Where can one find Kodachrome mailers?

EASmithV · Mar 23, 2009

I used to have a local lab send out my film for processing but they no longer continue this practice...

I tried using the search function on this forum for over two and a half hours, and all I could find were rants in regard to Kodachrome. Where can I find mailers that allow me to send my film for processing?

nickandre · Mar 23, 2009

Walk into walmart and drop your kodachrome in an envelope and label it as Kodachrome slides. Then drop it off. I believe it takes 7-10 days, it was back within two weeks for me IDK exactly. Your other option is to send it directly to dwaynes. This is more expensive but usually faster. Go to dwaynesphoto.com and get the order form.

I don't believe they make mailers anymore. I don't know if dwaynes still honors the old ones, they did for a while.

EASmithV · Mar 23, 2009

Is walmart really safe to do this? They cross processed a roll of Velvia I had wanted to send out...

nickandre · Mar 23, 2009

They don't touch the film, they just send it out. And if they do try to run the roll, they destroy their processor's chemistry and require a thorough cleaning and lots of $$$. As long as it's CLEARLY labeled as SLIDES PROCESS K14 I don't think they'll destroy them. It's the same processing service, it all is for kodachrome.

Ektagraphic · Mar 23, 2009

Yes it is very safe. I reccomend trying not to even get the clerk involved. My WalMart has a drop box that I put the film in myself. If you have to hand it to them, make sure you write send out and all the other good stuff like Kodachrome slides, process K-14 only. Kodak has discontinued their mailers. The only options left are WalMart, Rite Aid, Walgreens (?), and mailing it in yourself. I use to use Qualex, but since they are closing this Friday, I have switched over to mailing directly to Dwayne's. I personally don't care for WalMart's stores or employees too much. I do use them on occasion to save costs. I don't have my own scanner, so when I need a CD I always mail in directly and I get a CD back for $4.95 with scans that are good enough for the web and sometimes for 4X6 prints.

EASmithV · Mar 23, 2009

I once tried to purposely get a roll cross processed at a local CVS, and they wanted to send it out. What If I gave them Kodachrome?

Ektagraphic · Mar 23, 2009

If you gave a C-41 place Kodachrome, I think it would screw up their machine and make the chemical no good and it would cost them time and money. I don't suggest it.....

EASmithV · Mar 23, 2009

Yes, but they mentioned sending it out to a lab. Do they all send out to Dwaynes?

srs5694 · Mar 23, 2009

Dwayne's is the only place left on the planet that processes Kodachrome, at least in significant quantities. (Maybe some guy still does it in his darkroom, but such a person would have to be very dedicated, given the complexity of K-14. At one time Kodak was pushing K-14 minilab technology, but it seems to have died, and AFAIK none are still in operation.) Thus, Kodachrome sent anywhere will either wind up at Dwayne's or be processed incorrectly. It may go through various middlemen before reaching Dwayne's, though, and that's part of the reason it can take a while if you leave it at a local drug store.

nickandre · Mar 23, 2009

The last K-Lab died in late 2007. Rocky Mountain film lab runs K14 at ridiculous prices every once and a while. Kodak has a lab but they don't share.

If you gave a C41 or E6 lab a roll of kodachrome you would receive blank film and a gunshot to the head because there is a backing on kodachrome to prevent halation which must be removed before processing. If not it comes off in the developer and it is GROSS. It would ruin all other film sent through the machine after yours by putting black crap on it and require them to replace the chemistry.

aluk · Mar 23, 2009

Mailers do show up on ebay fairly frequently. They are still valid for the time being, though rumour has it that they expire sometimes towards the end of 2009 (don't ask for a source, I haven't got one). Buying them online can be cheaper than sending directly to Dwayne's, but is more expensive than Wal Mart, I believe.

jim appleyard · Mar 24, 2009

I called Dwaynes and asked them. They asked me for my zip code and then told me to take it to Price Chopper. You probably don't have Price Chopper supermarkets in Maryland, but you've got Giant and they may have the service to get your K-14 done. Give Dwaynes a call, they'll be able to fix you up.

Fredrik Sandstrom · Mar 24, 2009

tiberiustibz said:
Rocky Mountain film lab runs K14 at ridiculous prices every once and a while.

Nope, they send to Dwayne's. You're right about "ridiculous prices" and "once in a while" though.

Where can one find Kodachrome mailers?

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