Does CVS Develop Film in 2024? A Comprehensive Guide
With film photography seeing a surprising resurgence among enthusiasts, newcomers, and artists, CVS remains a convenient and affordable way to get your 35mm, disposable, and other film formats developed and printed. As an avid film shooter myself, I decided to provide an in-depth look at CVS‘ current film processing services for 2024.
Film Types Supported by CVS Photo
While many discount retailers have stopped processing film entirely, CVS offers a wide range of compatibility:
35mm: CVS develops all standard 35mm film, including 200/400 speed color film, 100/400 speed black-and-white, and more artistic films like Lomography.
APS: CVS is one of the few places that still develops Advanced Photo System (APS) film, though only major brands like Kodak. Expect longer turnaround times.
Disposable Cameras: CVS processes all major 35mm disposable camera film including Kodak MAX, Fuji QuickSnap, and Fujifilm QuickSnap Waterproof disposables.
Black and White: CVS processes 135, 120, and 220 roll black-and-white film up to 400 speed. They do not develop sheet film.
110, 126: While declining, CVS still processes Kodak 110 and 126 Instamatic film cartridges.
Slide Film: Ektachrome, Fujichrome, and other color slide films are processed.
See the table below for a full comparison of film types supported by CVS versus Walgreens, Walmart, and local camera shops:
| Film Type | CVS | Walgreens | Walmart | Camera Shops |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 35mm | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| APS | Yes | No | No | Limited |
| Black & White | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 110, 126 | Yes | No | No | Limited |
| Slide Film | Yes | No | No | Yes |
How CVS Handles Your Film
Unlike camera stores that process film in-house, CVS ships all film to an outside professional photo lab facility for processing, printing, and scanning.
There are a handful of major labs they work with including Prism Imaging, an Oklahoma-based facility that handles film developing for many retailers. These labs use automated processing machines combined with manual quality checks for consistent results. CVS states they hand-inspect every roll.
Turnaround Times for Film Developing
35mm & Disposable Camera Film: Expect a turnaround time of 7-10 business days for CVS to return your developed 35mm film and disposable camera film prints. Weekends and holidays do not count towards this timeframe.
All Other Film: For APS, black-and-white, 110, 126, and slide film, the complete turnaround time is typically 10-21 business days according to CVS Photo. These films require more specialized processing.
Rushed processing is not available. If you need film back quickly, look to local camera shops that can process film in-house much faster, typically 1-3 days.
Pricing for Film Development and Prints
As of January 2023, here are the standard film developing prices at CVS:
- 35mm:
- 12 exp roll – $12.99
- 24 exp roll – $17.85
- 36 exp roll – $21.99
- APS Film:
- 15 exp roll – $9.99
- 24 exp roll – $12.99
- 40 exp roll – $16.99
- 110, 126:
- 12 exp roll – $9.99
- 24 exp roll – $14.99
- 35mm Black & White:
- 12 exp roll – $11.99
- 24 exp roll – $16.99
- 36 exp roll – $21.99
- Slide Film:
- 36 exp roll – $7.49
These base prices include a set of standard 4×6 prints. Additional print sizes and quantities are around $0.29 to $0.39 each depending on options chosen.
Always check for the latest CVS Photo coupons and promos to save on film developing. Joining their ExtraCare program also provides photo discounts.
Comparison of Retailer Film Processing Fees
Here‘s how CVS film developing rates stack up against major competitors:
| Retailer | 35mm (24 exp) | 4×6 Prints |
|---|---|---|
| CVS | $17.85 | Included |
| Walgreens | $19.99 | $6.99 |
| Walmart | $14.96 | $6.96 |
| Target | $18.99 | Included |
CVS comes out very cost competitive, with Walmart offering slightly lower rates but Walgreens being more expensive when factoring in print costs.
Should You Choose CVS or a Local Camera Shop?
CVS offers exceptional convenience when you just want to quickly drop off film without appointment. Turnaround meets expectations at 7-10 days for 35mm. And costs are budget-friendly, especially with coupons.
However, for specialty formats like slide film or medium format rolls, the quality and service of local camera shops can‘t be beat. They offer faster 1-3 day processing, higher quality scans and prints, plus your negatives are often returned.
So CVS is a solid standard option for casual film processing, but enthusiasts may still prefer supporting specialized local labs.
Tips for Getting Good Results
To have the best experience developing your film at CVS, follow these pro tips:
- Carefully check rolls for correct film advance before dropping off. Re-winding to fix can cause issues.
- Request hand film inspection for specialty films like black-and-white.
- For damaged film, ask for special handling and adjustments.
- To retain negatives, process at a local lab instead of CVS.
- Inspect prints and request reprints if needed within 7 days.
CVS Also Converts Film to Digital
In addition to photo prints, CVS now offers film conversion services to digitize 35mm, APS, 110, 126 negatives, slides, and prints to DVD or USB thumb drive. This allows you to preserve and share old memories online.
Pricing typically starts at $0.39 per standard photo, $0.79 for 35mm slides, and $14.99 per 24-exposure 35mm negative roll. Turnaround is approximately 1 week.
Still a Top Choice for Film Developing
Despite changes in technology, CVS remains a trusted and convenient choice for developing 35mm, disposable, and specialty format film at competitive prices. With upfront pricing, coupons, and broad film compatibility, CVS fills an important niche for casual film photographers. Just be sure to set proper expectations for turnaround times.
