When The Darkroom mails back your developed film, they will include a labeled pouch for your next order. This is super convenient because you can skip having to go to the post office.
Thanks everyone! I recently had a negative experience with Dwayne's Photo. They used to be my "go-to" lab, but they really screwed up my last roll. It took them over a month to get it back to me, every time I called they gave me the same excuse about one of their machines being down "last week". When I finally got my prints they were all yellow, like when old/cheap chemicals are used. The scans were better than the prints, so I know it was an error with their printing process.
Unfortunately there are no local labs in or near my city. The only remaining lab (Creative Photo) sends all their work out for developing. Also, they seem to have banking hours (close at 5:00 PM, closed on the weekends), so it's impossible for me to drop off/pick up a roll.
I have a few rolls of 120mm and 35mm film I purchased a few months ago. Only thing holding me back is finding a lab. I'm definitely going to try some of the places recommended here so far. Thanks!
theHUN wrote:
When The Darkroom mails back your developed film, they will include a labeled pouch for your next order. This is super convenient because you can skip having to go to the post office.
It's annoying that 'the darkroom' doesn't allow walk-ins or pickups, even though I'm just a mile away! They do developing for only $8, but there's an additional $10 for shipping the film back to them. So, it's an $18 deal. This pushed me to start learning how to develop my own film.
I think the guy thought I was nuts telling him film popular again but I just called a local chain drugstore (Walgreens) and they have film (this particular one had Kodak 400) and send out for processing. The guy said week to 10 days, usually $9-10.
Might be another option to look at. It just depends on the people operating the machines as to if it's good or not just because it's a drugstore, it still might be good
Fred Miranda wrote:
It's annoying that 'the darkroom' doesn't allow walk-ins or pickups, even though I'm just a mile away! They do developing for only $8, but there's an additional $10 for shipping the film back to them. So, it's an $18 deal. This pushed me to start learning how to develop my own film.
I tend to use The Darkroom mostly as (like Fred) I live in the neighborhood. I have dropped in to get film scanned and pick up more mailer bags but it would be nice if we could pick up finished prints or negatives and avoid the shipping charge. I do drop the mailer bag with negatives at the same post office their PO Box resides in so at least it's not sitting in my sunburnt mailbox waiting to be picked up.
Half the fun of shooting film is developing the film. Not only does developing your own film drastically cut into the cost, but also brings back some of that “organic” feel as you load the film into the development tanks and systematically add the different chemicals. Why send this feeling of self accomplishment out to some shop?
I tried out The Darkroom for the first time recently for a develop/scan/print combo and wasn't impressed in the least. I saved two bucks over using my Dallas boutique lab Photographique but...
1) Darkroom comes in a standard paper folder, Photographique comes in hard plastic case that's easy to store without bending prints
2) Photographique sends negatives back in 3 hole binder sleeve for easy storage
3) And the worst offense, if you like your prints to have borders, the Darkroom's are just pathetically uneven and tiny
chez wrote:
Half the fun of shooting film is developing the film. Not only does developing your own film drastically cut into the cost, but also brings back some of that “organic” feel as you load the film into the development tanks and systematically add the different chemicals. Why send this feeling of self accomplishment out to some shop?
The magic is taking the developed film out of the tank and seeing those images for the first time. Never gets old.
RoamingScott wrote:
I tried out The Darkroom for the first time recently for a develop/scan/print combo and wasn't impressed in the least. I saved two bucks over using my Dallas boutique lab Photographique but...
1) Darkroom comes in a standard paper folder, Photographique comes in hard plastic case that's easy to store without bending prints
2) Photographique sends negatives back in 3 hole binder sleeve for easy storage
3) And the worst offense, if you like your prints to have borders, the Darkroom's are just pathetically uneven and tiny
the photo on the right is garbage. (see note below)
But the one on the left has that awesome timeless vibe, plus is that an older gent holding a body board?
(here is the note referenced to from above. To people unaware, this is a joke so don't send me hate mail. ty!)
I do not disagree with your assessment of the photo on the right however
Desmolicious wrote:
the photo on the right is garbage. (see note below)
But the one on the left has that awesome timeless vibe, plus is that an older gent holding a body board?
(here is the note referenced to from above. To people unaware, this is a joke so don't send me hate mail. ty!)
chez wrote:
Half the fun of shooting film is developing the film. Not only does developing your own film drastically cut into the cost, but also brings back some of that “organic” feel as you load the film into the development tanks and systematically add the different chemicals. Why send this feeling of self accomplishment out to some shop?
In my university photography program where there was a huge darkroom which somebody else had to set up, maintain, refresh chemicals, etc, I guess I felt this way (though I never really got proficient at getting film onto the reels). But looking into everything involved in doing it at home, from finding and blacking out a space to the cost to the shelf life of chemicals...
AmbientMike wrote:
I think the guy thought I was nuts telling him film popular again but I just called a local chain drugstore (Walgreens) and they have film (this particular one had Kodak 400) and send out for processing. The guy said week to 10 days, usually $9-10.
Might be another option to look at. It just depends on the people operating the machines as to if it's good or not just because it's a drugstore, it still might be good
Years ago when I used to shoot film regularly, I had negative experiences with both Walgreens and Wal-Mart. Not only did they ruin a few rolls during developing, they also ruined several negatives by cutting through frames!
