The Dark Room: Hey guys and gals, I have been looking for film development companies and you guys and gals have provided some really good options. I was looking for a contact number...

A. T.

Hey guys and gals,

I have been looking for film development companies and you guys and gals have provided some really good options. I was looking for a contact number for The Dark Room and I can't find one on their webpage. Would anyone happen to have a number for this company? I really hate to have to communicate via an email but if that's the only way I guess I'll have to make do.

JohnSwanda Loc: San Francisco

I Googled their phone number, and came up with a page on their web site explaining why they don't have phone support.

A. T.

JohnSwanda wrote:

I Googled their phone number, and came up with a page on their web site explaining why they don't have phone support.

Okay, well I went to the website and I can't find where it explains why they don't have phone number but it's not important. I guess I'll just make do with explaining what I want done via an email or their order form. Thanks for responding though.

Bill_de Loc: US

A. T. wrote:

Hey guys and gals,

I have been looking for film development companies and you guys and gals have provided some really good options. I was looking for a contact number for The Dark Room and I can't find one on their webpage. Would anyone happen to have a number for this company? I really hate to have to communicate via an email but if that's the only way I guess I'll have to make do.

We know the decision to omit phone support is unusual, but after experimenting with different approaches, we’ve found that starting with email enables us to provide the fastest response. We focus on providing fast and high quality responses by email, so you’re always talking to a human that can help first-hand.

A. T.

Bill_de wrote:

We know the decision to omit phone support is unusual, but after experimenting with different approaches, we’ve found that starting with email enables us to provide the fastest response. We focus on providing fast and high quality responses by email, so you’re always talking to a human that can help first-hand.

Okay thanks, I'll give it a go.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

A. T. wrote:

Okay, well I went to the website and I can't find where it explains why they don't have phone number but it's not important. I guess I'll just make do with explaining what I want done via an email or their order form. Thanks for responding though.

Long ago I decided I was done with film. But, driven by curiosity, I looked up the website. I found the reasoning behind not having a phone in the FAQ section.

Bill_de Loc: US

bsprague wrote:

Long ago I decided I was done with film. But, driven by curiosity, I looked up the website. I found the reasoning behind not having a phone in the FAQ section.

Already posted if you look above.

==

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

Bill_de wrote:

Already posted if you look above.

==

Yes, you did give him the answer.

A.T. pointed out that he couldn't find it. You found it, cut and pasted the answer. But you didn't tell where he could find it or find other things he might want to know.

JohnSwanda Loc: San Francisco

bsprague wrote:

Yes, you did give him the answer.

A.T. pointed out that he couldn't find it. You found it, cut and pasted the answer. But you didn't tell where he could find it or find other things he might want to know.

I found it by Googling "The Darkroom lab phone number".

A. T.

JohnSwanda wrote:

I found it by Googling "The Darkroom lab phone number".

Okay, I'll look again.

Peteso Loc: Blacks Hills

So, if you found it, could you please provide it?

JohnSwanda Loc: San Francisco

Peteso wrote:

So, if you found it, could you please provide it?

If you use Quote Reply, we would know who you are responding to. If you are asking what the phone number is, you must not have read the thread.

badapple Loc: Twin Lake, Michigan

The “no phone number” approach may be better than “please listen to the following 18 options and select the one…”

Robert Ley

You don't mention what type of film you want to develop. If it is B&W, for a modest investment in equipment, most that can be obtained cheaply on local craig's list you can process your own film and maintain control.
You also don't mention if you have ever shot film before and what you are intending to do with these images.

As I have been shooting and processing my own B&W and color film for well over 50 years, I'm loathe to give up the control of the image that I get from self processing.

Besides, half the fun of shooting film is getting home from a photo shoot, processing the film and seeing your images that day and not waiting around for a week or two for the film to get back from some iffy processor.

If you are serious about learning to shoot film, I'd suggest a great forum for photography..."Photrio" You can learn everything you need to know there.

chrisg-optical Loc: New York, NY

It stands to reason why they don't have phone support - 1000 people calling a day would mean they need a call center support staff which is very costly. A lot of people are still shooting with film even these days. This past weekend, I just dusted off my three OM bodies and lenses, and today ordered some rolls of film (and fresh batteries to feed those hungry OM bodies) to start shooting away when the flowers start blooming. So, I will be using the dark room too. Ironically, the film images will be destined for the hard drive. I've heard they only make digital (vs optical/chemical) prints these days. Some films are awfully expensive, such as the Fuji Provia 100 around $40 for 1 36ex roll!