WHERE DO I BUY FILM?
35mm FILM //
LOCAL: If you forget to stock up on film before a shoot or you just have the itch to shoot that day, your safest bet is the photo store in your area. When I lived in Utah it was: Pictureline or Nichols Photo Lab , now that I’m in Portland it’s ProPhoto Supply, Blue Moon Photo, or The Shutterbug.
Other accessible places that are hit or miss are: Walgreens, Walmart, and even some grocery stores will carry one option.
I have found them at Smiths in SLC, UT.
ONLINE: My favorite places to buy film online are Amazon: THIS, THIS, and THIS, Pictureline, B&H Photo, Ebay
Polaroid FILM //
LOCAL: If you forget to stock up on film before a shoot or you just have the itch to shoot that day, your safest bet is the photo store in your area. When I lived in Utah it was: Pictureline, now that I’m in Portland it’s ProPhoto Supply, Blue Moon Photo, or The Shutterbug.
A random place for Polaroid film that has saved me on procrastination days is: Urban Outfitters. They generally always have Instax Wide Polaroid Film in stock + sometimes carry the trendy/colored 600 Film packs.
ONLINE: My favorite places to buy polaroid film online are Amazon, B&H Photo, Polaroid, Ebay, Urban Outfitters.
For the FP-100C (Land Camera film) that has sadly been discontinued (although, I personally believe they will bring it back at some point), its a bit more of a search on Google, Amazon, Ebay. I’ve found it HERE, HERE, and HERE.
HOW DO I KNOW WHAT FILM TO BUY, THERE ARE SO MANY OPTIONS?!
Alot of selecting a film stock is based on look-preference, price, accessiblity, etc.
My favorite types to shoot with are: Portra 400 (cuz it’s the most gorgeous), Kodak Gold (cuz it just seems to always look good) and Fuji Film 400 (cuz its cheap)
As for black and white film: I always use: Illford or Tri-x400.
I mainly stick with 400 ISO. It’s just a good general/safe ISO. Also, unless I have a flash, I never really shoot film at night. It’s too hard sometimes to get the right light when its super dark and usually I only have 400 Film Speed on hand so I’m not prepared to tackle such low-light. But, again, that’s a preference. It can be done, so totally feel free to play around with it!
HOW/WHERE SHOULD I STORE MY FILM?
If you’re buying extra film and keeping it at your house or studio, it’s important to make sure it’s not subject to any extremes of light or temperature. You’re likely fine keeping it in a place at room temperature, but the best storage option for longest use is in the fridge in a plastic bag or container.
WHERE DO I DEVELOP MY FILM?
My favorite options are at your local photo stores. I don’t have a huge preference on how the scans are processed or specifics with pushing and pulling because the whole reason I shoot 35mm film is for the simplicity, allowance of mistakes, and the messy/undone vibe. So, unless you’re shooting more fine art film, I don’t find those factors too important for me personally. With that being said, I have alot of options for where to develop.
LOCAL: your Professional Photo Stores
Utah:
Nichols Photo Lab: I loved this place because I could just drop off the film without having to mail it in and then they would just email me the scans, usually within 1-2 days!
Portland:
The Shutterbug: I like this place for a cheaper price and quick service, BUT they don’t email scans so you have to bring your own flash drive in when you drop-off and then go back to pick it up to see your scans. Otherwise, they give you a CD option…which do we even know what a CD is anymore?!
Pro Photo Supply: Really high quality but pricier and at least 5 days out on returning scans via email.
MAIL-IN:
I don’t know why this freaks me out so much to send my shot-through rolls in the mail…but it does. haha So, on top of the conveniece of just dropping off at my local photo store, I prefer not to pay for the shipping + stress of anything getting lost in the mail…that is just my personal preference though because I’m not too picky about labs and scanners.
I know tons of photographers that mail in their rolls all the time and don’t ever have a problem. Total preference.
Labs + State:
Indie Film Lab
AL
Nichols Photo Lab
UT
The Find Lab
UT
Richards Photo Lab
CA
State Film
KY
The Shutterbug
PDX
Pro Photo Supply
PDX
Blue Moon Camera
PDX
Citizens Photo
PDX
(Thanks to those that sent me recommendations on IG, in addition to the few I’ve tried)
