Where to Develop Film in NYC (Manhattan) in 2023.
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In the city where you can find anything, it’s not surprising that there are plenty of photo labs that still process film. Whether you’re looking for the fastest film developing or the best quality that money can buy, you should be able to find it without leaving Manhattan.
Check out our list of where to develop film in NYC – we’ve included which types of film are accepted by each lab and a map of where to find them.
With so many choices across the city, we’ve only included options located in Manhattan. If you’re looking for options across the East River, check out our list of Where to Develop Film in Brooklyn.
Most Popular Places to Develop Film in NYC
With so many labs to choose from, let’s start by looking at some of the most popular options. These are the spots most recommended/beloved by NYC film photographers.
PICTURE HOUSE + THE SMALL DARKROOM
Picture House + The Small Darkroom is a fantastic place to get your color and black and white film developed. Established in 1996, they have years of experience as one of the premier destinations for film developing in NYC.
Picture House provides a level of care and detail that is hard to find; dip and dunk processing for C-41 color and black and white film processed by hand. 35mm, 120, and large format sheet film are all processed on-site.
Prices are definitely on the higher side compared to the rest of the labs in the city, but for those who need the best possibly quality, they shouldn’t let this be a deterrent.
After making the move to a new location, Picture House has added a selection of photo books for sale, along with fresh film stocks.
DUGGAL VISUAL SOLUTIONS
Duggal Visual Solutions may be the oldest place for developing film in all of NYC. Founded in 1963, the companies founder designed and built the world’s first-ever dip and dunk film processing machine.
They have continued to offer film developing for C-41 color, black and white, and slide film. Unless you shoot odd/outdated formats, Duggal should have you covered; 35mm, 120 medium format and large format film can all be developed.
The list of services offered goes well beyond developing film. Duugal is truly a one-stop-shop for any of your personal or business-related visual needs.
LTI LIGHTSIDE
If you’re looking for film developing in Gramercy, you may be interested in checking out LTI Lightside.
They provide developing for C-41 color and black and white film. All common film sizes can be processed, whether you have 35mm, 120, or large format sheet film.
LTI Lightside caters to museums, galleries, art collectors, and ad agencies, so you know that the quality of work will be extremely high. They also provide professional retouching services and custom framing.
COLOR RESOURCE CENTER
After almost three decades of operation in Midtown, Color Resource Center (aka CRC) has recently moved downtown. You can now stop by CRC if you’re looking to develop disposable cameras or film in the Lower East Side.
They accept 35mm and 120 film for developing in any chemistry – C-41 color, black and white, or E-6 color reversal.
You’ll also be able to get high-resolution scans and darkroom prints of your photos.
THE COLOR HOUSE
The Color House is a full-service photo lab located in Lower Manhattan. Their services should cover most of your film developing needs, offering 35mm, 120, and large format processing of color, black and white, and slide film.Â
As well as developing film, The Color House provides printing services (digital and inkjet), as well as mounting and laminating services.Â
MY OWN COLOR LAB
My Own Color Lab is an exhibition printing lab with a client list full of galleries and well-regarded artists. While their focus is mostly on high-end printing, their facilities may still be of interest to film photographers.
This is a spot for more advanced film shooters who know how to develop their own film but may not have the facilities available to them. My Own Color Lab offers darkroom rental, as well as digital workstation rental to the public.
Setting up your own darkroom is difficult enough, before you consider the size of most NYC apartments. If you’ve ever thought about getting your hands dirty in the darkroom, My Own Color Lab may be just the place to make those dreams a reality.
BLEEKER DIGITAL SOLUTIONS
With expertise in a wide array of visual products, Bleeker Digital Solutions also offers film developing in NYC.
They’ll be able to develop your 35mm and 120 film whether it’s C-41 color, black and white, or E-6 slide film.Â
The services offered at Blekker Digital don’t stop there, though; they also have video digitization services for Super 8 and 16mm video film, printing solutions, and super-high-resolution scanning.
PRO IMAGE PHOTO
One of the only places for film developing film in Upper Manhattan is Pro Image Photo. They have two locations, making them the go-to spot to develop film on the Upper West Side.
Pro Image accepts 35mm and 120 film for developing, both color and black and white.
Aside from film developing and printing photos, you’ll be able to produce any number of photo projects, from photo books to coffee mugs and everything in between.Â
If you happen to be a student interested in film photography, Pro Image offers a discount; if you shoot a lot of film, your savings would add up quickly!
LUSTER PHOTO AND DIGITAL
If you’re in need of film developing near the iconic Tompkins Square Park, look no further than Luster Photo and Digital.
Not only do they develop color, black and white, and E-6 slide film for both 35mm and 120, they usually offer same or next day service.
High-quality printing and scanning options make Luster Photo a great option for film shooters.
More Places to Develop Film in NYC
With the amount of film photographers in NYC, it makes sense that there are a lot of places for film developing. While the spots above are some of the most popular, there are plenty more options available. We’ve listed the remaining places to develop film in NYC below.
Trilogy Photo Lab
Sammy’s Photo Lab
Quick Color Custom Photo Lab
Imaging Coliseum
86 Street Photo
Eliz Digital
Map of Where to Develop Film in Manhattan
Anywhere Else?
Do you know any other places for film developing in NYC? Do you have a favorite lab from the list? Let us know below!
Even in this age of photoshop, it is always nice to shoot a film. NYC does offer great places to develop films. Your article is informative as it provides names of places to develop the film and shows their location. Thank you.
I am looking forward to getting such information in future also.
Thanks, Luca!
do you know someplace near to fresh meadows, Queens for film developing?
Unfortunately, the only place we know to develop film in Queens is all the way in Ridgewood, and we don’t really know anything about the lab. Ridgewood Photo and Wireless
Nice Film Lab! We’re located in North Williamsburg – we process C41/BW/E6 for 35mm or 120 film and have a web platform for our customers to download, view, share, and purchase printing services as well as film rolls.
Hey, Josh. Looks like a great spot. I’ve added it to the list of Where to Develop Film in Brooklyn.
I’ve had a very hard reaching Nice Film Lab, no one answers the phone and no one returns VMs.
Accurate Photo in Park Slope is a family run store and have amazing service and quality. I’ve been going for a few years and they develop my bulk loaded film with no issue. Really lovely to work with them they always deliver super high quality results and are just a joy to visit.
https://www.accuratephotoshop.com/
Accurate Photo is the best! We have them listed at the top of our Brooklyn Film Developing Article. 😄