1 hr processing at Walmart

[Tim Gray]

I've been on the lookout for a decent one hour processor for those throw away rolls of film and finally went to check out the closest Walmart in my area (Philly suburb). The guy at the counter told me they've stopped, and the other Walmart nearby was only going to be doing 1 hour dev for another week.

That stinks.

I was happy with the Target near my previous apt, but so far in the new neighborhood, Target, CVS, and Eckerd all really scratch the film, and some of them even partially expose it taking it out of the canister. boo.

 

[Jeff Kubach]

I hope this is not contaious. I've been going to Costco (Richmond, Va) and sometimes Walmart for 35 mm c-41.

Jeff

 

[nickrapak]

Tim,
Where in Philly are you? My Wal-Mart in Horsham still does 1-hr C-41.

 

[Tim Gray]

South Philly down by the airport.

I'm just going to probably use Philadelphia Photographics, which is what I should have done to begin with.

 

[Lopaka]

Walgreen's runs Frontier machines and the stores in my area (SE Mich) have been satisfactory for the purpose.

Bob

 

[eddym]

Walmarts, Walgreens, and Costcos here in PR still process film. The pro lab I use only does it every few days.

 

[spotulate]

Walmart has been slowly killing off its C41 processing. A lot of stores are also switching over to inkjet dry labs for onsite stuff (where volume permits). It didn't hit me until I picked up some rolls from the lab I used to work at, and they gave me the news..at least they still offer send-out..

 

[Tim Gray]

Unfortunately, there's no costco or walgreens around here. The Target here butchers film, and the local CVS isn't much better. I tried Eckerd send out, and it ended up being $15/roll! Take me to a pro shop for that price.

 

[eng1er]

There's a reason that Target/CVS/Walgreens/Walmart/etc. are $3.99 and a prolab is $15. I'd bite the bullet and support the little guy. He's the one who will (with our support) still be doing wet processing when Walmart, et al have abandoned the market. Besides, Walmart's not doing anybody any favors anyway.

 

[Vonder]

I stopped going to the cheap stores when my pro lab rescued a roll containing a prizewinning photo, that some CVS monkey forgot to bleach, trying to blame me. "Uhhh you got the film wet or something..."

I pay $9 a roll. I get good results.

As the discount stores dry up this is going to be the new reality. Just like gas. What was once cheap, ain't gonna be, no more. Ride a bike and go digital or ride a bike and use film.

 

[spark]

Costco near me (SF Bay Area) still does C41 and has some very decent techs- but with the low volume they are getting it's only a matter of time. Pro lab is a nice bike ride away but still here and gets my good stuff.

 

[geoferrell]

I discovered the same thing at the Wal-Mart I shop at in a nearby town. They are going to digital only, but they still take film for send out. I can drive about 50 miles further and go to a camera store to get processing and printing, but not one hour. I may be handprocessing more black and white in 35mm in the future.

 

[Tim Gray]

I don't mind going to the pro lab for serious rolls, but when I'm just testing out a lens on a throw away roll of color, it'd be nice to get $4 processing and scans. Even if they are scratched, etc. Unfortunately, the local places seem to expose rolls and hand over scans where sometimes half the roll is scans of split frames.

Going to the pro lab means taking an hour off of work and driving into the city since they only have hours during the weekday and they close at 5. A little inconvenient.

 

[Vonder]

Understandable

I don't mind going to the pro lab for serious rolls, but when I'm just testing out a lens on a throw away roll of color, it'd be nice to get $4 processing and scans. Even if they are scratched, etc. Unfortunately, the local places seem to expose rolls and hand over scans where sometimes half the roll is scans of split frames.

Going to the pro lab means taking an hour off of work and driving into the city since they only have hours during the weekday and they close at 5. A little inconvenient.

Does Snapfish still do film? They were cheap and awful the last time I used them, but the negs were ok.... yep. Try 'em once with a roll you don't care about.

http://www2.snapfish.com/getMailerChoose/t_=26012306