Where to go for developing.

[63strat]

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Does it make a difference where you get C41 processed? (Not including scanning.) I can take, say a roll of Portra 800, to my local Walgreen's where they use a FUJIFILM FP363 machine, or the alternative is driving an extra 10 miles to Rich Photo Lab in Hollywood.

 

I took a roll of Portra 400 to Walgreens and the results were good, but I'm not sure if the Fuji machine they use can develop higher speed film. The photo guy there couldn't answer the question (said it was all automatic -- not sure what that means).

 

Thanks.

Edited May 15, 2013 by 63strat

[Michael Hiles]

If the operator maintains the machine and follows the directions, any C41 machine should produce the same results. The chemistry is standard.

 

I take my Ilford XP2 to my local Walmart and the results are always fine.

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[63strat]

Thanks, so any C41 machine you might find in drugstores should be able to handle high speed films too (800 & 1600)?

[Hugh 38]

I have found a similar situation here in London . If they operator knows what they are doing , great . You can have a sophisticated machine and no one at the shop knows how to use it , or is interested. Then you can find a good operator who then leaves the shop and you have to start looking around again.

[Michael Hiles]

Thanks, so any C41 machine you might find in drugstores should be able to handle high speed films too (800 & 1600)?

 

Yes. The process is standard (i.e. not film specific).

 

Hugh 38 makes a good point. My local Walmart has a dedicated Photo area managed by someone who cares about doing a good job. So he maintains the machine, and is careful. He gets enough volume that he can still do C41, although most of his business is helping people manipulate their SD cards in the "do it yourself" print machines.