashamed of itself for failing to take responsibility for its actions. As you say, totally unprofessional!

Please feel free to name them, if you wish, so that others here may be suitably warned. The lab, of course, is welcome to come here and state their case, and to try to defend the indefensible.

[aim54x]

My sympathies to you Brent, please do name them, but as much of a cop out as this is, there really is nothing that can be done to regain those frames.

I do all my own B&W but those days are coming to an end as it will be harder for me to get darkroom access now that i am not at the uni anymore.

[brentsky]

thanks for the replies and sympathy cam and gary.

im trying not to think about it now and concentrate on making further images.

the lab was michaels on elizabeth st. i really hope this doesn't happen to anyone on this forum.

b

[Wink]

Please feel free to name them, if you wish, so that others here may be suitably warned. The lab, of course, is welcome to come here and state their case, and to try to defend the indefensible.

I must say i find this rather refreshing in this day and age!
I'm a moderator on a very popular automotive site and as soon as someone posts a negative comment the company it was aimed at is threatening legal action for slander! These days it's unfortunately a matter of post your praise and keep your horror stories to yourself. It's just wrong!

Anyway...
I really feel for you. It must churn your gut to know that they're gone and there's nothing you can do. Mistakes do happen and it's a shame in this case they've had such an effect.

[DanW]

My sympathies too.

I had a similar issue many years ago with a lab in Canberra when processing films for an assignment. It was obvious when I looked at the negatives they handed back that some water or other chemical had be dripped onto the film. Where I lost it was when the person (obviously NOT a photographer) behind the counter said it was my fault as it was clear to them that I must have accidentally exposed the film to light when handling it! It was a complete joke. After complaining for a while they eventually offered me a free roll of film and processing for the next time but I never went back. Couldn't risk it.

Thankfully I had an understanding lecturer who gave me an extra week to do the assignment all over again.

[Matt. K]

brentsky
Learn to process your own film. It's very easy to do and you will do a much better job than any lab. All you need is a Patterson film tank, a couple of adjustable reels, a thermometer and 2 chemicals. You will need to load the tank in a dark room (at night). There are no degrees of dark. It either is or isn't. Once the film is safely in the tank then you do everything else with the lights on.

[Greg B]

You will need to load the tank in a dark room (at night). There are no degrees of dark. It either is or isn't.

Personally, I always used a changing bag (a special lightproof bag with armholes)
- picture here
and I used that in a fairly dark room. You need to practice first with with some spare unimportant
film (if "spare" film even exists anymore )

Developing is a simple process, but you must have fresh chemicals, your solutions must be at the correct
temperature (with only narrow tolerances), and you must have accurate timing (a stop watch is useful).

It requires precision.

Having said all of that, it isn't that hard, you just have to do everything properly, or you will end up in the same
situation you are now.

[colin_12]

Doing your own developing also means that you only have youself to blame if there is a stuff up.
At least you will learn from any mistakes and not just try to fob it off onto someone else.

[Greg B]

Doing your own developing also means that you only have youself to blame if there is a stuff up.
At least you will learn from any mistakes and not just try to fob it off onto someone else.

I reckon that if the lab ruins your film, you are not trying to "fob it off onto someone else", it is
the lab's fault 100%, and there is not a damn thing you could have done.

[gstark]

You will need to load the tank in a dark room (at night).

Or just buy a change bag.

[surenj]

My sympathies. This sounds like a human error. [Which is known to happen and sometimes happens outside of photo labs].

im trying not to think about it now and concentrate on making further images.

Everytime you think about it in a angry or sad way, you let them ruin your film. Again; and again....

Put this behind you. Go out and take even better photos.

[Ant]

Where can I go to get true black and white developed in melbourne?

Brentsky

The photographer that did my wedding (and is a personal friend) does all his processing through CPL labs in St Kilda: http://www.cpldigital.com.au/ I was impressed with the quality of their work, but then I have been digital for so long I may be easily impressed .

Ant.

ps. do I need to put a disclaimer in here about having no association with this company?

[Matt. K]

Or buy a change bag....or load in a dark room (at night). The other option is to close your eyes whilst loading the tank.

[Mr Darcy]

Or buy a change bag....or load in a dark room (at night). The other option is to close your eyes whilst loading the tank.

Of course, you could do it on the night of a full moon. We all know moonlight won't fog film, unless oyu are a werewolf of course

[Glen]

Brentsky, I can feel your pain. We all full well know nothing would compensate you for lost images but it is a bit surprising they only offered one roll. You would have thought an apology and a dozen rolls rather than an apology and rundown on their legal obligations! I hope you manage to capture some equally good images again.

[surenj]

bit surprising they only offered one roll

I haven't checked lately but hasn't film gone up in price?