Yale Film and Video : Stops selling and developing 200/500T

[adamgarner]

I just got a call from Yale Film/Video (I use them to develop and telecine more than others). They have stopped carrying and have sold out of 500T color negative. They had 2 rolls of 200T left but won't develop either. They're only doing b&w and the 64T now.

I didn't see any indication that was going to happen but I thought I'd share. Best bet, now, is Pro8mm.

Just an FYI.

I never really understood the purpose of negative film, and don't know the process behind "digital compositing" for film, which is how they market negative film. I wont miss it since I've never used it. Hopefully this isn't some sort of bellweather indicator that we're losing more processing facilities.

[twotoneska]

I use Spectra. They've always done a great job, been really friendly, and willing to do whatever you need. I'd give them a shot, before you head over to Pro-8.

[T-Scan]

There is also Alphacine/Fordelabs in Seattle, and quite a few others that process S8 neg.

[BigBeaner]

I never really understood the purpose of negative film, and don't know the process behind "digital compositing" for film, which is how they market negative film. I wont miss it since I've never used it.

Uh.... negative film has better lattitude over reversal and has the advantage of exposures being compensated in printing or telecine, whereas you can't in reversal. Negative is negative and you can always make another workprint, whereas with reversal, if you screw up you're screwing up your camera original for good and thats that. You see the clear advantages and purposes of negative!? I mean there's a reason why they have it. Experiment with it and you'll see. Now digitial compositing do you actually mean telecine to digital for editing on an NLE?

[Will2]

There is also Alphacine/Fordelabs in Seattle, and quite a few others that process S8 neg.

I 2nd that... Alphacine is a good choice since they can process any type of Motion Picture film (other than Kodachrome.) They even do B&W negative which is nice.

Spectra is also a good option, their quality control seems to be better than Pro8mm from my experience.

[David M. Leugers]

My only experience with Yale and negative film was when their machine had a breakdown (film break?) during the run and caused damage to my S-8mm film. They replaced the stock and subsequent development was good. I wonder if they continued to have problems and decided to cease negative development because of it. Maybe not profitable in the amount of volume they were doing?
Still, their E6 development won the contest in Small Film magazine's shootout for best development of E64T as I recall. Might be a good thing for them to concentrate on what they do best.

David M. Leugers

[adamgarner]

Thanks for the input all! So, yes, I'll put spectra on the map. And also good input on the "why negative stock" question.
Agreed, I've heard it is much more forgiving with regards to exposure. Has anyone had negatives telecined and inverted the image in post themselves? (ie. In apple color?)

[onsuper8]

Its done at telecine so you don't need to worry about inverting it - if you get it done at a pro/semi pro house.

[adamgarner]

Ah, yes. I should have specified.

So, for most footage I use a service that does the telecine with a DV Sniper (http://moviestuff.tv). It's a frame by frame dv transfer that has great results for a fraction of the price (30 bucks for 250 feet).

This means that, while the transfer is not color corrected or inverted, I have to do that part. I am proficient in Color, and am willing to pay 30 bucks and do the post myself. I was curious if anyone else goes this route. It's a cost saver for sure.

[etimh]

Re: the poll--Plus-X, always.

Though I used a bunch of Tri-X over the holiday.

Tim

[BigBeaner]

Ah, yes. I should have specified.

So, for most footage I use a service that does the telecine with a DV Sniper (http://moviestuff.tv). It's a frame by frame dv transfer that has great results for a fraction of the price (30 bucks for 250 feet).

This means that, while the transfer is not color corrected or inverted, I have to do that part. I am proficient in Color, and am willing to pay 30 bucks and do the post myself. I was curious if anyone else goes this route. It's a cost saver for sure.

It's a lot of pain and rather leave it to the professionals who really know a whole lot more. Coloring is something is just insane and going to a post house and using a Spirit or a similar machine allows for so much more options that you can do outside of color. You can however do a best/one light transfer and retool the look to what you prefer in color, which is much more smarter than I think transfering your precious negative (and exposing it to scratches and dust) and then having to do a whole lot more work than just inverting it. Remember, it has an ORANGE MASk that you need to take out. Personally I'll pay more for a supervised transfer when you sit in the same room as the colorist, you'll actually learn what you can and can't do and it's all real time on better equiped monitors.

[adamgarner]

Orange Mask? Like a physical cover on the whole film? I've never had it developed, or SHOT negative before. Tell me more?

[super8man]

Adam - just look at your 35mm still camera negatives...they are not simply the reverse of a slide - they are orange tinted...that mask.

PS - You may need to track down someone who actually has a 35mm camera and color film negatives handy to see this...try finding someone 40 years of age or older...younger folks only take digital images.

[adamgarner]

I guess I've forgotten that!? Dad used to have 35mm negatives around the house all the time... and now I remember the orange tint. I guess that throws a slight curveball at my plan for inverting the image after a DVsniper transfer.