Is it still possible to obtain 35mm color slide film & processing? I have a digital point & shoot outfit on the way. Meanwhile, while I was online-surfing various stores for photo gear...

bellgamin Loc: Ewa Beach, Hawaii

I have a digital point & shoot outfit on the way. Meanwhile, while I was online-surfing various stores for photo gear & doo-dads, I learned that film cameras (used ones, but really good ones) are being sold at bargain basement prices. At those prices, I thought -- why not?

My concern, however, is whether on not there are reliable sources of color slide film (fresh, of course), & processing labs. Are there? If so, please guide me thereto!!

Aloha from Hawaii. I looove this forum!

GreyOwl40 Loc: Quebec City

I'm certain that some camera store or photo lab does slide processing in your area. I know I can get it done locally, but that is a long, long way from where you are. At worst you would have to send it offshore to have it done. Slide film is easily available. Check Amazon and Google slide processing.

bellgamin Loc: Ewa Beach, Hawaii

GreyOwl40 wrote:

I'm certain that some camera store or photo lab does slide processing in your area. ... ...

I checked 3 local places. They said there isn't enough volume to justify the expense of setting up for it. Oahu is a small island.

As to film, I did check where you suggested. Those are my Plan B sources, but I was hoping for other sources that are more dedicated to preserving the feasibilty of using film cameras. The ones on ebay & amazon give me the vibes that they may happily disappear once present supplies are exhausted. I would like to support a more committed supply source, if possible.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

bellgamin wrote:

I have a digital point & shoot outfit on the w... (show quote)

I still shoot Fuji Velvia, mostly in the Spring. Kodak recently announced they are starting to produce Ektachrome again. Slides are not dead, but processing is getting a bit harder to find locally due to low volume useage.

bellgamin Loc: Ewa Beach, Hawaii

I saw some ektachrome on ebay but it was called "Ektachrome Retrochrome" -- the name threw me off, but I plan to research it further. Did Kodak give it this name, or is it some kind of clone by a seller with semi-expired stock, or what?

(Yes, I sound paranoid.)

Shutterbug57

Fuji Velvia is still available as are a few others. The Darkroom is a good place to process E6 film. It works mail order and will process and scan at any of 3 levels of quality. $11 for processing and base level scans. Add $5 for mid grade scans or add $9 for best level scans. Check B&H for film.

rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

MT Shooter wrote:

I still shoot Fuji Velvia, mostly in the Spring. Kodak recently announced they are starting to produce Ektachrome again. Slides are not dead, but processing is getting a bit harder to find locally due to low volume useage.

Kodak's production has move to, surprise, China.

RWR Loc: La Mesa, CA

bellgamin wrote:

I have a digital point & shoot outfit on the w... (show quote)

Check Adorama, B&H and Freestyle. Fujifilm E6 processing mailers are for their US lab in Parson’s, Kansas (Dwayne’s).

clint f. Loc: Priest Lake Idaho, Spokane Wa

I used a lab in Seattle when I was there but can not remember the name, it's been a while. They were excellent, there is nothing like looking at a square Fuji chrome. As much as I love them I mostly shoot B&W and process and print it in my home darkroom. I am getting ready to buy the contents of a local shop that specialized in film. The owner died and I'm going to sell off all the stuff that is still usable. His family stored everything without really knowing what they were doing and so wet chemicals and paper will probably get tossed, there is however a market for outdated film. Who knew. I'm not interested in keeping it as a business, I don't have the inclination to put the time into it that it needs...6 days a week 9 hours a day at my age isn't very appealing, but selling it off on e-bay and craigslist should hopefully be done by early summer. I know this site isn't about selling, but when I get an inventory I will beg permission from the moderator to allow people to contact me with any special requests. Probably won't even start until mid March.

jaymatt Loc: Alexandria, Indiana

Ilford slide and print film is still alive and well. Jack’s Camera Shop in Muncie, IN, handles it and sends it somewhere for processing. I’m sure other good shops do, too. If you can’t find it anywhere else, Google Jack’s, and I’m sure they will deal with you. I believe they handle Fuji and Kodak as well, but I only use Ilford.

You can even get film developed at Meijer stores; they sent a roll to a Fuji lab and had it processed for me a year or so ago.

DTran

How about buying from B&H? You can buy Fujichrome Provia or Velvia for about $13 a roll and a processing mailer for about $11. So it would cost you about $25 for a roll of 36 exposures. So for $500 you can shoot 720 shots (about the price of a very good used 35mm SLR).

Shutterbug57

Right now, Velvia is on sale at B&H for $6.99

drmike99 Loc: Fairfield Connecticut

bellgamin wrote:

I have a digital point & shoot outfit on the w... (show quote)

Fuji continues to make slide film. I just ordered some Velvia 100 from B&H. They make 35 mm and 120 roll film. Kodak has announced the re-introduction of Ektachrome in 35mm & Super-8; the latest email I have from them is availabilty first half of this year. Processing from the usual gang of online labs such as The Darkroom or Old School Photo. You can buy mailers for Fuji processing which is actually Dwayne's of Parsons KS (known for being the last lab in the world processing Kodachrome— but that ended in 2010).

drmike99 Loc: Fairfield Connecticut

jaymatt wrote:

Ilford slide and print film is still alive and well. Jack’s Camera Shop in Muncie, IN, handles it and sends it somewhere for processing. I’m sure other good shops do, too. If you can’t find it anywhere else, Google Jack’s, and I’m sure they will deal with you. I believe they handle Fuji and Kodak as well, but I only use Ilford.

You can even get film developed at Meijer stores; they sent a roll to a Fuji lab and had it processed for me a year or so ago.

What slide film does Ilford make? To my knowledge they're 100% B&W negative.

drmike99 Loc: Fairfield Connecticut

DTran wrote:

How about buying from B&H? You can buy Fujichrome Provia or Velvia for about $13 a roll and a processing mailer for about $11. So it would cost you about $25 for a roll of 36 exposures. So for $500 you can shoot 720 shots (about the price of a very good used 35mm SLR).

$13/roll? I just paid B&H a liitle short of $7/roll for Velvia 100. Velvia 50 is less than $1 more.