Walmart Processing - Beware

[farlymac]

I never used the Walmarts that did printing only, while sending the film out for developement. There was one here in town that still did the processing in-store, and I was using them whenever I tested out a new (used) camera. I thought I was buying crappy cameras until I realized it was their crappy scanning. So I quit going there, especially sinec the other stores in town dropped thier in-store labs.

I still use the pro lab in town. But sometimes I just want a quick turnaround with decent scans, and started to go to the closest CVS, getting a Kodak CD because it was better resolution than the store brand one. Then they started to really piss me off when one idiot after another would wreck a roll of film, and then lie to me about what happened. So I stopped going there.

I had been going to Walgreens, but when I looked at the scans, they were the crappiest things I had ever seen. Today, I realized I had been mistaken. I came across one of my Walgreen developement packets, and looked at the prints. They were great, and there was a CD in there too. The index print showed nice scans, and I knew I had loaded some of these pics on the computer before, so I went searching. After looking at the scans on the CD, I realized what I had done. The scans I looked at seven years ago were the thumbnails, with no corrections to them (ie, all kinds of dust marks). The scans I looked at today were the full sized versions, with dust removal. I may have to see if the Walgreens lab is still in operation.

PF

[it'sawhat?]

Walmart has been phasing this in for months when each store switchs is tied to using up the old envelopes.

[TXForester]

Originally Posted by raid

When we use MF cameras, we may have to prepre ourselves to pay for developing at a pro lab for C41 film. B&W users can develop at home.

If you can develop C41 at home for 35mm then you could do it for 120. You just go through your chemicals quicker.

[gb hill]

I stopped using WalMart when they stopped 1 hr development. I hated that too because there was a girl who worked there who was really professional at what she did. I could develop a roll of b&w, take the strip to her & she could scan it to CD for me. She wasn't even afraid of scaning negatives with a 1/2 frame camera. Now I have a scanner so I take my C-41 to Rite Aid for developing only. It's getting expensive, they charged me $5.15 to develop my negatives.

[photomoof]

Originally Posted by gb hill

I stopped using WalMart when they stopped 1 hr development. I hated that too because there was a girl who worked there who was really professional at what she did. I could develop a roll of b&w, take the strip to her & she could scan it to CD for me.

My local CVS used to have a woman like that, full time, now it has all ended, they don't even have anyone to check you out, all done with self-help scanners which never really work well.

[David Murphy]

I've been using Target lately for 35mm C41. Their machine seems to leave a few marks on the film, but the service is excellent otherwise and cheap. The clerk is also very attentive and knowledgeable considering its a discount department store and not a photo dealer.

[Messsucherkamera]

NEVER let Walk Mart develop your film or work on your car, if you want either one done correctly.

NEVER.

[Johnmcd]

Originally Posted by raid

It may simply be yet another step to fade out traditional film photography.
When we use MF cameras, we may have to prepre ourselves to pay for developing at a pro lab for C41 film. B&W users can develop at home.

Raid,

C41 is just as easy at home (even easier in some respects), using Tetenal C41 chemicals. It is fool proof with a Jobo CPE 2 or similar and many are doing it with their own temperature control.

The Jobo's are not too cheap but here in Australia they can be found second hand for $200-500. A small investment considering what people are prepared to spend on lenses etc.

Why not give it a try?

Cheers - John

[Classique]

I had the same experience. I received a walmart giftcard so I went to Walmart to develop some 35mm film. However, when I saw the envelope, it said "no negatives will be returned"

As a result, I simply walked out and went to Costco to develop my rolls for even cheaper.

[CNNY]

Originally Posted by TXForester

If you can develop C41 at home for 35mm then you could do it for 120. You just go through your chemicals quicker.

In fact a 120 roll uses about the same amount of chemicals as 35mm. I actually get slightly better milage from 120.
In-camera you would go through the frames more quickly though.

[George Bonanno]

Originally Posted by Sugar Jones

Let me try to grasp this... you guys are mostly experienced, "serious" amateur photographers with thousands of dollars of high-quality photographic equipment like Leicas, Zeiss, Voightlander, Nikon, etc. and yet you actively search out the cheapest drugstore or big box store to have your film developed by stoned minimum wage workers who haven't the slightest motivation to process or scan your images with any care whatsoever... but you're complaining that the service isn't very good?

If you're at this point why are you even shooting film?

It can't be for the quality, that much should be obvious.

It can't be for the archival properties of film, you just ruined it because of the crappy processing and handling.

If you're looking for price, speed, and reasonable quality then why not simply get a decent digital camera and quit your complaining?

The only question left is whether you spell "poser" with a "you"?

Right on target !

[Classique]

I'm not sure why it all started becoming very ugly in here but I feel that we are in search for large establishments with film development that may give somewhat consistent results (AKA automated developer machines).

The reasons may vary but some of us may not have time to develop our own film or have the equipment. I myself is in the position with small jobo tank and reels I use to develop single rolls at a time but when I come back from a trip or an event shoot with 3-7 rolls, I use costco for development and I scan the negatives myself. I am generally content with their quality of development albeit occasional scratches (which can easily occur with self development)

Back to the main point of the thread...
the OP was wondering when Walmart changed their C41 policy to NOT return the negatives when they used to for many many years. So, my suggestion is that if you cannot grasp the point of the thread, feel free to keep your opinions to yourself.

Originally Posted by Sugar Jones

Let me try to grasp this... you guys are mostly experienced, "serious" amateur photographers with thousands of dollars of high-quality photographic equipment like Leicas, Zeiss, Voightlander, Nikon, etc. and yet you actively search out the cheapest drugstore or big box store to have your film developed by stoned minimum wage workers who haven't the slightest motivation to process or scan your images with any care whatsoever... but you're complaining that the service isn't very good?

