Where to buy traditional B&W prints

[TheGreatSoprendo]

Hi folks

I have a small number of black and white images I would like to get printed, ideally using a traditional process with an enlarger and B&W paper.

Is there a lab somewhere that anyone would recommend to do this? My local place Digitalab has just stopped doing hand prints from negatives, and I don't think Peak (the other lab I use) do this either. They have all gone digital .

I found these guys online: http://www.monoprint.co.uk/ Anyone used them? I'd like to go with a recommendation if possible.

Many thanks.

 

[Andysnap]

I think Ilford still do this.

 

[menthel]

There are always adverts in the back of amateur photographer. Also the darkroom attached to silverprint do this.

 

[mustanir]

Ilford will print onto real B&W paper using laser printing rather than hand printing. I've used them and I can say that the results and service were excellent, although in my case I sent them digitally manipulated negative scans - which they then optimise.

 

[s162216]

AG Photo Lab say that they will do hand prints upon request if you email them according to their site. Palm Labs also do hand prints as well.

 

[TheGreatSoprendo]

Thanks everyone, that's helpful. Any recommendations from anyone that has used one of these services would be also appreciated.

I suppose the other question is: is it worth the bother?

 

[trevorbray]

Thanks everyone, that's helpful. Any recommendations from anyone that has used one of these services would be also appreciated.

I suppose the other question is: is it worth the bother?

I guess only you can decide. I have a real hankering for some wet printed stuff. Just need to take an image worthy of it...

 

[TheGreatSoprendo]

Update:

I did a bit more googling and discovered Silvertone, who work alongside CC Imaging in Leeds. Ian, who runs Silvertone, was very helpful on the phone and discussed the finer points of what I was after in some detail.

Sent in the negative, and further details, and another discussion and a few days later, my prints (I ordered 3 of the same) have arrived.

Wow. There is a depth, subtlety and tonality to the image on the paper which my scanned version was quite simply unable to match. The result is absolutely superb. Obviously you'll have to take my word for it - can't exactly demonstrate this on screen! Partly what I like about it is that nothing about the final result has anything to do with a computer.

Anyway, for what is I think a very reasonable £13 each for three 16 inch prints, I think I now want to throw the Epson V500 in the bin . But how do I persuade Mrs Soprendo that I need to build a darkroom? Can I sell one of the children and convert their room?

Regardless, I thought I should share my experience, and I would thoroughly recommend giving Ian a call if like me, you didn't really know what can be achieved with an enlarger, and fancy giving it a whirl (without actually investing in a darkroom yourself).