There are quite a few places where you can develop 35mm film. You might be surprised at just how many! To make things a bit easier for you, we’ve narrowed it down to six of our favorite locations in the United States. We’ve also included some helpful hints so that you can enjoy developing your film and not worry about the unexpected.
Here are our favorite places to develop 35mm film:
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At home
There’s a reason that so many people choose to develop their own film at home these days, and that’s because it offers a certain level of freedom that can’t be replicated at other locations. You can set your own schedule and experiment with different chemicals until you find something you like. That’s a freedom that you won’t have if you use a professional lab.
However, there are a few things you should keep in mind if you’re planning to develop your 35mm film at home:
- Check all of the necessary equipment. This includes everything from your 35mm film, to developing chemicals, to everything else necessary for the process, including the right kind of thermometer and measuring cup set. Make sure that everything you need is in working order.
- Make sure that your workspace is completely dark! If your place doesn’t have blacked out windows, it might be worth investing in some blackout curtains or even drapes to cover the windows and make sure that you can keep it completely dark during the entire process. A small amount of light could ruin all of your photos, so making sure you can develop in total darkness is essential.
- Have your film processed by a professional lab. The film that is developed at home may not always be completely finished or even properly processed, which could lead to all kinds of problems down the road.
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At a professional lab
There are many professional labs you can go to that are equipped with the right kinds of equipment to develop 35mm Film. Typically, the process is just as simple and straightforward as developing at home, but with nicer surroundings and a private space in which to develop your film.
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At a commercial lab
There are quite a few countless commercial labs that are located all across the country, so it’s easy to find one near you. Most of them use some kind of automated process that helps make developing the film as simple and inexpensive as possible, so the process is more efficient than it would be if you were doing it at home. These kinds of labs typically cost just a few bucks to develop your film, so it may not cost much more than if you were developing at home.
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At a retail photo lab
Another place where you can develop 35mm Film is at a retail photo lab. You’ll typically see these kinds of labs at shopping malls and other public places, although some people have them in their homes as well. When you use a retail photo lab, there are typically other shoppers milling about and even staff that work in the store, but it’s not nearly as private or quiet as it would be if you were using another type of lab.
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At a “Picture Me” studio
If you want the convenience of having some stranger take your picture with the different poses, props and backdrops that are offered at “Picture Me” studios, then this is a great place to go. They have everything from simple sets to exotic locations that you can use to create professional-looking images of yourself.
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At a “one hour photo” store
If you are looking for an inexpensive option to develop your 35mm Film, then you might want to check out a “one hour photo” store. Most of them also offer other types of film processing as well, but they’re usually cheaper than commercial labs and many retail photo labs. You usually can get the film back within a day, which makes it easy to keep track of where your pictures are at if you need them quickly.
The Takeaway
Whether you decide to develop your film at home, or you choose to go somewhere else, it’s always a good idea to start out with the right kind of equipment and chemicals. Doing so will ensure that you get the most out of your photos and help you avoid costly mistakes.
We hope you’ve enjoyed this article on Where To Develop 35mm Film. If you have any questions about developing 35mm Film or just want to share your favorite place for developing film, leave a comment below! We’d love to hear from you.