Closeout at Walgreen's

I'll have to go check out my local Walgreens. I bought some buy one get one free 4 pack 400 film at Rite Aid last month. I need some 800 film. Sounds like a Show us your 800 asa film shots.W/NW thread is in order.:)
 
Just wondering... Is anyone worried yet that stocking up on color film when processors are closing up shop might not be a great strategy? Or is everyone here assuming there will be processing available for as long as those frozen supplies last? Thoughts?
 
Jamie Pillers said:
Just wondering... Is anyone worried yet that stocking up on color film when processors are closing up shop might not be a great strategy? Or is everyone here assuming there will be processing available for as long as those frozen supplies last? Thoughts?
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I can still get C-41 process only, un-cut negs for $2.19 a roll (CVS Pharmacy). I've a stash of Walgreen's color neg house brand (Fuji) from last summer's Walgreens sale (rolls of 200/400/800 were $1 a roll). I shoot a roll a week or so, almost down to nil, might have to grab some more....
 
Thanks kshapero for the tip, will have to do another stock up. Last summer I bought a ton of their house brand 200/400/800 (rebrand Fuji) and it was stellar!
 
Jamie Pillers said:
Just wondering... Is anyone worried yet that stocking up on color film when processors are closing up shop might not be a great strategy? Or is everyone here assuming there will be processing available for as long as those frozen supplies last? Thoughts?
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There will be processing available for a long time, provided you are willing to do it yourself.
 
jamie, the manager of the walgreens i use said their machinery is amortized, so processing/scanning is all gravy. he figures it is good for 4-5 more years at least.
 
paulfish4570 said:
jamie, the manager of the walgreens i use said their machinery is amortized, so processing/scanning is all gravy. he figures it is good for 4-5 more years at least.
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I wonder where Walgreens gets their chemistry and servicing. Those machines need to be serviced all the time, and they also use chemistry. With the recent news of Kodak selling off their film business (best decision they've made in a long time!) there could be interruptions in the availability of the raw materials needed to keep those machines up and running.

Perhaps Walgreens has an in-house photo tech staff. I dunno - but every time I take a roll in, they are busy and still it takes less then an hour. I love 'em for C-41 (which, admittedly, I do not shoot often.)
 
Chris101 said:
I wonder where Walgreens gets their chemistry and servicing. Those machines need to be serviced all the time, and they also use chemistry. With the recent news of Kodak selling off their film business (best decision they've made in a long time!) there could be interruptions in the availability of the raw materials needed to keep those machines up and running.

Perhaps Walgreens has an in-house photo tech staff. I dunno - but every time I take a roll in, they are busy and still it takes less then an hour. I love 'em for C-41 (which, admittedly, I do not shoot often.)
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Hang on ... wasn't Kodak's latest statement one saying they were retaining production of movie and still film?

Mind you it seems to change weekly at the moment ... or should that be weakly? :D
 
chris, i don't know who does their servicing. my walgreens' machinery brand name starts with an "N." i don't remember the name. some walgreens have fuji brand processing equipment. next time i see the manager, i'll ask.
 
paulfish, that's probably Noritsu.

Last week I was in a local Walgreens (Memphis, TN) and happened to see most of their film on sale. I passed on the 800 ISO house brand and the disposables, but I bought up all the Kodak BW400CN they had, and house brand 400 (rebranded Fuji Superia). I then went to three other Walgreens and looked for more!

I process my own C-41, using the Rollei Digibase kits from Freestyle. Rather economical and great results. Fuji Superia can't touch Portra, but it's surprisingly good for an everyday cheap color film.
 
Does this all suggest that Walgreens intends to get out of the business of developing film once their stocks of film are gone?
 
my walgreens manager says film processing is a store-by-store situation. he said stores with newer equipment have a harder time making money on processing, printing, etc., so may be in danger of getting out of the processing/printing business.
i do wonder, where would that newer equipment go?
 
In New York City, the "Duane Reade" chain of drug stores had excellent modern Fuji Frontier minilabs. They used to do really good processing all through the early 2000's.

Over the last two years, all the photo processing equipment has been removed from Duane Reade. You can't even get a roll of C-41 processed anymore.

They have some HP stuff for printing from digital files, but the Duane Reade house brand film (Ferriani) and the C-41 equipment is all gone.
 
Let's hope Walgreens keeps processing. I just read on Reuters that Ritz camera will liquidate. They have not been able to work their way out of bankruptcy. A lot of folks loosing jobs. Joe
 
I just Googled and found out Duane Reade was acquired by Walgreen's. I didn't know that.

Looks like Walgreen's won't be long in dismantling C-41 processing.
 
Eric T said:
Does this all suggest that Walgreens intends to get out of the business of developing film once their stocks of film are gone?
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Eric ,Walgreens and CVS both have one to two sales a year like this . I always take advantage of it buying some 200 to 300 rolls . just map out a route that takes you by 10 stores or so. In the Dallas area we have them almost on every corner.
 
Only managed to score two four-packs of 800 Ultramax after checking two of the Walgreen's here in College Station. The 800 is all they had on sale, too. Maybe later.
 
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