Costco shutting down its entire photo dept

[Huss]

Got an email from them saying everything will be transferred over to Shutterfly.

And so ends photography at Costco. Once upon a time, not so long ago, I used to get my C41 developed by them for $1.86/roll...

 

[xkaes]

Is this for YOUR Costco, or is it company-wide?

 

[Cholentpot]

Got an email from them saying everything will be transferred over to Shutterfly.

And so ends photography at Costco. Once upon a time, not so long ago, I used to get my C41 developed by them for $1.86/roll...

Is this online too?

 

[Inayat Noor]

I just received the same email. My Costco is in North Palm Beach.

 

[MattKing]

Up here, the Costco photo department is essentially entirely an internet one.

 

[blee1996]

Time to pick up some Costco mini-lab, if you have a large garage?

 

[Sirius Glass]

Got an email from them saying everything will be transferred over to Shutterfly.

And so ends photography at Costco. Once upon a time, not so long ago, I used to get my C41 developed by them for $1.86/roll...

A bad sad move in the wrong direction. Thank you for informing us.

 

[pentaxuser]

A bad sad move in the wrong direction. Thank you for informing us.

Given the revival of film, colour film especially and the growing interest in film cameras (viz: Pentax announcement) it does seem strange

Maybe Costco has a less rosy outlook on such matters

pentaxuser

 

[Huss]

Is this for YOUR Costco, or is it company-wide?

Company wide

 

[Huss]

Is this online too?

Yup

 

[Huss]

Time to pick up some Costco mini-lab, if you have a large garage?

They already got rid of their mini labs a long time ago.

 

[Huss]

Given the revival of film, colour film especially and the growing interest in film cameras (viz: Pentax announcement) it does seem strange

Maybe Costco has a less rosy outlook on such matters

pentaxuser

Back when Costco was still developing film in house, my local one was packed developing film. Anytime I went there they had a huge volume being processed - you could see it.
And Costco still shut it down because they want all their locations to have the same offerings. What was popular in Los Angeles may not have been used in most places elsewhere.

 

[BrianShaw]

... but aren't you referring to Costco photo services of decades ago? Our Costcos stopped developing in-house so long ago that I can't recall when it was. Way back in the day they were affordable and decent quality too.

The photo staff moved over to optometry.

 

[Huss]

Given the revival of film, colour film especially and the growing interest in film cameras (viz: Pentax announcement) it does seem strange

Maybe Costco has a less rosy outlook on such matters

pentaxuser

They stopped with film years ago, so this has nothing to do with the revival. What they are getting rid of now is the print department - the last of what was left.

 

[Cholentpot]

Yup

Drat.

Is my go-to for prints. Shutterfly sucks.

 

[Huss]

... but aren't you referring to Costco phot services of decades ago? Our Costcos stopped developing in-house so long ago that I can't recall when it was. Way back in the day they were affordable and decent quality too.

The photo staff moved over to optometry.

Yah, they are getting rid of all the printing now too. Online or in store (if any still have it)

 

[Huss]

Drat.

Is my go-to for prints. Shutterfly sucks.

Adorama is awesome for prints. My go to for a while now. I think they are called printique

 

[BrianShaw]

Yah, they are getting rid of all the printing now too. Online or in store (if any still have it)

I stopped using them so if they were still making prints then I was completely oblivious. My primary focus was on the free samples... and thank goodness they are back!

 

[Sirius Glass]

I will use Samys or one of the many remaining professional photofinishers in the Hollywood area for custom work.

 

[Film-Niko]

They stopped with film years ago, so this has nothing to do with the revival. What they are getting rid of now is the print department - the last of what was left.

What printing technology they have used so far:
Printing on real photo paper (RA-4) or dry-print with inkjet?

 

[miha]

Sad news. Doesn't get along well with those saying there is a strong insterest in film photography....

 

[Pieter12]

I think it has been ages (or maybe always) that Costco subbed out all the photo work. Looks like now they've decided since folks don't print enough (in Costco terms) to drop the subs.

 

[Film-Niko]

Sad news. Doesn't get along well with those saying there is a strong insterest in film photography....

Huss has said above that they stopped film processing many years ago. So this step has no correlation to the state of the film market.

 

[miha]

So this step has no correlation to the state of the film market.

It's a biggie!

 

[Huss]

What printing technology they have used so far:
Printing on real photo paper (RA-4) or dry-print with inkjet?

Yeah, they actually printed on real photo paper.