Big-name drugstores like Walmart, CVS,andWalgreensstill develop film, but the days of 1-hour photo processing are long gone. Today, nearly all the big box stores send the film to third-party labs, with turnaround time ranging from three to five days at Walgreens and two to three weeks at CVS. Even more important, they no longer return the negatives, only providing your images as scans on a CD. Discarding negatives may be okay for the person with disposable cameras, but is a major drawback for the film enthusiast or the “found film” people.
Found film is actually a pretty big market for The Darkroom and its people findingan undeveloped roll of film in a drawer or the attic. These mystery time capsules can potentiallycontain images withhuge sentimental value.Negatives are the foundation of shooting film and an important part of the traditional printing process. A low-quality scan of something sentimental or of an important subject is not an adequate replacement to the original film or “file”.
Old & expired film
With over 45 years of developing film, The Darkroom will professionally develop your old film and color, contrast and density adjust every frame
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Costco filmdeveloping
In visiting our local Costco, we discovered that they’re nolonger developing film. We were told by a photo labemployee that“we recently pulled their film processing equipment out of every building”. Costco doesn’t even develop film online through their Costco Photo Center website.
Over a year ago, Kelvin Wang started a petitionfor Costco to start developing film again, but it hasn’t gotten much support.
WalMart film developing
Walmartis no longer returning negatives to save on postage costs and only providing customers scanned images on a CD. In researching, Walmart film developing services vary from each store or region and this may not be company-wide policy. Many of the stores have completely stopped processing film and, like Costco, maybe in the process of phasing out film processing entirely.
Sam’s Club film developing
In nearly all the stores, Sam’s Club stopped developing film in late 2013. Additionally, theydon’t have in-store photo mailers and film development cannot be ordered or purchased online.
Walgreens film developing
Over 800 people a month Google “does Walgreens develop film“. It’s been reported thatWalgreens stopped film processing on April 16th of 2015 and is using a 3rd party service. Using this service, Walgreensdoesn’t return your negatives and it’s likely this 3rd party servicedestroys your negatives after scanning them. Walgreens film development cannot be ordered or purchased online.
Targetfilm developing
Targetremoved the Kodak processing machines from many of its stores and now offers a print-only photo center for those with digital files. This is true with our local Target, but may not be true with all stores.
CVS Pharmacy film developing
Not all CVS stores develop film and the ones that doare sending directly to 3rd party services.Negatives aren’t returnedand orders take about 3 weeks.Additionally, CVS has stopped online film developing.
CVS Pharmacy processes film but doesn’t return film negatives
If you choose not to develop with The Darkroom, we suggest that you verify with the individual store, whether it’s Costco, Walgreens, Walmart, Target, Sam’s Club, CVS, or any other large retailer to confirm the send-out processing service returns your negatives.
FAQs
Even more important, they no longer return the negatives, only providing your images as scans on a CD. Discarding negatives may be okay for the person with disposable cameras, but is a major drawback for the film enthusiast or the “found film” people.
Does the darkroom return negatives? ›
Yes, of course, you always get your original film back with your order. Negatives are returned cut and sleeved.
Who develops film and returns negatives? ›
Available at CVS/pharmacy Locations
Bring in all your film, negatives and disposable cameras to have them developed and printed on high-quality traditional photo paper!
What to do with undeveloped film? ›
Exposed Film
If you aren't able to get it to a lab within a month, then fridging/freezing it (and taking appropriate steps when defrosting it) will preserve the film quality. Exposed film loses quality faster than unexposed film due to a chemical reaction that happens only after exposure to light.
Can you develop a 20 year old film? ›
Color films 10 to 20 years beyond their process-before date aren't too likely to have good quality color but the effect can be interesting and perhaps “artistic”. It is rare to have a film more than 30 years old render decent color by accelerating or processing direct to color.
Does CVS return film negatives? ›
They have to send it away and it takes about 4-7 days. However, they do not send back your negatives. All you get back is standard 4×5 prints and a CD with your photos on them.
What are the risks in the darkroom? ›
In a properly organised and well-designed darkroom there should be few hazards. The greatest dangers arise from the proximity of electricity to water, lack of adequate ventilation and handling chemicals.
Does Walgreens give back film negatives? ›
More on Walgreens Photo Lab
Using this service, Walgreens doesn't return your negatives and it's likely this 3rd party service destroys your negatives after scanning them. Walgreens film development cannot be ordered or purchased online.
Does Walmart return your film negatives? ›
Old & expired film
Something to be mindful of when using Walmart for film developing is that it doesn't return film. Learn more about why Walmart doesn't return film.
Can you develop film at Walmart? ›
Film & One-time Use Camera processing:
Walmart Photo makes it easy with prints you can treasure for a lifetime. Bring your film and/or one-time-use cameras to develop at your nearest Walmart Photo Center.
The grain size will increase, you might even lose a few shots on the roll. Anything older will be hit or miss and on a case-by-case basis. Of course these are not hard and fast rules. We have seen film that was less than ten years old barely turn out and film that was 30 years old look amazing.
What is the lifespan of undeveloped film? ›
While film can last 10 to 15 years or longer, it can start to degrade in as little as 2 years depending on the type of film you have.
What ruins undeveloped film? ›
First, never put your unprocessed film in your checked luggage. Never ever. Ever ever ever. The equipment used to screen checked luggage utilizes a high-intensity screening technology, and it will ruin any and all film (exposed or not).
Does CVS develop old film? ›
CVS develops 35mm film negatives to digital photos (color and black and white), slide film, APS, 110, and disposable cameras. All of them have the same price. You can also buy disposable cameras there.
Does Walgreens develop old films? ›
All Walgreens stores with a photo lab can accept your 35mm film. Select stores with a photo lab can also accept APS (Advanced Photo System), 110 film, 127 film, negatives, or a disposable/single-use camera. Walgreens stores that can accept the rolls/negatives will use an outside service to fulfill the orders.
How to tell if a film developer is bad? ›
to test: Developer: prepare the solution you plan to use and drop a piece of film leader in there. Note the time it takes to become dark-gray, if it is ~1/5 of the normal time of development you are OK. Fixer: prepare solution, drop piece of leader and check the time it takes to become completely clear.
Does Walmart give you back negatives? ›
While nearly all locations don't return negatives, Jacob M of Shreveport Louisiana reported that Walmart returns the negatives and there are likely others.
Are old photo negatives worth keeping? ›
When stored properly, slides and negatives will outlast digital formats. They may take up a little space, but it is a small price to pay for saving your history–and much cheaper than paying to save a terrible box store push-button copy.
Do you get your negatives back from Walgreens? ›
Do I Get My Negatives Back From Walgreens? No, Walgreens doesn't include the negatives in your order. After they process your film, they scan the frames to give you a low-resolution digital version of them and a set of 4″ prints. In film photography, the negatives are your originals.
Should I get my film negatives back? ›
If you have sent your negatives off to a lab, make sure you have selected the option to get them posted back to you, even if they are blank. If you have taken your negatives to a local lab, then make sure they know you want them back.
