Walmart no longer processes 35mm...what should I use now?

BetterSense · Dec 2, 2012

My local minilab (CVS) has a bad track record with me, and I'm not sure how to find a better one without risking film.

I used to send out my color prints using Walmart, the benefit being the quality was good, and they would discount me prints I did not want. However, my walmart no longer processes 35mm film.

I now need a way to get 35mm developed and either basic scans or basic prints, at a reasonable price. Is snapfish still operating? Any good labs where I can get development and 3x5 prints for a reasonable price (<$20 for a roll)?

Sirius Glass · Dec 2, 2012

In a word?

Costco [No available in all locations]

cscurrier · Dec 2, 2012

Any other drugstores in the area, like Walgreen's? I know all my local Walgreen's still process for a decent price, but I'm not sure if they do 3x5 prints...

BetterSense · Dec 2, 2012

There is a walgreens almost as close as the CVS. I guess I can try that; I'm just kind of gun-shy now. I used to live near a Target and always liked their work.

removed account4 · Dec 2, 2012

hi bettersense

bluemooncamera.com and thedarkroom.com
are both apug sponsors and i have only heard
very good things about both of them.

good luck !

john

ArtO · Dec 2, 2012

I use TheDarkroom for much of my film. I don't get prints. Just development and scanning. They have basic scans and enhanced scans. I usually go with basic but have used enhanced when I thought I'd want to do large prints from the files vs. negatives.

For quickies like camera or lens tests I use CVS - mine is quite good, or Walgreens - also quite good but twice as expensive.

bvy · Dec 2, 2012

Target does a commendable job, though I can't speak in general. I use one location and have gotten to know the people there. A dollar to process, $2.50 if you want a CD, which I usually get.

On a side note, I started processing my own C-41 this year -- much easier than I thought.

troyholden · Dec 2, 2012

Photoworks SF does mail order. I use them for my color 35mm/110mm/120mm. http://www.photoworkssf.com/services-and-rates/mail-us-your-film

EASmithV · Dec 2, 2012

bvy said:
On a side note, I started processing my own C-41 this year -- much easier than I thought.

Your most economical option is to go this route. It is in fact, dead-simple.

Pioneer · Dec 2, 2012

I develop most of my own. But I have also used both Blue Moon Camera (great results) and NCP (equally great results.) Those are my go-to color labs. Although I rarely send out black and white anymore, when I do it always goes to dr5.com. They are a bit pricier but they always develop exactly the way I want. I think they are also an APUG supporter.

Chan Tran · Dec 2, 2012

My local Walgreens still does their 1hr processing. It cost around $10 for develop and print a roll of 24 exposures. Their prints are lousy but I don't care but the negative come back very dirty with stuff that stick on the the negative that I can't clean it off.

j-dogg · Dec 2, 2012

I've stopped developing at Walgreens and send all of my stuff out now to a little-known group of guys in Jacksonville, FL called Flair Photography, 4 bucks to process my c41 120. Their 35mm I believe is not far from that.

Walgreens was getting fingerprints on my negs and I've seen how the girls there handle film, though very attractive I wouldn't let any of them near my film equipment.

kerrpanda · Dec 2, 2012

I use Dwaynes photo. www.dwaynesphoto.com
Fast turnaround, reasonable prices. Last time I sent a couple of rolls, I got back very dust scans. Nevr had this problem before, and hope it's just an anomaly. I will try them again, but request a clean scan.

ulysses · Dec 2, 2012

j-dogg: I'm in Jacksonville, never heard of Flair Photography. Google turns up nothing in Jacksonville. Do you have a url, address, phone #? When I don't do it myself, I use the pro lab here, Phototechnika (www.phototechnika.com) and have been totally satisfied. They do C-41, E-6, B&W, printing and scanning.

Ulysses

BetterSense · Dec 2, 2012

Thanks everyone. Dwaynes' rates are really pretty good. Including shipping, they are comparable to what I was paying at Walmart anyway.

destroya · Dec 3, 2012

i found costco does the bet job of all the 1 hour or so developers. The one by me gives mail out developers a run for their money. $7 for development and 4x6 prints. and they got a new machine a few months ago for development.

BetterSense · Dec 3, 2012

The cheapest Costco membership is $55. That's way too much for me to justify.

heterolysis · Dec 3, 2012

EASmithV said:
Your most economical option is to go this route. It is in fact, dead-simple.

I just started processing my own C41 two weeks ago. It's surprisingly easy.

With lab prices starting at $3 for 135 and upwards of $7/roll for 120, I cut my losses and just started doing it myself. That said, I do have a scanner and access to a tempered water system. Otherwise, I would probably say to try Costco..

Sirius Glass · Dec 3, 2012

BetterSense said:
The cheapest Costco membership is $55. That's way too much for me to justify.

If you only buy gas on the American Express card, you get 3% back and that will cover the $55 real fast.

MattKing · Dec 3, 2012

BetterSense said:
The cheapest Costco membership is $55. That's way too much for me to justify.

The money you will save on toilet paper alone will make the membership pay for itself .

Pioneer · Dec 4, 2012

MattKing said:
The money you will save on toilet paper alone will make the membership pay for itself .

But where will you store 72 rolls of toilet paper??

destroya · Dec 4, 2012

regarding costco, you might go to the customer service desk and ask if you need a membership to use the photo lab. you do not need a membership to use the pharmacy or the tire dept or the hearing aid center or to see the eye dr so it might be the same for the photo lab.

bobwysiwyg · Dec 4, 2012

Pioneer said:
But where will you store 72 rolls of toilet paper??

Your darkroom of course.

wogster · Dec 4, 2012

Pioneer said:
But where will you store 72 rolls of toilet paper??

Toss it down into the basement or out in the shed, it's not like it goes bad or anything, about the only place you don't want to store it, is within a metre of a heat source or under water.... As to the OP, just buy yourself a developing reel, a couple of graduates and a processing kit. You can always process film at home....

BetterSense · Dec 4, 2012

From what I understand, processing color film isn't that easy. Neither is printing it. I already develop and print B&W.

Walmart no longer processes 35mm...what should I use now?

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