Florida - mainstream B&W dev?

[Terao]

Do the mainstream film processors in the US (Walgreens, Walmart, others(?) ) do B&W development on a reasonable turnround? Am I likely to be able to walk into a camera store and pick up a load of Neopan, Ilford, etc? I'm going to Florida in January and would love to primarily shoot film but would rather not go through the hassle of getting film in and out of the country without it being irradiated by the new high-power scanners.

 

[robin a]

Hi,if it's c41 they will,anything else goes out for a week..........Robin

 

[Madrigal]

If you're in or around Gainesville FL, Check out Harmon's

http://www.showprints.com/services.php

They are the only place here in North Central FL that sells B&W film, and their color processing is much better than Walgreens, etc. They can do one-hour color, B&W is next day, 20% off the price if you give them two days.

Dunno about South FL, sorry.

 

[Terao]

Unfortunately down in Kissimmee/Orlando (hey, that's the only place us Brits seem to go!). Hmm, will take a risk/endure the hassle of getting it through the scanners, I'm guessing that Neopan 1600 isn't going to enjoy it though.

A related question, I assume that international parcels get an even deeper scan than the personal scans we get at airports?

 

[mr_phillip]

I believe parcels go through the same level of scanning as hold luggage. If you're taking film on a flight, take it on in your hand luggage – the scanners are much less intense.

Also, see if you can find a scanner-proof bag or box for the film. They cut the level of radiation reaching the the film, which all helps. I've had the same one for years and it cost pennies (dunno if it makes much difference but I've never had any film show any detrimental effects after being through a scan since I got it).

 

[Solinar]

My parents live in South Florida and my experience with the availability of analog B/W film is not good.

For example: the local Leica Dealer - "Dale Labs" - did not stock a single roll of silver halide B/W film and claimed to be out of C41 B/W. They didn't carry Ilford, at all.

No one on either side the sales counter thought that to be a bit odd.

Except for the university towns, Gainesville and Tallahassee - Florida is a desert for silver halide B/W film and supporting labs.

My advice is to bring your own XP-2, if you want to shoot B/W. Take it out of the containers and place them in a clear zip-lock back. Then have the film hand inspected at airport security. When you take the XP-2 to be developed - be sure to communicate to the employee at the photo desk that it is a C41 film and can be developed like normal color film.

There will be a high probability that the mini-lab at the local Walgreens will never heard of Ilford.

 

[raid]

Sam's Club let's you mail off B&W film to get it developed and get prints for about $7 for a roll of 36 exposures.

 

[Solinar]

Raid - Where do you buy Tri-X or HP5 in Pensacola?

 

[raid]

Raid - Where do you buy Tri-X or HP5 in Pensacola?

I don't; I buy them online. There is no comparison in price. Ritz Camera and Pensacola Camera Supply usually carry "pro" film.