where can one develop film in Paris?

[sf]

I am going there for Christmas, will be taking a Crown Graphic and a little RF with me. Where can I have my film developed since I do not want to take film back through customs and have them maliciously scan it to death? I am taking fast film.

Assuming that my french is not that great - actually very very bad, a shop that is English or Swedish or Spanish friendly would be a good thing. The key here is a shop that can do 4x5 B&W and E-6 in one day or so. I will be there for 7 days, and can't afford long development cycles.

Anyone know anyone over there that runs a shop?


thanks to everyone

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

I don't know any names off-hand, but just be aware of one thing: compared to the U.S., it is very, very expensive. Very. You may want to consider buying an X-ray film bag. Just a suggestion, if cost is an issue.

 

[sf]

X-Ray film bag?

X-Ray film bag?

Alright. That might work. Has anyone ever had trouble with one of those? I mean, getting through customs without a huge hassle?

I will probably buy one. If it is that expensive. But, I want no chance of having some mean customs agent scan my film just for kicks. It has happened before. To lots of people.

Thanks for the reply though. The x-ray bag is a good idea.

 

[sf]

anyone else?

anyone else?

anyone else have any ideas about where in paris to have film developed? Just preferences, that is all I require. And an idea of who I can trust to do it well, and who can have 4x5 done overnight.

 

[Khaled]

compared to the U.S., it is very, very expensive. Very.

I totally agree with that. And lots of them are quite rude and their work leaves a lot to be desired.

I can recomend 2 places in the north-east of Paris:

next-film (very near to Gare de l'est) Best prices i've found so far, good quality, nice people.
52 boulevard de magenta
75010 paris
Tél : 01.42.39.05.04
http://82.226.121.66/index.asp

self color (between the canal saint martin and republique) This is a self-service lab, they are the best price solution if you're willing to spend some time there.
29 rue des vinaigriers
75010 paris
Tél : 01 42 09 42 41
http://www.selfcolor.com/

I hope this helps.

Khaled

 

[bmattock]

Go to vert de mur.

OK, let me give you the scoop on x-ray bags. Bad idea in the USA now. They were a good idea before 9/11, not anymore. They should not even sell them. OK for use overseas - maybe.

The TSA says not to use them. They will just open the bag anyway, because they MUST look inside anything that their x-ray cannot penetrate (makes sense).

In fact, lead-lined bags make them mad, and mad TSA guys are also nasty. And they have a lot of power. So I'd ditch the lead-lined bag idea, or take them along but just use them once you clear security in the USA and are enroute to France.

I used to travel for a living, 125,000 miles a year - trust me, I know.

You should never, never, never, put unexposed or exposed but undeveloped film in a checked bag. The high-power scanners they use WILL destroy your film. Once the film is processed, no x-ray or scanner will hurt it, of course.

Always carry all film in carry-on bags. Normal x-rays should not hurt your film unless it is high-speed (faster than 800 ISO). You can also request a hand-inspection - many TSA agents will comply with your polite request - but they do not have to, and some of them refuse to, in my experience.

Film should be out of the boxes, inside their plastic cannisters, inside a larger clear baggie. Of course, all film must come out of the cannisters for hand-inspection. 120 roll film folks sometimes have trouble here. Sheet film is a real problem. 35mm should be ok.

http://www.tsa.gov/public/interapp/editorial/editorial_1035.xml

Really though - you should be ok going and coming - just don't put film into checked luggage!

Best Regards,

Bill Mattocks

 

[sf]

thank you

thank you

thanks for the info, everyone. Those two shops will be on my list when I get there.

Thanks