Top 8 Places To Get Film Developed & Pricing List

Jeff Picoult

By Jeff Picoult

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Numerous labs are available when it comes to taking film photos and developing procedures. Likewise, the price to develop a film also varies greatly. Want to find a place to develop films for the least amount of money without compromising quality? Here are some of the best options for you!

Develop Film

How Much Does It Cost To Get Film Developed?

It usually costs between $10 and $20 to develop film in the standard 35mm format. Meanwhile, the price of some mail-in services starts at about $6. Medium-format film is typically more expensive due to its greater size and higher detail content.

Remember that the cost could change depending on the length of the exposure and, of course, where the film lab is located. The development of medium—or large-format film, as well as vintage or black-and-white film, may also be more expensive.

Also, the film development price may increase with additional services. Pull-and-push processing adds several bucks for a roll by adjusting development times for overexposed or underexposed film. Rush services may be charged an extra fee per roll if you need processing done more quickly.

Where Can I Get My Film Developed?

In-Store Service

1. Walmart ($10–$14)

Film Developed at Walmart

Most consumers associate Walmart with discounts, and this also holds true for pictures! Walmart was founded as a bargain store and continues to uphold its dedication to consistently low prices, making it an inexpensive option for print and film production. This is the most affordable choice for developing 35mm black-and-white and color film.

You can also drop off your film in person, which gives you peace of mind that it arrived at the store rather than possibly ending up lost in your mail. If you choose the at-home delivery, notice that it might take up to three weeks to get your hands on those pics. Although this time range is not too bad, some might not be satisfied with this delivery speed.

With thousands of locations worldwide, there’s probably a Walmart near you that’s ideal for print and film production. Another perk is that additional prints are only a few dollars more, and for a total of $10–$14, you can obtain a free print of the negatives and a CD with your order.

2. Walgreens ($15–$18)

If Walmart is not your thing, then you can try Walgreens, another affordable option. Thanks to its over 9,000 sites worldwide, you may simply locate one close to you. Like Walmart, Walgreens also produces a range of film types, including disposable camera film, albeit at a higher cost. For a little bit more, $15–$18, you can also get a CD and a regular colored print set with your order.

But since you won’t receive your film negatives back, you might want to consider choosing a location that does. Although the scans are often of fair quality, their resolution is generally lower. Regarding time, while 35mm film processing can take up to 10 days, any other processing will require a longer lead time.

3. CVS ($12.99 to $21.99)

Film Developed at CVS

CVS is another retailer that provides services for creating disposable cameras. To save time, you can check ahead of time before visiting a CVS branch, as not all of them feature photo centers. They are rated as the fourth-best US supplier of film processing services. The price for a double set ranges from $12.99 to $21.99, depending on the number of exposures.

They also provide file transfers from negatives or films to USB drives or DVDs if you don’t want prints. For DVDs, the starting price is typically $25.99, while for USB transfers, it is $34.99.

Online

4. The Darkroom

The Darkroom

Established in 1976, The Darkroom, a California-based company, has been providing film development services for 35mm, 110, and 120 medium format film, as well as E-6 slide film, C-41 color negative, and genuine black and white in sizes ranging from normal to extra large. The Darkroom charges you $12 to develop 35mm film.

Both novices and experts have shown the lab to produce high-quality results, and the Darkroom website offers a tonne of educational answers under its FAQ category. Plus, they offer many entertaining merchandise to promote them all over the country, and each negative return includes a pre-paid envelope for your subsequent roll run.

5. Reformed Film Lab

Reformed Film Lab is deserving of all the accolades. In addition to developing, scanning, and processing film, it’s a terrific local store where you can buy a range of film rolls, 35mm film cameras, and accessories. 

The price for developing film varies, starting at $6 for color film, $9 for black-and-white film, and $15 for E-6 Slide film. You can read their online diary for extra informative content and contact them at any time with queries.

6. State Film Lab

At State Film Lab, you can work with experts to pull, push, scan, and develop your most treasured film pictures. It is renowned for its accurate yet clinically precise processing and realistic skin tones. At this place, they look after their clients from beginning to end. 

Your film scans are provided in high-resolution JPG files for only $12, using the best Noritsu film scanners in the business. Rush orders are subject to a 50% upcharge, and TIFF files are also available for an extra cost.

7. Citizens Photo

Founded in 1946, Citizens Photo is an Oregon-based company that develops film. It takes mail-in orders from both domestic and foreign customers and offers reliable services. Citizens Photo differentiates itself from the competition by offering a wide range of print sizes, up to 44 inches in width. 

