Walgreens: "We don't do Kodak professional films."

[wgerrard]

Took a roll of Ektar into Walgreens today. Maybe not the wisest move, but there you go.

The clerk looked at it and said, "We don't do Kodak professional films."

I said, "You have before."

He said, "We'll do it, but sometimes they don't come out right."

Well, they came out definitely blueish. Maybe I can tweak them after scanning.

Anyone else been told that by Walgreens? I'd guess their machines are tuned for the repackaged-Fuji they sell. Live and learn.

 

[kshapero]

I have had them do C-41 B&W film, which they pretty ruined. I have had better luck every time with Costco.

 

[Krosya]

I think it depends on location. I have 2 Walgree's stores near me and one always (well almost always) does things perfect, but another one - almost always screws up.

 

[kshapero]

I think it depends on location. I have 2 Walgree's stores near me and one always (well almost always) does things perfect, but another one - almost always screws up.

Not all Walgreens use the same machines to do the developing.

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

Send it to get developed in China. Nothing is being done (right) in the U.S. anymore.

 

[mwooten]

The Walgreens at the corner of my neighborhood has developed my rolls of Ektar!, but I've only had them do processing & a CD. The scans left a whole lot to be desired. Very small files--with the color being off.

--michael

 

[Al Kaplan]

You need to find a Walgreens with a lab manager that knows how to keep the machines in adjustment and who changes the chemicals on schedule. Learn her name, her kids' names, notice when she just had her hair done, her new earings (all the things her husband or boyfriend never notice) and tell her how great it looks, tell her how great the prints she makes look, finish off a roll with a few shots left on it with pix of her, and give her the prints. Ask her what her schedule is so you'll know when to come in so she can be the one to do your processing. In the beginning at least don't try for one-hour. Give her plenty of time, like next day.

 

[colyn]

I quit using Walgreen's when they kept screwing up my negatives. I actually have better luck with Wolf but mostly use a pro service here in Fort Worth..

 

[Keith]

Send it to get developed in China. Nothing is being done (right) in the U.S. anymore.

I thought the Chinese were buying the US bit at a time ... haven't they got around to Walgreens yet? :angel:

 

[chris00nj]

It's more about the person running it. I've gotten good results from a CVS or Walgreens because of the person running the machines. A short conversation should let you know how much they know.

Recently, I've had very good experience with Ritz camera even though it's a wee bit more expensive. The guy who does it is quite knowledgable about photography and cameras and I've always gotten good results.

 

[biomed]

I have had them do C-41 B&W film, which they pretty ruined. I have had better luck every time with Costco.

I think it has a lot to do with the people - I tried two of my local Costco stores. Not only were my negatives scratched, but there were spots everywhere. Although I did have good luck at one Walgrens, most of my film goes to a local camera store that does C-41 in house. I used to use Kits Cameras in the local mall. There was a young lady that did all of the processing. She was really conscientious about her work and treated the film as if it were her own. When she left I went elsewhere.

 

[bhop73]

I took a roll of Fuji 800z (also professional film) to Walgreens once. It came back about 3 times as grainy as every other lab i've taken 800z to. Kinda weird.. I have been using the lab at Target lately and have been extremely satisfied. Only 3 bucks for developing + a high-res scan (overnight).

 

[capitalK]

I had an argument with an employee of a local lab that was inside a grocery store about C41 B&W film. I came back to pick up my envelope and the roll was still in it, no charge. When I asked her about it she said they "don't process B&W film."

She eventually conceded that the machines would probably process the film but that it would be confusing to the lab staff. Needless to say I left without processing it and never went back. Perhaps not coincidentally they no longer develop film at that location.

 

[TEZillman]

I have had Walgreens process Ektar and they came out OK. However, the last time I went in to just have a roll developed, I was told that they no longer just process and that I'd have to have prints or a CD made. I had a CD made. It wasn't worth the $2.99 they charged and not only did they scratch the heck out of my film, but they actually mangled two of the four frame strips to the point that I couldn't even scan them. Never again!

I have been having my processing done at Sam's Club. They've come out perfect, with very little dust and it costs a whole $1.68 for process only, including tax. The tech usually has them done in less than a half hour. The last time I was in he told me that he's developing more film there than they ever have (the store's been there about ten years) as several places around town have stopped processing film. I think people have also found someone who does a good job at a reasonable price.

 

[Ronald M]

Stay out of consumer places unless you just want digi files printed when they can`t destroy your work.

I have a local pro lab that is superb and sometime MPIX when I want party pics done that I won`t want to hassle a pro lab with.

 

[wgerrard]

I have been having my processing done at Sam's Club.

I may have to join Sam's Club and check them out, even if I don't need to buy 20-gallon boxes of Cheerios. (For the non-Yanks: Sam's Club is a warehouse retail chain owned by Walmart's. They sell the usual stuff in huge sizes. Families with 2 and one-half kids use it to stock up and save money. The charge an annual fee, hence the "join" bit.") There's one a few miles away, and a few others reasonably close. The nearest Costco is about an hour's drive.

I don't mind mailing film away, but it easily doubles the cost and certainly takes much, much longer. The lab I'd been using went under, and the only other local lab has convinced me they only want to deal with high-dollar commercial accounts.

BTW, just started to scan the Walgreen negatives and they aren't looking so blue.

 

[bob338]

i got a couple of those freebie rolls when ektar came out and took them to wolf camera. the manager said he had never heard of it and didn't have a profile for it, so it would take an extra couple of hours to get back. when i got the film, it was absolutely perfect, just beautiful. it was $27 per roll, but perfect.
since then i have had walgreens and dwaynes process ektar for me and i dislike the results enough that i don't think i'll be using it in the future.

bob

 

[Trius]

Al: You da man. The woman in charge of the mini-lab at my local Rite-Aid (former Eckerd's location) is Linda. She knows what I want and like, but even her employees do things right and never challenge my order of develop only, do not cut.

Next time I'm in, I'll make sure I save a frame for her, shoot a casual portrait w/ the 50/1.4 , etc. There's a Rite-Aid closer to my house and I've thought about transferring my scripts (and processing) there, but why tempt fate?

 

[waynec]

I blew a roll just shooting fireworks this last 4th and figured what the heck I'll just get the roll developed at Walgreens and then scan it myself. On pickup the roll was back in the film container, so I asked for it to be sleeved, so she pulled it out with her dirty fingers and did it. I figured why complain; Just send it to my normal lab next time and never use them again for anything.

 

[Frank Petronio]

Good C41 processing is good C41 processing -- Kodak and the other companies have targets and standards that need to be hit in order for these consumer labs to get whatever seals of approval they might show from Kodak/Fuji.

In general, the higher volume places that use fresh chemistry at the proper levels will do the best job, the machinery itself is pretty much perfected, and all you need is a competent tech, not a genius. So a neighborhood Walgreens that is going to be tossing out their Noritsu in a couple of months is probably not the way to go.