a sad story about a sad Costco film processing machine

julianphotoart

julianphotoart

No likey digital-phooey
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We use the Westlake Village Costco for colour print film and prints. They do a pretty good job. Their print machine is also set so that it does not try to improve photos -- it gives "straight" colour prints.

The film processing machine broke a month ago. It's shut down indefinitely. Yesterday the manager confided to my wife that even IF the machine ever gets fixed, it won't be replaced and Costco will stop processing film in the not too distant future.

My wife took her most recent roll to CVS. I saw the prints and...Awful, Awful, Awful. In so many ways awful. Terrible paper. Each print had a different tinge to it. Some prints had multiple colour tints in different parts of the print. It was obvious that the print machine's computer had been set up to artificially lighten and darken things. The result was horrific.

We agreed we should have a refund. Very sadly, the photo guy at CVS couldn't understand why we didn't like the prints!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! At least he gave the refund though.
 
I spoke to a regional manager at Costco (BTW, I only use them to develop and scan CD's) and he said they have no plans to discontinue film service. But never say never.
 
I used CVS when I shot more C-41 (do my own B&W processing + scanning at home now) and they are pretty terrible. I've watched the techs handling the film, they really seem to have no idea how delicate it can be, just letting it flop onto the floor, rub against metal edges, etc. When I started shooting B&W and found out their machine can't scan B&W negs, I finally reached the tipping point and bought a V500 to do my own at home. It's a bit time consuming, but I'll just put two strips of 6 frames in the carrier, set it for 3200 dpi, and go work on something else for 20 minutes. Haven't been back to CVS since :)
 
ethics_gradient said:
I used CVS when I shot more C-41 (do my own B&W processing + scanning at home now) and they are pretty terrible. I've watched the techs handling the film, they really seem to have no idea how delicate it can be, just letting it flop onto the floor, rub against metal edges, etc. When I started shooting B&W and found out their machine can't scan B&W negs, I finally reached the tipping point and bought a V500 to do my own at home. It's a bit time consuming, but I'll just put two strips of 6 frames in the carrier, set it for 3200 dpi, and go work on something else for 20 minutes. Haven't been back to CVS since :)
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You are right but I have to laugh when you refer to anyone at CVS as a tech.
 
I just go to walgreens and have them process only. I think its like $2/roll. The only thing I hate is that they cut it into strips of 4. I then bring them home and scan them. Usually the negs come out pretty good, but a few times I've had some scratched negs or some stuff dried in the emulsion. It's only happened a couple times, not enough to merit me going to another walgreens or cvs or whatever. I mostly shoot B&W anyways since I can use my own chemistry and scan it myself. Now if I could only get rid of those damned streaks :(
 
My last film developing order at Sam's Club resulted in 4 rolls fo film being damaged beyong any repair. The Fuji frontier machine failed during the developing process. Maybe, Sam's Club is not keeping up with maintenance?
 
Julian, take the negatives back to CVS and tell the operator to process in the b&w channel, NOT the color channel. They have a preset...the operator didn't know that, though. On the Noritsu machine at Walgreens, they have to "push the button twice," whatever that means. Hope that helps.
 
I guess it would depend on the volume of processing the any store is doing and if the company deems it worthwhile to spend money to fix or repair a machine. What I mean is that so long as the machine operates without any additional monies being spent on it then the current volume justifies keeping the service going. With the same volume the additional expense of repairing/replacing the machine makes it unprofitable. Couple that to an ever dwindling demand for the service and you have trouble for those still in need of that service. I hope you find a good alternate source D&P needs.

Bob
 
I have been to all the consumer labs in USA and Costco is the only one I have seen to give Pro level scans. Each scan is 3080 X 2050 at about 3.6 megs.
 
