Did Fuji lab just double their C41 dev/processing charge?

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kmallick

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I use Walmart for sending my 120 or 220 roll films to Fuji lab for C41 processing and small proof printing. A 120 roll typically used to cost ~$2 for development + 4 in.x 5 in. proof prints. A 220 roll would cost less than $4. These prices sometimes fluctuate based on the mood of whoever in the Fuji lab invoices, but nonetheless these were very attractive prices given that you have to suffer a 2 week turnaround and a sparse, twice a week pickup

The last two rolls I have developed through Walmart/Fuji lab has costed me exactly double of those prices ($4 for a 120 roll and $9+ for a 220 roll). Is anybody else seeing the same price hike?
 
Last week, my local Walmart quoted me $5.58 for 120, with small prints. They said Fuji would no longer develop only. I called Fuji head office (N.J., I think) and they confirmed that.
 
Gerry M said:
Last week, my local Walmart quoted me $5.58 for 120, with small prints. They said Fuji would no longer develop only. I called Fuji head office (N.J., I think) and they confirmed that.
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crap! :( I have no problem with paying for dev + printing. But this price hike is atrocious! So much for the super duper deal through Walmart for roll film processing.

The local lab (Mike's Photo in Boulder) or Precision Camera & Video will get my business.
 
I just got a roll of C-41 120 back yesterday, $.99 develop only.
E-6 120 was $4.99, I believe

But I'm west of the Mississippi, so it may be going to Dwayne's
 
On one hand people here are protesting that the big corporates control every aspect of our lives. But on the other hand the same people try to get the cheapest deals they can find. I remember seeing a documentary where the blue collar workers all complain about factory jobs that were outsourced to China but on the very same day they all went to Wal-mart to shop for things that were made in China.
 
On one hand people here are protesting that the big corporates control every aspect of our lives. But on the other hand the same people try to get the cheapest deals they can find. I remember seeing a documentary where the blue collar workers all complain about factory jobs that were outsourced to China but on the very same day they all went to Wal-mart to shop for things that were made in China.
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This is not difficult to understand - paying pro lab prices makes film uneconomical. For 120 color negative, you're talking over $1 per frame for developing via Precision, shipping and the cost of Portra/Ektar/400H/etc.. Take it to your local Wal-mart, you've got that down to $.33/frame.

Since Wal-mart farms out their developing to Dwayne's or Fuji, you're really not even making Wal-mart money. Their margin on developing at these prices has to be miniscule - the idea is that it gets you in the store, though, and they make money selling you something else. So don't buy anything else if you don't want to support WM.
 
You should worry, in the UK its just been announced that Boots, the UKs no1 high street chemist/pharmacy, is to close 160 of its film processing minilabs over the whole country. i.e. no more film development by them as far as I can tell. That's a very big cut indeed.
 
135format said:
You should worry, in the UK its just been announced that Boots, the UKs no1 high street chemist/pharmacy, is to close 160 of its film processing minilabs over the whole country. i.e. no more film development by them as far as I can tell. That's a very big cut indeed.
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That is so sad. I used to get all me holiday snaps done at Boots when I was younger :(
 
carpark said:
That is so sad. I used to get all me holiday snaps done at Boots when I was younger :(
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Boots were apparently the first high street film processor in the UK. They've been doing it for 60 years. No more, although they may offer a service for sending film away for processing.
Also a big thing with this is that Fuji have just lost one their biggest film/chemical/paper clients in the UK. Some independant minilabs might benefit if that is any consolation but it's driving more and more people to digi point and shoots.
 
135format said:
You should worry, in the UK its just been announced that Boots, the UKs no1 high street chemist/pharmacy, is to close 160 of its film processing minilabs over the whole country. i.e. no more film development by them as far as I can tell. That's a very big cut indeed.
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There is no automatic link between a decline in minilabs and film usage. In-store minilabs have never been as widespread in Germany as they were in the US and UK, and they have already vanished many years ago. Nonetheless film is still going strong hereabouts, stronger than in the US.
 
Very recently Fuji announced price adjustment on chemicals and paper so it's easy to relate to processing prices.

"Develop only" is plainly insufficient for minilabs to survive. You get 90% out of 100% paying only 10%. Prints are like batteries and filters in camera sales, well, now add proprietary filter adapters, too. They are meant to generate income. Now when many order scans or scan themselves, prints fall out of chain. Rent, electricity, wages, maintenace - they still have to be paid. Thus prices go up.

Now ask if automated scanning is really worth money they ask? No but they have to recoup some money they loose not making prints. I believe minilabs can not survive on "develop only" orders as long as they do not ask some fantastic figures no one is going to pay.

No turnaround = no income = no service.....

EDIT: that's why I buy batteries, lens caps, paper, chemicals and other bits and bites in local lab which does "develop only" for me. I know $1/roll isn't making them richer as long as I'm not bringing dozens of film daily. Most of this stuff can be had cheaper from Net but I want to support them at least to this degree. Unfortunately bulk film from Net is beating local retail prices of single rolls, too bad I've learned how to order and spool myself....
 
The real danger for the future of film is the closing of labs. Only a small percentage of those who still shoot film want / can develop at home. I certainly wont.

And although I have a local lab near my office I am getting more and more frustrated about scratches and waterstains on my negatives. This is a sign that more and more untrained / badly paid / not interested people handle my film.
 
btgc said:
"Develop only" is plainly insufficient for minilabs to survive. ...

No turnaround = no income = no service.....
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What you say make sense.
I'm sure I am on my way of using up my borrowed time at my local Costco, one out of several that still develops film.

What makes me sad is probably there are thousands of people who look at their DSLR / digital P&S and are bored out of their mind (that's me a couple of years ago), but they don't realize that film and film cameras are still out there and can rejuvenate their interest in photography.

To digital defenders, I am *not* making a claim that film is always better than digital. That's not the point, don't go there.
 
btgc said:
Very recently Fuji announced price adjustment on chemicals and paper so it's easy to relate to processing prices.

"Develop only" is plainly insufficient for minilabs to survive. You get 90% out of 100% paying only 10%. Prints are like batteries and filters in camera sales, well, now add proprietary filter adapters, too. They are meant to generate income. Now when many order scans or scan themselves, prints fall out of chain. Rent, electricity, wages, maintenace - they still have to be paid. Thus prices go up.

Now ask if automated scanning is really worth money they ask? No but they have to recoup some money they loose not making prints. I believe minilabs can not survive on "develop only" orders as long as they do not ask some fantastic figures no one is going to pay.

No turnaround = no income = no service.....
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All too true I think. It is not going to get better anytime soon, maybe only worse.

Bob
 
we are probably close to the end of commercially viable low-cost film processing.

film will probably survive but it's going to be self-development and pro labs IMO. Walmart's send out prices is still reasonable, however.
 
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