35mm Film, and processing

[M.J.S]

Howdy,

A question for the knowledgeable types on here...
I'm getting hitched in Sept and we're planning on having some 35mm cameras dotted around the place for people to take some pictures with that cannot be deleted. The place we're going to does not allow disposable cameras, so I’m on the hunt for cheapy compacts. The hunt is going well, but as these are unknown cameras I want to try them out.
So can anyone recommend a film supplier and developer? I'm not too fussed about the best, just a reasonable price. I'm guessing a 200 speed film would be my best bet?

A quick Google search provides lots of film suppliers, but not may processors. Does anyone still do it? Jessops and Boots look like they don’t; well they don't have it on their websites.

I seem to remember there used to be places where you could post off a film, does this still happen?

Thanks in advance

[Simpo Two]

M.J.S said:

The place we're going to does not allow disposable cameras

New one to me. Why on earth would they allow compacts but not disposables?

M.J.S said:

I'm guessing a 200 speed film would be my best bet?

I'd go for 400; it will give a better flash range in circumstances that are relatively dark.

[M.J.S]

Simpo Two said:

I'd go for 400; it will give a better flash range in circumstances that are relatively dark.

Top tip on the 400, thanks. As you might have guessed photography is not a strong point of mine.

As to why allowing compacts not disposables, they are trying to be 'green'. Suggesting that disposables get chucked away, even though i think that the body of the camera is reused agian and again. So I'm picking up cheap compacts, and will give them to a charity shop afterward.

I had considered some cheap digital cameras, but i like the idea of people not being able to delete the images.

[Simpo Two]

M.J.S said:

As to why allowing compacts not disposables, they are trying to be 'green'

That's pathetic! I'd remind them who's paying them a multi-thousand pound sum...


Try 'It's OK, I've got some recyclable cameras instead'. That'll fox 'em.

[KenBlocksPants]

Simpo Two said:

That's pathetic! I'd remind them who's paying them a multi-thousand pound sum...


Try 'It's OK, I've got some recyclable cameras instead'. That'll fox 'em.

+1 wouldnt stand for that considering how much you will be paying and its your special day.

I must say that whenever I get my hands on one of these drunk at a wedding, I end up taking pictures of my arse

[M.J.S]

KenBlocksPants said:

+1 wouldnt stand for that considering how much you will be paying and its your special day.

I must say that whenever I get my hands on one of these drunk at a wedding, I end up taking pictures of my arse

Remembers not to send KenBlocksPants an invite...

This is about the only thing thats not great, for an easy life I'm happy to buy some cheap compacts and dispose of them some way afterwards.

[Pixel Pusher]

Does this help? http://www.photofilmprocessing.co.uk/35mmfilm.html

A Google search of, "35mm film processing" returned quite a few options as well as this. I can't testify with regards to reliability though.

HTH

[M.J.S]

Thanks Pixel Pusher, the link is one I saw earlier. It looks like it might be one to go for, the images on CD sounds like a good thing to have as well.

[Pixel Pusher]

M.J.S said:

Thanks Pixel Pusher, the link is one I saw earlier. It looks like it might be one to go for, the images on CD sounds like a good thing to have as well.

Oh yes, take the CD option. Might want to check the image criteria on the CD as well?? File sizes that offer the best compromise for home re-prints and emailing on to friends.

[andy-xr]

Personal preference is for DS Colour Labs or Peak Imaging. You might be able to find places that'll do it cheaper, tbh my local Boots does C41 within the hour still

[tog]

KenBlocksPants said:

I must say that whenever I get my hands on one of these drunk at a wedding, I end up taking pictures of my arse

I don't think they work if you try to photograph anything else!

[M.J.S]

Cheers guys,
I didn't realise Boots still did processing and developing, that might be a good solution as well.

So I'm thinking 8-10 cameras, 36 exposure film, how many arse shots is that?!

[Pixel Pusher]

M.J.S said:

Cheers guys,
I didn't realise Boots still did processing and developing, that might be a good solution as well.

So I'm thinking 8-10 cameras, 36 exposure film, how many arse shots is that?!

Probably 288 - 360 I'd say MJS. Elton John & David Furnish had the same idea and Boots are still processing those!!!

By the way, wish you the very best for September sir.

[M.J.S]

Pixel Pusher said:

Probably 288 - 360 I'd say MJS. Elton John & David Furnish had the same idea and Boots are still processing those!!!

By the way, wish you the very best for September sir.

Thanks very much Pixel Pusher

[Simpo Two]

tog said:

I don't think they work if you try to photograph anything else!

For best results use Arse Mode and enable Arse Detection. Although fortunately I haven't attended any weddings with such happenings.



I agree that if the rest of the venue is just right; you can compromise on the cameras. But what a nonsense. No wait, I just saved a polar bear!

[XG332]

Most Jessops will do 35mm.

[ian in lancs]

Club 35 dev & scan. Good vfm and the one I use myself. Peak imaging are a rip off

[Elderly]

Simpo Two said:

I just saved a polar bear!

[Simpo Two]

Elderly, you're on the ginger wine again aren't you!

[GenePoolReject13]

M.J.S said:

Howdy,

A question for the knowledgeable types on here...
I'm getting hitched in Sept and we're planning on having some 35mm cameras dotted around the place for people to take some pictures with that cannot be deleted. The place we're going to does not allow disposable cameras, so I’m on the hunt for cheapy compacts. The hunt is going well, but as these are unknown cameras I want to try them out.
So can anyone recommend a film supplier and developer? I'm not too fussed about the best, just a reasonable price. I'm guessing a 200 speed film would be my best bet?

A quick Google search provides lots of film suppliers, but not may processors. Does anyone still do it? Jessops and Boots look like they don’t; well they don't have it on their websites.

I seem to remember there used to be places where you could post off a film, does this still happen?

Thanks in advance

Boots still do 35mm, aps, digital and reprints in either matt or glossy (matt cost more) Gifts are sent to photobox (we get alot sent back as unwanted) I work at the main Boots lab, there are also some store labs dotted about the place. They dont advertise very well so are struggleing for work. If you sent your work to us then its quite possible I would process, print or pack it. We charge 0-6 exp 50p per print, 7-28 exp £4.99 and 29-40 £5.99 (6x4 glossy)
Obviously I see alot of this kind of thing in my work and quite often the pictures are rubbish, usualy a case of being in a dark room with flash bouncing off of white faces or clothing just inches away from the lens. So choose wisely or you may end up paying for photos you dont want to keep. The software we use is quite limited when it comes to post processing so we cant do alot to improve the quality for you. You will have to do your best to handle tricky lighting with cheap kit and your guests just clicking away for fun. I dont want to put you off because I think its a great way capture moments you may miss on the day. Just advising you of the things most people dont realise untill they pick up thier films.
Also, if you do end up using dispoable cameras, use kodac, fujifilm or boots cameras. The cheap ones are recycled stuff, stuck back together with tape and contain poor film.

Oh wanted to add a couple of things after actualy reading the rest of the thread.
Boots photos to CD is £2 per film/CD ( we can put 200 images on a CD but boots wont let you put more than one film onto a single CD, Boooo!)
I dont know about Jessops stores but they had a main lab like ours in liecestershire, it went bust 2-3 years ago. We employed some of thier staff.
And yes, disposables are recycled. We send them off to kodac to be made into cheap cameras or melted down or whatever. As I said, avoid cheap ones, they are broken cameras stuck back together.


I hope that helps.

Edited by GenePoolReject13 on Friday 4th March 22:09