35mm panorama processing at Walmart (U.S.)

epp · Sep 14, 2013

I was in a local Walmart this morning and inquired about 35mm panoramic processing, as I have a new Holga 135 Panorama camera which I have yet to use.

The clerk indicated she believes they could do it, as I indicated how large the individual prints might be.

Has anyone actually had 35mm panorama processed/printed at Walmart in the U.S and if so, how did the processing/prints come out?

jmm1987 · Sep 14, 2013

I've never used WalMart because although they had twice a week pickup, they destroy the negatives rather than return them to you! That's what the employee told me here in Commack, NY.

ambaker · Sep 14, 2013

I've not had it done at Walmart, but my understanding is that Walmart no longer returns 35mm negatives.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

epp · Sep 14, 2013

This Walmart I went to, has an in-store lab that does 35mm (color) film.

Why would any lab not return the negatives??

ME Super · Sep 14, 2013

If it's an in-store lab and you're doing C-41, you're probably okay. Their send-out service does not return 35mm C-41 negatives. Rumor is that non-35mm and non-C-41 negs will be returned, but I cannot confirm this. When they stopped returning negatives, I stopped using their send-out service for any film.

philosli · Sep 14, 2013

ME Super said:
Rumor is that non-35mm and non-C-41 negs will be returned, but I cannot confirm this. When they stopped returning negatives, I stopped using their send-out service for any film.

I can confirm that they return 35mm slides/BW negatives, and all formats of 120 (C-41/BW/E6). I have used their send-out service for all types of films as recent as 2 weeks ago, except 35mm C-41.

wildbill · Sep 14, 2013

epp said:
This Walmart I went to, has an in-store lab that does 35mm (color) film.

Why would any lab not return the negatives??

do a search to find the threads on this that already exist. why not return your negs? IT'S WALMART.

epp · Sep 14, 2013

ME Super said:
If it's an in-store lab and you're doing C-41, you're probably okay. Their send-out service does not return 35mm C-41 negatives. Rumor is that non-35mm and non-C-41 negs will be returned, but I cannot confirm this. When they stopped returning negatives, I stopped using their send-out service for any film.

This local Walmart can also send films out, I believe it goes to the local Fujifilm lab for processing. I would expect the likes of Fujifilm to return all negatives with prints.

Ten301 · Sep 15, 2013

epp said:
This local Walmart can also send films out, I believe it goes to the local Fujifilm lab for processing. I would expect the likes of Fujifilm to return all negatives with prints.

That would be nice but, unfortunately, it's not the case. Walmart does use Fuji for their send out service. However, once the film is processed at the lab, the negatives are scanned, uploaded and are printed at the actual store in the photo department. The negatives, which never leave Fuji's lab, are then destroyed, and not returned to the customer. The send out envelopes clearly warn the customer of this in advance. That being said, I don't know how Walmart/Fuji can get away with destroying someone else's property; the negatives are the film, the same film that you bought and paid for. It should be noted that this only happens with 35 mm C-41 (color negative/print) film. With traditional black and white, E6 (slide) and other sizes of C-41, the film is still returned to the customer. Make your decision to use Walmart accordingly. The 'we don't return your property' policy pissed me off so much that I don't use their services at all any longer.

epp · Sep 15, 2013

Ten301 said:
That would be nice but, unfortunately, it's not the case. Walmart does use Fuji for their send out service. However, once the film is processed at the lab, the negatives are scanned, uploaded and are printed at the actual store in the photo department. The negatives, which never leave Fuji's lab, are then destroyed, and not returned to the customer. The send out envelopes clearly warn the customer of this in advance. That being said, I don't know how Walmart/Fuji can get away with destroying someone else's property; the negatives are the film, the same film that you bought and paid for. It should be noted that this only happens with 35 mm C-41 (color negative/print) film. With traditional black and white, E6 (slide) and other sizes of C-41, the film is still returned to the customer. Make your decision to use Walmart accordingly. The 'we don't return your property' policy pissed me off so much that I don't use their services at all any longer.

Thanks for the info and opinion.

I have decided to check local CVS and Rite Aid pharmacies to see if either one offers it. I know the local CVS develops/prints 35mm in-house, but panorama film is something I will have to ask about.

Arctic amateur · Sep 15, 2013

If, as you say, the customer is clearly informed that the processing service will not return the physical negatives, and the customer has chosen to have the film processed by Walmart, there's nothing to "get away" with. They offer a service, some customers choose to use that service. Customers who prefer to have negatives returned have the option of taking their business elsewhere.

ME Super · Sep 15, 2013

The only service of theirs I use any more is for creating prints from intangible representations of images. They've not sent out anything of mine since the "We don't return negatives" policy was put in place. If you're using a Wal-Mart with an in-store lab, and your film is process C-41, you shouldn't have any problems. Their in-store lab cannot handle traditional B&W or E-6.

Ten301 · Sep 15, 2013

Arctic amateur said:
If, as you say, the customer is clearly informed that the processing service will not return the physical negatives, and the customer has chosen to have the film processed by Walmart, there's nothing to "get away" with. They offer a service, some customers choose to use that service. Customers who prefer to have negatives returned have the option of taking their business elsewhere.

Yes, you're legally correct, but I wasn't addressing legalities in my post. Film is not digital, and most who now use film use it for a reason. The vast majority of casual snapshot photographers long ago moved on to compact digital cameras and smartphones, and many professionals to DSLRs. Most who now use film use it because of the way it looks or for a host of other reasons that are important to them, and one reason is that with film, you have a negative.

Walmart still offers send out service because they feel they have to; there can't be much profit in it for them. I doubt that many are using their send out service for 35 mm C-41 since their 'no return of your property' policy went into effect, as the people who don't care about having negatives are no longer shooting film anyway. This was obviously a move on the part of Walmart and/or Fuji to save money and transportation costs and, for that, I certainly cannot fault them. Not so long ago, many 'serious' photographers would not even think of dropping their film off at Walmart. However, with local labs closing every week, in many areas Walmart is now the only game in town, with the only other alternative being mailing the film to a lab (which is what I do). That's why this 'no return of the negatives' has become an important issue for some. I rarely shoot slides, but do understand Walmart sends all E6 to Dwayne's for a very reasonable price, so I guess there's still some good news

lancekingphoto · Sep 17, 2013

Our local Walmart recently got rid of their in-house film processing; it's now send out only. As for panoramic film, I have taken 35mm shot with sprockets in a Holga to my local Walgreens. I just tell them to leave the film intact, and it's never been a problem. The only thing you may want to note is that some stores will roll up that intact film and stuff it in a canister if you don't specify otherwise. They usually do a decent job, otherwise, although you're always taking a chance with a 1-hour "lab".

epp · Sep 17, 2013

I'm not sure there are any one-hour labs even left in my immediate area.

I have since received an e-mail from one of the mail order labs, who replied that they can make 35mm panorama prints, as long as it's indicated on their order form. As I haven't used my Holga 135 Panorama yet, I don't know how many pictures will result from each of a 12, 24, or 36 exposure roll.

The suspense...

35mm panorama processing at Walmart (U.S.)

lancekingphoto

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency