Costco 1-hour photo processing question...

jasonjoo · Mar 15, 2008

Hello everyone,

I have a question about Costco and their C41 processing. How's the quality compared to a pro-photo lab? I originally sent my E-6 slides off to A&I, but found out that Portra is C41 process film (yes, I am new to the traditional photography world! ). I've had Costco develop several rolls of the Costco brand Fujifilm and never had any issues, but at this point in the game, I'm no expert on what a well processed negative should look like.

I will continue to shoot Velvia for landscape work, but I also want to start incorporating the Portra NC and VC films if Costco's photo lab can process the films well.

Thanks!

Jason

mabman · Mar 15, 2008

Where I am, Costco does a good job - clean negs, no scratches.

However, they're not without their limitations - in particular with "pro" films, if you're getting them to scan/print, you may not be happy with the results - the operators may not be familiar with the films' characteristics and you may not get exactly what you're hoping for. For instance, last year I was in a hurry and had them process/print/scan a roll of Portra VC (colours are supposed to "pop") - the prints/scans came back with neutral colour (actually, as the machine was a Noritsu, I think they may have applied the settings for Portra NC by mistake). Now, for my purposes with that roll that was OK, but it may not be what you're looking for. Now I've bought a scanner so I can scan my own negatives at home, so I just get them to do develop-only, and it's all good

Snapshot · Mar 15, 2008

I've taken my film to both Costco and Wal-mart and I'm often surprised how good they turn out. They aren't pro-lab caliber (then again some "professional" labs aren't pro-lab caliber either) but they give quite good results. If you are using you shot for "professional" reasons, however, spring for the extra tweaking a professional laboratory will give you.

pauliej · Mar 15, 2008

Mabman, are you suggesting they processed the film correctly, but printed incorrectly? Just trying to be clear about this in my own mind. Thanks.

Paul

JBrunner · Mar 15, 2008

The processing is variable from location to location but generally very good. It's the printing that is inconsistent.

I have a good pro lab do processing only- then I print only my selects. That's the best approach for high quality on a budget I have found.

mabman · Mar 15, 2008

pauliej said:
Mabman, are you suggesting they processed the film correctly, but printed incorrectly? Just trying to be clear about this in my own mind. Thanks.

Paul

Yes, that's correct - in my case the film was developed correctly, just the colours came out muted in the prints and scans (there were some reds in particular), which shouldn't happen with Portra VC.

I've had them do some Fuji Superia as well from time to time, and they had no problems with it, so my conclusion is they used (or accepted) the wrong settings on the machine due to unfamiliarity.

Otherwise, nice staff at the location I use, and *gasp* they all use cotton gloves when handling the negatives - a rarity at some Walmarts and other 1-hr locations locally from what I've seen.

The other limitation, of course, is that they only do 35mm, no 120 at all...

blaze-on · Mar 15, 2008

Costco is in the process (info from my lab guy) of phasing out all film processing to completely digital.Good news for labs, but will likely have a cost effect to chemicals for others.

jasonjoo · Mar 15, 2008

Thanks everyone! I have my own scanner so I think Costco maybe the way to go.

Blaze-on, you heard this from your Costco "lab guy" or a "lab guy" from another photo lab? I really do hope Costco will keep processing film! But if my memory serves me correctly... I've dropped off about 20 rolls of film with Costco in the past year and not once have I seen someone else filling out one of the envelopes :/

Jason

mabman · Mar 15, 2008

Whenever I'm there, there are always several strips of film hanging to dry/waiting to be cut, and usually at least one person filling out an envelope.

I hope that means locally they keep processing. In the last year or so they did drop APS processing.

donbga · Mar 15, 2008

mabman said:
Where I am, Costco does a good job - clean negs, no scratches.

However, they're not without their limitations - in particular with "pro" films, if you're getting them to scan/print, you may not be happy with the results - the operators may not be familiar with the films' characteristics and you may not get exactly what you're hoping for. For instance, last year I was in a hurry and had them process/print/scan a roll of Portra VC (colours are supposed to "pop") - the prints/scans came back with neutral colour (actually, as the machine was a Noritsu, I think they may have applied the settings for Portra NC by mistake). Now, for my purposes with that roll that was OK, but it may not be what you're looking for. Now I've bought a scanner so I can scan my own negatives at home, so I just get them to do develop-only, and it's all good

Costco does good proof quality printing and their C-41 processing is very clean. You can ecen get pretty decent enlargements made up to 12x18 on Fuji Crystal Archive. It's not pro quality finishing but it is very good consumer quality finishing.

I've also been impressed with the quality of the in house finishing from Ritz Camera in my area. More expensive than Costco but their quality is very good.

As someone mentioned though, no 120 processing at either Ritz or Costco.

jasonjoo · Mar 15, 2008

It would be awesome if Costco developed 120 film! I shoot more 120 than 35mm. Can't win them all!

Jason

Costco 1-hour photo processing question...

Moderator

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency