Citizens Photo: Good Processing & Cheap!

[Joe Vitessa]

Just wanted to relate my positive experience with this Portland, OR-based photo lab. I mailed them a variety of 35mm and 120 C-41 with specific and somewhat complicated instructions for each roll and they got it all right! No scratches or dust.

Cost is very reasonable: $2.75/roll. I had a couple of rolls scanned, too, and they looked great. Will try their E-6 service next.

Check 'em out: http://www.citizensphoto.com/

Anybody else ever use them?

 

[ark8012]

Good info. Thank you!

What does # per rack in C-41 processing mean? Should I send at least 5 rolls to meet the # per rack?

How much did they charge for shipping?

 

[filmtwit]

I lived in Portland from 2006 to 2011.
I've used Citizens and Pro Photo expensively with both color and B&W 35mm and 120.
Mainly I used Citizens as they were closer to me and easer to get too.
Never had a problem with either's lab the entire time.
We're talking at least 100+ rolls over that time.

I miss those guys.

 

[Joe Vitessa]

Good info. Thank you!

What does # per rack in C-41 processing mean? Should I send at least 5 rolls to meet the # per rack?

How much did they charge for shipping?

I'm not really sure what the # per rack means, but I didn't have to send a minimum. I think they charged $5 shipping for my order, which included about 8-10 rolls of mixed 120, 35mm and a couple of CDs.

 

[Jan Pedersen]

Very friendly people. I used them until i started doing my own color processing but would not hesitate to take my film there if i am out of chemistry.

 

[john photo]

Just wanted to post that my experience with the processing as that this so called was very negative.

Avoid like the plague is you care about clean processing and negatives returned without gunk on them or incomplete development.

Anyone can email me for specifics. This is only to protect others but on both occasions I had major problems with returned processing. I knew not to send them stuff that was deemed "important". I have been in photography for over 20 years and am experienced.

Just remember the axiom: often you get what you pay for. If your work has no value or you are noncritical of every type of abomination that poor cheap processing brings then by all means continue to use this lab. I hate to diss a business that continues to offer a worthy service but its folks like these that push people to digital out of frustration. Very sad.

 

[frank-grumman]

Troll Alert 😀 😀

 

[john photo]

There are other posts around the internet regarding the damaged film received from this operation. Fool me once and I am forgiving. Fool me twice and its a "system" problem.

I am not a troll. It was MY experience. An honest one but think what you what you will. Your responding in this manner says more about you than me.

People are free to contact me if they wish specifics and scans.

 

[frank-grumman]

Yo, John, do us all a favor. Post up your scans here, that way we can all profit from your experience. LOL

 

[Scrambler]

John, here's how it works on forums. Someone with 250 posts says the photo developers are good. The opinion is seconded by people with 1500 and 250 posts each. You disagree on your first post ever. We don't know you. So far you are facing a 2000:1 uphill battle.

If you have a concern with a film you post the scan/s and people will tell you what you should do to correct the problem. I doubt "join a bunch of forums and tell the world about it" will be the answer but you never know.

 

[K6-III]

I've also generally had very good results with Citizen's Photo. Thumbs up!

 

[froyd]

Do they accept mail order? It's not clear on their website whether they do.

 

[scholzj1]

I have always had very good experiences with the people at Citizens. They have always done a good job with all of the film that I bring them and their prices are very reasonable. Froyd, their website is not the best but I think that they do accept mail order. I would call them to make sure though as I am in Portland and have never mailed film to them.

 

[Joe Vitessa]

Do they accept mail order? It's not clear on their website whether they do.

Yes, I'm in Baltimore and have mailed my film to them. Just pop it in a padded mailer with instructions and your mailing/contact info. Then call them to pay over the phone.

 

[john photo]

clearly most you (as I've searched a couple of posts) rely on drugstore processing ala wal mart. Including you Scrambler. In love with dirty negs or are you an employee of this scam operation?

I have made the offer. If anyone wishes to contact me they are free to do so. I've received no inquiries??? nothing. Starting a debate with a bunch of rote amateurs who mostly fondle old cameras is fruitless. The knowledge level is beginner here.

One mans experience. A precursory search of the web reveals many problems with this operation. Ever ponder the reason why every other lab in Portland including blue moon charges several dollars more for the identical service? maybe its because they can? because in fact "you get what you pay for?". 2.75 definitely equals dirty negs with expired chemistry/incomplete development (even at time deep scratches that are the result of dirty rollers.. wait!.. I thought these folks were dip n dunk? NOT). It must be a conspiracy by a troll!!!!!! Thats why you see so many negative posts about true professional labs like North Coast in San Diego! (NOT)

If you think Wal Mart or a drugstore gives good results for your needs then by all mean use this operation. Its cheap. Unfortunately, many real photographers probably find out that hard the way if they try and deal with these clowns. If you care about your film..well..seems few on this thread do so get a bargain..just remember if you ever have to print one of those negs or chromes your in for some surprises. To each his own though. Horses for courses.

 

[Scrambler]

clearly most you (as I've searched a couple of posts) rely on drugstore processing ala wal mart. Including you Scrambler. In love with dirty negs or are you an employee of this scam operation?

LOL. It would be a long commute - I presume you googled where Toowoomba is?

I've never pretended I didn't use "drugstore" processing (assuming you mean minilab). I'm not a professional so the costs are all my own. I can't even get "drugstore" processing locally for less than about $15 a roll with prints!!

But why take the approach you have? You still haven't proved your point by posting the scans.

As for the PM 😱:

Hey Coward,

Why not show us a clean neg? one that you have had processed by citizens? or do you work for citizens?

Ahem..

Have fun with your wal mart processing sucker.

Suki by Scrambler@4350, on Flickr

For what it's worth (which is less than nothing) here is a photo of my dog, taken with expired (in 1971) Kodalith, taken with a Leica IIIc and Voigtlander Color-Skopar 21/4, developed by me in ID11 (or it might have been cafenol, it's a bit hard to remember now) in a Paterson Series 4 tank and then hung from a window for 2 months before being scanned with a Canon 8800F under plain glass. No, I don't know whether the streaks are on the original.

Yep, my workflow is **** and I know it.

Cheers!