Fred Meyer @ ~$5.00 per roll

[Chinasaur]

Walgreens was just kicked to the curb. Fred Meyer (amazingly) still develops C-41 for around $2.50 and scans for ~$2.50.....actually cheaper the more I give them.

The quality is "as good" and the attention to detail is better (scans right side up and colors correct) for someone they don't know.

AND, the cost is beats Walgreens "BEST" monthly special proice..every day.

Anyone have any warnings about Fred Meyer they want to share?

 

[MrSlezak]

Not really a warning as much as an observation... I think Fred Meyer is a Pacific Northwest only chain - mix of department & grocery store. Owned by the Kroger grocery chain.

-- M.

 

[JayC]

I use Freddies a lot. I am not going to Walgreens again. Once they lost my negatives. They had the cd, but no negatives. I never understood this, as the photo lab is pretty much an enclosed area about 15x30 feet. The last time I went there I asked for uncut negatives. They left about 3 fingerprints on each and every frame as they carelessly rolled the film back into the container (or at some other point).
I am going to try out Rit-Aid next. They are just 2 blocks from my house. They send all their film to Fuji for processing.

 

[raid]

This is the first time in my 30 years in the USA when I have heard of such a chain.
Still, good for you.

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

A thumbs down for a place that develops C-41 for $2.50?

Tough crowd.

 

[Graham Line]

Fred Meyer is no different than Costco etc., in that the quality depends on who maintains and runs the machine, and who handles the film. They have the good hardware; they sometimes have good staff.

 

[healyzh]

I use Freddies a lot. I am not going to Walgreens again. Once they lost my negatives. They had the cd, but no negatives. I never understood this, as the photo lab is pretty much an enclosed area about 15x30 feet. The last time I went there I asked for uncut negatives. They left about 3 fingerprints on each and every frame as they carelessly rolled the film back into the container (or at some other point).
I am going to try out Rit-Aid next. They are just 2 blocks from my house. They send all their film to Fuji for processing.

Granted it costs a lot more, but since it looks like you're in the Portland area, have you considered some of the Photo Lab's in Portland? I use Pro Photo, but there is also Citizen's, Blue Moon, and others. I've already been into Pro Photo once this week (hour trip), and need to make a second trip at some point today (normally at most 1 trip per week). I was using Costco for 35mm, but the quality of the work dropped significantly (I think due to staff changes). So now I use Pro Photo for everything except the B&W which I do myself. I also do my own scanning of both B&W and colour. I figure that if I'm going to spend the $$$'s on film, I might as well spend the $$$'s to get good processing.

 

[Brian Legge]

I tried the Fred Meyers in Kirkland - Totem Lake area - twice. Terrible results. Its been a little so I may try then again for some expired film/fun shooting but I just a heads up in case others around are better.

I've been using Omega Photo for the color rolls I care more about. A bit more dust than I'd like to see, but beyond that, they've been good.

I want to start developing color myself but I'm nervous about how archival the results would be based on feedback I've read on do-it-yourself processes.

 

[stevebrot]

Yep, Fred Meyer is a Northwest chain owned by Kroger. At one time you could buy anything from lumber to birth control there, though the offerings have been trimmed somewhat in recent times (no wood).

I have never used Freddy's for film processing, but gave up on the Costco, Target, and Walgreen mini-labs some time ago. I drop my film at Knight Camera in Vancouver and they send it to Blue Moon in Portland. They process with no scans, no cut, and no sleeve page for $3.00 a roll. Might I also add that the processing is consistently excellent with no scratches and no gunk. That is more than I can say for the Vancouver Costco. (Sorry Costco guys, but three bad rolls in a row is two too many for me...Ektar is not supposed to be low contrast and grainy...) The only bad parts about Blue Moon is that turn-around is a couple of days and they are way out in St. Johns.

In Portland, Citizens is also a viable option for even less money ($2.75 for C-41 35mm). They have the advantage of being able to handle up to 8x10 sheet film as well and are relatively handy to where I work. Might I add that Citizens also has reasonably priced B&W processing. The help has the reputation of being a little surly, but often that is an indication of quality 😉


Steve

 

[f16sunshine]

Brian where is Omega?
I grew up in Kirkland for a time. There was once a great camera/film shop there. "Totem camera". Still living in the area, My mother still uses film as well as digi. Costco does all her work. I'm curious about omega though. Are they on the eastside?

 

[t.s.k.]

Funny, I thought the OP was referring to Meijer's (pronounced like "meyer"), a midwest megastore chain whose chairman is named Fred Meijer.

 

[NLewis]

Dwayne's is $6.98 for C41 processing and lo-res scans, OK that is more than Freddie but no driving and no sales tax. If you spend an extra $5 you can go to Precision and get hi-res scans.

 

[Brian Legge]

They are indeed. Omega Photo is in downtown Bellevue, just south of Kirkland. Here is their website: http://www.omegaphoto.biz

I actually work across the street from Totem Lake and live a few minutes north of it. I moved here from California about 10 years ago and am still loving the Sound over all. Its a shame I set photography aside for my first 7 years here and focused on work. I missed out on a lot based on the other film photographers I've met who have been active for a longer time.

 

[berlincontemporary]

A thumbs down for a place that develops C-41 for $2.50?

Tough crowd.

I was wondering about the thumbs down too.

 

[pachuco]

Fred Meyer can do a great job for sure, but if at all possible you should go to Citizens Photo. Good prices, nice people, careful processing, and most of all it's near me so I want it to stay open!

 

[semilog]

Ditto on Citizens' and Pro Photo. Used both with satisfaction when I lived in Puddletown.