Cheaper Photo Developing

Does anyone know of a less expensive way to get film developed? I spend $8 per roll last week.
Becky B.

I run a photography co-operative, and the question of finding cheap color developing comes up a lot. Unfortunately, it is difficult to reduce the cost of developing color film without effecting the quality. I know of several ways to develop film:

1. Clark and York photo have the cheapest development. Their advertising and developing envelopes are often in the box when you order from another company. They usually charge about $3 or $4 for a roll of 36 exposures, plus about 75 cents postage. You mail it off, and it takes a week to get it back. I consider the quality poor, but it is acceptable for many people. It is worth trying. You can request their mailers from www.clarkcolor.com and www.yorkphoto.com.
   
   
2. Kodak, Fuji, and other film companies make pre-paid developing mailers, too. Large photo supply companies (like Porter's) sell these for about $5 to $8. Two-way postage is included. You just pop your film in and mail it. These companies will only develop their own film. The quality is excellent. You can get mailers for slide film, too.
   
   
3. Try drug stores, K-Mart, mall photo stores, etc. You know about these. Prices are moderate, quality is average.
   
   
4. Professional photographer's stores. Just because it is a camera store does not mean it fits in to this category. Look for a store where they color-balance each individual shot. This will be the place where professional photographers go. The quality can't be beat with these stores, and I feel they are the best value, even though you may pay about $12. You pay only for the shots that come out. I once opened up the back of my camera after shooting my friend's wedding. A store like this saved all but 3 of my shots. No other kind of store can.
   
   

This suggestion sounds like it goes against the frugality mindset, but bear with me. I went through a great deal of film which got very expensive. I decided hi-tech was the best option and got a digital camera. The newest ones take pictures that are almost indistinguishable from film when printed. You can even get free prints when you sign up with ofoto. www.ofoto.com

If you have a computer that can handle it, and are willing to put down a bit more up front, you'll save a great deal down the road. Since getting my camera, I have taken over 3000 pictures (about 83 rolls of film) and that has saved at least $650 in developing fees alone.
Brad R.

Search the newspapers and circulars for coupons. Some give as much as 50% off per roll. Almost every Sunday in local papers there are coupons from drug stores offering 50% off on developing (my rolls usually are about $5 plus tax) They also offer reduced prices on purchasing film and other photography products. I never pay full price for photo developing.
Betty

I recently tried ofoto.com and snapfish.com. Ofoto.com will send you a postage-paid mailer. You drop your film in the mail, they process your film, put your photos online and mail you your negatives all for free. Once your film is online, you view it and choose only the ones you like for developing.

Their prices are reasonable, and by only developing the photos that "turned out," you are saving yourself a lot of money! Also, when you first register on their site, they give you credit for 50 free prints right off the bat. Then, when you refer your friends to their site to register, you receive 10 free prints (up to 100) for each friend that registers.

Snapfish.com sent me a free one-time use camera when I registered on their site, which I promptly used and returned to them - all for free of course! They then processed my photos, put them online and sent me a set of prints all for $1.69 shipping & handling. You can order additional prints off the site for a very discounted price.

I have been very pleased with both of these companies and have received very prompt, reliable service and quality work.
Debbie M.

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