Where do you develop your films?

[711er]

I just started shoting in film again, but not sure where to develop the films.

How much different between developing it in CVS vs. developing it in some professional camera shop?! CVS uses Kodak C41 chemical anyway. I don't really need prints, all I need is developing the films and I will scan the film myself. And I live in a apartment right now, I can't develop the film myself like old times.

I live in Miami area, have anyone developed their film in Dale Lab before?!

Thanks in advance!!

 

[dovi]

I've had luck at CVS

I've had luck at CVS

I used them for chromogenic bw films and they were really good. Only problem is that they tend to scratch negatives. I ask for develop and scan and they charged me 3.99! I rescan the ones I like....

 

[dmr]

I usually just take the film to Walgreens. DO/CD is $5 and change. Usually they do a good job. If it's really important I'll take it to an indie lab here, DO/CD about $8-9.

 

[711er]

Thanks Dovi~
I think I am going to try Dale Lab and have them develop and Scan my film
They are only charging 4 bucks??!!! That is awesome~~~~~!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[711er]

I usually just take the film to Walgreens. DO/CD is $5 and change. Usually they do a good job. If it's really important I'll take it to an indie lab here, DO/CD about $8-9.

Walgreens also do develop and scan?! That will be much closer to my home.
How's the quality?!

 

[rya]

Wal-mart will develop only for under $2, but the negative handling there is pretty rough (at least at the one I've used).

I don't think the in-store scans can do justice, so I always develop only and then scan myself (unless it is dedicated camera store).

 

[Zonan]

While it's pricier than CVS or Walgreens, take a look at North Coast Photographic in California:
www.northcoastphoto.com/
Prices are not outrageous, and they handle film well. Their scans, especially the high res ones, are the best I've ever seen.
Depends on what you want out of any particular roll. Sometimes CVS or Rite Aid or whatever is all you need, other times you want it done "right".

 

[dmr]

Walgreens also do develop and scan?!

Uh-huh, they do.

Every once in a while, at least a few years ago, you would run into a Walgreens that did NOT want to do a CD without a set of prints. A co-worker of mine took this all the way to corporate, who affirmed that yes, this is a service (DO/CD) that they offer. You sometimes have to "train" the clerk to do it. Punch in negatives only, no sets of prints, then add the CD.

It happened to me once. The clerk first said it was not possible, then when I insisted said it was their policy not to. I asked for the Manager who cheerfully did the DO/CD for me while I waited. (My co-worker was actually once asked to leave a store for getting into an argument with the Manager over this.)

That's the good news.

How's the quality?!

Well, uh ... Let's see ... how do I put this?

YMMV!

I've found two local Walgreens who do a consistently OK or better job. It depends on the shop, the machine, the QA of the machine, who operates the machine, and the phase of the moon.

One Walgreens near my work consistently blows out highlights on their scans. I do not use them any more.

Older Walgreens usually have a Fuji Frontier, which seems to give better overall scans. The newer Walgreens usually have a Noritsu, which seems to OD on the ICE and will do things such as erase texture in rocks and such.

Hope this answers. 🙂

 

[dmr]

But wait! There's more! 🙂

But wait! There's more! 🙂

For those who need something to do ...

Here are the three threads from several years ago regarding Walgreens refusal to do a DO/CD:

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=11292

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=11425

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=15296

Almost funny as I think back to those days. 🙂

 

[MartinP]

In development terms, it might be handy to ask whether a particular location uses a film-transport machine (dunno what the posh word is) or a dip-and-dunk machine for the processing of C41/E6.

The dip-and-dunk has zero handling or movement of the film after it is loaded on the frame (which is then physically moved vertically in and out of the tanks), while the continuous film-transport system runs along rollers through the chemistry and may get a bit more wear and tear. I'm unclear if there are such things as continuous-transport machines for 120 roll, and pretty sure there isn't for sheet film !

There appears to be a correlation between the type of machine and quality/consistency of the results - or, more likely, between the type of machine and the training of the operators.

 

[711er]

Uh-huh, they do.

Every once in a while, at least a few years ago, you would run into a Walgreens that did NOT want to do a CD without a set of prints. A co-worker of mine took this all the way to corporate, who affirmed that yes, this is a service (DO/CD) that they offer. You sometimes have to "train" the clerk to do it. Punch in negatives only, no sets of prints, then add the CD.

It happened to me once. The clerk first said it was not possible, then when I insisted said it was their policy not to. I asked for the Manager who cheerfully did the DO/CD for me while I waited. (My co-worker was actually once asked to leave a store for getting into an argument with the Manager over this.)

That's the good news.



Well, uh ... Let's see ... how do I put this?

YMMV!

I've found two local Walgreens who do a consistently OK or better job. It depends on the shop, the machine, the QA of the machine, who operates the machine, and the phase of the moon.

One Walgreens near my work consistently blows out highlights on their scans. I do not use them any more.

Older Walgreens usually have a Fuji Frontier, which seems to give better overall scans. The newer Walgreens usually have a Noritsu, which seems to OD on the ICE and will do things such as erase texture in rocks and such.

Hope this answers. 🙂

Thank you so much!!!!!!!!!!!!
I will try out the Walgreens in my area
Thanks again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[35mmdelux]

One word: Walmart. I drop mine in the overnight bucket. YMMV

 

[splitimageview]

Another vote for NCPS. The scans are great, and they only do dip and dunk. No scratches. I'd rather send my money to an independent lab instead of companies like Walgreens or CVS who will never have the quality of technicians as a pro lab.

While it's pricier than CVS or Walgreens, take a look at North Coast Photographic in California:
www.northcoastphoto.com/
Prices are not outrageous, and they handle film well. Their scans, especially the high res ones, are the best I've ever seen.
Depends on what you want out of any particular roll. Sometimes CVS or Rite Aid or whatever is all you need, other times you want it done "right".

 

[Al Kaplan]

I've been using Walgreens for several years now and they do a great job. I've become friendly with the woman who runs the photo department and usually try to get there when she's working, but the other girls know me and they all call me Al. It helps if you tell them that there's no rush, you'll be back tomorrow, then on the rare occasion when you do need a rush they'll understand. If you tell them that you're a pro (and your pictures look it) they'll program the register to give you a pro discount, something like 10 or 15%, and it'll show up whenever you use any Walgreens from then on.

Dale is about 10 miles away and I use them for on occasion for large prints. They are also a Leica dealer, and Walgreens isn't.

 

[fwellers]

Does anybody use Costo ? I think I've heard they do a good job.
I can't figure out how much they charge from their website. If anyone knows, I'd appreciate it.
Not sure how I'm gonna do it, but I guess I'll be needing prints and a cd.
I want badly to start developing my own when I get my film camera, but it's gonna be difficult. I have limited space, and all the rooms in my house have windows and light !!

Thanks,
floyd

 

[gehrm]

I am going to be moving to NYC soon and will be very space constrained. Can anyone recommend a North Coast Photo equivalent in the city?

Thanks,
Matt

 

[splitimageview]

I have taken C41 to Costco, it's about $3 for develop and scan. Just mark the envelope 'develop and CD only, no prints.' The scans aren't great but good for proofing.

 

[Bill Harrison]

In the kitchen.

 

[dirojas]

In my bathroom, but I only shoot black&white.

 

[hiromu]

I used to use Walmart or Costco. They do it for $1.78/roll or so. Also, Walmart can do B&W via send out mailer and costs the same as color. Now I shoot digital, though...