Comments on: Where to develop underwater camera film?

Question: Where to develop underwater camera film?

roxie110 — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 09:46:28 -0800

Where should I get my underwater camera film developed in San Francisco (or by mail, if there's a good option)?

I bought one of those cheap underwater cameras for a trip to Mexico, but don't really want to get it developed at a drug store like Walgreens or Rite Aid. But because it's a cheap camera, there are probably only a few good photos on there, and I don't want to spend a fortune for 20 blurry fishlike photos. Any suggestions for a happy medium? Thanks!

By: rhizome

rhizome — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 10:25:30 -0800

There's a place at Church & Market, I think it's called "Photoworks" that does lab-quality prints. I had some 8x10 enlargements done there and they came out beautifully. They can also do contact sheets so you don't have to get prints of everything before you decide what you want to keep.

By: Fuzzy Skinner

Fuzzy Skinner — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 11:00:04 -0800

You could also have WalMart/Walgreens/whomever develop the film and make a CD for around $5. You can then view the photos on your computer and order prints of only those you want.

By: kidsleepy

kidsleepy — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 11:46:50 -0800

Usually you can develop a whole roll at a WalMart/Target/drugstore place, and then give back the blurries and only keep and pay for the ones you like. At least, this has been my experience.

By: otherwordlyglow

otherwordlyglow — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 11:56:38 -0800

Yes, Photoworks.

By: judith

judith — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 12:03:31 -0800

Photoworks is great, but Walgreens is actually surprisingly good too, at a fraction of the price. I've been developing film there for the past few years, on a tip from a pretty serious photographer pal, and been pleased with the results.

By: MiltonRandKalman

MiltonRandKalman — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 15:34:54 -0800

Costco can also give great results when you go to their website and use their printer profiles. But Photoworks are the pros.

By: Fuzzy Skinner

Fuzzy Skinner — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 17:21:31 -0800

I actually use Costco for all my printing. They do a highly professional job, as good as or better than some professional labs I have used. I especially like the "do not color correct" option when requesting prints. I've already done my corrections, and the prints look exactly as I expect them to, every time, even with black and white files. It's the main reason I keep my membership there.

But... if you don't have a membership, then the above mentioned places are good too, especially for snapshots like you seem to have.

(Does this mean we get to see the photos? Hmmmm????)

By: roxie110

roxie110 — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 09:25:22 -0800

wow! thanks for all the responses. judith--which walgreens do you go to? i'm sure the quality differs... or do they all send them out to the same place?

By: judith

judith — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 13:54:45 -0800

I've used the one at Castro & 18th and the one in the Diamond Heights Safeway and the one at Sansome & Sutter. I've heard the one in Cole Valley is good as well. They do them in each store separately, so the equipment probably does vary, but I've found them all pretty comparable.

By: roxie110

roxie110 — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 16:50:10 -0800

thanks again! i'm not a costco member, so i'll check out photoworks and if it's too pricey, walgreens it will be.

By: roxie110

roxie110 — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 10:23:56 -0800

followup... i went to the walgreens at bush/sansome finally... but as it turned out there were only a few photos that came out--literally 5 or 6--and three of those were ABOVE water. oh well! don't know if it was a problem with the camera, not enough light, or waited too long to develop... thanks for your help, though!