Have you ever looked through the viewfinder of a film camera and felt the rush of excitement as you pressed the shutter? If so, you might be one of many film photography enthusiasts keen to understand the cost to develop film. Film development is a fascinating process, transforming exposed film into negatives or slides that can be printed or scanned.
The cost of film developing can differ greatly, depending on factors like the film type, film length, service quality, and location of the film lab.
In this piece, we’ll dive into the factors influencing film developing cost and review some of the top places to get your film developed in 2023.
A Look at Different Film Types and Development Processes
One of the crucial aspects impacting the cost of developing film is the type of film and the corresponding development process.
The table below summarizes some of the characteristics and costs of different types of film and development processes:
| Type | Process | Cost per roll | Cost per shot |
|---|---|---|---|
| Color negative (35mm) | C-41 | $10-$20 | $0.28-$0.56 |
| Black and white negative (35mm) | D-76/HC-110/Rodinal/etc. | $15-$25 | $0.42-$0.70 |
| Color slide (35mm) | E-6 | $20-$30 | $0.56-$0.84 |
| Instant (Polaroid/Instax) | Self-contained | $15-$25 | $0.75-$1.25 |
To better understand these variables, we’ll explore the characteristics and costs of the most popular film types.
The Versatility of Color Negative Film
Color negative film is commonly preferred for everyday photography. It produces inverted images with complementary colors, which can be corrected and printed on color paper or scanned and edited digitally.
This film type uses a standard process known as C-41, known for its wide availability and relative affordability. When considering the develop film cost for color negatives, expect to spend between $10 and $20 per 35mm roll.
With an average of 36 exposures per roll, this averages out to a film developing cost of $0.28-$0.56 per shot.
The Artistry of Black and White Negative Film
Black and white negative film is a favorite for artistic and documentary photography. It produces monochrome images with a broad range of tones and contrasts, perfect for printing on black and white paper or scanning and editing digitally.
Development processes for this film type can vary, using methods like D-76, HC-110, Rodinal, etc., depending on the film’s brand and model. Some black and white films can also undergo C-41 processing, but these are less common and tend to yield lower quality.
The cost of developing film in black and white typically falls between $15 and $25 per 35mm roll or $0.42-$0.70 per shot.
The Precision of Color Slide Film
Color slide film is a popular choice among professional and high-end photographers. It produces positive images with vibrant colors and high resolution, making it an excellent choice for projection on a screen or scanning and editing digitally.
The more complex E-6 process required for this film type is less available and tends to be more costly than C-41. Therefore, you may find the develop film cost for color slides ranging from $20 to $30 per 35mm roll or $0.56-$0.84 per shot.
The Instant Gratification of Instant Film
Instant film, which creates immediate prints without the need for development, offers a unique, self-contained chemical process activated when the film is ejected from the camera.
Despite its convenience and fun factor, it does come with a higher film developing cost per shot and often lower quality than other types of film. The cost to develop this type of film typically falls between $15 and $25 per pack, translating to $0.75-$1.25 per shot, given an average of 20 shots per pack.
While these costs provide a general idea, the film development prices are subject to change based on specific brands and film models. To learn more about the digitization process once your film is developed, check out our article on how to scan negatives.
Understanding Factors That Impact Film Development Costs
Beyond the type and development process of the film, other elements can influence the develop film price. These include:
Length of Film
The film developing cost is directly proportional to the length of the film: the longer the film, the more exposures it has, and the higher the cost. For instance, a 24-exposure roll of color negative film might cost around $10 to develop, while a 36-exposure roll could cost approximately $15.
Quality of Service
The develop film price is also dependent on the quality of the service. This refers to factors like how well the lab handles your film, the accuracy of their color correction, their delivery speed, etc. A high-quality service might be more expensive than a low-quality one but can offer superior results and customer satisfaction.
Location of the Film Lab
The film lab’s location can influence their overhead costs such as rent, utilities, and taxes, subsequently affecting the film development prices. For example, a local film lab might be cheaper than an online or out-of-town lab, but it might also have less capacity or expertise. In contrast, an online or out-of-town lab might be pricier but can offer more convenience or specialization.
Let’s dive into some of the most affordable and best places to develop film in 2023, considering these factors.
Affordable Options for Film Development in 2023
If the cost of developing 35mm film is a primary concern for you, consider these options:
Walmart
Walmart is one of the most affordable places to develop color negative film (C-41) in person. They charge around $10-$14 per roll, depending on the film length, and can often process your film within an hour.
