Usually I mail my film to a lab, but I'm super impatient about getting at least a few rolls processed, and Costco (which hires decent photo techs) needs a part which will take at least another week.

Do you think 1 Hr process at Target, or CVS, or god forbid, Walmart would be okay? Do any of you entrust theses fully automated systems to not fuck up your photos and do a decent job? Or is it a waste of money. It's all high quality film, and it's stuff I'd be pretty disappointed if it looked shoddy due to poor processing. Just pic CD, I dont need prints

Don't do it! I have heard too many stories (and seen too many bad results).

I've had bad experiences at Walgreens and Safeway. The techs aren't that great usually- the quality of scans I've gotten are pretty poor. Awful colour and contrast which is generally the fault of the tech- I'm guessing they just set the scanner to fully automatic and don't adjust much if anything. Even when I've just had negatives developed I've gotten them back scratched.

Posted by Quarantine Even when I've just had negatives developed I've gotten them back scratched.

This. At this point most labs use automatic machines just like the big chains, so processing is going to look the same regardless of where you go, the big difference is that the labs know what they are doing and care about quality. Every single chain I've dropped off at (Ritz Camera, Walgreens and CVS) has returned my negatives scratched more than once. I'd rather bring my 35mm to the lab I get my medium format developed at and pay $2 more to know that they are in competent hands than get another fucked up roll.

hey.
i actually work at walgreens, in the photo lab.
i know what i am doing to almost better than people who have worked their longer than me. you can get pretty nice quality here, as long as chemicals are clean and proper, and the auto adjustments are corrected.
i say almost because mixing chemicals and other such non regular maintenances is something that (at the fault of the corporate minded managers) non photo department managers dont have the time or need to learn.
but as for messing with the software functions, and developing negatives, and cutting them and caring for them, i do the best i can with tools available, because i do my stuff here too. even medium format, haaah. (for people who obviously dont give a shit or know the difference though, i am to an extent, likewise.) but i will tell you that no matter how good i may be, i can only be as good as the equipment there. and believe it or not, the fuji frontier 340 is better than the fuji nexlabs that the newer walgreens' are getting installed. but the 340 does pull the whole role of negatives through the machine and naturally scratches can occur. we dust inside of there, and clean. the software is completely shitty though. i never adjust contrast in peoples film rolls, and rarely on my own. especially when i see the contrast fine in other shots. if you get c-41 b&w film processed and its terrible, it could be because the tech didnt set the computer for monochrome film. and you should tell them to do so. also, if you dont want them to cut your negatives, be ready to have scratched negatives. sadly idiots wont cut the frames right, but you might want then to stick close by during the finish time to get your negatives to cut yourself.
as for developing negatives themselves, there arent any adjustments. you get what you get, pretty much. these labs, moreso the negative film developers, arent created for artists, they are for the mass consumer wielding disposable cameras, who dont know nor care what the fuck kind of quality comes of this, as long as they have their kids birthday party images, etc.

As tacky as it sounds, walmart is my way to go.

First thing to do though is be nice to the lab tech's. after a while they'll start to really care about your film. Even show them the photos and let them know the back stories. Trust me it helps. One thing to remember is that they have some control on how the print comes out, they can adjust the brightness and contrast as well as the color balance (sometimes).

I have all my C41 film developed there using their one-hour service and have yet to experience any major problems.

As for Tri-X or anything like that, a local shop is the way to go. Even some community college art departments will have dark rooms you could use. Just be nice.

Before taking your film anywhere to get processed ask how often they change the chemicals in the machine. If they don't even know the answer to that don't walk away, run.

I have a few photo student friends that work at CVS or Walgreens and they make sure the chemicals get changed regularly and they also made the machine accept 120. It all depends on the store itself but the odds are that you are going to get someone handling your negatives improperly also risking getting scratched and dust on them.

Are there any professional labs in your area that do 1hour photo? After calling around I found a lab that does 1hour 120 color negative for $4 a roll (negs only). It's the same price as CVS but guaranteed to have no problems.

I have Thatwhichisi do all my 35mm and 120 at walgreens. As has been said already, if the person running the machine is good, the results are good. I would just do it. but go to rite-aid. Its only 2 or 3 bucks.

Posted by Adv.Pack but go to rite-aid. Its only 2 or 3 bucks.

DON"T go to rite-aid. The roll on the left is developed correctly at walgreens. The roll on the right was done at rite-aid yesterday. I'm SO pissed.

Posted by Adv.Pack DON"T go to rite-aid. The roll on the left is developed correctly at walgreens. The roll on the right was done at rite-aid yesterday. I'm SO pissed. http://i574.photob...Kiely/_MG_9709.jpg

Ouch man, ouch. I just had a rather disappointing experience with some film I took to a pro lab and paid pro lab prices to have processed. Which goes to show you that even the good labs can fuck up

Was this a controlled test?

If shooting film it's typically B&W and I process it, but when I've shot color everything I've taken to rong-aid for development has looked like crap, everything. I don't go in thinking this will be the time they get it right anymore.

Posted by dead_light First thing to do though is be nice to the lab tech's. after a while they'll start to really care about your film. Even show them the photos and let them know the back stories. Trust me it helps.

This in general. The lab I usually bring my film to (C41 and E6 only, b/w I currently develop myself at my place of employ in the darkroom there), I shoot the breeze with the employees, most know me by name and can spell my last name without asking. When I get big prints done there, I've found notes on them from the techs. The store manager also just calls me "The Film Guy"

I kn ow this is an old post.

When dealing with outside developers, I never do the one hour thing, had too many rolls ruined. But when trying a new shop for professional developing, I always take a roll or two of scrap shots that I blow off, just to test how this place works. If I don't like their results, I do not deal with them. And yes I have found a few that I will not deal with.

In Japan, I use nothing but Fuji Lab DPE process. 45 min turn around, scanned to CD for JPY1000. Same process, same perfect results, every time. Neko.