Citizens Photo processes almost all film types except Kodachrome, C22 color negative film, and E4 slide. They even sell used equipment and films, offering excellent rates and speedy results. The best part is that the price for developing 35mm film is only $5.

8. Color Resource Center

CRC, located in New York, processes film in-house and provides a variety of fine art and commercial-quality printing services, serving many celebrities and artists. They can process E6, C41, and black-and-white film in 11×14, 8×10, 4×5, 220, 120, and 35mm format. Whereas high-resolution scans yield files of 18 MB in size, standard scans only produce 4.5 MB. 

In most cases, local drop-off turnaround times are between 24 and 36 hours, and the cost is around $15.75 (120) or $18.90 (35mm). Sending a letter using USPS Priority Mail takes two to three days. For those who prefer analog to digital, prints can also be ordered in matte or glossy finishes, with or without borders.

9. Indie Film Lab

Indie Film Lab has long been a favorite of film photographers in Alabama. Since 2011, Indie has been developing film and using both Noritsu and Frontier scanners to create incredibly high-quality film scans. They handle a variety of film formats (35mm, 120, 220), sizes, and dimensions, including B&W film, color negative film, pre-cut, and E-6 film, with prices fluctuating between $10 to $11.

Their crew, which consists of manufacturers, photographers, and artists, stands out in the business for their unwavering dedication to their profession.

How Can You Develop Film At Home

Develop Film At Home

Suppose you want to develop your film at home; here are the steps you need to take.

Step 1: Remove The Film

Take the film out of the disposable camera safely. To avoid exposing your film to light, do this in total darkness. You can use a change bag or a darkroom for this. Carefully remove the film roll from the camera casing by opening it with a screwdriver.

Step 2: Fill The Developing Tank With The Film

Slice the film’s end and insert it into the developing tank’s reel while it’s still completely dark. Once the film is firmly placed on the reel, you can insert it into the developing tank and seal it. After all, the light-proof tank will shield your film from exposure, so go ahead and switch on the lights.

Step 3: Combine Your Substances

Follow the directions to mix the right water with your fixer, stop bath, and developer. The developer will bring to life the image on your film, and then the fixer will permanently fix it. You will use the stop bath later to stop the developing process. With your thermometer, make sure the chemicals are at the proper temperature (typically around 68°F/20°C).

Step 4: Start Develop Your Film

After adding the developer to the tank, set the timer. Every thirty seconds or so, gently shake the tank to ensure the developer solution is dispersed evenly. Once the developing period has elapsed, pour out the agent. The exact duration will vary according to your particular film and developer.

Step 5: Clean And Fix

After about 30 seconds of agitation, pour away the stop bath after adding it. After adding the fixer, stir it occasionally and let it sit for the suggested time. Empty the fixer after the allotted fixing time has passed.

Step 6: Rinse And Pat Dry

Give the film a thorough water rinse to get rid of any last traces of chemicals. Ultimately, take the film off the reel with care and hang it somewhere dust-free to dry. Use the clothes pegs to hang the film on the string. After it has dried, you can cut your film into strips and store it in protective sleeves. It is now possible to scan or print your negatives.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Is Developing Film So Expensive?

The cost of developing film is high since it requires specific chemicals and equipment, requires manual labor during processing, and fewer labs are providing this service. The entire cost is further impacted by the need to handle the fragile nature of the film and maintain strict quality control standards.

Is It Cheap To Develop Your Own Film?

It depends. If you shoot film on a regular basis, it might be more affordable to develop your own film. The equipment and chemical costs may be considerable at first, but over time, the price per roll will drop dramatically. It might not be suitable for everyone, though, as consistent outcomes need time, room, and practice.

Is It Worth Developing Old Film?

If you want to find lost moments or preserve memories, developing old films is certainly worthwhile. Although film deterioration can lead to inconsistent results, many photographers and sentimentalists find it worthwhile to search for old or valuable images.

See more: 3 Easy Steps To Get Disposable Camera Pictures On Your Phone

The Bottom Line

Nowadays, it’s easier than ever to develop a film, and  you can find a variety of labs that offer cheap yet quality services. Try one of the places mentioned above next time you want to develop some pics!


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Jeff Picoult

Jeff Picoult

Photographer

Jeff Picoult is a seasoned photographer, who blends artistry and innovation. With a humble approach, he captures moments resonating with depth and emotion, from nature's beauty to the energy of sports.

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