E6 Film Developing
We handle E-6 film processing for all formats — 35mm slide film, 120, and 4x5 sheets.
Our turnaround:
Dev only — 3 working days
Dev&Flash scan — 3 working days
Dev&Biggie scan — 6 working days
How to develop E-6 film with us:
- make an online order and mail us your film, or just stop by with your rolls
- we develop & scan it (super fast, as always)
- check your inbox for the results
- pick up your positives or get them shipped
Slide film vs. color negative film
Everything you know about shooting color film flips with E6 slide film:
- Meter for highlights, not shadows
Slide film isn’t forgiving. It doesn’t love contrasty scenes and has almost no exposure latitude. Highlights blow out fast, so always meter for the brightest area you want to keep.
- Don’t overexpose
We always recommend to give a color negative film a little extra light, but with slide film, that’s a fast way to lose color and detail.
- What you see is what you get
Slide film is also called positive film for a reason. After E-6 processing, you get full-color images right on the film. So don’t forget to pick up your positives!
If you get the exposure right, slide film delivers ultra-fine grain, deep contrast and rich, saturated colors. It has a distinct look, so don’t expect it to be neutral.
What makes slide film processing special?
E-6 development needs super precise temperature, timing, and fresh chemicals. “Sounds like any other film!” Not quite!
- temperature must stay at 38.0°C ±0.3°C, not much room for error
- even a small shift in temp or timing can throw off the colors
- E-6 chemicals have a short shelf life, so the more rolls you bring, the more you help us use them efficiently.
The name E-6 comes from the six main chemical baths. Though the full process looks like this:
- First developer
- First wash
- Reversal bath
- Color developer
- Pre-bleach
- Bleach
- Fixer
- Second wash
- Third wash
- Final rinse
All together, E-6 development takes about 1 hour (not counting drying). Each step keeps us on our toes — everything has to be done precisely and perfectly, and we make sure it is.
Push/pull
Slide film doesn’t handle push or pull processing very well, so it’s best to shoot it at box speed with an accurate metering. But if you want to try anyway, we can do that without extra charge.
Just let us know when placing your order what ISO you shot at and how many stops you’d like to push / pull.
Film scanning
By default, we scan your slide film with the Noritsu HS-1800.
It can scan your frames up to 4000×6000 px, and offer two file formats:
- JPG – ready-to-post
- TIFF – flat scans, perfect for post-processing
If you’re planning to edit the scans yourself, print them large, or use them in a project — go for the Biggie TIFF. It gives you the maximum detail and flexibility, with no adjustments from our side.
Drum scanning is often considered the best option for slide film, and we’ve got it covered. We use the Imacon Flextight 646, a virtual drum scanner that produces incredible resolution and rich, true-to-life colors.
Full-frame scans with film borders are available too. For that, check out our Durst Sigma Plus scanning option.
Scans & positives
We’ll send your frames straight to your inbox. Scan links are active for 3 days. If you miss the deadline, just send us your order number and we’ll reupload the files.
We keep your positives for 1 month. Need more time to pick them up? Just let us know.
Slide film isn’t the easiest to shoot or develop, but when you see those vibrant positives, it’s all worth it.
Never tried it before? Start with slide film 35mm and thank us later.
FAQ
What film formats do you develop with E-6 (35 mm, 120, large format film)?
We do E-6 developing for all formats — 135, 120, or 4x5. Just bring your rolls or sheets!
Do you develop expired E-6 film?
Yes, we process expired E-6 film — but we usually recommend cross-processing it in C-41.
Slide film doesn’t age well and already has a limited dynamic range, which gets even narrower as it expires.
Cross-processing gives you more latitude and a better chance of saving your shots. Just keep in mind you’ll likely see color shifts and more grain.
What if I have a blank roll of film?
Oh, it’s the worst, we feel you.
We’ll refund the scan and just charge for the development. This also applies if your film is fogged or has damaged / transparent perforation.
Do you offer high-resolution scanning for E-6 slides?
Okay, lean in: we have the Imacon Flextight 646 as an option for scanning slides. It’s a virtual drum scanner with colors and sharpness that are next level.
Max resolution for Imacon scans:
> 135 film: up to 6300 dpi
> 120 film: up to 3200 dpi
> 4×5 film: up to 2040 dpi
All scans come as uncompressed TIFF files: 48-bit for color, 16-bit for black and white. File sizes are usually around 350MB.
What’s the difference between Flash and Biggie?
Think of it like this: if you’re going big — like for an exhibition or a gift — biggie’s your go-to
For everything else — flash. It’s fast, flexible and perfect for quick edits and everyday needs.
JPG or TIFF?
If you’re looking for scans that are ready to post but still flexible for adjustments, go with JPG. We’ll make sure they look great, and you can tweak them however you like.
If you’re going for a certain look, go with TIFF for flat, untouched scans ready for your editing.
I’m from another city, but I really want to send my film to you, guys!
No problem! Just place an online order here and send your rolls to:
Film Speed Lab UG
Dietrich-Bonhoeffer Str. 32
10407 Berlin
+49 176 84786140
Before sending, take a look at our shipping checklist to make sure everything’s ready on your end.
Shipping checklist
- Yes
- No
- Yes
- No
(we love your creative packaging — from socks to iPhone boxes. But sometimes we get empty parcels, so we just want to be sure!)
- Yes
- No
*this helps us get started on your order faster
- Yes
- No
Thanks a lot, you’re the best <3
Can you send my positives back?
Yes, we offer push and pull processing for all film types.
To push or pull your film, you’ll need to adjust the ISO before you start shooting.
If you want to push your film, set your camera to a higher ISO than the film’s box speed. For example, you can shoot Kodak Gold 200 at ISO 400.
If you want to pull your film, set a lower ISO. E.g. Kodak Gold 200 at ISO 100.
Pushing gives your photos more contrast and grain. Pulling, on the other hand, softens the image with pastel tones and less contrast.
When you place your order, just let us know the ISO you used, and we’ll adjust the development accordingly.
Note: We don’t recommend pushing expired film. It’s better to shoot it at a lower ISO and develop it at box speed.
I didn’t quite like the results…
Then let’s improve them! Scanning is all about your personal style, so let’s tweak it until it’s just right for you.