If you're at this point why are you even shooting film?

It can't be for the quality, that much should be obvious.

It can't be for the archival properties of film, you just ruined it because of the crappy processing and handling.

If you're looking for price, speed, and reasonable quality then why not simply get a decent digital camera and quit your complaining?

The only question left is whether you spell "poser" with a "you"?

[George Bonanno]

Originally Posted by Classique

So, my suggestion is that if you cannot grasp the point of the thread, feel free to keep your opinions to yourself.

Now that you've got your gasbag filled... surly you jest.

[ray*j*gun]

I agree, its the negative issue that bothers me. Again, it was simply a test to see how the process went for both 35 and 120. I do intend to call Fuji (there is no end to the pain I seem to enjoy) to see what they say. My main objective here is to give the members a heads-up to at least ask the store if they will return the negs BEFORE the envelop is deposited.

Oh BTW NO FINE print re the negs on the envelope.

[arpinum]

Suger - Most Wal-Marts send out to Fuji Professional Services. When Kodachrome was around it got sent to Dwane's. Not exactly minimum wage exploited, baby-stealing stoners. Furthermore, we understand the quality we are receiving and are happy with our process. In the hiking community we say "Hike your own hike".

Look forward to hearing the result of the call to Fuji on Monday.

There seems to be disagreement on the fine print. Perhaps a photo of the statement that negs will not be returned could clear things up?

[enasniearth]

What I find interesting about the dicussion is that walmart considers the negatives of no value .
So digital has won in that the digital file is the most important archive of the process in the eyes of the big box stores .

Sometimes it is difficult to find a great pro lab in remote locations , there seems to be a grid of walmarts covering the us .
I am lucky in that a great pro lab is 7 miles from my house . Not everyone has that option .
I would never let anyone handle my b&w wet process , however color is another story , the temperature constraints and variables are too much .

Sugar jones has a good point in that we purchase top line lenses and cameras and should opt for the best processing we can find .

If Walmart uses fuji processing great , however the negatives considered not important ( cost savings I assume ) is kind of absurd considering our logic in continuing to use film in the future .

[raid]

It comes back to the fact that digital imaging is used by the majority of photographers these days. I have just sent an email to a friend who is a Walmart executive to get his feedback on this issue.

[charjohncarter]

I have used them for 120, and put 'develop negatives only' with no problem. But who is to say they won't ad lib. Thanks for the heads up.

[Dirk]

I use Costco. They do a decent job most of the time. C41 for 135 only. Develop and scan on a DVD is under $5. The DVD gives me a proof sheet to select candidates for enlargement at a better lab, and let's me post to the web. Not a bad deal. I include them in my prayers every night

[MartinP]

I have used the local 1-hr service (in a Hema chainstore here) as the individual running it was skilled enough for 'happysnaps' etc. The prices are not totally at the bottom end of the range though, around eleven euros (about $14 - 15), well within the cheap-and-cheerful range.

Is there a reasonably priced national postal system in the US? If so, why not post your serious material to a better lab? It worked for me and umpteen thousands of other people over the decades. Maybe postal packages are all x-rayed though, is that the reason?

[MartinP]

From your mentioning of 'courier' I get the impression that there is no longer a postal service. This seems rather strange to me.

[Tom33]

I prefer to send my exposed film out to a pro lab for developing. The problem here in the great southwestern desert (Texas) is waiting for outside temperatures to moderate before consigning my work to the tender mercies of the USPS. I don't trust 110 degree F outside and semi-trailer baking with my medium format film rolls, or C41 135 for that matter. So in summer I accumulate the exposed rolls of 120, monochrome and E6 in the refrigerator waiting for the fall of outside temperatures. I have some C-41 processed locally, formerly at Wolf/Ritz so I can see results sooner. With Wolf/Ritz closing, I will be trying Walgreens for this soon. Meanwhile, with cooler weather forecast I am putting together a priority mail parcel to Precision Camera. I am getting anxious to see the photographs I made in June!

An aside: I know of one "pro" lab in Fort Worth (Barron) but the prices for processing seem high and reviews I have read are not exactly glowing. Because of this I have not tried the lab. Do any of you kind readers on the west side of Fort Worth have knowledge of a good local pro lab you would recommend?

Best,

Tom

[ornate_wrasse]

Originally Posted by kuzano

Pro Photo Supply removed their Lab from their store and built a complete new lab around the corner 5-6 years ago... Portland, Oregon/

This is where I go for local C41 and transparency processing. They do a great job. They don't do transparency processing, however, at the local lab. Those are sent to Salem, OR for processing and are returned to the lab for customer pickup.

Ellen

[ray*j*gun]

Originally Posted by charjohncarter

I have used them for 120, and put 'develop negatives only' with no problem. But who is to say they won't ad lib. Thanks for the heads up.

I am awaiting the results for my 120 test roll. I'll post the info when i get the call that its back to the Springfield store.

Again, the reason I posted this thread was to alert the members who use Walmart, since I have been reading for years about their use. Whether you agree with their business model or not I think the members should know that using them may risk their original photo documentation.

[charjohncarter]

Originally Posted by ray*j*gun

I am awaiting the results for my 120 test roll. I'll post the info when i get the call that its back to the Springfield store.

Again, the reason I posted this thread was to alert the members who use Walmart, since I have been reading for years about their use. Whether you agree with their business model or not I think the members should know that using them may risk their original photo documentation.

The first time I went to a Wal-Mart in the US was to have 120 developed. I read on RFF that they did it. Supposedly, they send to Fuji America, but they are still full of dust so I'm going mail order.