C-41 120 Processing at Walmart Jan 2013

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ME Super

I shoot E-6 primarily, and when Wal-Mart stopped returning negatives, I decided I could no longer trust them to return my slides. I would be very upset if I shot slide film and ended up with scans and prints but no slides.

---

My last attempt (about a month ago) to process 135 E-6 through Walmart was ok, other than the wait. Mine were mounted, as requested. I don't know what if they would sleeve 135 per request or not.

I haven't tried anything other than 120 C-41 and 135 E-6. However, based on feedback here and elsewhere (photo.net and maybe one other) with people that have used the services, it seems that the only consistent trouble is around 135 C-41 processing. Which is still sad.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Apugabug

..... it seems that the only consistent trouble is around 135 C-41 processing. Which is still sad.

---

thats because it is the only film they process in-house, everything else is sent to dwaynes in kansas.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ME Super

I fail to see how this saves transportation costs since the same courier that picks up the film can also drop off the negatives. Unless of course they're not using their own couriers, but using a shipping company like UPS. This also sounds like a "Wal-Mart cutting corners" not a Fuji cutting corners because IIRC, Meijers (which also uses Fuji) has no sign out about negatives not being returned.

I shoot E-6 primarily, and when Wal-Mart stopped returning negatives, I decided I could no longer trust them to return my slides. I would be very upset if I shot slide film and ended up with scans and prints but no slides. Fortunately a camera store opened not far from where I work and they now get all my E-6, and they do B&W too. In half the time as Wal-Mart/Fuji.

---

E6 and BW (120/135) and 120 C41 will be returned. I've sent through Walmart and got them back several times in the past several weeks.

It's only 135 C41 films that will not be returned. Your slides will come back safely

i just got off the phone with someone at fujilabs ...
the plant in greenwood processes the drop off film for
nearly the whole country ... there isn't a courier that picks up / drops off
the film any more, it is done via fed ex.
the person i spoke with said that if you live near a RITE AID pharmacy they
will return your negatives, wallmart, samsclub &c won't. she also said
that as of feb 1 2013 they will no longer have a 120 service.
35mm E6 will still be processed through dwaynes, and slides will be returned
it is just C41 that they discard the negatives, and upload --- >>print+burn cd's
at the store-location.

she also said they ( fuji ) does not have a process only service and that you could
refuse the prints at the store when you pick up the prints + negatives ( rite aid ) ...

sounds like it is almost time to buy a few press kits and process film oneself,
use a local processor, send out to dwaynes, or wherever you want, to bypass fuji altogether.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by jnanian

... the person i spoke with said that if you live near a RITE AID pharmacy they
will return your negatives, wallmart, samsclub &c won't.

---

Did you explore this further... is this Fuji decision or the retailers decision? I'd bet that it is a retailer choice.

I'm just not moved by any of this. They fully disclose that they will not return your negatives. So don't use them! If they informed you after the fact, yes, that would be bad. But they don't. In fact, it sounds like they're very upfront about it.

Target and Costco still process 35mm and do return the negatives. And they're priced comparably.

This throwaway service strikes me as one for casual shooters who use disposable cameras or have never "upgraded" to digital. They're just as happy to receive digital prints and/or files.

I don't like the idea of negatives going in the garbage either. But they're not my negatives, and they don't have to be yours.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by BrianShaw

Did you explore this further... is this Fuji decision or the retailers decision? I'd bet that it is a retailer choice.

---

it was a mutual decision ...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by jnanian

she also said
that as of feb 1 2013 they will no longer have a 120 service.

---

jnanian: Thank you for the info! Which number do you use to contact Fujilab?
(This news is bad for me. I need to find alternatives for my 120 films.)

Our local Target and Costco no longer process film. A few Walgreens here still do; some don't.