Walmart Sucks

[Jamie Pillers]

Sounds very possible. Plus I suspect that the staff they can hire aren't experts at this stuff. Sorry to hear about the problems. I continue to have good luck with Costco, but I always have my fingers crossed when I go to pick up the film.

 

[kzphoto]

Jaime, if you're near SF consider photoworks -- I've seen some of the work they do with the new(er) Ektar film and they seem to have a handle on the film like no other lab does. If you're getting negatives *only* Lightwaves is really reputable for E-6 and C-41.

 

[40oz]

If Walmart were gravity, we'd al be lighter. But yes, Walmart sucks 🙂

 

[dmccardle]

When your photography depends on Walgreens or Walmart you're in trouble. Normally I shoot only B&W and develop it myself ...

I'm pretty lucky when it comes to black and white. I am a high school English teacher who is friends with the photo teacher downstairs. I have full access to full darkroom facilities. I usually just give my B&W to a student we both share, they process for me, give me negs, test strip and contact sheet, then they make prints for me.

I need to go down there and get a lesson on all of it so that I can start using the darkroom myself. I'd like to control my own printing. I just can't find the time.

I plan on buying a tank so that I can start doing the processing myself, but with the set-up I have now.....what's the hurry?

For color however (which I still like shooting) I need to rely on others as the photo classes don't use it.

Looks like I'll just be sending color out from now on....no biggie...

 

[Stregone]

If you use the Fuji Kiosk and drop box.....

Be sure to mark the envelope clearly "SEND OUT ONLY". Otherwise, they may open the envelope and do in-house. The object here is to avoid in-house at all costs. Let Fuji develop or let them send what they don't do to Duanes (or other). My understanding is that Fuji does C41 and sends E6 to Duanes (or other). I've heard variations of that, but the bottom line is your film will be developed in more closely controlled facilities. The time for return is approximately the same.

Another thing about this is that the in-store people will simply glaze over when you ask them about this. I have never found an in store person who knows anything about this process. When I have questions, I call the number on the envelopes. I repeat, DON'T even bother with the in-store people. They are oblivious to what Fuji does with film sent in. Just make sure your envelope goes in the drop slot in the kiosk. Don't hand it to them over the counter. Save yourself the agony of Blank Stares.

Regarding Medium Format, you must fill out the special instructions at the bottom of the envelope pertaining to the nature of the film in the envelope, and the services you want. On E6, I ask for processing, sleeve and do not cut. On C41, I specify 120-C41 with negs and prints.

If anyone wants to see how I fill out the envelopes, contact me. On a previous post on this matter, I attached images of the envelopes, showing how to mark the special instructions for 120. I cross out the areas for 35mm. If processing 35mm use the regular instruction section, plus special instructions if you need them.

I have never tried to get scans through this process. I don't know if it's possible. I treat this method as film only... not digital.

Remember... Be sure to Clearly Mark..."SEND OUT ONLY!!"

That would be awesome if you could make a post about that!

 

[kuzano]

I will do that.. but first...

I will do that.. but first...

That would be awesome if you could make a post about that!

I just sent a roll in yesterday, so let me get that back first. About 7-10 days usually. It's an E6 roll that I test ran through a Fuji G690 that I just picked up.

I will probably start a new thread on this, and post it as a tutorial for sending film for SEND OUT ONLY with minimal contact with Walmart personnel and processing only outside the store, ie Fuji and/or whoever Fuji sends out for processing.

 

[batterytypehah!]

^ Didn't you already do a tutorial here a few months ago? Or maybe it was venchka. Can't seem to find i now.

Anyway, that would be cool, but in my experience it's really not that difficult. Just cross out the standard selections and write everything you need done in the special instructions instead. SEND OUT ONLY is the magic phrase. I usually bring a yellow hiliter to make this even more obvious.

You do need to be patient. My last (and so far, only) three rolls of E-6 120 took two weeks. $5 per roll is hard to beat, though.

 

[paulfish4570]

our wal-marts no longer process film. they do prints and cds in hoyuse, but send off film. i get mine done at walgreens. staff and their fuji equipment do a good job ...