Although they don’t develop black and white or slide film, they do offer prints and scans of your images. However, keep in mind that the quality and consistency might vary between stores and staff.
London Drugs
London Drugs is a Canadian retailer with a Photolab offering film development services. Expect to pay around $15-$20 per roll, depending on the film type and length.
Not only can they process color negative, black and white, and slide film, they also offer digitization of old photos, slides, and negatives, alongside prints and scans of your images. Select locations feature on-site film processors that can process your film in an hour, while other locations offer a 7-10 day service.
The Photography Professor
The Photography Professor is an online film lab offering high-quality film development services for color negative, black and white, and slide film.
For a cost of around $15-$25 per roll (depending on the film type and length), they include high-resolution scans of your images with every order and offer prints, enlargements, and custom services upon request. With a turnaround time of 2-3 days, they ship your negatives and scans right to your doorstep.
Premium Options for Film Development in 2023
If you’re willing to invest more for premium results, consider these film development services:
The Darkroom
The Darkroom is an online film lab offering professional film development services for color negative, black and white, and slide film.
For a cost of around $12-$18 per roll (depending on the film type and length), they include standard scans of your images with every order. They also offer advanced scans, prints, enlargements, push/pull processing, cross-processing, and more for additional costs. With a turnaround time of 3-4 days, they ship your negatives and scans right to your doorstep.
Richard Photo Lab
Richard Photo Lab is a premium online film lab serving professionals and enthusiasts alike. They offer the highest quality film development services for color negative, black and white, and slide film.
While their services start at $16-$22 per roll (depending on the film type and length), they also provide a range of add-ons like advanced scans, prints, enlargements, push/pull processing, etc., for additional costs. Expect a turnaround time of 2-4 days for color and 3-5 days for black and white.
Indie Film Lab
Indie Film Lab is a boutique online film lab that offers hand-processed film development services. They cater to color negative, black and white, and slide film with a personalized touch. For a cost of around $20-$30 per roll (depending on the film type and length), they include standard scans of your images with every order.
They also offer advanced scans, prints, enlargements, push/pull processing, etc., for additional costs. The turnaround time is around 7-10 days, ensuring the utmost care for your film.
The Best Places for Film Development in Major U.S. Cities in 2023
For those living in major U.S. cities, here are a few places where you can get your film developed:
- If you’re in Houston, check out the best film developing labs in Houston
- If you’re in Atlanta, GA, explore the best film developing labs in Atlanta, GA
- If you’re in Dallas, TX, discover the best film developing labs in Dallas, TX
Conclusion
As you can see, the cost to develop 35mm film and other film types depends on several factors such as the type of film, the development process, the length of the film, the quality of the service, and the location of the film lab.
Remember, the cost to develop film is just one part of the equation—finding a film lab that understands your needs and delivers quality results is just as important. So whether you’re a seasoned professional or a budding hobbyist, we hope this guide helps you navigate the world of film development with ease.
Happy shooting and developing!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the cost to develop color negative film?
Color negative film typically costs between $10 and $20 per 35mm roll to develop, which translates to an average cost of $0.28-$0.56 per shot.
2. How much does it cost to develop black and white negative film?
Black and white negative film usually costs between $15 and $25 per 35mm roll to develop, making the average cost per shot between $0.42-$0.70.
3. What is the cost of developing color slide film?
Color slide film generally costs between $20 to $30 per 35mm roll to develop, averaging $0.56-$0.84 per shot.
4. How much does it cost to develop instant film?
Instant film, which provides immediate prints, tends to be more costly to develop, with costs falling between $15 and $25 per pack or $0.75-$1.25 per shot.
5. Where can I get my film developed affordably?
Affordable places to develop film include Walmart, London Drugs, and The Photography Professor. Each of these places has different costs and services, so it’s recommended to check their individual websites for precise information.
Neil Slater is a photographer, blogger, and passionate advocate of film development and camera technology. With a keen eye for detail and a talent for storytelling, Neil captures life’s fleeting moments through his lens.
He combines stunning imagery with captivating narratives, inspiring fellow photographers and readers alike. With a love for analog photography, Neil spends hours in his darkroom, meticulously developing film to reveal hidden stories. His exploration of various camera models, from vintage classics to modern marvels, fuels his creative vision.
As an educator, Neil shares his knowledge and empowers others to embark on their own photographic journeys. Through his work, Neil invites us to see the world through a unique lens and discover the beauty in everyday moments.