Forgive my ignorance on film development...

[psykon99]

but I usually shoot digital. That being said, I have been enjoying film of late. I'm trying to keep C41 development cost down. I know I get better prints developing at the local camera stores over wal-mart, especially for my c-41 black and white, due to the color correction. But I'm looking at just having the negatives developed and scanned to disc. Wal-Mart charges $3.64 for development and a disc of 5 megapixel scans.

So here's my questions: does the color correction happen during development or during the printing process? Will I have any issues getting the negatives developed at Wal-Mart over the local camera place?

Thanks for the help!

 

[Al Kaplan]

The color correction happens during the printing process. Have them scan to disc and you can play with color correction on your computer when you print it. I usually get mine processed and scanned to disc at Walgreens.

 

[psykon99]

The color correction happens during the printing process. Have them scan to disc and you can play with color correction on your computer when you print it. I usually get mine processed and scanned to disc at Walgreens.

Awesome! What does Walgreens charge?

 

[venchka]

Be advised: Some mini-labs (Wal-Mart, Walgreens, CVS, Sam's, etc.) have a nasty habit of producing GREEN scans from BW400CN or XP2 Super. It took me about 4 tries to find a lab that turned out black and white scans.

 

[ClaremontPhoto]

I prefer a photo shop that develops and scans over a supermarket that develops and scans.

But on the other hand, I buy washing powder in a supermarket, not a photo shop. Usually.

 

[jmooney]

I have the green issue with my local lab. I just hit the B&W button in Picasa and it takes the green away quite nicely.

 

[Al Kaplan]

Walgreens charges (I think) a bit over $5 plus $1 for an index print. The disc itself is $2.99 (again, I think). I usually get a set of 4x6 prints too, hence the confusion. Walgreens offers a pro discount which I think (I do a lot of thinking..LOL) is 15%, and if you go in frequently and have pro looking pix they probably won't ask for proof that you're a pro. I didn't even know about it until they offered it to me. Once your "pro" status is in their computer along with your phone number you'll get the discount at any Walgreens. Cool, huh? Shoot about 10,000 rolls, have Walgreens process it, and buy yourself a new Leica with a Summilux with the savings.

 

[psykon99]

Be advised: Some mini-labs (Wal-Mart, Walgreens, CVS, Sam's, etc.) have a nasty habit of producing GREEN scans from BW400CN or XP2 Super. It took me about 4 tries to find a lab that turned out black and white scans.

Oh I understand. I have taken a few rolls to the local Walgreens accross from my office and the prints always come out with a green tint.

I figured if color correction was done during printing, rather than the development process, then I could really develop and scan anywhere that does about 5mp and up scans and do the color correction myself and print on my home printer. Plus, I'd save money that way too. Rarely do I print above 81/2 x 11. 5MP should handle that easily. If I do need a larger print, I can always take the negative in.

I think I'll give WalMart a try. for under $4 for development and a disc it's hard to go wrong. Especially since I can get BW400CN and Superia X-tra from them for $10 / 4 rolls.

 

[venchka]

Good luck. These places are only as good as the operators.