alright, so, i am relatively new to this whole film photography business, and i have some anxieties about selecting/sending film by mail to get developed. i apologize if these might be basic questions, but i would rather get them off the table and stimulate a new forum (literally a new forum) of discussion instead of ruminating about them—or instead of doing something about the stuff in my fridge!

do i need a special package for it? do i need to protect it in some special way inside the package? i’m obviously going to be taking good precaution of packing, but i know the stuff is sensitive to heat and radiation, so it’d just be good to know i’m not missing a critical step in sending it in an airplane across the US or something lol.

what film lab have you had good experience with? or is there any place you would recommend? my current selection is reformed film lab, but i’m still open to any input.

thank you for your time.

  • Phillip J PhryEnglish
    3•2 years ago

    Any padded envelope should be fine.

    I send mine to The Darkroom, and they give you a pre-paid mailer when they send your negatives back, so I just use that. It’s basically just a plastic bag with an adhesive strip, no padding at all. Works fine, I haven’t had an issue.

    Film isn’t so sensitive to heat that it just dies, that’s mostly a concern over the span of months to years. And even the radiation from being on a plane won’t hurt it. It won’t get x-rayed through regular mail either, so you’re good there.

  • @iamlythEnglish
    3•2 years ago

    If you’re in the US I just use those bubble wrap mailers and toss them in there. It’ll be fine.

    I’d go for local if it’s an option. But when I mail (slide film typically) I always do Dwayne’s Photo in Parsons Kansas.

  • @[email protected]English
    2•1 year ago

    Late reply better than never!

    No special consideration needed really. I usually toss my 35mm film back in the containers it came in, and those go in a bubble mailer. Your lab will have additional instructions as to what what to include.

    Any less than ideal conditions your film will encounter are generally pretty short and won’t mess up your film. Don’t store film in a hot place, but taking your camera on a beach day doesn’t ruin it in one go.

    I use Canadian Film Lab for my colour stuff. They do good work, but at a premium though. They’re local ish to be so I suggest finding somewhere local that works for you to support.

    Try not to be intimidated by the process. It’s supposed to be fun, and even though mistakes happen and disappointments are inevitable, learn from them and get that next roll going!

  • clb92
    1•2 years ago

    I just order development from the lab’s website and print out a note with my order number and contact information.
    I then put the film in a canister and put that in a small cardboard box, along with the order information and some light newspaper padding, and send it to the lab’s address. No air transport needed for packages here, as my country is quite small, so I can’t comment on any special precautions. After a couple days they receive it, develop, scan and send me a mail with a download link, and then send the negatives back to me, if I ordered that.

  • @TiamoEnglish
    1•2 years ago

    Is it hard to get film developed in the US? In The Netherlands I can take it to a regular drug store and get same or next day development for a couple euros.