In the age of digital photography, the charm of film photography remains influential among enthusiasts, pushing many to seek out local film developing services. With traditional film processing stores becoming rare, various independent film labs in Los Angeles and Orange County have emerged as popular options for film photographers looking to engage with their craft and community.
One notable location is Powell Camera Shop located at 160 West Badillo Street, Covina, CA 91723. General Assignment Reporter Destiny Torres is a frequent visitor to this San Gabriel Valley shop. Powell specializes in developing both standard 35mm and medium format 120mm films, offering C-41 and E-6 processing options.
For those wondering about costs, the store charges $9.99 for developing negatives alone. If customers desire color digital scans and prints, the price ranges from $15 to $20. Black and white scans paired with prints cost between $22 and $32, according to manager Frankie Barron.
The turnaround time for developing is approximately one week, and walk-ins are encouraged, as Powell rarely accepts mail-in negatives. They send the film out to professional developers at Swan Photo Labs in San Clemente.
Another well-known film lab is Samy’s Camera, specifically at 1759 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91106. AirTalk producer Lucy Copp recommends Samy’s Camera, known for its extensive camera selection and processing services. The shop handles a variety of film formats, including 35mm, medium format 120mm, and even large format types like 4×5 and 8×10.
The prices at Samy’s Camera are reasonably structured, with 35mm color film processing at $6 per roll and black and white at $8. Scans for 35mm and 120mm color films start from $12 for low resolution, increasing to $25 for high resolution. Customers can choose to have their prints developed as well, which adds an additional charge ranging from $9.96 to $13.73 depending on the number of exposures.
Processing time can vary, with negatives typically returned within two to five business days. Prints and scans generally take about a week to ten days. Samy’s Camera has drop-off locations in Santa Ana, Pasadena, and Fairfax, where negatives are sent to their Fairfax photo lab for development.
For those exploring Little Tokyo, Analog Photomart at 416 E 2nd St., Los Angeles, CA 90012 has caught the eye of Major Gifts Officer Malka Fenyvesi. This shop, which opened about a year ago, handles color, black and white, and slide films in both 35mm and 120mm formats.
The development costs at Analog Photomart are set at $9 for negatives alone. For scans, prices range from $15 for low resolution to $23 for high resolution. Black and white film development costs a dollar more. Furthermore, the pricing for prints is $12 for 35mm and $6 for 120mm.
Turnaround time at Analog Photomart is approximately three to four business days for scans, around one week for negatives, and up to ten days for prints. The shop strictly accepts in-store drop-offs and does not engage in online business.
Berry Flash Photo Lab, located at 11445 Jefferson Blvd., Culver City, CA 90230, is a Westside favorite among AirTalk Senior Producer Lindsey Wright, who used to frequent Samy’s. Berry Flash offers services for both color and black and white films in 35mm and 120mm formats. They even process negatives-only for 110mm film.
At Berry Flash, 35mm color processing is offered at $9.99, with 120mm at $14.99. If consumers want scans along with negatives, it costs $19.99 for social share-friendly scans and starts at $24.99 for higher resolutions. Adding prints incurs an extra $10 charge.
Typical turnaround time at Berry Flash is around two to three business days for color negatives and can take up to ten days for black and white. Mail-in services are also available at Berry Flash Photo Lab, with a designated P.O. Box for sending film.
Moving towards Long Beach, Tuttle Cameras at 5467 E. Carson St., Long Beach, CA 90808 is another beloved spot. AirTalk associate producer Manny Valladares appreciates the combined offerings of film developing and gear at this location. Tuttle Cameras processes 35mm, 120mm, and 110mm films, covering color, black & white, and slides.
Developing 35mm film at Tuttle costs $8.25, and scans are priced at $18.50, with larger scans costing extra. Printing varies between $12 and $18, depending on the number of exposures.
The development process is fairly quick, with negatives and scans typically ready within one to three days, depending on the day of the week. Tuttle facilitates both drop-off and mail-in services, partnering with Fromex for film processing.
Bill’s Camera, located at 6022 Warner Ave., Huntington Beach, CA 92647, has established itself as a staple in Orange County since 1971. Lab manager Josh Ventura confirms that they can develop all color film formats, including 35mm, 120mm, and APS.
For costs, developing 35mm negatives is $6.50, while 120mm options are $7.50. Adding scans raises the price to $13.95 for 35mm and $14.90 for 120mm. Including prints will be an additional $13 to $16, depending on the format.
Bill’s Camera boasts a quick turnaround, with 35mm films ready in 24 hours and 120mm in two days. Customers can also mail in their negatives, with all color film processing taking place on-site.
Finally, The Frida Cinema, home to Harvey Film Lab at 305 E 4th St #100, Santa Ana, CA 92701, offers a unique experience of combining film development with art-house cinema. This one-person operation provides services for 35mm and 120mm films, featuring both color and black & white options.
Basic scanning for 35mm starts at $14.70, which includes returning the negatives, while printing incurs an extra $14.99.
Film is exclusively developed on-site, with a timeframe of one to seven business days for processing. Customers can utilize mail-in services or drop off their film while enjoying a movie at The Frida Cinema.
These independent film developing shops in Los Angeles and Orange County cater to a variety of needs and preferences, providing photographers with not just development services, but also a space to celebrate and connect with the art of film photography. So grab your camera and get those films developed to relive the charm of analog photography.
image source from：laist
