Getting Wal-Mart to understand Kodachrome

Now, let me add something: you can ask for a CD with your images. Only the price goes up to $12 that way.

Really? How good is the quality? I've had Costco scan it once but they use dust/scratch removal, which of course ruins the scans.
 
Now, let me add something: you can ask for a CD with your images. Only the price goes up to $12 that way.

I have access to a Nikon 4000 with roll film adapter. I think I'm just going to get them uncut and unmounted, scan them myself and then cut and bag them.
 
Raid, I'm afraid that's not true where I live. In fact, the people around my lab have no clue about any film process at all. They simply put the rolls in a machine.

Some time ago I wanted a roll of Ilford XP2 developed there in one hour. The girl who took the roll said to me with a straight face: "We don't do Ilford film here"

"Why not, it's C-41 film" I said. "It's the same process for color film.."

"We don't do C-41 film here" she replied.

So, I grabbed a box of film from right there and said "You do, you sell it and you process it. See the roll, it's here: C-41 process."

"Oh, that one..."

Then she spoke to her supervisor...

Of course, before you shake your head in disbelief, remember: these are people working on minimum salary.


The major stores deal with major photo labs. You are mentioning local stores. I by-pass the people working at local stores, and I write my "wish list" on the envelopes. Matte finish; return film uncut; ... etc. If the lab does this kind of thing, they will do the services.

Just don't talk with anyone local.
 
I have access to a Nikon 4000 with roll film adapter. I think I'm just going to get them uncut and unmounted, scan them myself and then cut and bag them.

If you take the uncut roll of Kodachromes [or E6 film] to get it scanned commercially, will the scanner automatically detect that the film is positive?
 
The Nikon software has a setting for colour positives and negs, B&W negs and Kodachrome. I will try it on the Kodachrome setting and from what I have read I should turn the Digital ICE off.

Thanks to everyone so far for the advice.
 
The Nikon software has a setting for colour positives and negs, B&W negs and Kodachrome. I will try it on the Kodachrome setting and from what I have read I should turn the Digital ICE off.

FYI: Kodachrome is the hardest positve film to scan. I have heard Nikon dedicated scanners do good but just be aware. If you succeed post a few pix and educate the rest of us.
 
If Dwayne's scans stink,and if scanning Kodachromes well is very difficult to do, what are the options? Making prints without scans?

I'm working on getting some of my Kodachrome scanned with my V750. I'll try to post some results soon. I think to get the best results I might have to wet mount it. Canned air might also help getting dust off slides as ANY dust removal software (or digital ICE) usually ruins the scan.
 
Just one thing about Walmart and uncut film:
I tried that, I wrote, just like I did on the order for Dwayne:
"Please leave uncut & unmounted", and I received everything back .... mounted.:bang:
The good thing is that in every single envelope they put a piece of paper explaining that their machine is unable to leave the film unmounted:eek:

It seems Dwayne has machines dedicated to Walmart that are unable NOT TO DO something. Something that the regular machines can "not do"...

In any case, It's really a pity, because it's a deal breaker for me. I'll continue to pay high prices and send straight to Dwayne....
 
Raid, after that converstation (which was some time ago), I too forgo the people at the counter.

As for scanning this film, I have scanned Kodachrome and liked my results.

In any event, here's a scan from Dwayne's. Like from Walgreens and Walmart, you get two different sets: one at high-resolution and another at very low resolution. I simply copied the photographs I liked (in Hi-Res), and opened them with Photoshop elements. There was no need to do any color trick or sharpening. Just a couple of level notches.

Here's one that didn't require much. Again, it's from Dwayne's.

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BTW, this was my Nikon F5 with a Sigma 24-70 f2.8 on K64.
 

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When the film goes in to Wal-Mart's central facility for processing, they'll sort it out.
 
Was the shadow detail that bad or did that come from resizing for posting?

Bad in what sense? I'm sorry, but I don't see a problem with shadow detail. I did a little work on the levels but not to bring out shadow detail. I'm afraid I don't understand the problem here.
 
I was talking about the blocky detail on the wine bottle base. I just scanned a bunch of Kodachromes on my v750. I'll try to post some results tomorrow.
 
Dropped off a roll of Kodachrome 200 today at the local (Hartford, CT) Wal-Mart. Marked the envelope "K-14" etc. I have my fingers crossed!
 
K64 Scans

K64 Scans

FYI: Kodachrome is the hardest positve film to scan. I have heard Nikon dedicated scanners do good but just be aware. If you succeed post a few pix and educate the rest of us.

They scan fine with my CanoScan 2710.

2834297489_ea531edd1c_o.jpg


1527628219_9f98551f7d_o.jpg
 
Nice.

I just ended up taking them to the local camera store. It's going to add a week on each end because they ship the film to Toronto first and it'll be more expensive.

If I start shooting more I will send them myself.

Thanks for all the help.
 
Got it, Pavel.

The thing I really like from Kodachrome is how it renders human skin... it's so terribly technicolorish it looks like fun! :) Just be mindful that if it gets really old, it gives a bluish cast to everything, so bad you would think it's tungsten film. Hence, don't let it get too old (like 10 years), or avoid buying long-ago expired film.

KoNickon, no need to worry if you wrote that on the envelope. Just give them about 10 days and when picking it up act cool, as if paying $4.00 or thereabouts for developed slides is something you do in your sleep. :)
 
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