Film developing in Chicago is still possible at the handful of excellent photo labs in the city, all ready to handle disposable camera developing, 35mm, and 120 film developing.
Looking at reviews, it can be tough to find somewhere reputable that develops film in Chicago. Do you trust the one-star reviews, the five-star reviews, or neither?
I’ve looked for examples of people who regularly use these services to get an idea of which are the top Chicago film labs, and which you can trust with your film.
So, if you want to know where to develop film in Chicago, then read on for the full low-down.
The Best Places for Film Developing in Chicago
All of these locations are excellent choices to develop 35mm film in Chicago – you shouldn’t take the positions given as fixed.
|
||
|---|---|---|
 C-41 (Color) |
E-6 (Slide) |
B&W |
| 120 (Medium Format) |
Large Format |
APS |
from 51 reviews |
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What Do Their Customers Say?
I love how fast the Turnaround is (24-72 hours)! There’s an 1 hour rush option too for those who are running out of time or visiting the city or Wicker Park at a short time frame.
Google Reviews
Bellows cover processing for nearly every kind of film, and offer a mail-in service for those not willing to head out to Wicker Park.
Prices are reasonable for Chicago, with development only coming in at under $10 for C-41, and scans available for an extra charge.
They also sell a wide range of cameras, films, papers and accessories.
|
||
|---|---|---|
| C-41 (Color) |
 E-6 (Slide) |
B&W |
| 120 (Medium Format) |
Large Format |
APS |
from 48 reviews |
||
What Do Their Customers Say?
Extensive list of services, great prices, and an amazing hospitality!
Google Reviews
As a non-profit community lab, Latitude offers DIY lab access for scanning and printing using their top-of-the-line equipment, but also has a drop-off developing service for color 35mm and 120 film.
Unfortunately they don’t process any other varieties of film, but color film development plus access to their lab for your own scanning and printing is going to be a great idea for lots of us photographers.
|
||
|---|---|---|
| C-41 (Color) |
E-6 (Slide) |
B&W |
| 120 (Medium Format) |
Large Format |
APS |
from 21 reviews |
||
What Do Their Customers Say?
My roll of film was developed right when they said it would be, and the staff was very friendly and knowledgeable.
Google Reviews
One of the top photo shops in the Chicago area, J&S is the kind of small, family-owned photo lab that no longer exists in that many cities.
With development, scanning and printing reported to be completed very quickly – as you would expect from a small lab – J&S are the people to go to if you have standard film and you don’t want to wait around.
|
||
|---|---|---|
| C-41 (Color) |
E-6 (Slide) |
B&W |
| 120 (Medium Format) |
Large Format |
APS |
from 4 reviews |
||
What Do Their Customers Say?
Great family-owned business.
Google Reviews
Although mainly specializing in large format graphics such as signage for trade shows, Gamma Imaging also offer standard color film development in their in-house darkroom.
Developing is particularly good value for large format sheet film, and they have discounts for students and large orders, which you can contact them to access.
|
||
|---|---|---|
| C-41 (Color) |
E-6 (Slide) |
B&W |
| 120 (Medium Format) |
Large Format |
APS |
from 44 reviews |
||
What Do Their Customers Say?
Love sending my film to be developed here. I do develop only and not cuts, and it only costs me $6 per roll.
Google Reviews
One of the cheapest film developing photo labs in the Chicago area, Photographic Depot mainly work on digitizing old photos but also offer basic film C-41 and E-6 in-house film development.
They’re a little out of town, but if you’re in the area, they make an excellent choice.
|
||
|---|---|---|
| C-41 (Color) |
E-6 (Slide) |
B&W |
| 120 (Medium Format) |
Large Format |
APS |
from 595 reviews |
||
What Do Their Customers Say?
5 stars for the massive in-store film selection and for being an old-school camera store sticking it out through the rise of digital photography.
Google Reviews
With a very central location in Chicago, Central Camera Company is definitely well named!
If you want to buy film, then you’re going to find a very wide range of stock plus all kinds of cameras, lenses and accessories are for sale.
Film developing is probably a little slow if you are only visiting the city, but this makes a good spot for processing if you live locally.
|
||
|---|---|---|
| C-41 (Color) |
E-6 (Slide) |
B&W |
| 120 (Medium Format) |
Large Format |
APS |
from 50 reviews |
||
What Do Their Customers Say?
This place really is a hidden gem. You can’t beat their prices and every time I had my film developed they exceeded my expectations in terms of quality and professionalism.
Google Reviews
With a focus on prints and decor for the home, Quality Plus don’t offer the full range of film processing services that other labs do, but do still process C-41 in-house.
This is a good choice if you are wanting prints made of your 35mm film, particularly in the form of greetings cards, photo books, wall decor or similar.
Film Developing Chicago Map
Here’s the best places for film developing in Chicago on a larger map of the area.
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