I'm looking for a new processor of my C-41 stuff...I used to go to my local Ritz (Develop & Scan only)...My local lab-girl was great and she knew just how picky I was...
I tried Target but the last rolls were out of focus (a tad bit) and were all scanned upside down...they didn't even pay attention to that...
I was thinking about Walgreens, there is a Costco, I have seen a local Kodak guy (I've been shooting Fuji) I'm not too sure what equipment he has...
I need to get a scanner (35mm & 120) and do it myself...How badly can someone screw up just developing??? I know, I know...that was a loaded question...
 
What do you expect from people working at CVS or Walmart, or any other similar place? If they were quality people with technical culture, they wouldn't accept job at pleaces like these because this position is below them. This is all about economy, you want quality techs, pay more and they will come. You want to save money, hire kids and train them for a few hours, that's all. These worksers often change their job as soon as they find a better payable position, so nobody will invest in them. Experienced people already found their jobs in photo studio or professional labs. I know you might expect at least decent service if you pay for the job, but if you pay $2 for processing film, you get what you pay for. I process all my slides at quality lab, and I'm satisfied, but on the other hand I pay $10/roll.
 
Our local Costco manager shocked me when he said that he still does about 40% film. This is at one of the busiest Costco locations in Northern California. I know that he takes pride in his by the book servicing, replenishing and the like, but he said that his Noritsu has hit ten years old and he questions how long Costco will be willing to perform the costly servicing on an old piece of equipment. It is just a matter of time, but for now, he takes pride in his work and does an amazing job for the price.
 
I do walgreens - I get them dunked and scanned. The scanning recently drastically improved when they upgraded their system and started putting TIF files on the CDs. This alone is worth the cost to me. It's still cheap enough.

William
 
I stopped going the one in Seoul, Korea due the massive traffic jams around the store, but in reality all of them use the film processing just as a way to get you into the store to buy something else. As a result, they don't pay a lot of attention to their quality and never will. It's a hit or miss situation w/ each store.
 
I have my film processed and scanned at one of two places locally. Street, snapshots and other stuff I'm new at or only shoot infrequently go to Costco. Other more important stuff goes to another places that charges $5.25-6.00 for processing only. They take 1-3 days, but I can drop the film off 24 hrs a day, usually just stick it in zip-lock bag with a note with instructions and my contact info and wait tell they call me in a few day's to come pick-up it up.
 
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Walgreens cutting negs

Walgreens cutting negs

Mephiloco said:
I just go to walgreens and have them process only. I think its like $2/roll. The only thing I hate is that they cut it into strips of 4. I then bring them home and scan them. Usually the negs come out pretty good, but a few times I've had some scratched negs or some stuff dried in the emulsion. It's only happened a couple times, not enough to merit me going to another walgreens or cvs or whatever. I mostly shoot B&W anyways since I can use my own chemistry and scan it myself. Now if I could only get rid of those damned streaks :(
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I use Walgreens too. I think it went up to $2.15/roll last year. But you know that you can ask them to cut the negs any way you want. Now I actually ask to get them uncut. I've got to know the photo dept. manager, and after a couple of poor results (scratches and dust), she now has trained everyone to wear gloves, don't cut, and never drop! It's funny, because even though I no longer have to remind them, when my wife drops off my film, she still tells them, "Remember: Don't cut, and wear gloves!". I love my wife. :)
 
People spend thousands on cameras and lenses and then go for the lowest bidder when it comes to film processing.

As krishilife notes, what do you expect? Top quality for bottom dollar on machines that typically are operated by someone who probably has been giving more training in ringing up sales than color correction?

If you want great prints, spend a bit extra on the processing and print-making with a quality firm, which could be mail order.

Seriously. This is like buying a Ferrari and then finding the cheapest tires and the cheapest gasoline and then complaining when the car runs like a Model A.
 
I usuelly send my film to Dale Labs. Wanted to get a quick processing last week, and ran over to the local Rite-Aid drugstore where they (had been) doing processing. Just a big dirty spot on the floor where the maching was. Lady said they took it out over the weekend.
Guess next time I need photos quick, I'll use the digital. Sigh!
 
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