The neighborhood photo lab changed hands and my negatives came back different

I've been dropping film at the same place on Foster Ave for like 4 years, no issues. Last month they got new owners and I swear the developer mix is off, my shadows are all muddy and the highlights blow out way easier. Same camera, same film stock, same settings, I even shot a roll of the exact same street corner to compare. It's night and day, the old lab gave me clean scans with proper contrast, now everything looks like it was pushed two stops. I asked the new guy about their chemistry schedule and he just shrugged, said they change it when it 'looks dirty.' Has anyone else dealt with a lab changing hands and losing their mojo? I'm thinking about just doing my own black and white at home, but I've got like 12 rolls of color I don't want to waste on bad processing.

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christopher6713d ago

You sure the developer is the problem and not something like their scanner or even temperature control? I've seen labs switch hands and the new crew just doesn't agitate the tanks the same way, which can crush shadows and blow highlights just like you're seeing. Honestly, if they're not testing the chemistry daily, I'd grab those color rolls and find another lab before you waste them, then mess with home development later.