Where to Develop Film in Boston in 2023.

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Last Updated

June 28, 2023

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There’s no feeling more exciting than releasing the shutter on the last frame of a roll of film.

The question that follows rewinding is one of the most important in the photographic process: where will you develop your film?

We’ve found all of the labs that develop disposable cameras and film in Boston – check out the list for which services are offered and a map of their locations.

• Colortek of Boston
• Boston Film Lab
• Hunt’s Photo & Video
• LaPete Labs
• Newtonville Camera
• Lumentation
• Map of Where to Develop Film

For over 45 years, Colortek of Boston has been providing high-quality services for film photographers. 

Dip and dunk processing sets them apart from the majority of other places for film developing in Boston. Not to mention covering the gamut of film formats.

35mm, 120, and large format film are all developed at Colortek, whether C-41 color process, black and white, or E-6 slide film.

Aside from film processing, you can expect to find any sort of photo lab services you may need – printing, scanning, etc.

Cat Labs is a business truly devoted to the art of analog photography. They sell darkroom and developing gear as well as used film cameras, with an emphasis on large format photography.

So it makes perfect sense that they’ve recently added film developing to their list of offerings. Under the name Boston Film Lab, they accept C-41 color and black and white film of any format for processing.

They offer an affordable option for developing with low resolution scans. You can pay extra for high res scans or rush service (24 hours or less).

If you’re a film photographer in Boston, it’s pretty safe to say that you’ll find something of interest at Cat Labs.

Hunt’s Photo & Video operates a total of eight locations throughout the northeast. A family-owned company, the original Hunt’s was purchased in 1952 as a pharmacy. The owner’s son brought in some photo equipment and by the ’90s, they had shuttered their pharmacy services and began operating solely as a photography store. 

Even today, film processing is still offered. You can take your 35mm or 120 film here, whether you shoot color or black and white. We’re not sure if developing still happens in-house, or whether all of their locations’ film is all developed at one lab.

Aside from film developing, you can also print your photos on just about anything you can imagine, take a class on photography, or sign up for a guided photo walk with other photographers in your area. 

We love to see labs that remain committed to traditional film developing practices. And that’s just what you’ll find at LaPete Labs, a black and white only darkroom in Boston. 

As long as it’s black and white film, you can get it developed here. Each roll of film is hand processed, using the developer of your choosing. You can also rent the darkroom equipment if you’d rather do the dirty work yourself. 

One of the best parts about going to an old school photo lab like LaPete is the analog prints of your photos. While definitely pricier than digital prints, we’d absolutely recommend getting a darkroom print of one of your photos at some point.

Family-owned since 1974, Newtonville Camera is definitely worth checking out if you are a film photographer in the Boston area.

Film processing services cover both 35mm and 120 medium format film, whether it’s C-41 color, black and white, or E-6 color reversal film. 

Aside from their photo lab, Newtonville Camera has a large, used inventory that often contains all sorts of film camera bodies and vintage lenses. They also offer cleaning and repair services, as well as student discounts.

Located in Sommerville, Lumentation is another spot for developing film near Boston.

Both color film and black and white are accepted for developing. They offer services for 35mm and 120 medium format film.

Aside from the photo lab, they have a studio for rent, classes, and a great selection of fresh film for sale.

Map of Where Places to Develop Film

Anywhere Else?

Do you know of any other places for film developing in Boston? Let us know in the comments!