So, I've been on an analog photo hiatus for about two years. Up until about 2011 or 2012, my local Walgreens carried some 35mm films including Tri-X and BWCN400. Processing was on site and I could get negs only, scan them myself. Across the street, the CVS was similar.
Between two and three years ago, both companies pulled their minilab machines. Walgreens kept a couple of locations active, the others feeding into them with a five day turnaround!
Now, CVS sells two or three 35mm low grade films and a few disposable cameras. They do no processing, nor do they send it out. Dead in the water.
Walgreens will send your film to Fuji with a ten day turnaround. They have the kiosk to use your phone or camera memory to make prints from digital. The woman I was talking to didn't know about any other sites with the minilab still operating, but another employee overheard us and was able to tell me that a Walgreens about seven miles away still ran their minilab; he was at that store until two weeks ago. If the woman is correct, Walgreens doesn't even do courier service to that remaining store.
I get it. Very few people shoot film anymore. But some do, and not just us die hards. Old people comfortable with their P&S's, young people who had to grab a disposable.
It strikes me that there is a chicken and egg thing going on here. Minilabs shut down w/o alternatives leading to less film and camera sales which leads to.......
Also, a missed business opportunity. Remember the old couriers that would come by the grocery store and other locations, pick up and deliver? Well, it doesn't have to be every day, but it could be scheduled for a few times per week. And if no film is dropped off, don't come by.
Why would they bother? To bring customers into the store, not to make money on the processing. An old, successful business model. And everyone needs something from Walgreens while they are there!
There is obviously a huge amount of C-41 film still being sold online, if not in some physical locations. Where is this all being processed? Surely only a small percentage will do it at home. Via mail to one of the remaining custom labs?
The bottom line is the "everywhere" C-41 processing died in a matter of about four years! That's even faster than video rentals or CD's for music!
Between two and three years ago, both companies pulled their minilab machines. Walgreens kept a couple of locations active, the others feeding into them with a five day turnaround!
Now, CVS sells two or three 35mm low grade films and a few disposable cameras. They do no processing, nor do they send it out. Dead in the water.
Walgreens will send your film to Fuji with a ten day turnaround. They have the kiosk to use your phone or camera memory to make prints from digital. The woman I was talking to didn't know about any other sites with the minilab still operating, but another employee overheard us and was able to tell me that a Walgreens about seven miles away still ran their minilab; he was at that store until two weeks ago. If the woman is correct, Walgreens doesn't even do courier service to that remaining store.
I get it. Very few people shoot film anymore. But some do, and not just us die hards. Old people comfortable with their P&S's, young people who had to grab a disposable.
It strikes me that there is a chicken and egg thing going on here. Minilabs shut down w/o alternatives leading to less film and camera sales which leads to.......
Also, a missed business opportunity. Remember the old couriers that would come by the grocery store and other locations, pick up and deliver? Well, it doesn't have to be every day, but it could be scheduled for a few times per week. And if no film is dropped off, don't come by.
Why would they bother? To bring customers into the store, not to make money on the processing. An old, successful business model. And everyone needs something from Walgreens while they are there!
There is obviously a huge amount of C-41 film still being sold online, if not in some physical locations. Where is this all being processed? Surely only a small percentage will do it at home. Via mail to one of the remaining custom labs?
The bottom line is the "everywhere" C-41 processing died in a matter of about four years! That's even faster than video rentals or CD's for music!
