[LRflex] Re: A lesson in dealing with loss - CVS stops in-store film processing in California ;-(
- From: Richard Ward <ilovaussiesheps@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: "leicareflex@xxxxxxxxxxxxx" <leicareflex@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Sun, 8 Apr 2012 18:40:47 -0400
The end is definitely close for easy access c-41 processing, though.
If a local retailer can make more from the square footage by using it for high
volume digital printers, it will make that change.
When film production has fallen like itnhas and caused such narrowing of
product lines and has become a niche product rather than the default product
then the days of easy access to film processing are coming to an end.
Oddly enough, easy acess to digital printing kiosks will likely long outlast
the film processing equipment that used to sit right next to it in pharmacies
and stores across the country and the world.
RW
_____________________________________
My Sarcasm Fu Is Strong,
Proceed With Caution. :-)
_____________________________________
On Apr 8, 2012, at 5:56 PM, Robert Meier <robertmeier@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> Walmart still does 1-hour processing.
>
>
> On Apr 8, 2012, at 2:48 PM, LEICAFLEX wrote:
>
>> I used to take C-41 film processing for granted. Until yesterday.
>>
>> There were 3 CVS stores near my house that I would drop off a roll or
>> more on a whim and return in an hour or so, with developed negatives
>> and a CDROM with high enough resolution for emails to friends/family,
>> and posting on the web. In fact, almost all of my pictures posted on
>> www.travelife.com (URL forwards to LUG albums) were shot on film, then
>> sent through a local CVS for processing. London, Stone Henge, Pisa,
>> Firenze, Hangzhou, hiking trails on the SF peninsula, other local
>> scenes, etc., all these were run through the same process, and it
>> became part of my photographic lifestyle.
>>
>> The CVS employee at the photo counter told me in a sullen and
>> matter-of-fact way yesterday that inhouse processing ended in March,
>> and it now costs $9.99 plus tax for them to send of your roll to an
>> outside lab - a CDROM, prints and neg's come back to your mailbox in 7
>> to 14 days. My heart not only sank, it flew out of the window. The
>> mail order reference email is ansco.services@xxxxxxxxx on the receipt,
>> it sounds like a startup since they don't even have their own email
>> domain.....wonder if anyone has any experience with this? CVS told me
>> the chemicals for film processing is considered hazardous, and other
>> chains like Walgreens will also stop processing soon.
>>
>> The real reason for posting this thread is to document and share my
>> utter surprise, it is like my doctor telling me that I have a chronic
>> ailment that only now has symptoms that are a signal of my fast
>> approaching demise. I feel this way because of the attachment I have
>> to film.....even though 95% or more of my photography is digital these
>> days. I didn't feel this way about how LP records giving way to CD's.
>> Perhaps it is the realization that my collection of Leica bodies (SM,
>> M and R) will become museum pieces sooner rather than later. It will
>> also lower the probability of (i) me shooting film due to the
>> inconvenience, and (ii) selling film bodies (like a Leica R7) off at a
>> good price since everyone else faces the same inconvenience. I
>> understand our friends in Europe had experienced this shut down of
>> film processing outlets several years ago, and we in the US have been
>> lucky without knowing it until now.
>>
>> So I have done a bit of venting to our fellow photographers - forgive
>> me. Has anyone come across a smart and economical compromise to keep
>> shooting film without having to drive across town (or a different
>> town) to drop off and collect one's results? In other words, if mail
>> order is the only way for C-41 to survive, which service is best for
>> the buck?
>>
>> Lastly, it may be a piece of sad news for me on Easter weekend, but it
>> only makes the cross heavier that Kodak has to bear. I hope Kodak can
>> survive their restructuring, this certainly does not help.
>>
>> Eric Chan
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